Surfactants for use in formulations and processes suitable for hydrocarbon recovery. These formulations, include formulations suitable for fracking, enhancing oil and or gas recovery, and the recovery and or production of bio-based oils.

Surfactants (molecules with surface-active properties) are widely used in commercial production of oil and natural gas. These formulations may include a variety of liquids, emulsions, and foams used to recovery hydrocarbons from the earth and from bio-based sources. Both oil and natural gas may be found in contact with water or with water soluble substrates accordingly, surfactants may be included in formulations to improve the recovery of oils and/or gasses. Ideally, formulations for such production and recovery processes are easy to manufacture, deploy, and if practical, reuse.
The surfactants may be uncharged, zwitterionic, cationic, or anionic. Although in principle any surfactant class (e.g., cationic, anionic, nonionic, amphoteric) is suitable, it is possible that a formulation may include a combination of two or more surfactants from two or more surfactant classes.
Often, surfactants are amphiphilic molecules with a relatively water-insoluble hydrophobic "tail" group and a relatively water-soluble hydrophilic "head" group. These compounds may adsorb at an interface, such as an interface between two liquids, a liquid and a gas, or a liquid and a solid. In systems comprising relatively polar and relatively non-polar components the hydrophobic tail preferentially interacts with the relatively non-polar component(s) while the hydrophilic head preferentially interacts with the relatively polar component(s). In the case of an interface between water and oil, the hydrophilic head group preferentially extends into the water, while the hydrophobic tail preferentially extends into the oil. When added to a water-gas only interface, the hydrophilic head group preferentially extends into the water, while the hydrophobic tail preferentially extends into the air. The presence of the surfactant disrupts at least some of the intermolecular interaction between the water molecules, replacing at least some of the interactions between water molecules with generally weaker interactions between at least some of the water molecules and the surfactant. This results in lowered surface tension and can also serve to stabilize the interface.
At sufficiently high concentrations, surfactants may form aggregates which serve to limit the exposure of the hydrophobic tail to the polar solvent. One such aggregate is a micelle. In a typical micelle the molecules are arranged in a sphere with the hydrophobic tails of the surfactant(s) preferentially located inside the sphere and the hydrophilic heads of the surfactant(s) preferentially located on the outside of the micelle where the heads preferentially interact with the more polar solvent. The effect that a given compound has on surface tension and the concentration at which it forms micelles may serve as defining characteristics for a surfactant.
Crude oil development and production from oil bearing formations can include up to three phases: primary, secondary and tertiary (or enhanced) recovery. During primary recovery, the natural energy present in the formation (e.g., water, gas) and/or gravity drives oil into the production wellbore. As oil is produced from an oil bearing formation, pressures and/or temperatures within the formation may decline. Artificial lift techniques (such as pumps) may be used to bring the oil to the surface. Only about 10 percent of a reservoir's Original Oil In Place (OOIP) is typically produced during primary recovery. Secondary recovery techniques are employed to extend the field's productive life and generally include injecting a displacing fluid such as water (waterflooding) to displace oil and drive it to a production wellbore.
Secondary recovery techniques typically result in the recovery of an additional 20 to 40 percent of a reservoir's OOIP. However, even if waterflooding were continued indefinitely, typically more than half of the OOIP would remain unrecovered. Poor mixing efficiency between water and oil (because of high interfacial tension between the water and oil), capillary forces in the formation, the temperature of the formation, the salinity of the water in the formation, the composition of the oil in the formation, poor sweep of the injected water through the formation, and other factors contribute to the inefficiency. Primary and secondary techniques therefore leave a significant amount of oil in the reservoir.
With much of the easy-to-produce oil already recovered from oil fields, producers have employed tertiary, or enhanced oil recovery (EOR), techniques that offer potential for recovering 30 to 60 percent or more of a reservoir's OOIP. Three major categories of EOR have succeeded commercially: thermal recovery, gas injection, and chemical techniques. Thermal recovery introduces heat (e.g., injection of steam) to lower the viscosity of the crude oil to improve its ability to flow through the reservoir. Gas injection uses nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or other gases that expand in a reservoir to push additional oil to a production wellbore. Other gases dissolve in the oil to lower its viscosity and improve its flowability. Chemical techniques inject surfactants (surfactant flooding) to reduce the interfacial tension that prevents or inhibits oil droplets from moving through a reservoir or inject polymers that allow the oil present in the formation to more easily mobilize through the formation.
Chemical techniques can be used before, during, or after implementing primary and/or secondary recovery techniques. Chemical techniques can also complement other EOR techniques. Surfactant flooding may include surfactant polymer (SP) flooding and Alkali Surfactant Polymer (ASP) flooding. In SP flooding, a reservoir is injected with water and/or brine containing ˜1 wt. % surfactant and −0.1 wt. % polymer. ASP flooding includes alkali in addition to the components used in SP flooding. ASP systems typically contain ˜0.5 to 1 wt. % alkali, ˜0.1 to 1 wt. % surfactant, and ˜0.1 to 1 wt. % polymer. Typically, an SP or ASP flood is followed up with an injection of a displacing fluid, e.g., a waterflood and/or polymer "push fluid. The choice between SP or ASP depends on the acid value of the oil to be recovered, the concentration of divalent cations in the reservoir's brine, the economics of the project, the ability to perform water softening or desalination, and other factors. Alkali sequesters divalent cations in the formation brine and thereby reduces the adsorption of the surfactant during displacement through the formation. Alkali also generates an anionic surfactant (sodium naphthenate soap) in situ in the formation by reacting with naphthenic acids that are naturally present in the crude oil. The use of relatively inexpensive alkali reduces the surfactant retention and hence reduces the amount of surfactant required, and therefore also reduces the overall cost. Alkali can also help alter formation wettability to a more water-wet state to improve the imbibition rate.
In "wettability alteration," another EOR technique, surfactants are introduced into a reservoir, sometimes combined with altering electrolyte concentration, to displace adsorbed oil by effecting spontaneous imbibition of water onto the reservoir rock. This technique does not necessarily require low interfacial tensions between the oil and aqueous phases or the formation of a microemulsion phase. It also does not require a good sweep efficiency of the displacing fluid, and as such could have utility in carbonate reservoirs which can be fractured and typically have poor conformance. Surfactants used in SP and ASP floods have also displayed utility in wettability alteration.
A surfactant system, after injection into an oil bearing formation, takes up crude oil and brine from the formation to form a multiphase microemulsion in situ. When complete, the microemulsion is immiscible with the reservoir crude and exhibits low interfacial tension (IFT) with the crude oil and brine. Commercial surfactant EOR processes achieve ultralow IFTs (i.e., less than 10 mN/m) to mobilize disconnected crude oil droplets in the formation and create an oil bank where both oil and water flow as continuous phases. IFT changes with salinity, surfactant composition, crude oil com position, formation temperature, and other variables. For anionic surfactants, an optimal salinity exists at which the microemulsion solubilizes equal Volumes of oil and water, and at which the microemulsion exhibits nearly equal IFTs with oil and brine. The ultra-low IFT generally exists only in a narrow salinity range that overlaps the optimal salinity for a given microemulsion.
As explained by P. Zhao et al. ("Development of High-Performance Surfactants for Difficult Oils." SPE/DOE Improved Oil Recovery Symposium, Tulsa, Okla., April 2008, SPE 113432), the "selection of surfactants for enhanced oil recovery applications requires laboratory testing with crude oil from the target reservoir and may involve considerable effort to find a suitable surfactant and other . . . components . . . such as polymer, electrolytes, co-surfactant and co-solvent."
In the dry-mill ethanol process, yellow dent corn is milled, liquefied and sent to a fermenter. Enzymes and yeast are added to convert starch into ethanol, which is subsequently distilled off. This leaves a slurry called whole stillage. Whole stillage, which includes, a concentrated oil fraction, is then separated via centrifugation into liquid and solid fractions called thin stillage and wet cake respectively. While part of the thin stillage is recycled to help liquefy the milled corn, the rest is concentrated via evaporation into thick stillage (or syrup), which is dried and mixed with the wet cake to form distillers' dried gains with solubles (DDGS). This is sold as cattle feed and is a good source of protein.
Due to the concentrating effect dry-milling has on the oil fraction, corn oil extracted from thick stillage has become a profitable co-product for the ethanol industry. Although removing corn oil lowers the energy density of DDGS, some studies suggest that high oil content in DDGS interferes with milk production in dairy cattle and leads to undesirable pork bellies in swine. Therefore, removing some of the oil not only leads to a valuable co-product, but also may improve DDGS quality.
Current methods of extracting corn oil from thick stillage include solvent extraction (often hexane) and decantation. Hexane extraction, though effective, is energy intensive and requires a large amount of capital investment. Decantation requires little capital investment and has the potential of being just as effective as hexane extraction.
Decantation, using centrifuges takes advantage of the density difference between the oil and the aqueous phase to create buoyant force on the oil suspended in solution. In order for the buoyant force to be strong enough to overcome the interfacial interactions and surface friction acting on the oil, individual oil droplets must be large enough so that sufficient force can be generated. The current separation devices used in industry can separate particles as small as twenty micrometers in diameter. The success of current corn oil decantation is highly dependent on upstream processing conditions. Processes using high temperate, high or low pH, smaller grinds and long periods of retention tend to exhibit increased oil yields. These harsh conditions may not be the preferred way to extract oils for human or animal consumptions as such condition may adversely affect the nutritional and organoleptic properties of the final product.
The present disclosure provides formulations useful for extracting oil and natural gas from wells and in some applications from mixtures of oil based fuels and aqueous medium used in bio based process to produce hydrocarbon fuels such as biodiesel. These products may be formulated to include one or more surfactants from one or more surfactant classes disclosed herein. The surfactants may be used as emulsifiers, wetting agents, dispersants, and/or agents to improve the recovery of hydrocarbons and or the separation of hydrocarbons from environments that include water.
The present disclosure provides surfactants for use in the production of oil and gas in the form of siloxane derivatives of amino acids that have surface-active properties. The amino acids may be naturally occurring or synthetic amino acids, or they may be obtained via ring-opening reactions of molecules such as lactams, for instance caprolactam. The amino acids may be functionalized with different types of siloxane groups to form compounds with surface-active properties. Characteristically, these compounds may have low critical micelle concentrations (CMC) and/or the ability to reduce the surface tension of a liquid.
The present disclosure provides a fracking fluid formulation, comprising at least one surfactant of Formula I,
wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and comprise at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally the C1-C6 alkyl may include one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms or groups that include at least one of these atoms, and the alkyl chain may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, amido, sulfonyl, sulfonate, carbonyl, carboxyl, and carboxylate; n is an integer from 1 to 12; the terminal nitrogen is optionally further substituted with R3, wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxyl, and C1-C6 alkyl; an optional counterion associated with the compound which, if present, is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide; a polymer or a viscoelastic surfactant.
The present disclosure further provides a fluid for Improved Oil Recovery, comprising at least one surfactant of Formula I,
wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and comprise at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally the C1-C6 alkyl may include one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms or groups that include at least one of these atoms, and the alkyl chain may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, amido, sulfonyl, sulfonate, carbonyl, carboxyl, and carboxylate; n is an integer from 1 to 12; the terminal nitrogen is optionally further substituted with R3, wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxyl, and C1-C6 alkyl; an optional counterion associated with the compound which, if present, is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide; a linear, crosslinked, and/or block copolymer; and/or an optional viscoelastic surfactant; and an optional co-surfactant.
The present disclosure also provides a formulation for recovering a biologically produced oil, comprising at least one surfactant of Formula I,
wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and comprise at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally the C1-C6 alkyl may include one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms or groups that include at least one of these atoms, and the alkyl chain may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, amido, sulfonyl, sulfonate, carbonyl, carboxyl, and carboxylate; n is an integer from 1 to 12; the terminal nitrogen is optionally further substituted with R3, wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxyl, and C1-C6 alkyl; an optional counterion associated with the compound which, if present, is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide; and water.
The present disclosure further provides a formulation for use in a mixture of fracking fluid and oil or natural gas comprising at least one surfactant of Formula I,
wherein R1 and R2 may be the same or different, and comprise at least one group selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 alkyl, optionally the C1-C6 alkyl may include one or more of oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur atoms or groups that include at least one of these atoms, and the alkyl chain may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of hydroxyl, amino, amido, sulfonyl, sulfonate, carbonyl, carboxyl, and carboxylate; n is an integer from 1 to 12; the terminal nitrogen is optionally further substituted with R3, wherein R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, oxygen, hydroxyl, and C1-C6 alkyl; an optional counterion associated with the compound which, if present, is selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide, and iodide; and water, and optionally a gas.
The above mentioned and other features of the disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A lens actuator for use in an optical data reader, comprising: a base on which a plurality of N (N=natural number not less than two) objective lenses corresponding to N optical data recording media having substrates of different thicknesses, respectively are mounted; a supporting shaft which is provided on the base such that the base is movable vertically and rotatable within predetermined ranges, respectively relative to the supporting shaft; a pair of driving coils for performing changeover among the objective lenses and tracking follow-up of the data recording media; and N pairs of magnets which form a magnetic circuit together with the driving coils such that the base is rotated by the driving coils and the magnets.

