A substantially non-aqueous electrolyte solution includes an alkali metal salt, a polar aprotic solvent, and an organophosphorus compound of Formula IA, IB, or IC:

Advances in the science and engineering of lithium-ion batteries have resulted in lithium-ion batteries becoming the most popular power source for portable electronic devices, and recently, as a power source for electric and hybrid electric vehicles.
Within the lithium-ion cell, the interface between the anode and the electrolyte is of particular importance, and it is a major factor with regard to overall cell performance. In particular, a thin passivation layer, also called SEI (solid electrolyte interface), is typically formed during the first charging process and prevents further reactions of the electrolyte on the anode surface. For cells utilizing carbon anodes, the SEI formation is potential dependant and stepwise, and is ultimately determined by the reactive component of the electrolyte.
Currently, the state-of-the-art electrolytes for lithium-ion battery utilize lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) as an electrolyte salt and carbonates, such as ethylene carbonate, as solvents. Ethylene carbonate (EC) prevents the formation of SEI at the surface of the negative electrode so that good battery performances can be achieved. However, in many cases the SEI protection achieved from using electrolytes with simple formulations, such as LiPF6 in EC and/or other carbonates, is insufficient where the negative electrode contains carbonaceous. For instance, when cycling under elevated temperature, the capacities of carbon-anode lithium-ion batteries can fade very quickly. Additionally, when using a non-graphite carbon anode, such as natural graphite and hard carbon (an amorphous non-graphitic carbon), the batteries exhibit a higher initial discharge capacity that is quickly lost in subsequent cycles.
The performance of lithium ion batteries containing EC-based electrolytes is limited to low temperature applications. For higher temperature applications, propylene carbonate (PC) has been considered to fully or partially replace EC as PC remains liquid over a wider temperature window (−55 to 240° C.) than EC. LiPF6—PC-based electrolytes, however, are not compatible with graphite electrodes due to exfoliation of the graphite structure by PC intercalation.
However, there is still a need for effective additives and/or co-solvents in the electrolyte of lithium-ion batteries to prevent the formation of SEI films on graphic, or other carbonaceous electrodes, to prevent or reduce further decomposition of solvent molecules over long service lives, and/or to prevent the intercalation of PC into graphite anodes.

Non-aqueous electrolyte for lithium-ion battery

Abstract: where R1, R2, R3 and R4 are each independently hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, alkoxy, alkenoxy, alkynoxy, cycloalkoxy, aryloxy, heterocyclyloxy, heteroaryloxy, siloxyl, silyl, or organophosphatyl; R5 and R6 are each independently alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl; R7 is

Abstract: and R8, R9 and R10 are each independently alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclyl, or heteroaryl; provided that if the organophosphorus compound is of Formula IB, then at least one of R5, and R6 are other than hydrogen, alkyl, or alkenyl; and if the organophosphorus compound is of Formula IC, then the electrolyte solution does not include 4-methylene-1,3-dioxolan-2-one or 4,5-dimethylene-1,3-dioxolan-2-one.


The present invention relates to a skew control method and a skew control unit by which stable skew control can be performed with a simple configuration without the need for a dedicated skew sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a skew control method and a skew control unit which are suitably applied to a recording apparatus or playback apparatus for a disc, such as an optical disc, magnetic optical disc, or phase change disc on/from which data is optically recorded or reproduced (hereinafter, these discs are referred to as merely "optical disc").
This application claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-330248, filed on Sep. 22, 2003, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical disc apparatus for recording and reproducing data on/from an optical disc is configured to perform a tracking servo control which allows a laser beam radiated from an optical pick-up to follow a track formed on a surface of the disc to record data on the track, or reproduce the recorded data from the track.
An optical disc like a CD (Compact Disc) has a large capacity and allows random access. Further, since optical reading is performed in a noncontact manner, the optical disc is in less danger of a head crash or wear and damage through reading operations than a contact-type recording medium like a magnetic tape. Moreover, a solid disc surface of the optical disc reduces the possibility of accidental data loss. Such an optical disc, which has many advantages as described above, is a recording medium that serves excellently as a memory used in the peripheral of a personal computer, and is superior in data creation or data save.
In recent years, a recording/playback apparatus using a recordable optical disc called CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable) has been developed.
Some CD-Rs can easily record data in all standard formats for use in compact discs such as a CD-ROM, a CD-ROM/XA, a CD-I, and a CD-DA. Today, the CD-R has replaced conventional magnetic tape, magnetic disc or the like as a recording/playback apparatus for use in an electronic apparatus for recording or reproducing data, which has increasingly come to be used.
Further, for a DVD, which is an optical disc that handles large capacity data such as video data, a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) which is of write once type, and a DVD-RW (DVD-Rewritable) and a DVD-RAM (DVD-Random Access Memory) which are rewritable, are available as a recordable optical disc.
With an optical disc, data is read out with a converged light beam focused on a disc surface in general. If the central axis (optical axis) of the converged light beam is not perpendicular to a signal recording surface of the disc, a coma aberration is generated on a focal point surface to degrade characteristics (Modulation Transfer Function etc.) of the read out signal, with the result that data cannot be read out correctly. A DVD or DVD-R has a higher recording density than a CD, and accordingly an NA (Numerical Aperture) of an objective lens is generally increased, so that the coma aberration is increased compared to the tilt between the disc surface and the central axis. That is, when a laser beam is radiated to the track formed on the optical disc, the signal recording surface on which the track is formed must be perpendicular to the radiated laser beam. However, since the optical disc is made of a resin material and the like, there are many cases where a warpage of the disc occurs due to variations in products or moisture absorption, or depending on the state of preservation. Accordingly, when the laser beam scans the track positioned in the portion that the warpage has occurred, the laser beam and the signal recording surface are not perpendicular to each other, with the result that recorded data cannot be read out correctly.
For this reason, skew control has been performed, in which a skew sensor which detects the distance or tilt between a disc surface (or signal recording surface) and an optical pick-up is used to correct a relative tilt between the disc and optical pick-up based on a detection signal of the skew sensor so that a laser beam always strikes the signal recording surface at right angles (refer to, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. Laid-Open Publication No. 11-86310).
However, when a dedicated sensor is provided for this skew control, a configuration of the optical pick-up grows correspondingly complex, leading to an increase in production cost and size of the optical pick-up.
Further, when the skew sensor is used for skew control, skew values to be detected change in each case due to aging characteristics or thermal behavior of the sensor, with the result that stable skew control cannot be achieved.

Skew control method and skew control unit

Abstract: Focus drive voltages V1 and V2 are measured at a plurality of points P1 and P2 set by moving an optical pick-up 31 in the radial direction of an optical disc 2 in a state where a focus servo of the optical pick-up 31 is ON, and skew angle control is performed so that V1 and V2 are equal to each other.


