A locker. The locker comprises a first side wall having an interlocking portion, a second side wall having a first interlocking portion engaging the interlocking portion of the first side wall and a second interlocking portion, and a third side wall having an interlocking portion engaging the second interlocking portion of the second side wall. A coin receptacle, coin receptacle locking mechanism, a shelf and a door for the locker are also disclosed. A method of manufacturing a locker is also provided. The method comprises cutting a first wall from a first material to a desired length, cutting a second wall from the first material to the desired length, cutting a third wall to the desired length, and slidingly engaging the first, second and third walls. A method for limiting access to a locking mechanism is also provided, which comprises positioning the locking mechanism adjacent an inward facing surface and fastening the locking mechanism to the locker.

Not Applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to lockers and, more particularly, to weather resistant coin operated lockers.
2. Description of the Invention Background
A variety of different methods and apparatuses have been developed for securing personal possessions in public areas. One apparatus that has been developed is a coin operated locker for storage of personal possessions. Such a locker commonly includes two vertical parallel side panels, a vertical rear panel attached to both side panels, a top and a bottom, thereby creating a storage compartment enclosed on five sides. The front of the locker typically has at least one lockable door. A front-mounted coin operated locking mechanism and a coin receptacle located beneath the locking mechanism in a channel are also common components of such lockers. The walls and door of lockers are typically fabricated from flat rolled steel, welded by a skilled mechanic, and arranged along horizontal and vertical planes. The locking mechanism in a typical application maintains the door in an unlocked condition until a coin is inserted therein. Once a coin is inserted into the locking mechanism, a key in the locking mechanism may be rotated to lock the door and then the key may be removed. The key must then be reinserted in the locking mechanism to unlock the door. When placed in the unlocked position, the key of the typical locking mechanism may not be removed unless another coin is inserted. The coin receptacle is typically situated alongside the storage compartment or beneath the storage compartment. Coins that are inserted into the locking mechanism are directed into the coin receptacle where they accumulate until they are periodically removed. Such lockers are commonly found grouped together to provided many separate storage compartments for use by a number of people. Such lockers, however, are not suitable for outdoor use because their steel construction deteriorates rapidly in such conditions. Such steel lockers are, furthermore, disadvantageously heavy and expensive to fabricate. Front-mounted locking mechanisms are disadvantageous because they may be vandalized by prying. In addition, a channel-mounted coin receptacle is disadvantageously small and, thus, will overflow unless emptied regularly. The time and skill required to weld a locker together is another disadvantage of a conventional locker.
Another common problem with known lockers is that they often become soiled by way of spills that occur therein, by foods that melt and stick to the compartment or by other means. Such soiling often prevents a locker from being reused until the soiling has been discovered and removed because items placed in a soiled locker may in turn be soiled. Known lockers are also disadvantageously difficult to clean. Pressurized water generally may not be directed into previous steel structures because of the potential for rusting of the structure, particularly in areas that cannot be easily dried. In addition, previous structures having a flat lower surface or shelf tend to retain spilled material and other impurities thereon. Furthermore, when a flat shelf becomes soiled, other items placed on that soiled shelf are likely to become soiled themselves, thereby placing the soiled locker, for all practical purposes, unusable until the impurities are discovered and removed.
Therefore, there is a particular need for a locker that is suitable for outdoor use. There is also a need for a locker having a locking mechanism that is not susceptible to prying. There is, furthermore, a need for a locker that has a large coin receptacle that is not prone to overflowing. There is also a particular need for a locker that prevents spilled material and other forms of impurities in the locker from contacting personal possessions later placed in the locker. There is also a need for a locker that may be easily cleaned by directing pressurized water from a hose or other device into the locker storage compartment. There is additionally a need for a locker having a storage compartment that is configured such that liquids spilled or sprayed in the compartment will drain from the compartment. There is also a need for a locker that is strong, lightweight, and that may be produced inexpensively.
In accordance with a particularly preferred form of the present invention, there is provided a locker. The locker comprises a first side wall having an interlocking portion, a second side wall having a first interlocking portion engaging the interlocking portion of the first side wall and a second interlocking portion, and a third side wall having an interlocking portion engaging the second interlocking portion of the second side wall. The locker may also have at least two side walls that are cut from the same stock.
A coin receptacle for a coin operated locker is also provided. The coin receptacle comprises a channel having a cross-section and at least one coin operated locking mechanism, and defining an opening through which coins may fall, and a coin tray disposed below the channel having a cross-section greater than that of the channel. In a particular embodiment, the coin receptacle may further comprise a coin deflector mounted in the channel for deflecting coins into the coin tray.
A coin receptacle locking mechanism for mounting on a frame is also provided. The coin receptacle locking mechanism comprises a key operated barrel, a cam attached to the barrel, and a lock bar attached to the cam. The cam includes at least three lobes, wherein the first lobe engages the frame at a first point, the second lobe engages the frame at a second point, and the third lobe is pivotaly connected to the lock bar which engages the frame at a third point when the barrel is placed in a locked position. The coin receptacle locking mechanism may further comprise a tray attached to the locking mechanism and having a notch that engages the frame when the tray is placed in a closed position.
A self draining locker shelf is also provided. The shelf includes a member having a sloping surface and a perimeter, a plurality of parallel ribs upstanding from the sloping surface and defining a channel between each pair of ribs and above the sloping surface, and a rim attached to the perimeter of the member, wherein said rim has at least one opening in fluid communication with each channel. In one embodiment, the shelf also includes at least one interlocking member formed on the rim for slidable engagement with at least one complimentary interlocking member of a frame.
In addition, a locker door is disclosed, wherein the locker door includes a front cover, a backing member, and top and bottom caps. The front cover includes opposed interlocking members and the backing member has second opposed interlocking members for engagement with the opposed interlocking members of the front cover, whereby the front cover and the backing member define a gap therebetween. The top cap includes at least one ridge, wherein the top cap ridge is fitted within the gap between said front cover and said backing member and the bottom cap has at least one ridge, wherein bottom cap ridge is fitted within the gap between the front cover and the backing member.
A lock for a locker is also disclosed. The lock comprises a support member having an outward facing surface and an inward facing surface opposite the outward facing surface, and a locking mechanism attached to the inward facing surface.
A method of manufacturing a locker is also provided. The method comprises cutting a first wall from a first material to a desired length, cutting a second wall from the first material to the desired length, cutting a third wall to the desired length, and slidingly engaging the first, second and third walls.
A method of limiting access to a locking mechanism on a locker is furthermore provided. The method includes positioning the locking mechanism adjacent an inward facing surface and fastening the locking mechanism to the locker.
Accordingly, the present invention provides solutions to the shortcomings of prior lockers. The present invention is suitable for outdoor use, is strong and simple to manufacture, and may be formed primarily of light weight plastic if desired. A feature of the locker of the present invention is that it prevents spilled material and other forms of impurities in the locker from contacting personal possessions later placed in the locker. Another feature of the locker of the present invention is that it may be easily cleaned by directing pressurized water from a hose or other device into the locker storage compartment. It is also a feature of the present invention that it provides a storage compartment that is configured such that liquids spilled or sprayed in the compartment will drain from the compartment. An additional feature of the present invention is that it includes a large coin receptacle and a locking mechanism that secures the coin receptacle on each of four sides. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate, however, that these and other details, features and advantages will become further apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.


Disclosed is a combination oar and bilge pump which serves as an oar when the apparatus is in a locked first position and when in an un-locked second position becomes a bilge pump by plunging a second tube member having a plunger on its inner end, inward and outward of a first tube member which acts as a gripping surface.

There are many designs and constructions of oars and hand operated pumps in the prior art, and these have included both all wooden, all metal and hybrid wooden and metal oars. Previous patents include U.S. Pat. No. 4,264,275 which teaches a split oar with a stiffening shaft down its center line but has no utility other than an oar while U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,815 teaches an oar with its upper or inboard end being hollowed out to become a container for an inflatable life jacket or life raft, however, no means are disclosed in this reference to use the oar as a pump.
As it is a requirement in many states to have aboard a boat at least one oar and as it is well known that space inside a small boat is at a premium, it would be advantageous to make the oar do some other useful function in combination and it is to this end that the present invention teaches a combination oar and bilge pump.
Under stress situations whereby the boat is taking on water it would be a treat advantaged to have an oar which Can be used to not only row or steer the boat with but could perform as a bilge pump without having to lay down the oar and pick up and use a bilge pump.


