An LED-based lamp assembly or diode lamp assembly effectively replaces a filament or incandescent type lamp assembly for cabin/compartment reading light applications for reducing power consumption and improving fuel efficiency. The diode lamp assembly comprises a light-emitting diode in circuit with peripheral components for effecting or simulating a low resistance through the diode lamp assembly. The simulation of a low resistance via the diode lamp assembly appears the same as the normal operation of a filament lamp assembly to existent circuit polling mechanisms so that the latter need not be replaced. Rather, the targeted element to be replaced is a relatively high power consumption filament lamp. A lamp monitoring method is further disclosed as bootstrap-supported by the teaching of the diode lamp assembly.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to a light-emitting diode (LED) type cabin reading light. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an LED type cabin reading lamps for replacing state of the art filament lamps used on aircraft and similar other transportation vehicles, and method for monitoring the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
According to classical physical principles, power (P) is the rate at which work is performed or energy is transferred. In other words, power may be defined as the amount of energy required or expended in a given unit of time. In the International System of Units (SI) system of measurement, power is measured in watts (W). One watt is equivalent to one joule of energy transfer per second. The instantaneous electrical power (P) delivered to an electrical component is given by the relation: P(t)=I(t)·V(t), where P(t) is the instantaneous power, measured in watts, V(t) is the potential difference (or voltage drop) across the component, measured in volts; and I(t) is the current flowing through it, measured in amperes. If the component is a resistor, then: P=I2·R=V2/R where R=V/I is the resistance, measured in ohms.
Exemplary state of the art filament-based reading lamps used on aircraft such as the Boeing 777 and 747-400 (such as Model Nos. 2059 and 2058X) may consume 10 watts with an average lamp life of approximately 8,000 hours. Further, filament-based reading lamps used on aircraft such as the Boeing DC-9, 737, 757, and 767 (such as Model Nos. 2232, 2233, 2233B, 307SB, and 674SB) may consume 44 watts with an average lamp life of about 2,000 hours. Notably, the lamp-operating power is consumed from a burnt fuel-based source on board the aircraft. If the filament type reading lamps could be replaced with lamps that consume less power with substantially equivalent lumen intensity with a substantially longer average lamp life (such as an LED type lamp), the replacement lamp could well cut fuel usage and operating cost during the life of the replacement lamp.
Similar to a conventional diode, a light-emitting diode or so-called "LED" comprises a chip of semi-conducting impurity-doped material so as to create a junction. As in other diodes, current flows easily from the cathode side of the junction to the anode side or the junction, but not in reverse. Charge-carriers flow into the junction from electrodes with a potential difference therebetween. When charge carriers fall into lower energy levels, energy is released in the form of photons (light), thereby emitting light as a light-emitting diode or LED.
It should be noted that the prior art is not silent in terms of cabin reading light-type lamp assemblies and means for monitoring the same. Some of the more pertinent prior art relating to cabin reading light assemblies; certain means for enabling the use of light-emitting diode lamp assemblies in combination with existing filament or incandescent lamp assemblies; and lamp system monitoring means are briefly set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,377,087; 7,153,008; and 4,475,196, respectively. These abstract type descriptions of these disclosures are set forth hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,087 ('087 patent), which issued to Yoon, discloses a Passenger Reading Light. The '087 patent teaches an orientable passenger reading light assembly for vehicles, which light assembly comprises a two-part removable bezel arrangement. The lower part of the bezel is freely rotatable to disguise the method of relamping by requiring correct manipulation of the upper bezel part to allow release and removal of the bezel arrangement. A continuously adjustable ball and socket arrangement permits varying the orientation of the light over a wide range such as a 25 degree spherical zone. A simplified locking mechanism may be engaged in any position without tools, to prevent adjustment by passengers. When the locking mechanism is disengaged, enough friction is provided to maintain the orientation despite environment vibration.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,153,008 ('008 patent), which issued to Grote, III et al., discloses a Conversion Cradle Incandescent Lamp to LED Lamp. The '008 patent teaches an LED lamp mounting assembly for use in motor vehicle lamps. The LED lamp mounting assembly preferably connects a LED lamp to a pre-existing incandescent lamp socket in a motor vehicle. The LED lamp mounting assembly therefore allows a LED lamp to be operated from incandescent lamp hardware. In one embodiment, the LED lamp mounting assembled includes a LED lamp assembly, a heat sink, a cradle, printed circuit boards and an electrical connector. The electrical connector is insertable into the incandescent lamp socket and connects to the printed circuit boards. The printed circuit boards power the LED lamp assembly and the heat sink adsorbs excess heat created by the LED lamp assembly. The motor vehicle lamp becomes a LED lamp without any changes to the existing incandescent lamp hardware.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,475,196 ('196 patent), which issued to La Zor, discloses an Instrument for Locating Faults in Aircraft Passenger Reading Light and Attendant Call Control System. The '196 patent teaches a testing instrument especially adapted for use in locating faults in the passenger reading light and flight attendant call control systems which are used in jumbo jetliners. The testing instrument includes a selection means for designating one of a plurality of series connected passenger locations. Each passenger location includes a proximately located group of two or three passenger seats. The instrument includes indicators for registering data transmitted from the passenger location to a section timer that controls input from and output to passenger locations in an aircraft cabin on a timed, multiplexed basis. The instrument also monitors transmission of data from the section timer to the selected passenger location and includes detectors for registering faults in timing and parity pulses. The instrument includes test controls to create particular conditions of the reading light and attendant call controls, and also a meter for detecting abnormalities in voltage drops at each of the serially connected passenger locations.
It may seen from a consideration of the foregoing disclosures as well as from a general consideration of the related arts, that the prior art does not teach a self-contained light-emitting type diode lamp assembly, which may effectively function to replace filament type or incandescent type lamp assemblies by simulating a low resistance through the diode lamp assembly such that means for detecting high resistance or breaks in filament type circuits do not otherwise prompt bulb replacement signals when a high resistance light-emitting diode is placed into a socket designed to receive low resistance incandescent lamps. The prior art thus perceives a need for a diode lamp assembly according to the foregoing specifications.

Diode lamp for simulating a filament lamp, and lamp monitoring method


A traffic monitoring system for monitoring traffic including a population of users bearing a multiplicity of mobile communication devices, and methods useful for monitoring traffic, the system including a mobile communication network interface receiving, from at least one communication network serving the multiplicity of mobile communication devices, and storing, location information characterizing at least some of the multiplicity of mobile communication devices, and a traffic monitor operative to compute at least one traffic-characterizing parameter on the basis of the location information.