A method facilitating the transfer of information from a media or data capture device to a larger device while providing valuable feedback about the transfer is described. A transfer device including a simple user interface that can be easily implemented on a media or data capture device provides feedback about the transfer operation, enabling the user to take action when necessary. For example, the user is advised if the transfer is complete or, alternatively, that the transfer has failed and needs to redone. Feedback is provided by visual signals and may also be accompanied by audible signals. All necessary transfer functionality is included on the media capture device, thereby avoiding the requirement for dedicated software on a host (or pipeline) device, such as a cellular phone. This expands the number of pipeline devices that can be utilized with particular media capture devices. As long as there is a correct interface between the data capture device and the pipeline device, all the necessary transfer functionality can be included in the data capture device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system and methodology for improved exchange of objects (e.g., files, such as digital photographs) between a client device (e.g., digital camera) and a multitude of disparate host devices, for instance, upon connection of the client device to one or more different host devices.
2. Description of the Background Art
Today, digital imaging, in the form of digital cameras, is a prevalent reality that affords a new way to capture photos using a solid state image sensor instead of traditional film. A digital camera functions by recording incoming light on some sort of sensing mechanisms and then processes that information (basically, through analog-to-digital conversion) to create a memory image of the target picture. A digital camera's biggest advantage is that it creates images digitally, thus enabling the transfer of these images between all kinds of devices and applications. For instance, one can easily insert digital images into word processing documents, send them by e-mail to friends, or post them on a Web site where anyone in the world can see them. Additionally, one can use photo-editing software to manipulate digital images to improve or alter them. Digital cameras also provide immediate access to one's images, thus avoiding the hassle and delay of film processing. All told, digital photography is becoming increasingly popular because of the flexibility it gives the user when he or she wants to use or distribute an image.
Several other different types of information content may also be captured digitally through use of various recording or capturing devices. In addition to digital photographic images, other examples of digital media include digital video, digital audio, and various types of multi-media content. Examples of media capture devices include digital audio recorders, digital video recorders, and digital cameras. Typically, once information content is captured, it is then transmitted or "uploaded" to another host device, such as a server computer. For example, in the case of digital audio, a user may wish to transmit dictation captured on a wireless handheld device to a remote host device to facilitate storing, editing, printing, and sharing this information. Such transfers may be accomplished through a number of different wireless or wireline transmission means, including cable connection to a uniform serial bus (USB), wireless connection via infrared, or wireless connection through a device such as a cellular telephone. However, several problems exist with the transfer of information content from the media capture device to a second device.
The bandwidth limitations of today's wireless networks present one set of problems. Currently, wireless networks employ TCP/IP over communication networks supporting a transmission rate of only 9600 baud. This yields an effective throughput of only about 1 K (kilobytes) per minute. At such poor effective throughput rates, existing wireless networks pose a substantial bottleneck for the transmission of digital information content. For instance, a digital photographic image of 600 K may require several minutes to transmit. A relatively small MP3 audio file, say at 2 M (megabytes), would take much longer. The problem is also compounded by other limitations in existing wireless systems. In these systems often a "call" (i.e., session) will be lost (i.e., prematurely terminated). Practically all cellular phone users have experienced firsthand the annoying experience of having a cellular phone call dropped in the middle of a conversation. By the very nature that wireless systems are mobile, wireless calls are often dropped due to natural or physical obstructions, such as interference from mountains. At other times, however, a call may be dropped simply due to unreliability in the underlying cellular phone network.
Regardless of the cause of a user's session being prematurely terminated, a user transmitting information is often forced to not only re-establish communication, but also resend the entire contents that were in process of being transmitted, since most systems treat information content on a per-item basis. If a wireless call is lost during transmission of a digital image, for instance, most wireless systems require retransmission of the entire digital image, as each image is treated as a single unit. This retransmission problem is by no means limited to wireless systems. For example, when uploading a photographic image using a modem, any loss of the connection will result in the user having to completely retransmit the photo, despite the fact that the user may have previously uploaded a substantial portion of that very same photo.
Another problem, in the case of a transfer of information from a portable device, is that in most cases no mechanism is provided to enable the user to confirm that an effective connection to a server has been established and that information is, in fact, being transferred. For example, a user transmitting a digital photo to a remote server computer needs to be able to determine that a reliable connection has been established to the server. The user also requires a way to receive notification that the transfer is being successfully completed or, alternatively, that some problem has been encountered.
Current systems either provide very limited feedback to the user or, alternatively, require dedicated software or interface modules to enable the user to receive feedback regarding the transfer of information from a portable device to the remote device. Certain systems provide some rudimentary feedback about the transfer, such as indicating that the transfer process timed out or that a connection could not be established or was terminated. However, this feedback is typically limited to informing the user that the connection was not available or was dropped, without providing any further information about the problem or the status of the transfer of information. For example, telling the user that a connection has dropped does not let him or her know whether or not part of the information was successfully transferred.
A number of current systems provide more complete transfer functionality and feedback through software running on the server, but this requires the user to be in physical proximity to the server to monitor the transfer. This is not a practical solution when the server is remote, such as in the case of a wireless transfer or in the case involving a connection through another intermediary "pipeline" device.
Take, for instance, the transfer of digital images from a digital camera through a cellular telephone to a larger device. In this case, the cellular telephone is serving as a pipeline device from the digital camera to a server or network. Many pipeline devices do not have the capability of running additional software or otherwise providing an interface to facilitate the transfer and provide feedback to the user. Moreover, even if a pipeline device does have the necessary capabilities, the process of installing and operating additional software on this type of pipeline device is a burden for the user. Requiring installation and operation of additional software increases the complexity of performing the transfer, and also increases the chance of problems or errors being encountered. Another possible solution, pre-installation of an appropriate transfer interface into the cellular phone as part of the phone manufacturing process, requires cooperation and agreement on interoperability standards by various phone manufacturers. This is difficult to achieve and, even if achieved, would not address the large number of cellular phones already in use.
For these reasons, among others, it is preferable that the pipeline device not be required to run additional software or otherwise implement a particular interface to facilitate the transfer of digital information over the pipeline device. If the necessary transfer routines and user interface are provided on the media capture device, then the pipeline device only has to serve as a pipeline (as well as performing its other standard functions such as placing and receiving phone calls).
In the case of transfer of information from a media or data capture device, such as a digital camera, to a larger device or network, there is a requirement for an effective mechanism enabling a user to verify that a connection has been established and that information is, in fact, being transferred. The user also requires a way to receive notification that the transfer is being successfully completed or, alternatively, that some problem has been encountered. Ideally, this mechanism should be easy to use and should be implemented on the media capture device, so that installation of additional software or interface functionality on the pipeline device would not be required. The present invention fulfills these and other needs.

Device facilitating efficient transfer of digital content from media capture device


After a numbering character string is input, the start position of the numbering character string to be serially incremented and the end position of the numbering character string to be repeatedly incremented and printed on a print tape are set, and the number of print tapes on which the input numbering character string is serially implemented and printed is set. In this case, a numbering character string to be printed on a first print tape and a numbering character string to be printed on a last print tape are displayed on a liquid crystal display before the start of printing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a tape printer and a tape making method having a numbering function for serially incrementing numbering character strings having an arrangement sequential order, such as a numerical, alphabetical, or Japanese syllabary order, and printing the strings in units of a tape.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, there have been proposed various techniques related to tape printers and tape making methods, the printers each having a numbering function for serially incrementing numbering character strings having an arrangement sequential order, such as a numerical, alphabetical, or Japanese syllabary order, and printing the strings in units of a tape.
For example, a conventional tape printer has a configuration as described herebelow (see Japanese patent application laid-open No. H07-276746 (1995-276746), for example). The configuration comprises input means for inputting characters, symbols and a variety of instructions (commands); storage means for storing data, such as characters and symbols, having been input from the input means; display means for displaying data of the storage means; and printing means for printing data, such as characters and symbols, on a tape used as a printing medium. The configuration provides functionality that serially increments a numbering character string having an arrangement sequential order of, for example, a numerical, alphabetical, or Japanese syllabary order and that prints the string in units of a tape. More specifically, the configuration further comprises specification means, setting means, and control means. The specification means specifies the numbering character strings of data stored in the storage means. The setting means sets a numbering count of the numbering character strings specified in the specification means. The control means provides on the display means distinguished displays in two cases for allowing the setting means to set the numbering count depending on whether or not the numbering character string is specified in the specification means.
Thus, in the tape printer, the distinguished displays of the numbering count setting are provided on the display means depending on whether or not the numbering character string is specified. As such, the configuration has the advantage of enabling explicit recognition regarding the existence or absence of the specification of the numbering character strings in data to be printed.
However, in the conventional tape printer, whether a desired last numbering character string is printed is not known before the string is actually printed after the user has set the numbering count. As such, problematic cases occur in which the process terminates either upon printing of numbering character string of one before a desired last numbering character string or upon printing of an unnecessary numbering character string of one after the desired last numbering character string in the sequential order. In addition, when printing a numbering character string on a tape, printing of each page is performed each time after a print buffer is renewed. For this reason, when a print-disabling condition occurs in which, for example, the number of characters cannot be printed on a tape having a set length during print operation, print output is aborted whereby to disable printing the numbering character strings to the lowest-order one thereof desired by a user.


A fastening arrangement may include a first component having an undercut groove, and a second component having a through opening. The second component may be couplable on the first component via a fastening device configured to be guided through the through opening and engage the undercut groove. The fastening device may have an axis oriented perpendicularly to the undercut groove. The fastening device may include a hammer head element and a holding element. The hammer head element and the holding element coupled thereto may be rotatable about the axis in an unrestricted manner when mounted on the second component. The hammer head element may have a plurality of orienting contours configured to set an orientation of the hammer head element relative to the undercut groove such that the hammer head element is dippable into the undercut groove independently of a rotary position of the hammer head element about the axis.

DE 20 2010 008 312 U1 has disclosed a fastening device which is configured as a hammer head screw, orienting contours being provided which have a plurality of orienting bevels which are oriented in a point-symmetrical manner with respect to the axis and generate an angular momentum.
EP 2 885 545 B1 has disclosed a fastening arrangement of the generic type having a first component which has an undercut groove, and having a second component which has a through opening, it being possible for the second component to be fixed on the first component via a fastening device which is guided through the through opening of said second component and engages substantially perpendicularly into the groove of said first component. Here, the known fastening device has a hammer head screw which has two small lugs at a first end of its shank, that is to say directly adjacently with respect to a head, which lugs protrude into corresponding jaws of a connecting element and thus bring about a rotary angle restriction. Moreover, the hammer head screw has a free-form head which brings it about that the hammer head screw rotates automatically in the groove direction.
In the case of known groove blocks, there is generally the problem that they first of all have to be moved into a predefined position with regard to the groove or profile groove, in order for it to be possible for them to be inserted there. There is the problem here even in the case of the hammer head screw which is known from EP 2 885 545 B1 that said screw has to be oriented in a predefined angular range of 45 degrees before being placed onto the groove, in order for it to be possible for the angular momentum which is required for the final orientation of the hammer head screw to be generated. Although this is slightly less complicated than in the case of a conventional groove block, the complicated orientation of the hammer head screw likewise cannot be dispensed with.