The non-motorized aircraft flight control system provides additional lines, cords, hooks and other devices to existing paraglider aircraft to aid in the control of the paraglider wing elements such as the wing suspension lines which are used to change the shape of the wing to change the flight characteristics of the aircraft. The simplest version of the improvements facilitate the location and pulling of the appropriate control lines. Visual facilitators are used to aid in identifying the proper elements. The more complex changes involve cables and handle grips with gear systems similar to a bicycle shifting mechanism. In all cases where a control position is to be maintained for a period of time there is a device to retain the cord or cable in the proper position. A further variation involves the use of a transmission box to shift and control the cables and to use the pilot's leg to aid in manipulation of various elements of the paraglider. All of the elements do not have to be included on any given paraglider, but those controls desired by the pilot may be chosen such as the basic elements to retain the brake handles in the optimum position.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a type of lightweight, pilot-carrying aircraft, ultralights, which do not use motors or propellers. The new control system provides additional means to control those ultralights that receive their lift from an inflatable ram-air flexible airfoil wing, particularly the paraglider.
2. Description of Related Art
Foot launched, non-motorized flying apparatuses include hang gliders, paragliders and hybrids of the hang glider and paraglider. Hybrids and hang gliders represent a distinctly different field than paragliders because their rigid frames and other rigid members put them very much closer to the more common aircraft which use rigid frame members.
2.A. FOUR PARAGLIDER AREAS
The three basic areas of current art paragliders are illustrated in schematic form in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, i.e.: the harness area; the wing suspensory elements, risers, etc., and brake system for wing control; and the wing (100) itself.
A fourth area is sometimes chosen by more advanced pilots depending upon the paraglider model. Specifically, some pilots have chosen a model which can have a device that involves the legs. This device is commonly known as the speed stirrup system (130,131,132,135,136). Another area, not physically related to the legs, but functionally related to the speed stirrup system, is the trim tab system (141,144,145,149) located on the D riser (107d).
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the first area, the harness (112) area, holds the pilot seated on a seat board (115). This area includes the elements up to the main carabiner quick link (110) on each side.
The pilot/harness is suspended from the second area by the elements of the wing suspensory parts (108, 106, 106a, 107a-d, 109, 110). As shown in FIG. 4, the main carabiner quicklink (110) is looped by a main carabiner riser complex (108a). This main carabiner riser complex is the joining together of the 4 risers, which are synthetic straps about 15/16 inches wide and 3/32 inches thick, that suspend the entire weight of pilot and harness. As seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the main carabiner riser complex (108a) continues on usually as a lower riser complex (108b) of four riser straps (107a-d): A riser, B riser, C riser and D riser. In the lower riser complex (108b) area these 4 straps are intricately interrelated. FIG. 4 shows one variation, but at a distance, such as in FIG. 3, this area of lower riser complex (108b) resembles a loop. In the upper riser complex (108c), these straps are more clearly independent. The upper ends of the risers (107a-d) are attached onto carabiner quick links (109). The carabiner quick links (109) are in turn attached to 5 separate lines (106). These lines (106) are attached in turn to supplemental suspension lines (106a), which in turn attach to approximately 150 places on the wing lower surface (104) of an inflatable, completely flexible cloth-like wing (100).
The speed stirrup system (150) including the Pulley (135), cord (131), etc. and trim tab system (149 including 141,145,144, etc.) are not on all paragliders. Both systems attach on the lower riser complex (108b); however the speed system (150) attaches to the front most riser. The trim tab system (149) attaches to the rear most riser, which is the D riser (107d) in this model. These two add on systems are discussed below.
Spatially related to second area of the paraglider is the wing control brake system (120, 121, 122). Along the wing trailing edge (102) of the wing (100) there are about 20 attachments which join into a brake line (121) leading to each of the pilot's hands. This brake line (121) serves no pilot suspension function and the brake line (121) is attached to the soft brake loop (120) which the pilot holds. The brake loops (120) are the control means the pilot has for the crucial task of helping the wing (100) to remain filled with air. Actually, proper brake loop (120) positioning and movement are critical for landing, turning and safety, and indeed for all flight activities.
The third area is the wing (100). Air comes in at the wing's (100) leading edge (101) through open window areas (105) and the air passing in separates the upper surface (103) from the lower surface (104). The wing (100) is constructed in such a way to then create an airfoil that flies. If the wing deflates, the pilot falls to his death.
Over the past 10 years the changing design of the wings (100) of paragliders now permits unlimited hours of soaring thousands of feet above the ground.
Experts and inventors in the field of paragliders and hang gliders have long conceptualized the hang glider and paraglider aircraft as distinct from aircraft involving propellers or motors. Critical to the satisfaction of the pilot is the sense of maximally pure and natural flying with the winds.
This is particularly characteristic of the paraglider aircraft which has the traditional parachute as it's ancestor. However, the parachute differs in a number of ways. For example, only rarely does the parachute permit ascending; indeed, it is designed specifically to descend.
The suspensory area of the paraglider has become more specialized as the paraglider has evolved from the parachute. It's component parts are more akin structurally to the sport of parachuting or sky diving than to hang gliding or motorized aircraft. A complete paraglider aircraft can still be wrapped up into a flexible trash can sized bag weighing about 29 pounds. The concept of such a soft flexible aircraft is diametrically opposite to the concepts of rigid flying machines, such as the hang glider. It would seem that experts in the field are not able to conceptualize the possibility of any staging/framework/leverage platform for a paraglider. The paraglider expert only conceptualizes the rigid structure of the seat board (115) as a place for the pilot to sit.
The typical paraglider pilot might view the beauty and uniqueness of the paraglider as destroyed and transformed into something completely different by such machines as U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,630 (1990) whereby a motorized propeller is attached to the back of the paraglider harness.
The control bar (46) in invention, U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,100 (1992), is not relevant to non-motorized paragliders because the results of its use depend specifically on the powerful motor and propeller system. Please see the discussion of this point in the patent in column 2, lines 5-22. This removes the disclosure from the realm of the paraglider and hang glider art. The control bar adds no more specific function for the hands than the presently known hang glider and paraglider. The control bar in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,100 has at least one feature that renders it incompatible with the configuration found on the typical paraglider and hang glider; namely, the pilot is suspended from the control bar.
2.B. PRESENT PARAGLIDER CONTROLS
Both the hang glider and paraglider include some basic means to affect direction of movement, angle of attack and configuration of the wing. The basic hang glider and paraglider use quite crude methods. For example, the hang glider involves a primitive whole body weight shifting by hands holding on a control bar.
The paraglider pilot often uses lateral weight shifts through his buttocks on the seat board. More pilot weight on one side and less on the opposite causes the paraglider gradually to roll and then yaw a bit effecting a slight slow turn.
However, in accordance with invention U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,777 (1991), the pilot may also effect pitch changes with a weight shift in his seat from front to back. In turbulent winds, especially found in thermal conditions for soaring, pilots find such multi-directional seat motility dangerous and unsettling.
As in FIG. 1, the paraglider pilot is instructed to use each hand to hold a cloth brake loop (120) attached to brake lines (121) which are attached to the wing trailing edge (102) of the canopy wing (100). Holding down both brake loops (120), with the hands, at a level about 4 inches below the top of the pilot's shoulder is recommended to prevent wing deflation/collapses. This position is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 as a dotted line (148).
Pulling just one brake loop (120) will turn the aircraft in the direction of the hand that is pulling. Letting up on the brake loops (120) allows the trailing edge (102) of the wing (100) to rise and the whole outline of the airfoil wing (100) is flattened; thus, the paraglider will fly faster.
Related art allows only one way to position the vital brake loop (120), other than being actively held by the hand. This one position occurs when the pilot releases the brake loop (120) and the brake loop (120) is pulled up by the flying wing (100) to a brake loop movement limiter (122) located on the D riser strap (107d) above the head as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In related art, the brake loop limiter (122) is a ring or other guide through which the brake line (121) passes. Without this brake loop limiter (122), the brake loop (120) would be blown out of reach of the pilot during reverse launch or while in the air. The brake loop limiter (122) has no other function; thus, it plays no part in keeping the wing (100) inflated or modifying the shape of the paraglider wing (100). On the ground, most paragliders have a holding means, often a button snap in means, to anchor temporarily the brake loop (120) on the D riser (107d), near brake loop limiter (122).
German Patent No. 4,101,241 (1992) describes a slightly different way of attaching the brake line (121) to the wing (100), but otherwise shows the identical approach of a hand held loop with its line passing through a similar posterior riser strap limiter, like the above mentioned brake loop limiter (122).
Besides the changes induced by altering the position of the constantly used brake loops (120), the pilot can effect additional changes in the wing (100) by pulling with his bare hands at one or more straps (107a-d) or wing suspension lines (106); namely, B riser stall, D riser stall, and wing tip collapse. An additional add on element is a trim tab system (149) in the D riser (107d) area.
Nothing involves the legs, except an add on speed stirrup system (130 through 136), to modify the paraglider in flight.
Thus, for flight purposes there are four control methods for the hands, one for the legs, and one for the buttocks.
2.C. THE SPEED STIRRUP SYSTEM
A pilot may choose to add on a speed stirrup system (150) to the basic paraglider. This system is not known to be patented, but is in public use as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, at (130-132) and FIG. 3 at (131, 135, 136).
FIG. 2 and 3 shows the speed stirrup (130) as a rigid tube structure. An example, is a plastic tube of 10 inches by 3/4 inches overall diameter with walls about 3/32 inches thick. It usually dangles by speed stirrup cords (131) which are below either side of the seat board (115) area. The pilot's feet can push at the speed stirrup (130), which is part of the total speed stirrup system (150). This system enables the pilot's feet to effect about 4 inches of shortening on the A riser (107a). It does so by the particular attachments which allow the leg to pull on cord (131) which goes through a speed stirrup pulley (135) attached to the A riser (107a) about 4 inches above the final attachment point (136) of cord (131) on the A riser (107a). Thus, pushing on speed stirrup (130) causes the speed stirrup attachment (136) to be pulled to the speed stirrup pulley (135) attachment, thus shortening the A riser (107a) by about 4 inches. This also produces a much lesser shortening of riser B (107b) and riser C (107c). Therefore, pushing at the speed stirrup (130) will flatten the wing (100) by more complex changes to the wing than is done by the flattened wing shape resulting from having no downward force on the brake loops (120) from the pilot's hands. The practical effect of pressure on the speed stirrup (130) is to cause the paraglider to fly faster.
Among limitations and disadvantages of this system is that the pilot has to keep exerting pressure on the speed stirrup (130) to keep the faster speed. This is tiring and prevents more use of the weight shifting in one's seat board (115) to achieve flatter turns with less loss of altitude. In addition, one can not fix the speed system in the fastest configuration so that one can launch in faster winds. Also, it is much more difficult to get the paraglider certified as stable when changes to more than one pair of risers is held in place by some sort of fixing system that requires no muscle power. Finally, the maximum the legs can move is about 10 inches. This larger movement is possible where there is a 2 pulley arrangement in speed stirrup pulley (135) area.
Current art discloses no assembly whereby the pilot's legs may be used for any other function during flight than pushing at the speed stirrup (130) to cause the paraglider to fly faster. Of course, however, at ground level, the legs are used to launch the aircraft by running and the legs are used to land.
Another problem with the current speed stirrup system is that it is often difficult for the pilot to hook the speed stirrup (130) with a foot, especially in turbulent winds, or when the pilot is anxious because of a risky situation that has developed. Some pilots have used a solution to the unhookable stirrup problem that adopts a stretchable stirrup to speed stirrup foot cord (132) as illustrated in FIG. 2. Before launch, the pilot loops one end of the speed stirrup foot cord (132) around his shoe. The other end of the speed stirrup foot cord (132) is attached to the rigid speed stirrup (130). When the pilot straightens his leg, speed stirrup foot cord (132) brings the speed stirrup (130) into a position whereby the pilot can try to snag speed stirrup (130) with the other shoe.