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for reading, recording and erasing minute data recorded on concentric or helical tracks of a disk by converging light thereon and more particularly, to a lens actuator for use in the apparatus.
For example, an audio data recording medium, a video disk and an optical disk are known as a data recording medium in which data is recorded on tracks. Data tracks on these data recording media are arranged concentrically or helically. It is known that an apparatus for reading such data optically includes an optical system for irradiating a beam spot on the data recording medium and a position detecting means for detecting relative position between the data tracks and the beam spot on the data recording medium.
FIG. 9 shows conceptually a conventional optical reader for reading the audio data recording medium, the video disk and the optical disk. A beam emitted from a laser light source 3 is converged on a data recording medium 1 through a collimating lens 4, a reflecting mirror 5 and an objective lens 2. A substrate of the data recording medium 1 has a thickness of 1.2 mm. The objective lens 2 is arranged to converge the beam on a recording layer of the data recording medium 1 through the substrate of 1.2 mm in thickness. Intensity of the beam reflected from the data recording medium 1 varies according to data of the data recording medium 1. Thus, by detecting intensity of the beam by a photodetector 7 via a detecting lens 6, the data recorded on the data recording medium 1 can be obtained as an electrical output.
Meanwhile, a data recording medium for high-density recording is newly proposed and has a substrate of 0.6 mm in thickness. Therefore, it is necessary for this data recording medium to provide another objective lens for converging the beam on a recording layer through the substrate of 0.6 mm in thickness.
FIG. 10 shows a known lens actuator utilizing the two kinds of the objective lenses through their changeover. In this known lens actuator, an objective lens 102 for the substrate of 1.2 mm in thickness and an objective lens 108 for the substrate of 0.6 mm in thickness are mounted on a base 110. For changeover of the objective lenses 102 and 108, the objective lenses 102 and 108 are rotated relative to a supporting shaft 109 so as to come to a center of the beam from the laser light source. A magnetic circuit for performing changeover of the objective lenses 102 and 108 and tracking follow-up of the data recording medium includes two pairs of driving coils 111 attached to the base 110, two pairs of iron pieces 112 fixed to the base 110 and a pair of magnets 113. The objective lenses 102 and 108 are positioned through their changeover by the iron pieces 122 and the magnets 113, while tracking is performed by the driving coils 111. At the time changeover between the objective lenses 102 and 108 is performed, large pulsating current is applied to the driving coils 111. Thus, it is possible to perform reproduction, recording and erasure on the data recording media having the substrates of different thicknesses.
In this known lens actuator of FIG. 10, the following problems arise. Since each of data tracks recorded on the data recording medium has a width of not more than 1 .mu.m and an interval of the tracks is about 1 .mu.m, control target of focusing of the objective lenses should be set at not more than .+-.0.1 82 m and tracking control in which the beam spot follows up the tracks should be set at not more than +0.1 .mu.m. Hence, it is quite essential that a movable member including the objective lenses not only is compact and light but has a balanced configuration such that an optical axis of each of the objective lenses is not inclined when the movable member is driven.
Furthermore, when focusing and tracking are performed on the data recording media having the substrates of different thicknesses, a plurality of the objective lenses should be mounted on the single movable member. Accordingly, conventionally, it has been extremely difficult to optimize focusing and tracking control such that a plurality of the objective lenses are accurately driven independently of one another.
Meanwhile, since tracking control and changeover of the objective lenses in accordance with the thicknesses of the substrates of the data recording media have an identical driving direction and are, respectively, provided with separate magnetic arrangements, the lens actuator and its control circuit become complicated structurally. Therefore, it has been quite difficult to simplify construction of a lens actuator which has functions of identifying an objective lens proper for the data recording medium and effecting changeover between the objective lenses and is capable of performing focusing and tracking control accurately.
Another known lens actuator utilizing the two kinds of the objective lenses through their changeover is shown in FIG. 11. In this known lens actuator, an objective lens 202 for the substrate of 1.2 mm in thickness and an objective lens 208 for the substrate of 0.6 mm in thickness are mounted on a base 210. For changeover of the objective lenses 202 and 208, the objective lenses 202 and 208 are rotated relative to a supporting shaft 209 so as to come to a center of the beam from the laser light source. A magnetic drive mechanism for performing changeover of the objective lenses 202 and 208 and tracking follow-up and focusing follow-up of the data recording medium is constituted by a pair of focusing magnets 214 subjected to bipolar magnetization vertically as shown in FIG. 12, a pair of tracking magnets 213 subjected to bipolar magnetization laterally and a pair of coils 221 and a pair of coils 222 which are mounted on the base 210 so as to confront the focusing magnets 214 and the tracking magnets 213, respectively. Furthermore, the objective lenses 202 and 208 are positioned in a tracking direction by four iron pieces 212.
When the coils 221 confront the focusing magnets 214, respectively as shown in FIG. 11, the coils 221 function as focusing drive coils. At this time, since the coils 222 confront the tracking magnets 213, respectively, the coils 222 function as tracking drive coils. If the coils 221 confront the tracking magnets 213, respectively upon changeover between the objective lenses 202 and 208, the coils 221 function as the tracking drive coils. Therefore, the two tracking magnets 213 are provided for the two objective lenses 202 and 208.
In this known arrangement of FIG. 11, the following inconveniences are incurred. Since driving directions of the coils 221 and 222 are switched between focusing direction and tracking direction upon changeover between the objective lenses 202 and 208, it is necessary to judge which one of the objective lenses 202 and 208 is being controlled. Furthermore, each time changeover between the objective lenses 202 and 208 is performed, it is necessary to electrically switch between focusing control and tracking control driving current flowing through the coils 221 and 222. Therefore, configuration of an electric circuit of the known lens actuator of FIG. 11 becomes extremely complicated and thus, control of the known lens actuator of FIG. 11 is quite difficult.