White liquor produced from black liquor is partially or completed oxidized. The white liquor contains dregs that are utilized as a carbon based catalyst. Dregs are produced by separating the dregs from green liquor an intermediate product between the black liquor and the oxidized white liquor. After formation of the oxidized white liquor, the dregs are separated therefrom to form a waste dreg stream which can be recycled so that part of the dregs present within the dregs containing white liquor stream to be oxidized is contributed by the waste dreg stream.

The present invention relates to a method of producing oxidized white liquor in which the white liquor to be oxidized is formed from green liquor. More particularly the present invention relates to such a process in which dregs are separated from the green liquor and then are added to the white liquor to enhance the oxidation rate of the white liquor.
Wood pulp is processed into paper by digesting the wood pulp in a digester to which white liquor has been added. White liquor is an aqueous mixture of sodium sulfide and sodium hydroxide. Brown pulp stock, produced from the digestion of the wood pulp, is further delignified in a process known as oxygen delignification and then bleached in a series of stages which may use peroxide, ozone, or chlorine dioxide bleaching. White liquor is oxidized in order to deactivate the sodium sulfide which would otherwise react with the aforementioned bleaching agents. The degree of oxidation can be partial or complete and as such sulfides can be converted to thiosulfate or sulfate. The oxidized white liquor can then be used as a caustic source in the oxygen delignification process or the peroxide bleaching stages (peroxide bleaching would require complete oxidation or sodium sulfate) that are often provided prior to a chlorine dioxide bleaching stage.
A practical problem involved in the production of oxidized white liquor concerns the reaction time required to allow the oxidation of the sodium sulfide to go to the desired level of completion. Under ambient conditions, several hours are required to partly oxidize sodium sulfide and even longer time periods are required to produce sodium sulfate. Since large hydraulic retention times require a large capital investment, oxidized white liquor must be produced more rapidly than is possible under ambient conditions to make the use of oxidized white liquor economically feasible.
It has been found that the oxidation rate of white liquor can be accelerated by conducting the reactions at higher than ambient temperatures and pressures. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,085 white liquor is oxidized within a stirred reactor at a temperature range at between 180.degree. F. and 300.degree. F. and a pressure range of between 100 and 300 psig. As described in 37 Chemical Engineering Science, No. 2, pp. 327-336, Fast Reactions in Slurry Reactors: Catalyst Particle Size Smaller Than Film Thickness: Oxidation Of Aqueous Sodium Sulfide Solutions With Activated Carbon Particles As Catalyst At Elevated Temperatures, Sharma et al. (1982), an activated carbon catalyst added to aqueous sodium sulfide solutions will also reduce reaction times. The efficiency at which oxygen and white liquor are contacted with one another will also influence reaction time. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,556 illustrates a plug flow reactor employing structured packing that effects a reduction in reaction times by forming a descending film of the white liquor that contacts an ascending vapor containing the oxygen.
As will be discussed, the present invention provides method of oxidizing white liquor that is integrated into a pulping process to either partially or fully oxidize white liquor under practical reaction times.

Method of producing oxidized white liquor using dregs containing carbon particles


A method for modifying a queue of vehicles. In one embodiment, the method includes at least one computer processor determining respective distance values between a first vehicle and one or more adjacent vehicles within a queue of vehicles. The method further includes determining a threshold distance value that corresponds to a distance required to extract the first vehicle from within the queue of vehicles. The method further includes determining a change of position corresponding to at least one adjacent vehicle to the first vehicle within the queue of vehicles based on the determined respective distance values, wherein the determined change in position moves the at least one adjacent vehicle to a distance value from the first vehicle that exceed the threshold distance value. The method further includes transmitting respective requests to the at least one adjacent vehicle to move to the determined change of position.

The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle automation, and more particularly to modifying the respective positions of vehicles within a queue of vehicles.
On-street parking near town centers often includes pre-marked parking spaces along streets; whereas residential streets lack specific parking space designation but both types of parking locations usually are linear arrangements of vehicles. Parking areas may also include zones based on various restrictions, such as around fire-hydrants; at cross-walks; or within a specified distance of a structure, such as building or a cross-street. Technology has advanced, and vehicles have been automated to varying degrees, such as assisted-driving features, semi-autonomous vehicles, and fully autonomous vehicles. Thus, based on the features within an automated vehicle and vehicle-to-vehicle communications, a vehicle can self-park with minimal intervention from a driver. However, some drivers may elect to park a vehicle based on the skill and observations of the driver of the vehicle.

Inter-vehicle collaboration to modify a parking queue

International Business Machines Corporation


A product dispenser comprising a cover, a slidable push element, a base and a landing is provided. The cover and the base are rotatable with respect to each other about a common axis. The cover comprises a roof opening in which the push element slides in opposing directions, advancing product from the interior of the cover onto the landing. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser houses miniature zinc air batteries, secured to the base using an adhesive layer. When a cell is advanced from the interior of the cover onto the landing, the cell is separated from the adhesive layer, allowing air to pass into the cell and the cell to be activated. The landing preferably comprises a magnet for releasably securing product. The dispenser is then used as an inserter for orienting and placing the product in position in a device. The product is not directly handled during its removal from the dispenser or during its insertion into a device. In the case of a zinc air cell, the cell is untabbed without any direct handling of tab material by the user, and the material functioning as a tab stays with the dispenser upon separation from the cell.

The present invention relates to a dispenser for housing and dispensing product, such as miniature batteries including zinc air cells used in hearing aids. As used herein, xe2x80x9cbatteryxe2x80x9d means one or more cells.
Handling of miniature batteries is difficult because of their small size. Handling of miniature batteries is typically required in order to remove the batteries from their packaging, to insert the batteries in the proper orientation into a device, and, in the case of air cells, to remove any individual tabbing associated with the cell prior to use. Tabbing is normally associated with metal air cells such as zinc air cells, to limit the ingress of oxygen into the cell until such time as the cell is placed into service. The tab also functions to limit the transport of water vapor in or out of the cell and limits the ingress of carbon dioxide into the cell. Typically, the tab comprises an adhesive material covering one or more air ports. Upon removal of the tab, the ports are exposed to the oxygen of the ambient environment, thereby enabling the cell to be activated. The challenge of handling miniature batteries is exacerbated in the event the user suffers from reduced dexterity, poor vision or other physical infirmity.
Efforts to address some of these issues are found in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,185 discloses a device for inserting a hearing aid battery into a hearing aid. The device comprises so-called xe2x80x9cpetalsxe2x80x9d with an air cell residing on each petal. The cells are individually tabbed, and each tab is then adhered to the petal. The cell is inserted into the hearing aid by gripping the inserter and bringing the appropriate petal up close to the hearing aid battery door to enable the cell to be engaged within the door. The cell is then separated from the inserter using a wiping motion, purportedly leaving the tab adhered to the petal. The method of separating the cell from its associated tab and the inserter as disclosed in the xe2x80x2185 patent places stresses on the hearing aid device, presenting the potential for damage to the device.
Typical packaging for miniature zinc air cells presents further problems. Common packaging for miniature zinc air cells is disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,593,700. The packaging disclosed therein consists of a thermoformed or molded blister rotatably attached to a paperboard card. The blister comprises multiple compartments each containing a battery. A battery is dispensed from the package by rotating the blister to align a loaded compartment with a trap door accessible in the back of the card. The trap door can come open during transport and batteries will fall out. The trap door becomes weak and ineffective after multiple uses. The base of the dial can also separate or pull away from the card allowing batteries to fall out. Finally, the consumer must still handle the battery to remove the tab, properly orient the cell in connection with the device terminals and insert the cell into the device once the battery has been removed from the package.
Some consumers use a separate tool to assist them in loading miniature batteries into devices. This tool consists of a magnet on the end of a wand. The tool can be easily misplaced and provides little aid in removing the individual tabbing associated with common zinc air cells.
Handling of other small products including but not limited to pharmaceuticals such as pills, foodstuff such as candy, hardware such as screws, and the like can be equally difficult because of their size, particularly for those users suffering from reduced dexterity, poor vision or other physical infirmity. While the within invention is illustrated in connection with miniature cells, and in particular in connection with miniature zinc air cells, it will be appreciated that the within invention can also be utilized in connection with the transport, storage and dispensing of such other small products. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cproductxe2x80x9d is not limited to miniature cells or batteries, and fully comprehends such other small products as those identified above.
It is therefore a first object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser that acts as both a structural package for housing and transporting product and a dispenser for removing product from the package and an inserter for manipulating and orienting product into a device or other end use location.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser that removes any direct handling of product prior to its insertion into a device or other end use location.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser that obviates the need for direct handling of tab material in the case of a metal air cell such as a zinc air cell.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a product dispenser that both activates and dispenses air cells such that the user does not have to handle the cells either before or after insertion into a device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product dispenser that eliminates the need for additional tools to handle and orient product for insertion or placement for end use.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product dispenser that avoids unintended dispensing from the dispenser.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a refill base cartridge for a product dispenser.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product dispenser that optionally allows the user to attach a refill base after removal of a spent base cartridge.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a product dispenser that allows the consumer to store used product for disposal or material recovery purposes.
The foregoing and additional objects of this invention will become fully apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.
The present invention provides for a product dispenser that is easy to use for storing and dispensing product, such as miniature batteries. The dispenser of the within invention obviates the need to handle the product at any point during the dispensing process or during the insertion or placement process of the product for its end use. To achieve this and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the present invention as embodied and described herein, the present invention provides for a product dispenser comprising a cover and a base, each rotatable with respect to the other about a common axis, a retractable push element slidably engaged along an opening in the roof of the cover, and a landing. The cover further comprises a wall and a wall opening. The roof opening, wall opening and landing are aligned to enable product to be advanced from the interior of the cover, through the wall opening and onto the landing by the push element. The landing is designed to accept and removably retain individual product. The push element slides in opposing directions along the roof opening to engage product and advance product from the interior of the cover onto the landing. The base cooperates with the cover assembly to house the product and provides locations for securing product prior to dispensing.
In another embodiment, the cover is removably attached to the base allowing the base to be disposed of and a replacement base with additional product to be joined with the cover.
In another embodiment the bottom side of the base comprises a storage area for storing used product for disposal or material recovery purposes. The entire dispenser could be processed for material recovery or otherwise recycled. In the event the cover and the base are separable, the base alone could be processed for material recovery or otherwise recycled.
In another embodiment the cover is made of see-through material and the push element or base or both can be color coded to indicate various product characteristics, such as size.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.


