A spool caddy for use with an optical dry image processor for processing a photographic roll film housed in a film cartridge includes: a plurality of processing spools, each containing a reagent laden pad for providing a processing step when combined with an emulsion side of the film for a predetermined dwell time; and a structure for detachably securing and supporting each processing spool in isolation from one another. The structure can also accommodate the film cartridge. One end of each processing spool and the film is attached to the structure.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is directed generally towards an apparatus and method for use in dry processing any photographic roll film, and more particularly towards a spool caddy for use with a system, such as the system disclosed in Polaroid Case No. 8221, entitled "System for Optical Dry Processing of Spooled Photographic Film", having United States provisional application serial No. 60/040,388 filed on Mar. 11, 1997 and also filed as an utility patent application even date herewith, for pad processing of photographic roll film, such as 35 mm film.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Pad processing is a well known dry optical image processing technique for processing a photographic film using webs, also known as pads, which contain processing fluids. Pad processing is considered a dry processing technique since liquid chemical baths are replaced with reagent laden webs which have been imbibed with processing chemicals. Sometimes a pad is saturated with processing chemicals and at other times, the processing chemicals are stored in a rupturable pod. When the pod is ruptured, the processing chemicals are spread across the web as a first step towards film development.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,366 issued Aug. 8, 1995 to Reiss and Cocco, a system and method are disclosed whereby individual processing pads are sequentially wrapped onto a single processing spool. One embodiment discloses a processing spool which houses all the processing webs such as: a first reagent laden web which could be imbibed, for instance, with developing chemicals; a second reagent laden web which could be imbibed, for instance, with bleaching and fixing chemicals; and a third reagent laden web which could be imbibed, for instance, with washing and stabilizing chemicals. A photographic film is housed in a separate standard 35 mm cartridge. The first web is combined with the film for a first preset time, then the first web and the film are separated and the second web and the film are combined for a second preset time, then the second web and the film are separated and the third web and the film are combined for a third preset time. After the third web and the film are separated, the optical processing of the photographic film is complete. An alternative embodiment uses a standard size 35 mm cartridge for housing both the processing webs and the photographic film. However, the standard size 35 mm cartridge limits the number of exposures available from such a combined web/film spool. If the cartridge was made larger to hold more exposures, then it would not fit into a standard 35 mm camera. Also, the complete separation or isolation of each processing web from one another and from the film is quite difficult.
The above and other disadvantages of existing processing systems are overcome through the use of a spool caddy built in accordance with the principles of the invention for use with a dry optical image processing system. The spool caddy isolates processing spools from one another, and supports both the film cartridge and a multitude of processing spools during processing.

Spool caddy for use with dry optical image processing of roll film


A system and method is described for constructing a proximity-based ad hoc network among a plurality of sensor-enabled devices and for using such a network to facilitate data sharing among users of those devices (referred to herein for simplicity as “sensors”). The system and method advantageously enables data to be shared among co-located sensors in a manner that does not require local connections or communication among those sensors and that protects user privacy. The system and method also beneficially enables data to be transferred among heterogeneous sensor types that would otherwise be incapable of detecting and/or communicating with each other. The system and method may perform user-initiated data transfer as well as automatic data transfer responsive to sensor proximity and other factors, such as commonality of user interests or activities or membership in a social network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for sharing data between and among users of electronic devices.
2. Background
Location-based services are services that provide location-specific content or assistance to users. Location-based services typically depend on the ability to track the location of a user device or object—a process that is sometimes referred to as positioning. Some examples of location-based services include personal navigation, resource location, resource tracking, proximity-based notification, location-based billing, and emergency services.
Various systems currently exist for automatically determining the location of a user device or object. These systems include, for example, the Global Positioning System (GPS), WiFi-based positioning systems, cellular telephony based positioning systems and Bluetooth™-based positioning systems. Each of these systems provides its own set of relative advantages and disadvantages. For example, GPS can provide extremely precise location estimates, but does not work well in indoor environments or in areas prone to multipath effects such as urban canyons. WiFi-based positioning systems work better than GPS in indoor environments but require that the user be within transmission range of a number of wireless access points in order to operate. Cellular telephony based and Bluetooth™-based positioning systems have their own advantages and disadvantages as well.
Although multiple types of positioning systems exist, networks and telecommunications carriers typically adopt only one type of system for the provision of location-based services. Thus, users of each network/carrier must live with the particular set of disadvantages associated with the type of positioning system that is adopted. This may include, for example, the generation of unreliable location information at certain times or under certain conditions or the generation of location information having limited or divergent granularity.
Furthermore, since different networks/carriers use different positioning technology, there is presently a lack of sophisticated location-based services for users that extend across multiple networks or carriers. Additionally, there exists no system that can advantageously connect and leverage these various sources of location information, each of which may be producing location information in a different manner and having a different format, to produce an improved or more comprehensive set of location information. Indeed, since the beacons associated with certain positioning systems (namely, WiFi-based, cellular telephony based, and Bluetooth™-based positioning systems) have very different transmission ranges and signal strengths, there is a strong incentive to maintain information generated by these systems in separate information silos.
What is needed, then, is a system and method that can leverage the information generated by a variety of different sensor-enabled devices and objects, included sensor-enabled devices/objects associated with different types of positioning systems and with different networks and carriers, to generate a database of real-time device/object locations that can be used for the provision of location-based services and other types of services, such as data sharing services.

Data sharing based on proximity-based ad hoc network


The present invention relates to a thin x-y direction input device for moving a cursor on a screen in any direction. The x-y direction input device includes a casing having an opening and an operating member that is resting on the casing and capable of sliding. A cursor appearing on a display moves in any direction according to movement of the operating member. The operating member includes a flat plate sliding over a receiver surface lying in the casing, and a projection that projects from the flat plate and engages with first and second moving members having either detecting elements or elements to be detected, and the projection is exposed from the aperture. This enables smooth movement of the moving members. The operating member is provided with elastic tongues pushing back the first and second moving members from their ends of movement to the center.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an x-y direction input device for moving a cursor on a screen in any direction.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An x-y direction input device for moving a cursor appearing on a display in any direction according to a magnitude of movement of an operating member has been proposed in the past.
FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example of this kind of conventional x-y direction input device. FIG. 13 is an a cross-sectional view of the x-y direction input device taken along line 13--13 shown in FIG. 12.
A conventional x-y direction input device comprises, as shown in FIG. 12, a casing 1 having an aperture which is not shown, an operating member 2 resting on the casing 1 and movable relatively, an x-direction pattern 3 and a y-direction pattern 4 lying in the casing 1, a first moving member 6 holding a slider 5 which comes into contact with and slides along the x-direction pattern, a first guide means 7 guiding the moving member 6 in the x direction, a second moving member 9 holding a slider 8 which comes into contact with and slides along the y-direction pattern 4, and a second guide means 10 guiding the moving member 9 in the y direction. The operating member 2 comprises, as shown in FIG. 13, an axis 12 projecting upward from the aperture of the casing 1, a washer 13 fitted to the axis 12, and a knob 14 attached to the top end of the axis 12. The first moving member 6 has an elongated hole 6a that is elongated in the y direction and in which the axis 12 is inserted. The second moving member 9 is stacked on the moving member 6. The second moving member 9 also has an elongated hole 9a that is elongated in the x direction and in which the axis is inserted.
When the above conventional x-y direction input device is assembled, the axis 12 is inserted in the elongated holes 6a and 9a from under the first moving member 6, and then the washer 13 is fitted to the axis 12 in order to prevent the axis 12 from coming off. Thereafter, the knob 14 is attached to the top end of the axis 12. When the knob 14 is manually displaced in the x-y plane, the first moving member 6 and second moving member 9 are respectively moved in the x and y directions. The sliders 5 and 8 held by the moving members 6 and 9 detect the patterns 3 and 4 respectively. Thereby, a magnitude of movement of the knob 14 is detected. Thus, a cursor appearing on a display is moved to any position according to the magnitude of movement of the knob 14.
In the foregoing conventional x-y direction input device, when the knob 14 is manipulated, axial pressing force is applied to the axis 12. Therefore, the second moving member 9 is pressed down via the washer 13. This causes friction between the second moving member 9 and the first moving member 6 underlying the moving member 9. Consequently, these moving members 6 and 9 cannot move smoothly. Thus, the operability deteriorates.


A method for manufacturing a crimp terminal having a crimp portion that allows crimp connection to a conductor part of a coated wire includes forming a tubular body by bringing together side edges of a plate material made of metal composed of a copper alloy having a copper content ratio of greater than or equal to 70%, irradiating a periphery of the sides edges, which are brought together, with laser light from a laser irradiation unit to weld the side edges which are brought together, and setting a power density of the laser light and a sweep rate of the laser light in such a manner that a weld bead formed at the side edge portion after the welding has a width of 80 μm to 390 μm.

Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a crimp terminal serving to connect a wire harness for an automobile, the crimp terminal, and a wire harness.
Background
Wire harnesses are often used for internal wiring of automobiles. A wire harness is a module in which a plurality of coated wires are assembled in accordance with in-vehicle wiring specifications. Crimp terminals, for example, are crimped to ends of each of the coated wires. When connecting a crimp terminal to a wire end of the wire harness, electrical connection between the wire end and the crimp terminal is provided by stripping the insulating coating layer at a wire end to expose the core wire, and swaging and crimping a core wire barrel of the crimp terminal to the exposed portion of the core wire. The connecting portion between the crimp terminal and the wire end is sealed with resin so as to prevent corrosion of the core wire due to ingress of moisture into the wire from the connecting portion (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-167821 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2012-069449).
However, sealing the connecting portion of the crimp terminal and the wire end with resin gives rise to an increase in the manufacturing cost of the wire harness. This is because, in addition to the fact that the resin used is expensive in itself, time is required to apply and cure the resin in a resin molding process or a coating process.
Therefore, it is attempted to bend the electric wire connecting portion (the crimp portion) of the crimp terminal into a tubular shape by press molding, and then the entire butted interface on the plate ends that are formed in the portion bent into a tubular shape are laser-welded together. Subsequently, one end side of the portion bent into a tubular shape is laser-welded and sealed into a sealing portion to form a barrel member, to configure the electric wire connecting portion into a hermetically-closed structure.
However, the joining strength on the weld portion by laser welding depends mainly on an intensity and a sweep rate of the laser light radiated onto the weld portion. If the laser welding is performed outside the proper range of the parameters of the intensity and the sweep rate of the laser light, the joining strength on the weld portion of the crimp portion becomes weak. This causes cracks in the weld portion when crimping the crimp terminal to the electric wire terminals.
Especially, in a structure in which the core wire and the coating layer of the electric wire are sealed with a tubular barrel, the shape of the crimped core wire portion is significantly different from the shape of the crimped coating layer portion. This is because the core wire portions need to be formed into the most suitable shape to make the electrical conduction stable, whereas the coating layer portions need to be formed into an appropriate shape to prevent moisture from entering the inside of the tubular barrel from the gap between the crimp terminal and the electric wires. This brings a risk of cracking in the weld portion due to a complex force acting on the terminal when crimping the electric wires and the terminal together.
In addition, considering the mass productivity, high accuracy in determining the positions of the terminals and hence accuracy of welding is required since, for example, 400 terminals are welded per minute. In this regard, the possibility of high-quality laser welding by providing a certain level of width between the welding marks (weld bead) to weld the butted interface between the plate edges is becoming clearer. In other words, having a narrow weld bead requires a high degree of accuracy in determining the positions, which leads to a narrowing of the "process window" for treating the welded terminal. A wide weld bead, on the other hand, causes excessive melting of the weld portion as well as welding defects in multiple places.
The present disclosure is related to providing a method for manufacturing a crimp terminal which enables performing high-quality laser welding on a workpiece by controlling the intensity and the sweep rate of laser light to be radiated onto a weld portion to appropriate values. The present disclosure also provides the crimp terminal itself, and a wire harness having the crimp terminal.

Method for manufacturing crimp terminal, crimp terminal, and wire harness


A method and apparatus are provided for tracking the state of a software component in use on a computing platform. Upon a change of a first type in the software component (such as a change to an integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded in cumulative combination with any previous integrity metric values recorded for changes of the first type to the software component. Upon a change of a second type in the software component (such as a change to a non integrity-critical part of the component), an appropriate integrity metric of the software component is reliably measured and recorded as a replacement for any previous integrity metric value recorded for changes of the second type to the software component. The two resultant values provide an indication of the integrity state of the software component.

Verifiable trust is a desirable property for computing systems—a user has a fundamental interest in knowing whether a computing platform about to be used (or in use) by the user will behave in a reliable and predictable manner, or will be (or already is) subject to subversion.
Existing trusted platforms typically contain a component at least logically protected from subversion; such platforms have been developed by the companies forming the Trusted Computing Group (TCG)—this body develops specifications in this area and the current TCG specifications are available at http://www.trustedcomputinggroup.org (see, in particular, the Trusted Platform Module Design Principles specification). The implicitly trusted components of a trusted platform (and, in particular, the Trusted Platform Module or 'TPM') enable integrity measurements of the platform to be reliably made and stored and subsequently reported as integrity metrics to users (including remote computing entities) wishing to interact with the platform. Such users are then able to determine from the consistency of the measured integrity metrics with known or expected values that the platform is operating as expected.
With the general trend of designing systems that maximize resource sharing (e.g., through virtualization technology), parties that consume these resources increasingly require a means of verifiable trust before deploying information-sensitive content on these systems. This issue is particularly critical for systems that host parties with potentially conflicting interests. A challenge in trust management is to manage trustworthiness in highly dynamic virtualized computer systems. This involves being able to monitor system integrity in an on-going fashion and to report changes in order to reflect the current system state. This is particularly crucial for systems in which system configuration and security policies frequently change and components are allowed to operate in various security modes. Current solutions usually deem such changes as malicious and, for example, require a system reset and restart to be able to re-establish trust. These solutions are either impractical or do not scale as the number of system components increase in a complex computer system.
The trust architecture set out in the TCG specifications mainly addresses the creation of a chain-of-trust in a static manner in which the relevant state of software components is measured once at the time it is loaded. These measurements are stored in so-called Platform Configuration Registers (PCR) of the TPM, and are incremental, that is, a sequence of measurements can be reported in the same PCR by incrementally extending the previous measurement without changing its size, thus enabling virtually infinite number of measurements. This way, the complete execution sequence can be recorded enabling a third-party to verify it at a later phase. This static architecture imposes several limitations on complex dynamic systems in which system configuration and security policies are allowed to change frequently:
The TCG trust architecture does not efficiently handle the situation in which critical (i.e., measured) system components are allowed to change into another form (e.g., through a software update) or adapt to current conditions, or the situation in which system components may function in various operating modes (e.g., with different configurations) to perform operations with varying security needs. In either situation, the TCG specifications takes the conservative approach and deem any such change as potentially malicious and irreversible.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A resistivity measuring tool used in a drillstring having a drill bit on a distal end for drilling a wellbore in a formation includes a tool body having a longitudinal axis, a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least one axial antenna including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment parallel with the longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse antenna. The transverse antenna includes an antenna body disposed within a pocket extending radially inward from an outer surface of the tool body and one or more turns of wire wound around the antenna body, the wire winding generating a transverse magnetic moment orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

Well logging, also known as borehole logging, is the practice of making a detailed record (a well log) of the geologic formations penetrated by a borehole. Resistivity logging is a method of well logging that works by characterizing the rock or sediment in a borehole by measuring its electrical resistivity. Resistivity is a fundamental material property which represents how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. Most rock materials are essentially insulators, while their enclosed fluids are conductors. Hydrocarbon fluids are an exception, because they are almost infinitely resistive. When a formation is porous and contains salty water, the overall resistivity will be low. When the formation contains hydrocarbons, or contains very low porosity, its resistivity will be high. High resistivity values may indicate a hydrocarbon bearing formation.
In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a resistivity measuring tool used in a drillstring having a drill bit on a distal end for drilling a wellbore in a formation including a tool body having a longitudinal axis, a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least one axial antenna including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment parallel with the longitudinal axis, and at least one transverse antenna. The transverse antenna includes an antenna body disposed within a pocket extending radially inward from an outer surface of the tool body and one or more turns of wire wound around the antenna body, the wire winding generating a transverse magnetic moment orthogonal to the longitudinal axis. At least one antenna is configured to transmit electromagnetic energy into the formation and induce a voltage signal related to a parameter of the formation in a different antenna.
In other aspects, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of making resistivity measurements of a formation from a wellbore being drilled including providing a resistivity measuring tool including a tool body having a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least one axial antenna including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment, and at least one transverse antenna disposed proximate to an outer surface of the tool body and including a wire winding for generating a transverse magnetic moment. The method further includes transmitting electromagnetic energy into the formation from at least one of the antennas, thereby inducing a voltage signal related to a formation parameter in the wire winding of a non-transmitting antenna, measuring an angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore with the sensor, and correlating the formation parameter with the measured angular position of the tool body.
In yet other aspects, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of making resistivity measurements of a formation from a wellbore being drilled including providing a resistivity measuring tool including a tool body having a sensor configured to measure the angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore, at least two axial antennas each including a wire winding for generating an axial magnetic moment, and a transverse antenna disposed between the two axial antennas and including a wire winding for generating a transverse magnetic moment. The method further includes substantially simultaneously driving a current to the wire windings of the two axial antennas for generating a current loop in the formation, thereby inducing a voltage signal related to a formation parameter in the wire winding of the transverse antenna disposed therebetween, measuring an angular position of the tool body relative to the wellbore with the sensor, and correlating the formation parameter with the measured angular position of the tool body.
In still other aspects, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a method of data binning including partitioning a circumference of a tool face into M number of sectors, defining each data point relating to resistivity information by a fidelity function g(Φ), assigning to each data point a weight for each of the M number of sectors, wherein the weight is associated with an integral of the fidelity function g(Φ) over the sector, and computing an average of the data points weighted by their respective weights for each of the M sectors.

