A construction for a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe such as a running shoe, includes a sole that conforms to the natural shape of the foot, particularly the sides, and that has a constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections. The thickness of the shoe sole side contour equals and therefore varies exactly as the thickness of the load-bearing sole portion varies due to heel lift, for example. Thus, the outer contour of the edge portion of the sole has at least a portion which lies along a theoretically ideal stability plane for providing natural stability and efficient motion of the shoe and foot particularly in an inverted and everted mode.

This invention relates to a shoe, such as a street shoe, athletic shoe, and especially a running shoe with a contoured sole. More particularly, this invention relates to a novel contoured sole design for a running shoe which improves the inherent stability and efficient motion of the shod foot in extreme exercise. Still more particularly, this invention relates to a running shoe wherein the shoe sole conforms to the natural shape of the foot, particularly the sides, and has a constant thickness in frontal plane cross sections, permitting the foot to react naturally with the ground as it would if the foot were bare, while continuing to protect and cushion the foot.
By way of introduction, barefoot populations universally have a very low incidence of running "overuse" injuries, despite very high activity levels. In contrast, such injuries are very common in shoe shod populations, even for activity levels well below "overuse". Thus, it is a continuing problem with a shod population to reduce or eliminate such injuries and to improve the cushioning and protection for the foot. It is primarily to an understanding of the reasons for such problems and to proposing a novel solution according to the invention to which this improved shoe is directed.
A wide variety of designs are available for running shoes which are intended to provide stability, but which lead to a constraint in the natural efficient motion of the foot and ankle. However, such designs which can accommodate free, flexible motion in contrast create a lack of control or stability. A popular existing shoe design incorporates an inverted, outwardly-flared shoe sole wherein the ground engaging surface is wider than the heel engaging portion. However, such shoes are unstable in extreme situations because the shoe sole, when inverted or on edge, immediately becomes supported only by the sharp bottom sole edge where the entire weight of the body, multiplied by a factor of approximately three at running peak, is concentrated. Since an unnatural lever arm and force moment are created under such conditions, the foot and ankle are destabilized and, in the extreme, beyond a certain point of rotation about the pivot point of the shoe sole edge, forcibly cause ankle strain. In contrast, the unshod foot is always in stable equilibrium without a comparable lever arm or force moment and, at its maximum range of inversion motion, about 20.degree., the base of support on the barefoot heel actually broadens substantially as the calcaneal tuberosity contacts the ground. This is in contrast to the conventionally available shoe sole bottom which maintains a sharp, unstable edge.
It is thus an overall objective of this invention to provide a novel shoe design which approximates the barefoot. It has been discovered, by investigating the most extreme range of ankle motion to near the point of ankle sprain, that the abnormal motion of an inversion ankle sprain, which is a tilting to the outside or an outward rotation of the foot, is accurately simulated while stationary. With this observation, it can be seen that the extreme range stability of the conventionally shod foot is distinctly inferior to the barefoot and that the shoe itself creates a gross instability which would otherwise not exist.
Even more important, a normal barefoot running motion, which approximately includes a 7.degree. inversion and a 7.degree. eversion motion, does not occur with shod feet, where a 30.degree. inversion and eversion is common. Such a normal barefoot motion is geometrically unattainable because the average running shoe heel is approximately 60% larger than the width of the human heel. As a result, the shoe heel and the human heel cannot pivot together in a natural manner; rather, the human heel has to pivot within the shoe but is resisted from doing so by the shoe heel counter, motion control devices, and the lacing and binding of the shoe upper, as well as various types of anatomical supports interior to the shoe.
Thus, it is an overall objective to provide an improved shoe design which is not based on the inherent contradiction present in current shoe designs which make the goals of stability and efficient natural motion incompatible and even mutually exclusive. It is another overall object of the invention to provide a new contour design which simulates the natural barefoot motion in running and thus avoids the inherent contradictions in current designs.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a running shoe which overcomes the problem of the prior art.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a shoe wherein the outer extent of the flat portion of the sole of the shoe includes all of the support structures of the foot but which extends no further than the outer edge of the flat portion of the foot sole so that the transverse or horizontal plane outline of the top of the flat portion of the shoe sole coincides as nearly as possible with the load-bearing portion of the foot sole.
It is another objective of the invention to provide a shoe having a sole which includes a side contoured like the natural form of the side or edge of the human foot and conforming to it.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a novel shoe structure in which the contoured sole includes a shoe sole thickness that is precisely constant in frontal plane cross sections, and therefore biomechanically neutral, even if the shoe sole is tilted to either side, or forward or backward.
It is another objective of this invention to provide a shoe having a sole fully contoured like and conforming to the natural form of the non-load-bearing human foot and deforming under load by flattening just as the foot does.
It is still another objective of this invention to provide a new stable shoe design wherein the heel lift or wedge increases in the sagittal plane the thickness of the shoe sole or toe taper decrease therewith so that the sides of the shoe sole which naturally conform to the sides of the foot also increase or decrease by exactly the same amount, so that the thickness of the shoe sole in a frontal planar cross section is always constant.
These and other objectives of the invention will become apparent from a detailed description of the invention which follows taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A horizontal cutter of double-bodied bottles attached to each other at a neck which comprises means (2) for advancing the bottles (3) and a cutting device (1) of the neck of the bottles. The cutting device (1) comprises a pair of blades (7), a pair of rotating plates (4) for drawing the bottles (3) along and a plurality of drive pulleys (9) in contact with the bottles (3), in such a way that as the rotating plates (4) move so do the bottles, at the same time rotating about their axes and in contact with the blades. The horizontal cutter ensures fast and effective cutting of the bottles, while occupying little space.

Known in the art are horizontal cutting machines whose purpose is to provide two new single bottles by separating the two bodies of a double-bodied bottle manufactured previously by means of blowing, extrusion or other shaping methods.
On such machines the bottles reach a cutting station in horizontal position by means of a conveyor belt with dividing segments and an end ramp. As the cut is made the bottles move along resting on a pair of tracks. A drive belt situated above the tracks makes contact with the upper part of the bottle, making it advance and rotate about its own axis. As the bottle advances a fixed blade located between the two tracks and gradually increasing their height performs the cut. Thanks to the bottle shifting and rotation movement the cut is made around the entire perimeter of the neck. When the cut is completed, the two bottles and the central attaching part are ejected.
These machines have the disadvantage that the rotation of the bottles becomes imprecise as their passing speed increases, since the rotation resistance caused by the cutting action of the blade disturbs the bottle's travel-path, in which the bottle has only one point of contact with the support tracks and another with the drive belt. Furthermore, in order to implement the cutting of the bottles there has to be a certain space between them, since the bottle has to be able to rotate freely as the cut is being made, with no means other than the tracks and the drive belt in contact with it. All these factors have an adverse effect on productivity, as the bottles often fall over or their path deviates at the cut is made. Moreover, the limited cutting speed and the space that has to be left between one bottle and the next also reduces the output of the system.
This system further requires the cut to be made in a straight line, so that the machine takes up a considerable amount of space.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,648 describes an apparatus for trimming hollow articles which includes means for clamping the articles in a predetermined orientation and a cylindrical knife assembly which passes over the clamped articles to sever a flange or the like on the articles.
In order to resolve these disadvantages a choice has sometimes been made in favour of heating the blade so that the plastic material of the bottles melts as the cut is being made. This achieves reduced friction between the blade and the bottle, and the cut can be made faster. After the cut, however, and due to the melting of the material carried out by the blade, the bottles have a burr at the mouth that subsequently has to be removed, which involves increased costs and extra manufacturing time.

Horizontal cutter of double-bodied bottles attached to each other at the neck


A method, a device and a system for controlling heat dissipation of an electrical cabinet are provided. The method includes: a heating capacity in the electrical cabinet is predicted; according to the heating capacity predicted, a corresponding heat dissipation capacity is determined; and a rotational speed of a heat dissipation fan is controlled, so that a difference between the heating capacity and the heat dissipation capacity is within a predetermined range.

As a clean energy, an electric energy plays a very vital role in industrial production and daily life of people. Various types of electrical cabinets play an irreplaceable role as terminal devices for controlling the use of the electric energy. However, when these electrical cabinets work normally, there are many challenges. Among them, heat production and heat dissipation of each conductive component in an electrical cabinet are typical problems, and this is a particular case for a high-power electrical cabinet. When the high-power electrical cabinet operates, with a large current, the generated heat is also large and thus a higher requirement is pushed forward for the heat dissipation of the electrical cabinet.
At present, a widely used method for controlling the heat dissipation generally is to detect an environmental temperature in the electrical cabinet, and control a rotational speed of a heat dissipation fan according to a detected temperature value. With a high temperature, the rotational speed is increased and thus the purpose of controlling the heat dissipation of the electrical cabinet is achieved. As shown in FIG. 1, the detected temperature is compared with a set temperature range. In a case where a real-time temperature is lower than a set temperature, a heat dissipation capacity is reduced. In a case where the real-time temperature is higher than the set temperature, the heat dissipation capacity is increased. In a case where the real-time temperature is within the set temperature range, a current status is maintained. Since an inertia for temperature control in the electrical cabinet is large and the temperature changes slowly, after each adjustment process, a time link is increased so as to wait for change and restoration of the temperature. When the temperature is re-detected in a next cycle, a judgment is made again and such a circulation is performed till the temperature in the electrical cabinet reaches a certain value in the set temperature range. To change the heat dissipation capacity of the electrical cabinet mentioned herein is implemented by changing an air volume of an air blower. The control effect of the above-mentioned method is as shown in FIG. 2. Since the inertia for the temperature control in the electrical cabinet is large and the temperature changes slowly, when the heat dissipation capacity is adjusted, a balance cannot be achieved between the heat dissipation capacity and a heating capacity at a time and the temperature is fluctuated. After multiple times of adjustment, the temperature in the electrical cabinet tends to be stable.
However, the widely used method for controlling the heat dissipation at present has many adverse consequences such as the temperature control is lagging, the response performance is poor, the temperature in the cabinet is too high or too low, the rotational speed of the heat dissipation fan is adjusted frequently, the energy waste is caused, and the service life of the heat dissipation fan is reduced. With a large change in a load of the electrical cabinet, the heating capacity also changes a lot, and such a defect is particularly obvious.
Concerning the problem that the existing method for controlling the heat dissipation of the electrical cabinet controls the rotational speed of the heat dissipation fan by detecting the environmental temperature in the electrical cabinet so that the control is lagging and the temperature is easily fluctuated, an effective solution hasn't been proposed yet.