The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for providing route guidance to vehicles.
Navigation systems which compute a route for a vehicle designed to bring the vehicle from its current location to a desired location are known.
A document entitled xe2x80x9cDynaMIT:Task C Reportxe2x80x9d, posted at MIT website its.mit.edu/projects/dta/Taskc, describes a traffic assignment system and notes, inter alia, that xe2x80x9cIn an (ideal) system . . . where there is two-way communication between the traffic control center and every vehicle in the network, perfect information about the vehicle location and possibly its origin and destination, can be obtained. While such perfect systems are possible in the future, most existing surveillance systems are limited to vehicle detectors located at critical points in the network. The information provided by these traffic sensors therefore must be used to infer traffic flows, queue lengths, incidents, etc., at all locations of the network.xe2x80x9d
Another document discussing pertinent technology and entitled xe2x80x9cDynaMIT:DYnamic network assignment for the management of information to travellersxe2x80x9d is posted at its.mit.edu/projects/dta/dynamit.
Traffic flow theory is a field in which experts endeavor to generate theoretical models of traffic flow in order to make predictions which are helpful in developing services and resources which will best serve traffic requirements. State of the art traffic flow theory is described in xe2x80x9cTransportation Research Board""s Revised Special Reportxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cTraffic Flow Theoryxe2x80x9d, available at tfhrc.gov/its/tft/tft/. Development and verification of traffic flow models conventionally do not collect or utilize transmission from mobile communication devices residing in the vehicles within the traffic under investigation.
The Nokia 5100 and 6100 mobile phone series display their own current status, including an xe2x80x9cin vehiclexe2x80x9d status.
The disclosures of all publications mentioned in the specification and of the publications cited therein are hereby incorporated by reference.
The present invention seeks to provide an improved route guidance system.
There is thus provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a traffic monitoring system including traffic data collection apparatus operative to collect location data from a plurality of users of mobile communication devices, and a traffic data filter operative to analyze the location data arriving from the plurality of users and to reject location data which is not traffic data.
Preferably, the traffic data filter includes a traffic element identifier operative to identify traffic elements within the plurality of users by analyzing the location data arriving from the plurality of users.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location data includes a sequence of at least one time-stamped locations.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic data filter is operative to accept, as traffic data, the location data arriving from users who have identified themselves as traffic elements.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a traffic monitoring system including location collection apparatus operative to collect location data from at least a traffic population including a multiplicity of traffic elements, the multiplicity of traffic elements including a plurality of users of mobile communication devices, a location data analyzer operative to analyze the location data and to derive traffic information therefrom, and a traffic information disseminator operative to provide at least some of the traffic population with the traffic information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location data analyzer is operative to derive, for at least one traffic element, at least a portion of a road route followed by the traffic element.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location data defining the location of a mobile communication device at time t is based on an identification of a mobile communication cell serving the mobile communication device at time t.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location data defining the location of a mobile communication device at time t is based only on an identification of a mobile communication cell serving the mobile communication device at time t.
Also provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a traffic monitoring method including collecting location data from a plurality of users of mobile communication devices, and analyzing the location data arriving from the plurality of users and rejecting location data which is not traffic data.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes rejecting location data indicating a too-large discrepancy between a current location of a vehicle and its stored previous locations.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a user location database storing, for each mobile communication device from which readings have been received, the ID of that device and each of the readings received, each with its own time-stamp.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a road traffic database storing, for at least one road, velocity profiles computed for that road, each profile being stored with its own time-stamp.
Also provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a traffic monitoring system for monitoring traffic including a population of users bearing a multiplicity of mobile communication devices, the system including a mobile communication network interface receiving, from at least one communication network serving the multiplicity of mobile communication devices, and storing, location information characterizing at least some of the multiplicity of mobile communication devices, and a traffic monitor operative to compute at least one traffic-characterizing parameter on the basis of the location information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is also operative to display the at least one traffic-characterizing parameter.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication devices include cellular communication devices served by at least one cellular communication network including a plurality of base stations each serving a cell including a portion of a geographical area.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location information includes indications of cells serving at least some of the multiplicity of mobile communication devices.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a road database storing locations of roads in a geographical area.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a road database storing locations of roads in a geographical area, wherein the traffic monitor is operative to deduce, based on at least one indication of a cell in which a mobile communication device is located, a road which the mobile communication device is believed to be taking.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is operative, based on an indication that an individual mobile communication device is travelling through a cell sequence including at least one cell, to differentiate a first road portion along which the individual mobile communication device is travelling, from a second road portion falling along the same cell sequence, along which the mobile communication device is not travelling.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is operative to differentiate the first and second road portions by estimating at least one traffic parameter for the first and second road portions which parameter has different values for the first and second road portions.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least some traffic characterizing information is generated using communication cell ID-based location information which is at communication cell ID accuracy.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is operative to identify a set of mobile communication devices suspected of be served by a cell other than the cell in which they are actually located and to verify at least some location information arriving from at least some of the mobile communication devices in the set.
Also in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one traffic-characterizing parameter includes at least one of the following group of parameters: a travel time parameter, a traffic speed parameter, a traffic density parameter, and a traffic flow parameter.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes at least one historical database storing historical location information characterizing past distributions of users over a geographical area of interest, and the traffic monitor is, at least on occasion, operative to compute the at least one traffic-characterizing parameter at least partly on the basis of the historical location information.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is operative to evaluate the quality of location information on the basis of which the traffic-characterizing parameter is to be computed and to employ the historical location information if the quality is found to be relatively low.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the quality of location information is evaluated at least partly as a function of the number of users providing current location information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives and stores location information from cellular communication devices served by more than one cellular communication network.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a mobile user pinpointing function operative to deduce, from information at communication cell ID accuracy, location information which is at an accuracy higher than communication cell ID accuracy, by combining the communication cell ID accuracy information with additional stored information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the additional stored information includes information regarding intersections between cells and roads.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the additional stored information includes information regarding a sequence of cells through which a user has passed.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives at least some of the location information used by the traffic monitor, from a base station.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives at least some of the location information used by the traffic monitor, from a CDR database.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives at least some of the location information used by the traffic monitor, from a location server.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives at least some of the location information used by the traffic monitor, directly from at least some of the multiplicity of mobile communication devices.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the location information is provided responsive to a cell broadcast.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the location information is provided responsive to a data transmission directed to individual ones of the multiplicity of mobile communication devices.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission includes an SMS message.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least some of the location information provided by the mobile communication devices is provided in SMS format.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface also receives and stores travel time information and the traffic monitor is operative to compute at least one traffic-characterizing parameters on the basis of at least the travel time information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the location information does not violate the privacy of the users of the mobile communication devices.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a congestion detector operative to detect at least one of generation and dissipation of mobile communication device congestion.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a congestion-anticipation based cellular network resource allocator operative to receive a congestion-indicative output from the congestion detector and to allocate resources accordingly.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including monitoring traffic information characterizing traffic flowing along at least one routes, and computing and reporting to a traveller, information characterizing the traveller""s expected travel time along each of the at least one routes.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes providing an origin location and a destination location and computing at least one routes connecting the origin and destination locations.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computing step includes recomputing, at least once, information characterizing the traveller""s remaining travel time along the route, as the traveller travels along the route.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computing and reporting step includes reporting the information to the traveller only if the information deviates, in accordance with a predetermined deviation criterion, from a known travel time value.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including monitoring the speed of traffic flowing through a geographical area, and generating a warning if there is a substantial change in the speed of traffic flowing through a portion of the geographical area.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes storing information regarding personal driving habits of the traveller and wherein the computing and reporting step includes computing the information characterizing the traveller""s expected travel time at least partly based on the information regarding the traveller""s personal driving habits.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding personal driving habits includes information characterizing travel time along a road sequence not monitored in the monitoring step.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computing and reporting step includes reporting to the driver in IVR (interactive voice response) format.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the computing and reporting step includes reporting to the driver in a data transmission format.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission format includes SMS (short message service).