However, this solution has its own problem because it increases the flailing of the dangling stirrup against the legs during the run and related twisting maneuvers on take off. This is annoying and disconcerting, especially in difficult take off and landing conditions, because the pilot may be tripped by the flailing stirrup. The cord also makes for slight jerking of the entire pulley/cord system, through the loop/stirrup set up, which destabilizes the wing. In addition, the pilot often does not have the luxury of landing on golf-course-smooth turf. All of the dangling cords may very easily become entangled in bushes and weeds.
Another method in current use adopts a tough but flexible speed stirrup cord tube (133), typically coming down another 12 inches below the speed stirrup (130), FIG. 2A. Speed stirrup cord tube (133) makes it easier for the pilot to find with the foot. The speed stirrup cord (131) in this case does not pass horizontally through speed stirrup (130), but through additional vertical holes in speed stirrup (130) then through speed stirrup cord tube (133).
2.D TRIM TAB SYSTEM
A few paraglider models can be certified with trim tabs, FIG. 3. These use 2 synthetic straps (141, 145), about 15/16 inches wide and 1/16 inches thick on each of the left and right D risers (107d). These straps are part of the entire trim tab system (149). A trim tab strap (141), one on the right and one on the left, is attached on each D riser (107d) as shown at trim tab straps (141) in FIG. 3, 4, 17. Typically, each trim tab strap (141) is looped around one end of trim tab law buckle (144), FIG. 17. Each trim tab buckle strap (145) has one end attached to the D riser (107d) and it's other end passes through the trim tab jaw clamp (142), which has a spring clamp built inside.
Changing the trim tab straps (141) can only be done by searching them out, trying to grab trim tab straps (141), then moving the trim tab straps (141) by pulling down with the hands on the ends that pass through the trim tab jaw clamp (142). The maximum that can be pulled down is 4 inches and this shortens the D riser along with some shortening of risers C and B. After the trim tab strap (141) length has been changed, it is immediately held in place automatically by the spring clamp part of the trim tab jaw clamp (142). The pilot can then return full attention to the brake loops (120).
To return the D riser (107d) to its full length, the pilot searches for the trim tab jaw clamp (142), tries to pinch the spring clamp, then continually pinches over a period of time of more than one second the spring clamp with the fingers to keep open the spring clamp to allow the upward pressure of the wing (100) to pull the trim tab strap (141) completely back up through the trim tab jaw clamp (142). This in turn allows the back part of the wing (100) to lift; therefore, a flatter shape and ability to fly faster. This use of the hands to operate the trim tab system prevents the use of the hands in attending only to keeping the brake loops (120) in the optimum position for safety.
Another disadvantage of the present trim tab jaw clamp (142) is that one side actually hangs pressed against another riser, so it is not easily and quickly possible to insert the fingers into position to be able to fully squeeze the spring clamp. Also, different than a plain cam buckle, the fingers must be kept on the spring clamp to prevent the built in spring from closing the spring clamp, thus preventing any more movement of the trim tab strap upward. This situation means that longer time away from attending to the brake loops (120) is required thus increasing risk.
Oversimplifying, the trim tab system's lower trim tab buckle straps (145) in effect permit about the same effect as the use of the speed stirrup (130); namely, inducing a faster or slower flying wing configuration. The trim tab system, however, omits any use of the legs, among other differences. In addition, the trim tab jaw clamp (142) allows the trim tab strap (141) to be fixed at the changed length while the hands return to managing the brakes. FIG. 4 indicates about where the speed stirrup system (150) and trim tab system (149) pull on primarily the A risers (107a) or D risers (107d) respectively. Seldom does a pilot get both speed stirrup and trim tab systems on his glider. It is not known if a paraglider has ever been safety rated using both.
Given the dependence of these ultralights on fickle winds, it is important to put safety above such performance issues as maximum lift, glide ratio and speed.
The pilot is much safer when he can attend as much as possible to maintaining optimum pressure on and positioning of the brake loop (120). The pilot should be ready to change brake loop (120) position at a moment's notice. The pilot is also much safer if he maintains his eyes in the direction of his desired flight path and/or looking out for other air traffic which is frequently heavy.
No mechanism currently exists for accomplishing at least three maneuvers without risking poor positioning of the brake loops (120) that significantly introduces risk, especially in strong or turbulent wind conditions. Such wind conditions can occur unpredictably.
Not infrequently the entire paraglider and the pilot are being bounced by wind gusts. The performance of three maneuvers in dangerous conditions is always more difficult than practicing the above steps in smooth conditions.
The three maneuvers risk undesired wing collapse because performing these takes the locations of the brake loops (120) away from the optimum stabilization point (148), about 4 inches below the top of the shoulder. The three maneuvers include: Wing Tip Collapse, B Riser Stall, and Trim Tab Adjustment already discussed. These three maneuvers cause double jeopardy because they also require removal of the eyes from focusing on the above mentioned safety concerns. Current yearly paragliding mishap reports reflect one of the most frequently mentioned problems is wing collapses or stalls. Collapses and stalls are more likely when the pilot fails to provide the correct amounts of brake pressure.
2.E WING TIP COLLAPSE AND B RISER STALL
To descend quickly and lose forward speed, the pilot grasps the carabiner quicklink (109) of the B riser (107b), pulls down 15-20 inches, and holds it down. This produces B riser stall and loss of most of the wing's lifting capacity.
Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, and 6, to fly as fast, yet descend more quickly, the pilot has to perform the following steps to modify the wing, i.e., a 20% wing tip collapse on each side known as Big Ears. First the pilot has to take his eyes off the best focal points in order to try and locate just 4 wing suspension lines (106) among 40 that are 10-15 inches above his head. He has to stretch up both hands as far as they can reach to grab just the 2 outer wing suspension lines on each A riser (107a) about 6 inches above the carabiner quicklink (109). Then he has to pull these lines laterally, then downward about 12 inches and hold them down. All this time the pilot has to ignore the proper positioning of the critical brake loops (120). Trying to pull straight down on said wing suspension lines (106) too close to the carabiner quicklink (109) is futile because this does not allow enough leverage to overcome the lift of the wing unless a pilot is remarkably strong. Even then, directly pulling down risks pulling down all 5 wing suspension lines (106) attached to the carabiner quicklink (109) of A riser (107a).
Having to reach up at least as high as the carabiner quicklink (109) of the A riser (107a) is awkward and only minimally allows holding the outer 2 wing suspension lines (106) of A risers (107a) in conjunction with holding onto the brake loops (120). Being able to do so quickly and easily would help with spot landing. Sometimes a wind gust blows the paraglider up from the path to a desired landing spot. If the pilot had a device that would help him hold and make small modifications in both of the 2 outer A riser (107a) wing suspension lines (106) and at the same time with the brake loops (120), he could better reduce the effect of unwanted lift and/or lower his altitude if he found himself coming in too high for the landing spot he needed.
To summarize, the current art paraglider parts of critical focus for control which the pilot must find, are: the brake loop (120), the first 5-10 inches of the 2 outer wing suspension lines (106) of the A riser (107a), the very top of the B riser (107b), the lower trim tab strap (141), the trim tab jaw clamp (142) and perhaps others.
2.F. VISUAL SUPPORT FOR CONTROLS
There is an absence of visual clues, color and patterns, to facilitate the finding of critical parts of the paraglider control system. Currently there is only a multitude of confusing colors often drawing attention to parts of the paraglider of no flight value. For example, bright yellow main horizontal harness straps (114) are often used.
2.G. OTHER CURRENT ART CONSIDERATIONS
Despite the need for the pilot to perform many flight functions at the same time, the workable and presently used hang gliders and paragliders do not allow the pilot to take advantage of the unique capacities of the fingers of the hand nor allow a direct working relationship between the fingers and the power of the legs to control the paraglider. In present paraglider systems the pilot has only a featureless tube speed stirrup (130) for the legs to act directly on the risers or featureless cloth brake loops (120) for the hands to directly act on the wing (100).
When having to deal with the brake loop (120)/brake line (121), any wing suspension lines (106) or one of the 4 pairs of risers (107), such as the two A risers (107a), current art paragliders have no contrivance to allow these parts to be lowered, held down, and released in one second. Of course, the pilot can actively hold these parts. Nor does current art allow at least retaining both brake loops about 4 inches below the top of the shoulder, positioned at the maximum stabilization position (148), whenever the hands are needed elsewhere.
There is another deficiency in current art. With current art at times the lifting air is so strong at take off that it is impossible for the pilot to make a safe launch. This is because he does not have time to pull the wing off the ground into the air and check the wing for proper inflation then position himself before the air lifts him dramatically off the ground. No current device allows the pilot to make a temporary large reduction in the lifting power of the wing until the pilot has time to assure safe integrity of the paraglider. Such a device must also allow quick and easy reestablishment of the lifting power for take off and rapidly penetrating forward.
Current art does not make use of any hook like device as part of a combination for holding down parts of the wing or for attaching parts together.
No current art has the elements of the present invention, i.e., a master control system for a number of control functions to be controlled while the hands are used to keep properly positioning the brake loops. Nor do present implementations have clutch, gear shift or transmission box equivalent apparatuses.
Another disadvantage is the current art paraglider pulley system. In a pulley system if a cord is not taught nothing will be effectuated until the cord is pulled straight and taught or until the pressure against an object against which the cord will straighten is greater than the weight of the object at the end of the cord. Also the cord will scrape across anything it touches. Current art does not use pull-pull cable systems to alleviate such problems.
2.H. SUMMARY OF MECHANICAL IMPLEMENTATIONS IN PARAGLIDERS
Thus, mechanical inventions in the field of what is usually conceptualized as an aircraft are not obvious to those involved in the art of hang gliding and paragliding to be applicable to paragliding and hang gliding. Simple machines include: the lever, pulley, wheel, axle, screw, and inclined plane/wedge in order to transmit or modify force or motion. The basic, without add ons, paraglider makes minimum use of simple machines for flight controls. For examples, the quicklinks make use of screw pairs sometimes with a spring added. Some of the harness buckles (116) have lever like elements.
A pilot can however add on the speed stirrup or trim tab system to a basic paraglider. The speed stirrup system makes use of the pulley machine. The most elaborate mechanical device as part of any paraglider is probably the trim tab jaw clamp (142) of the trim tab system. This clamp has a rod and a lever to open a spring in its housing, FIG. 17.
One definition of a machine is an apparatus with inter-related parts to perform work. Very broadly speaking, perhaps the wing is a machine of panels of cloth that converts the forces of the air to the work of moving the pilot.
Nor is there any use of more than two transmission elements in one device that exists in the paraglider assemblage. One definition of transmission elements includes elements for the transmitting of motive force. Such elements include: shafts, gears, belt trains, couplings, linkages, clutches, brakes, power screws, cams, flywheels, chain drives and bearings. Again, the brake line (121) runs from human arm power which is applied on the brake loop (120) to effectuate desirable changes, work, in the trailing edge (120) of the wing (100); therefor, maybe line (121) is a transmission element.
Current art does not contain transmissions with clutches. Typically, there is a shift device along with a clutch. In paragliders there is no shift device equivalent. A shift equivalent facilitates the positioning of one part in relation with a second part so as to enable the apparatus to perform more than one output of or internal change within the apparatus.
If paragliders had shift devices such devices would allow many novel actions including allowing the pilots legs and hands to form a combination such as one would find in a bicycle's manual clutch/gear shift transmission power train/linkage system.
The instant invention makes application to paragliders of pull-pull/pull-push cable systems. pull-pull and pull-push cables have a stiff outer sheath/conduit that does not move during functioning. There is an inner wire core (51a) freely movable inside the sheath. When properly installed these cables allow the user to pull something to or push something away from one end of the sheath from a point at the opposite end of the sheath. The two sheath ends may be six or more feet apart. These cables do not exert pressure on or scrape against anything outside the sheath between ends of the sheath. The control end can move freely about one end of the sheath and it can still effect the desired movement at the opposite end of the outer sheath. A common example is the cable system on bicycles.

