A system for emulating a telematics client is provided. The system includes a workstation in communication with a display screen. A software stack configured to be executed by the workstation to implement functionality for a telematics client is included. The software stack imitates a configuration of an in-vehicle telematics stack of a telematics control unit (TCU). The software stack includes a service gateway for loading an emulator. A user interface (UI) manager configured to communicate with the loaded emulator is included with the software stack. The UI manager enables a presentation of TCU user interface without accessing the TCU. Methods to emulate a user interface and loading an emulator on a workstation are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to network-centric telematics services and applications supplied to vehicles and more particularly to a client toolkit for application developers to develop cross platform telematics services in a java technology.
2. Description of the Related Art
The electronic content and sophistication of automotive designs has grown markedly. Microprocessors are prevalent in a growing array of automotive entertainment safety and control functions. Consequently, this electronic content is playing an increasing role in the sales and revenues of the automakers. The features provided by the electronic content include audio systems, vehicle stability control, driver activated power train controls, adaptive cruise control, route mapping, collision warning systems, etc. The significant increase of the electronic content of land based vehicles has concomitantly occurred with the explosive growth of the Internet and the associated data driven applications supplied through mobile applications.
Telematics, a broad term that refers to vehicle-based communication systems and information services, promises to combine vehicle safety, entertainment and convenience features through wireless access to distributed networks, such as the Internet. Telematics offers the promise to move away from the hardware-centric model from audio and vehicle control systems that are built into devices that are custom designed for each vehicle, to infotainment delivered by plug-and-play hardware whose functionality can be upgraded through software loads or simple module replacement. Furthermore, new revenue streams will be opened up to automobile manufacturers and service providers through the products and services made available through telematics.
Since these infotainment systems integrate entertainment and information within a common envelope, the systems need to be highly integrated, open and configurable. However, the electronic systems currently on the market are custom designed for the make, model, year and world region in which the vehicle is sold. Additionally, the electronic systems being used today are linked by proprietary busses having severely limited bandwidth that are inadequate for data-intensive services combining information entertainment and safety. The proprietary and customized systems require a developer to know the underlying software and hardware application program interfaces (APIs) in order to develop applications for future infotainment systems. However, numerous proprietary and customized systems are spread across the various makes and models of the vehicles in the marketplace and even within the same models from year to year. Thus, the heterogeneous nature of the various systems essentially eliminates any benefits of economies of scale since equipment and software must be tailored to each model permutation.
Furthermore, the embedded boards that are used by vehicle manufacturers are tried and tested with respect to mission critical systems, however, they are difficult to work with for a developer. More particularly, the developing and testing of an application that provides functionality for telematics systems associated with a vehicle is burdensome not only because of the heterogeneous nature of the multitude of embedded boards used, but also because of the configuration of embedded boards in general, i.e., limited memory, serial ports, etc., that require obtaining specialized hardware for a developer to work with the systems. Thus, the developer must invest in back-end infrastructure or an embedded development environment. It should be appreciated that some of these boards are not equipped with local storage, the board must be hooked up to a personal computer that has a special software program that can load the operating system over a network. Additionally, debugging the application on the board itself requires tying into a serial port of the board and reviewing generated text. These barriers would deter an independent developer from providing infotainment applications outside of the mission critical vehicle system applications provided by vehicle manufacturers.
A self-contained personal computer model, also referred to as the fat client model, has been proposed to provide a uniform standard across makes and models of vehicles. Here, the client performs the bulk of the data processing operations. However, there are a number of shortcomings of this model. For instance, the tightly coupled operating system/hardware architecture does not provide multi-platform support. Additionally, desktop operating systems are too general purpose and too large to fit in the restricted physical envelope of telematics devices. More importantly, the susceptibility to viruses and the general lack of security would be an unacceptable risk for the automobile manufacturer.
In view of the forgoing, there is a need for a system and method to encourage independent developers to develop and test applications for execution by a telematics control unit in order for a wide range of functionality to be made available to telematics consumers.


Method of preparing metal disulfides of the general formula EQU (Sn.sub.x Me.sub.1-x)S.sub.2,. wherein. Me represents one or more of the elements Ti, Mo, Fe, Cr, Ta, Nb, Mn, Bi, W and Cu, and PA1 x can have values between 0.5 and 1, PA1 by mixing Sn, alone or with Me and/or Me sulfides, with a superstoichiometric quantity of S and reacting the same together, in the presence of halide compounds, in an exothermic reaction in an inert atmosphere. and the further processing the disulfide product thereof to form dimetal trisulfides.

The present invention relates to a method of preparing metal disulfides of the general formula EQU (Sn.sub.x Me.sub.1-X)S.sub.2,
wherein
Me represents one or more of the elements Ti, Mo, Fe, Cr, Ta, Nb, Mn, Bi, W and Cu, and PA1 x can have values between 0.5 and 1,
and the further processing thereof to form dimetal trisulfides.
Metal sulfides such as SnS.sub.2 are obtained in small amounts by the reaction of the elements in closed vessels at temperatures of 500.degree. C. (G. Brauer, Handbuch der Praparativen Anorganischen Chemie, 3rd Edition, 1978, 2nd Volume, pages 763 to 765). A SnS.sub.2 is also formed by passing hydrogen sulfide into weakly acidic solutions of tin(IV) salts. A tin disulfide, which is also called "mosaic gold", is obtained industrially by heating tin amalgam to red heat with sulfur and NH.sub.4 Cl (Ullmann, Encyklopadie der anorganischen Chemie, 3rd Edition, Volume 24, page 672). On account of its golden color, SnS.sub.2 is used in particular for gilding objects and in painting. Metal disulfides which contain tin are also suitable for use in tribology (e.g. EP 054 616-A1, U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,758, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,774).
It is known from Gmelin, Handbuch der Anorganischen Chemie, Band Zinn, C2, pages 37 to 40, published by Springer Verlag, 1975, that SnS.sub.2 is obtained by heating amalgamated Sn with excess sulphur and ammonium chloride in open vessels until all the Hg has been expelled (cf. top of page 40). This extract also describes the production of SnS.sub.2 from the elements (Sn and S) in closed vessels under very high pressures (cf. bottom of page 39). Both processes are not suitable for industrial production. The resulting products are consequently also described as preparations which on the one hand still contain 0.01 to 0.1% Hg after sublimation or on the other hand are not completely free from SnS and elemental sulphur.
However, sulfides of this type can only be employed for large-scale industrial use in the field of tribological applications if they can be manufactured inexpensively. It is therefore necessary to provide an inexpensive method which enables large amounts to be produced on an industrial scale.
The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a simple, inexpensive method of preparing tin-containing metal disulfides which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

Method of preparing metal disulfides and the further processing thereof to form dimetal trisulfides


A reciprocating saw comprises a housing, a blade assembly, a reciprocating rod assembly, a driving assembly and an operation mechanism. The blade assembly extends forward from one side of the housing, and comprises a positioning structure. The reciprocating rod assembly is detachably connected with the blade assembly and comprises a blade fixing structure and an unlocking component matched with the positioning structures. The driving assembly is accommodated in the housing, and drives the reciprocating rod assembly to drive the blade assembly to perform reciprocating motion. The operation mechanism is installed on the housing and moves between a locking position and an unlocking position and comprises an operation button, a drive cam matched with the unlocking components and an elastic reset component for resetting the operation button.

Reciprocating saw is a common power tool, through the rotation generated by the motor to drive the reciprocating rod to move back and forth, further to drive the blade to move back and forth to perform the cutting function. The operation mechanism for releasing the blade on the reciprocating saw is commonly selected as a knob or a push button both of which have their advantages and disadvantages. Push button operation mechanism is quick and easy while releasing, the user experience is comfortable. But, due to the push button is commonly set at the handling part of the human hand, during user operation process, there is a possibility of accidentally touching the push button causing the blade to release, resulting in a dangerous situation. From the view of safety, a knob operation mechanism is more reliable than the push button operation mechanism. Besides, due to a gap after the blade installed on the tool, the blade is easily to generate vibration during moving driven by the motor, therefore, how to make the connection and positioning between the reciprocating rods and the blades reliable and firm is also a very concerned problem in this field.
Therefore, it is necessary to design an improved reciprocating saw to overcome the above problems.