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the data transmission format includes WAP (wireless application protocol) format.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the origin and destination locations are received from the driver.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the providing step includes setting the origin of the route to the current location of the driver.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, monitoring the current location of the driver is based on determining a cellular location of a mobile communication device riding with the driver.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including monitoring traffic information characterizing traffic flowing along a route taken by a driver, including monitoring the current location of the driver, and computing information characterizing the driver""s expected progress along the route and reporting the information to the driver when the driver arrives at a predetermined location along the route.
Also provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a directed advertisement method including receiving an indication from a travelling user of his desired destination, and providing advertisement content to the travelling user based on the desired destination.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the advertisement providing step includes computing a recommended route to the desired destination and reporting the recommended route to the travelling user, and providing advertisement content to the travelling user which pertains to the recommended route.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance system including a traffic velocity computer operative to receive the following information: a plurality of locations, separated by a known time interval, of at least one vehicle within traffic separating a moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, and a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, and to compute at least one velocity characteristic of the traffic, and a route selecting computer operative to receive a selected destination of the moving vehicle and a current location of the moving vehicle, and to compute a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one velocity characteristic.
Also provided, in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a traffic velocity monitoring system including a representation of an area in which traffic travels, a vehicle location monitor operative to receive vehicle location information, from a multiplicity of moving vehicles, as to their current location, and a per-vehicle velocity computer operative to derive, from the vehicle location information and the representation, an average velocity of at least one individual moving vehicle from among the multiplicity of moving vehicles.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a global velocity computer operative to receive average velocities of each of a plurality of vehicles from the per-vehicle velocity computer and to compute therefrom an average velocity of traffic including the plurality of vehicles.
Also provided, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance system including a traffic information accumulator operative to accumulate up-to-date traffic characterizing information characterizing traffic including a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, and a route selecting computer operative to compute a route from a moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the traffic characterizing information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route computed by the route selecting computer is fed back to the traffic information accumulator and is employed by the accumulator to generate anticipated traffic information estimating characteristics of traffic separating a future location of the moving vehicle from the moving vehicle""s selected destination.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer includes a dynamic route selecting computer operative to provide the moving vehicle with ongoing modifications of the route at least partly as a function of the anticipated traffic information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer randomly selects at least a portion of at least one vehicle""s route from among several candidate route portions for that vehicle, the random selection being biased by the relative merits of the candidate route portions for the vehicle.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic information accumulator is also operative to receive up-to-date information characterizing road conditions in road segments separating the vehicle""s current location from the vehicle""s selected destination.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the road conditions include permanent road conditions and/or transient road conditions.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transient road conditions include states of multi-state traffic governing elements.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the multi-state traffic governing elements include at least one of the following: a traffic light having more than one possible schedule, and a digital sign displaying any of a plurality of route-guiding messages.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic information accumulator is operative to provide information to the multi-state traffic governing elements and the multi-state traffic governing elements are operative to select a state at least partly in response to the information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the accumulator includes a traffic flow simulator operative to generate at least some of the anticipated traffic information.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic characterizing information includes quantitative information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer includes a multiplicity of independent route selecting units located within each of a multiplicity of vehicles respectively.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer includes a central unit operative to compute a route for each of a multiplicity of vehicles and to transmit each vehicle""s route to that vehicle.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance system including a traffic velocity computer operative to accept a plurality of locations, separated by a known time interval, of at least one vehicle within traffic separating the moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, and to compute at least one velocity characteristic of the traffic, and a route selecting computer operative to receive a selected destination of a moving vehicle and a current location of the moving vehicle, and to compute a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one velocity characteristic.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer is operative to compute and display an estimated arrival time for the moving vehicle.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system also includes a route display unit operative to display to a driver of the moving vehicle, at least one directive derived from the route.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including receiving the following information: a selected destination of a moving vehicle, a current location of the moving vehicle, and a plurality of locations, separated by a known time interval, of at least one vehicle within traffic separating the moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, and a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, computing at least one velocity characteristic of the traffic, and computing a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one velocity characteristic.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a traffic velocity monitoring method including providing a representation of an area in which traffic travels, receiving vehicle location information, from a multiplicity of moving vehicles, as to their current location, and deriving, from the vehicle location information and the representation, an average velocity of at least one individual moving vehicle from among the multiplicity of moving vehicles.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including accumulating up-to-date information characterizing traffic including a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, and computing a route from a moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the traffic characterizing information.
Further provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including providing the following information: a selected destination of a moving vehicle, a current location of the moving vehicle, and a plurality of locations, separated by a known time interval, of at least one vehicle within traffic separating the moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, computing at least one velocity characteristic of the traffic, and computing a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one velocity characteristic.
Also provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance system including a traffic quantifier operative to receive the following information: traffic location information describing a location of at least one vehicle within traffic separating a moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, and a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, and to compute at least one quantitative characteristic of the traffic, and a route selecting computer operative to receive a selected destination of the moving vehicle and a current location of the moving vehicle, and to compute a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one quantitative characteristic.
Further provided, in accordance with still another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance method including receiving the following information: a selected destination of a moving vehicle, a current location of the moving vehicle, and a route assigned to at least one vehicle within the traffic, computing at least one quantitative characteristic of the traffic, and computing a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the at least one quantitative characteristic.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a route guidance system including a traffic quantification computer operative to provide a quantitative characterization of traffic separating the moving vehicle""s current location from the selected destination, and a route selecting computer operative to receive a selected destination of a moving vehicle and a current location of the moving vehicle, and to compute a route from the moving vehicle""s current location to the moving vehicle""s selected destination, at least partly as a function of the quantitative characterization.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method also includes employing a global average velocity of a sample of moving vehicles to estimate average velocity of traffic.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic characterizing information employed by the route selecting computer includes information regarding anticipated traffic.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of locations is computed by a digital cellular operator.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of locations includes GPS information.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer is operative to receive the moving vehicle""s current location from a digital cellular operator.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the route selecting computer takes into account at least one road characteristic affecting average traffic speed.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the road characteristic includes a time-dependent road characteristic and/or a permanent road characteristic.
Also provided, in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, is a method for monitoring a population of users bearing mobile communication devices, the method including receiving information from a user bearing a mobile communication device which is indicative of his destination, and accumulating the information and providing the information to at least one element serving the population of users.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user bearing a mobile communication device is a vehicle bearing a mobile communication device.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the identification of a mobile communication cell includes at least one of the following identification information elements: an ID of the cell, a cell sector, and a time advance parameter characterizing communication between the mobile communication device and the cell""s base station.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the historical location information includes historical traffic information including at least one traffic parameter characterizing at least one road segment for at least one point of time in the past.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the information regarding a sequence includes a time-stamped identification of at least one pair of adjacent cells between which the user has passed.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobile communication network interface receives at least some of the location information used by the traffic monitor, from a cellular switch.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the congestion detector employs the historical location information to anticipate future locations of mobile communication devices.
Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one routes include a plurality of routes joining a single origin to a single destination.
Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the deviation criterion includes deeming as a travel time deviation, an increase in travel time over a route which affects the relative attractiveness of the route relative to at least one alternative route.
Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the traffic monitor is also operative to receive speed data derived from a change in at least one parameter, such as but not limited to communication frequency and/or rate of data transfer, characterizing communication between at least one mobile communication device and a base station serving it and to compute at least one traffic-characterizing parameter at least partly based on the speed data.
The term xe2x80x9ctraffic informationxe2x80x9d refers to any type of information describing an effect of the traffic on an individual, such as information defining a desired route for the individual, given the traffic on the various alternative routes, and/or the estimated time of arrival of a vehicle at its destination, given the traffic en route.
The term xe2x80x9croad routexe2x80x9d refers to the sequence of streets or roads followed by an individual vehicle.
The term xe2x80x9ctraffic elementxe2x80x9d may refer to the general population of transmitting vehicles, as opposed to pedestrians, but preferably refers to only those vehicles which advance within the general traffic pattern, as opposed, e.g. to emergency vehicles.
The term xe2x80x9cmobile userxe2x80x9d refers to a user of a mobile communication device.