Non-motorized aircraft flight control system


The invention relates to a swashplate pivot bearing (10) in an adjustment unit of a hydraulic axial piston machine (1) with a timing/tracking mechanism (20) for the cage (14) of a roller bearing arrangement (11). The timing/tracking mechanism (20) is in this case distributed to the two end regions (16, 17, 18) of the roller bearing arrangement (11) in such a way that one part is active only during the pivoting of the swashplate (7) in one direction and the other part is active only during pivoting in the other direction. The timing/tracking mechanism (20) is preferably designed in the manner of a slotted-link control with guide tracks (24, 25, 26) and with a guide element (27, 28).

The invention relates to a swashplate pivot bearing of a hydraulic adjustment unit in an axial piston machine of the swashplate type. The invention relates particularly to swashplate pivot bearings having a timing/tracking mechanism.
The delivery capacity or absorption volume of adjustable axial piston machines of the swashplate type is adjusted via a pivotable swashplate in that the swashplate, which in the zero position of the axial piston machine stands perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the axial piston machine, by being pivoted about a pivot axis perpendicularly to the axis of rotation of the axial piston machine, reduces or increases the volume of the individual cylinders arranged axially with respect to the drive/driven shaft. In this case, the pistons guided slidably on the swashplate, depending on the angular position with respect to their rotation about the axis of rotation of the drive/driven shaft of the axial piston machine, are pushed to a greater or lesser extent into the pressure cylinders of the cylinder block by the pivoted swashplate.
On account of the high forces which are to be supported and which emanate from the pressure cylinders, ring-segment rolling bearings are usually employed in this case as swashplate pivot bearings, preferably cylindrical rolling bodies being used. For this purpose, the swashplates are conventionally designed to be partly cylindrical on the side facing away from the pistons and cylinders. As a counterbearing, the housing for receiving the outer segment of the ring-segment rolling bearings is designed to be partly hollow-cylindrical in this region. When the axial piston machine is in operation, the swashplate pivot bearings are under high load and therefore have to be of robust design. Moreover, the swashplate pivot bearings should ensure uniform easy-running adjustment of the swashplate throughout the lifetime of the axial piston machine, without high frictional forces arising in the swashplate pivot bearing or the swashplate pivot bearing being subjected to premature wear, which may lead to the failure of the axial piston machine. Furthermore, high outlay in terms of the maintenance and/or repair of the swashplate pivot bearings is to be avoided.
A conventional swashplate pivot bearing is known, for example, from DE 10 2005 056 088 A1. According to this prior art, the swashplate is mounted in a roller bearing arrangement which has an inner segment, an outer segment and a cage for guiding a plurality of rollers which are arranged between the inner segment and the outer segment, the inner segment on the swashplate, the outer segment on the housing and the cage between the inner and the outer segment being designed in each case as partial circle segments. The rollers extend only over a circle segment predetermined by the cage and are moved back and forth during the pivoting movement of the swashplate.
In the swashplate pivot bearing described in DE 10 2005 056 088 A1, there is a timing/tracking mechanism which controls the movement of the cage with the effect of limited tracking of the movement of the swashplate. It is necessary for the cage to track the movement or adjustment of the swashplate in order to ensure a favorable rolling movement or roll-off movement of the rollers on the raceways for the rolling bodies on the inner and the outer segment. Since the two raceways, that on the outside of the inner segment and that on the inside of the outer segment, are arranged concentrically, preferably concentrically to the pivot axis of the pivot bearing, the radii of the raceways are different, and during the pivoting of the swashplate sliding or slipping of the rolling bodies occurs if these are not tracked in the circumferential direction in a correcting manner. Such tracking can be implemented, for example, with rolling bodies received in a cage, in that the cage is tracked in the circumferential direction. For this purpose, the arcuate displacement of the cage preferably amounts to half the arcuate displacement of the swashplate in the circumferential direction. Moreover, repeated pivoting/tilting of the swashplate may cause the rollers between the outer segment mounted on the housing and the swashplate to slip into positions other than into the desired optimal supporting positions for counteracting the axial pressure of the swashplate, if the rollers are not tracked. In order to implement this tracking, for example according to DE 10 2005 056 088 A1, a connecting member is provided, which is mounted rotatably on the outer segment and has a slot in which pins fastened to the inner segment and to the cage engage and are guided in such a way that the connecting member limits the arcuate movement of the cage. A similar arrangement with resilient elements for connecting the inner segment, cage and outer segment is known from DE 10 2006 023 711 A1.
According to DE 10 2005 023 275 A1, the tracking of the rollers during pivoting of the swashplate is brought about in that one or more of the rollers are equipped with a gearwheel meshing in each case with toothing on the swashplate and on the housing of the axial piston machine. A disadvantage of using gearwheels is that it is difficult to set the timing, and faulty setting may lead to failure of the bearing and therefore of the entire hydrostatic machine.
DE 10 2009 013 094 A1 describes a swashplate pivot bearing which is designed without a cage for the rollers. The tracking of the rollers or rolling bodies takes place here via a slotted-link control preferably arranged at both ends of the bearing region which the rollers brush over. The tracking device comprises limit stop elements for the rollers, which are moved jointly with the rollers by means of the slotted-link guide during a pivoting movement of the swashplate pivot bearing. One of the slotted links is fixed to a machine in a housing portion and the other moves together with the swashplate, with the result that the limit stop elements connected to the sliding block are displaced with the effect of the desired tracking.
The swashplate pivot bearing according to DE 10 2009 013 094 A1 has no inner segment, but instead the rollers run directly on the swashplate. This necessitates a high quality of the raceway of the rollers on the swashplate, along with a correspondingly high outlay in production terms. The form of construction according to DE 10 2005 056 088 A1 avoids this disadvantage by providing a separate inner segment and a separate outer segment as a raceway for the rollers, the said segments being mounted in each case on the swashplate or on the housing of the hydraulic adjustment unit. This avoids the need for special requirements to be met by the housing and swashplate which do not have to have hardened raceways for the rollers. To connect and adjust the outer segment and inner segment to and with respect to one another and to and with respect to the swashplate and housing, stamped noses are used. However, producing these noses by stamping is difficult and, because of their small size, presents assembly problems.