A container that is interlockingly stackable and self-sealing. The container includes a body, an upper interlock component, and a lower interlock component. The upper interlock component extends outwardly from the body. The lower interlock component extends inwardly from the body and replaceably receives the upper interlock component of a next lower container so as to allow the container to be interlockingly stacked and self-sealed. In a first embodiment, the container is a bottle, and in a second embodiment, the container is a can.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vessel, and more particularly, a stackable interlocking vessel.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for interlocking containers have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, however, they differ from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 896,903, Published/Issued on Aug. 25, 1908, to Ferry teaches a combination bottle and drinking cup. The drinking cup sheaths the lower portion of the bottle and has a waxy inner surface that renders the drinking cup impervious to liquid and causes the drinking cup to cling to the bottle.
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,723, Published/Issued on Jan. 15, 1991, to Hsu teaches an assembly of beverage bottle/can and cup including a beverage bottle or can for containing the beverage and a cup for encasing the lower part of the bottle or can to be integrated as one body. A plurality of parallel linear projections are provided to the inner wall at the upper part of cup whereon a plurality of vent grooves are spaced in a suitable distance in the direction perpendicular to the projections, and a clip is provided to the outer upper edge of cup.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 6,161,355, Published/Issued on Dec. 19, 2000, to Gratt teaches a system of tracks, brackets, and containers, typically empty beverage cans, assembled and used for temporary storage, temporary emergency shelters, toys, or other uses involving inexpensive and light-weight building materials. The system is implemented by releasably attaching the containers to the tracks, then releasably attaching the tracks to each other either horizontally, vertically, or both to form structural elements, such as beams, columns, or panels. The rigid tracks are made from a material that allows for apertures in the tracks to be sized to resiliently snap onto portions of the containers. The track is formable in a variety of different shapes, such as straight-shaped, angle-shaped, curve-shaped, T-shaped, or cross-shaped. Additionally, the brackets are formable in a variety of different shapes to attach the track assemblies to each other in various orientations.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,649, Published/Issued on Oct. 1, 2013, to Rivera, et al. teaches stackable containers that, in various embodiments, are adapted to be vertically and/or horizontally interlocked with other, like, containers. In one embodiment, a stackable container includes a top surface having a shoulder portion that extends upwardly from the top surface and that is substantially disposed within a perimeter defined by the top surface, a bottom surface defining a stacking recess, and a plurality of substantially vertical side surfaces that extend between the top surface and the bottom surface. In various embodiments, a recessed portion of the bottom surface adjacent the stacking recess is adapted to substantially mate with at least a portion of a shoulder portion of a like container.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. D439,156, Published/Issued on Mar. 20, 2001, to Hall, et al. teaches the ornamental design for a set of interlocking bottles.
A SIXTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 2006/0096942, Published/Issued on May 11, 2006, to Lane teaches a stackable bottle for use with liquids or other consumable materials. A system of the stackable bottles features nesting bottles having interlocking upper and lower surfaces, interlocking side walls, and integral handles. Each bottle has generally planar side walls to permit optimization of stack volume. The bottles are designed to be stacked in an upright position to reduce spillage from the neck of each bottle. Interlocks provide a locational transition fit engagement for connection and disconnection.
A SEVENTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 2006/0255000, Published/Issued on Nov. 16, 2006, to Quintana teaches a water bottle that includes an intruding bottom portion allowing entry of a spout portion of another water bottle, and stacking surfaces for supporting vertically stacked water bottles. The water bottle neck is shaped for inverted cooperation with a water dispenser to release the water for drinking or cooking. An outside stacking surface at the bottom of the spout portion cooperates with an inside stacking surface at the base of the water bottle. The water bottle includes a molded-in handle, and the spout portion includes inside threads for a screw-on cap.
AN EIGHTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 2009/0266782, Published/Issued on Oct. 29, 2009, to Lane teaches a bottle having a storage chamber defined by spaced upper and lower surfaces and planar sidewalls. A conical ceiling in the upper surface has an opening at the top thereof. A conical convex recess in the lower surface is for receiving the conical ceiling of the next adjacent bottle when stacking the bottles. Apparatus interlocks the sides and upper and lower surfaces of the bottles when stacked. The bottle may have ribs in the conical ceiling, conical recess, and sidewalls for increasing top load resistance. A plurality of bottles are assemblable into a bottle stack.
A NINTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Patent Office Document No. 2012/0308357, Published/Issued on Dec. 6, 2012, to Friesen, et al. teaches a stackable container including a body with an upper section having a plurality of upper wall panels, a lower section having a plurality of lower wall panels, and a middle section positioned between the upper section and the lower section, which has a plurality of middle wall panels and a bottom surface connected to the lower section. A container neck is connected to the upper section of the body. The container also includes a cap removably engaged with the neck. The bottom section includes a recess. The recess and the cap are configured so that there is interconnection between the cap of one container and the recess of a diagonally adjacent container.
It is apparent now that numerous innovations for interlocking containers have been provided in the prior art that adequate for various purposes. Furthermore, even though these innovations may be suitable for the specific individual purposes to which they address, accordingly, they would not be suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


A fuel feed apparatus includes a lid member that plugs an opening of a fuel tank. A protruding member protrudes from the lid member into an inside of the fuel tank. A sub-tank is accommodated in the fuel tank. The sub-tank is axially movable relative to the lid member. A pump module is accommodated in the sub-tank. The pump module includes a fuel pump and a fuel filter. The fuel pump pumps fuel from the fuel tank. The fuel filter circumferentially surrounds the fuel pump for removing foreign matters contained in fuel discharged from the fuel pump. A supporting member connects the pump module with the sub-tank. The supporting member extends inwardly with respect to a substantially radial direction of the sub-tank. The supporting member defines a recess on a side of the lid member. The protruding member is adapted to be inserted in the recess.

In general, a fuel feed apparatus is received in a fuel tank. The fuel feed apparatus is adapted to stably supplying fuel, even when an amount of fuel remaining in the fuel tank decreases. In recent years, it is required to reduce a fuel tank in height for securing a space for a passenger compartment in a vehicle having the fuel tank. Accordingly, it is also required to reduce a fuel feed apparatus in height corresponding to such a fuel tank accommodating the fuel feed apparatus. A fuel feed apparatus may have a sub-tank accommodating components such as a fuel pump and a fuel filter. Components such as the fuel filter may occupy a large space in the sub-tank. In addition, the fuel feed apparatus may have a lid member having a protruding member extending toward the sub-tank. Accordingly, components such as the fuel pump accommodated in the sub-tank may interfere with the protruding member extending from the lid member due to reduction in height of the fuel feed apparatus. According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,542 (JP-A-2004-257347), a protruding member extending from a lid member is accommodated in a remaining space inside a sub-tank.
In this structure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,542, a relatively small connecter protrudes from the lid member, and the connecter is accommodated in the remaining space of the sub-tank. However, in recent years, the protruding member extending from the lid member is apt to be large. Accordingly, when the protruding member is large, it is difficult to accommodate the protruding member in the remaining space inside the sub-tank.


A current supply point for a power and control unit of a battery-operated industrial truck wherein the power and control unit has a printed-circuit board inside a casing, the current supply point has a first component connectable to the printed-circuit board and a pin-shaped second component led out of the casing in an insulation which is adapted to be brought into electric contact with the first component, and wherein a portion of the second component that is located outside the casing has means for connection to a conductor, wherein the first component has a first portion connectable to the printed-circuit board, a second portion having a male thread, and a third portion including an annular first contact surface, the second component has an axial bore with a female thread within a first end portion that is adapted to be screwed onto the male thread of the first component so as to cause the first contact surface to abut against an annular second contact surface of the second component.