Traffic monitoring system and methods for traffic monitoring and route guidance useful therewith


The present invention relates to a method for protecting the lower regions of and structure of a building (10) from damage or degradation by termites. The method comprises the steps of creating a region in the ground below the building having properties hostile to termites whereby to discourage them from approaching the vicinity of the building. In one embodiment means for creating a hostile region in the ground below the building are provided by a pump (12) which creates a superatmoshpheric pressure field (40) in this region. Treatment agents (31) such as ozone may be delivered to the ground region in order to provide a hostile effect to the termites by affecting their pheromone chemistry and/or their reproductive or communicative behavior. A secondary function of the present invention relates to the creation of a forced ventilation (46) of the habitable region (18) within which the apparatus of the present invention resides.

Existing pest control methods differ for new build and retrofit installations. For example, currently, in new build installations control is achieved by use of a passive barrier. Conversely, in retrofit installations the common control method involves the use of chemical treatment. Failure of performance may occur in both of these common methods currently used.
In the case of a passive barrier, for example of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,017, even a very small failure can effectively have the same result as having no barrier at all, since termites are able to pass through very small openings. Consequently, 100% performance of a control method of this type is difficult to achieve for a new build housing installation. An additional problem with this method of pest control is that damage to the barrier may occur during work being undertaken subsequent to the initial installation, such that later alterations may damage the integrity of an existing well-fitted barrier.
The treatment of existing buildings when infested with termites generally relies upon the delivery of a fumigating chemical and/or pesticide to the total area of the underside of a building, where access is difficult, with the intention of eradicating the pests by killing them. For this purpose the fumigation period is usually short and the concentration of fumigating chemicals is high. Consequently the effectiveness of this fumigation method is reliant upon the operative's efficiency. It is unlikely that 100% of the termites will be killed on every such treatment, leaving some in place to continue damaging the building, which means that a further treatment may be required. This is a labor intensive as well as a costly procedure, and more importantly the building is gradually damaged more and more by the termites which are not killed off at each treatment as their population builds up again.
Various systems have been tried to keep termites at bay to protect buildings. Japanese publication document 11-036470 (Kagawa) describes a system in which a treatment agent (ozone) is delivered as a fumigation treatment in to an already-infested building with the intention of killing the insects in place in the building by applying a concentration of treatment agents sufficiently high for this purpose and for relatively short duration. While such serious and potentially harmful fumigation is taking place in the building it is wise, if not downright necessary, for the building to be evacuated of its human inhabitants. Kagawa describes a treatment effected by infusing ozone for something in the region of two hours until the termites are killed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,812 (Hedman) also relates to a high strength fumigation treatment lasting for up to six hours. In such fumigation treatments it is not possible to allow human habitation to continue. Another Japanese patent 6-3273902 (Miwazawa) involves utilizing a detector to sense the migration of termites in order to trigger the infusion of the treatment agent sufficient to kill the termites. This treatment is applied once the termites are in the building, and the aim of the treatment is to kill the termites entirely, although as discussed above, it has to be recognized that such total eradication is rarely actually achieved in practice.
In other circumstances, addressing a different pest, it is known to utilize long term low level infusion of ozone, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,514,343 (Garbut), which keeps molds and bacteria at bay in animal housing. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,971 (Hayes) describes a system for distributing ozone throughout a poultry house, including the step of infusing a litter bed with ozone to kill bacteria. The ozone is maintained at exposure levels lethal to pathogens within the litter bed indefinitely. The Garbut document describes the use of ozone in enclosed spaces, primarily fruit storage rooms or animal housing, with ozone being used to lethal effect on bacteria, fungus and molds. The document also refers to the maintenance of a residual amount of ozone sufficient continuously to suppress the bacteria, fungus and molds whilst being safe for human exposure to allow workers to move in and out of the ozonated area without hazard.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,304 (Tai) refers to the introduction of ozone into the material within a manure pit beneath ground level constituting part of the interior of a pig raising house.
Although it is recognized in these documents that a low level of ozone may achieve the desired lethal effect on the target bacteria or mold whilst nevertheless being sufficiently low in concentration in the regions occupied by humans as to cause no damage to the humans, this system cannot be applied directly to the protection of buildings from termites as will be discussed in more detail below.
The performance of the delivery system therefore is the key to achieving effective control of termites. The inventor has found that the integrity of a building can be preserved over a long time period by in infusing the ground or the region below the floor slab of a building with a concentration of treatment agent which is sufficient to create a hostile environment without actually killing any termites. As a consequence the termites are unable to remain in the hostile environment and move away from it. Importantly, as they leave, they secrete a warning pheromone which acts as a deterrent to other termites, discouraging them from entering the protected region while it remains active. It is therefore not necessary to infuse the treatment agent into the protected region while their pheromone is active. Indeed, it has also been found that continuous, uninterrupted delivery of treatment agent such as ozone may even be counterproductive because it can mask the termites' own warning pheromone, and termites can get inured to the presence of the treatment agent and develop tactics to cope with its presence. One technique which has been observed is for termites to create tunnels from regurgitated cellulose obtained from wooden parts of the building's structure. The cellulose tunnels are impervious to ozone so that the termites are effectively screened from it and can consequently bore further into the timber weakening the structure despite the attempts to eradicate them. A prophylactic treatment thus requires a careful determination of the best concentration of treatment agent such as to cause the termites to vacate the protected region, rather than flooding the area and causing death without giving the insects an opportunity to escape since it is only upon escaping that they secrete their warning pheromone that is developed by the termites themselves. The pheromone adheres to the surfaces of their passageways and tunnels and warns other termites not to enter the protected region.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of protecting buildings from termite attack


A mobile station (115) and its supporting infrastructure equipment negotiate service configurations based on the service option capabilities of both the mobile station (115) and the infrastructure equipment. This negotiation process is performed via a traffic channel which is primarily intended for carrying vocoded voice information. The infrastructure equipment manages the capabilities of the transcoder circuits and checks the transcoder availability before proposing or accepting a particular service configuration. When a mutual service configuration is reached, the infrastructure equipment reallocates a new transcoder circuit based on its service option capability and the precheck of the transcoder availability and informs the mobile station (115) when to reset its layer 2 (L2) sequence number via an ACTION.sub.-- TIME parameter. After switching transcoders, the infrastructure equipment and the mobile station (115) reset their respective sequence numbers at the ACTION.sub.-- TIME to complete L2 synchronization during transcoder switching.

In current wireless communication systems, a mobile station and its supporting infrastructure equipment are able to negotiate with one another to reach a particular service configuration. This negotiation process is typically referred to as a service negotiation procedure. The reason a negotiation is necessary is that, in some instances, the mobile station may request certain services from the infrastructure equipment which are not supported by the infrastructure equipment, and vice versa.
To implement the service negotiation procedure, the services are assigned service options. As an example, within the infrastructure equipment, a plurality of different transcoders can be utilized in the infrastructure equipment. However, when a communication between the infrastructure equipment and the mobile station is established, only one type of transcoder within the infrastructure equipment is assigned to the particular communication. If, during the communication, the mobile station requests a different type of transcoder to be implemented (because a different service is requested), the service negotiation procedure is implemented in an attempt to accommodate the request of the mobile station. However, a major problem within the infrastructure equipment is that, during transcoder switching, synchronization at the signaling layer (typically Layer 2, or L2) between the particular transcoder and the mobile station is lost. As in any communication system, once L2 synchronization is lost it is difficult to regain in an efficient matter.
Thus, a need exists for an efficient method and apparatus for providing L2 synchronization during transcoder switching.