A decision about provider quality based on a quality metric observed says little about the quality of the provider. Further, the decision may be biased by a variation in customer contributions to the quality metric observed or by a variation in a number of completed calls received by a provider. Accordingly, a method and corresponding apparatus are provided to evaluate quality and to correct bias by determining a standard that accounts for at least one source of bias, comparing an observed measure of a provider against the standard to produce an evaluation of the observed measure of the provider, and affecting a decision about the quality of the provider based on the evaluation. As a result, an unbiased decision, for example, to scrub a provider can be made and in some instances, a provider may be rescued from being scrubbed.

In Internet telephony, least cost routing is a process that provides customers with inexpensive telephone calls. Providers offering routes to destinations are selected, evaluated, and removed based on call quality to maintain a competitive cost base and acceptable call quality. The call quality of a route can vary considerably between providers. Call quality may be measured by quality metric, such as Answer-Seize Ratio (ASR) and Average Call Duration (ACD).


The present invention relates to a power converter (1, 1′) comprising an input terminal (+IN, −IN) connected to an input power source, at least an input switch arrangement (T1, T2; T10, T12), and an output terminal (+OUT, −OUT). The input switch arrangement (T1, T2; T10, T12) is arranged to convert the input power, where the power converter (1) further comprises a control unit (P1, N1) that is arranged to control at least the input switch arrangement (T1, T2; T10, T12). The control unit (P1, N1) is arranged to perform said control of the input switch arrangement (T1, T2; T10, T12) in dependence of the efficiency of at least a part of the power converter, the control unit (P1, N1) having information regarding the power at the input terminal (+IN, −IN) and the power at the output terminal (+OUT, −OUT). The present invention also relates to a corresponding method.

Different types of power converters are normally used for providing power to electronic circuits, often these power converters are placed on circuit boards.
A typical power converter comprises switching elements which are controlled by a Pulse Width Modulator (PWM) that delivers the right dv/dt that determines the voltage that needs to be rectified. Rectification is used to be done with diodes, but due to a relatively high voltage drop, diodes are often replaced with rectification elements consisting of transistors, using a rectifying technique called synchronous rectification, where the transistors exhibit much lower voltage drop and thus cutting down power loss.
Power converters which are controlled by a PWM have traditionally been analogue, but are now being digitally controlled to a larger extent.
The transistors in a synchronous rectification need to be controlled in a precise manner so they conduct in the right moment. Otherwise large conduction losses are expected with RF and EMI problems. Problems that need to be accounted are cross conduction and body diode conduction.
Today, a technique with dead times to prevent this scenario is used, but the dead times must be adjustable against load, temperature, input and output voltage, component deviations and aging. In real life, a compromise is used by adding more power loss than optimum to be able to cover all these circumstances. Strictly theoretically, dead times should not be necessary, but, as the skilled person is well aware of, dead times are practically necessary for the function of PWM power converters which are PWM controlled with synchronously controlled switch elements.
In order to optimize the dead time, it must be changed in accordance to the variations mentioned above. This is possible in analogue circuits, but hard to realize as it add a lot of cost and complexity with no commercial interest.
There are no overall solutions today for optimizing the dead times. Analogue solutions for the whole problem are not cost effective or feasible in industrializations.
There is thus a need for a more optimization of dead times in power converters.

Switch control for controlling switch arrangements of a power converter based on efficiency


Capturing messages exchanged with field devices in an industrial process without disrupting communication of the messages. A diagnostic driver embedded within a gateway device detects abnormal conditions in connections between the gateway device and the field devices. The diagnostic driver captures messages indicative of the abnormal condition without disrupting message communication. The driver is capable of transmitting captured messages, on demand, to a workstation computing device for diagnosis of the abnormal condition.

Industrial control and automation systems generally comprise process controller devices, which are typically connected via networks to large quantities of field devices throughout a process control system. Field devices in a process come in a variety of types and functionalities and may be created by many different vendor companies. Controlling the huge variety of field devices in concert is a vital task for ensuring the productivity and effective operations of process control systems.
Typical industrial processes today are extremely complex and involve many intelligent devices such as transmitters, positioners, motor drives, limit switches, and other communication enabled devices. By way of example, it is not unheard of to have thousands of sensors and control elements (e.g., valve actuators) monitoring/controlling aspects of a multi-stage process within an industrial plant. As field devices have become more advanced over time, the process of controlling and synchronizing the field devices has also increased in complexity.
For instance, transmitters and positioners in previous generations of industrial process control equipment were comparatively simple components. Before the introduction of digital (intelligent) transmitters, activities associated with a field device were relatively simple. Industry standards like 3-15 psi for pneumatic instruments or 4-20 ma for electronic instruments allowed a degree of interoperability that minimized setup, configuration, and operation of analog transmitters. More contemporary field devices, however, include digital data transmitting capabilities and on-device digital processors. These modern devices, referred to generally as "intelligent" field devices, require significantly more configuration effort when setting up a new field device. Management of complex, intelligent devices requires a variety of different software interfaces, protocols, and drivers to ensure efficient interaction with each type of device.
Gateway devices provide control and input/output (I/O) interfaces between field devices and process automation systems. Unfortunately, conventional techniques for diagnosing or debugging interfacing issues between field devices and gateway devices are cumbersome procedures. For example, debugging interface issues for serial ports requires disconnecting the device interface and connecting a special hardware snooper. And debugging interface issues for Ethernet ports requires configuring a mirror port on a network switch that interfaces the gateway, connecting a station on that port, and running a packet capture tool on the station to capture messages exchanged between the gateway and the field devices. Disadvantageously, these conventional techniques require disrupting communications with the devices and/or adding extra hardware in the communication path to the devices.

Disruptionless message capturing within an industrial control system


The present invention provides a gel composition useful for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque which comprises ascorbic acid, copper sulfate, and essentially no added oxidizing agent, in concentrations sufficient for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque; and a gel carrier. The invention also provides a method for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque in the oral cavity of a subject which comprises applying for an effective period of time within the oral cavity of a subject an amount of the gel composition effective to prevent or treat gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque.