Lens actuator for dual lens optical disk apparatus having lens mounting base stopper and selected lens sensor

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method for the topical treatment of skin affected with a dermatological condition selected from the group consisting of impetigo, epidermolysis bullosa, eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, pruritis, erythema, hidradenitis suppurativa, warts, diaper rash, jock itch, and combinations thereof. For most conditions, sodium chloride, in a substantially pure form as a solid block, is topically applied to the affected skin by gently gliding the block over the affected skin in a manner insufficient to cause abrasion and debridement of the affected skin. For certain conditions, such as epidermolysis bullosa, sodium chloride in the form of an aqueous solution preferably should be used. The applied sodium chloride is left on the skin.

As is well known, skin conditions are typically treated with antibiotics (oral and/or topical). Often, the antibiotic becomes ineffective over time (typically, within about 6 months after initiating use) due to mutations of the microorganisms causing the skin condition.
Of interest, Agusti U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,581, U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,161, and Reissue Pat. No. 29,799 (a Divisional of the patent application that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 4,107,161) show triamcinolone acetonide for the topical treatment of dermatosis, eczema, neurodermatitis, impetigo, psoriasis, pruritis, and erythema. On the other hand, Tegeler et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,811 (Parent) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,247 (Divisional) show various 1,3-propanediols substituted with 1-alkyl-, 1-alkynyl-, or 1-alkynylaryl-2-amino- in a topical application to inhibit bacterial and fungal growth.
Also, of interest is a method of treatment of acne-affected skin and/or rosacea-affected skin with a NaCl block disclosed in published PCT International Application WO 96/28971 to Taylor and Bass, published on Sep. 19, 1996, and having a partial priority to U.S. Ser. No. 08/402,896 which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,654,013 on Aug. 5, 1997.
In summary, none of the patents shows sodium chloride topically applied for the treatment of the various subject dermatological conditions recited in the above "Technical Field". Thus, it is still desirable to find a method of treating such skin conditions topically, which method does not require oral ingestion and/or topical application of antibiotics.

Method for treating dermatological conditions including impetigo


A display device includes a spatial light modulator, two microretarders of stripes superposed with one another and placed behind the spatial light modulator, a polarizer placed behind the two microretarders, a back light placed behind the polarizer, first and second driving devices and a carrier. The horizontal relative movement of the two microretarders is able to selectively display a 2D image and a 3D image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device which is able to automatically display a 3D image by the use of two microretarders and a polarizer to form a parallax barrier. Furthermore, with the relative movement of the microretarders, switching between 2D and 3D images and viewer-tracking are accomplished.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional displays have developed dramatically from black and white to color. Nowadays, displays with high quality images are the current trend. Therefore, watching a 3D image without wearing additional accessories will be the next trend of display technologies. However, before all the displays have the feature to show a 3D image, thus, how to incorporate this 3D displaying feature into the current specification of an existing displays is vital for achieving the expectations and aspirations of the public.
Using a parallax barrier to separate the images received respectively by the left eye and the right eye of a human is well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No. 725,567 (1903) has already disclosed this technique. U.S. Pat. No. 5,831,765 used this well-known technique to place a parallax barrier (93) between a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel (91) and a back light (94) to form a 3D display. The improvement of this patent is that a dispersed type LCD panel (92) which is able to switch between dispersive and transparent modes is inserted between the LCD panel (91) and the parallax barrier (93) to show 2D and 3D images respectively
With reference to FIG. 6, the shortcoming of this method is:
{circle around (1)} The brightness of the LCD panel is reduced by half.
{circle around (2)} The distance between the barrier and the LCD panel is increased, which is unsuitable for the design where the lateral width of the liquid crystal pixel is small and the watching distance is close.
{circle around (3)} The dispersed type LCD panel is expensive so that the overall cost of the display is increased.
{circle around (4)} Non-continuous viewer tracking. If the viewer moves from one position to another, the viewing angle is thus changed, which results in the 3D image is not perceivable.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,424, includes an LCD panel (91′), a striped LC parallax barrier (93′) and a back light (94′), also uses the parallax barrier to separate the images received by the left eye and the right eye respectively to show a 3D image. The improvement of this patent is that a striped LCD panel is used instead of a general parallax barrier. The LCD panel also is able to switch between the 2D-image and the 3D-image modes.
With reference to FIG. 7, the device suffers from the following drawbacks:                {circle around (1)} high cost; and        {circle around (2)} non-continuous viewer tracking.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved display device to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned problems.

Display device for automatically switching between 2D and 3D images

Industrial Technology Research Institute


An approach for reducing power consumption during data transfer is provided. A period of delayed release of one or more radio resources associated with a data flow is detected. In response to the detection, radio resource reduction information is generated for a data transfer during the period, wherein the radio resource reduction information specifies a reduced allocation of one or more radio resources. Control information is generated for transmission to a mobile station, wherein the control information specifies the radio resource reduction information.

Radio communication systems, such as a wireless data network (e.g., Global System for Mobile communications (GSM)/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) radio access network (GERAN)), provide users with the convenience of mobility along with a rich set of services and features. This convenience has spawned significant adoption by an ever growing number of consumers as an accepted mode of communication for business and personal uses. To promote greater adoption, the telecommunication industry, from manufacturers to service providers, has agreed at great expense and effort to develop standards for communication protocols that underlie the various services and features. One area of effort involves reducing the power consumption of the data transfers associated with many of the services and features. The functionalities demanded of wireless devices are often at odds with the design of the power system of the devices, in that generally more functions require more power consumption. Therefore, there is a need for more approaches for energy efficient use of radio resources.

Method and apparatus for reducing power consumption during data transfer


A user interface on a display enables user perception of information regarding a communications session that leverages an instant messaging platform. The user interface includes an instant messaging application user interface and one or more tear-off elements corresponding to ongoing instant messaging communications sessions. Each tear-off element is configured to enable perception and selection by a user of a corresponding instant messaging communications session. Also, each tear-off element is configured to be independently visually separated from other elements of the instant messaging application user interface and maintained as a separate entity on the instant messaging application user interface.

Online service providers facilitate access to information and services by providing interactive UIs (User Interfaces) that help users navigate to desired resources. Generally, a UI allows a user to execute particular commands or to link to certain locations by simply selecting screen objects such as icons, windows, and drop-down menus. The design of a UI has a significant impact on a user's online experience. In particular, the icons, the windows, and the menus of a UI may be arranged to enable a user to locate preferred information and services quickly and easily.

Instant messaging interface having a tear-off element


An electronic device and a method for operating an electronic device are disclosed. The electronic device may comprise: a communication interface for receiving a first image from a first external electronic device and receiving a second image from a second external electronic device; a display for displaying the first image in a first area and the second image in a second area, and a processor for determining a bit rate of the first image on the basis of the size of the first area, determining a bit rate of the second image on the basis of the size of the second area, transmitting information on the bit rate of the first image to the first external electronic device via the communication interface, and transmitting information on the bit rate of the second image to the second external electronic device.

With the development of wired/wireless communication networks, electronic devices that display images through displays may be interconnected over the wired/wireless communication networks. Electronic devices may transmit and receive various data to and from each other through wired/wireless communication networks, and the electronic device may remotely control or use another electronic device connected thereto over the wired/wireless communication network.
However, portable electronic devices, because of having size limitations of displays, cause inconvenience in service usage due to small sizes of the displays. To solve this problem, by using a "mirroring" technique, a screen of a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), etc., may be displayed on another display device. As such, the mirroring technique indicates a technique for displaying a screen of a first electronic device through a second electronic device connected through a wired/wireless communication network.
Users then may see the screen of the portable electronic device having a small-size display on another device having a larger-size display, such that user satisfaction with a service provided on the portable electronic device may be improved.