Method, device and system for controlling heat dissipation of electrical cabinet

GREE ELECTRIC APPLIANCES, INC. OF ZHUHAI


The present invention may provide an automatic oil-change system for an engine comprising: a first oil container, a second oil container and means for switching between the first oil container and the second oil container. The switching means may provide the engine with oil from the first oil container until a predetermined time and once a predetermined time is reached, the switching means may provide the engine with oil from the second oil container.

Every 3000-5000 miles car owners should have the oil changed in their automobiles to prevent excessive engine wear. The current choices that car owners have for completing this necessary preventative maintenance generally include do-it-yourself alternatives or having the automobile serviced at a service center. Neither of these alternatives is either cost or time efficient, and generally lead to the oil being changed too infrequently.
Do-it-yourself alternatives generally have failed. Several patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,219 to Peralta and U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,660 to Bedi, attempt to provide a method to speed up the oil change process. However, the adoption of these devices as well as the purchase of other specialized tools that aid in the oil changing process has been poor due to the complexity of the devices and tools and expense. Further, changing the oil "the old fashion way" generally requires the car owner to reach areas of the car that are hard to get to and come in contact with oily car parts. This makes the task difficult, dirty and time consuming to the car owner. As a result, many people who rely on such methods tend to put off the job, which, in many instances, causes the oil to be changed too infrequently. This leads to increased wear and tear to the engines of many vehicles.
Of course, car owners can have their car serviced at an auto-shop. In fact, "quick lubes" businesses are prevalent in many areas. However, this option is an expensive one to the car owner. Further, while these places profess to be "quick," long lines at the local quick-lube may force long waits. Also, the car owner must still get his car to the quick-lube (i.e., these businesses generally do not make house calls), which significantly increases the overall time spent getting the oil changed. The cost and inconvenience of going to an service center may cause car owners to put off changing the oil in their car. These people often wait until a "check engine" or "oil" dashboard light warns them that an oil change is needed immediately. Even then, though, an oil change is still a car ride way (i.e., either to the auto-parts store and home or to the local quick-lube) as the car owner has no way to change the oil in his car while driving. As a result, the car often ends up being driven past the time when its oil should have been changed. Again, this leads to increased wear and tear to the engines of many vehicles.
Therefore, there is a need for an automated oil changing device that is both cost-efficient and easy to use. Such a system should provide the car owner the option to change the oil whenever the optimum time for the change arises—evens if this means changing the oil while the vehicle is being driven.


Transgenic plants with increased resistance to geminivirus infection, and nucleic acid constructs useful in producing such plants, are described. In addition, methods of making the transgenic plants of the present invention are included. The transgenic plants express a mutant AL1/C1 geminivirus protein, which increases resistance to infection by at least one geminivirus, compared to a non-transformed control plant.

The geminiviruses are a large and diverse family of plant DNA viruses, with circular single-stranded (ss) DNA genomes that replicate through circular double stranded DNA intermediates. See Hanley-Bowdoin et al., Cri. Rev. Plant Sci. 18:71 (1999); Lazarowitz, Crit. Rev. Plant Sci. 11:327 (1992); Timmermans et al., Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. 45:79 (1994). Viral DNA replication, which results in both single and double stranded viral DNAs in large amounts, involves the expression of only a small number of viral proteins that are involved in either replication or viral transcription. The geminiviruses appear to rely primarily on the machinery of the host to copy their genomes and express their genes, including the nuclear DNA and RNA polymerases of their plant hosts. These properties of geminiviruses are unusual among plant viruses, most of which are RNA viruses or replicate through RNA intermediates using virus-encoded replicases. Geminiviruses infect a broad variety of plants and cause significant crop losses worldwide.
Geminiviruses are subdivided on the basis of host range in either monocots or dicots, genome structure, and insect vector. Subgroup I geminiviruses (also known as Mastreviruses) are transmitted by leafhoppers and infect primarily monocots, although Subgroup I geminiviruses that infect dicots are known. Subgroup II geminiviruses (also known as Curtoviruses) are transmitted by leafhoppers and infect dicots. Subgroup III geminiviruses (also known as Begomoviruses) are transmitted by whiteflys and infect dicots. Subgroup I & II viruses have genomes comprising a single ssDNA component; Subgroup III geminiviruses typically have a bipartite genome comprising two similarly sized DNAs (usually termed A and B), as illustrated by African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV), tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) and potato yellow mosaic virus. However, monopartite geminiviruses that infect dicots are known, for example Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV). The genomes of monopartite Subgroup II and III geminiviruses have an arrangement of genes similar to the AL1, AL2 and AL3 genes found on the A DNA component of bipartite Subgroup III geminiviruses.
Subgroup III viruses are also divided into "old world" and "new world" viruses, a division based on evolutionary divergence.
For successful infection of plants by bipartite geminiviruses, both the A and B genomic components are required. Sequence analysis of the two genome components reveals six open reading frames (ORFs). Four of the ORFs are encoded by DNA A and two by DNA B. On both components, the ORFs diverge from a conserved 230 nucleotide intergenic region (common region) and are transcribed bidirectionally from double stranded replicative form DNA. The ORFs are named according to genome component and orientation relative to the common region (i.e., left versus right (L/R), or virion versus complementary sense (V/C)). Certain proteins are known to be involved in the replication of viral DNA (REP genes). See, e.g., Elmer et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 16:7043 (1988); Hatta and Francki, Virology 92:428 (1979).
The A genome component contains all viral information necessary for the replication and encapsidation of viral DNA, while the B component encodes functions required for movement of the virus through the infected plant. The DNA A component of these viruses is capable of autonomous replication in plant cells in the absence of DNA B when inserted as a greater than full length copy into the genome of plant cells, or when a copy is transiently introduced into plant cells. In monopartite geminivirus genomes, the single genomic component contains all viral information necessary for replication, encapsidation, and movement of the virus.
Geminiviruses cause substantial losses among economically important crops, including tomato, bean and cucurbit. Current strategies to control geminivirus infections target the insect vectors that carry the viruses. However, the use of insecticides to control or combat a geminivirus infection can be expensive and inefficient. Additionally, insect hosts can vary in their susceptibility to available insecticides, and resistance to insecticides can develop over time. See Markham et al., Pestic. Sci. 42:123 (1994).
Varied approaches have been used in attempts to generate geminivirus-resistant plants, including classical breeding and transgenic approaches, with limited success. Unlike plant RNA viruses, the introduction of geminivirus sequences into transgenic plants does not confer resistance, and conversely, frequently results in the production of functional viral proteins (Hayes and Buck, Nucleic Acids Res. 17:10213 (1989); Hanley-Bowdoin et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 87:1446 (1990)). Kunik et al. describes transgenic tomatoes that contain a geminivirus coat protein gene (Kunik et al., BioTechnology 12:500 (1994)). Expression of antisense RNAs against geminivirus replication proteins in transgenic plants reduces the level of viral DNA accumulation up to 70% (Day et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 88:6721 (1991)), to a level that is still sufficient to confer wild type viral symptoms (Hanley-Bowdoin et al., Plant Cell 1:1057 (1989)). Similarly, the presence of defective-interfering replicons in transformed plants can reduce the level of viral DNA accumulation by about 70% (Frischmuth and Stanley, Virology 200:826 (1994)). The antisense RNAs and defective-interfering replicons function best against their cognate viruses (Bejarano et al., Plant Mol. Biol. 24:241 (1994)), further limiting their usefulness. Antisense RNA targeted to mRNA of the Rep protein (encoded by the C1 gene) was used to produce transgenic Nicotiana benthamiana plants with altered responses to TYLCV. (Bendahmane and Gronenborn, Plant Mol. Biol. 33:351 (1997)).
Accordingly, it is desirable to devise new strategies to control geminivirus infection.