For the supply to a power and control unit of a battery-operated industrial truck, a cable connection is usually provided between a battery and the unit. The cable requires to be connected to the contacts of the battery, on one hand, and those of the power and control unit, on the other. The invention refers to the latter current supply point.
The power and control unit, amongst other things, has a converter or d.c.-to-a.c. inverter for the conversion of the d.c. voltage into an a.c. or three-phase voltage. The electric and electronic components of the power and control unit usually are arranged on at least one printed-circuit board which is disposed in an insulation inside a casing. It has been known already to connect an electrically conducting component, which interacts with a pin-shaped conducting component, to the printed-circuit board by sliding it onto a gudgeon-shaped portion of the first component. The externally located end of the second component is connected to the cable lug of the conductor of the current cable, for example. In the known case, the second component which is formed as a pin bushing works similarly to a snap-fit closure and, thus, transmits the current solely via a circular contact line. The transmissibility for the current is limited, for this reason. Furthermore, the known current supply point is expensive with regard to its manufacture.
DE 196 54 384 A1 has made known a clamp terminal for electrical appliances where a slidable plate, as a connection plate, is connected to a printed-circuit board and a terminal screw is captively retained in a casing top. The connection plate has a threaded extruded hole or a threaded insert is provided to receive the terminal screw. The connection plate may be soldered to the printed-circuit board by the SMD process.
It is the object of the invention to provide a current supply point for a power and control unit of a battery-operated industrial truck that can be manufactured with little effort, can be disposed so as to save space, and allows to transmit high currents.

Current supply point for a power and control unit of a battery-operated industrial truck


A discharge lamp ballast includes a DC-DC converter circuit configured to convert a voltage of a DC power supply by a switching operation of a switching element based on a PWM signal and to output a DC power, an inverter circuit configured to invert the DC power into an AC power, and a PWM ON-width control circuit configured to control switching conditions of the switching element in the DC-DC converter circuit immediately before a polarity of the AC power is reversed such that an ON-width of the PWM signal is increased from a start of a polarity reversal so as to increase the DC power in a predetermined period. The polarity of the AC power of the inverter circuit is reversed in synchronism with a switching timing of the switching element immediately after the control by the PWM ON-width control circuit to increase the ON-width.

Conventionally, there is a discharge lamp ballast configured to convert the an input DC power into an AC power and to light a high-intensity discharge lamp such as a HID lamp (High-intensity discharge lamp). In a related-art discharge lamp ballast 90 shown in FIG. 8, a DC-DC converter circuit 91 serving as a DC power converter circuit converts a DC voltage of a DC power supply PS into a DC power, and then an inverter circuit 92 converts the DC power into a low-frequency AC power and then supplies the output to a discharge lamp La via a starter circuit 93.
The DC-DC converter circuit 91 is of a fly-back converter system. The DC-DC converter circuit 91 controls the DC power supplied to the discharge lamp La acting as a load, by adjusting a PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation signal) for driving a switching element Q0 connected in series to a primary winding of a transformer T.
The inverter circuit 92 has a full bridge configuration including switching elements Q1 to Q4. By alternately turning ON/OFF the paired switching elements Q1, Q4 and the paired switching elements Q2, Q3, the inverter circuit 92 converts the DC power fed from the DC-DC converter circuit 91 into a rectangular AC power.
In the starter circuit 93, a pulse driver circuit 931 provided on a primary side of a pulse transformer PT supplies a pulse current at a start time. Accordingly, a high voltage produced on a secondary side in accordance with a turn ratio of a coil is applied to the discharge lamp La, thereby starting an electric discharge of the discharge lamp La.
In the discharge lamp ballast 90 configured in this manner, the rectangular low-frequency AC power is supplied from the inverter circuit 92 to the discharge lamp La in order to avoid an acoustic resonance phenomenon and also to suppress electrode wear and a cataphoresis phenomenon. However, when the AC power is supplied, a lamp current passes through a zero point when a polarity of the AC power is reversed. Therefore, the electric discharge is stopped at the moment that the polarity of the lamp current is reversed.
In order to start the flow of electric current in the opposite direction after the lamp current is reversed from the zero, normally it is necessary to apply a predetermined high voltage called a reignition voltage to the discharge lamp La.
As shown in FIG. 9, when an output voltage Vo of the inverter circuit 92 is reversed, a lamp current Ila also starts to be reversed. Due to an inductance component (series inductance) Lp on the secondary side of the pulse transformer PT of the starter circuit 93, the lamp current Ila cannot change so sharply as the output voltage Vo, and is reversed to have a predetermined gradient dIla/dt.
The reignition voltage is increased as the gradient dIla/dt of the lamp current Ila at a time of polarity reversal is decreased. When the necessary reignition voltage is not supplied from the inverter circuit 92, a time Tzw (referred to as a "zero current period" hereinafter) in which the lamp current Ila becomes zero or is maintained to an electric current lower than an ordinary current occurs, as shown in FIG. 10. Thus, the noise may be generated, or the life of the discharge lamp La may be badly affected. Also, when the zero current period Tzw is extended much more, the flickering or the going-out of an illumination light is caused.
The zero current period Tzw caused at the polarity reversal of the lamp current Ila by decreasing the reignition voltage can be suppressed by reducing the inductance component Lp of the starter circuit 93 thereby increasing the gradient dIla/dt at the polarity reversal. However, there is a limit to the reduction of the inductance component Lp in terms of the starting performance.
For this reason, in the related-art discharge lamp ballast 90 shown in FIG. 8, by a method described below, an output of the DC-DC converter circuit 91 at the polarity reversal is increased, and thus the output voltage Vo of the inverter circuit 92 is increased, so that the necessary reignition voltage is maintained.
In the discharge lamp ballast 90, a dead time Td in which all switching elements Q1 to Q4 are turned OFF is set in order to prevent a short-circuited state of the circuit due to simultaneously ON state of the switching elements Q1, Q2 and Q3 and Q4 when the pair of switching elements Q1, Q4 and the pair of switching elements Q2, Q3 of the inverter circuit 92 are turned ON/OFF alternately. Therefore, a dead time adding circuit 941 is provided in an inverter driving signal generator circuit 94.
In the period of the dead time Td, a PWM signal generator circuit 96 is supplied not with a PWM command signal output from an error amplifier 953 of an output feedback control circuit 95 but with a predetermined command signal 981 for generating an output larger than the ordinary output. According to the command signal 981, as shown in FIG. 11, an output voltage V2 of the DC-DC converter circuit 91 is increased.
As a result, the output voltage Vo of the inverter circuit 92 is increased immediately after the start of the reversal whereby the necessary reignition voltage is maintained. Further, the gradient dIla/dt at the polarity reversal of the lamp current Ila can be increased by increasing the output voltage Vo (for example, see Patent Document 1).
In this method, when the polarity is reversed, a time Tt is shortened. The time Tt is from a time at which the lamp current Ila is in the polarity before the reversal of the lamp current Ila to a time at which the lamp current reaches zero. However, the DC-DC converter circuit 91 executes a power conversion based on the switching action, and thus the output of the DC-DC converter circuit 91 is not increased immediately after the PWM operating conditions (switching conditions) are changed. In particular, in the case of the DC-DC converter circuit 91, such as the fly-back converter, the step-up/down chopper, or the like, configured to accumulate an energy in the circuit elements when the ON condition of the switching element Q0 and then to discharge the accumulated energy to the load side when the OFF condition of the switching element Q0, the output voltage is increased stepwise every time of switching. As a result, the time Tt required until the lamp current Ila reaches zero is be shortened, and thus this time Tt comes close to a switching period Tsw of the DC-DC converter circuit 91 (for example, Tt≦3·Tsw).
At this time, the number of times of switching during the time Tt required until the lamp current Ila reaches zero may be decreased, and thus it may become difficult to obtain the output voltage Vo of the inverter circuit 92 which ensures the necessary reignition voltage.
The number of times of timings, i.e., OFF-timings, at which the output voltage Vo is increased during the time Tt required until the lamp current Ila reaches zero, is changed depending on the case where the reversing operation is started when the switching element Q0 of the DC-DC converter circuit 91 is turned ON or the case where the reversing operation is started when this switching element Q0 is turned OFF. In the former case, the output voltage Vo of the inverter circuit 92 in the zero current period Tzw, in which the lamp current Ila is maintained at zero, is decreased, and thus it may become difficult to ensure the necessary reignition voltage.