Method and apparatus for providing synchronization during transcoder switching in a communication system


A medical injector system for injecting fluid from a syringe (300) into a patient, the syringe (300) having a barrel (300) and a plunger (310), the plunger (310) comprising an inner surface having an engaging portion (311) adapted to be releasably engaged by a plunger handle (130) which has a retention member (142) adapted to releasably engage the engaging portion (311) of the plunger (310); and a syringe holder comprising a cradle member (200) adapted to receive a barrel (300) of the syringe (300) and a pivotable catch (500) to releasably lock the syringe (300) in the cradle member (200).

Medical injectors and syringes for injecting contrast media into a patient for imaging biological structures are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,980, issued to D. M. Reilly et al. on Jul. 7, 1987, and entitled "Angiographic Injector and Angiographic Syringe for Use Therewith," which is assigned to the same Assignee as the subject application, discloses an angiographic injector apparatus. The apparatus is designed for injecting contrast media into the vascular system of an animal, in which syringes are rear-loaded into a pressure jacket of the injector. More specifically, the apparatus comprises a rotatable turret which carries a pair of the pressure jackets and which is rotatable so that when one of the pressure jackets, into which a syringe has been rear-loaded, is in an injection position, the other pressure jacket is in a position in which an associated syringe can be rear-loaded. Subsequently, when injection of contrast media from the first syringe is completed, the turret is rotated to move the first syringe to an unloading-loading position, with the second pressure jacket and the syringe concurrently being moved into the injection position.
In the apparatus disclosed in the '980 patent, a drive member of the angiographic injector can be drivingly connected to, or disconnected from, a plunger of a syringe at any point along the path of travel of the syringe plunger by a releasable mechanism. However, for the releasable mechanism to correctly operate, the syringe plunger must be properly oriented to mate with the injector piston. Further, during loading of the syringe on the injector, the syringe must be correctly aligned within a respective pressure jacket to allow the syringe plunger and the injector piston to connect to and disconnect from each other.
An improved apparatus over the '980 patent apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,858, issued to D. M. Reilly et al. on Jan. 24, 1995, and entitled "Front-Loading Medical Injector and Syringe for Use Therewith," which is also assigned to the same Assignee as the present application. In the apparatus described in the '858 patent, the syringe is front-loaded onto, in at least one embodiment, a pressure jacket-less injector, overcoming one of the drawbacks of the '980 patent injector apparatus.
The injector described in the '858 patent has a first release mechanism for attaching and releasing the syringe from the injector. In addition, the apparatus includes a second release mechanism that engages and disengages the injector piston from the syringe plunger. Upon rotation of the syringe, the syringe is attached to or released from the injector and, simultaneously, the plunger is attached to or released from the piston. The structure disclosed requires that the syringe be installed on the injector in a specific orientation so that the syringe can releasably engage the injector and, simultaneously, the plunger can releasably engage the piston. In addition, as with the syringe disclosed in the '980 patent, during assembly the syringe plunger must be correctly oriented within the syringe.
Another injector apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,300,031, issued to C. Neer et al. on Apr. 5, 1994, and entitled "Apparatus for Injecting Fluid into Animals and Disposable Front Loadable Syringe Therefor." The '031 patent discloses various embodiments of a pressure-jacketed injector wherein a syringe is loaded into and removed from an injector pressure jacket through an opening provided in the front end of the pressure jacket. To retain the syringe within the pressure jacket, for example, during an injection operation, the front end of the syringe is locked to the front end of the pressure jacket. To correctly connect the syringe to the pressure jacket, the syringe may only be inserted into the pressure jacket in one orientation.
In each example discussed above, the syringe must be connected to the injector in a specific orientation to assure proper syringe mounting. Proper alignment is required to assure that the syringe may be operated properly during a medical imaging procedure. The required orientation, however, hinders rapid attachment and replacement of the syringe. The required orientation may also increase the manufacturing assembly cost and complexity of the syringe.
Accordingly, while the above injector and syringe apparatuses have proven effective, a need has arisen for a simpler front-loading medical injector. More specifically, to facilitate further the loading operation, a need has arisen for a syringe that can be easily connected to the injector without regard for the specific orientation of the syringe and/or syringe plunger. In addition, to simplify assembly of the syringe components, a need has arisen for a syringe with a plunger that does not need to be oriented in a specific relation to the barrel or base of the syringe. Furthermore, to minimize the time required to prepare an injector for an injection procedure, a need has arisen for injectors providing automated features. There is a further need to add automated features which contribute to the safety of the patient, for example, by decreasing the chances of cross-contamination.
Medical fluids are normally packaged in containers or bottles, which have an elastomer bung (or cork) in the top. The bung can be pierced with a conventional needle or a plastic spike to draw fluid from the bottle into the syringe. However it is common practice to simply remove the bung, and draw up fluid into the syringe using a plastic cannula. This practice exposes the fluid to ambient microbes, and allows contamination, and thus increases the risk of undesirable infection of the patient. Certain vented spikes with special microbe filters have been developed to address this problem. However in use, the filling procedure is very tedious, and some fluid is often lost through the filter. Where large volumes are drawn into the syringe according to known methods, it can be very difficult to simultaneously hold the bottle inverted, and draw back the syringe.
Another important requirement when using syringe pumps to inject patients is to ensure that all air is purged from the system, including the tube, before it is connected to the patient. If this is not done, then it is possible that a bubble of air may be injected into the patient which can cause serious illness.
It has also been found that existing injector apparatus and injectors do not have features which discourage inadvertent re-use of syringes and associated tubes and spikes, which can result in the serious hazard of cross infections from one patient to the next.
Luer connectors are found on the outlet of most syringes used in medicine, and are well defined in International Standard IS0594. A locking thread is sometimes found associated with luer connectors, termed "luer locking", and are particularly used for higher pressure applications, where the thread assists closure and retention of the connections.
Flexible plastic tubing is used in many medical applications for conveying drugs, fluid, contrast etc between syringes and patients. The tubes are normally manufactured from flexible plastic, with luer connectors bonded to each end to facilitate secure and releasable male and female connections. Connectors are normally moulded from rigid plastic, having a luer outlet, with an cylindrical inlet sized to accept a close interference fit with the relatively soft tube. The tubing is forced over (or inside) the cylindrical inlet end, and is traditionally bonded using solvent or cement adhesive. For higher pressure applications the bond must be very certain and secure to avoid bursting.
On occasions, the tubing may be attached permanently to the syringe, for example to reduce manufacturing costs, reduce the chances of spilling contaminated fluids, or to protect the tip of the syringe from contamination. However bonding directly to syringes is rarely successful or certain because syringes are usually moulded from polypropylene. Some tubing materials are also difficult to bond. Moreover, bonding normally requires the use of powerful solvent cements such as cyclohexanone, or cyanoacrylates, both of which release harmful vapours, and can leave unwanted residues.
In this specification, unless the contrary is expressly stated, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date:    (a) publicly available;    (b) known to the public;    (c) part of common general knowledge; or    (d) known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Medical injector systems having an injector plunger that releasably engages a syringe hub upon retraction of the plunger


The cold-air inflatable portable projection screen has two inflatable towers that are connected by an inflatable tube or cross member. A fine mesh material may be suspended between the two towers to form a projection screen. Tethers connected to the towers serve to anchor the structure to the ground. Electric blowers or fans continuously blow air into the structure to keep it erect.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to inflatable structures, specifically, to cold-air inflatable projection screens.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Cold-air inflatable structures are commonly used as buildings, portable shelters, arena coverings, and amusement devices. Such structures are inflated and maintained by means of electric blowers or fans.
Inflatable structures have also been used as portable projection screens. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,734. The structure shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,734 is balloon-like, the shape is formed when fully inflated. For projection, a form having a flat surface is desirable.