Electronic device and method for operating electronic device


A technique for decomposing a recorded wave field represented in a set of multicomponent, marine seismic data centers around a computer-implemented method including: estimating the statistics of the noise terms in each one of a predetermined group of seismic measurements in a seismic data set acquired in a marine survey; modeling the physical propagation of a recorded wave field represented in the seismic data set from the estimated statistics; and estimating a directional component of the recorded wave field from the physical propagation model that minimizes error relative to the seismic measurements.

This invention disclosure relates to the processing of marine seismic data, and in particular, to wave field decomposition in marine seismic data.
This section of this document is intended to introduce various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention described and/or claimed below. This section provides background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. It should be understood that the statements in this section of this document are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Seismic exploration is widely used to locate and/or survey subterranean geological formations for hydrocarbon deposits. In a typical marine seismic survey, one or more marine seismic streamers are towed behind a survey vessel. The seismic streamers may be several thousand meters long and contain a large number of sensors, which are distributed along the length of the each seismic streamer cable. The survey vessel also includes one or more seismic sources, such as airguns and the like.
As the streamers are towed behind the survey vessel, acoustic signals, commonly referred to as "shots," produced by the seismic source are directed down through the water column into strata, beneath a water bottom surface, where they are reflected from the various subterranean geological formations travel back to sea surface (up-going wave). One well known problem in marine seismic is that, up-going waves are reflected once more at the sea surface because of the air-water interface. Hence the sensors in the seismic streamer cable record not only the desired wave field (up-going wave, i.e., reflected signal from various subterranean geological formations) but also their reflections from the sea surface (down-going wave) because of the air-water interface. This undesired term is known as "ghost" in the art. Depending on the incidence angle of the up-going wave field and depth of the streamer cable, the interference between the up-going and down-going wave fields create nulls or notches in the recorded spectrum. These notches reduce the useful bandwidth of the spectrum and limits the possibility of towing the streamer in deep water (e.g., at 20 m).
The process of decomposing the recorded wave field into up-and down-going components is known as wave field separation or deghosting in the literature. It is known that, to this purpose, particle velocity sensors can be incorporated into the streamer in addition to the pressure sensors. Then by combining the pressure and particle velocity measurements, the "ghost" free data, known as up-going wave field can be calculated. In the case of vertical incidence, the standard method to do the wave field separation is to add and subtract a scaled version of the vertical component of the particle velocity measurement to and from pressure measurement. This standard technique is known as PZ-summation in the literature.
There exist several methods which attempt to solve the wave field separation problem. The major problem with existing techniques of combining pressure and particle velocity measurements is that they do not exploit the statistics of the measurement noises to achieve optimal wave field separation. For instance some methods ignore the data from particle motion sensors at low frequencies (e.g., frequencies below 20 Hz) arguing that they are too noisy. Then they do single streamer deghosting using only pressure measurements at these frequencies. At higher frequencies, they do the standard PZ-summation.
In this invention, we solve the optimal wave field separation problem when a vector of measurements is obtained by using a towed streamer. Depending on the set of available data the method solves both 1-D, 2-D and 3-D wave field separation problem.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least reducing the effects of, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Method for optimal wave field separation


A peripheral surface shape measuring apparatus of a roll-like object which measures a peripheral surface shape of the roll-like object such as a magnetic tape bulk roll, comprising a pair of receiving portions on which both ends of a core of the roll-like object are placed, a receiving portion horizontally moving device which moves the pair of receiving portions in an axial direction of the roll-like object, a receiving portion vertically moving device which moves up and down the pair of receiving portions, a position sensor having a probe with a tip urged in a direction of abutting against a surface of the roll-like object to measure the peripheral surface shape of the roll-like object and a sensor moving device which moves the position sensor in the axial direction of the roll-like object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a peripheral surface shape measuring apparatus of a roll-like object, and more particularly, relates to a peripheral surface shape measuring apparatus of a roll-like object which measures a peripheral surface shape of a huge roll-like object such as a magnetic tape bulk roll and judges whether or not the peripheral surface of the roll-like object has a poor shape such as a curve.
2. Related Art
Magnetic tapes are made by cutting a wide magnetic tape bulk roll into tapes with the same narrow width. However, in roll forming of a magnetic tape bulk roll, a winding force at both ends of the magnetic tape bulk roll is slightly different from a winding force at the center, and thus, the roll peripheral surface often has a shape such that the center swells like a curve along an axial direction of the roll.
Another factor for such a peripheral surface shape is that a raw magnetic tape is coated, wound and then stored for a long time, and thus subjected to plastic deformation.
A magnetic tape obtained from the magnetic tape bulk roll having the peripheral surface shape such that the center greatly swells like a curve does not have a linear shape but has a curved shape. The use of such a magnetic tape having a curved shape causes poor electrical output or the like and lowers reliability as a product. Thus, coating with as even thickness as possible is required for preventing such a defect.
On the other hand, in view of improvement in productivity, providing thick coating at the center is also required for more stable conveyance as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 61-293577. This causes winding tension to act more strongly on ends than the center to stabilize winding when the raw magnetic tape is wound around a winding core. This can prevent defects such as winding displacement or longitudinal wrinkles.
As described above, in order to satisfy both the contradictory requirements of "the coating with the even thickness" and "the thick coating at the center", extremely accurate thickness adjustment is required. This requires precise measurement of the shape of the magnetic tape bulk roll before cutting of the magnetic tape bulk roll.
Particularly, in recent years, the width of a recording track has become increasingly narrower with higher densities of a magnetic recording medium, and thus higher dimensional accuracy of a magnetic tape bulk roll and a medium (a magnetic tape) has been required.
Various methods for measuring the shape of a magnetic tape bulk roll have been proposed (Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 8-102064 and Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2002-168616, or the like).
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 8-102064 discloses an apparatus which measures the shape of a magnetic tape bulk roll using a contact sensor that runs in parallel with a core of the magnetic tape bulk roll.
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2002-168616 discloses an apparatus which measures the shape of a magnetic tape bulk roll using a contact sensor that pinches the magnetic tape bulk roll from both sides.

Peripheral surface shape measuring apparatus of roll-like object


A method for or treating xerosis by applying a prostaglandin D receptor selective agonist to a mammal.

Recent years have seen a rapid increase in the number of patients with pruritic symptoms as from atopic dermatitis and atopic conjunctivitis. Also increasing is the number of patients with chronic dermatoses such as xerosis due to excessive dryness caused by diminished lipid between horny cells of the skin and lowered water content of the stratum corneum, typically associated with aging. These diseases are accompanied by an intense itch sensation of obscure etiology and are aggravated by the resulting itch-evoked scratching behavior, possibly inducing inflammations in mucous membranes or skin. Therefore, eliminating an itch sensation, particularly doing so while maintaining the normal water content of the stratum corneum, is crucial to the elimination of those symptoms.
Pharmaceutical preparations conventionally used to treat those cases of chronic dermatitis include steroids for external application, antihistamines, antiallergics and humectants. However, the use of steroids is restricted for the strong side effects they may cause, and no completely satisfactory therapeutic efficacy has been obtained from antihistamines, antiallergics, humectants, etc. In addition, diseases that are ameliorated temporarily in symptoms by those drugs will occasionally recur, showing inadequacy in their therapeutic efficacy.
Heretofore, antipruritics have been assessed by administering histamine, serotonin and other pruritogens into the skin of animals and measuring their itch-evoked scratching behavior. However, it was recently reported that the manifestation of an itch due to pruritic symptoms as in atopic dermatitis is not simply the reaction caused by histamine, etc. that are released from mast cells (J. Dermatological Science 25, 20-28, 2001). What is more, on account of unknown etiology for pruritic symptoms from excessive dryness of the skin, no reliable method has been established for assessing the therapeutics available today.
Therefore, it is desired to unravel the mechanism of action in the manifestation of itch for the purpose of preventing and treating pruritic symptoms as in atopic dermatitis, in particular, those from excessive dryness of the skin, and to develop antipruritics that depend on the new mechanism of action.
Prostaglandins have been considered to be a prurigenic component (J. Am. Acad. Dermatol. 47, 28-32, 2002) but it was recently reported that a prostaglandin receptor agonist is useful as an antipruritic agent against the itch from atopic dermatitis (see WO03/070252). However, many of the substances that act on prostaglandin receptors in general often act not only on a specific receptor but also on other receptors. Therefore, if they act not only on the receptor which should develop the intended pharmaceutical efficacy but also on other receptors, there is the risk of an unwanted physiological reaction of manifesting itself as a side effect or reduced action. For example, prostaglandin D2 acts as an agonist not only on the prostaglandin receptors but also on a thromboxane (TP) receptor and it has the possibility of inducing potent vasoconstriction and platelet aggregation which are TP receptor agonistic actions (The Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics (2003), 305, 347-352, Br. J. Pharmacol. (1989), 96, 688-692). In the presence of such side effects, the utility of a particular prostaglandin receptor agonist as an antipruritic agent is limited.
Therefore, the development of an antipruritic agent having less of the unwanted physiological reactions is desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Provided are a ball joint and a dust cover that make it possible to suppress contact of a body portion of the dust cover with the vicinity of a flange portion of a ball stud. A dust cover integrally includes: a deformable bellows-shaped body portion made of an elastic body; a fixed portion made of an elastic body and provided on one end side of the body portion; and a sealing portion made of an elastic body and provided on the other end side of the body portion. The sealing portion includes: an inner peripheral sealing portion configured to be slidable on a part of a shank portion on the opposite side of the shank portion from a spherical portion with respect to a flange portion; and a cover portion that continuously covers, in an outer wall surface of the flange portion, a radially outward tip end portion and a part of a portion that decreases in diameter from the tip end portion toward the spherical portion side.