Discharge lamp ballast, lighting unit, and vehicle

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


An electrolyte solution for anodizing a metal and a capacitor comprising the anodized metal. The electrolyte comprises more than about 5%, by weight, and less than about 30%, by weight, water; about 0.1 to 20%, by weight, ionogen and an aprotic polar solvent. The ionogen comprises phosphoric acid and an alkanol amine in an amount, and ratio, sufficient to maintain a pH of about 4 to about 9.

The present invention relates to an electrolyte for anodizing valve metals and a method utilizing the same.
With the introduction of tantalum "wet slug" capacitors in the 1940's, the use of aqueous phosphoric acid anodizing solutions, operated at 80-90° C., rapidly became the industry standard. These solutions are particularly suitable for anodizing tantalum powder metallurgy anode bodies, which are the basis of these capacitors. Phosphoric acid anodizing provides superior properties to the dielectric films. It is known that the presence of phosphate in the anodic oxide dielectric, from the anodizing solution, greatly reduces the mobility of oxygen through the oxide. The decreased mobility minimizes oxygen migration into the substrate resulting in a more stable dielectric than that achieved in the absence of phosphate. By about 1960, aqueous ethylene glycol solutions of dilute phosphoric acid containing 10-60% ethylene glycol had replaced aqueous phosphoric acid for the anodizing of tantalum powder metallurgy capacitor anode bodies, particularly at higher anodizing voltages. Enhancements in dielectric properties are obtained with ethylene glycol present in the anodizing solution.
The action of the ethylene glycol in producing superior dielectric quality appears to be quite complex. The presence of ethylene glycol may modify the boiling point of the electrolyte, the resistivity versus temperature response of the electrolyte, as well as the ultimate sparking voltage of the electrolyte. Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (or "SIMS" analysis) of anodic oxide films grown on tantalum in aqueous ethylene glycol/dilute phosphoric acid indicates the presence of carbon in these films. The difficulties encountered in the analysis of anodic oxide films have so far prevented the identification of the carbon species present in the glycol/phosphate formed films. The carbon species may be present as a glycol phosphate ester, a glycol oxidation product such as oxalate, formate or carbonate, or some as yet unanticipated species. The great stability of the incorporated carbon species during the heat treatment at temperatures of from about 250° C. to about 450° C. strongly suggests that the incorporated species is carbonate. A more definitive answer awaits more sensitive methods of oxide film analysis. A second anodizing step typically follows the heat treatment to further enhance oxide stability.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,511 describes a method, and electrolyte, for producing anodic films on tantalum and other valve metal bodies for the purpose of minimizing the number of flaws in the resulting dielectric films. These electrolytes are usually employed at temperatures below about 50° C. The minimum water content of the electrolyte is necessary for reasonable uniform anodic oxide formation throughout the bulk of tantalum powder metallurgy compacts of about 30%. This is consistent with the ethylene glycol containing electrolytes. Below approximately 30% water content, the anodizing is found to take place largely near the outer surfaces of the anode bodies with the interiors of the anode bodies remaining largely unanodized unless extremely long hold times at voltage (+48 hours) are employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,371 describes the use of anodizing solutions containing akanolamines and phosphoric acid for the purpose of maximizing the possible anodizing voltage and minimizing the deposition of polyphosphates within the anode bodies. The use of alkanolamine/phosphoric acid mixtures in combination with the aqueous polyethylene glycol dimethyl ethers, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,511, has been found to yield particularly stable dielectric films. The electrolytes resulting from the combination of the solvents of U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,511 and the ionogens of U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,371 still require a minimum water content of approximately 30% water for proper, uniform, anodizing within the bodies of powder metallurgy anodes.
United Kingdom Patent Application No. GB 2,168,383 describes a method for anodizing a wide variety of valve metals using polar, aprotic solvent solutions of phosphoric acid, or electrolyte and water-soluble phosphates, containing less than 2% water. For many valve metals, these electrolytes give the best results when operated below about 30° C. and at a current density of about 1 milliampere/cm2 or less. U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,075 extends the water content of the solutions described in GB 2,168,383, and the operating temperature to 50° C. or less for the anodizing of 99.997% pure titanium. Neither the solvents described in GB 2,168,383 or the variation described in U.S Pat. No. 5,185,075 are generally suited for use in the anodizing of powder metallurgy anodes. At the low water content of the electrolytes of these patents the internal portions of the anodes are not uniformly anodized by phosphoric acid/aprotic polar solvent solutions.
It is known that certain polar aprotic solvents have a tendency to form complexes with protonated amines. The complexes yield non-aqueous solutions which are more electrically conductive than solutions containing the same amine and acid but in a non-aqueous solvent which does not form strong complexes with protonated amines. Examples of polar, aprotic solvents which form complexes with protonated amines include N-alkyl amides, such as dimethyl formamide. Examples of polar, aprotic solvents which have a much lower tendency to form complexes with protonated amines include N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, 4-butylrolactone, propylene carbonate, tetramethyl urea, and sulfolane (tetramethylene sulfone). One member of the group of solvents which form complexes with protonated amines is dimethyl sulfoxide. The tendency of dimethyl sulfoxide to form complexes with protonated amines is sufficiently great that dimethyl sulfoxide has been employed as a component of working or fill electrolytes for electrolytic capacitors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,951 describes the effects of substituting 25% dimethyl sulfoxide for an equivalent amount of primary capacitor solvent. The result is a reduction in the low temperature resistivity and a minimization of the change in resistivity of the electrolyte with changing temperatures.

Method of anodizing valve metal derived anode bodies and electrolyte therefore


A system includes a switching device, a sound device and an evaluation device. The switching device includes a housing and a contact system disposed in the housing, the contact system including a contact piece carrier and a contact piece disposed on the contact piece carrier. The sound device produces and captures structure-borne sound waves so as to determine an equivalent criterion for determining the remaining service life of the contact piece. The evaluation device evaluates the equivalent criterion.