Apparatus and methods for making azimuthal resistivity measurements


Internal intercell and terminal cell electrical connector elements in an electrochemical battery are protected from corrosion and build-up of high internal resistance by coating the electrical connector elements with a layer of a protective preferably non-conductive viscous material such as silicone, prior to pressure contacting or welding of the electrical connector elements. The silicone is removed only at the point of contact between the connector elements while retaining a surrounding protective barrier against the corrosive effects of the cell components and particularly corrosive fluid organic electrolyte materials in high energy density cells.

Electrochemical batteries are typically made of two or more electrochemical cells electrically linked in series, for higher voltage output; in parallel, for higher current capability; or in series-parallel arrangements. The individual electrochemical cells (anode, cathode and separator) are either separately contained, with a cell electrolyte, in individually sealed containers; or they are separated by compartments but not sealed apart from each other.
Pressure or welded cell electrical interconnectors between separately sealed cells, provide little, if any, problems relating to corrosion and loss of connection integrity resulting from corrosion. These connections are external to the corrosive cell components and accordingly are not subject to degradation. The separately sealed cells are however not desirable because of reduced electrochemical cell capacity resulting from the wasted volume of the separate cell containers and seals. It has therefore been the practice to simply separate cell components of a battery by thin partitions without elaborate sealing of compartments formed by the partitions. An additional advantage of the latter construction is that, without the separate sealed cell containers, cells are capable of being electrically interconnected by means of bare portions, e.g. integral extending tab portions, of the electrode substrates (typically stainless steel foil or grid). These tabs are electrically connected by either pressure contacts or by being welded together and to the external battery terminals to electrically connect the cells and to form the battery. However, despite the resistance of stainless steel (the commonly utilized electrode substrate) to corrosion, the contact areas are subject to enhanced corrosion rates because of increased electrical resistance at these points. In addition, particularly in high energy density organic cells having electrolyte solvents such as propylene carbonate, films of insulative material tend to form on the electrical connectors. These films, particularly at the anode, cause high internal resistance and premature failure of the cells and batteries. Pressure contact connections are particularly susceptible to failure because of film growth and corrosion. The high potential at which the connection sites are kept (particularly in high energy density lithium containing cells) further exacerbates connection failures.


A cDNA coding for a rat derived CNP (rCNP: C-type natriuretic pepteide), and a rat derived CNP precursor protein and derivatives thereof are disclosed.. The rat derived CNP precursor is represented by the following amino acid sequence.. Met His Leu Ser Gln Leu Ile Ala Cys Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Leu Leu Ser Leu Arg Pro Ser Glu Ala Lys Pro Gly Thr Pro Pro Lys Val Pro Arg Thr Pro Pro Gly Glu Glu Leu Ala Glu Pro Gln Ala Ala Gly Gly Asn Gln Lys Lys Gly Asp Lys Thr Pro Gly Gly Gly Gly Ala Asn Leu Lys Gly Asp Arg Ser Arg Leu Leu Arg Asp Leu Arg Val Asp Thr Lys Ser Arg Ala Ala Trp Ala Arg Leu Leu His Glu His Pro Asn Ala Arg Lys Tyr Lys Gly Gly Asn Lys Lys Gly Leu Ser Lys Gly Cys Phe Gly Leu Lys Leu Asp Arg Ile Gly Ser Met Ser Gly Leu Gly Cys. The rCNP precursor and its derivatives are novel and have natriuretic and hypotensive activities.

This invention relates to a cDNA coding for a rat CNP (rat C-type natriuretic peptide which is hereunder abbreviated as rCNP), as well as the rCNP precursor protein (prepro rCNP) that is encoded by said cDNA.
In recent years, various peptides collectively referred to as "natriuretic peptides" (NP) have been discovered from the atria and brains of various animals. Today those NPs can be classified into three types, A-type natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), depending on similarities in the primary amino acid sequence and the structure of their precursors. Among the three types, ANP and BNP were first isolated and identified from the atrium and brain and hence are sometimes called "atrial natriuretic peptide" and "brain natriuretic peptide", respectively (Matsuo, H. and Nakazato, H., Endocrinol. Metab. Clin. North Am., 16, 43, 1987; Sudoh, T. et al., Nature, 332, 78, 1988). However, it is known today that ANP occurs not only in the atrium but also in the brain and that BNP occurs not only in the brain but also in the atrium. Further, both ANP and BNP exhibit significant natriuretic and hypotensive actions, so it has become clear that each of these peptides works not only as a hormone to be secreted from the atrium into blood but as a nerve transmitter in the brain, in either case helping regulate the homeostatic balance of body fluid volume and blood pressure in mammals.
The CNP has very recently been isolated and identified from porcine brain by Sudoh et al. as a third type of NP that is assignable to neither ANP nor BNP (Sudoh, T. et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun., 168, 863, 1990). The first discovered CNP consisted of 22 amino acid residues (this peptide is hereunder abbreviated as "pCNP-22"). Like ANP and BNP, CNP contained two cysteine residues which formed an intramolecular disulfide bond, producing a ring structure composed of 17 amino acid residues. Further, the primary amino acid sequence forming that ring structure in pCNP-22 was found to be highly homologous to that in ANP and BNP.
However, pCNP-22 differs from ANP and BNP in that the latter have several amino acid residues additionally attached to the C-terminus of the ring structure whereas no such "tail structure" is present in pCNP-22. In other words, the C-terminus of pCNP-22 is terminated with a cysteine residue. On the basis of these facts, it has been found that the structure of pCNP-22 is similar to but clearly distinguishable from those of ANP and BNP. In addition, pCNP-22 exhibited natriuretic and hypotensive actions and it was also found to display a higher activity than ANP and BNP in relaxant activity tests on chick rectal samples. From these observations, pCNP-22 was found to be an NP assignable to a new type, the peptides of which were named "CNPs".
Following pCNP-22, a second peptide assignable as CNP was isolated and identified from porcine brain by the present inventors. The peptide was found to consist of 53 amino acid residues with pCNP-22 present at the C-terminus (this peptide is hereunder abbreviated as pCNP-53). In other words, pCNP-53 was found to be a peptide that had 31 more amino acid residues attached to the N-terminus of pCNP-22. Interestingly enough, pCNP-53 has been found to occur in a greater amount than pCNP-22 in porcine brain (commonly assigned Japanese Patent Application No. 186582/1990).
Another very recent study succeeded in identifying the structure of the precursor of pCNP-22 and pCNP-53 by gene analysis and this helped unravel the mechanism behind the biosynthesis of those peptides (commonly assigned Japanese Patent Application No. 186583/1990). The present inventors isolated and identified a porcine chromosomal gene and cDNA coding for pCNP-22 and pCNP-53; by their analysis, the structure of the porcine CNP precursor protein (prepro pCNP) was unravelled; at the same time, it was found that each of pCNP-22 and pCNP-53 was first translated from mRNA as a prepro pCNP composed of 126 amino acid residues and that the signal peptide present in the N-terminal region of the precursor protein was then cleaved in the process of secretion to be converted to pro pCNP, which was further cleaved specifically with processing enzymes to be converted to pCNP-53 or pCNP-22 as appropriate. On the basis of these observations, it has been found that as in the case of ANP and BNP, both pCNP-22 and pCNP-53 are secretory peptides that are biosynthesized from a common precursor protein (prepro pCNP).
However, in sharp contrast with the peptides assignable to ANP and BNP which have been found by previous studies to work not only as hormones to be secreted from the atrium into blood but also as nerve transmitters in the brain, thereby regulating the homeostatic balance of body fluid volume and blood pressure, CNP remains unclear in many points as regards details of its distribution in vivo and physiological actions.
As for ANP and BNP, their structures have been established in rats and the physiological actions in rats of rat ANP and BNP have also been unravelled, with the evaluation of their pharmaceutical efficacy being conducted with care being taken to eliminate possible effects due to differences in animal species. However, as of today, the structure of CNP has not been identified in rats.

Rat CNP complementary DNA and precursor protein


A projection lens apparatus includes a plurality of lenses, for enlarging and projecting, onto a screen, an original image displayed on an image generation source. The plurality of lenses are arranged, beginning with the lens nearest the screen, as first to sixth lens groups. The fourth lens group includes one meniscus lens that has a positive refracting power and has a concave lens surface directed toward the screen. The concave lens surface of the meniscus lens included in the fourth group lens has a curvature in the vicinity of an outer portion of the concave lens surface that is smaller than a curvature in a predetermined area of the concave lens surface defined between a light axis of the concave lens surface of the meniscus lens and the smaller curvature of the concave lens surface in the vicinity of the outer portion of the concave lens surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection lens apparatus that enlarges and projects an image on a projection tube corresponding to an image generation source, and a rear projection type image display apparatus that employs this projection lens apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A so-called six-lens structure, which employs one glass lens (hereinafter called a power lens) that has the highest refracting power and five plastic lenses having aspherical surfaces, is known as a projection lens apparatus that is employed for a rear projection type image display apparatus. A conventional projection lens apparatus using this six-lens structure is already known, as in, for example, JP-A-9-159914, JP-A-9-90219 and JP-A-11-344668.

Projection lens apparatus and rear projection type image display apparatus


The present invention relates to mixed calcium/sodium salt of inositol tripyrophosphate, methods of preparing and methods of use. The mixed calcium/sodium salt may be a monocalcium tetrasodium salt of inositol tripyrophosphate. Methods of use include administering the above salts in an effective amount to treat diseases caused by hypoxia or other conditions associated with inadequate function of the lungs or circulatory system, such as various types of cancer and Alzheimer's disease.