The Regents of the University of California


In a radio frequency identification (RF-ID) system and method of sending additional signals, the radio frequency identification (RF-ID) system includes a tag portion including a sensor, the tag portion for outputting a composite signal including additional data from the sensor and basic data necessary for certification, an antenna for receiving the composite signal output from the tag portion, and a RF-ID reader portion for retrieving the composite signal received from the antenna and for decoding the basic data and the additional data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a radio frequency identification (RF-ID) system and method capable of confirming data detected by a sensor in addition to basic data necessary for certification.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of radio technologies as a substitute for existing bar-code technology, a variety of RF-ID systems have been proposed. The systems have been used in a variety of manners, e.g., prepayment of a bus fare or a parking permit and permitting access to a restricted area, such as a laboratory. The basic configuration of these RF-ID systems includes a tag, having an integrated circuit (IC) and an antenna, and a reader. The antenna of the tag outputs information from the IC about the tagged object in the form of the radio frequency signal and the reader receives and confirms the information.
RF-ID systems are classified primarily as an active type or a passive type, depending on how power is supplied to the IC installed in the tag. In the active type system, power is supplied to the IC from a battery included in the tag. In the passive type system, power is supplied to the IC by an inductive current in response to a magnetic wave transmitted from the reader. The passive type system allows a thin, lightweight card to be used as the tag. The tag for the passive type system includes a coil, which induces current via a received magnetic wave and which serves as the antenna transmitting data output from the IC.
FIG. 1A is schematic diagram of a structure of a general passive type RF-ID system. As shown therein, the system includes a tag 10 having a coil 30 and an IC 20, an external antenna 40 and a reader 50. FIG. 1B is block diagram explaining the operation of the RF-ID system.
With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, when the card reader 50 approaches the tag 10, the coil 30 in the tag 10 receives a magnetic wave radiated by the external antenna 40 (S110). The coil 30 generates an inductive current from the magnetic wave according to Faraday's law (S120).
When the voltage generated due to the inductive current drives the IC 20, the IC 20 accesses data stored in an internal memory (not shown) (S130). Such data may include the tag owner's name, member number, resident registration number, whether or not entrance and exit is acceptable, manufacturing date and manufacturer of the tagged product, or any other useful information. The coil 30 serves as an internal antenna for the tag 10 and outputs the data in radio frequency signal format (S140).
The RF-ID reader 50 receives the data through the external antenna 40 (S150) and demodulates the received data (S160). Thus, the tag information can be confirmed (S170).
In such an existing RF-ID or other identification system, it may be desirable to also transmit additional, real-time data. Such real-time data can be obtained by measuring the present status of the tagged object or an environment of the tagged object. For example, in the case of barcodes, which are currently most widely used with industrial products, only the basic information on manufacturing number and price of that product is output. However, when storing sensitive goods, such as wine, it is necessary to keep the goods under certain conditions, e.g., within a certain temperature range, in order to efficiently manage the goods.
In order to measure a present status, the certification system must include a sensor. In case of a RF-ID system, the tag should include a sensor in addition to the coil and the IC. The most logical approach would involve designing the IC to convert the information from the sensor into digital data, so that additional data is output along with the basic data. This can be implemented with recently developed SOC (System On Chip) technology.
However, in addition to requiring a new IC design, if the RF-ID system is implemented by adding the sensor in this manner, other practical problems arise. First, since an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter is required for converting the sensor information into digital data, the increased power consumption due to the A/D converter excludes use of the passive type tag. Second, using a more complicated IC will inevitably increase the cost per tag. This increased cost would prevent widespread use of such a system.

RF-ID system with sensor and method of sending additional signals


A method and device for performing a dedicated ranging for Machine To Machine (M2M) communication is provided. A M2M device receives a paging message indicating a dedicated ranging channel allocation from a base station. The dedicated ranging channel allocation is valid within a dedicated channel allocation timer.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless communications, and more particularly, to method and device for performing ranging for Machine To Machine (M2M) communication.
Related Art
Machine To Machine (M2M) communication is one type of data communication including one or more entities not requiring human interactions. M2M communication may also be called as Machine Type Communication (MTC). That is, the M2M communication refers to the concept of communication based on the existing wireless communication network used by a machine device that is not directly operated by a human. The machine device used in the M2M communication can be called a M2M device. There are various M2M devices such as a vending machine, a machine of measuring a water level at a dam, etc.
The M2M device has a feature different from that of a typical human-operated device. Therefore, a service optimized to the M2M communication may differ from a service optimized to human-to-human communication. In comparison with a conventional mobile network communication service, the M2M communication can be characterized as a different market scenario, data communication, less costs and efforts, a potentially great number of M2M devices, wide service areas, low traffic for each M2M device, etc.
Ranging is a procedure used to initiate or keep uplink synchronization. There are two types of ranging: initial ranging and periodic ranging. After downlink synchronization, the mobile station attempts to perform initial ranging with a base station. If the ranging procedure is successfully completed, the mobile station is uplink synchronized with the base station. Periodic ranging is the process of maintaining the correct mobile station's uplink transmission parameters.
Ranging is generally a contention based ranging in which collisions between mobile stations occur. For exampling, it is assumed that two mobile stations transmits same ranging codes via same ranging channels. The base station cannot receive all ranging codes or can receive only one ranging code. This means that one or more mobile stations re-transmits another ranging code after random backoff. The collision may occur when mobile stations performs ranging simultaneously.
To reduce possibility of collision in the contention based ranging, allocation of dedicated ranging channel has been proposed.
However, it is required to consider the M2M communication feature to perform ranging using the dedicated ranging channel.

Method and device for performing ranging


Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to trigger a scaling action for scaling an application having a set of one or more virtual machines (VMs). Virtualized Network Functions (VNF) are scaled by adding or removing resources to/from existing VMs. In an example method for triggering a scaling action for scaling an application having a set of one or more VMs, a threshold value is adapted based on an evaluation of a monitored system key performance indicator and a monitored external key performance indicator. The threshold value is used for triggering the scaling action. The scaling action is validated based on the monitored external key performance indicator.

The workgroup on Network Function Virtualization (NFV) within ETSI have published recommendations on the lifecycle management of Virtualized Network Functions (VNF) in their framework on management and orchestration (MANO). One particular aspect for the lifecycle management of VNFs is their elasticity via scale-out/-in or scale-up/-down.
Scale-out/-in means changing the capacity of a VNF by means of adding or removing virtual machines (VM). Scale-up/-down means changing the capacity of a VNF by adding or removing resources to/from the existing virtual machines (VM). The scaling execution is caused by a system entity detecting the need for a capacity increase/decrease via monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) of the VNF or its underlying infrastructure. The behavior of the detection entity is usually configured by means of policies.
The policy configuration concerning scale-out/-in and scale-up/-down, including KPIs and thresholds, are provided via descriptors for the VNF. The descriptors are interpreted during deployment and runtime of a VNF.
VNF scaling and auto-scaling, which takes automated decisions on triggering a scaling request, relies upon KPIs crossing a certain threshold. The key performance indicator values used for threshold validation could be reflecting instant behavior, i.e. run-time measurement values or trends observed over a long period, i.e. aggregated values from post-processing of measurements.
The threshold values are usually configured based on best knowledge by the owner of the VNF in the corresponding descriptor of the VNF. The threshold values are configured and are static throughout the life-time of the VNF. Any change requires an Operation and Maintenance (O&M) action. They are not adapted to changed conditions of the network or its infrastructure.
In some scenarios, even with no changes of the load/surrounding conditions, the key performance indicator values might cross the defined threshold values temporarily while the overall long-term behavior is within the set boundaries. Worst case is when the static nature of the threshold values lead to system oscillations. When scaling automatically, the threshold is crossed in one direction triggering a scaling execution and just afterwards the other threshold is crossed leading to an opposite scaling decision.
Such scenarios would become much more common with network function virtualization in which not all hardware is certified and the key performance indicators range might change from one infrastructure to another. In order to avoid this type of situation and potential unnecessary scaling executions, conservative threshold values can be used, i.e. very low thresholds, leading to a loss of efficiency.

Technique for optimizing the scaling of an application having a set of virtual machines


An image-forming device includes: a cartridge receiving portion; a drive engaging unit; and a coupling member. The cartridge receiving portion receives a process cartridge detachably mounted therein. The drive engaging unit can move between an engaged position, in which the drive engaging unit transfers a driving force to the process cartridge, and a disengaged position, in which the drive engaging unit fails to transfer a driving force to the process cartridge. The coupling member moves the drive engaging unit between the engaged position and the disengaged position in association with mounting and detaching of the process cartridge in the cartridge receiving portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image-forming device such as a laser printer, and a process cartridge detachably mountable in the image-forming device.
2. Description of Related Art
A process cartridge can be detachably mounted in an image-forming device such as a laser printer. The process cartridge is provided with: a photosensitive drum on which electrostatic latent images are formed based on image data; and a developing roller for developing the electrostatic latent images into toner images. When the process cartridge is mounted in this image-forming device, the photosensitive drum and developing roller are arranged in opposition to each other and are driven to rotate in prescribed directions. While the photosensitive drum rotates one revolution, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the drum. When the latent image comes into contact with the developing roller, toner is supplied from the developing roller onto the surface of the photosensitive drum, developing the latent image into a toner image. The developed toner image is then transferred onto paper as the paper is conveyed between the photosensitive drum and a transfer roller disposed in opposition to the photosensitive drum.
Since this type of process cartridge is not provided with its own driving source, a driving source provided in the main body of the image-forming device has to supply a driving force to the process cartridge for rotating the photosensitive drum and the developing roller. Specifically, when the process cartridge is mounted in the image-forming device, a rotary drive member-provided in the image-forming device is engaged with a rotating member in the process cartridge. The driving force of the driving source provided in the image-forming device is transferred to the rotating member via the rotary drive member.
However, when removing the process cartridge from the image-forming device, it is necessary to disengage the rotating member of the process cartridge from the rotary drive member. Hence, the rotary drive member in conventional image-forming devices has been configured to engage with and disengage from the rotating member of the process cartridge, as described in Japanese unexamined patent application publication No. 2002-149037, for example. In this image-forming device, a cover is provided over an opening in the main casing for mounting and removing the process cartridge, and the engaged state of the rotary drive member is switched in association with the opening and closing of the cover so that the rotary drive member is engaged when the cover is closed and disengaged when the cover is open. In other words, when the process cartridge is mounted in the image-forming device and the cover is closed, the rotary drive member is engaged with the rotating member of the process cartridge. When the cover is open, the rotary drive member is disengaged from the rotating members.