The present invention relates generally to switching devices and, in particular, to a system including a switching device and an evaluation device for determining a remaining service life of a contact piece of the switching device.
German Patent Application No. DE 37 14 802 A1 describes an electric switch in which contact erosion is monitored via an optical fiber system. In this context, a fiber optic guide is arranged between the end face of the contact piece to be monitored and the contact carrier assigned thereto, nearly parallel to the end face of the contact piece. Because of this, unacceptably high contact erosion results in the destruction of the fiber optic guide and thus, in the change of its optical properties. These changes are then evaluated so that the existence of a certain contact erosion can be detected at a stage where the contacts can still be expected to have a limited service life. In this context, however, erosion can actually be detected only upon the destruction of the fiber optic guide and thus, only after a certain wear of the contact piece. Moreover, the contact piece to be examined is predamaged by embedding a fiber optic guide so that the contact piece experiences a suddenly occurring increase in wear due to the opening in the material when it is eroded down to the level of the fiber optic guide.
An object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of evaluating, in a nearly wear-free manner and without predamaging the contact piece, contact piece wear at any arbitrary instant of the contact piece wear.
The present invention provides a system including a switching device, a sound device and an evaluation device. The switching device includes a housing and a contact system disposed in the housing, the contact system including a contact piece carrier and a contact piece disposed on the contact piece carrier. Th e sound device produces and captures structure-borne sound waves so as to determine an equivalent criterion useable for determining a remaining service life of the contact piece. The evaluation device evaluates the equivalent criterion.
Each state of wear of a contact piece is associated with specific characteristics thereof. Thus, as the wear increases, the contact piece changes its properties with respect to the transmission or reflection characteristics for sound waves passing through the contact piece. According to the present invention, these changes are detected by acoustic aids and evaluated in an evaluation device, thus determining a corresponding wear state. According to the present invention, acoustic aids are used which, on one hand, are capable of producing sound waves in a desired degree so that a defined injection of sound waves can be injected into the contact piece to be examined and which, on the other hand, are able to capture sound waves which occur in the contact piece.
Advantageously, a single acoustic aid in the form of a piezoelectric element may be used for producing and capturing the sound waves. These high-power piezoelectric elements can be arranged, in particular, in the form of thin layer elements on the contact piece carrier, preferably immediately opposite the contact piece to be examined, on the other side of the same contact piece carrier.

System having a switching device and an evaluation device for determining a remaining service life of a contact piece


This invention relates to manufacturing briquettes, pellets and shapes from recycled asphaltic limestone powder derived from waste residential roofing products. Briquettes and pellets are manufactured through a densification process at varying temperatures, creating recycled asphalt pellets, asphalt limestone pellets and bio mass and coal fines briquettes. Various shapes, including curbs and posts, are manufactured through heat and pressure in molds. Seawalls, walkways and wall panels are manufactured by blending asphaltic limestone powders with polymer resins and extruded or pultruded into shapes.

There is a need in the industry for an easily and universally adopted method of manufacturing useful compositions from recycled residential roofing products. Over 12 million tons of waste are created annually in connection with residential roofing products, with 11 million tons of post-consumer tear-off debris and 1 million tons of manufacturers' waste. Contractors spend enormous amounts of money in waste hauling. This waste also is detrimental to the environment, as the asphalt shingles take up a lot of space in landfills and take several generations to decompose.
Approximately 2 million tons of asphalt roofing are simply reduced in size to be recycled into road paving products and miscellaneous asphalt based products such as asphalt crack filler, cold patch (U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,497), or other pavement repair products (U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,893, US Publication No. US 2011/0233105), or are recycled into a biofuel or bio-oil diluent for paving (US Publication No. 2015/0252534), or as a blended coating for new shingles (U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,259,860, 9,457,354). An additional 2.0 million tons of roof waste are recycled into raw materials. These established end uses of recycled asphalt roofing shingles still leave 8.0 million tons of shingles filling landfills annually. Accordingly, there is a need in the industry for methods which use recycled residential asphalt roofing products to make useful compositions.
The present invention addresses the need in the industry of utilizing the waste created by recycling asphalt roofing shingles and builds on the new technologies that separate waste roof shingles into granules and asphaltic limestone powder. See Horton, U.S. Pat. No. 9,440,239. Since asphaltic limestone powder makes up 50%-80% of the products recovered from recycled shingles, there is a need in the industry for processes which turn the large volumes of recycled asphaltic limestone powder into useful compositions.
Although prior patents have disclosed asphalt pellets and bricks made from recycled asphalt shingles (See Zickell U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,496,196; 8,783,590; and 8,672,248), such compressed asphalt powder bricks and pellets also include granules, reducing energy value and ignition capabilities. Such past compositions are not as effective as the densified pellets or briquettes made according to the present invention, as granules in the past compositions created less asphalt as a percentage of total product, reducing its binding capabilities.
Asphaltic limestone powder containing less than 10% granules may be bound together, through pressure only, creating pellets or briquettes, with uses including a specialized fuel at calcined limestone using facilities, roofing manufacturers and the world's lignite coal market. The stand-alone pellets can also be introduced as a part of paving manufacturer's design mix and roofing manufacturers coating mixes more easily.

Method of separating and extracting raw materials from asphaltic limestone powder


Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), 3D imaging apparatus and operating methods thereof are disclosed. The operating method for the disclosed LCD includes the steps of: driving a pixel array of the LCD to display a frame of data by a first frame scan and a second frame scan; and, controlling a backlight module of the LCD in accordance with the first frame scan and the second frame scan. In the first frame scan, the scan lines of pixel array are driven in groups, wherein, in each group, all rows corresponding thereto are driven by identical data. The rows which have not been driven by correct data in the first frame scan are driven again and corrected in the second frame scan.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a 3D imaging apparatus with the LCD, and operating methods for the LCD and the 3D imaging apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A frame rate of an LCD is generally constrained by the reaction speed of liquid crystal (LC) materials. It is tricky to improve the frame rate without being constrained by the reaction speed of the LC materials.
Further, for a 3D imaging apparatus having an LCD and implemented according to active shutter 3D technology, the quality of 3D images also depends on the reaction speed of the LC materials of the LCD.
An active shutter 3D technology includes displaying left eye and right eye images alternately on a screen, to accordingly enable the left eye and right eye spectacle lens of a pair of 3D shutter glasses, for a viewer to perceive 3D images. Once the screen is implemented by an LDC, the switching of the spectacle lens is constrained by the reaction speed of the LC materials as well as the frame rate. The display of each image (left eye image or right eye image) may be too long to provide an excellent 3D experience. More consideration should be given in shutter 3D technology for the reaction speed of LC materials.