In the vascular system of an adult human being, blood has a volume of about 5 to 6 liters. Approximately one half of this volume is occupied by cells, including red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and blood platelets. Red blood cells comprise the majority of the cellular components of blood. Plasma, the liquid portion of blood, is approximately 90 percent water and 10 percent various solutes. These solutes include plasma proteins, organic metabolites and waste products, and inorganic compounds.
The major function of red blood cells is to transport oxygen from the lungs to the tissues of the body, and transport carbon dioxide from the tissues to the lungs for removal. Very little oxygen is transported by the blood plasma because oxygen is only sparingly soluble in aqueous solutions. Most of the oxygen carried by the blood is transported by the hemoglobin of the erythrocytes. Erythrocytes in mammals do not contain nuclei, mitochondria or any other intracellular organelles, and they do not use oxygen in their own metabolism. Red blood cells contain about 35 percent by weight hemoglobin, which is responsible for binding and transporting oxygen.
Hemoglobin is a protein having a molecular weight of approximately 64,500 daltons. It contains four polypeptide chains and four heme prosthetic groups in which iron atoms are bound in the ferrous state. Normal globin, the protein portion of the hemoglobin molecule, consists of two alpha chains and two beta chains. Each of the four chains has a characteristic tertiary structure in which the chain is folded. The four polypeptide chains fit together in an approximately tetrahedral arrangement, to constitute the characteristic quaternary structure of hemoglobin. There is one heme group bound to each polypeptide chain which can reversibly bind one molecule of molecular oxygen. When hemoglobin combines with oxygen, oxyhemoglobin is formed. When oxygen is released, the oxyhemoglobin is reduced to deoxyhemoglobin.
Delivery of oxygen to tissues, including tumors, depends upon a number of factors including, but not limited to, the volume of blood flow, the number of red blood cells, the concentration of hemoglobin in the red blood cells, the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin and, in certain species, on the molar ratio of intraerythrocytic hemoglobins with high and low oxygen affinity. The oxygen affinity of hemoglobin depends on four factors as well, namely: (1) the partial pressure of oxygen; (2) the pH; (3) the concentration of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG) in the hemoglobin; and (4) the concentration of carbon dioxide. In the lungs, at an oxygen partial pressure of 100 mm Hg, approximately 98% of circulating hemoglobin is saturated with oxygen. This represents the total oxygen transport capacity of the blood. When fully oxygenated, 100 ml of whole mammalian blood can carry about 21 ml of gaseous oxygen.
The effect of the partial pressure of oxygen and the pH on the ability of hemoglobin to bind oxygen is best illustrated by examination of the oxygen saturation curve of hemoglobin. An oxygen saturation curve plots the percentage of total oxygen-binding sites of a hemoglobin molecule that are occupied by oxygen molecules when solutions of the hemoglobin molecule are in equilibrium with different partial pressures of oxygen in the gas phase.
The oxygen saturation curve for hemoglobin is sigmoid. Thus, binding the first molecule of oxygen increases the affinity of the remaining hemoglobin for binding additional oxygen molecules. As the partial pressure of oxygen is increased, a plateau is approached at which each of the hemoglobin molecules is saturated and contains the upper limit of four molecules of oxygen.
The reversible binding of oxygen by hemoglobin is accompanied by the release of protons, according to the equation:HHb++O2HbO2+H+
Thus, an increase in the pH will pull the equilibrium to the right and cause hemoglobin to bind more oxygen at a given partial pressure. A decrease in the pH will decrease the amount of oxygen bound.
In the lungs, the partial pressure of oxygen in the air spaces is approximately 90 to 100 mm Hg and the pH is also high relative to normal blood pH (up to 7.6). Therefore, hemoglobin will tend to become almost maximally saturated with oxygen in the lungs. At that pressure and pH, hemoglobin is approximately 98 percent saturated with oxygen. On the other hand, in the capillaries in the interior of the peripheral tissues, the partial pressure of oxygen is only about 25 to 40 mm Hg and the pH is also nearly neutral (about 7.2 to 7.3). Because muscle cells use oxygen at a high rate, thereby lowering the local concentration of oxygen, the release of some of the bound oxygen to the tissue is favored. As the blood passes through the capillaries in the muscles, oxygen will be released from the nearly saturated hemoglobin in the red blood cells into the blood plasma and then into the muscle cells. Hemoglobin will release about a fourth of its bound oxygen as it passes through the muscle capillaries, so that when it leaves the muscle, it will be only about 75 percent saturated. In general, the hemoglobin in the venous blood leaving the tissue cycles between about 65 and 97 percent saturation with oxygen in its repeated circuits between the lungs and the peripheral tissues. Thus, oxygen partial pressure and pH function together to effect the release of oxygen by hemoglobin.
A third important factor in regulating the degree of oxygenation of hemoglobin is the allosteric effector 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG). DPG is the normal physiological effector of hemoglobin in mammalian erythrocytes. DPG regulates the oxygen-binding affinity of hemoglobin in the red blood cells in relationship to the oxygen partial pressure in the lungs. The higher the concentration of DPG in the cell, the lower the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen.
When the delivery of oxygen to the tissues is chronically reduced, the concentration of DPG in the erythrocytes is higher than in normal individuals. For example, at high altitudes the partial pressure of oxygen is significantly less. Correspondingly, the partial pressure of oxygen in the tissues is less. Within a few hours after a normal human subject moves to a higher altitude, the DPG level in the red blood cells increases, causing more DPG to be bound and the oxygen affinity of the hemoglobin to decrease. Increases in the DPG level of red cells also occur in patients suffering from hypoxia. This adjustment allows the hemoglobin to release its bound oxygen more readily to the tissues to compensate for the decreased oxygenation of hemoglobin in the lungs. The reverse change occurs when people are acclimated to high altitudes and descend to lower altitudes.
As normally isolated from blood, hemoglobin contains a considerable amount of DPG. When hemoglobin is "stripped" of its DPG, it shows a much higher affinity for oxygen. When DPG is increased, the oxygen binding affinity of hemoglobin decreases. A physiologic allosteric effector such as DPG is therefore essential for the normal release of oxygen from hemoglobin in the tissues.
While DPG is the normal physiologic effector of hemoglobin in mammalian red blood cells, phosphorylated inositols are found to play the same role in the erythrocytes of some birds and reptiles. Although inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) is unable to pass through the mammalian erythrocyte membrane, it is capable of combining with hemoglobin of mammalian red blood cells at the binding site of DPG to modify the allosteric conformation of hemoglobin, the effect of which is to reduce the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen. For example, DPG can be replaced by IHP, which is far more potent than DPG in reducing the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin. IHP has a 1000-fold higher affinity to hemoglobin than DPG (R. E. Benesch et al., Biochemistry, Vol. 16, pages 2594-2597 (1977)) and increases the P50 of hemoglobin up to values of 96.4 mm, Hg at pH 7.4, and 37 degrees C. (J. Biol. Chem., Vol. 250, pages 7093-7098 (1975)).
The oxygen release capacity of mammalian red blood cells can be enhanced by introducing certain allosteric effectors of hemoglobin into erythrocytes, thereby decreasing the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen and improving the oxygen economy of the blood. This phenomenon suggests various medical applications for treating individuals who are experiencing lowered oxygenation of their tissues due to the inadequate function of their lungs or circulatory system.
Because of the potential medical benefits to be achieved from the use of these modified erythrocytes, various techniques have been developed in the prior art to enable the encapsulation of allosteric effectors of hemoglobin in erythrocytes. Accordingly, numerous devices have been designed to assist or simplify the encapsulation procedure. The encapsulation methods known in the art include osmotic pulse (swelling) and reconstitution of cells, controlled lysis and resealing, incorporation of liposomes, and electroporation. Current methods of electroporation make the procedure commercially impractical on a scale suitable for commercial use.
The following references describe the incorporation of polyphosphates into red blood cells by the interaction of liposomes loaded with IHP: Gersonde, et al., "Modification of the Oxygen Affinity of Intracellular Hemoglobin by Incorporation of Polyphosphates into Intact Red Blood Cells and Enhanced O2 Release in the Capillary System", Biblthca. Haemat., No. 46, pp. 81-92 (1980); Gersonde, et al., "Enhancement of the O2 Release Capacity and of the Bohr-Effect of Human Red Blood Cells after Incorporation of Inositol Hexaphosphate by Fusion with Effector-Containing Lipid Vesicles", Origins of Cooperative Binding of Hemoglobin (1982); and Weiner, "Right Shifting of Hb-O2 Dissociation in Viable Red Cells by Liposomal Technique," Biology of the Cell, Vol. 47, (1983).
Additionally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,192,869, 4,321,259, and 4,473,563 to Nicolau et al. describe a method whereby fluid-charged lipid vesicles are fused with erythrocyte membranes, depositing their contents into the red blood cells. In this manner, it is possible to transport allosteric effectors, such as IHP into erythrocytes, where due to its much higher binding constant IHP replaces DPG at its binding site in hemoglobin.
In accordance with the liposome technique, IHP is dissolved in a phosphate buffer until the solution is saturated and a mixture of lipid vesicles is suspended in the solution. The suspension is then subjected to ultrasonic treatment or an injection process, and then centrifuged. The upper suspension contains small lipid vesicles containing IHP, which are then collected. Erythrocytes are added to the collected suspension and incubated, during which time the lipid vesicles containing IHP fuse with the cell membranes of the erythrocytes, thereby depositing their contents into the interior of the erythrocyte. The modified erythrocytes are then washed and added to plasma to complete the product.
The drawbacks associated with the liposomal technique include poor reproducibility of the IHP concentrations incorporated in the red blood cells and significant hemolysis of the red blood cells following treatment. Additionally, commercialization is not practical because the procedure is tedious and complicated.