Image-forming device and process cartridge


A joint element made of fiber-reinforced plastic having at least three tubular and/or profile-shaped connection regions. The joint element has at least one V-shaped or U-shaped rigid wall element, which is arranged between two connection regions and is connected to the fiber-reinforced plastic.

Joint elements are known in principle and are used, for example, in frame construction. By way of example, in this respect. DE 44 23 642 C1 discloses a carrier frame in a truss construction, in particular for a motor vehicle, which consists of separately prefabricated profiled frame parts and joints made of fiber composite material which connect the joints to one another in a dimensionally stable manner.
The joints are each produced from fiber preforms which are prefabricated in a mechanized manner and have a fiber structure which runs through three-dimensionally and holding pockets for the associated profiled frame parts. The fiber preforms are each individually compacted and consolidated to form an integral fiber composite joint structure, with profiled frame parts inserted into the holding pockets, in a molding tool which surrounds the joint region and fixes the profiled frame parts in their exact position. The known joint structure has the disadvantages that the production thereof is relatively complex and also the rigidity thereof is relatively low.

Joint element made of fiber-reinforced plastic and production process and use therefor


A housing for electrical devices such as connectors, circuit breakers, and fuse panels. A cable outlet port member is separate from the housing to provide unidirectional resistance to movement of a cable relative to the housing. The non-integral relationship permits the members to be replaced in the event of damage. A busbar formed by a stamping and bending operation is also disclosed for use in combination with conventional circuit breakers.

Housings for electrical devices, such as connectors, circuit breakers, and fuse panels, are used in many applications, including recreational vehicles such as motor homes and boats. In a typical application, the housing receives multiple cables for connection to devices within the housing and to carry electrical power to a number of devices outside of the housing. It is good practice to use de-tensioning devices within the housing to insure that electrical connections between the cables and the devices within the housing are not strained or stressed if tension is applied to the cable at some point outside the housing, an event which commonly occurs during installation and/or service.
One way to provide a de-tensioning structure is to mold a port into a panel of the housing having opposing resilient fingers defining a narrow slit-like aperture which unidirectionally resists passage of an electrical cable through the aperture. In short, the fingers permit the insertion of the cable into the housing but resist any movement in the opposite direction such as may occur if the cable were tugged or pulled at some point outside of the housing.
The problem with this approach is that the opposed fingers which make up the anti-tensioning device are frequently broken off during installation. Under these circumstances, good practice requires discarding and replacing the entire housing. Where the housing is complex, such a practice is costly and time consuming.

Electrical housing with non-integral cable outlet port member


A bowsprit, or spar, for supporting a spinnaker sail at the front of a sailboat is mounted on the deck of the sailboat. The bowsprit is retractable and extendable in telescoping fashion and includes a rope or tack line extending from the forward end thereof that connects to the corner or tack of the spinnaker sail. The aft or back end of the bowsprit is clipped to the mast and may be unclipped therefrom and secured to the deck so as to position the bowsprit at an angle to the boat to present the spinnaker sail to the wind. The present bowsprit is mounted along the midline of the boat and extends through a swivel bridle that connects the forestay to the deck. Extension of the bowsprit is accomplished by pulling a line connected to the inner pole of the bowsprit and passing around a pulley so that the inner pole slides out to an extended position from the outer sleeve of the bowsprit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a bowsprit or spar projecting from the bow of a sailing vessel and in particular to a retractable bowsprit for supporting a spinnaker sail or other headsail.
2. Description of the Related Art
A sailboats sails are deployed to catch the wind and provide the force for moving the boat through the water. Various sails are employed on a sailboat for different sailing conditions and different sailing directions. When sailing with the wind, or downwind, a large sail called a spinnaker may be deployed to catch the wind. The spinnaker is a sail commonly deployed off the front of the boat during downwind sailing. The spinnaker may be supported by a spinnaker pole which is a structure that is attached to the mast and used for the purpose of supporting and positioning the tack of the spinnaker in a substantially horizontal manner away from the mast. A traditional bowsprit is a structure extending from the front of the stem or bow of the boat which is used to support the tack of a jib or other headsails.
In modern sailing craft, where a bowsprit is provided, it is usually of a retractable design and mounted within the hull of the craft and extends through an opening below and to one side of the bow from which it can be extended.
Normally, a sailboat has a mainsail which is a triangular sail extending behind the mast. The mast is a spar or relatively rigid elongated pole that supports a sail in some way and is mounted extending vertically from the deck. In sloop-rigged sailboats or sloops, a triangular jib sail is also supported by the mast at the head or top most corner of the triangle. Sailboats cannot sail directly into the wind, but typically have the ability to sail within 50° or less of the true wind direction. Sailing as close to the wind as is possible is referred to as beating. Therefore, sailboats must keep tacking (changing sailing direction) when beating and end up sailing a zigzag route to a reach any point directly upwind from the starting point.
As noted, some sailboats have a bowsprit, which is a type of spar extending forward from the bow to which a jib or other headsail is attached. Many sailboats are also rigged to carry spinnakers, which are large sails for running, or sailing downwind, and reaching. Reaching refers to sailing at angles to the true wind between beating and running, or approximately from 50° to 160° from the true wind.
Spinnakers are sails that typically have an isosceles triangle shape with somewhat rounded sides. A spinnaker is stowed when a sailboat is beating and then lifted with a spinnaker halyard to place the head of the spinnaker at or near the top of the mast when reaching and running. Spinnakers have one of the lower corners attached to a forward end of a spinnaker pole. Conventionally, the aft or rear most end of the spinnaker pole is attached to the front of the mast. As shown in FIG. 11, a spinnaker carried on a spinnaker pole mounted on a mast is normally symmetrical in that lengths of the sail's port and starboard edges are equal. When the spinnaker is stowed, the spinnaker pole is either lowered to the deck or removed from the mast and stowed on the side deck.
In many newer designs, the spinnaker pole is replaced by a bowsprit which is mounted so as to project from the bow of the sailboat. This can usually be retracted along a generally horizontal path into the hull when the sailboat is not carrying the spinnaker so that the bowsprit is not left projecting from the bow where it could be damaged in a collision and may represent a potential danger to the crew of other boats crossing the bow.
As shown in FIG. 12, a spinnaker carried on a retractable bowsprit is typically asymmetrical, meaning that the triangular sail shape is scalene rather than the generally isosceles shape of a conventional spinnaker. The asymmetric spinnaker is similar to a genoa sail, but larger and with a fuller and more rounded shape. The longest edge of an asymmetrical spinnaker is typically connected between the forward end of the bowsprit and the top, or a location near the top, of the mast. The other vertical edge of an asymmetrical spinnaker is trimmed with a spinnaker sheet to a leeward point on the boat hull similar to that of a conventional spinnaker.
Although an asymmetrical spinnaker does not permit sailing an angle as "deep" or downwind as a symmetrical spinnaker design, it has the advantage of allowing faster reaching speeds than possible with symmetrical spinnaker or even with a large genoa sail. Some sailboats can sail more rapidly to a particular downwind point by reaching for a time on one jibe (or direction), and then jibing to a reach on the opposite jibe rather than by running directly downwind. Jibing refers to steering the sailboat stern through the wind from one tack to the other while sailing downwind.
Recently it has become a normal industry practice to add a bowsprit in favor of the previously common spinnaker pole. This is because of the simplicity of jibing an asymmetrical spinnaker mounted on a bowsprit, when compared with jibing a conventional symmetrical spinnaker mounted on the spinnaker pole projecting from either the port or starboard side of the mast.
Jibing a symmetrical spinnaker is difficult because the symmetrical spinnaker pole mounted on the mast must be transferred from one side of the boat to the other during a jibe. Because the spinnaker pole projects beyond the forestay of the boat, the outboard end of the pole must be detached from the tack of the sail and then reattached once the pole is moved to the opposite side of the boat. This jibing maneuver is usually accomplished by using a so-called "dip pole" jibe in larger boats, or sometimes an "end-over-end" jibe in smaller boats.
This jibing task is one of the most difficult tasks in all sailing maneuvers, especially in higher winds, and can result in the crew losing control of the boat. The spinnaker often collapses during the jibe maneuver and in high winds may even wrap itself around the forestay resulting in a very hazardous situation for the crew. Although experienced racing crews are skilled in carrying out this downwind jibing maneuver, things can go wrong during spinnaker jibes even at the highest of crew skill levels, such as in America's Cup racing.
As a result of the complexity of jibing symmetrical spinnakers mounted on spinnaker poles and the resulting requirement of high crew skill levels, many new boat designs have moved away from this in favor of the asymmetrical spinnaker mounted on an extendable bowsprit. Jibing an asymmetrical spinnaker is a much simpler maneuver because the bowsprit remains fixed in position and attached to the sail throughout the jibe, and is only marginally more difficult than jibing the much smaller jib sail.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,380 discloses a retractable bowsprit for a sailboat suitable for use with an asymmetrical spinnaker. A support element and a bowsprit positioner are track mounted within the hull of the sailboat to allow the bowsprit to assume either an extended or retracted position. The bowsprit positioner is mounted to the bottom of the hull. This U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,380 is incorporated herein by reference.
Such a retractable bowsprit is usually mounted to one side (usually on the starboard side) of the boat under the foredeck and at a slight angle to the fore and aft centerline of the boat. The pole is mounted in such a way that, when extended, the outboard end of the pole is exactly along the centerline of the boat and directly in front of the bow. This is done to avoid mounting the pole directly down the centerline of the boat underneath the foredeck.
Retractable bowsprits are rarely mounted along the centerline, particularly in larger craft, because such a mounting position would likely interfere with access to the interior of the forepeak or V berth, and also block access to any hatch mounted in the center of the foredeck. By mounting the pole against the side of the boat, and angling the pole with this method, the same position is achieved as if the pole was mounted down the centerline of the boat, and therefore the tack of the spinnaker is always at the centerline of the boat whether sailing on the starboard or port jibe.
However, there are significant disadvantages to this industry practice of a below-deck offset bowsprit mounting arrangement that the present retractable bowsprit invention seeks to eliminate. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, mounting the retractable bowsprit below the deck requires a relatively large aperture to be created through the hull near the bow, in one of the worst possible positions where it is constantly receiving waves and spray when underway. This aperture is difficult, if not impossible, to completely seal and therefore may allow at least small amounts of water to enter the boat. Water can travel through the aperture in the bow then along the internal bowsprit sleeve and into the forepeak section of the boat. During long periods underway, and even when the spinnaker is not in use, water taken inboard through the aperture could build up and represents a "silent" and arguably unnecessary additional safety hazard to the boat and crew.
Secondly, mounting the retractable bowsprit offset inside the forepeak makes the hull more complex and expensive to produce. The production molds used to produce the hull must also be more complex and non-symmetrical along the centerline, increasing manufacturing costs.
Thirdly, the retraction mechanism for these bowsprits is often difficult for the user to access. Should something fail with the retraction mechanism, it may not be possible for the crew to correct the fault underway. In large sailboats with V berths, the mechanism maybe concealed behind fixed panels. In small sailboats with little or no interior space, the mechanism may be inaccessible, or may require a crew member to crawl forward into an unlighted and narrow space between the deck and hull to gain access to the mechanism.