A law enforcement baton for enhanced suspect control and apprehension comprises detachable, coextensive, proximal and distal lengths with a handle portion removably perpendicularly attached thereto with the handle portion and distal length being of identical construction and interchangeable upon the baton. The distal length includes a central bore with a plurality of reduced diameter bore holes extending parallel thereto in annularly spaced relation thereabout. A net having a plurality of elastic lines with retaining elements attached thereto is removably positioned within the central bore and the plurality of bore holes, respectively. The proximal length includes an opening wherein a compressed air canister is removably inserted with the sealed end thereof being in fluid communication with the bore openings in the distal length when the proximal and distal lengths are attached together. A sharp member located internally of the distal length is movable via a solenoid to break the seal of the canister upon pressing a button located on the outwardly facing surface of the distal length. When the seal is broken, compressed air creates a force against the net and flexible lines in the distal length thereby projecting the net and lines therefrom a distance sufficient to entrap an unwary criminal suspect. The net is directed at and impacts the upper torso region of the suspect with the elastic lines wrapping therearound with the retaining elements engaging the net thereby enveloping the suspect's arms to facilitate subsequent apprehension of the suspect.

The present invention relates to police batons and, more particularly, to a police baton including a restraining net which is normally hidden within the forward end of the baton and which may be projected therefrom to entangle and restrain a criminal suspect when necessary.
An example of a device used to entangle and stop a fleeing suspect may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,559,737 issued to Washington on Dec. 24, 1985. The Washington device is seen to resemble a rifle with diverging barrels at the distal end thereof and through which a pair of projectiles are propelled. The projectiles are connected to one another by a length of strong line which wraps around the legs of the suspect with the help of the projectiles thereby stopping the suspect in his tracks. While the Washington device may be effective at preventing a suspect from further flight, it fails to restrain the arms of the fugitive which would be helpful to the apprehending officer who is dealing with a hostile or resistant suspect. Furthermore, the Washington device cannot easily be carried by the officer and must be operated with both hands, one hand to pull the trigger and the other to hold and support the barrel.

Law enforcement baton with projectable restraining net


A system includes a transmit filter (160) in a transmit path to couple to an antenna (120) and pass signals in a transmit band. A receive filter (155) is disposed in a receive path to couple to the antenna and to the transmit filter to pass signals in a receive band different from the transmit band. An enhanced frequency variable impedance (145) is used to provide isolation between signals in the transmit and receive bands on the receive path. A phase and magnitude controlled feedback path can also be used to cancel transmit signals in the receive path.

Communication devices have a basic set of functions that are performed to send, receive and process information. As these functions may include components, hardware, software, or a combination, there is a desire to optimize use of components and thus reduce the number of components used in a given design. In a wireless communication device, an antenna may be used for both transmission of Radio Frequency (RF) signals and receipt of RF signals. A duplexer may be used to facilitate this use of an antenna. A duplexer allows bi-directional or duplex communication over a single channel. The duplexer effectively isolates the receiver portion of the communication device from the transmitter portion, allowing sharing of the antenna.


The present invention concerns a method of receiving audiovisual programs transmitted to terminals. The users of the terminals choose a program from a catalogue and make a proposition to a server to download it to their terminals. The proposition is accompanied by a price and/or deadline. The server analyzes the propositions it receives and, taking account of its profitability constraints, decides whether or not it will transmit the program. Depending on the case, it sends the acceptance to each user who has made a proposition with profitable parameters for the transmission of the program and gives the users the means of receiving the program for viewing. The decision to transmit the program is determined according to various strategies the common criterion of which is profitability. The invention also concerns a terminal and a server for the implementation of the method.

The context of the present invention is that of audiovisual servers capable of supplying audiovisual programmes on demand, and of any domestic device capable of displaying audiovisual programmes received from a terrestrial, microwave or satellite network and communicating with a server with the aid of a broadcast network. The audiovisual programme is typically transmitted over a one-way broadcast network. Access to the audiovisual programmes is usually conditional upon a payment by the user of the device. Electronic Program Guides (EPG for short) offer users a catalogue of audiovisual programmes, and particularly films. The user chooses a programme from this catalogue and after paying for the access rights, he receives the means of viewing it in clear. The programme is transmitted in encrypted form over the broadcast network and the receiver decrypts the programme by means of a previously received code. Another way of operating consists in setting up a call with the server supplying the programmes, interrogating its catalogue, and downloading the programme after a payment. The price, which is fixed by the programme supplier, is usually displayed by the EPG, so that the user knows the cost of the operation before committing himself.
Certain devices have a hard disk or some other means of storing programmes (cassette, cartridge, DVD-RAM, etc.). A programme can then be downloaded over the network directly to the hard disk, in compressed form, irrespective of the display constraints. The programme can then be downloaded at any moment, without the user's intervention, and at a time that does not disturb him, at night for example. The programme is stored as it is received. During viewing, the device reads the programme from the storage means, decompresses it and sends the audiovisual signals to a screen.
In fact the profitability of a download fluctuates considerably depending on the circumstances. One of the aims of the present invention is to be able to optimise the profitability of such downloads.

Method for transmitting audi-visual programs proposed by users, terminal and server


An attaching apparatus includes a cover plate fixing part and two slideable press heads. The cover plate fixing part is configured to fix a curved cover plate. The two slideable press heads are arranged at a side, configured to fix the curved cover plate, of the cover plate fixing part. Each slideable press head includes an elastic cushion configured to support a flexible display panel. The two slideable press heads are configured to be capable of moving proximate to or far away from each other, and driving the flexible display panel to be pressed and attached to an attaching surface of the curved cover plate in a process that the two slideable press heads move far away from each other.

A curved display screen generally includes a flexible display panel and a curved cover plate, and accordingly attaching the two is one of the manufacturing processes of the curved display screen. A special attaching apparatus is required to achieve the attaching of the flexible display panel and the curved cover plate.

CHENGDU BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


Methods are provided for producing an optically active secondary alcohol at a high optical purity by hydrogenating a substrate carbonyl compound at a high efficiency using as a catalyst a ruthenium complex bearing as a ligand certain optically active diphosphine compound and a readily synthesized amine compound. For example, aromatic ketones and heteroaromatic ketones are reacted with hydrogen and/or a hydrogen donating compound in the presence of the ruthenium complex.