Conventionally, in a ball joint that is mounted in various devices such as a vehicle, a dust cover is provided to prevent water, dust, and so on from entering a joint portion and to prevent grease from flowing out of the joint portion. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, a ball joint and a dust cover according to a conventional example will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of the ball joint according to the conventional example. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the dust cover according to the conventional example. FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view illustrating a state of the main part of the ball joint when a ball stud swings, according to the conventional example.
The ball joint according to the conventional example includes a ball stud 100 including a spherical portion 110 at one end of a shank portion 120 having a flange portion 140, a socket 200 having a bearing 220 for the spherical portion 110 and supporting the ball stud 100 in such a way as to allow the ball stud 100 to rotate and swing, and a knuckle 300 joined to the shank portion 120. A dust cover 700 integrally includes a deformable bellows-shaped body portion 710 made of an elastic body, a fixed portion 720 made of the elastic body and fixed to the socket 200, and a sealing portion 730 made of the elastic body and provided to be slidable relative to the shank portion 120.
With the ball joint configured as described above, when the ball stud 100 rotates relative to the socket 200 in a direction of arrow R in the figure, the sealing portion 730 slides relative to the shank portion 120 of the ball stud 100 so that the sealing performance is maintained. When the ball stud 100 swings relative to the socket 200 in a direction P in the figure, the body portion 710 of the dust cover 700 deforms so that the sealing performance is maintained.
Herein, a technique in which a body portion is configured to expand outward is also known for a dust cover for use in a ball joint. However, with this technique, there are cases where, in a device mounted with the ball joint, the outer diameter of the body portion cannot be increased for preventing the body portion from contacting other members. Consequently, there are cases where the amount of deformation of the body portion is limited so that it is not possible to fully respond to a swinging motion of the ball stud. On the other hand, by employing the bellows-shaped body portion 710 as described above, it is possible to increase the amount of deformation of the body portion 710 without increasing the outer diameter of the body portion 710 so much.
However, in the case where the bellows-shaped body portion 710 is employed, a problem may arise that the body portion 710 comes in contact with the ball stud 100 when the body portion 710 deforms. This point will be described with reference particularly to FIG. 6. In the illustrated conventional example, the body portion 710 integrally includes a first mountain portion 711 protruding radially outward on the fixed portion 720 side, a second mountain portion 712 protruding radially outward on the sealing portion 730 side, and a valley portion 713 provided between these mountain portions and recessed radially inward. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, when the ball stud 100 is tilted to incline to the left side in the figure, the body portion 710 deforms so that the left side in the figure is compressed and the right side in the figure is extended. Consequently, on the left side in the figure, the first mountain portion 711 and the second mountain portion 712 of the body portion 710 may come in contact with each other, and a tip end of the valley portion 713 of the body portion 710 may come in contact with the vicinity of the flange portion 140 (see a portion indicated by arrow X in the figure).
In this way, when the motion of part of the body portion 710 to contact the vicinity of the flange portion 140 of the ball stud 100 is repeated, there is a possibility that the body portion 710 degrades over time, leading to breakage. Therefore, contact of part of the body portion 710 with the vicinity of the flange portion 140 of the ball stud 100 causes a reduction in the durability of the dust cover 700.


A button is disclosed. The button includes: a lower button shell, which is a hollow structure with an upper opening, and is provided with a first sliding pin hole through a side wall of the lower button shell; an upper button shell, which is a hollow structure with a lower opening, wherein a side wall of the upper button shell is provided with a second sliding pin hole, the upper button shell is sleeved on the lower button shell, and the second sliding pin hole is directly opposite to the first sliding pin hole; a moveable tray, which is located at a central position in the lower button shell; a sliding arm, one end of which is rotatably connected to the moveable tray; a sliding pin, which is located in the lower button shell.

In the prior art, as a commonly used control switch device in an electronic equipment, the buttons are prone to wear, damage, paint drop and other undesirable conditions, which degrades the user's use and experience. For a traditional button, the button is connected to a main body of the electronic device or the main body of the controller via a slot structure. However, this structure is not easy to disassemble. When a button is damaged and needs to be replaced, tools need to be used and a suitable force point needs to be found to disassemble the button, requiring users to have stronger manual abilities.
In the game entertainment industry, the gamepad already has an irreplaceable position for the game controller, and buttons are an important part of controllers, due to frequent use, after damage, the traditional way to replace buttons is to disassemble the whole machine, and then replace the buttons again, which further increases the workload, and the disassembly and assembly of the whole machine is easy to cause the controller to be in a bad state, which ultimately affects the user's experience. In addition, when users are pursuing individuation, there is also a need to replace buttons, and further requirements are placed on the material and touch of the button contact surface. The traditional upgrade method is to upgrade the entire machine, resulting in a huge waste of resources.
Therefore, it is necessary to provide an improved button structure so that it is easy to disassemble and save time and effort.


In a lamp unit for a vehicle, light incident into a translucent member from a light emitting element is reflected by the inner surface of the translucent member reflecting surface and irradiated from the irradiating surface of the translucent member in the forward direction of the lamp unit. The reflecting surface is vertically shaped as a concave curved formed by a hyperbola. The focusing point is the light emitting center of the light emitting element, whereby the reflecting light is irradiated as spread light from the virtual image position of the light emitting element formed by the reflecting surface within the vertical section. The irradiating surface is vertically shaped as a convex curve formed by an ellipse which focusing point is the virtual image position. The irradiating light can be made substantially parallel rays within the vertical section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lamp unit for a vehicle using a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode as a light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
A related art lamp unit for a vehicle using a light emitting diode as a light source has been employed. For example, JP-A-2002-50214 describes a lamp unit for a vehicle having a light emitting diode directed in the forward direction of the lamp unit and a light transmission (translucent) member that covers the light emitting diode from the front side thereof.
This related art lamp unit is such that light from the light emitting diode incident at the rear end portion of the translucent member thereof is introduced to the front end surface of the translucent member. Then, the light is emitted from the front end portion to irradiate the forward area of the lamp unit through a projection lens. When the translucent member described in the above-mentioned JP-A-2002-50214 is used, the utilization factor of light from the light emitting diode can be improved.
However, since the translucent member is configured in a substantially horn shape, there arise related art problems. For example, but not by way of limitation, the irradiation light from the translucent member cannot be controlled accurately, and the length of the lamp unit in the front-to-rear direction thereof (i.e., the longitudinal direction of a vehicle) becomes longer.


A system for aligning an aircraft-engaging end of a passenger boarding bridge to a doorway along a lateral surface of an aircraft includes a receiver that is located aboard the aircraft for receiving a signal, including image data for being displayed to a user aboard the aircraft. The system further includes a display device located aboard the aircraft and in communication with the receiver, the display device for receiving the image data from the receiver and for displaying the image data in a human intelligible form to the user aboard the aircraft. A user interface is also located aboard the aircraft for receiving an input signal from the user, which is indicative of one of a go command and a no-go command for automatically aligning the passenger boarding bridge, and for providing data relating to the input signal. Additionally, a transmitter is located aboard the aircraft and in communication with the user interface, the transmitter for receiving the data relating to the input signal and for transmitting a second signal including the data relating to the input signal. During use, the image data relates to features along a lateral surface of the aircraft, the lateral surface including the doorway to which the passenger boarding bridge is to be aligned.

In order to make aircraft passengers comfortable, and in order to transport them between an airport terminal building and an aircraft in such a way that they are protected from weather and other environmental influences, passenger boarding bridges are used which can be telescopically extended and the height of which is adjustable. For instance, an apron drive bridge in present day use includes a plurality of adjustable modules, including: a rotunda, a telescopic tunnel, a bubble section, a cab, and elevating columns with wheel carriage. Manual, semi-automated and fully-automated bridge alignment systems are known for adjusting the position of the passenger boarding bridge relative to an aircraft, for instance to compensate for different sized aircraft and to compensate for imprecise parking of an aircraft at an airport terminal.
Automated bridge alignment systems provide a number of advantages compared to manual and semi-automated systems. For instance, automated bridge alignment systems do not require a human operator, and therefore the costs that are associated with training and paying the salaries of human bridge operators are reduced. Furthermore, an automated bridge alignment system is always standing by to control the passenger boarding bridge as soon as an aircraft comes to a stop. Accordingly, delays associated with dispatching a human operator to perform a bridge alignment operation are eliminated, particularly during periods of heavy aircraft travel.
Of course, automated bridge alignment systems require accurate and precise identification regarding the position of the doorway to which the passenger boarding bridge is to be aligned. It is a disadvantage of known automated bridge alignment systems that environmental conditions, surface marking of the aircraft, incorrect identification of aircraft model, etc. may result in the doorway position being improperly identified. In this case, the passenger boarding bridge may be driven into contact with the aircraft, resulting in damage that is sufficient to render the aircraft unfit to continue service. Delays resulting from damage to an aircraft are costly to the airlines and cause significant inconvenience to passengers.
It would be advantageous to provide a system and method that overcomes at least some of the above-mentioned limitations of the prior art.