Compounds having the following formula

The mammalian neurokinins comprise a class of peptide neurotransmitters which are found in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The three principal neurokinins are Substance P (SP), Neurokinin A (NKA) and Neurokinin B (NKB).
There are also N-terminally extended forms of at least NKA. At least three receptor types are known for the three principal neurokinins. Based upon their relative selectivities favoring the neurokinin agonists SP, NKA and NKB, the receptors are classified as neurokinin 1 (NK1), neurokinin 2 (NK2) and neurokinin 3 (NK3) receptors, respectively. In the periphery, SP and NKA are localized in C-afferent sensory neurons, which neurons are characterized by non-myelinated nerve endings known as C-fibers, and are released by selective depolarization of these neurons, or selective stimulation of the C-fibers. C-Fibers are located in the airway epithelium, and the tachykinins are known to cause profound effects which clearly parallel many of the symptoms observed in asthmatics. The effects of release or introduction of tachykinins in mammalian airways include bronchoconstriction, increased microvascular permeability, vasodilation, increased mucus secretion and activation of mast cells. Thus, the tachykinins are implicated in the pathophysiology and airway hyperresponsiveness observed in asthmatics; and blockade of the action of released tachykinins may be useful in the treatment of asthma and related conditions. A cyclopeptide antagonist (FK-224) selective for both NK1 and NK2 receptors has demonstrated clinical efficacy in human patients suffering from asthma and chronic bronchitis. M. Ichinose, et al., Lancet, 1992, 340, 1248.
This invention relates to naphthalenecarboxamide compounds N-substituted by an substituted piperidinylbutyl group, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, as well as to their uses and processes for their preparation. These compounds antagonize the pharmacological actions of the endogenous neuropeptide tachykinins known as neurokinins, particularly at the neurokinin 1 (NK1) and the neurokinin 2 (NK2) receptors. These compounds are useful whenever such antagonism is desired. Thus, such compounds are of value in the treatment of those diseases in which Substance P and Neurokinin A are implicated, for example, in the treatment of asthma, anxiety, depression, emesis, urinary incontinence and related conditions.
The N-substituted naphthalenecarboxamide compounds of the present invention show a high degree of both NK1 and/or NK2 receptor antagonist activity. Additionally, by manipulation of the substituents on the naphthalene and piperidine rings of the formula (I), the ratio of activity at the NK1 and NK2 receptors can be modified as desired, affording compounds that are predominantly active at either NK1 or NK2 receptors, or affording compounds with a balanced activity and, as such, are particularly useful when combined antagonism of both receptors is desired. In particular, the compounds of the present invention also possess a high degree of NK1 and/or NK2 antagonism upon oral administration.
Accordingly, the present invention provides the compounds of the general formula (I):
wherein:
R1, in one respect, has the formula
wherein R7 is as defined below to give general formula (Ia).
R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-6alkoxy, C1-6alkanoyloxy, C1-6alkanoyl, C1-6alkoxycarbonyl, C1-6alkanoylamino, C1-6alkyl, carbamoyl, C1-6alkylcarbamoyl or di-C1-6alkylcarbamoyl.
R3 is hydrogen or C1-6alkyl for example methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or cyclopropyl. Preferably, R3 is methyl.
R4, R5 and R6 are each, independently, hydroxy; cyano; nitro; trifluoromethoxy; trifluoromethyl; C1-6alkylsulfonyl for example methylsulphonyl; halo for example chloro, bromo, fluoro or iodo; C1-6alkoxy for example methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy; C1-6alkyl for example methyl or ethyl; cyanoC1-6alkyl for example cyanomethyl; C2-6alkenyl for example ethenyl, prop-1-enyl or prop-2-enyl; C2-6alkynyl for example ethynyl; carboxy, C1-6alkoxycarbonyl for example methoxycarbonyl; carbamoyl; C1-6alkylcarbamoyl for example methylcarbamoyl or ethylcarbamoyl; di-C1-6alkylcarbamoyl for example di-methylcarbamoyl; C1-6alkanoyl for example acetyl or propionyl; C1-6alkanoylamino for example acetylamino or propionylamino; aminosulfonyl; and substituted C1-6alkyl for example methyl substituted by any of the hereinabove substituents. Additionally, R6 may be hydrogen.
Favourably, R4 is C1-6alkyl for example methyl or ethyl; C1-6alkoxy for example methoxy or ethoxy; or halo for example fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo. Preferably, R4 is methyl, ethyl, methoxy, ethoxy or fluoro. More preferably, R4 is methoxy or ethyl, most preferably, methoxy.
Preferably, R5 is cyano or nitro; more preferably, R5 is cyano.
Preferably, R6 is hydrogen, methoxy, cyano or nitro.
R7 is xe2x80x94CH2CH2xe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CH2CH2CH2xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CH2CH2CH2CH2xe2x80x94.
M is xe2x80x94C(xe2x95x90O)xe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94S(xe2x95x90O)2xe2x80x94.
L is NH or CH2.
The compounds of the present invention possess a number of chiral centres, at xe2x80x94CH(Ph-X1,X2)xe2x80x94, and possibly in the optional substituents (for example the MeSOxe2x80x94 substituent) on either (or both) of the phenyl and naphth-1-yl groups. The present invention covers all isomers, diastereoisomers and mixtures thereof that antagonise NK1 and/or NK2.
The preferred configuration at xe2x80x94CH(Ph-X1,X2)xe2x80x94 is shown in formula (Ib) hereinbelow:
X1 and X2 are independently hydrogen or halo, provided that at least one of X1 or X2 is halo. Favourably, X1 and X2 are both chloro. In a preferred aspect Ph-X1,X2 is 3,4-dichlorophenyl.
R2 is hydrogen; hydroxy; C1-6alkoxy for example methoxy or ethoxy; C1-6alkanoyloxy for example acetyloxy or propionyloxy; C1-6alkanoyl for example acethyl or propionyl; C1-6alkoxycarbonyl for example methoxycarbonyl or ethoxycarbonyl; C1-6alkanoylamino for example acetylamino; C1-6alkyl for example metrhyl or ethyl; carbamoyl; C1-6alkylcarbamoyI for example methylcarbamoyl or ethylcarbamoyl or di-C1-6alkylcarbamoyl for example dimethylcarbamoyl.
Preferably, R2 is hydrogen, hydroxy, methoxycarbonyl, methylcarbamoyl or dimethylcarbamoyl. More preferably R2 is hydrogen or methylcarbamoyl.
A preferred class of compounds is that of the formula (II):
wherein R3 is as hereinbefore defined and R4xe2x80x94R6 are selected from hydrogen, cyano, nitro, methoxy, methyl, ethyl and fluoro.
The most preferred structure is
Particular compounds of this invention are provided as the Examples hereinbelow. CY-Zalkyl, unless otherwise specified, means an alkyl chain containing a minimum Y total carbon atoms and a maximum Z total carbon atoms. These alkyl chains may be branched or unbranched, cyclic, acyclic or a combination of cyclic and acyclic. For example, the following substituents would be included in the general description xe2x80x9cC4-7alkylxe2x80x9d:
Pharmaceutically-acceptable salts may be prepared from the corresponding acid in conventional manner. Non-pharmaceutically-acceptable salts may be useful as intermediates and as such are another aspect of the present invention.
The compounds of the present invention are capable of forming salts with various inorganic and organic acids and bases and such salts are also within the scope of this invention. Examples of such acid addition salts include acetate, adipate, ascorbate, benzoate, benzenesulfonate, bisulfate, butyrate, camphorate, camphorsulfonate, citrate, cyclohexyl sulfamate, ethanesulfonate, fumarate, glutamate, glycolate, hemisulfate, 2-hydroxyethylsulfonate, heptanoate, hexanoate, hydrochloride, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, hydroxymaleate, lactate, malate, maleate, methanesulfonate, 2-naphthalenesulfonate, nitrate, oxalate, pamoate, persulfate, phenylacetate, phosphate, picrate, pivalate, propionate, quinate, salicylate, stearate, succinate, sulfamate, sulfanilate, sulfate, tartrate, tosylate (p-toluenesulfonate), and undecanoate. Base salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium, lithium and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as aluminum, calcium and magnesium salts, salts with organic bases such as dicyclohexylamine salts, N-methyl-D-glucamine, and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine, ornithine, and so forth. Also, basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quaternized with such agents as: lower alkyl halides, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl halides; dialkyl sulfates like dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl; diamyl sulfates; long chain halides such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl halides; aralkyl halides like benzyl bromide and others. Non-toxic physiologically-acceptable salts are preferred, although other salts are also useful, such as in isolating or purifying the product.
The salts may be formed by conventional means, such as by reacting the free base form of the product with one or more equivalents of the appropriate acid in a solvent or medium in which the salt is insoluble, or in a solvent such as water, which is removed in vacuo or by freeze drying or by exchanging the anions of an existing salt for another anion on a suitable ion-exchange resin.
In order to use a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the therapeutic treatment (including prophylactic treatment) of mammals including humans, it is normally formulated in accordance with standard pharmaceutical practice as a pharmaceutical composition.
Therefore in another aspect the present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition which comprises a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention may be administered in standard manner for the disease condition that it is desired to treat, for example by oral, topical, parenteral, buccal, nasal, vaginal or rectal administration or by inhalation or insufflation. For these purposes the compounds of this invention may be formulated by means known in the art into the form of, for example, tablets, capsules, aqueous or oily solutions, suspensions, emulsions, creams, ointments, gels, nasal sprays, suppositories, finely divided powders or aerosols or nebulisers for inhalation, and for parenteral use (including intravenous, intramuscular or infusion) sterile aqueous or oily solutions or suspensions or sterile emulsions.