In an attempt to solve the drawbacks associated with the liposomal technique, a method of lysing and the resealing red blood cells was developed. This method is described in the following publication: Nicolau, et al., "Incorporation of Allosteric Effectors of Hemoglobin in Red Blood Cells. Physiologic Effects," Biblthca. Haemat., No. 51, pp. 92-107, (1985). Related U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,752,586 and 4,652,449 to Ropars et al. also describe a procedure of encapsulating substances having biological activity in human or animal erythrocytes by controlled lysis and resealing of the erythrocytes, which avoids the red blood cell-liposome interactions.
The technique is best characterized as a continuous flow dialysis system, which functions in a manner similar to the osmotic pulse technique. Specifically, the primary compartment of at least one dialysis element is continuously supplied with an aqueous suspension of erythrocytes, while the secondary compartment of the dialysis element contains an aqueous solution which is hypotonic with respect to the erythrocyte suspension. The hypotonic solution causes the erythrocytes to lyse. The erythrocyte lysate is then contacted with the biologically active substance to be incorporated into the erythrocyte. To reseal the membranes of the erythrocytes, the osmotic and/or oncotic pressure of the erythrocyte lysate is increased and the suspension of resealed erythrocytes is recovered.
In related U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,874,690 and 5,043,261 to Goodrich et al., a related technique involving lyophilization and reconstitution of red blood cells is disclosed. As part of the process of reconstituting the red blood cells, the addition of various polyanions, including IHP, is described. Treatment of the red blood cells according to the process disclosed results in a cell with unaffected activity. Presumably, the IHP is incorporated into the cell during the reconstitution process, thereby maintaining the activity of the hemoglobin.
In U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,478,824 and 4,931,276 to Franco et al., a second related method and apparatus is described for introducing effectively non-ionic agents, including IHP, into mammalian red blood cells by effectively lysing and resealing the cells. The procedure is described as the "osmotic pulse technique." In practicing the osmotic pulse technique, a supply of packed red blood cells is suspended and incubated in a solution containing a compound which readily diffuses into and out of the cells, the concentration of the compound being sufficient to cause diffusion thereof into the cells so that the contents of the cells become hypertonic. Next, a trans-membrane ionic gradient is created by diluting the solution containing the hypertonic cells with an essentially isotonic aqueous medium in the presence of at least one desired agent to be introduced, thereby causing diffusion of water into the cells with a consequent swelling and an increase in permeability of the outer membranes of the cells. This "osmotic pulse" causes the diffusion of water into the cells and a resultant swelling of the cells which increase the permeability of the outer cell membrane to the desired agent. The increase in permeability of the membrane is maintained for a period of time sufficient only to permit transport of at least one agent into the cells and diffusion of the compound out of the cells.
Polyanions which may be used in practicing the osmotic pulse technique include pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate, phosphorylated inositols, 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (DPG), adenosine triphosphate, heparin, and polycarboxylic acids which are water-soluble, and non-disruptive to the lipid outer bilayer membranes of red blood cells.
The osmotic pulse technique has several shortcomings including low yield of encapsulation, incomplete resealing, loss of cell content and a corresponding decrease in the life span of the cells. The technique is tedious, complicated and unsuited to automation. For these reasons, the osmotic pulse technique has had little commercial success.
Another method for encapsulating various biologically-active substances in erythrocytes is electroporation. Electroporation has been used for encapsulation of foreign molecules in different cell types, including IHP in red blood cells, as described in Mouneimne, et al., "Stable rightward shifts of the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve induced by encapsulation of inositol hexaphosphate in red blood cells using electroporation," FEBS, Vol. 275, No. 1, 2, pp. 117-120 (1990). Also, see U.S. Pat. No. 5,612,207.
Angiogenesis is the generation of new blood vessels into a tissue or organ and is related to oxygen tension in the tissues. Under normal physiological conditions, humans and animals undergo angiogenesis only in very specific, restricted situations. For example, angiogenesis is normally observed in wound healing, fetal and embryonal development, and formation of the corpus luteum, endometrium and placenta.
Angiogenesis is controlled through a highly regulated system of angiogenic stimulators and inhibitors. The control of angiogenesis is altered in certain disease states and, in many cases, pathological damage associated with the diseases is related to uncontrolled angiogenesis. Both controlled and uncontrolled angiogenesis are thought to proceed in a similar manner. Endothelial cells and pericytes, surrounded by a basement membrane, form capillary blood vessels. Angiogenesis begins with the erosion of the basement membrane by enzymes released by endothelial cells and leukocytes. Endothelial cells, lining the lumen of blood vessels, then protrude through the basement membrane. Angiogenic stimulants induce the endothelial cells to migrate through the eroded basement membrane. The migrating cells form a "sprout" off the parent blood vessel where the endothelial cells undergo mitosis and proliferate. The endothelial sprouts merge with each other to form capillary loops, creating a new blood vessel.
Persistent, unregulated angiogenesis occurs in many disease states, tumor metastases, and abnormal growth by endothelial cells. The diverse pathological disease states in which unregulated angiogenesis is present have been grouped together as angiogenic-dependent or angiogenic-associated diseases.
The hypothesis that tumor growth is angiogenesis-dependent was first proposed in 1971. (Folkman, New Eng. J. Med., 285:1182-86 (1971)). In its simplest terms, this hypothesis states: "Once tumor 'take' has occurred, every increase in tumor cell population must be preceded by an increase in new capillaries converging on the tumor." Tumor 'take' is currently understood to indicate a prevascular phase of tumor growth in which a population of tumor cells occupying a few cubic millimeters volume, and not exceeding a few million cells, can survive on existing host microvessels. Expansion of tumor volume beyond this phase requires the induction of new capillary blood vessels. For example, pulmonary micrometastases in the early prevascular phase in mice would be undetectable except by high power microscopy on histological sections.
Angiogenesis has been associated with a number of different types of cancer, including solid tumors and blood-borne tumors. Solid tumors with which angiogenesis has been associated include, but are not limited to, rhabdomyosarcomas, retinoblastoma, Ewing's sarcoma, neuroblastoma, and osteosarcoma. Angiogenesis is also associated with blood-borne tumors, such as leukemias, any of various acute or chronic neoplastic diseases of the bone marrow in which unrestrained proliferation of white blood cells occurs, usually accompanied by anemia, impaired blood clotting, and enlargement of the lymph nodes, liver and spleen. It is believed that angiogenesis plays a role in the abnormalities in the bone marrow that give rise to leukemia tumors and multiple myeloma diseases.
One of the most frequent angiogenic diseases of childhood is the hemangioma. A hemangioma is a tumor composed of newly formed blood vessels. In most cases, the tumors are benign and regress without intervention. In more severe cases, the tumors progress to large cavernous and infiltrative forms and create clinical complications. Systemic forms of hemangiomas, hemangiomatoses, have a high mortality rate. Therapy-resistant hemangiomas exist that cannot be treated with therapeutics currently in use.
Another angiogenesis associated disease is rheumatoid arthritis. The blood vessels in the synovial lining of the joints undergo angiogenesis. In addition to forming new vascular networks, the endothelial cells release factors and reactive oxygen species that lead to pannus growth and cartilage destruction. Angiogenesis may also play a role in osteoarthritis. The activation of the chondrocytes by angiogenic-related factors contributes to the destruction of the joint. At a later stage, the angiogenic factors promote new bone growth. Therapeutic intervention that prevents the cartilage destruction could halt the progress of the disease and provide relief for persons suffering with arthritis.
Chronic inflammation may also involve pathological angiogenesis. Such diseases as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease show histological changes with the ingrowth of new blood vessels into inflamed tissues. Bartonelosis, a bacterial infection found in South America, can result in a chronic stage that is characterized by proliferation of vascular endothelial cells. Another pathological role associated with angiogenesis is found in atherosclerosis. The plaques formed within the lumen of blood vessels have been shown to have angiogenic stimulatory activity.
As mentioned above, several lines of evidence indicate that angiogenesis is essential for the growth and persistence of solid tumors and their metastases. Once angiogenesis is stimulated, tumors upregulate the production of a variety of angiogenic factors, including fibroblast growth factors (aFGF and bFGF) and vascular endothelial growth factor/vascular permeability factor (VEGF/VPF) [2,3].
The role of VEGF in the regulation of angiogenesis has been the object of intense investigation [5-10]. Whereas VEGF represents a critical, rate-limiting step in physiological angiogenesis, it appears to be also important in pathological angiogenesis, such as that associated with tumor growth [11]. VEGF is also known as vascular permeability factor, based on its ability to induce vascular leakage [13]. Several solid tumors produce ample amounts of VEGF, which stimulates proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, thereby inducing neovascularization [12,13]. VEGF expression has been shown to significantly affect the prognosis of different kinds of human cancer. Oxygen tension in the tumor has a key role in regulating the expression of VEGF gene. VEGF mRNA expression is induced by exposure to low oxygen tension under a variety of pathophysiological circumstances [13]. Growing tumors are characterized by hypoxia, which induces expression of VEGF and may also be a predictive factor for the occurrence of metastatic disease.
What is needed, therefore, is a substantially non-toxic composition and method that can regulate oxygen tension in the tissue, especially a tumor. In addition, what is needed is a simple and easily administered, preferably orally, composition that is capable of causing significant right shifts of the P50 value for red blood cells.