Automated passenger boarding bridge alignment system and method with manual confirmation of aircraft doorway position


An engagement system for removably connecting gardening tools and similar type devices to a power unit comprising a drive motor, the system comprising a base element suitable for being fixed to a crankcase housing the drive motor, a fastening element of a tool that can be actuated by a shaft of the drive motor, suitable for coupling with the base element, a button mounted on the base element and suitable for cooperating with a corresponding opening formed on the fastening element to removably lock the elements in an engagement position, the base element being equipped with at least one electrical safety switch actuated elastically by a rod between a first position in which the electrical safety switch is closed and prevents the operation of the drive motor, and a second position in which the electrical safety switch is open and allows the operation of the drive motor, the second position only being obtainable when the fastening element is engaged with the base element.

As known, in the field of gardening the use of motorized devices that allow the use of various interchangeable implements that are to be fixed through engagement systems to a power unit comprising a motor housed in a housing crankcase is increasingly common.
The structure of engagement systems of conventional motorized devices is, however, relatively complicated and also exposes the user to dangers deriving above all from the motor being accidentally switched on during replacement of the implement.
Indeed, in systems of the prior art the means actuated by the motor, like for example the drive shaft, are often directly accessible during replacement of the implement. Currently, the market requires that such systems be as easy to use and as safe for the user as possible.

Engagement system for connecting gardening tools and similar to a power unit


A member that is a single element for controlling flow through an inflow control device, has anisotropic density configured to move the member relative to the inflow control device such that the inflow control device allows, fully blocks, or partially blocks flow from a zone to a production string based on a density of a fluid flowing into the inflow control device from the zone.

In the resource recovery industry, it is common to also recover water in addition to target production fluids, such as oil for example. The portion of the total production that is water, also referred to as the watercut or WC, can vary over the life of a well or zones of a well. Increases in the WC as a well ages is also common. It may be desirable to limit production from portions of a well that have WC above selected values. Conventional systems and methods for achieving this goal serve the purpose for which they were designed, however improvements in effectiveness and efficiency are always of interest.

Wellbore system, a member and method of making same


Immune response modifier (IRM) compoundsxe2x80x94imidazoquinoline amines, imidazopyridine amines, 6,7-fused cycloalkylimidazopyridine amines, 1,2-bridged imidazoquinoline amines, thiazolo- and oxazolo-quinolinamines and pyridinamines, imidazonaphthyridine and tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine aminesxe2x80x94are useful for the treatment of conditions at and below the mucosal surfaces by administering a therapeutically effective amount of such compounds to the mucosal surface. Novel pharmaceutical formulations are provided. In one embodiment, the pharmaceutical formulations are advantageous for treatment of cervical conditions such as cervical dysplasias including cervical intraepithelial neoplasias.

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations and methods for application of immunomodifying imidazoquinoline amines, imidazopyridine amines, 6,7-fused cycloalkylimidazopyridine amines, 1,2-bridged imidazoquinoline amine, thiazolo- and oxazolo-quinolinamines and pyridinamines, imidazonaphthyridine and tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine amines to a mucosal surface. In one embodiment, the invention provides formulations and methods which are particularly advantageous for topical application to the cervix for treatment of cervical conditions such as cervical dysplasias including dysplasia associated with human papillomavirus (HPV).
Many imidazoquinoline amine, imidazopyridine amine, 6,7-fused cycloalkylimidazopyridine amine, 1,2-bridged imidazoquinoline amine, thiazolo- and oxazolo-quinolinamines and pyridinamines, imidazonaphthyridine and tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine amine compounds have demonstrated potent immunostimulating, antiviral and antitumor (including anticancer) activity, and have also been shown to be useful as vaccine adjuvants to enhance protective immune system response to vaccines. These compounds are hereinafter sometimes collectively referred to as the xe2x80x9cIRMxe2x80x9d (immune response modifier) compounds of the invention. Such compounds are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,689,338; 5,389,640, 5,268,376, 4,929,624, 5,266,575, 5,352,784, 5,494,916, 5,482,936, 5,346,905, 5,395,937, 5,238,944, 5,525,612, WO99/29693 and U.S. Ser. No. 09/361,544 wherein their immunostimulating, antiviral and antitumor activities are discussed in detail, and certain specific diseases are identified as being susceptible to treatment therewith, including basal cell carcinoma, eczema, essential thrombocythaemia, hepatitis B, multiple sclerosis, neoplastic diseases, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, type I herpes simplex, type II herpes simplex, and warts. One of these IRM compounds, known as imiquimod, has been commercialized in a topical formulation, Aldara(trademark), for the treatment of anogenital warts associated with human papillomavirus.
The mechanism for the antiviral and antitumor activity of these IRM compounds is thought to be due in substantial part to enhancement of the immune response due to induction of various important cytokines (e.g., interferons, interleukins, tumor necrosis factor, etc.). Such compounds have been shown to stimulate a rapid release of certain monocyte/macrophage-derived cytokines and are also capable of stimulating B cells to secrete antibodies which play an important role in these IRM compounds"" antiviral and antitumor activities. One of the predominant immunostimulating responses to these compounds is the induction of interferon (IFN)-xcex1 production, which is believed to be very important in the acute antiviral and antitumor activities seen. Moreover, up regulation of other cytokines such as, for example, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), IL-1 and IL-6 also have potentially beneficial activities and are believed to contribute to the antiviral and antitumor properties of these compounds.
Although some of the beneficial effects of IRM""s are known, the ability to provide therapeutic benefit via topical application of an IRM for treatment of a particular condition at a particular location may be hindered due to tissue irritation, formulation wash away, poor permeation or undesired systemic delivery of the topically applied compound. Accordingly, there is a need for new methods and formulations to provide the greatest therapeutic benefit from this class of compounds.
It will be appreciated that at several locations throughout the specification, guidance is provided through lists of examples. In each instance, the recited list serves only as a representative group; it is not meant that the list is exclusive.
The present disclosure provides pharmaceutical formulations containing immune response modifier (xe2x80x9cIRMxe2x80x9d) compounds and methods for treatment of conditions associated with a mucosal surface. The methods and formulations of the invention may be particularly advantageous for treatment of cervical conditions such as cervical dysplasias including cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.
Particularly preferred IRM compounds suitable for the pharmaceutical formulations of the invention include 4-amino-2-ethoxymethyl-xcex1,xcex1-dimethyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline-1-ethanol and 1-(2-methylpropyl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-c]quinolin-4-amine (known as imiquimod).
The IRMs can be formulated for application to a mucosal membrane, particularly the cervical mucosa.

Formulations and methods for treatment of mucosal associated conditions with an immune response modifier


A computer display includes a screen, a workstation port configured to receive a workstation signal from a workstation controller, and a wireless port configured to receive an external signal from an external device. The external device is different than the workstation controller. The computer display further includes a display circuit coupled to the screen, the workstation port and the wireless port. The display circuit is configured to output (i) workstation information on the screen in response to the workstation signal from the workstation controller and (ii) external information on the screen in response to the external signal from the external device. Accordingly, the user is now capable of enjoying the image quality of a larger video display (e.g., a 15-inches, 17-inches, 19-inches, 21-inches, large projection screens, etc.).

Cellular telephones (or simply cell phones) are small, transportable communications devices that allow users to remotely initiate and answer phone calls. Such phones are similar to traditional telephones but include radio transmitters and receivers that enable users to enjoy portable telephone-style communications over radio frequencies which have been designated to operate as cell phone channels.
Some cell phones include miniature video screens that provide video output to users. Such screens provide users with visual information thereby making it easier for users to program their cell phones, look-up and dial pre-programmed phone numbers, identify the sources of incoming calls, view text messages, and so on.
Some cell phones are even equipped with digital cameras that enable users to take digital pictures. Such digital pictures can be temporarily stored in cell phone memory, as well as sent through cell phone channels to other users for viewing.

Techniques for displaying information through a computer display


A single bead drug delivery system suitable for oral administration with multiply layered drug and polymer compartments can provide a two-step release of active agent to facilitate an immediate yet sustained drug delivery over a 24 hour period following oral administration with minimized variance between peak and trough levels of therapeutic drug amounts.