Throughout this application various patents and publications are referenced and citations are provided in parentheses. The disclosure of these patents and publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.
The presence of microorganisms is associated with gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque. That microorganisms are a causative element of, or are associated with, dental and other diseases is the underlying principle of many studies (See e.g., Ericsson, Y., Acta Pathol Microbiol. Scandinav., 35: 573-583 (Fasc 6), (1954); Ericsson, Y., and Lundbeck, H., Acta Pathol Microbiol. Scandinav., 37: 493-506 (Fasc. 6), (1955); Ericsson, Y., Lundbeck, H., Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scandinav., 37: 507-526 (Fasc 6), (1955); Kristoffersen, T., Odont. Tid., 71: 179-198, (1963); and Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., and Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, (1970)).
Studies have shown that copper ion has a catalytic effect on the oxidation of ascorbic acid (See, e.g., Ball, E. G., J. Biol. Chem , 118: 219-239, at 223 citing references, (1937); Barron, E.S.G., DeMeio, R. H., and Klemperer, F., J. Biol. Chem., 112: 625-640, (1936); Mystkowski, E. M., Biochem. J., 36: 494-500 (1942)).
Studies have also shown that the oxidation of ascorbic acid in the presence of the copper ion catalyst has antimicrobial effects, and that copper ion greatly enhanced those effects. (Ericsson, Y., Lundbeck, H., Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scandinav., 37: 493-506 (Fasc. 6), (1955); Kristoffersen, T., Odont. Tid., 71: 179-198, 180 and citations therein, (1963)). In other words, these studies showed that copper ion has a synergistic effect on the antimicrobial properties of the ascorbic acid oxidation reaction.
Ericsson, S. Y., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139 (1962), disclose an anti-infectant or antimicrobial composition that was clinically tested for gingivitis and stomatitis. The composition comprises an enediol compound such as ascorbic acid, an added oxidizing agent such as sodium percarbonate, and a catalyst such as copper ion. The patent discloses that the invention is in the form of a water-free powder, tablet, or paste, which at time of application is dissolved or suspend in water, making an aqueous solution Thus, upon application, the composition is in a water solution Ericsson et al. disclose that a clinically useful solution may at the moment of application contain about 1.76 mg/ml to 7.04 mg/ml ascorbic acid (or 0.01 to 0.04 molar concentration); 1 mg/ml to 5 mg/ml sodium percarbonate (or 0.1 to 0.5 weight percent); and about 0.008 mg/ml copper sulfate (or 0.0008 weight percent). Ericsson et al. disclose that the reaction is very rapid once the ingredients are in presence of water, with the antimicrobial action being valid for a reaction time of only five minutes.
Unlike the composition of U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, the gel composition of the present invention involves the use of a gel carrier, does not require an added oxidizing agent, and provides antimicrobial action effective for at least thirty minutes. Moreover, because of the gel carrier, the ascorbic acid and copper ion can be targeted to desired or affected areas of the oral cavity, and when released from the gel, the ascorbic acid and copper remain bound or stuck to the tooth surface. U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139 does not disclose an unexpected improvement in the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, or dental plaque by using a gel composition comprising ascorbic acid and copper ion.
Taylor, R., U.S. Pat. No. 2,470,906 (1949), discloses a composition useful for the cleansing of teeth, gums, tongue, and other parts of the oral cavity. The composition comprises ascorbic acid or its acid analogues in a liquid, paste, or powder form. The patent does not disclose or suggest the use of copper ion, a gel carrier, or use of the composition for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque.
Evers et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,265 (1975), disclose a composition effective for bad breath. The composition comprises an enediol compound having at most six carbon atoms such as ascorbic acid, and a peroxide oxidizing agent. The patent does not disclose or suggest the use of copper ion, a gel carrier, or the use of the composition for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, or dental plaque. Also, the present invention contains no added oxidizing agent.
Hofmann et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,992,519 (1976), disclose a composition in toothpaste, mouthwash, or chewing gum form comprising an antibacterial compound, a vitamin, and a surfactant, useful in the prophylaxis and treatment of inflammatory diseases of the periodontium such as gingivitis and periodontitis. The antibacterial component of the patent comprises one or more pharmaceutically acceptable esters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and or one or more pharmaceutically acceptable esters of o-hydroxybenzoic acid. The vitamin component of the patent comprises one or more of the following: aescin, rutin, panthenol, nicotinamide and vitamin E, and may further comprise small amounts of other vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and B group vitamins. The surfactant component of the patent comprises one or more anionic surfactants from examples of a listed group, or cationic surfactants. The patent does not disclose or suggest the use of copper ion or a gel carrier. Moreover, although the composition may further comprise small amounts of vitamins such as vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Hofmann et al. do not disclose or suggest the use of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) as the primary vitamin component. Furthermore, the present invention does not require the use of either a surfactant or an added antibacterial component.
Two commercial products containing ascorbic acid, sodium percarbonate, and copper sulfate have been produced The first product appeared under the trade name Ascoxal .RTM., or Gum-Ox .RTM.; and the second commercial product appeared under the trade name Ascoxal T .RTM.. The manufacturer suggested that Ascoxal .RTM. would be helpful in the treatment of stomatitis, gingivitis, and oral mycotic and coli-infections, among other uses. (Kristoffersen, T., Odont. Tid., 71: 179-198, 181, (1963)).
The compositions of Ascoxal .RTM. and Ascoxal T .RTM. are similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, containing ascorbic acid, copper sulfate, and sodium percarbonate. Ascoxal .RTM. contains 100 mg ascorbic acid, 70 mg sodium percarbonate, and 0.2 mg copper sulfate in tablet form, which is dissolved in 25 ml of water to provide a water solution taken as a mouthwash. (Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, 661-662 (1970). The resulting concentrations of ascorbic acid, copper sulfate, and sodium percarbonate of the Ascoxal .RTM. mouthwash are approximately the same concentrations as disclosed by Ericsson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, and in Ericsson, Y., Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scandinav , 35: 573-583 (Fasc. 6), (1954). Ascoxal T .RTM. is in the form of a chewable tablet, containing a higher local concentration of the active components of the same ingredients present in the Ascoxal .RTM. product. (Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., and Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, 662, (1970)).
In contrast to Ascoxal .RTM. and Ascoxal T .RTM., the present invention is in the form of a gel. Because the compositions of Ascoxal .RTM. and Ascoxal T .RTM. correspond to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, the oxidation reaction of ascorbic acid takes place within a short time after the ingredients are in the presence of water, with the antimicrobial action being valid for a time of only five minutes. The reaction in the present invention, however, is effective for at least thirty minutes. Furthermore, the present invention is designed to allow targeting to desired areas of the oral cavity. Another difference is that the composition of the Ascoxal .RTM. and Ascoxal T .RTM. products include sodium percarbonate as an oxidizing agent, whereas the present invention has no added oxidizing agent.
Researchers have clinically tested the Ascoxal .RTM. mouthwash and the Ascoxal T .RTM. chewable tablet products for their effectiveness in treating gingivitis and the prevention of plaque. Conflicting results were obtained. (Cf. Kristoffersen, T., Odont. Tid., 71: 179-198, (1963) (finding no statistically significant effect on Ascoxal .RTM. use in rate and degree of plaque and calculus formation); Muller, E., Schroeder, H. E., and Muhlemann, H. R., Helv. Odont. Acta, 6: 42-45, 44 (1962) (finding that Ascoxal .RTM. had marked inhibitory effect on early calculus formation)).
In a later study, Johansen et al. clinically evaluated Ascoxal T .RTM. for its effect on plaque formation and gingivitis. (Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., and Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, (1970)). Johansen et al. explained that the purpose of their study was to clarify the effects of Ascoxal T .RTM. on plaque formation and gingivitis, noting conflicting results of previous investigations examining the use of Ascoxal .RTM.. (Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., and Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, 662 and citations therein, (1970)). In their study, Johansen et al. found no statistically significant effect on the progression of experimental gingivitis, and with regard to plaque formation, their results were inconclusive. (Johansen, J. R., Flotra, L., and Gjermo, P., Acta Odontol. Scandinav., 28: (5) 661-677, (1970)).
The present invention reveals a gel composition containing ascorbic acid and copper ion that optimizes the antimicrobial effect for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque. This invention differs from the prior art in three ways. First, the present invention requires that the ascorbic acid and copper ion be inside a gel carrier. In contrast, the prior art does not disclose or suggest a gel carrier. Secondly, in this invention the reaction between ascorbic acid and copper ion, upon application, will remain effective for at least thirty minutes. In contrast, the prior art, especially U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, and Ascoxal .RTM. and the Ascoxal T .RTM. which have compositions similar to U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, does not suggest that the reaction will be effective for at least thirty minutes. Thirdly, this invention requires the addition of no oxidizing agent. In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, Ascoxal .RTM., and Ascoxal T .RTM. require the addition of an oxidizing agent, such as sodium percarbonate.
The gel composition of the present invention has important advantages over liquid, chewable tablet, or paste forms. One important advantage is the property of substantivity. Substantivity relates to the ability to bind or stick to a surface. Specifically, substantivity here relates the ability of the ascorbic acid and copper ion to bind or stick to the tooth surface, upon release from the gel composition upon application within the oral cavity of a subject. Substantivity is important because it allows for longer contact of the ascorbic acid and copper ion with the tooth surface. The result is enhancement of the antimicrobial effect against the significant oral microorganisms that are causative agents of, or associated with, various dental diseases, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque.
Experiments using atomic absorption showed that application of the gel composition to enamel leaves the copper ion stuck or bound to the enamel surface where the gel was applied. Although the amount of ascorbic acid remaining stuck or bound to the tooth surface when released from the gel composition was not measured, it is believed that the ascorbic acid likewise remains stuck or bound to the tooth surface as well.
In contrast, experiments using atomic absorption showed that when the ascorbic acid and copper ion are delivered in aqueous form, as in a mouthwash, there is substantially less sticking or binding of copper ion to the tooth surface. In other words, the gel composition of this invention increases the contact time of the copper ion, and presumably the ascorbic acid, with tooth surfaces.
In practice, upon application of the gel composition, the patient is instructed not to rinse the mouth until about thirty minutes after application of the gel composition The antimicrobial activity continues throughout this thirty minute period, for Barron, et al. noted that in experiments involving an aqueous solution of 0.02 mM of ascorbic acid in phosphate buffer plus 0.1 molar NaCl, with 0.0002 mM of copper chloride as catalyst, with final pH of 6.00, half of the ascorbic acid was oxidized in 16.2 minutes; and that without NaCl, ascorbic acid was half oxidized in 15 minutes. (Barron, E.S.G., DeMeio, R. H., and Klemperer, F., J. Biol. Chem., 112: 625-640, 639 (1936).
The gel also allows for targeting of the ascorbic acid and copper ion to desired areas of the oral cavity Targeting is especially useful for treatment purposes, allowing the gel to be applied to affected areas. The targeting and substantivity properties of the gel thus allow for application to desired areas of the oral cavity, and prolonged contact of the ascorbic acid and copper ion to exert the antimicrobial effect. In contrast, mouthwashes or chewable tablets allow for only momentary contact of the ascorbic acid and copper ion with teeth, and do not practically allow for targeting. This invention significantly overcomes those problems.
Another important feature of this invention is non-toxicity. This invention is to be applied to tooth or gum surfaces within the oral cavity of a subject for the prevention or treatment of gingivitis, periodontal disease, and dental plaque. This invention involves the application of non-toxic agents. Since the diseases are chronic in nature, treatment might cover long periods of times, ranging from days, months, to years. The active agents, namely ascorbic acid and copper ion, are vitamins and minerals.
In contrast, the presence of sodium percarbonate in the composition described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, which in turn is similar to the compositions of Ascoxal .RTM., and Ascoxal T .RTM., leads to questions of safety. In that regard, Muller et al., in a clinical evaluation finding that Ascoxal .RTM. had a marked inhibitory effect on early calculus formation, noted that the inhibitory data observed with Ascoxal .RTM. rinsing are only of theoretical interest, saying that adverse effects on the oral flora and mucosa are possible after its use for years as an oral antiseptic. (Muller, E., Schroeder, H. E., and Muhlemann, H. R., Helv. Odont. Acta, 6: 42-45, 44 (1962). Ericsson, in a study involving a composition similar to the one described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,065,139, Ascoxal .RTM., and Ascoxal T .RTM., said that the possibility of local or general effects attending the application of ascorbic acid with an oxidizing agent to the mucous membranes of the body should not be disregarded, calling for careful study. (Ericsson, Y., Acta Pathol. Microbiol. Scandinav., 35: 573-583, 582 (1954).