Calcium/sodium salt of inositol tripyrophosphate as an allosteric effector of hemoglobin


A backflow assembly including a housing with a passage having at least one check valve positioned therein to permit fluid flow in one direction while preventing fluid flow in the reverse direction. The check valve includes a valve head connected to a stem having an outer surface. A hump extends radially outward from the outer surface of the stem. The stem is guided by a bushing during opening and closing of the valve. The bushing includes at least one retention member that moves along the outer surface of the stem during opening and closing of the valve. The interaction between the retention member and the hump on the outer surface of the stem causes a higher friction loss during opening and closing of the valve than other portions of the outer surface.

Clean water supplies can become contaminated by hazardous connections to the piping system known as cross-connection. A cross-connection is a connection between a drinking water plumbing system and any other source that may contribute to the degradation of the quality of drinking water.
A backflow preventer is typically used to prevent contamination of a main water supply line by reducing or eliminating backflow of contaminated water into the supply line. A backflow preventer is installed in, for example, a pipeline between a main water supply line and a service line and designed to protect, for example, drinking water plumbing systems in accordance with national plumbing codes for non-health hazard and health hazard cross-connections and continuous pressure applications.
A conventional backflow preventer may include a single check valve unit or a pair of check valves arranged serially within a valve housing. A pair of check valves is commonly used in the event one of the valves fails. The housing includes a first port connected to the main water supply line and a second port connected to, for example, a service line leading to industrial and commercial water users. These preventers stop any reverse flow of liquid pollutants from those facilities into the main water supply system. In one application, a backflow preventer is installed in a fire sprinkler system to prevent backflow and subsequent cross contamination of old water that may exist in the fire sprinkler system from entering the main water supply system. Another typical installation is in the water supply line and fire lines to a hospital or an industrial facility.
During operation, water flow pressure urges the check valves into an open position, which allows water to flow freely through the valve. The check valves are normally spring loaded and biased into a closed position under no or minimal pressure and a backflow of liquid from the second port to the first port is prevented.
The pressure required to open a backflow preventer using check valves utilized in drinking water supply lines is established by regulation and provides a minimum degree of protection against reverse backflow. For example, backflow check valves used for fire-protection service are regulated by standards set by the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. and American National Standards Institute (ANSI). As one example, a double or single detector backflow check valve used in a fire sprinkler system must be design to meet the ANSI/UL 312-2003 Standard For Check Valves for Fire-Protection Services, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. In use in a fire sprinkler system, the check valves are designed not to open (e.g. crack-open) until the pressure difference is one pound per square inch (1 PSI) across the check valve.
A potable water supply system must be designed, installed and maintained in such a manner so as to prevent contamination from nonpotable liquids, solids or gases. For use in drinking water supply lines, the backflow preventers should conform to the standards developed and set forth by the American Society of Sanitary Engineers (ASSE) and the Foundation for Cross-connection and Hydraulic Research (FCCHR), and the School of Engineering at the University of California. In use in drinking water supply lines, the first check valve in a backflow preventer using two check valves in series, are required not to open (e.g. crack-open) until the pressure differential is three pounds per square inch (3 PSI) across the check valve and at a minimum of one pound per square inch (1PSI) for the second check valve.
Conventional backflow preventers use check valves having a linear relationship between friction loss and the amount of flow. Specifically, a conventional check valve will open under a linear relationship between a minimal amount of pressure and a minimal amount of flow. However, when used in, for example, a domestic water supply, there are concerns about leaks and water theft.
In an effort to detect such events, backflow preventers are constructed to resist opening under a minimal amount of pressure and a bypass line is installed incorporating a water meter. When forward water flow produces only small forces (e.g. minimal amount of pressure) insufficient to separate the check valve from its valve seat, the water is directed through the meter in the bypass line and the check valve does not open. Current construction of these types of check valves, however, is complicated and expensive.


A system and method for using bi-directional conversation data to improve signal presence detection are disclosed. The detector module is adapted to communicate with a signal enhancement module. The detector module collects data from a transmit direction of the connection and a receive direction of a data connection. The collected data from the transmit and the receive direction is used to classify at least one of data in the transmit direction and data in the receive direction. Responsive to the classification, the signal enhancement module enhances data in one of the transmit direction and the receive direction. Hence, data classification accuracy is improved by using data from both the transmit and receive directions. In one embodiment, the detector module applies a voice activity detection module (VAD) process to detect the presence or absence of voice data in the collected data.

1. Field of Art
The present invention generally relates to the field of signal detection and more specifically to using data from both directions of a bi-directional communication channel to enhance signal quality.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recent technological advancements have increased the use of speech communication applications, such as speech recognition, hands-free telephony and speech coding. These advancements have lead to increased use of voice activity detection (VAD) algorithms and processes. VAD processes detect the presence or absence of human speech from audio samples.
In particular, in hands-free telephone applications, VAD is used to control and reduce average bit rate and to enhance overall coding quality. Further, VAD processes are used to implement discontinuous transmission (DTX) in portable devices, which enhances system capacity and/or signal quality by reducing co-channel interference and power consumption. However, conventional VAD techniques separately process transmitted data and received data. Commonly, two independent VAD processes are used, one for the transmitted data and one for the received data.
However, because system parameters are constantly varying, conventional VAD techniques can erroneously classify speech and noise, and vice versa. In particular, in mobile environments, background noise is diverse and highly variable, and can lead to low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). In low SNR environments, existing VAD methods cannot distinguish between speech and noise when parts of the speech are below the noise threshold.

Signal presence detection using bi-directional communication data


A packer includes one or more anchors for securing the packer in a wellbore and a pair of seal elements that form a fluid seal. The packer assembly is hydraulically set and, thus, it can be located at any desired position within the wellbore. The packer assembly is secured within the wellbore by a staged setting process through use of shear pins that have increasingly stepped shear values. Redundancy in packer sealing is provided by the use of two seal elements to establish fluid sealing. The design of the packer assembly also provides hydraulic isolation of the actuating portions of the packer assembly upon setting.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to improved methods and devices for setting a packer assembly within a wellbore.
2. Description of the Related Art
Packer assemblies are used to secure production tubing within a wellbore. These assemblies typically include an elastomeric seal that is radially expandable to engage the wellbore surface and may also include a set of slips that have serrated or toothed portions that, when set, bitingly engage the wellbore surface. Packer assemblies of this type are often used when it is desired to "tie back" from a section of casing that has been previously set by cementing into the wellbore. There are potential problems in locating and setting the packer assembly in this instance. Typically, the upper end of the previously set casing has a liner hanger with a seal bore. It is desired to land the packer assembly into this seal bore and then set it to secure it within the wellbore. One potential solution would be to use a mechanically set packer. Unfortunately, mechanical setting of this type typically requires that the packer assembly be landed onto a structure (i.e., the liner hanger) in the wellbore. Thus, the packer assembly will be located immediately atop the liner hanger when it may be desired to locate the packer assembly at a distance above the liner hanger.
Additionally, it is desired to have an improved manner and arrangement for setting of a packer assembly within the wellbore to ensure that the slips are well set to structurally anchor the packer assembly in place and that proper fluid seals are established within the annulus of the wellbore.
The present invention addresses the problems of the prior art.

Hydraulic set permanent packer with isolation of hydraulic actuator and built in redundancy


One exemplary method of the present invention is for background intensity correction of a scan of pixel values of a document, wherein the scan has at least one background pixel area and at least one non-background pixel area. The method includes segmenting the scan into the at least one background pixel area and the at least one non-background pixel area. The method also includes calculating a gray background pixel value of at least a portion of the scan. The method also includes compensating only the pixel values of the at least one background pixel area for background intensity using the calculated gray background pixel value.