An optically active alcohol is useful as a chiral building block for synthesizing various optically active compounds. In general, an optically active alcohol is produced by optical resolution of a racemate, or an asymmetrical synthesis using a biological catalyst, asymmetric organocatalyst or asymmetric organometallic catalyst. The synthesis of an optically active alcohol by these asymmetric syntheses is considered to be an essential technique for production of optically active alcohol in a large scale.
Among the means for obtaining a optically active alcohol at a high efficiency, a method of asymmetric hydrogenation of a carbonyl compound in the presence of a ruthenium metal complex bearing a optically active diphosphine compound such as 2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthyl (BINAP), a optically active diamine compound in a ethylenediamine form, and a base such as a hydroxide of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal (Patent Literature 1), as well as a method of asymmetric hydrogenation of a carbonyl compound in the presence of an optically active diphosphine compound such as BINAP, a ruthenium metal complex bearing an ethylenediamine-type optically active diamine compound as a ligand, and a base such as a hydroxide of an alkaline metal or alkaline earth metal are disclosed (Patent Literature 2). However, in order to improve optical purity of the product of these method, i.e., the optically active alcohol, both diphosphine and diamine ligands have to be made optically active. Most of such optically active compounds used as ligands are expensive for their long synthetic pathways. Consequently, the complex is also expensive, producing a problem in its industrial use.
On the other hand, ruthenium complexes that have an achiral amine and an optically active diphosphine as ligands has also been known.
A ruthenium complex that has an optically active diphosphine and 2-picolylamine (PICA) as ligands can be synthesized at low cost because PICA is not an optically active compound. This complex is known to act as a catalyst for asymmetric transfar hydrogenation using 2-propanol as hydrogen source, reducing a ketone at a high efficiency (Patent Literature 3). In this literature, acetophenone is reacted under pressurized hydrogen condition using the ruthenium complex bearing an optically active 2,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane (SKEWPHOS) and PICA as ligands, showing the results of 96% of conversion rate and 86% ee optical purity in only 2 hours under the condition of substrate concentration diluted at 0.1 mol/L, although a significant decrease in the optical purity is observed as compared to the same condition without pressurization of hydrogen (conversion rate 91%, optical purity 91% ee). In addition, when the substrate concentration was increased to 1.0 mol/L under pressurized hydrogen, 100% of conversion rate was reached after 17 hours, although the optical purity was markedly decreased to 39%, indicating that the addition of hydrogen did not effectively function. Moreover, said literature does not mention at all about that the optical purity of the generated alcohol would be improved by introducing a substituent onto PICA.
As an example of the use of a ruthenium complex bearing an optically active diphosphine and 2-picolylamine (PICA) as ligands for hydrogenation, the hydrogenation of tert-alkylketone using an ruthenium complex bearing an optically active diphosphine compound such as BINAP and 2-picolylamine has been reported (Patent Literature 4). However, the only diphosphine ligand exemplified in this literature is the diphosphine having an asymmetric structure to the axis such as BINAP. Said literature does not describe any reaction using as a catalyst a complex of diphosphine ligand having SKEWPHOS skeleton combined with 2-picolylamine, nor it refers to improving the optical purity of the generated alcohol by introducing a substituent onto PICA.
As an example of using a complex of diphosphine having SKEWPHOS skeleton with 2-picolylamine, the hydrogenation of 3-quinuclidinone (Patent Literature 5) and the hydrogenation of a heterocycle having a benzoyl group (Patent Literature 6) have been reported. However, the ketone substrates described in these literatures are only 3-quinuclidinone, 3-quinuclidinone having a substituent or a heterocycle having a benzoyl group, and there is no reference to reactions of simple ketones such as acetophenone. Furthermore, they do not refer to or suggest the likelihood of improving the optical purity of the generated alcohol compound by adding a substituent onto PICA.
As mentioned above, there has been no reports on an example wherein a ruthenium complex bearing a diphosphine having SKEWPHOS skeleton and a PICA ligand having more than one substituents on the pyridine ring or a ruthenium complex bearing as a ligand a heterocycle having more than one nitrogen atoms such as pyradine and pyrimidine effectively acts in the asymmetric hydrogenation of a carbonyl compound. Moreover, it has not been known the optical purity of the generated optically active alcohol can be improved as compared to using an unsubstituted PICA.

Process for producing optically active secondary alcohol

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY


An adjustable anti-freeze water delivery assembly for connecting with a water main buried in the ground comprises a body section with an inner bore and a water outlet. A water supply section couples to a water main below the ground surface and has an inner bore wherein the body section and supply section are telescopically engaged for delivering water from the water main to the water outlet. A valve mechanism is movable between an open and a closed position to control water flow therethrough. A telescoping control stem extends between the body section and the valve mechanism for opening and closing the valve mechanism. The control stem is operable for telescoping in length when the assembly length is adjusted so that water is contained at a sufficient depth below the ground surface to reduce the possibility of freezing in the assembly.

In-ground water delivery assemblies, that is, water delivery assemblies where a portion is buried in the ground, are installed for a variety of different purposes. For example, fire hydrants are installed for providing water to fight fires and are positioned proximate to various areas where they may be needed. Other hydrants or water faucets are installed for use on farms, golf courses, and residential or commercial landscaped areas which require readily available water sources.
In-ground water delivery assemblies generally utilize a hydrant or faucet body section which is mounted above a ground surface and provides the necessary water outlets and faucet handles or valve actuating structures for selectively turning the assemblies on and off to deliver water. Below the hydrant or faucet body section, the assemblies include connecting pipes or water supply sections which couple the body section directly to an underground water main for supplying water to the body section. The body section and water supply section include bores therein which form a continuous bore for directing water from the main to the outlets when the sections are assembled together. A valve mechanism is positioned within or proximate to the underground supply section and is selectively opened and closed for delivering water from the main, through the bore, and to the water outlets. The valve mechanism is thus buried below the ground surface. The water delivery assemblies include actuating devices which are operable for opening and closing the underground valve mechanisms. Generally, the actuating mechanism is accessible above ground and is coupled to the body section. The actuating device may include an elongated pump handle which pivots on the body section to open and close the valve mechanism. With respect to a fire hydrant, a threaded sleeve rotates within the hydrant body section and engages a valve stem to move the stem vertically to open and close the underground valve. The valve mechanisms themselves generally comprise a valve seat formed in one of the sections of the assembly and a rubber valve stop which is moved against the seat to close the valve mechanism and away from the seat to open the valve mechanism.
To prevent the water from freezing within an in-ground water delivery assembly, the underground supply sections and internal valve mechanisms are buried to a sufficient depth to keep the water out of the above-ground portion of the assembly. Generally, the underground valve mechanism is located proximate the end of the supply section which connects to the water main. In that way, the valve is in the deepest portion of the assembly and will contain the water therebehind and within the underground water main. Water will usually not be trapped within the above-ground hydrant or faucet body section to freeze when the outside temperature gets very cold.
For different climates and regions, water mains are buried and maintained at different depths. Therefore, anti-freeze water delivery assemblies, including hydrant assemblies and faucet assemblies, are made in a variety of different fixed lengths to maintain the valve of the assembly at a sufficient depth under the ground surface for use with a variety of different water main depths. For example, in more southern climates, the water mains may be buried approximately 30 inches below the ground surface. The underground supply section is then dimensioned to position the valve at approximately a 30-inch depth below the ground surface to connect with the main. For more northern climates, greater supply section lengths are necessary for positioning the valve sufficiently below the ground surface and out of a freezing zone for proper connection with the main, which will be buried deeper than mains in a more southern climate. The length of the assembly, including the underground supply section, will thus be determined by the climate and where the assembly is used. Generally, the length of the hydrant body section will be the same and is not affected by climate considerations or the depth of the water main.
Another factor considered when installing such water delivery assemblies, is the variation in the installation depth of the water main to which the assembly is to be attached. For example, water mains will be buried at various different depths along their length, and may slope upwardly and downwardly along their lengths so that one portion of the water main is buried slightly deeper than another, with the depth varying gradually along the length of the water main.
Current assemblies have various drawbacks from the standpoint of installation. Anti-freeze water delivery assemblies are made in a variety of different fixed lengths which are determined by the climate in which they are installed, and also the depth of the water main to which they are attached. To vary the lengths, the assemblies are made at those different lengths or extension kits are utilized and connected to a base assembly for changing the length. Generally, any length increases in the buried supply sections are done in fixed length increments either directly to the manufactured assembly or through extension kits at fixed lengths. The length increases are usually in 6 inch or 1 foot increments.
As may be appreciated, an installer is often faced with the situation wherein the installation depths vary widely, and not according to fixed increments. For example, one installation may require a buried section which positions the valve 30 inches below the ground surface, whereas another installation may require a buried section which positions the valve 40 inches below the ground surface. To further exacerbate the problem, such varying installations may be required along the same length of water main, such as a length of a water main running along a city street for hydrant hookup. Therefore, contractors, suppliers, and plumbers are required to maintain or order a relatively large inventory of anti-freeze water delivery assemblies or extension kits for the various different installation lengths. This practice is costly and undesirable, since such parts are heavy and bulky to handle.
As discussed above, such extension increments or kits are generally made in 6 inch to 1 foot increments and thus often do not provide the necessary length for proper installation. That is, the actual increment of adjustment is too long or too short for the installation. Therefore, even with a large inventory, all of the drawbacks are not eliminated. The only alternative is to use too much of an extension or too long of an assembly and to have the fire hydrant or faucet body section protrude above the ground surface further than normal. This causes an unsightly and undesirable installation. However, it is the only option because it is not practical (and oftentimes not possible) to try to vary the depth of the water main. It may be possible in certain situations to grade the ground level to provide a flush installation of the above-ground body section against the ground surface. However, in certain situations, and particularly those situations involving concrete sidewalks, such grading is not feasible.
Another drawback to currently existing anti-freeze water delivery assemblies is the fact that the required depth for a particular installation may be unknown until a suitable hole is dug to reach the water main. Therefore, an installer may not always have the ability to plan and choose the necessary assembly lengths for proper installation. As such, the installer would have to carry a large number of various assemblies or extension kits to the job site to be able to adjust to different installation conditions. For example, during the installation of ten fire hydrants, the installer will not know whether the ten fire hydrant assemblies must be the same length, or whether they will be ten different lengths, until the appropriate holes are dug to determine the actual depth of the water main below the ground surface.
Therefore, existing anti-freeze water delivery assemblies have various drawbacks and may not be suitable for the varying installation depths which an installer will experience. Furthermore, the additional inventory that is necessary to have a number of different lengths available for an installation is costly to maintain. Even if a large inventory is available, the fixed length increment will still not be suitable for all installations. Still further, the time and expense of making the proper installation when the length of the water delivery assembly does not match the depth of the underground water main may be prohibitive. Accordingly, various such installations are not done properly and oftentimes a portion of the underground assembly will be sticking out above the ground surface, which is not aesthetically appealing. This is particularly so when a fire hydrant projects substantially above a city sidewalk.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to reduce the inventory which an installer must carry in order to install an anti-freeze water delivery assembly.
It is another objective of the invention to address the varying installation conditions for an anti-freeze water delivery assembly.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an anti-freeze water delivery assembly which is easily and simply installed without extensive modifications to the assembly.
It is still another objective of the invention to provide an anti-freeze water delivery assembly which may be installed properly each time without having to vary the grade of the ground surface of the installation.
It is another objective of the invention to maintain the position of the valve at a sufficient depth below the ground surface for use at a variety of different depths.
It is still another objective of the invention to provide an anti-freeze water delivery assembly which may be installed relatively quickly and inexpensively, and is suitable for use with water mains having various different depths.