An inter-vehicle distance measuring device which can automatically set a tracing window for tracing an image of a fore-running vehicle to be measured for distance. A window setting unit sets plural numbers of windows at given locations on one of the images. An estimate member calculates a distance up to objects caught by those windows, detects the symmetry of the image, and estimates presence of a fore-running vehicle and its position on one of images, and the detected distance data as well. A tracing window is automatically set at the position.

The present invention relates to an optical type distance measuring device using image sensors, and more particularly to a device which continuously measures a distance from a first vehicle to another vehicle running ahead of the first vehicle (hereinafter referred to as "an inter-vehicle distance measuring device").
Conventional optical type distance measuring devices using image sensors are disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. Sho. 63-38085, 63-46363. Any of those devices, as shown in FIG. 10, contain right and left optical systems including lenses 1' and 2', respectively, which are spaced from each other by a base width L. Image sensors 3' and 4' are positioned at the focal distance f from the lenses 1' and 2', respectively. A signal processor 51 calculates a distance to an object 52 from the vehicle carrying the distance measuring device (referred to as the measuring-device carrying vehicle) by processing image signals received from the image sensors 3' and 4'.
Next, the method of measuring the distance up to the object 52 will be described. The signal processor 51 receives the image signals from the image sensors 3' and 4', which represent images of the object 52 formed on the image sensors 3' and 4' through the lenses 1' and 2', respectively. The processor then electrically superposes those image signals from the image sensors 3' and 4' by shifting them, and calculates, by the following equation, a distance R from the measuring-device carrying vehicle to the object 52 by the principle of the trigonometric measurement on the basis of an amount (d) of shifting when the image signals are most coincident with each other.
[Formula 1] PA1 R=(f.times.L)/d
On the other hand, a method for tracing the vehicle running ahead picked up by the image sensors, for example, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho. 60-33352. A feature of the apparatus thereof is recited to trace an image of a target on the screen of a display unit, in which an operator manually sets a tracing gate (window) enclosing the target on the screen, while watching the screen.
The conventional distance measuring device is constructed such that the distance from the first vehicle to the object is obtained by comparing the images picked up by the right and left optical systems. Therefore, when measuring the inter-vehicle distance to the vehicle running ahead while the first vehicle carries the distance measuring device and where other vehicles are operating on the right or left side of the vehicle running ahead in the same direction, there is a problem that the operator of the first vehicle cannot detect which of the vehicles is under measurement.
Further when starting to trace the image of the vehicle running ahead, the operator manually sets a window for tracing an image on the display screen by means of a joystick or a trace pole while watching the screen. At this time, the operator's attention tends to be distracted from the forward direction, which may result in the occurrence of a traffic accident.


An organic EL device is fabricated by a novel method to reduce the occurrence of poor luminescence in the organic EL device. An anode layer, a hole transporting layer, a luminescent layer, an electron transporting layer, and a cathode layer are laminated in this order on a substrate to form an organic EL device. In the organic EL device, the hole transporting layer is increased in thickness so that foreign particles adhering on the anode layer are substantially covered with the hole transporting layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device and a method of manufacturing the organic electroluminescent device, and more particularly to a technology for solving a problem of a defect of luminescence in an organic electroluminescent device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Organic electroluminescent displays (hereinafter, also referred to as "organic EL displays" or "organic EL panels") are attracting attention as new flat-type displays. In particular, active matrix type organic EL displays having thin film transistors (hereinafter, also referred to as "TFTs") as switching elements are regarded as sweeping out the currently prevailing liquid crystal displays in the near future, and are in a fierce development race for practical application.
FIG. 1 schematically shows the sectional structure of a typical organic electroluminescent device (hereinafter, also referred to as "organic EL device"). The organic EL device 100 has the structure in which an anode layer 20, an organic luminescent element layer 80, and a cathode layer 60 are laminated on a substrate 10 in order. The organic luminescent element layer 80 includes organic layers which function as a luminescent element such as a hole transporting layer 30, a luminescent layer 40, and an electron transporting layer 50, which are laminated on the anode layer 20 in this order. When a voltage is applied across the anode layer 20 and the cathode layer 60, holes injected from the anode layer 20 are transported to the luminescent layer 40 by the hole transporting layer 30. Electrons injected from the cathode layer 60 are transported to the luminescent layer 40 by the electron transporting layer 50. The electrons and the holes are recombined with each other at the interface or inside of the luminescent layer 40. The resulting energy excites electrons in the organic molecules of the luminescent layer 40. Then, the excited electrons relax with fluorescence emission. At least either one of the anode layer 20 and the cathode layer 60 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent material that transmits light of visible light range. The light emitted from the luminescent layer 40 is taken out through the electrode layer.
As above, unlike liquid crystal displays, organic EL displays have self-emission devices. This eliminates the need for a backlight which is indispensable to liquid crystal displays, promising apparatuses of yet lower profile and lighter weight. When poor luminescence occurs for any reason, however, dead pixels appear on-screen with deterioration in screen visibility, sometimes presenting an obstacle to the display function. It has therefore been a significant challenge to ascertain the cause of the poor luminescence and prevent it effectively so that organic EL displays having fewer dead pixels or no dead pixel can be fabricated with high yield.

Method of manufacturing an organic electroluminescent device and resulting device


A water-in-oil emulsion ink comprises a water phase and an oil phase, wherein the water phase comprises a carbon black pigment having a pH of less than 8 dispersed therein by a water-soluble resin, and wherein the water phase also comprises a pH-adjusting agent to achieve a pH value for the water phase of 8 or greater. The ink maintains stable rheology on ageing, and provides a stable and consistent ink detection signal even after periods of non-use.

Digital duplicator printing is a rotary printing process in which a stencil containing pixel image voids is mounted on the circumference of a printing drum which contains printing ink. The drum circumference is a mesh screen. Sheets of paper are passed under the drum in point contact as it rotates, ink being forced through the screens and stencil on to the paper to make a print.
It is well known to use water-in-oil emulsion inks for this printing process. The inks may contain pigment in the oil or water phase. Inks which contain pigment in the water phase can provide a number of advantages, typically better image density and reduced set-off, in comparison with similar inks containing pigment in the oil phase. Inks having water phase pigmentation are known, for example, from EP-A-704506, EP-A-827992 and EP-A-848046.
EP-A-778323 describes water-in-oil emulsion inks containing carbon black in the water phase. It is claimed that by selecting carbon black with a pH value in the range 6 to 10 it is possible to achieve excellent stability to changes such as drop enlargement and phase separation. Inks undergoing these types of changes become progressively more fluid.
EP-A-846737 describes water-in-oil emulsion inks containing carbon black in the water phase and/or the oil phase, where the pH value of the water phase is adjusted by the addition of base or buffering agent in order to achieve a value in the range 6 to 12, preferably 7 to 9. Again, the benefit claimed is stability to changes which would result in the emulsion becoming progressively more fluid.

Nakanomyo, Shibata-Machi, Shibata-Gun, Miyagi


A tamper-indicating radio frequency identification device made of densified metal powder and to a sticker including the same device. The present invention also relates to radio frequency identification antenna made of densified metal powder and to a sticker including the same antenna. The present invention also relates to methods of indicating that a radio frequency identification antenna or sticker has been tampered with.

Radio frequency identification technology has become widely used in virtually every industry, including transportation, manufacturing, waste management, postal tracking, airline baggage reconciliation, and highway toll management. An RFID system is made up of two components, the transponder and the interrogator or reader. The essential components of a transponder are the data carrying device—generally referred to as an integrated circuit or an electronic microchip, and a coupling element—such as an antenna. A transponder that contains its own power supply, generally a battery, is know as an active tag, while a transponder that does not contain its own power supply is known as a passive tag, sticker or label. The interrogator or reader contains a radio frequency module (transmitter and receiver), a control unit and a coupling element—an antenna. Power and data exchange between the transponder and the interrogator are achieved through magnetic or electromagnetic fields.
An example of a radio frequency identification sticker is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,121,880 (Scott et al.), "Sticker Transponder for Use on Glass Surface." This patent discloses a sticker transponder adapted to be affixed to a glass surface, such as a vehicle windshield, including a RFID transponder enabling the storage and retrieval of vehicle related data. The sticker transponder comprises a flexible circuit substrate having an antenna formed thereon and a transponder circuit disposed on the substrate and coupled to the antenna. An adhesive layer is coupled to a first surface of the flexible circuit substrate. An indicia layer is coupled to a second surface of the flexible circuit opposite from the first surface. The indicia layer comprises a space permitting indicia to be printed thereon. The antenna has a characteristic impedance defined in part by a dielectric constant of the glass surface. As a result, a proper impedance match between the antenna and the transponder circuit is achieved only when the sticker is affixed to the glass surface. The sticker transponder further comprises a release liner affixed to the adhesive layer, the release liner being selectively removable to permit the sticker transponder to be affixed to the glass surface. The transponder circuit further includes a memory having a read-only portion and a re-writable portion.
An example of a tamper indicating radio frequency identification label is disclosed in PCT Publication WO 01/71848A1 (Atherton), "A Tamper Indicating Radio Frequency Identification Label." This publication discloses a label which may include RFID components and a tamper track coupled to the RFID components. The tamper track should be constructed from a destructible conducting path. Additionally, the tamper rack can be formed such that it is damaged when the label is tampered. In one embodiment, adhesion characteristics of the tamper track (102) are adapted to break apart the tamper track when the label is tampered, for example, by removal from an object. The RFID components may retain their RF capability and detect when the tamper track (102) has been damaged to indicate that the label has been tampered. Alternatively, the RFID capability of the RFID components may be disabled when the tamper track is damaged, indicating tampering.