In addition to the compounds of the present invention the pharmaceutical composition of this invention may also contain, or be co-administered (simultaneously or sequentially) with, one or more pharmacological agents of value in treating one or more disease conditions referred to herein.
The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention will normally be administered to humans so that, for example, a daily dose of 0.01 to 25 mg/kg body weight (and preferably of 0.1 to 5 mg/kg body weight) is received. This daily dose may be given in divided doses as necessary, the precise amount of the compound received and the route of administration depending on the weight, age and sex of the patient being treated and on the particular disease condition being treated according to principles known in the art.
Typically unit dosage forms will contain about 1 mg to 500 mg of a compound of this invention. For example a tablet or capsule for oral administration may conveniently contain up to 250 mg (and typically 5 to 100 mg) of a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. In another example, for administration by inhalation, a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be administered in a daily dosage range of 5 to 100 mg, in a single dose or divided into two to four daily doses. In a further example, for administration by intravenous or intramuscular injection or infusion, a sterile solution or suspension containing up to 10% w/w (and typically 5% w/w) of a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof may be used.
Therefore in a further aspect, the present invention provides a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in a method of therapeutic treatment of the human or animal body.
In yet a further aspect the present invention provides a method of treating a disease condition wherein antagonism of the NK1 and/or NK2 receptors is beneficial which comprises administering to a warm-blooded animal an effective amount of a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof The present invention also provides the use of a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the preparation of a medicament for use in a disease condition wherein antagonism of the NK1 and/or NK2 receptors is beneficial.
The compounds of the formula (I) and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts may be made by processes as described and exemplified herein and by processes similar thereto and by processes known in the chemical art. If not commercially available, starting materials for these processes may be made by procedures which are selected from the chemical art using techniques which are similar or analogous to the synthesis of known compounds.
In another aspect the present invention provides a process for preparing a compound of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which process comprises:
a) reacting a compound of the formula (III) with a compound of the formula (IV):
wherein R2xe2x80x94R7, L, M, X1 and X2 are as hereinbefore defined; and L and Lxe2x80x2 are groups such that reductive amination of the formulae (III) and (IV) forms a Nxe2x80x94C bond; or
b) reacting a compound of the formula (V) with a compound of the formula (VI):
wherein R2xe2x80x94R7, L, M, X1 and X2 are as hereinbefore defined; and Lxe2x80x3 is a leaving group;
wherein any other functional group is protected, if necessary, and:
i) removing any protecting groups;
ii) optionally forming a pharmaceutically acceptable salt.
Protecting groups may in general be chosen from any of the groups described in the literature or known to the skilled chemist as appropriate for the protection of the group in question, and may be introduced and removed by conventional methods; see for example Protecting Groups in Organic Chemistry; Theodora W. Greene. Methods of removal are chosen so as to effect removal of the protecting group with minimum disturbance of groups elsewhere in the molecule.
It will also be appreciated that certain of the various optional substituents in the compounds of the formula (I) may be introduced by standard aromatic substitution reactions or generated by conventional functional group modifications either prior to or immediately following the processes described hereinabove. The reagents and reaction conditions for such procedures are well known in the chemical art.
The compounds of the formulae (III) and (IV) are reacted under conditions of reductive amination. Typically in the compounds of the formula (III) L is hydrogen.
Typically in the compounds of the formula (IV) Lxe2x80x2 is an oxo group so forming an aldehyde moiety. The reaction is typically performed at a non-extreme temperature, for example 0-100xc2x0 C., suitably ambient temperature in a substantially inert solvent for example dichloromethane. Typical reducing agents include borohydrides such as sodium cyanoborohydride.
The compounds of the formula (III) are known or made be prepared in conventional manner. The compounds of the formula (IV) may be prepared, for example, by reacting a compound of the formula (VI) with a compound of the formula (VII):
wherein Lxe2x80x2, R3, X1 and X2 are as hereinbefore defined under conventional acylation conditions.
The compounds of the formulae (V) and (VI) may be reacted under conventional acylation conditions wherein
is an acid or an activated acid derivative. Such activated acid derivatives are well known in the literature. They may be formed in situ from the acid or they may be prepared, isolated and subsequently reacted. Typically Lxe2x80x3 is chloro thereby forming the acid chloride. Typically the acylation reaction is performed in the presence of a non-nucleophilic base, for example di-isopropylethylamine, in a substantially inert solvent at a non-extreme temperature.
The compounds of the formula (VII) are known or may be prepared in conventional manner. Certain compounds of the formulae (IV) and (VI) are novel and form part of the present invention. In particular the compounds of the formula (VI) wherein the naphth-1-yl group is substituted by a methoxy group at the 2-position and by a cyano group at the 3-position are novel.
Accordingly, in another aspect the present invention provides a compound of the formula (VIII):
wherein Lxe2x80x3 is as hereinbefore defined; preferably Lxe2x80x3 is hydrogen or a leaving group such as chloro.
In another aspect the present invention provides a compound of the formulae (IX):
wherein R3, X1, X2 and Lxe2x80x2 are as hereinbefore defined.
It is well known in the art how to prepare optically-active forms (for example, by resolution of the racemic form or by synthesis from optically-active starting materials) and how to determine the NK1 and NK2 antagonist properties by the standard tests known in the art and those described hereinafter.
Some individual compounds within the scope of this invention may contain double bonds. Representations of double bonds in this invention are meant to include both the E and the Z isomer of the double bond. Additionally, some species within the scope of this invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers. This invention includes the use of any of the optically pure stereoisomers as well as any combination of stereoisomers.
The following biological test methods, data and Examples serve to illustrate and further describe the invention.
The utility of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a xe2x80x9ccompoundxe2x80x9d) may be demonstrated by standard tests and clinical studies, including those disclosed in the publications described below.
SP Receptor Binding Assay (Test A)
The ability of a compound of the invention to antagonize the binding of SP at the NK1 receptor may be demonstrated using an assay using the human NK1 receptor expressed in Mouse Erythroleukemia (MEL) cells. The human NK1 receptor was isolated and characterized as described in: B. Hopkins, et al. xe2x80x9cIsolation and characterization of the human lung NK1 receptor cDNAxe2x80x9d Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 1991, 180, 1110-1117; and the NK1 receptor was expressed in Mouse Erythroleukemia (MEL) cells using a procedure similar to that described in Test B below.
Neurokinin A (NKA) Receptor Binding Assay (Test B)
The ability of a compound of the invention to antagonize the binding of NKA at the NK2 receptor may be demonstrated using an assay using the human NK2 receptor expressed in Mouse Erythroleukemia (MEL) cells, as described in: Aharony, D., et al. xe2x80x9cIsolation and Pharmacological Characterization of a Hampster Neurokinin A Receptor cDNAxe2x80x9d Molecular Pharmacology, 1994, 45, 9-19.
The selectivity of a compound for binding at the NK1 and the NK2 receptors may be shown by determining its binding at other receptors using standard assays, for example, one using a tritiated derivative of NKB in a tissue preparation selective for NK3 receptors. In general, the compounds of the invention which were tested demonstrated statistically significant binding activity in Test A and Test B with a Ki of 1 mM or much less typically being measured.
Rabbit Pulmonary Artery: NK1 in vitro Functional Assay (Test C)
The ability of a compound of the invention to antagonize the action of the agonist Ac-[Arg6, Sar9, Met(O2)11] Substance P (6-11), ASMSP, in a pulmonary tissue may be demonstrated as follows.
Male New Zealand white rabbits are euthanized via i.v. injection into the ear vein with 60 mg/kg Nembutal (50 mg/mL). Preceding the Nembutal into the vein is Heparin (1000 units/mL) at 0.0025 mL/kg for anticoagulant purposes. The chest cavity is opened from the top of the rib cage to the stemum and the heart, lungs and part of the trachea are removed. The pulmonary arteries are isolated from the rest of the tissues and cut in half to serve as pairs.
The segments are suspended between stainless steel stirrups, so as not to remove any of the endothelium, and placed in water-jacketed (37.0xc2x0 C.) tissue baths containing physiological salt solution of the following composition (mM): NaCl, 118.0; KCl, 4.7; CaCl2, 1.8; MgCl2, 0.54; NaH2PO4, 1.0; NaHCO3, 25.0; glucose, 11.0; indomethacin, 0.005 (to inhibit cyclooxygenase); and dl-Propranolol, 0.001 (to block xcex2 receptors); gassed continuously with 95% O2xe2x80x945% CO2. Responses are measured on a Grass polygraph via Grass FT-03 transducers.