Scanners are used to create a scan of pixel values of a document. The scan can be displayed on a computer monitor, can be used by a computer program, can be printed, can be faxed, etc. A first conventional method for scanning a document uses a scanner including a horizontal scan bar having sensor elements (such as CCD [charge-coupled-device] elements). A document on the scanning area of the scanner is scanned by the scan bar. With the scan bar stationary, the scanner obtains pixel values from the sensor elements for corresponding pixel locations of a portion of the document along the horizontal scan line of the scan bar. The scan bar is moved vertically for vertically-displaced successive horizontal scan lines until a scan of the entire document is obtained. In a second conventional method, the scan bar always remains stationary, and the document is scanned by moving the document past the scan bar.
In one known extension of the first and second conventional methods, the pixel values of the scan of the entire document are compensated for background intensity using a calculated gray background pixel level.
Conventional scanning methods include detection of the edges of the document being scanned to exclude from the scan those pixel values obtained from outside the edges of the document. Conventional scanning methods also include segmenting the scan into text pixel areas (such letters and punctuation marks) which are mathematically sharpened, using a sharpening filter, to improve the appearance of the text. Conventional scanning methods further include segmenting the scan into image pixel areas which are mathematically smoothed, using a smoothing filter, to improve the appearance of the image.
What is needed is an improved method for background intensity correction of a scan of pixel values of a document.

Background intensity correction of a scan of a document


In an approach for a sparse information sharing system, a processor receives a request from a host owner for a host to become a server of an information sharing system, wherein the request specifies at least one type of information the server will maintain and provide to visitors of the server. A processor syncs the server with other servers of the information sharing system with information of the specified at least one type of information. A processor, responsive to the server receiving updated information from a visitor of the server, notifies the other servers of the updated information.

The present invention relates generally to the field of information sharing systems, and more particularly to a sparse information sharing system.
Current information sharing systems are based on one centralized management system, e.g., servers are controlled by a company or a cloud provider. These systems can be broken causing all the information on them to be lost. Additionally, these systems can be isolated and hard to share.

International Business Machines Corporation


A fixing mechanism includes a housing whereon an opening and a first hole are formed. A first fixing component is disposed on the housing. The fixing mechanism further includes a frame installed inside the housing through the opening for fixing a removable module. A first wedging component is disposed on the frame for wedging with the first fixing component so as to fix the removable module inside the housing. The fixing mechanism further includes a releasing component installed inside the first hole for pressing the first wedging component so as to separate the first wedging component from the first fixing component.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fixing mechanism for fixing a removable module of an electric device, and more particularly, to a fixing mechanism for fixing a removable module of an electric device without utilizing screws.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A computer has to be disassembled for replacing broken components, installing new components, upgrading the components, and so on. The computer with easy disassembly characteristic suits a user's demand. It is also convenient for users to disassemble a storage device, such as a hard disk, from a computer. Generally, most of the hard disc devices of the notebook computer are of removable mechanism design. However, the design still needs to screw components between the removable storage device and a host resulting in difficulty of assembly and increase of labor hour of assembly.

Fixing mechanism for fixing a removable module of an electronic device


The privacy screen for laptop computer is an expandable hood that may be removably attached to a notebook computer. The privacy screen has an elastic fabric cover secured around an expandable frame. The frame has a plurality of telescoping rods attached to connector pieces using ball and socket joints, which allow the frame to expand concurrently in multiple directions. The screen may be assembled before sale, in which case the screen uses a fixed number of pieces in its frame and the fabric cover is permanently secured to the frame, or provided as a kit, in which cut-out sections of the fabric cover allow the end user to assemble the telescoping rods and connecting pieces as desired. The frame may be secured to the laptop using spring-biased clips.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to computer display screens. More specifically, the invention relates to a privacy screen for laptop and notebook computers that shields the computer display for privacy when the computer is used in areas accessible to the public.                2. Description of the Related Art
Laptop and notebook computers allow a user to work in virtually any locale. Wireless communication systems enable workers to send information from a notebook computer to the office, and receive other information in return. Many people therefore work on notebook computers while on public transportation, in coffee shops, or even while waiting in the doctor's office.
Because many employers are sensitive that others may gain access to their employees' work product, these computers must be secure, both from electronic access and from visual access to the display by the surrounding public. Not only is work product at risk, but many electronic notebook users enter credit card numbers, passwords, health insurance information, and other private information into their computers.
In addition, due to the variety of locales in which a notebook computer may be used, the lighting in those locales may not always be the best lighting for viewing a computer screen.
It is necessary for notebook computer users to be able to work securely and in a degree of privacy, while preserving, and even enhancing, quality lighting for viewing the computer display. Thus, a privacy screen for a laptop computer solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A shirred fibrous casing article containing about 20% to about 30% moisture by total casing weight and composed of shirred portions spliced together and retained in an overwrap wherein a flag which identifies the splice location between the shirred portions is extended radially through the overwrap.

Artificial food casings are used throughout the world in the processing of a great variety of meat and other food products including sausages of various types, products made from emulsified formulations, chunk and formed products and whole muscle products.
Various materials are used for forming artificial food casings including collagen and plastic films but a most common material is regenerated cellulose. One type of cellulose food casings, known in the art as "fibrous casing" is formed with a reinforcing fibrous material (such as paper) in the cellulose casing wall. Fibrous casing generally range in size from about 50 mm to 160 mm or more in diameter and have a wall thickness of about 0.07 mm to about 0.10 mm. Methods for forming fibrous casing using a regenerated cellulose are well known in the art and form no part of the present invention.
Fibrous casings are provided to the meat processor in one of several forms. One form called a "cut-length" is a relatively short piece of fibrous casing up to about 2.5 meters long. Each cut length, manually gathered onto a stuffing horn, provides sufficient casing for making only one, or at most, only a few stuffed products.
Fibrous casing also is sold in shirred form. Shirred casing is a relatively long casing length which has been gathered into closely nested pleats to considerably reduce the length of the casing article. For example, a shirred casing article may contain upwards of 70-80 meters of casing. Once a shirred casing article is placed on the horn of a stuffing machine, the machine can be run continuously for automatically producing a large number of stuffed products one after another.
Various shirring methods and apparatus are well known in the art including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,983,949; 2,984,574; 3,454,982; and 3,988,804 among others.
For purposes of the present invention, it is sufficient to say that shirring involves inflating the casing and moving it onto a shirring mandrel where it is gathered into closely nested pleats formed against the mandrel. The shirred casing is longitudinally compacted to further reduce its length. The result, when the shirred casing is doffed from the mandrel, is a shirred casing article, sometimes referred to as a "shirred stick" having an internal bore to accommodate a stuffing horn.
Casing for shirring is supplied as feed stock in the form of a flat tube wound onto reels. Each reel contains upwards of 450-460 meters or more of casing. During shirring the flat tube is drawn from the reel and is inflated, shirred and then longitudinally compressed as described above to form individual sticks up to about 70-80 cm long with each stick containing 70-80 meters of casing. The length of the stick and the length of casing it contains depends in part on the diameter of the casing and diameter of the stuffing horn on which the casing is used.
Shirred sticks of fibrous casing do not retain their integrity because the tightly nested pleats tend to separate or deshirr so the coherency and integrity of the stick is broken. This renders the stick difficult to load onto a stuffing horn because the stick bore is no longer straight and uniform. Accordingly, techniques have been developed to maintain the integrity of a stick and facilitate handling. These techniques involve either the use of an internal or an external restraint.
An internal restraint generally is a tube which extends through the stick bore. In some cases pegs extending transversely through the tube at either end of the shirred stick holds the stick on the tube and maintains the integrity of the stick. In other cases the tube outside diameter and the bore diameter of the stick are selected and controlled so the casing pleats grip tightly about the tube with sufficient force to prevent an expansion and separation of the tightly nested pleats. External restraints include tubular netting which is drawn over the stick and then is gathered and closed over the ends of the stick. Other external restrains include tubular plastic film which is stretched over the stick. These plastic films contract or shrink down and press firmly against the outer surface of the stick and encompass at least a portion of the opposite ends of the stick to hold the stick together.
Fibrous casing articles in plastic film overwraps generally contain sufficient moisture to permit stuffing the casing as-is. The plastic film overwrap not only serves to retain the integrity of the stick but also helps to retard the loss of moisture. This ready-to-stuff casing is to be distinguished from fibrous casing which requires soaking prior to stuffing. Fibrous casings requiring soaking generally are packaged in netting to permit free access of the soak water to the surface of the casing article.
One problem associated with shirred fibrous casing is that the supply reel of feed stock casing for shirring is likely to contain one or more splices. This is because it is difficult to form a single casing length 450-460 meters long so shorter lengths are spliced together in order to obtain the total casing to fill a supply reel.
These splices are objectionable because even though the splice is able to pass through the shirring apparatus and become incorporated into a shirred stick, the splice is not stuffable. The presence of a splice is tolerated where the casing article is a shirred stick retained on a tubular core. In this case, the splice itself is evident by the color of the splice tape and is accessible because the outer surface of the shirred stick is not enclosed.
Certain stuffing machines as disclosed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,017,941, include an automatic shut-off to terminate the stuffing operation when the casing runs out. When stuffing a cored casing article containing a splice, on such a machine, the operator puts the casing article onto a stuffing horn and attaches a lanyard to the splice or to the casing pleats adjacent the splice. As casing is drawn forward from the shirred stick during stuffing, the lanyard eventually will pull taught and trigger operation of an end-of-casing sensor on the stuffing machine. This initiates a sequence of events for terminating the stuffing operation before the splice is stuffed. The operator now can clear the splice through the stuffing machine. After the splice is cleared through the stuffing machine the lanyard is reattached to the last pleats in the shirred stick and the stuffing operation restarted.
With other machines which do not have an automatic shut-off feature, the operator simply monitors the stuffing operation and manually turns the machine off just before the splice is stuffed. Thus, where a splice is present in a cored shirred casing article, it does not interfere with the shirring operation and has only some limited effect on the stuffing operation.
However, where the integrity of a shirred casing article is retained by an overwrap, particularly a plastic film overwrap such as a stretch film, the problem of splices historically has been more acute. The accepted procedure has been for the casing manufacturer to break the shirred stick at the splice, remove the splice and package the pieces of shirred casing in separate overwraps. This adds steps to the shirring operation and is an inconvenience to the shirring machine operator.
Also this procedure results in the production of so called "short sticks" containing less casing than a full length stick which is made with a continuous, unspliced length of casing. Short sticks are undesirable for several reasons. For example, packing cartons are designed to contain casing articles of a specified length. Consequently when packaging a mixture of short and full length sticks in a carton, care must be taken to insure that the short sticks are paired so that their combined length is the same as a full stick. This adds time and steps to the process of filling a carton with casing articles.
Meat processors also object to short sticks because they shorten the time of continuous operation and increase the idle time of the machine by increasing the frequency of stopping the machine to load fresh sticks onto the stuffing horn. Thus, in connection with shirred fibrous casing articles having an overwrap to maintain integrity, splices interrupt the shirring operation, and the resulting short sticks not only complicate packaging requirements, but also interfere with the continuous operation of the stuffing machine. Consequently, elimination of the need to remove splices from overwrapped shirred fibrous casing articles will benefit both the casing manufacturer and the casing user.