Tamper-indicating radio frequency identification antenna and sticker, a radio frequency identification antenna, and methods of using the same


An approach for a hypervisor to throttle CPU utilization based on a CPU utilization throttling request received for a data flow is presented. A method comprises receiving a request for a CPU utilization throttling. The request is parsed to extract a CPU utilization level and a data flow identifier of the data flow. Upon receiving a data packet that belongs to the data flow identified by the data flow identifier, a packet size of the data packet is determined, and a rate limit table is accessed to determine, based on the CPU utilization level and the packet size, a rate limit for the data packet. If it is determined, based at least on the rate limit, that the CPU utilization level for the data flow would be exceeded if the data packet is transmitted toward its destination, then a recommendation is generated to drop the data packet.

Managing data traffic communications exchanged along datapaths is usually performed in a best-effort mode. In the best-effort mode, CPU resources are provisioned for processing data flows based on the resources' availability. Therefore, it is possible in this mode that the data flows that communicate at high rates may absorb all CPU resources. This in turn, may prevent other applications or workloads, such as guest virtual machines and system processes and threads that execute on the same physical server, from receiving required CPU resources for some time.
The situation may become even more problematic when a distributed network encryption (DNE) mechanism is enabled on datapaths. Due to the high CPU cost required to encrypt and decrypt data packets along the datapaths, the data traffic that requires the DNE may consume all CPU resources, and leave no CPU resources for executing guest virtual machines and system processes/threads. This may delay or even stall execution of those processes and threads.
In some situations, impeding the execution of guest virtual machines and system processes/threads may slow down the processing of time-sensitive data traffic that may be deadlocked as it waits for the system processes/threads to complete their tasks. Unfortunately, the best-effort mode does not provide sufficient mechanisms for reducing the amount of CPU resources already allocated to the data traffic to allow other applications or workloads, such as guest virtual machines, to receive the CPU resources.

Throttling CPU utilization by implementing a rate limiter


A catheter hub (100) including a first port (104) and a second port (108) fluidly communicating with the first port through a first conduit (106). The first conduit (106) turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the first port (104) and the second port (108). The hub (100) also includes a third port (120) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) through a second conduit (122) that similarly turns at an angle of greater than approximately 135 degrees between the third port (120) and the second port (108). Further, the hub (100) includes a fourth port (130) fluidly communicating with the second port (108) and is generally co-axial therewith. A catheter assembly (150) that utilizes the catheter hub (100) is also disclosed.

Catheters for the introduction or removal of fluids from the body of a patient may be located in various venous locations and cavities throughout the body for introduction of fluids to the body or removal of fluids from the body. Such catheterization may be performed by using multiple catheters, each with a single lumen, or by using a single catheter having multiple lumens. A typical example of a multiple lumen catheter is dual lumen catheter in which one lumen introduces fluid to the patient and the other lumen removes fluid from the patient.
Catheters may be inserted into a patient for acute care, in which the catheterization period is only a few days, or for chronic care, in which the catheterization period may extend several weeks or months. For some types of catheterization, such as in hemodialysis, the catheter is inserted into the patient's jugular vein, with a proximal portion of the catheter extending out of the patient's body proximate to the patient's neck. The connectors and clamps that make up the proximal portion of the catheter extend from the insertion site and lay near the patient's neck and facial area, tending to interfere with normal activities of the patient, particularly when the patient is moving his/her head or trying to sleep. Further, excessive movement of the proximal portion, resulting from the patient turning his/her head, may loosen or damage the catheter, which may lead to blood loss or even death.
It would be beneficial to provide a catheter in which the portion of the catheter external to the patient is disposed away from the neck and head areas of the patient.


An image reading apparatus includes a reference pattern having slanting lines, which is provided outside a reading range and read by image sensors arranged at separate positions in a sub-scanning direction. A reference-position determining unit detects one of the slanting lines in the reference pattern based on image data output from one of the image sensors so that a position of the image data when one of the slanting lines is detected is determined as a reference position. First and second delay units have line memories which store image data read out from an original image having lines, the delay units delaying outputting of the image data from the line memories line by line. First and second determining units determine image data having color values at imaginary points. An error measurement unit selects one of the imaginary points whose image data has a minimum difference between the color values of the image data. First and second line correcting units output image data having the color values at a corrected position of each picture element by using an interpolation function, the interpolation function having a set of correction factors determined based on a distance between the selected imaginary point and the reference position.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus in which image sensors are arranged in parallel to a main scanning direction and at separate positions in a sub-scanning direction to output color component values of each of picture elements of image data read from an original image.
(2) Description of the Related Art
An image reading apparatus in which R, G and B image sensors are arranged in parallel to a main scanning direction and at separate positions in a sub-scanning direction is known. The R, G and B image sensors read out image data from an original image and output color component values (RGB) of each of picture elements of the image data.
In the above image reading apparatus, the times the color component values (RGB) of each picture element are output by the image sensors are different due to the differences between the positions of the R, G and B image sensors in the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the positions of the color component values of each picture element output by the image sensors may deviate from a desired position of the picture element, and a discrepancy of color in output image data may be produced.
To avoid this, in the above image reading apparatus, a correction of image data in which the difference between the positions of the R, G and B image sensors in the sub-scanning direction is taken into account is performed.
Suppose that an original image is optically read in the sub-scanning direction by the R, G and B image sensors in this order. Also, suppose that both a difference between the positions of the R image sensor and the G image sensor in the sub-scanning direction and a difference between the positions of the G image sensor and the B image sensor in the sub-scanning direction correspond to "N" lines in the original image.
For example, the above-mentioned correction of image data is performed such that, when the B image sensor reads out image data (B) from a present line, image data (G) read out from a corresponding preceding line by the G image sensor is delayed by the "N" lines, and image data (R) read out from a corresponding preceding line by the R image sensor is delayed by the "2N" lines. It is possible that the R, G and B image data of each picture element from the R, G and B image sensors be output at the same time.
However, the image reading apparatus generally has vibrations of the scanning mechanism such as a variation of the sub-scanning speed of the R, G and B image sensors. Due to the variation of the sub-scanning speed, positions of color component values of each picture element may deviate from a desired position of the picture element. Even if the correction of image data in which a difference between the positions of the image sensors in the sub-scanning direction is taken into account is performed, it is difficult to carry out a correction of the image data in which the variation of the sub-scanning speed of the R, G and B image sensors is taken into account. Since an image reading apparatus has vibrations of the scanning mechanism, the discrepancy of color in the output image data may be produced and the reproductivity of black may become low. It is impossible for the above image reading apparatus to prevent the positions of color component values of each picture element from deviating from the desired position of the picture element due to the variation of the sub-scanning speed.

Image reading apparatus for correct positioning of color component values of each picture element


Monocyclic and polycyclic azoles having the following formula enhance the covering power of a developed silver image formed from a radiographic element comprising a radiation sensitive tabular grain silver bromide, silver bromochloride or silver bromoiodide emulsion layer containing grains having a mean equivalent circular diameter of at least 0.3 .mu.m and a grain population wherein at least 50 percent of the total grain population projected area is accounted for by tabular grains having a tabularity of greater than 8, as determined by the relationship: ##EQU1## wherein T is tabularity; ECD is the mean effective circular diameter in .mu.m of the tabular grains; and t is the mean thickness in .mu.m of the tabular grains. The azoles have the formula: ##STR1## wherein Z is --N.dbd. or --C(R.sup.5).dbd. where R.sup.5 is hydrogen, --NH.sup.2, aliphatic of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic of 1 to 8 carbon atoms;. R.sup.4 is hydrogen, aliphatic of 1 to 8 carbon atoms or aromatic of 1 to 8 carbon atoms; PA1 R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 together complete a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic nucleus containing 1 to 3 ring nitrogen atoms; PA1 L is a divalent aliphatic linking group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms; PA1 T is an aliphatic terminal group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; PA1 m is 0 or 1; PA1 n is an integer of 0 to 4; and PA1 p is an integer of 2 to 4.