Drug efficacy generally depends upon the ability of the drug to reach its target in sufficient quantity to maintain therapeutic levels for the desired time period. Orally administered drugs must overcome several obstacles to reach their desired targets. Before orally administered drugs enter the general circulation of the human body, they are absorbed into the capillaries and veins of the upper gastrointestinal tract and are transported by the portal vein to the liver. The pH and enzymatic activities found in gastrointestinal fluids may inactivate the drug or cause the drug to dissolve poorly. In addition, following their absorption in the intestine, orally administered drugs are often subject to a "first pass" clearance by the liver and excreted into bile or converted into pharmacologically inactive metabolites. Decreased bioavailability of orally administered drugs is a consequence of this first pass effect.
Orally administered drugs subject to the first pass effect generally exhibit non-linear pharmacokinetics. Until the liver's metabolic capacity has been exceeded, the amount of such drugs in the bloodstream is significantly lower than the amount administered. This metabolic elimination of the given dose results in reduced bioavailability. However, once the administered dose exceeds the liver's metabolic capacity, a significant increase in the drug concentration in the bloodstream may be obtained. The first pass phenomenon presents particular difficulties in the maintenance of therapeutic levels of an orally administered drug over an extended period such as 12 or 24 hours.
Drug delivery systems which have evolved with respect to orally administered drugs subject to the first pass effect include formulations capable of immediate drug release that are suitable for administration from 3-4 times daily, and formulations capable of immediate and sustained drug release that are suitable for once-daily administration. The second type of formulation is preferred because patient compliance with prescribed drug regimens involving once-daily administration is substantially higher than those involving multiple administrations. A sustained release formulation, however, may subject the patient to toxic drug levels over part of the dosing period and sub-therapeutic drug levels over other portions of the dosing period, if the drug release does not occur at appropriate time intervals. The maintenance of therapeutic levels of an orally administered drug over an extended period thus depends upon a drug delivery system capable of providing an appropriate release pattern.
Various drug delivery systems have been designed in attempts to ameliorate the first pass effect. U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,689 describes one such system designed to deliver the calcium antagonist diltiazem in a manner to maintain the drug in the bloodstream in therapeutic drug levels throughout the 24 hour period following oral administration. This formulation accomplishes its dosing profile through the use of a blend of immediate drug release beads and delayed drug release beads. One disadvantage of this system is the relatively complicated manufacturing scheme. In contrast to a formulation comprising the blend of two types of drug release beads, a single bead formulation could be manufactured more simply. A single bead formulation would not require the time and effort required by the separate production of two types of drug release beads to prepare a final dosage form. Moreover, concerns regarding blending or double-filling homogeneity would be eliminated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,240 describes an extended release drug delivery system in a single bead formulation. This system was also designed to deliver diltiazem in therapeutic drug levels over a 24 hour period following oral administration. However, subsequent tests demonstrated that the commercial product based on this patent's teachings was unable to provide optimal diltiazem blood levels over the 24 hour period following oral administration because of significant variances between peak and trough levels.
A valuable contribution to the art therefore would be the development of a drug delivery system in a single bead formulation suitable for oral administration that facilitates an immediate yet sustained release of the active agent over the 24 hour period following oral administration while minimizing the variance between peak and trough levels.

Sustained release drug delivery system suitable for oral administration


A restaurant theme board game and a method of play, includes a playing surface; a playing piece for each player, and a course to be traversed by the playing pieces. The course includes waitress stations, each player""s playing piece occupying a respective station. Each waitress station includes tables wherein each player required to traverse the tables of its waitress station five times to complete five levels. Each level must be traversed within a predetermined period of time. Question cards must be answered by each player during that player""s turn in order for the player""s playing piece to proceed along tables of the player""s station. Money awards are given for correctly answering the questions. The first player who completely traverses the tables for each level within the predetermined time period and accumulates more rewards than any other player, wins the game.

The present invention relates generally to board games, and more particularly, is directed to a board game having a restaurant theme having a plurality of different elements of play and in which two distinct conditions must be met to win.
Board games are known in which players must traverse a course, with the winner being the first player to reach a finish line. Further, board games, such as that sold under the trademark TRIVIAL PURSUIT are known in which a player traverses a game board and must answer questions, with the first person to correctly answer a predetermined number of questions being declared the winner. Board games are also known in which a person with the most money wins. In the above games, only one condition for winning is provided.
Further, although games are known in which a player must traverse a course, the course is the same course for all players.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a board game that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a board game having different elements which come into play during the game.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a board game in which the different elements are positioning of a playing piece by completion of the course, correctly answering questions, time and accumulation of rewards.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a board game in which two distinct conditions must be met by a player to win the game.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a board game in which the two conditions that must be met are completion of the course by correctly answering questions and the accumulation of the most rewards.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a board game in which each person is provided with their own course to traverse.
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a board game in which the course to be traversed includes a plurality of tables at a restaurant station.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a board game in which each player must traverse his or her course a plurality of times.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a board game in which there is a time limit for traversing each course during a player""s turn.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a board game to be played by a plurality of playing entities, includes a playing surface; a playing piece for each playing entity; a course to be traversed on the playing surface within a predetermined time period by the playing piece of each playing entity; a plurality of traverse questions which must be answered by each playing entity during that playing entity""s turn in order for the playing piece of the playing entity to proceed along the course; a time keeping device for determining when the predetermined time period has expired during a playing entity""s turn such that failure to completely traverse the course during a playing entity""s turn requires the playing entity to complete the course during a subsequent turn; rewards provided to each playing entity for correctly answering the questions during traverse of the course by the respective playing entity; and a playing entity which first satisfies both conditions of completely traversing the course within the predetermined time period and accumulating more rewards than any other playing entity, wins the game.
Preferably, the course to be traversed includes a plurality of stations on the playing surface such that the playing piece of each playing entity occupies a respective station, and each station includes a plurality of positions to be traversed by the playing piece of the playing entity occupying the station within the predetermined period of time. Each playing entity is required to traverse the positions of the station occupied by the playing entity a plurality of times to complete a plurality of different levels, with each traverse being performed for each level within the predetermined period of time. In a most preferred embodiment, the board game has a restaurant theme, with the stations comprising waitress stations and the positions comprising tables to be waited on, and the questions including questions regarding at least one of food, drink and restaurant services.
Further, each playing entity is required to start at an ending position of the course at each start of a playing entity""s turn, although a playing entity is permitted to traverse the course for a next level after the playing entity has completed traverse of the course for a level within the predetermined period of time, provided that the predetermined period of time has not elapsed.
The board game further includes a bonus card to be provided to a playing entity after the playing entity completes a level, with the bonus card providing an additional reward or a reward subtraction. The board game also includes a final round question to be answered by a playing entity during the playing entity""s turn when the playing entity has completed traverse of all levels of the course, each within the predetermined time period, and the playing entity has accumulated less rewards than another playing entity; and an additional reward is provided to the playing entity for correctly answering the final round question to enable the playing entity to satisfy both conditions of completing traverse of the course within the predetermined time period and accumulating more rewards than any other playing entity, in order to win. The rewards preferably include monetary rewards.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a restaurant theme board game to be played by a plurality of playing entities, includes a playing surface; a playing piece for each playing entity; a course to be traversed on the playing surface by the playing piece of each playing entity, the course to be traversed including a plurality of waitress stations on the playing surface such that the playing piece of each playing entity occupies a respective station, and each waitress station includes a plurality of tables to be traversed by the playing piece of the playing entity occupying the station, with each playing entity required to traverse the tables of the waitress station occupied by the playing entity a plurality of times to complete a plurality of different levels, and with each traverse of all tables of the waitress station being performed for each level within a predetermined period of time; a plurality of traverse questions which must be answered by each playing entity during that playing entity""s turn in order for the playing piece of the playing entity to proceed along tables of the playing entity""s station, the questions including questions regarding at least one of food, drink and restaurant services; a time keeping device for determining when the predetermined time period has expired during a playing entity""s turn such that failure to completely traverse all tables of the station occupied by the playing entity during a playing entity""s turn requires the playing entity to complete the course during a subsequent turn; rewards provided to each playing entity for correctly answering the questions during traverse of the course by the respective playing entity; and a playing entity which first satisfies both conditions of completely traversing the tables at the station occupied by the playing entity for each level within the predetermined time period and accumulating more rewards than any other playing entity, wins the game.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a method of playing a board game, includes the steps of requiring a predetermined course to be traversed at least once within a predetermined period of time; requiring questions to be answered by a playing entity to move a playing piece of the playing entity along the course; moving the playing piece of the playing entity along the course when the playing entity correctly answers each question during the predetermined period of time; providing rewards to each playing entity for correctly answering the questions during traverse of the course; and requiring a playing entity to satisfy both conditions of completing traverse of the course within the predetermined time period and accumulating more rewards than any other playing entity, in order to win.
Specifically, a plurality of stations are provided on the playing surface such that each playing entity occupies a respective station, each station including a plurality of tables forming a course to be traversed by the playing piece of one playing entity within a predetermined time period.
The step of requiring a predetermined course to be traversed at least once within a predetermined period of time includes the steps of requiring a playing entity to traverse the course a plurality of times to complete a plurality of different levels, and requiring a playing entity to traverse the course for each level within the predetermined period of time, with each playing entity required to start at an ending position of the course at each start of the playing entity""s turn.
Further, a playing entity is permitted to traverse the course for a next level after the playing entity has completed traverse of the course for a level within the predetermined period of time, provided that the predetermined period of time has not elapsed.
The method further includes the steps of providing a bonus card to a playing entity after a playing entity completes a level; and adding or subtracting from rewards of the playing entity in accordance with instructions from the bonus card. In addition, the method includes the steps of providing a final round question to a playing entity during the playing entity""s turn when the playing entity has completed traverse of the course within the predetermined time period but has accumulated less rewards than another playing entity; and providing an additional reward to the playing entity for correctly answering the final round question to enable the playing entity to satisfy both conditions of completing traverse of the course within the predetermined time period and accumulating more rewards than any other playing entity, in order to win.