Gel composition for reduction of gingival inflammation and retardation of dental plaque

The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York


A grounding strap including a strap of flexible, electrically conductive material, the strap having a plurality of holes therethrough spaced equidistantly along a portion of the strap, a threaded nut fastened to the strap at an aperture in the strap at a location near one end thereof, a projection near the one end for engaging a hole in the strap when the strap is wrapped around a grounded member such that the portion with the hole engaging the projection is on top of the portion of the strap having the projection, the holes in the strap being spaced so that when a first hole in the strap is above the projection, a second hole in the strap is approximately above the threaded nut, a separate member loosely fastened to the strap and positioned near the nut and being arranged such that a surface of the member is disposed below the nut, the nut receiving a tightening screw, whereby when the strap is wrapped about the grounded member, the screw is insertable through the second hole and screwable into the nut so as to bear down on the surface of the member, forcing the nut upwardly away from the member and tightening the strap around the grounded member.

The present invention relates to grounding straps, in particular to flexible grounding straps made of metal, typically copper, which can be bent around a ground member, for example a metallic rod, pipe or conduit.
Flexible metallic grounding straps are known. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,229, which discloses a flexible metallic grounding strap useful, for example, to ground a circuit to a pipe, conduit or rod.
The grounding straps known from the prior art suffer from several disadvantages. For example, the strap known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,229 uses a circular shaped nut into which the strap tightening screw is threaded. The nut is secured to the strap by a pressure deformation of a collar which is received in a hole in the strap. This pressure deformation deforms the collar so that it overlaps the strap material surrounding the hole. This is disadvantageous because often the nut will come loose and thus will turn in the hole in which it is received in the strap, and it is then difficult to securely tighten the screw into the nut.


A digital camera acquires a first image in a sequence of images by loading it into a unified memory space of the digital camera in a first order and processing it in a second order. Before the first image is completely processed, the digital camera starts acquiring a second image and overwriting at least a processed portion of the first image in the unified memory space with image data of the second image.

Digital cameras are popular consumer electronic appliances. Unlike traditional cameras, digital cameras capture images using an electronic device called an "image sensor." The image captured by the image sensor is then digitized and loaded into a memory device. The digital camera applies various image processing techniques to the digital image in the memory device, e.g., noise suppression, color compensation, etc. Finally, the processed image is compressed into a file having a specific format and stored in a non-volatile storage device for subsequent use by other electronic appliances, such as a personal computer (PC), personal digital assistant (PDA), or printer.
A parameter used for evaluating the performance of a digital camera is the click-to-click time, which measures the minimum amount of time that must elapse between two consecutive presses of the shutter button of the digital camera. The shorter the click-to-click time, the more pictures the digital camera can take within a fixed period. Digital cameras with short click-to-click times can take a sequence of pictures in quick succession, mimicking the operation of high-end motorized film cameras. Factors affecting the click-to-click time of a digital camera include the size of its memory and the speeds of the various image data processing procedures performed on the images captured by the camera's image sensor. One goal of the present invention is to provide a digital camera having a reduced click-to-click time and therefore improved performance.

Digital camera architecture with improved performance


A fence assembly includes anchor brackets mountable to a first support wall. An anchor post is conjoined to the anchor brackets, has opposed top and bottom ends and is formed from rigid and non-corrosive material. Couplings are conjoined to the anchor post, are detachable therefrom and positional along a length thereof. A cylindrical housing defines a cavity therein, is provided with a slot and is formed from rigid and non-corrosive material. A screen passes through the slot, is formed from transparent material and can be adapted along at least a 180 degree arcuate path when extended. A rectilinear auxiliary post is permanently attached to a distal screen end, travels along an entire length thereof and is situated to an exterior of the housing. Latching brackets are connected to the auxiliary post and are engageable to a second support wall.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to fences and, more particularly, to a modular fence assembly for providing an adjustable barrier.
2. Prior Art
The use of adjustable barriers is known in the prior art. More specifically, child adjustable barriers 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.
Conventionally, barricades of flexible sheet material, such as brattice cloth or other open plastics fabric is supported by so-called star posts driven in to the ground or roadway. Such posts are difficult to handle and to remove, and cause considerable damage upon removal, particularly where they have been driven in to asphalt or other roadway surfacing.
In an outdoor environment, the use of adjustable barriers is desirable to prevent wind blown dirt, sand, and other debris from contacting the user thereof or otherwise being deposited upon the user. Additionally, such barriers may desirably provide a degree of privacy to a user or group of users. One prior art adjustable barrier shows large fixed screens in the form of walls or fences. While such fixed screens are effective in providing protection against the wind and blowing objects, they are of course expensive, stationary structures which are impossible to transport. As a result, for those who find themselves outdoors on windy days either move to the shelter of a fixed wind fence or else suffer the discomfort and inconvenience of wind and blowing dirt and sand.
Accordingly, a need remains for a modular fence assembly in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a fence assembly that is easy to use, versatile in application, and convenient. Instead of being frustrated with the inability to cordon off children or pets within a certain area, the modular fence assembly can be utilized. Such a fence assembly allows a room, business or other space to be quickly separated or sectioned off without having to erect an actual wall. The modular fence assembly provides flexibility in the length, angle and elevation of a portable barrier, allowing the use thereof in a wide range of applications. Such a modular fence assembly is easy to install, conveniently reusable, and effective.


The present invention provides complex compounds reminiscent of natural products and libraries thereof, as well as methods for their production. The inventive compounds and libraries of compounds are reminiscent of natural products in that they contain one or more stereocenters, and a high density and diversity of functionality. In general, the inventive libraries are synthesized from diversifiable scaffold structures, which are synthesized from readily available or easily synthesizable template structures. In certain embodiments, the inventive compounds and libraries are generated from diversifiable scaffolds synthesized from a shikimic acid based epoxyol template. In other embodiments, the inventive compounds and libraries are generated from diversifiable scaffolds synthesized from the pyridine-based template isonicotinamide. The present invention also provides a novel ortho-nitrobenzyl photolinker and a method for its synthesis. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods and kits for determining one or more biological activities of members of the inventive libraries. Additionally, the present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more library members.