Liquid crystal display and 3D imaging apparatus and operating methods thereof


A mobile terminal includes an Internet Protocol (IP) address module that requests and receives a first IP address from a home anchoring point within a home network. The first IP address is an address of the home anchoring point. The system also includes a packet module that exchanges packets with the home anchoring point via a first attachment point. The packets include the first IP address.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent the work is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a functional block diagram of a wireless network system is presented. A home network 102 receives packets from and sends packets to a packet data network (PDN) 104 that may include a distributed communications system, such as the Internet. A wireless terminal 106 wirelessly connects to the home network 102. For example, the wireless terminal 106 may be a mobile phone, and the home network 102 may be a cellular network of a mobile phone operator. The wireless terminal 106 is configured to work with the home network 102 and may be unable connect to networks of other carriers. In various implementations, the wireless terminal 106 may be able to view content from the PDN 104 via the home network 102. The home network 102 may also interconnect with various other networks that correspond to respective service providers, including service providers in other countries.
Referring now to FIG. 2, a functional block diagram of a wireless network system offering mobility is presented. The home network 102 is connected to one or more visited networks 110. For example, FIG. 2 depicts three visited networks 110-1, 110-2 and 110-3. In various implementations, the visited networks 110 may be the various other networks discussed above.
A mobile wireless terminal 120 includes mobility features and may thus implement host-based mobility. The mobility features allow the mobile wireless terminal 120 to communicate with the visited networks 110. For example, in FIG. 2, the mobile wireless terminal 120 has established a wireless connection to the visited network 110-1. The mobile wireless terminal 120 includes code and data used to communicate with the home network 102 via the visited network 110-1. For example, the mobile wireless terminal 120 may implement a Common Management Information Protocol (CMIP). In this way, the mobile wireless terminal 120 can interface with the home network 102 even when connected to one of the visited networks 110.
Referring now to FIG. 3, a functional block diagram depicts a wireless network system that provides proxy mobility to the wireless terminal 106. A home network 150 communicates with visited networks 160-1, 160-2, and 160-3. The visited networks 160 provide transparent mobility to wireless terminals, such as the wireless terminal 106, that have not been updated to include mobility functionality.
When the wireless terminal 106 attempts to establish a link with the visited network 160-1, the visited network 160-1 determines the network to which the wireless terminal 106 belongs. In this case, the visited network 160-1 determines that the home network 150 is the appropriate network. The visited network 160-1 then forwards packets from the wireless terminal 106 to the home network 150 and passes packets from the home network 150 to the wireless terminal 106. The wireless terminal 106 may therefore be oblivious to the fact that it is connected to the visited network 160-1 instead of to the home network 150.
Referring now to FIG. 4, a more detailed functional block diagram of an implementation of proxy mobility is presented. Proxy mobility may also be referred to as network-based mobility because the network provides mobility to a terminal that may not have built-in mobility. In an Internet Protocol (IP) network, proxy mobility may be referred to as proxy mobile IP (PMIP). The home network 150 includes a home agent (HA) 202. The HA 202 establishes the logical location of the wireless terminal 106. Packets destined for the wireless terminal 106 are first sent to the HA 202, while packets from the wireless terminal 106 will appear to originate from the HA 202.
The wireless terminal 106 may establish a connection to an attachment point 206-1 within the visited network 160-1. In various implementations, additional attachment points, such as attachment points 206-2 and 206-3, may be present. The attachment points 206 may communicate with other networks, including the home network 150, via a gateway 210.
Referring now to FIG. 5, a timeline of steps performed when the wireless terminal 106 connects to the visited network 160-1 is presented. First, the wireless terminal 106 performs access and authentication with the attachment point 206-1. This may include communicating with an Access, Authentication, and Accounting (AAA) server. Upon authentication, the wireless terminal 106 attempts to attach to the attachment point 206-1.
The AAA server may use an identifier of the wireless terminal 106, such as a network address identifier, that uniquely identifies the wireless terminal 106. The attachment request requests an IP address from the attachment point 206-1. The attachment point 206-1 determines the appropriate HA for the wireless terminal 106. This information may be supplied by the wireless terminal 106 and/or may be supplied by the source of the authentication information.
The attachment point 206-1 then sends a binding update message to the HA 202. The HA 202 allocates an IP address, IP1, to the wireless terminal 106. The address IP1 is used for communications with the wireless terminal 106. When the wireless terminal 106 sends a packet, that packet will appear to originate from the HA 202 with a source address of IP1. In addition, packets destined for the wireless terminal 106 are sent to the HA 202 with a destination of IP1. In other words, IP1 is used for packet exchanges while an address of the HA 202 is not used.
The HA 202 sends a binding acknowledgement message including IP1 to the attachment point 206-1. A tunnel is then set up between the attachment point 206-1 and the HA 202 for transmission of packets to and from the wireless terminal 106. The attachment point 206-1 then assigns IP1 to the wireless terminal 106. In this process, the wireless terminal 106 has requested an IP address from the attachment point 206-1 and has received one. The wireless terminal 106 may not be aware that it is connected to the visited network 160 or the home network 150.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, a packet being sent by the wireless terminal 106 and a packet being sent to the wireless terminal 106, respectively, are graphically depicted. Referring now to FIG. 6, a packet 242 is transmitted to the wireless terminal 106. The source of the packet 242 is IP1, the IP address assigned to the wireless terminal 106. The destination of the packet 242 is the IP address, denoted IPdest, to which the wireless terminal 106 is sending the packet 242. IPdest corresponds to a location in the PDN 104. The packet 242 may also include a payload.
The packet 242 is received by the attachment point 206-1. The attachment point 206-1 tunnels the packet 242 to the HA 202. The packet 242 is tunneled by encapsulating it within an encapsulating packet 244. The header and payload of the packet 242 is placed in the payload of the encapsulating packet 244. The encapsulating packet 242 has a source address of the attachment point 206-1, IPAP, and a destination address of the HA 202, IPHA.
When the HA 202 receives the encapsulating packet 244, the HA 202 extracts the original packet 242 from the payload of the encapsulating packet 244. The packet 242 is then routed to the destination indicated by IPdest. For example, this may be an address on the PDN 104.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a packet 252 is received by the HA 202 for the wireless terminal 106. The packet 252 has a source address of the sender of the packet 252, designated IPsrc. The destination address of the packet 252 is the address assigned to the wireless terminal 106, IP1. The HA 202 recognizes the destination address of IP1 and tunnels the packet 252 to the attachment point 206-1.
The packet 252 may be tunneled by encapsulating it within the payload of an encapsulating packet 254. The source address of the encapsulating packet 254 is the address of the HA 202, IPHA. The destination of the encapsulating packet 254 is the address of the attachment point 206-1, IPAP. The attachment point 206-1 extracts the packet 252 from the payload of the encapsulating packet 254 and forwards the packet 252 to the wireless terminal 106.

System and method for allocating an anchoring point for a mobile terminal


Methods, a wireless device (110) and a radio network node (120) for managing a control block are disclosed. An extended Temporary Flow Identifier, eTFI, is assigned to the wireless device (110) by the radio network node (120). The radio network node (120) constructs the control information. The radio network node (120) performs a bit-wise modulo two addition with a control block and a combination of the eTFI and a pre-determined bit pattern to obtain a modified control block. The radio network node (120) adds channel coding redundancy. The radio network node (120) maps the modified control block onto physical resources. The radio network node (120) sends the modified control block to the wireless device (110). The wireless device (110) decodes the received modified control block removing the channel coding redundancy, performs a bit-wise modulo two addition between the modified control block and a combination of the eTFI and a pre-determined bit pattern to obtain a control block. The wireless device (110) decodes the control block using FIRE-decoding to obtain the control information. The wireless device (110) determines it is the intended recipient of the control information if the TFI information therein matches its assigned TFI. Corresponding computer programs and carriers therefor are also disclosed.