Shirred fibrous casing article and method


A front cabinet panel piece, a back panel cabinet piece, a first side cabinet panel piece, and second side cabinet panel piece, each having a plurality of pre-formed openings, are arranged relative to one another to form an amusement game cabinet. The plurality of pre-formed openings are used to accept a corresponding plurality of knock-down hardware pieces each including a fastener locking component and a fastener. The fastener locking components are held within respective first ones of the pre-formed openings and the fastener is inserted into second ones of the pre-formed openings that are aligned with the first ones of the plurality of pre-formed openings. Each fastener is mated to its corresponding fastener locking component to complete assembly of the amusement game cabinet. The assembled amusement game cabinet is used to support a playfield and the playfield, in turn, is used to provide additional structural support to the amusement game cabinet.

Electromagnets for use in connection with a playfield of an amusement game device, such as a pinball machine, a redemption game, etc., of the commercial type, e.g., revenue generating, and the non-commercial type, e.g., home entertainment, are known in the art. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,725 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,913 (incorporated herein by reference in their entirety) illustrate and describe a pinball game in which an electromagnet is positioned on or below the playfield. A computer-controlled circuit is coupled to the electromagnet and, under control of the computer-controlled circuit, the electromagnet is operable to control a ball moving upon the playfield, e.g., to alter trajectories of the ball, to capture and hold the ball, and/or to impart random motion to the ball.
When an electromagnet is to be positioned on the playfield, an iron alloy magnet core that protrudes thru the surface of the wood playfield board is typically utilized. As will be appreciated, the exposed magnet core provides the most powerful application of the device because the energized magnet core can come in direct contact with the steel pinball. In such an application, it is also important that the magnet core be installed flush to the surface of the playfield board to prevent the ball from skipping when it encounters the edge of the magnet core and that the diameter of the magnet core be optimized around the dimensional parameters of the steel pinball as a magnet core that is either too small or too large adversely affects the magnetic flux density making it difficult to grab the moving pinball as it passes at speed over the magnetic core, to hold the pinball on the magnetic core, and/or to move or oscillate the pinball via use of the magnet core under software control.
Given the effective diameter of the core, as the pinball is caught by the energized magnet core, the ball oscillates across the surface of the magnet core. During this motion it is common for the ball to cross back and forth across the perimeter edge of the magnet core and the associated edge of the hole in the wood playfield board. This motion undesirably tends to erode and wear the edge of the wood at the edge of the playfield board thru which the magnet core protrudes.

Electromagnet for an amusement game device


A circuit element has a substrate layer with first and second faces. A conductive first layer overlays the first surface, and a conductive second layer overlays the second surface. The first layer defines a pattern with a trimmable portion. The second layer defines a pattern having a first conductive element registered with at least a portion of the trimmable portion, and a second conductive element electrically isolated from first element and encompassing the first element. The second element may be a ground plane that has an aperture surrounding the first component, which serves as a shield to prevent damage to any elements beyond the second layer.

Hybrid micro electronic assemblies have employed laser trimmable components such as thin and thick film resistors, capacitors, etc. Such components are applied at a top surface of a substrate, so that a laser (or other means including mechanical means) can make a cut on the trimmable component to change its value. The trimming generally occurs by using the laser to remove part of the material that forms said component. This provides a fine-tuned performance. When the materials to be trimmed are non metallic, lower power is required than when the feature to be trimmed is metallic. If the substrate is ceramic, then damage to surrounding or underlying material is of somewhat less concern.
However, for trim actions performed on an organic-type substrate materials, severing of metallic conductors such as traces formed of copper foil (where greater laser power is required) can damage adjacent or underlying components. Such trimmable components are generally applied to a substrate that is robust enough to avoid damage by the laser beam (e.g. ceramic material). Ceramic substrates provide adequate resistance to damage, but are costly compared to other substrate materials.
Low-cost substrate materials include epoxy resin laminates such as FR-4 and other non-ceramic plastic and resin materials including Kapton,Teflon and other organic based materials. These materials are substantially lower in cost than ceramic materials. However, they are unsuited for severing metallic conductors by laser action for the following reason. A typical FR-4 circuit board having an embedded ground plane can be damaged during the laser trimming of a surface component, because the beam can bum partially into the surface of the board, and penetrate even to the level of lower conductor layers. This burning of the circuit board material generates partially conductive carbon material, which can create a resistive path of uncertain conductivity from the surface component to the ground plane. In other applications, the beam may drill deep enough to damage other embedded (or opposite side) components. Such an effect on sensitive circuits such as a high impedance attenuator, renders the affordable organic materials unsuitable. Accordingly, there is a need for a low-cost methodology to enable the use of laser-trimmable components. The preferred embodiment provides this in the following:

Circuit element with laser trimmed component


A light fixture allows individual light bulbs to be arranged in compact fashion to maximize the number of bulbs per given area in the fixture. To facilitate replacement or exchange of the bulbs, the bulbs are mounted in alternating succession on a pair of separately movable supports, reorientation of which serves to remove the bulbs from the tight packed arrangement, to one in which the bulbs are sufficiently separated from one another to allow hand access for removal and installation of the bulbs. A distinct aspect of the aforementioned feature of the invention independent of the movable supports resides in the ability to utilize two of more of the fixtures to multiply the light produced. Advantageously, the fixtures can be arranged in direct physical series, side by side, or to form an array extending in orthogonal directions.

The present invention relates to a light fixture, and more particularly to a light fixture suited for use in size-restricted areas, such as for example in lighting an aquarium or a plant bench, and which can provide light of greater intensity than many conventional fixtures, including a standard linear fluorescent fixture, and a method of providing lighting.
Many types of light fixtures are available for providing artificial light in connection with a number of diverse activities. These conventionally use various types of light sources, including incandescent, fluorescent, metal halide and sodium lamps. Each of these light sources have particular advantage and disadvantage, and selection of a particular type is dependent in large part on the desired application. For example, incandescent bulbs can be dimmed, but are the least light efficient, generating greater heat and less light per watt consumed than the remaining type lamps. Metal halide and sodium lamps require a ballast to operate. Magnetic ballasts, which can generate noise, are generally required, at present, for larger output bulbs. Fluorescent bulbs, while having greater efficiency than incandescent bulbs, cannot be dimmed.
Often, the level of light and spectral range emitted is the factor of greatest importance to a user. Particularly in the fields of aquaria and horticulture, wherein photosynthetic processes are involved, selection of a type of light is predicated upon production of sufficient levels of light intensity within a usable spectrum. While fluorescent lights, which are readily available and relatively inexpensive to buy and operate, and which output light in a spectral range usable in photosynthesis, they have heretofore not generally provided a sufficient level of light required by many plants and simulated reef environments. For this reason, metal halide lighting, while much more expensive that fluorescent lighting, is generally the lighting of choice for many applications requiring high intensity light.
Compact fluorescent bulbs are available, which are intended for replacement of less efficient incandescent bulbs, and which have an integral ballast and, optionally, a standard screw base. These bulbs can, according to present design, emit up to about four times the amount of light than a standard incandescent bulb using the same power, and therefore, because of their greater light efficiency, run much cooler while outputting comparable levels of light of other types of lighting sources. However, a light fixture for housing these lights has heretofore not delivered a suitable intensity of light for many applications.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a light fixture that could utilize any light source, including fluorescent, in a manner which increases the light provided thereby.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a light fixture which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a light fixture in a compact size suitable for use in defined spaces, and which would maximize light density.
It is an additional object to provide a light fixture in a form that is economical and functionally versatile.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a light fixture in which light elements can be installed easily for exchange or replacement, and which optionally accepts compact fluorescent bulbs having a standard incandescent type screw base.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a method of replacement or exchange of light bulbs in a fixture.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.