The identification of small organic molecules that affect specific biological functions is an endeavor that impacts both biology and medicine. Such molecules are useful as therapeutic agents and as probes of biological function. In but one example from the emerging field of chemical genetics, in which small molecules can be used to alter the function of biological molecules to which they bind, these molecules have been effective at elucidating signal transduction pathways by acting as chemical protein knockouts, thereby causing a loss of protein function. (Schreiber et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1990, 112, 5583; Mitchison, Chem. and Biol. 1994, 1, 3) Additionally, due to the interaction of these small molecules with particular biological targets and their ability to affect specific biological functions, they may also serve as candidates for the development of therapeutics.
Because it is difficult to predict which small molecules will interact with a biological target, intense efforts have been directed towards the generation of large numbers, or "libraries", of small organic compounds. These libraries can then be linked to sensitive screens to identify the active molecules. In many cases, researchers have developed "biased" libraries, in which all members share a particular characteristic, such as an ability to interact with a particular target ligand, or a characteristic structural feature designed to mimic a particular aspect of a class of natural compounds. For example, a number of libraries have been designed to mimic one or more features of natural peptides. Such peptidomimetic libraries include phthalimido libraries (WO 97/22594), thiophene libraries (WO 97/40034), benzodiazopene libraries (U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,514), libraries formed by the sequential reaction of dienes (WO 96/03424), thiazolidinone libraries, libraries of metathiazanones and their derivatives (U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,974), and azatide libraries (WO 97/35199) (for review of peptidomimetic technologies, see Gante, J., Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 1994, 33, 1699–1720 and references cited therein).
Each of these libraries has provided solid phase synthetic strategies for compounds possessing specific core functionalities, but none achieves the complexity of structure found in natural products, or in other lead compounds prepared through traditional chemical synthetic routes. Complex natural products commonly contain several different functionalities and often are rich in stereochemical complexity. Such diversity and complexity are difficult to achieve if the synthesis is restricted to a specific class of compounds.
Recognizing the need for development of synthetic strategies that produce large numbers of complex molecules, Boger et al. (EP 0774 464) have recently developed a solution-phase synthetic strategy for producing a library of compounds based on a functionalizable template core, to which various reagents can be added. However, there remains a need for development of solid-phase strategies, where the more rapid production methods such as split-and-pool strategies can be employed to generate larger (>1,000,000), more complex libraries. Additional solution-phase strategies would, of course, also be valuable.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Synthesis of combinatorial libraries of compounds reminiscent of natural products

President and Fellows of Harvard College


A golf putter head comprises a putter head, operable to be attached at or near an end of a putter shaft. The putter head includes an attachment interface for attachment to the putter shaft, the attachment interface defining a shaft axis with which the shaft is aligned when attached to the putter head. A front face is suitable to strike a golf ball and a rear face is oriented opposite the front face. The rear face includes a spine support, coupled to or formed integrally therewith, the spine support having a substantially continuous curvature. The spine support gradually decreases in depth, relative to the front face, across the rear face in directions orthogonal to the putter shaft axis.

Golf is a game played by enthusiasts across the world. Of the various shots required during a typical round, putting is a particularly difficult skill to master, and one that is necessary for any aspiring golfer, as putting can have a significant affect on one's score. Proper putting requires a good understanding of any possible undulations in the surface of the "green," the conditions of the green, estimating correct distance and therefore proper striking pressure, and calculating the proper striking angle.
However, even with a good estimation of the distance to the hole and using an appropriate striking pressure, the golf ball is often not struck squarely with the "sweet spot" of the putter face, and the resultant shot can veer off-line, causing the putt to go awry.


An automatic pilot system for a model airplane comprising one or more flexible control elements. When installed on a vertical stabilizer of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic rudder which provides directional control for the airplane so that it takes off in a straight line at high speed and glides in a circular path of a predetermined radius at low speed. When installed on a horizontal stabilizer of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic elevator which provides a reduced angle of attack during take-off to minimize the aerodynamic drag, an increased angle of attack during gliding flight to make the flight slower and longer-lasting, and an even greater angle of attack during landing to make the landing even slower for safety. When installed on a wing of the airplane, a flexible control element acts as an automatic dihedral wing tip which provides increased lateral stability for the airplane. When the automatic pilot system utilizes all three types of flexible control elements, it provides full three-dimensional automatic control. Each flexible control element constitutes a single-piece structure which integrates three functionally distinct sections: an attachment section, a flexing section, and a controlling section.

This invention relates to model airplanes, specifically to an automatic pilot system comprising independent novel rudder, elevator, and wing tip means for automatically guiding the aircraft on a circular flight path following a high-speed take-off in a straight line, automatically adjusting the angle of attack, and providing enhanced lateral stability for the aircraft, respectively.
Many flying toys and model airplanes, such as gliders, are launched with the help of an expanded elastic band that is connected to the airplane through a hook. Upon contraction, the elastic band propels the airplane to fly. The towing results in a high-speed take-off in a straight line. Upon release, however, it is desirable that the glider follow a circular flight path at a lower speed to facilitate a longer gliding time and an easier retrieve upon landing.
Such a flight pattern is achieved on radio-controlled model gliders by the pilot who must actively and continuously adjust the rudder and elevator positions, both while the glider is being towed in a straight path, and while it is gliding slowly in ample circles. However, it is desirable to achieve a similar flight performance with gliders that have no complicated expensive radio control components.
Several U.S. Patents have been granted for mechanisms that work as a limited, or incomplete automatic pilot system for model gliders. However, they do not produce a flight performance that is comparable to that of a radio-controlled plane.
Some of the pilot systems found in the prior art include means for controlling the flight path by adjusting only the elevator position, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,300,564; 2,588,941; 2,597,521; 2,820,322; 3,995,310; 3,995,393; 4,282,675; 4,375,138 and 5,383,805. These systems typically consist of multiple parts, such as hinges, links, rubber bands, elastic time delay mechanisms etc. While they make the glider""s transition from a steep climb to a level glide possible, they do not provide automatic directional control for the rudder, hence the glider can only fly in a straight path.
Some small model gliders, launched by a slingshot, utilize the elevators to achieve a circling gliding flight. For example, to make the glider turn left, the left side elevator is bent up, while the right side elevator is bent down. To provide the transition from the steep climb to the level glide, the nose-weight of the glider is adjusted. There are two main disadvantages of this control system: (a) to obtain a fast, steep climb followed by a smooth circling glide, the user is required to have a skillful coordination between orienting the glider""s roll angle, aiming the slingshot, and controlling the amount of stretch given to the rubber band, (b) the glider can be launched only to low heights, since this control system cannot be used in combination with a long elastic tow line.
Other mechanisms found in the prior art, achieve the transition from the high speed launch to the low speed glide by changing the position of the main wings, while keeping the position of the elevators unchanged. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,960 uses an airflow sensor which, upon deceleration, automatically slides the main wings of the glider towards the nose. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,836,817 and 4,863,412, both the left, and right wings are rotated to be aligned with the rudder for take-off, and they are held in that position by the air pressure of a fast slingshot launch. After a near vertical climb the glider slows down and a rubber band forces the wings to rotate back to their normal flying positions. The three main disadvantages of these control systems are: (a) they do not provide any directional control since the rudder remains fixed during the launching and gliding phases, (b) they do not make the transition from high speed to low speed a smooth one; generally there is a nose dive or a looping flight before a stable gliding flight is achieved, and (c) they are complicated to manufacture and assemble since they are made of multiple components, such as rubber bands, hinges, links etc.
Still other mechanisms found in the prior art, such as U.S. Pat. No. 2,876,585, control the elevator position by means of a small auxiliary vertical fin, parallel to the rudder. This system provides the necessary means for transition from a fast climb to a low-speed glide and also some directional control, since the auxiliary fin makes the airplane turn. However, this mechanism has four disadvantages: (a) it can only turn the plane in a fixed direction, either left or right, (b) it can provide only slight turning, since the rudder itself is not being controlled, (c) it cannot control the amount of turning independently of the gliding angle of the aircraft, since the positions of the elevator and the auxiliary fin are designed to be linked together, and (d) it is complicated to manufacture and assemble since it is made of multiple elements, such as rubber bands, linkages and active aerodynamic surfaces.
The lateral stability of model aircraft during flight can be enhanced by wings that have larger than zero dihedral angles. Usually, model gliders have wings with dihedral angles of up to about 10 degrees. Having wings with relatively large dihedral angles helps to recover quickly from turbulent gusts of wind. On the other hand, wings with excessive dihedral angles tend to overcorrect, resulting in lateral oscillations, instead of a level flight. In the prior art, increased lateral stability has been frequently added to the glider by rigid wing tips having fixed dihedral angles in the range of about 20-30 degrees. However, these wing tips change the effective dihedral angles of the wings to another fixed value, which cannot be adjusted according to the prevailing flight conditions.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic pilot system for model aircraft that avoids the disadvantages of the prior art.
More particularly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic pilot system for model aircraft, such as gliders that:
(a) provides full three-axis automatic controllability for the aircraft by having independently movable elevator, rudder, and wing tip components, wherein those components have means for continuously sensing the relative wind speed and means for self-adjusting the positions of their control surfaces accordingly;
(b) does not require radio control or external power to actuate the elevator, the rudder, or the wing tip control surfaces;
(c) makes it possible for the aircraft to climb in a straight path and glide in a circular path;
(d) provides a smooth transition from a high-speed climbing to a low speed gliding;
(e) has control elements that comprise no complicated multiple components, such as rubber bands, hinges, links etc.;
(f) is easy and economical to manufacture;
(g) is simple to install on existing airplanes;
(h) is simple to use;
(i) can be used independently of the launching mechanism; and
(j) does not affect the aesthetic appearance of the aircraft.
In keeping with these objects, and with others which will become apparent hereinafter, one feature of the present invention resides in an automatic pilot system comprising one or more flexible control elements of the same basic design, wherein each control element constitutes a single-piece structure so that the means for sensing the relative wind speed, and the means for adjusting the control surface accordingly are provided solely by the geometric design and the material of the control element. The energy for the adjustment of the control surface is derived from the kinetic energy of the wind.
Another feature of the present invention is that, depending on its location on the aircraft, such a flexible control element can act as an automatic rudder, an automatic elevator, or an automatic wing tip.
Still another feature of the present invention is that the automatic pilot system might, in addition to the flexible control elements, also comprise a movable weight, such as a screw, concealed inside the nose of the fuselage to provide means for pre-adjusting the aircraft""s gliding angle.
When the flexible control element is used as a rudder, it is set by the user before the launch according to the size of the desired gliding circles. During the high-speed take-off, the rudder automatically adjusts its position so that the glider can fly in a straight path. Once the gliding flight begins, the rudder assumes its preset position to guide the plane in a circular path.
When the flexible control element is used as an elevator, it adjusts its position automatically to provide a low angle of attack in order to minimize aerodynamic drag during the high-speed take-off. Upon the beginning of the free flight, the elevator adjusts itself to facilitate a low speed glide at the preset gliding angle. The automatic elevator is sensitive enough to detect the natural decrease in the prevailing wind speed, as the glider nears the ground. Therefore, it adjusts its position so that the glider""s nose is slightly raised and the glider lands at a near horizontal attitude, and a reduced speed.
When a pair of flexible control elements are used as flexible dihedral wing tips, they enhance lateral stability throughout the flight. During normal flight, a small dihedral angle on both wing tips is enough to assure lateral stability of the aircraft, while permitting easy banking turns. If turbulence causes a sideslip, and the strength of a disturbing lateral wind increases, the wing tips automatically increase their dihedral angles in an asymmetrical fashion, so the plane quickly resumes its horizontal position. During take-off, the wing tips increase their dihedral angles symmetrically to avoid dangerous sideslips at a high speed.
When all of the above three types of control elements are used on the same aircraft, the resulting pilot system provides full three-axis automatic control. However, since the individual control elements function completely independent of each other, a user can choose to use one, two, or all three types of them. The weight of the complete automatic pilot system in its preferred embodiment is only about ten grams, thus it can be used even on gliders made of very light material, such as plastic foam.
Since the means for sensing the wind speed and the means for positioning the control surfaces are integrated into a single piece structure in each control element, the present automatic pilot system contains no parts, such as hinges, links, rubber bands etc., that are costly to manufacture and difficult to assemble. The single-piece control elements can be inexpensively manufactured and easily attached to existing model gliders that do not have a moving rudder or a moving elevator.
Since all visible components of the present automatic pilot system can be made of clear plastic, they do not detract from the overall appearance and elegant aerodynamic shape of a well designed glider. Furthermore, they can be used on flying toys shaped other than an airplane, such as birds, fictional characters, etc., that would not normally have rudders, elevators, or wing tips.
On model gliders launched by a tow line, this invention is recommended to be used in combination with the automatic tow release system described in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,336,838. The flight performance of a glider obtained by the combined use of these control systems is similar to that obtained by the use of a radio control system. One significant difference is that the same flight performance and enjoyment is obtained at a much reduced cost.
Additional detailed features of the invention will be best understood from the following description of the preferred embodiments and their accompanying drawings.