Initial tension placed on each tissue is 2 grams, which is maintained throughout the 1.0 hour equilibration period. Tissues are washed with the physiological salt solution at 15 minute intervals. At the 30 and 45 minute wash the following treatments are added: 1xc3x9710xe2x88x926 M Thiorphan (to block E.C.220.127.116.11), 3xc3x9710xe2x88x928M (S)-N-[2-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-[4-(2-oxoperhydropyrimidin-1-yl)piperidino]butyl]-N-methylbenzamide (to block NK2 receptors), and the given concentration of the compound being tested. At the end of the 1.0 h equilibration, 3xc3x9710xe2x88x926M Phenylephrine hydrochloride is added for 1.0 h. At the end of 1.0 h, a dose relaxation curve to ASMSP is done. Each tissue is treated as a individual and is considered finished when it fails to relax further for 2 consecutive doses. When a tissue is complete, 1xc3x9710xe2x88x923M Papaverine is added for maximum relaxation.
Percent inhibition is determined when a tested compound produces a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) reduction of the total relaxation which is calculated using the total relaxation of the Papaverine as 100%. Potencies of the compounds are determined by calculating the apparent dissociation constants (KB) for each concentration tested using the standard equation:
KB=[antagonist]/(dose ratioxe2x88x921)
where dose ratio=antilog[(agonist xe2x88x92log molar EC50 without compound)xe2x88x92(xe2x88x92log molar EC50 with compound)]. The KB values may be converted to the negative logarithms and expressed as xe2x88x92log molar KB (i.e. pKB). For this evaluation, complete concentration-response curves for agonist obtained in the absence and presence of the compound tested using paired pulmonary artery rings. The potency of the agonist is determined at 50% of its own maximum relaxation in each curve. The EC50 values are converted to negative logarithms and expressed as xe2x88x92log molar EC50.
NK2 in vitro Functional Assay (Rest D)
The ability of a compound of the invention to antagonize the action of the agonist [xcex2-ala8] NKA (4-10), BANK, in a pulmonary tissue may be demonstrated as follows. Male New Zealand white rabbits are euthanized via i.v. injection into the ear vein with 60 mg/kg Nembutal (50 mg/mL). Preceding the Nembutal into the vein is Heparin (1000 units/mL) at 0.0025 mL/kg for anticoagulant purposes. The chest cavity is opened from the top of the rib cage to the sternum and a small incision is made into the heart so that the left and right pulmonary arteries can be cannulated with polyethylene tubing (PE260 and PE190 respectively). The pulmonary arteries are isolated from the rest of the tissues, then rubbed over an intimal surface to remove the endothelium, and cut in half to serve as pairs. The segments are suspended between stainless steel stirrups and placed in water-jacketed (37.0xc2x0 C.) tissue baths containing physiological salt solution of the following composition (mM): NaCl, 118.0; KCl, 4.7; CaCl2, 1.8; MgCl2, 0.54; NaH2PO4, 1.0; NaHCO3, 25.0; glucose, 11.0; and indomethacin, 0.005 (to inhibit cyclooxygenase); gassed continuously with 95% O2xe2x80x945% CO2. Responses are measured on a Grass polygraph via Grass FT-03 transducers.
Initial tension placed on each tissue is 2 g, which is maintained throughout the 45 min equilibration period. Tissues are washed with the physiological salt solution at 15 min intervals. After the 45 min equilibration period, 3xc3x9710xe2x88x922M KCl is given for 60 min to test the viability of the tissues. The tissues are then washed extensively for 30 min. The concentration of the compound being tested is then added for 30 min. At the end of the 30 min, a cumulative dose response curve to BANK is performed. Each tissue is treated as a individual and is considered finished when it fails to contract further for 2 consecutive doses. When a tissue is complete, 3xc3x9710xe2x88x922M BaCl2 is added for maximum contraction.
Percent inhibition is determined when a tested compound produces a statistically significant (p less than 0.05) reduction of the total contraction which is calculated using the total contraction of the BaCl2 as 100%. Potencies of the compounds are determined by calculating the apparent dissociation constants (KB) for each concentration tested using the standard equation:
KB=[antagonist]/(dose ratioxe2x88x921)
where dose ratio=antilog[(agonist xe2x88x92log molar EC50 without compound)xe2x88x92(xe2x88x92log molar EC50 with compound)]. The KB values may be converted to the negative logarithms and expressed as xe2x88x92log molar KB (i.e. pKB). For this evaluation, complete concentration-response curves for agonist obtained in the absence and presence of the compound tested using paired pulmonary artery rings. The potency of the agonist is determined at 50% of its own maximum relaxation in each curve. The EC50 values are converted to negative logarithms and expressed as xe2x88x92log molar EC50.
NK1 and NK2 in vivo Functional Assay (Test E)
The activity of a compound as an antagonist of NK1 and/or NK2 receptors also may be demonstrated in vivo in laboratory animals as described in: Buckner et al. xe2x80x9cDifferential Blockade by Tachykinin NK1 and NK2 Receptor Antagonists of Bronchoconstriction Induced by Direct-Acting Agonists and the Indirect-Acting Mimetics Capsaicin, Serotonin and 2-Methyl-Serotonin in the Anesthetized Guinea Pig.xe2x80x9d J. Pharm. Exp. Ther.,1993, Vol 267(3), pp.1168-1175. The assay is carried out as follows.
Compounds are tested in anesthetized guinea pigs pretreated with i.v. indomethacin (10 mg/kg, 20 min), propranolol (0.5 mg/kg, 15 min), and thiorphan (10 mg/kg, 10 min).
Antagonists or vehicle are administered i.v. and orally, 30 and 120 min prior to increasing concentrations of agonist, respectively. The agonists used in these studies are ASMSP (Ac-[Arg6,Sar9,Met(O2)11]-SP(6-11)) and BANK (xcex2-ala-8 NKA4-10).
Administered i.v., ASMSP is selective for NK1 receptors, and BANK is selective for NK2 receptors. Maximum response is defined as zero conductance (GL, 1/Rp). ED50 values are calculated (the dose of agonist resulting in a reduction of GL to 50% of baseline), and converted to the negative logarithm (xe2x88x92logED50). The ED50 values, obtained in the presence (P) and absence (A) of antagonist, are used to calculate a Dose Ratio (P/A), an expression of potency. Data are expressed as meanxc2x1SEM and statistical differences were determined using ANOVA/Tukey-Kramer and Student""s t-test, with p less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.
Compounds of the present invention exhibit marked activity in the foregoing tests and are considered useful for the treatment of those diseases in which the NK1 and/or NK2 receptor is implicated, for example, in the treatment of asthma and related conditions.
Clinical Studies
Clinical studies to demonstrate the efficacy of a compound of the invention may be carried out using standard methods. For example, the ability of a compound to prevent or treat the symptoms of asthma or asthma-like conditions may be demonstrated using a challenge of inhaled cold air or allergen and evaluation by standard pulmonary measurements such as, for example, FEV, (forced expiratory volume in one second) and FVC (forced vital capacity), analyzed by standard methods of statistical analysis.
It will be appreciated that the implications of a compound""s activity in the above described Tests is not limited to asthma, but rather, that the Tests provide evidence of general antagonism of both SP and NKA. SP and NKA have been implicated in the pathology of numerous diseases including: rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer""s disease, cancer, schizophrenia, oedema, allergic rhinitis, inflammation, pain, gastrointestinal-hypermotility, anxiety, emesis, Huntington""s disease, psychoses including depression, hypertension, migraine, bladder hypermotility and urticaria.
Accordingly, one feature of the invention is the use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the treatment of a disease in a human or other mammal in need thereof in which SP or NKA is implicated and antagonism of its action is desired.
Asthma is characterized by both chronic inflammation and hyperresponsiveness of the airways. The NK1 receptor is known to mediate inflammation and mucus hypersecretion in airways; and the NK2 receptor is involved in the control of the tone of bronchial smooth muscle. Thus, agents capable of antagonizing the actions of SP and NKA, at the NK1 and NK2 receptors, respectively, are capable of reducing both the chronic inflammation and the airway hyperresponsiveness which are symptomatic of asthma. It has been suggested that an antagonist having mixed affinity for NK1 and NK2 could be therapeutically superior to a receptor selective antagonist. C. M. Maggi xe2x80x9cTachykinin Receptors and Airway Pathophysiologyxe2x80x9d EUR. Respir. J., 1993, 6, 735-742 at 739. Also, it has been suggested that a synergistic effect against bronchoconstriction may result from the simultaneous application of an NK1 antagonist and an NK2 antagonist. D. M. Foulon, et al. xe2x80x9cNK1 and NK2 Receptors Mediated Tachykinin and Resiniferatoxin-induced Bronchospasm in Guinea Pigsxe2x80x9d American Review of Respiratory Disease, 1993, 148, 915-921. Accordingly, another feature of the invention is the use of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the treatment of asthma in a human or other mammal in need thereof. There is a possible role for Substance P antagonists in the treatment of depression. Accordingly, another feature of the invention is the use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in the treatment of depression in a human or other mammal in need thereof.
Because of the range of effects attributable to the actions of SP and NKA, compounds which are capable of blocking their actions may also be useful as tools for further evaluating the biological actions of other neurotransmitters in the tachykinin family. As a result, another feature of the invention is provided by the use of a compound of Formula I or a salt thereof as a pharmacological standard for the development and standardisation of new disease models or assays for use in developing new therapeutic agents for treating diseases in which SP or NKA are implicated or for assays for their diagnosis.