In medical radiography an image of a patient's tissue and bone structure is produced by exposing the patient to X-radiation and recording the pattern of penetrating X-radiation using a radiographic element containing at least one radiation sensitive silver halide emulsion layer coated on a transparent (usually blue tinted) support. The X-radiation can be directly recorded by the emulsion layer where only limited areas of exposure are required, as in dental imaging and the imaging of body extremities. However, a more efficient approach, which greatly reduces X-radiation exposures, is to employ an intensifying screen in combination with the radiographic element. The intensifying screen absorbs X-radiation and emits longer wavelength electromagnetic radiation which silver halide emulsions more readily absorb. Another technique for reducing patient exposure is to coat two silver halide emulsion layers on opposite sides of the film support to form a "double coated" radiographic element. Diagnostic needs can be satisfied at the lowest patient X-radiation exposure levels by employing a double coated radiographic element in combination with a pair of intensifying screens. The imagewise exposed and processed radiographic element is primarily intended for viewing by transmitted light. In a typical situation a medical radiologist studies the silver image with the radiographic element mounted on a light box, a white translucent illumination source.
Radiographic elements that contain tabular grain silver halide emulsion layers are described in the art and are known to provide advantages over radiographic elements that comprise layers of the more conventional spherical grain silver halide emulsions. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,355, issued Feb. 19, 1991; 5,021,327, issued Jun. 4, 1991 and 5,041,364, issued Aug. 20, 1991.
As illustrated by European Patent Application No. 0 430 115 A1, published Jun. 5, 1991, (hereinafter referred to simply as EP 0 430 115 A1), it is also known that radiographic elements containing tabular grain silver halide layers sometimes have lower silver covering power than is desired. EP 0 430 115 A1 describes increasing the covering power of a tabular grain silver halide emulsion in a radiographic element by adding to the emulsion a heterocyclic thione having the following formula: ##STR2## wherein Z represents sufficient carbon atoms to form a 5 membered or aromatic ring, or substituted 5 membered or aromatic ring, and R is an alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms, a sulfoalkyl group of 2-5 carbon atoms, a dialkyl aminomethyl or a a hydroxymethyl group.
It is desirable to increase the covering power of radiographic elements containing tabular grain silver halide layers because this provides higher density for a given amount of silver or the same density from a lesser amount of developed silver. Increased silver density is desirable from the medical radiologist's point of view since a higher density image can provide more detail and aid in making a diagnosis. Furthermore, from a manufacturing and cost point of view, it is desirable to reduce the amount of silver that is necessary to coat a silver halide emulsion layer in a radiographic element.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,447 and 4,859,565 may, upon superficial examination, appear to be of some interest with respect to this invention since these patents describe the use of heterocyclic azole compounds as "density-and/or tone controlling compounds". However, these patents simply describe using such compounds in a photographic silver complex diffusion transfer reversal process (simply referred to as DTR process) wherein a silver image is formed in a non-radiation sensitive layer from a soluble silver salt. There is no suggestion that such compounds would have any effect in modifying the covering power of a silver image formed in the DTR process, much less a silver image formed from a tabular grain radiation sensitive silver halide emulsion of the type used in the present invention. Furthermore, each of the aforementioned patents teach and demonstrate that the heterocyclic azoles described therein do not substantially affect transmission densities (D.sub.TR) measured on silver images formed in the DTR process. See, for example, Tables 2 and 3 in each of the aforementioned patents. Accordingly, it is evident that U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,447 and 4,859,565 are not pertinent to the invention described herein which pertains to the use of a specific class of heterocyclic azoles to increase the covering power of a silver image formed from a radiographic element comprising a radiation sensitive tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,601 describes the use of certain 2-alkylthio-4-hydroxy-1,3,3a,7-tetraazaindenes to modify the image tone in photographic elements and impart a netural tone to a developed silver image formed upon exposure and processing of the element. Such image toning materials have the following formula: ##STR3##
Wherein R.sub.1 is alkyl containing 6 to 11 carbon atoms or is a ring system and the groups R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are each individually hydrogen or alkyl containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
There is no suggestion in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,601 that the tetraazaindene compounds described therein have any effect upon the covering power of the silver halide emulsions described in the patent and, of course, contains no teachings with respect to radiation sensitive tabular silver halide emulsions. The patent is, however, of some interest with respect to the present invention since a number of the compounds described therein have been found to be effective to increase the covering power of silver images formed from radiation sensitive tabular silver halide emulsions according to this invention.
In light of the previous discussion, it is evident that it is very desirable to increase the covering power of developed silver formed from radiation sensitive tabular grain silver halide emulsions. Likewise, it would be desirable to have a silver image forming radiographic element comprising a radiation sensitive tabular grain silver halide emulsion layer that provides a silver image exhibiting increased covering power upon exposure and processing. This invention meets such desirable objectives.

Radiographic elements with improved covering power


A system and method are disclosed that use the steady-state free precessing (SSFP) technique for MR imaging to allow the acquisition of MR angiography images in which the acquisition is not time dependent upon the first passage of a contrast agent. The technique includes applying a pulse sequence with refocusing Sxe2x88x92 signals from a train of RF pulses to a desired field-of-view (FOV) in a patient in which a contrast bolus has been injected. An SSFP image of the desired FOV is acquired, together with an Sxe2x88x92 SSFP mask image of the desired FOV. The Sxe2x88x92 SSFP mask image is subtracted from the SSFP image in order to reconstruct an image with improved visualization of the arterial and venous structures and reduce mis-registration artifacts.