Within telecommunication systems, such as within a Global System for mobile communications (GSM) Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) network, so called Packet Switched (PS) Temporary Block Flow (TBF) are used to enable transfer of user data between e.g. a Radio Base Station (RBS) and a Mobile Station (MS), such as a wireless device. The PS TBF is assigned a Temporary Flow Identity (TFI) value. The TFI value is uniquely identifying a TBF among concurrent TBFs in the same direction, i.e. uplink for transfer of data from the mobile station to the radio base station or downlink for transfer of data from the radio base station to the mobile station, assigned the same Packet Data Channel (PDCH) resources on the same carrier. The same TFI value may be used concurrently for other TBFs on other PDCH resources in the same direction and for TBFs in the opposite direction. Hence, a TFI is a unique identifier on a given PDCH resource. This need for TFI uniqueness within the context of any given set of PDCH resources, on a given carrier limits the number of devices that may share the same radio resources. In case of devices supporting Downlink Multi-carrier (DLMC) mode of operation, the limitation will be even more severe as each downlink TBF supported using DLMC will be assigned the use of PDCH resources on multiple downlink carriers thereby substantially increasing the number of devices being assigned the same PDCH resources for any given carrier. The DLMC mode of operation is specified in Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 44.060, GERAN, Mobile Station (MS)—Base Station System (BSS) interface—Radio Link Control Medium Access Control (RLC/MAC) protocol.
The TFI itself is a 5-bit field encoded as binary number in the range 0 to 31, which is typically provided to the MS by the GERAN network upon TBF assignment.
A Radio Link Control (RLC)/Medium Access Control (MAC) block sent on a given uplink/downlink carrier is associated with a certain TBF. There are two types of RLC/MAC blocks; RLC/MAC data blocks and RLC/MAC control blocks for user data and control information, respectively. A RLC data block is uniquely identified by the TFI together with the direction in which the RLC data block is sent, and a RLC/MAC control block is uniquely identified by the TFI together with the direction in which the RLC/MAC control block is sent. In case Starting Sequence Number (SSN)-based Fast Ack/Nack Reporting (FANR) is used, the TFI identifying the TBF being acknowledged is included in the Piggy-backed Ack/Nack (PAN) field. Ack/Nack stands for Acknowledge/Non-acknowledge.
This means that e.g. every time an MS receives a downlink data block or control block on one of its assigned PDCHs of a given carrier, it will use the included TFI field to determine if the block belongs to any—there can be more than one—of the TBFs associated with that specific MS. If so, the block is obviously intended for the specific MS whereupon the corresponding payload is decoded and delivered to higher layers, but otherwise discarded. In the uplink direction, the behavior is the same, i.e. network uses the TFI value to identify blocks that belong to the same TBF. This is an existing mechanism used in GERAN networks for facilitating the multiplexing of multiple users on the same PDCH resources on a given carrier.
The existing TFI addressing space is considered to be insufficient assuming the current increase of PS traffic observed in GERAN networks over the world. Furthermore, the introduction of DLMC in 3GPP Release 12 makes the need to extend the TFI space acute, GP-130662 DLMC—Extended TFI Addressing Space, 3GPP GERAN#59, Ericsson & ST-Ericsson hereby incorporated by reference.
In the context of DLMC, GERAN Plenary (GP)-121158 Work Item Description (WID): Downlink Multi Carrier GERAN, 3GPP GERAN#55, Ericsson & ST-Ericsson hereby incorporated by reference, a TFI expansion is needed to increase the TFI addressing space of devices multiplexed on the same radio resources of a given downlink carrier. Solutions for TFI expansion exist for radio blocks carrying user plane payload, wherein a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) code is used solely for error detection, see for example WO2013/070163, which hereby is incorporated by reference.
3GPP TS 45.003, version 11.1.0, section 6.2.1; GERAN; Channel Coding describes a bit-wise modulo two (2) addition (XOR) between a TFI and PAN CRC field. According to aforementioned WO2013/070163, this concept is extended to also apply to an extended TFI (eTFI) field and a subset of the CRC bits of a RLC/MAC data block header or a subset of the CRC bits of a PAN field. A solution in aforementioned WO2013/070163 is based on the observation that a PAN field CRC or RLC/MAC header CRC XOR'ed with an eTFI will only be decodable by a MS assigned the very same eTFI. As this prevents legacy mobiles, e.g. multiplexed on the same PDCH as a mobile having an assigned eTFI, from successfully performing a CRC check when receiving a PAN field CRC or a RLC/MAC header CRC that has been XOR'ed with an eTFI, it provides a backwards compatible extension of the TFI identifier space. This is because the impact of the eTFI XOR-ing in this case is effectively seen as an error pattern by the legacy MS, and since the CRC code cannot correct errors but only detect them, the resulting CRC check will be erroneous and the legacy MS will discard the radio block.
The solution in aforementioned WO2013/070163 is however not capable of providing the desired extension of the TFI space when addressing a FIRE-coded control block or RLC/MAC data block. Remark: "FIRE", or "Fire", is the name of a person contributing to the development of FIRE-codes and FIRE-coding techniques. The desired extension cannot be provided because the FIRE-code is a class of cyclic block codes used both for burst error correction and error detection. The burst error correction capability of the FIRE-code is defined by a length "b" of the shortest uncorrectable burst error, Digital Communications (5th edition), Proakis & Salehi, McGraw-Hill International, ISBN-13: 978-0072957167.
As is known in the art, a FIRE-code is a cyclic burst error correcting code over GF(q) with the generator polynomial g(x)=(x2t−1−1)p(x)
where p(x) is a prime polynomial with degree m not smaller than t and p(x) does not divide x2t−1−1. Block length of the fire code is the smallest integer n such that g(x) divides xn−1. Here the FIRE code is defined over a finite field GF(q) of block length n. See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclic_code and more detailed in "Code Design for Dependable Systems: Theory and Practical Applications", July 2006, by Eiji Fujiwara, printed by Wiley, ISBN: 978-0-471-75618-7.
This implies that if the solutions proposed in aforementioned WO2013/070163 would be applied on a FIRE-coded radio block, a legacy MS would treat the XOR'ed eTFI bits as an error sequence, correct them and then consider the radio block as valid at which point it could erroneously act on it, e.g. if the legacy TFI provided in the radio block header of a FIRE-coded control block addressed to a MS operating in DLMC mode happens to match the TFI assigned to a legacy MS. Hence, a problem may be that the intended segregation between legacy and new eTFI aware MSs is broken and an extension of the TFI field is no longer feasible.