Automatic pilot system for model aircraft


Light emitting diode (LED) components include a submount, at least one or more LED chip wirebonded on a first surface of the submount to electrical traces at the edges of the submount, and a molded encapsulant which is devoid of a curved lens or hemispherical lens and can have outer or lateral walls co-planar with exterior walls of the submount. An LED component can have a viewing angle that is greater than 125°. A method of providing an LED component includes providing a substantially flat submount, attaching one or more LED chip over a first surface of the submount, dispensing an encapsulant over the first surface of the submount over the LED chips, applying a press over the encapsulant to apply a heat and/or pressure to the encapsulant, and molding the encapsulant over the first surface of the submount.

Light emitting diodes (LEDs) or LED chips are solid state devices that convert electrical energy into light. LED chips can be utilized in light emitter components or packages for providing different colors and patterns of light. Light emitter components can be mounted directly onto a surface of an underlying circuit component or heat sink for use in various lighting applications.
One problem with existing LED components is an inadequate viewing angle. Existing LED components, for example, existing surface mount design (SMD) components, have a full width at half maximum (FWHM) beam angle (e.g., an effective viewing angle) that is about 115°. This is not suitable for use in lighting bulbs applications and other high-power LED applications, such as, for example, projection or architectural lighting, which utilize wider FWHM beam angles for a more uniform light extraction. Manufacturers of LED lighting products are constantly seeking ways to provide components suitable for use in a plurality of different lighting applications, to encourage the adoption of LED products. One solution known in the art comprises using a translucent or transparent dam or other retention material to surround a transparent encapsulant while the encapsulant cures. However, while the dams may be formed from a transparent material, it is nevertheless possible for light to adversely interact with such transparent dams. For example, given the need for the dams in such known LED components to have a higher viscosity than the encapsulant, it is often the case that the dam material has a different refractive index from the encapsulant; as a result of the differences in the relative refractive indexes, the angle of the light exiting will change as the light passes from the encapsulant into the dam. Another disadvantage of such known LED components is that the dam and encapsulant may have poor adhesion with one another, whether inherently due to the types of materials used or from a manufacturing quality issue. In short, the dam adds complexity to the manufacturing process and can lead to reduced light extraction performance, quality issues, increased cost, and the like. LED Components incorporating fewer raw materials at sustained or increased brightness levels with uniform lighting are becoming more desirable.
Accordingly, and despite the availability of various LED components in the marketplace, a need remains for improved components and methods which can be produced quickly, efficiently, at a lower cost, and with larger viewing angles for more uniform lighting in light bulb and/or bulb applications. Such components can be single or multi-chip components, and their reduced cost and improved efficiency make it easier for end-users to justify switching to LED products from a return on investment or payback perspective.

Light emitting diode (LED) components and methods


A wayside station communicates with a plurality of mobile stations over a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, a wayside station includes a transceiver configured to receive an inbound signal from a mobile station and to transmit an outbound signal to the mobile station. The transceiver has a first switch that is configured to selectively deliver the inbound signal to one of a first band pass filter (BPF) and a second BPF. A second switch is coupled to the first BPF and to the second BPF, and configured to selectively receive the inbound signal from one of the first BPF and the second BPF. A detector is coupled to the second switch and configured to detect the inbound signal, to convert the inbound signal to inbound data and to transfer the inbound data to a processor. The processor decodes the inbound data and processes the data. Outbound data is processed and encoded by the processor, transferred to the transmitter as an outbound signal and communicated to the mobile station over the wireless communication network.

Wireless communication networks are becoming increasingly popular due to recently improved wireless communication technologies that make wireless networks relatively inexpensive. For example, there are currently a large number of spread spectrum wireless transceivers available that use the industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) allocated frequency spectrum of 2.4-2.4835 GHz. These types of ISM frequency transceivers are used in applications such as computer Local Area Networks (LANs). Often these transceivers employ a frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) protocol that serves to spread the transmitted signal over a predetermined bandwidth. The FHSS protocol is helpful for alleviating interference and increasing communication bandwidth over the limited frequency spectrum.
In a LAN, for example, reliable communication is considered important but not vital. Reliable communication is relatively easy to accomplish because of the almost ideal conditions associated with stationary transceivers since the transceivers are positioned in advance to avoid obstacles. Moreover, if a data error occurs, the LAN receiver can request data retransmission, where the only inconvenience is a time delay.
However, for a railroad control system, reliable communication is considered vital. When an ISM transceiver is positioned in a mobile station, such as a locomotive, reliable communication is difficult due to impairments such as Doppler shifts from the mobile station movement, specular multipath from signal reflections (from buildings or in tunnels), interference from other local signals such as microwave ovens and RF light bulbs, transmission delays, latencies and anomalous propagations properties of RF signals in a metropolitan environment. Moreover, in a wireless railroad yard configuration with moving locomotives, communication must be reliable in order to efficiently command the locomotives along the tracks and to prevent accidents. These impairments cannot be overcome with conventional radio technology in order to insure reliable communication.