The present invention includes formulations and methods to reduce Cr(VI) contamination, in which the formulation comprises (1) a reactive reducing agent comprising at least one reducing chemical capable of reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III); and (b) one or more solvents. Moreover, the present invention includes formulations to reduce Cr(VI) within the coating, and Cr(VI) reducing kits with at least one color reference tool for evaluating the process and/or completion of the Cr(VI) reduction.

Chromium exists primarily in trivalent (Cr(III)) or hexavalent (chromium(VI), Cr(VI) or Cr+6) oxidation states. Cr(VI) is a notorious environmental pollutant because it is strongly carcinogenic due to the ability of Cr(VI) ion in its water soluble form, CrO4=, to migrate in the biological fluids and to access sensitive living biological tissues, causing oxidative damage to these tissues. Cr(III) is reactively inert and relatively nontoxic; further, it is an essential trace nutrient in the diet of humans. All forms of hexavalent chromium are recognized by the United States National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences as a Group I known human carcinogen. Thus, hexavalent chromium is coming under increasing federal and state environmental regulations.
For metal surfaces, protective coatings containing hexavalent chromium ("chromate," "Cr(VI)," or "Cr") have been heavily used for many decades because of their excellent long term corrosion inhibition, enhanced coating adhesion, and self-sealing attributes, especially for coated and/or uncoated aluminum, steel, and zinc (galvanized) materials. During the process of applying these protective coatings, including re-finishing or stripping such coatings, the Cr(VI) materials enter the environment as dusts (airborne Cr(VI)) in places such as surface finishing shops, nondestructive inspection facilities, repair facilities and repainting areas.
To protect against airborne exposure to Cr(VI), the operators have to use paint mixing pots, paint spray guns, paint transfer hoses, air filters, rags and protective personal protection (i.e., Tyvek® suits, gloves, air-assisted face masks, and paper boots). The equipment so used becomes contaminated with the Cr(VI) dusts. These chromate containing dusts are very hazardous to human health. As such, agencies such as the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have strict guidelines for the levels of chromate allowed in the working environment. Current tough constraints on chromate contamination (Permissible Exposure Level or PEL is 5 μg Cr(VI)/m3 per 8-hour time worked average) by OSHA result in frequent citations to these refinishing shops for chromate contaminated dust violations.

Formulations and methods to reduce hexavalent chrome contamination


Systems and methods are disclosed for scheduling threads on a processor that has at least two different core types, such as an asymmetric multiprocessing system. Each core type can run at a plurality of selectable voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) states. Threads from a plurality of processes can be grouped into thread groups. Execution metrics are accumulated for threads of a thread group and fed into a plurality of tunable controllers for the thread group. A closed loop performance control (CLPC) system determines a control effort for the thread group and maps the control effort to a recommended core type and DVFS state. A closed loop thermal and power management system can limit the control effort determined by the CLPC for a thread group, and limit the power, core type, and DVFS states for the system. Deferred interrupts can be used to increase performance.

A multi-core processor is a single computing component with two or more independent processing units called "cores." Cores are units that read and execute program instructions. The single processor can run multiple instructions on separate cores at the same time, increasing overall speed for programs amenable to parallel computing. The multiple cores may be incorporated onto a single integrated circuit. There are at two major types of multicore processors: symmetric multicore processors (SMP) and asymmetric multicore processors (AMP). A symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) includes two or more identical processors controlled by a single operating system instance that treats all processors equally, reserving none for special purposes. Symmetric multicore processors have a plurality of cores of a same core type. Asymmetric multicore processors have a plurality of cores which may be of a different architecture from one another. Each core may or may not run an operating system
An AMP can have a first set of cores that is more efficient than a second set of cores. The second set of cores can be designed for performance. Efficiency is concerned with minimum energy consumed per instruction processed. Performance is concerned with maximum number of instructions processed per unit of time. In the prior art, to obtain efficiency, some cores would be set to idle or "dark" (shut down, not processing instructions). A substantial amount of time is required to bring a core back to a processing state, which can negatively affect performance.
In the prior art, when a system runs at high performance, and consumes a large amount of energy, a system may experience "battery droop" wherein the system may reset because there is not enough stored energy in, e.g., a storage cell or battery, to keep the system powered. In addition, in a portable device, which does have active heat mitigation, a system that is run in a performance mode for an extended period may become too hot to cool in a reasonable time, resulting in poor performance and overheating, and a poor user experience.

Scheduler for amp architecture with closed loop performance and thermal controller


A fast mode switching frequency synthesizing apparatus and method for operating in low power consumption. In the frequency synthesizer, according to a mode control signal, an SSB mixer selectively generates and outputs a signal having a frequency which is identical to an input signal RF or outputs a signal having a frequency which is a synthesized frequency of the input signals RF and LO. Frequency synthesized signals having a frequency which is a sum of frequencies of the input signals RF and LO, or a difference of frequencies therebetween, may be generated by changing wiring of a path switch according to a phase control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present invention relate to a frequency synthesizer or a mixer of high frequency signals, and more particularly, to frequency synthesizing capable of providing a fast operation with a low power consumption by not using a frequency selection switch, but by using mode switching.
2. Description of Related Art
A high speed wireless data transceiving system such as a cellular phone, a digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), etc., needs a frequency synthesizer to process multi-tone signals for a frequency down conversion in a transceiver.
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a conventional frequency synthesizer 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the frequency synthesizer 100 includes a first single side band (SSB) mixer 110, a second SSB mixer 130, and a switch 120 for selecting a frequency. The second SSB mixer 130 generates three frequency signals, such as F13M, F13D and F123, from a first high frequency signal F1 and an output of the switch 120. The first SSB mixer 110 generates a signal F23 from a second high frequency signal F2 and a third high frequency signal F3. In this case, a frequency of the signal F23 is an addition of frequencies of the signals F2 and F3. When the signal F23 is selected by the switch 120, the second SSB mixer 130 generates the signal F123 from the signals F1 and F23, the signal F123 of which a frequency is a difference of frequencies between the signals F1 and F23. Also, when the signal F3 is selected by the switch 120, the second SSB mixer 130 generates the signal F13D from the signals F1 and F3, the signal F13D has a frequency which is a difference of frequencies between the signals F1 and F3. By changing internal wiring of the second SSB mixer 130, the second SSB mixer 130 may generate the signal F13M from the signals F1 and F3, the signal F13M has a frequency which is a sum of frequencies of the signals F1 and F3.
FIG. 2 illustrates another example of a conventional frequency synthesizer 200. Referring to FIG. 2, the frequency synthesizer 200 includes an SSB mixer 210 and a switch 220 for selecting a frequency. The SSB mixer 210 generates a signal F12M from a first high frequency signal F1 and a second high frequency F2, the signal F12M of which a frequency is a sum of frequencies of the signals F1 and F2. By changing internal wiring of the second SSM mixer 210, the SSB mixer 210 may generate a signal F12D from the signals F1 and F2, the signal F12D has a frequency which is a difference of frequencies between the signals F1 and F2. Namely, according to a selection of the switch 220, any one of the signals F12M and F2 may be output. Also, any one of the signals F12D and F2 may be outputted.
As described above, the conventional frequency synthesizer has to generate three multi-frequency signals, for example, 4488, 3960 and 3432 MHz signals, in a transceiver of a system transceiving high speed wireless data. Also, the conventional frequency synthesizer has to use a frequency selection switch to selectively output any one of the generated signals. More mixers may be utilized to output more than three high multi-frequency signals without a frequency selection switch. However, in this case, circuits get more complicated and more power is consumed. Also, when utilizing a frequency selection switch, a large buffer is needed to actuate the switch. Accordingly, power consumption increases. As an example, to implement fast frequency switching of less than 9.5 nsec, and also to output high frequency signals via the switches 120 and 220 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a larger buffer is needed to be provided in a front portion of the switches 120 and 220.

Fast mode switching frequency synthesizing apparatus and method for operating in low power consumption