Naphthalenecarboxamides as tachykinin receptor antagonists

Abstract: Compounds having the following formula

Abstract: wherein L, M, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X1 and X2 are as defined in the specification, pharmaceutically-acceptable salt thereof, useful for treating depression, anxiety, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer""s disease, cancer, schizophrenia, oedema, allergic rhinitis, inflammation, pain, gastrointestinal-hypermotility, emesis, Huntington""s disease, psychoses, hypertension, migraine, bladder hypermotility, or urticaria, compositions including such compounds and processes for making such compounds.


A new refrigerator with a third door for reducing loss of the cold air held in a refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator by permitting access to a top shelf of the refrigeration compartment without opening the entire door covering the refrigeration compartment. The inventive device includes a refrigerator that has a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a fridge opening into the refrigeration compartment, and a freezer opening into the freezer compartment. A first door covers the fridge opening into the refrigeration compartment of the refrigerator and is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator. A second door covers the freezer opening into the freezer compartment of the refrigerator and is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator. The first door has an aperture that extends through it from a primary end of the first door towards a secondary end of the first door. A third door is provided in the aperture of the first door. A first end of the third door is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator and is positionable between a closed position and an opened position when the first door is closed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to refrigerators and more particularly pertains to a new refrigerator with a third door for reducing loss of the cold air held in a refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator by permitting access to a top shelf of the refrigeration compartment without opening the entire door covering the refrigeration compartment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of refrigerators is known in the prior art. More specifically, refrigerators heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art refrigerators include U.S. Pat. No. 5,209,082; U.S. Pat. No. 4,586,347; U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,622; U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,213; U.S. Pat. No. 2,890,573; and U.S. Pat. No. Des. 244,684.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new refrigerator with a third door. The inventive device includes a refrigerator that has a refrigeration compartment, a freezer compartment, a fridge opening into the refrigeration compartment, and a freezer opening into the freezer compartment. A first door covers the fridge opening into the refrigeration compartment of the refrigerator and is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator. A second door covers the freezer opening into the freezer compartment of the refrigerator and is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator. The first door has an aperture that extends through it from a primary end of the first door towards a secondary end of the first door. A third door is provided in the aperture of the first door. A first end of the third door is pivotally coupled to the first side of the refrigerator and is positionable between a closed position and an opened position when the first door is closed.
In these respects, the refrigerator with a third door according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of reducing loss of the cold air held in a refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator by permitting access to a top shelf of the refrigeration compartment without opening the entire door covering the refrigeration compartment.


A method for use in a broadband network includes displaying the cumulative amounts in a hierarchy of network issues, the hierarchy including a summary category including summary values indicating total cumulative amounts of time that the network elements in the at least a desired portion of the network were considered at corresponding qualities of performance, the hierarchy further including a plurality of sub-categories contributing to the summary category, and the sub-categories each further comprising at least one sub-sub-category contributing to the sub-categories.

Communications networks are expanding and becoming faster in response to demand for access by an ever-increasing amount of people and for demand for quicker response times and more data-intensive applications. Examples of such communications networks are for providing computer communications. Many computer users initially used, and many to this day still use (there are an estimated 53 million dial-up subscribers currently), telephone lines to transmit and receive information. To do so, these people convey information through a modem to convert data from computer format to telephone-line format and vice versa. Presently, a multitude of computer users are turning to cable communications. It is estimated that there are 5.5 million users of cable for telecommunications at present, with that number expected to increase rapidly in the next several years.
In addition to cable, there are other currently-used or anticipated broadband communications network technologies, with others as yet to be created sure to follow. Examples of other presently-used or presently-known broadband technologies are: digital subscriber line (DSL) with approximately 3 million subscribers, satellite, fixed wireless, free-space optical, datacasting, and High-Altitude Long Operation (HALO).
Broadband networks currently serve millions of subscribers, with millions more to come. These networks use large numbers of network elements, such as Cable Modem Termination Systems (CMTSs) physically distributed over wide areas, and other network elements, such as Cable Modems (CMs) located, e.g., in subscribers' homes. With so many network elements, problems in the networks are a common occurrence. Monitoring networks to assess network performance, and locating and correcting, or even preferably anticipating and preventing, network problems are desirable functions that are potentially affected by the increasing number of subscribers, and corresponding size and complexity of networks.


A method and apparatus for processing events in a media stream may be provided. The method may include obtaining media data; generating, from the media data, one or more event segments and one or more media segments; parsing a respective event from the one or more event segments to determine an event start time, event end time, and dispatch mode; appending the respective event from the one or more event segments to an event dispatch buffer based on a comparison of the event start time and a current playback position, and a determination that the respective event is not present in an already dispatched buffer; and dispatching the respective event based on the position associated with the respective event in the event dispatch buffer, the event start time, the event end time, and the current playback position.

MPEG DASH provides a standard for streaming media content over IP networks. In MPEG DASH, media presentation description (MPD) and inband events are used for delivering media timeline related events to a client. DASH provides a mechanism for media segments to carry inband events. ISO/IEC 23009-1 DASH standard defines event message boxes to carry events with media segments. ISO/IEC 23000-19 CMAF standard uses the inband event with CMAF chunks, fragments, and segments. Similarly, Common Media Application Format (CMAF) provides a mechanism for CMAF chunks to carry inband events. One popular DASH event is inband MPD validity expiration events. Other events include application events such as SCTE-35 ("Digital Program Insertion Cueing Message for Cable") events.
Streaming players, including DASH players, use Media Source Extensions (MSE), which allow browsers or user agents to process media segments. However, current MSE specifications do not support parsing and processing inband events embedded in DASH or CMAF media segments. A browser or user agent, utilizing the current MSE specifications is unable to natively process DASH or CMAF inband events and dispatch the inband events to the respective application.

W3C media extensions for processing DASH and CMAF inband events along with media using process@append and process@play mode


A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention generally pertains to electronic switches and, more specifically, to controllable electronic switches for controlling power distribution.
2. Background
Power switches have been used for many years to connect and disconnect power sources to loads. A common type of power switch is a circuit breaker, which generally provides a function of preventing an excessive amount of current from being drawn from the power source or into the load, by breaking the electrical circuit path between the source and load when the current limit is reached. A typical circuit breaker has a bimetal arm through which travels a power signal from the source to the load. One end of the bimetal arm is connected to the power signal line, while the other end of the bimetal arm is connected to an electrical conductor from which the power can be distributed to the load. When too much current travels through the bimetal arm, the heat from the current causes the bimetal arm to deform or bend in a predictable manner, which causes the bimetal arm to break contact with the electrical conductor, resulting in a break between the power signal and the load. In this manner, the source and load are both protected from currents which exceed a certain limit.
While circuit breakers are useful for protecting against high current levels, they are generally passive circuit elements whose response depends entirely upon the amount of power being drawn by the load. They typically do not provide active control of a power signal line. However, some resettable circuit breakers have been proposed, which utilize, for example, a spring-operated mechanism allowing a remote operator to open and close the contacts of the circuit breaker. An example of such a circuit breaker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,883,781 issued to J. Cotton.
Other types of remotely controlled or operated circuit breakers are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,381,121 to Peter et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,190 to Wafer et al. These circuit breakers involve rather elaborate mechanisms that, due to their complexity, would be expensive to manufacture and potentially subject to mechanical wear or failure.
Besides circuit breakers, other types of circuits have been utilized in controlling power signals. However, these other types of circuits have drawbacks as well. For example, solid state switches (e.g., transistors or silicon-controlled rectifiers (SCRs)) can be used as switches between a power source and load, for controlling distribution of the power signal to the load. However, transistors and SCRs generally have limited power ratings and, at high current levels, can become damaged or shorted. Moreover, transistors or SCRs with high power ratings can be relatively expensive.
It would therefore be advantageous to provide a controllable electronic switch capable of selectively connecting or disconnecting a power source to a load. It would further be advantageous to provide such a switch that is reliable, durable, and low-cost, and that can handle relatively high power demands, such as may be required for residential or commercial applications.


An omnidirectional antenna system. Implementations may include an antenna having a wire loop and a single ferrite rod loop. The single ferrite rod loop may be oriented substantially parallel to a plane formed by the wire loop. The single ferrite rod loop may include a plurality of windings and a ferrite rod having a length and two ends. The two ends of the ferrite rod may be substantially centered relative to the wire loop. The plurality of windings may be distributed across a majority of the length of the ferrite rod.

1. Technical Field
Aspects of this document relate generally to antennas and antenna systems.
2. Background Art
Conventionally, antenna designs utilized by various radio systems differ in structure depending upon many factors. Some of these include the frequency of the radio or microwave radiation, the rated power of the system, structural stability, and form factor requirements. Others are the location of installation (transmission tower vs. handheld receiving device), required use conditions (an actively rotating radar tower vs. a fixed position telecommunication microwave relay antenna), or the ability of the signal to handle obstacles ("line-of-sight" systems like microwave transmission systems vs. "non-line of sight" radios like those utilized in some wireless networks).