Adjustable anti-freeze water delivery assembly

Cedar Pointe Village, 2929 SE. Ocean Blvd. I-5


The present invention provides an electrically-conductive resin composition for a porous fuel cell bipolar plate capable of forming a porous fuel cell bipolar plate having superior absorption of water produced (resulting in the reduction in a gas permeability) as well as limited elution of impurities (a high rate of electricity generating efficiency). An electrically-conductive resin composition for a porous fuel cell bipolar plate comprising an electrically-conductive material and a resin is provided, and the resin is a resin such as, a powdered resol-type phenolic resin having flow properties of from 5 to 100 mm at 125° C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrically-conductive resin composition for a porous fuel cell bipolar plate and a process for the production thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fuel cells are devices which, when supplied with a fuel such as hydrogen and with atmospheric oxygen, cause the fuel and oxygen to react electrochemically, producing. water and thus directly generating electricity. Because fuel cells are capable of achieving a high fuel-to-energy conversion efficiency and are environmentally adaptable, they are being developed for a variety of applications, including small-scale local power generation, household power generation, simple power supplies for isolated facilities such as campgrounds, mobile power supplies such as for automobiles and small boats, and power supplies for satellites and space development.
Such fuel cells, and particularly solid polymer fuel cells, are built in the form of modules composed of a stack of at least several tens of unit cells. Each unit cell has a pair of plate-like bipolar plates with ribs on either side thereof that define a plurality of channels for the flow of gases such as hydrogen and oxygen. Disposed between the pair of bipolar plates in the unit cell are a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and gas diffusing electrodes made of carbon paper.
This fuel cell bipolar plate is adapted to render the various single cell units electrically conductive, as well as to provide channels for the fuel and air (oxygen) supplied into the single cell units. The fuel cell bipolar plate also acts as a separation wall. To this end, the bipolar plate is required to meet various properties such as a high electrical conductivity, a high level of impermeability of gases, (electrical) chemical stability and hydrophilicity.
The fuel cell bipolar plate has heretofore been produced by a method such as one that has a step of cutting a porous carbonized carbon to form a groove, a method which has steps of subjecting a slurried mixture of graphite powder, binder resin and cellulose fiber to paper making, and then graphitizing the paper (Patent Reference 1: U.S. Pat. No. 6,187,466).
Moreover, such a porous bipolar plate leaves something to be desired in terms of strength. Thus, a bipolar plate has also been used that has an enhanced strength attained by embedding pores so as to form a dense portion. A method of embedding pores is known which has steps of subjecting a bipolar plate obtained by high pressure molding to an amount of a binder that is less than that theoretically required, and impregnating gaps with an impregnant so as to form a dense portion (Patent Reference 2: JP-A-11-195422).
Among methods of reducing the pores in the bipolar plate, a method is known which has a step of providing graphite coated by a resin having a low rate of weight reduction (Patent Reference 3: JP-A-2003-297382).
On the other hand, a bipolar plate is known that is obtained by molding (compression molding) a mixture of graphite and resin. Such a bipolar plate obtained by molding has heretofore been used in a dense form so as to prevent leakages of gas.
However, such a dense bipolar plate is susceptible to flooding in the gas flow channel (blocking of grooves by the water produced). In an attempt to solve the problem, a technique has been developed for rendering the interior of the molded bipolar plate porous (Patent Reference 4: Austrian Patent 389,020).
The porous bipolar plate absorbs the water produced by means of its porous portion. The water produced acts to cap the porous portion. Therefore, even the porous material can prevent leakages of gases.
However, the porous bipolar plate has deficiencies in terms of strength because of its porosity and has disadvantage that on occasions breakages and cracks have occurred during assembly and stacking operations.
A technique has accordingly been developed for making compact the portion of the fuel cell bipolar plate that is subjected to pressure during assembly and stacking, and at the same time for rendering the gas flow channel porous (Patent Reference 5: JP-A-2004-79194).
One of the most important requirements for a porous bipolar plate is to enhance water absorption. In other words, in order to prevent the kind of flooding mentioned above, it is necessary that water be absorbed in an amount that is more than a predetermined value. To this end, a porous fuel cell bipolar plate having an appropriate proper porosity has been demanded.

Electrically-conductive resin composition for porous fuel cell bipolar plate and method for the production thereof