The present invention relates generally to an improved method for acquiring magnetic resonance images (MRI) of blood-carrying vessels, and more particularly to, a method and apparatus to acquire post-contrast images to visualize arterial and venous structures that is not time dependent on the acquisition of the images during the arterial or immediate post-injection period of a contrast bolus and uses steady-state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequences.
When a substance such as human tissue is subjected to a uniform magnetic field (polarizing field B0), the individual magnetic moments of the spins in the tissue attempt to align with this polarizing field, but precess about it in random order at their characteristic Larmor frequency. If the substance, or tissue, is subjected to a magnetic field (excitation field B1) which is in the x-y plane and which is near the Larmor frequency, the net aligned moment, or xe2x80x9clongitudinal magnetizationxe2x80x9d, MZ, may be rotated, or xe2x80x9ctippedxe2x80x9d, into the x-y plane to produce a net transverse magnetic moment My. A signal is emitted by the excited spins after the excitation signal B1 is terminated and this signal may be received and processed to form an image.
When utilizing these signals to produce images, magnetic field gradients (Gx Gy and Gz) are employed. Typically, the region to be imaged is scanned by a sequence of measurement cycles in which these gradients vary according to the particular localization method being used. The resulting set of received NMR signals are digitized and processed to reconstruct the image using one of many well known reconstruction techniques. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an emerging technology for the non-invasive assessment of arterial and venous structures. Intravenously administered contrast agents increase the visualization of these structures for contrast-enhanced MRA, especially if performed during their initial passage (a.k.a. first pass or arterial phase) in the target vessel. The imaging of small vessels with contrast-enhanced MRA techniques however requires a compromise of image spatial resolution and imaging time. In general, higher spatial resolution requires extended imaging time. Extended imaging time, however, diminishes the ability to achieve high arterial signal-to-noise (S/N) since bolus duration must be extended to match the elongated imaging time. This is problematic since a slower bolus administration results in lower achieved concentrations of contrast media. In addition, by prolonging the acquisition period, the signal intensity of the venous structures is increased due to venous re-circulation. Therefore, extending or prolonging data acquisition after the initial contrast passage will lead to not only diminished arterial signal intensity but also increased venous signal intensity, the result of which is compromised ability to visualize diseased vessels.
In order to improve vascular depiction, background suppression is usually employed. Background suppression for MRA is obtained by either applying fat suppression pulses during the first pass acquisition, or subtracting out the background signals using a pre-contrast mask. The pre-contrast mask image has identical acquisition parameters as the first pass acquisition. Signal intensity for all structures in the pre-contrast mask image is identical to that of the first pass acquisition, except for the vascular structures. Subtracting the pre-contrast mask from the first pass image then yields only signal from vascular structures. This is particularly important in imaging the small vessels such as may exist in the calf region in a patient because of the amount of fat and soft tissue background which often obscures adequate visualization of the small vessels. However, there are problems with both techniques. For example, applying fat suppression pulses is dependent on good magnetic field homogeneity and tends to increase the overall scan time. This increased scan time also increases the possibility of venous signal contamination and suboptimal arterial signal. The technique of using a mask subtraction requires that the patient not move significantly between the mask acquisition and the contrast-enhanced acquisition. Failure to do so will cause mis-registration artifacts in the reconstructed image, thereby resulting in inadequate background suppression and artifacts from the subtraction of mis-registered objects.
Coherent steady-state free precession (SSFP) is a technique in which the free induction decay (FID) signal (i.e., S+ signal) and the spin echo signal (Sxe2x88x92 signal) from a train of RF pulses are refocused within each repetition time (TR) interval. The zeroth gradient moments accumulate to zero at the end of each TR interval. This results in the same amount of transverse and longitudinal magnetization being generated after each radio frequency (rf) pulse and increases the available image signal-to-noise ratio (S/N). However, use of this contrast acquisition technique results in high signal intensities from fat which do not decrease significantly with increasing flip angles. Furthermore, as the tissue contrast is a function of the ratio of the spin-spin relaxation time (T2) and the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) high signal intensity is also returned from fluid. Subsequently, high signal intensity is obtained from the internal abdominal organs. This significant drawback has prevented coherent SSFP acquisition from being used with first pass MRA since there is but one chance to acquire a good image. Furthermore, coherent SSFP acquisition results in high signal intensities from water as well. Therefore, the signal from the small bowel, bladder, etc., remains high in both the post and pre-contrast SSFP images which diminish its application for imaging vessels in the abdomen and pelvis. Since the motion from these structures cannot be predicted and is fairly random, subtraction cannot effectively suppress signals from these structures.
On the other hand, coherent SSFP images have higher image S/N than conventional gradient echo images as used for conventional contrast-enhanced MRA. These S/N improvements of SSFP can also improve visualization of vessels having slow or disrupted flow as seen in areas of stenosis or intimal pathology circumstances which often result in the over-estimation of disease using conventional contrast-enhanced MRA methods. It would therefore be desirable to have a technique, or a series of techniques, to maximize the use of SSFP for MRA applications that do not require the use of a pre-contrast mask image, and is therefore not as sensitive to the time relative to the administration of a contrast bolus, nor spatially limited by the same temporal considerations of bolus kinetics.
The present invention relates to a system and method for acquiring MR images using SSFP pulse sequences to produce images with high background suppression and significant contrast, such as between vessels and adjacent soft tissue, such as fat, muscle, bone marrow, fluid, and such, that solves the aforementioned problems.
Since it is known that the coherent SSFP technique results in an acquisition with high signal intensity for blood, water, and fat, the present invention takes advantage of this result by repeating such an acquisition with an additional Sxe2x88x92 SSFP acquisition in which structures with moving blood have relatively low signal intensity. The Sxe2x88x92 SSFP acquisition is an incoherent steady-state technique that acquires signal only from the FID that is refocused by the subsequent rf pulse. Thus, tissue contrast is a function of T2 and it has similar signal intensity characteristics as the coherent SSFP signal. The exception is that by spoiling the FID, the refocused echo is highly sensitive to flow related dephasing, leading to dark signal in vascular structures. By subtracting the Sxe2x88x92 SSFP image from the SSFP image, a high image S/N of preferentially arterial and venous structures can be obtained. This is possible even where both images are acquired a considerable amount of time after the first pass of the contrast agent. In addition, the image S/N of the arterial and venous signal is much higher than that encountered using conventional gradient echo techniques performed at the same delayed time following the administration of contrast media.
Further, since the signal from vascular structures is relatively low with black-blood image contrast in the Sxe2x88x92 SSFP images, better background suppression can be realized if a scaling factor, or weighting, is applied to the Sxe2x88x92 SSFP image to improve vessel conspicuity. This technique is particularly useful for screening of vascular pathology, especially venous vascular disease, such as lower extremity deep venous thrombosis that can occur over an extensive anatomic region that spans from the calf through the inferior vena cava, right ventricle and into the pulmonary arteries.
There are a number of advantages to using such a technique. For one, the image S/N is higher than that of conventional gradient echo images. Another is that since the mask and the SSFP image can be acquired back-to-back, the patient is required to remain still for only a very short time, which significantly reduces the occurrence of spatial mis-registration artifacts. Further, the ability to obtain MRA images well after the first pass of the contrast agents allows improved visualization of the arterial and venous structures with higher spatial resolution. Such delayed imaging also provides a reliable backup sequence in case the primary angiographic sequence fails.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an MR imaging technique includes injecting a contrast bolus into a patient, and then applying a pulse sequence with refocusing Sxe2x88x92 signals from a train of RF pulses to a desired FOV in the patient at a time that is independent of when the contrast bolus was injected.
The technique includes acquiring both an Sxe2x88x92 SSFP mask image and an SSFP image, and then subtracting the Sxe2x88x92 mask image from the SSFP image. The mask image can be acquired either before or after the primary SSFP image is acquired, or alternatively, a mask image can be acquired both before and after the primary SSFP image in order to minimize the effects of patient motion. In the latter case, either the system or an operator can select the better mask image to use in the subtraction part of the imaging process. An optional scale factor can be applied to the mask image to further improve background tissue suppression. A hybrid approach is also disclosed in which a gradient echo pulse sequence is applied according to conventionally known first-pass MRI techniques to visualize the larger arterial vessels, and then an SSFP sequence is applied to visualize the smaller vessels.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an MRI apparatus to acquire MR angiography (MRA) images includes a magnetic resonance imaging system having an RF transceiver system and a plurality of gradient coils positioned about the bore of a magnet to impress a polarizing magnetic field. An RF switch is controlled by a pulse module to transmit RF signals to an RF coil assembly for acquiring MR images. A computer is programmed to acquire the SSFP and the Sxe2x88x92 SSFP images. It is noted that either image can be acquired first, and preferably, the images are acquired with minimal time separation therebetween to reduce spatial mis-registration artifacts secondary to patient motion. The computer then subtracts the Sxe2x88x92 mask image from the SSFP image and reconstructs an image from the subtracted images having a high contrast and significant background suppression. This technique is equally applicable to both 2D images and 3D volume acquisitions.
Yet another aspect of the invention includes a computer program having a set of instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to apply an SSFP pulse sequence and acquire an SSFP image, and apply an Sxe2x88x92 SSFP pulse sequence and acquire an Sxe2x88x92 SSFP image. The Sxe2x88x92 SSFP is then subtracted from the SSFP image and an image is reconstructed with high background suppression and significant contrast between vessels and the background, such as fat, muscle, bone marrow, fluid and other soft tissue.
This technique allows the imaging of arterial and venous structures in a delayed period, or xe2x80x9cquasi-steady-statexe2x80x9d following the administration of a contrast media. Unlike conventional MR techniques, the mask image can be acquired at any time, and is not dependent on the time of administration of the contrast media. This technique can also be combined with conventional first-pass MRA that uses a gradient echo pulse sequence to image large vessels while the SSFP sequence can be used to visualize the smaller or more distal vessels.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description and the drawings.

Method and apparatus using post contrast-enhanced steady-state free precession in MR imaging

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC

Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences


A refractive fuel concentration detector comprises mainly a light source device and a light-sensing device. The light source device supplies light source incident on the fuel and refracts light source to the light-sensing device such that a plurality of light sensor therein would respectively output a corresponding electrophysical quantity signal based on the light quantity received. Moreover, a circuit means can be used to obtain concentration information of fuel based on the electrophysical quantity signal output by the light sensors and the tag information of those light sensors.

Conventional fuel cells undergo electrochemical reaction with hydrogen-rich fuel (e.g. methanol) and oxygen fuel. In the applications of such fuel cells, it is necessary for users to know when to replenish the fuel when fuel concentration or level becomes low. Detection of fuel concentration in the fuel container is typically achieved through expensive metering sensor, which is rather uneconomical when used extensively in portable electrical products.
In light of the drawbacks of conventional fuel cells, the inventor aims to develop a refractive fuel concentration detector.


An electronic memory device in which a user can customize the keys on a keypad, record the occurrence of and information related to an unscheduled medical event or a scheduled medical event, for example, the taking of medication, and set a predetermined time interval between scheduled medical events. The keys are customizable so that the user can identify specific medications or specific symptoms. The device can be in the form of a personal digital assistant-based memory pad having icon keys so that the user can easily enter data, and an electronic pen for activating the on-screen icon keys.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic memory pad and complementary features of the electronic memory pad. More specifically, the present invention relates to a customizable electronic memory pad that can (1) record and play back information related to multiple unscheduled events occurring at varying time intervals and medical events (for example, taking of medication) occurring at scheduled and/or varying time intervals, and (2) remind a user of a required time for a single scheduled event or a required time interval between multiple scheduled events.
2. Description of the Related Art
Individuals who wish to record the occurrence of physical symptoms that occur at different times of the day or the required time intervals between different medications have had to rely on their memory or record the event with pen and paper. Such information would generally include the date and time that the physical symptom was felt or the time intervals between different medications. This type of recording is difficult when there are a number of different physical symptoms occurring at irregular intervals or when the individual seeks to record multiple events at night.
Individuals who are taking medications often record when a medication should be taken, but have a tendency not to record when a particular medication can be taken in relation to another medication. Such lack of recordation can result in adverse drug interaction such as one drug reducing, neutralizing, or increasing the effects of another; two similar drugs causing an effect much greater than would normally be expected; and two drugs taken together causing a new, unexpected, and unhealthy reaction. Other adverse drug interactions can include cardiovascular events, seizures, and gastric irritation and erosion of the protective lining of the stomach. Even foods and non-prescription medications can react with prescription drugs. For example, salt substitutes can interact with some diuretics causing nausea, vomiting, and even cardiac arrest; decongestants can interact with diuretics increasing blood pressure; antacids can slow the absorption of blood-thinning drugs; and aspirin can increase the effects of blood-thinning drugs and could make any bleeding difficult to stop. As a result, individuals taking more than one drug must carefully follow their physician's orders for the administration of the medications. However, if an individual is receiving medications from different physicians, the orders, even if followed correctly, may be hazardous with respect to other medications. This scenario becomes particularly important for seniors or the elderly where the likelihood of needing to take several medications increases with age. As such, the risk of a drug interaction also increases. Forty percent of individuals who have experienced an adverse drug interaction are more than 60 years old.
Recently, advances in the field of electronics have yielded the personal digital assistant (PDA) handheld devices designed as personal organizers for storing tasks and appointments and for performing calculations. However, the keypad for inputting information is pre-designated from the manufacturer with an arrangement that coincides with conventional lettering and numbering systems.
The inventor of the present invention has developed a recording device that allows a user to customize the keypad for the user's specific circumstances.