Methods, a wireless device, a radio network node for managing a control block


A method of suppressing demyelination of the central nervous system is disclosed. The method comprises administering a therapeutically effective amount of Interleukin-6 or an analog thereof to a mammal. Methods of treating multiple sclerosis and a related article of manufacture are also disclosed.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a progressive, immune-mediated primary demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Primary demyelination is the pathologic process characterized by the destruction of myelin sheaths with relative maintenance of axons and other neuronal structures. MS is the principal human CNS primary demyelinating disease, although there are other rare forms of demyelinating disease that affect the brain and spinal cord, including Schilder's disease, Balos concentric sclerosis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, acute hemorrhagic leukoencephalopathy, tropical spastic paraparesis, and human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-I-associated myelopathy.
MS affects scattered areas of the CNS with a predilection for periventricular white matter, brainstem, spinal cord, and optic nerves. The CNS plaques associated with MS are characterized by primary demyelination and death of oligodendrocytes (myelin-producing cells) within the center of the lesion. During the early evolution of the plaque, perivascular inflammatory cells (lymphocytes, plasma cells, macrophages) invade the substance of the white matter and are thought to play a critical role in myelin destruction. This process is followed by extensive gliosis by astrocytes and aberrant attempts at remyelination with oligodendrocytes proliferating at the edges of the plaque. In addition, immunoglobulins are deposited with each plaque.
Although the etiology and pathogenesis of MS is unknown, epidemiologic studies indicate that clinical exacerbations of the disease may be triggered by a virus. Under this hypothesis, the destruction of myelin or oligodendrocytes may result from an immune attack directed against self or against novel antigen plus self, which is triggered by the virus. See Rodriguez, Multiple Sclerosis: basic concepts and hypothesis, Mayo Clin. Proc., 64:570-6 (1989).
Viruses from many families and subfamilies (Herpetoviridae, Coronaviridae, Picornaviridae, Lentiviridae, Paramyxoviridae, Togaviridae) experimentally induce demyelination in animals of various species (e.g., mice, rats, dogs, sheep). Dal Canto et al., Ann. Neurol., 11:109 (1982). Epidemiologic studies based on migration data and differences in prevalence rates in various parts of the world indicate that MS is triggered by an exogenous factor such as a virus. Compston et al., Epidemiology and genetics of multiple sclerosis; Curr. Opin. Neurol. Neurosurg., 5:175 (1992). The low rate of concordance (20-30%) in monozygotic twins in which one has MS suggests that an exogenous factor, possibly a virus, as well as host genetics, plays a role in pathogenesis of the proposed animal models of CNS demyelination, Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis (TME) has received wide attention. Infection of susceptible strains of mice, (SJL/J), prototypic strain, with Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) results in virus persistence and chronic primary immune-mediated demyelination. Intracerebral infection with TMEV results in acute encephalitis, characterized by viral replication in neurons and inflammation in the brain. This acute infection is followed by a progressive primary demyelinating disease of the spinal cord (beginning 10 to 14 days after infection), characterized by viral persistence in macrophages, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. Studies of this model system have shown that chronic infection with TMEV results in demyelinating disease that has many similarities to MS.
As in MS, during the chronic phase of TMEV infection, the pathological abnormalities are limited to the CNS. The histological appearance is characterized by primary demyelination. In addition, as in the human disease, inflammatory cells and macrophages are intimately involved in the demyelinating process. After a long incubation period, this results in spasticity, weakness of the lower extremities, and bladder incontinence. The pathological change in the spinal cord is also characterized by recurrent episodes of acute demyelination superimposed on a chronic progressive disease that mimics the exacerbations and remissions observed clinically in the human disease. See, Rodriguez et al., Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis: A model of demyelination and persistence of virus, Crit. Rev. Immunol., 7:325 (1987). The TMEV murine model has provided an excellent way to test various therapeutic modalities to prevent or inhibit demyelination. Immunosuppression by using cyclophosphamide, antilymphocyte serum, cyclosporin, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to immune-response gene products (I-A), and mAbs to CD4 or CD8 has been shown to diminish the extent of demyelinating disease.
Administration of recombinant human or mouse tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-.alpha.) inhibits TMBV-induced demyelination in susceptible SJL/J mice without affecting virus replication in the CNS. TNF-.alpha. is also made by some activated T cells. Paya et al., Int'l Immunol., 2:909 (1990). These studies indicate that manipulation of the immune response by using pharmacologic agents, mAbs, or recombinant biologic products may influence the extent of demyelinating disease.
Recently, the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases of the CNS, including viral infections and MS, has been investigated. IL-6 is a cytokine of approximately 26 kD that is synthesized by mononuclear phagocytes, vascular endothelial cells, fibroblasts, and other cells in response to IL-1 and, to a lesser extent, TNF. IL-6 is one of the major mediators of the immune response, with pleiotropic effects on many different target cells. Along with TNF-.alpha., IL-1, and IFN .gamma., IL-6 belongs to a family of endogenous mediators in the reaction of the host to injury or infection referred to as the acute phase response. Astrocytes produce IL-6, and IL-1.beta. and TNF-.alpha. provide a strong inducing signal for IL-6 production. IL-6 mRNA and IL-6 receptor mRNA have been localized by in situ hybridization to neurons and astrocytes of rat brain. Astrocyte-produced IL-6 has been proposed to play a role in augmenting intracerebral immune responses. Increased levels of IL-6 have been detected in the CNS of mice suffering from the lethal forms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an autoimmune model of MS. Gijbels et al., Eur. J. Immunol., 20:233 (1990). Neurotrophic viruses, such as Newcastle disease virus, trigger IL-6 as well as TNF-.alpha., IFN-.alpha., and TFN-.beta. production by astrocytes. Laboratory viruses Sendai, Mengo, and Newcastle disease virus stimulate IL-6 production in fibroblasts in a dose dependent manner. Infection of human skin fibroblasts in culture by dengue virus results in the production of IL-6, as well as IFN-9 and granulocyte-macrophage-CSF. Increased transcription of IL-6 has been detected in the brain of mice with chronic coxsackie B1 virus infection. IL-6 is produced in vitro in mouse brain endothelial cells and astrocytes after infection with the demyelinating variant of mouse hepatitis virus, a Coronavirus. Joseph et al., J. Neuroimmunol., 42:47 (1993). IL-6 is produced in the CNS of mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and vesicular stomatitis virus. In vitro assays demonstrate that microglia and astrocytes infected by LCMV secrete IL-6, suggesting that IL-6 may be involved in repair mechanisms initiated in the course of viral-induced CNS damage. Frei et al., Eur. J. Immunol., 19:689 (1989).
IL-6 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of human inflammatory CNS diseases. Increased plasma and cerebrospinal fluid levels of IL-6 have been demonstrated in patients with MS (Frei et al., J. Neuroimmunol., 31:147 (1991)), HTLVI-associated myelopathy, and bacterial meningitis. Elevated levels of IL-6 have been detected in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with CNS involvement from systemic lupus erythematosus and systemic vasculitides. Patients infected with HIV-1 produce elevated levels of IL-6, IL1, and TNF-.alpha., raising the possibility that these cytokines play a role in AIDS nervous system disease.
Although IL-6 has been implicated in viral-induced damage repair mechanisms, a role for IL-6 in therapeutic suppression of CNS demyelination in disorders such as MS has not been postulated. Clearly, it would be desirable to identify any factor that suppresses CNS demyelination, and any such factor would thus be a candidate for treatment of MS and other CNS demyelination disorders.

Suppression of demyelination by interleukin-6

Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research


Methods and structures for assuring proper sequencing of processing of SAS frames received over multiple physical ports of a SAS wide port. A frame scheduler element is communicatively coupled with a SAS transport layer and with a corresponding plurality of link layers operable as a SAS wide port. The frame scheduler receives a request from the transport layer to locate or select a next received frame for further processing. The frame scheduler interacts with the plurality of link layer processing elements having received frames stored within to locate the link layer that has the requested next frame. The frame scheduler then coordinates operation of that link layer and the transport layer to effectuate the transfer of the required next frame.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to management of SAS wide ports. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and structures for ensuring proper ordering in processing of received frames in a SAS device coupled through a SAS wide port.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Small Computer Systems Interface ("SCSI") is a set of American National Standards Institute ("ANSI") standard electronic interface specifications that allow, for example, computers to communicate with peripheral hardware. Common SCSI compatible peripheral devices may include: disk drives, tape drives, Compact Disc-Read Only Memory ("CD-ROM") drives, CD Read/Write ("CD-RW"), digital versatile disk ("DVD") drives, printers, scanners, etc. SCSI as originally created included both a command/response data structure specification and an interface and protocol standard for a parallel bus structure for attachment of devices. SCSI has evolved from exclusively parallel interfaces to include both parallel and serial interfaces. "SCSI" is now generally understood as referring either to the communication transport media (parallel bus structures and various serial transports) or to a plurality of primary commands common to most devices and command sets to meet the needs of specific device types as well as a variety of interface standards and protocols.
The collection of primary commands and other command sets may be used with SCSI parallel interfaces as well as with serial interfaces. Examples of serial interface transport media and protocol standards that support SCSI command processing include: Fibre Channel, Serial Bus Protocol (used with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 FireWire physical protocol; "IEEE 1394") and the Serial Storage Protocol (SSP).
SCSI interface transports and commands are also used to interconnect networks of storage devices with processing devices. For example, serial SCSI transport media and protocols such as Serial Attached SCSI ("SAS") and Serial Advanced Technology Attachment ("SATA") may be used in such networks. These applications are often referred to as storage networks. Those skilled in the art are familiar with SAS and SATA standards as well as other SCSI related specifications and standards. Information about such interfaces, media, protocols and commands is generally obtainable at the website www.t10.org.
Such SCSI storage networks are often used in large storage systems having a plurality of disk drives to store data for organizations and/or businesses. The network architecture allows storage devices to be physically dispersed in an enterprise while continuing to directly support SCSI commands directly. This architecture allows for distribution of the storage components in an enterprise without the need for added overhead in converting storage requests from SCSI commands into other network commands and then back into lower level SCSI storage related commands.
A SAS network typically comprises one or more SAS initiators coupled to one or more SAS targets via one or more SAS expander devices. In general, as is common in all SCSI communications, SAS initiators initiate communications with SAS targets. In particular, SAS initiators use a process often referred to as "discovery" to determine the topology of devices in the network (i.e., to discover other SAS initiators, SAS expanders and SAS targets). Once such information is known, initiators generally establish the first contacts with a given target device. The initiator issues an "open" request (i.e., a SAS OPEN address frame) to an identified SAS target to establish a first connection with the SAS target device. Once the first connection is so established, either the SAS initiator or the SAS target device may re-establish a connection. For example, a connection may be established initially by the initiator, closed after some transactions are exchanged, and then re-opened by the same initiator for a subsequent sequence of transactions. Or, for example, a SAS target device may have deferred processing of a transaction received from an initiator. At some later time when the SAS target is ready to proceed, the target device may "open" a connection back to the initiator that originally requested the deferred transaction.
In SAS protocol command exchanges, a SAS initiator device sends a command and associated data to a particular identified SAS target device. The command and data exchanged may be voluminous but the SAS specifications limit each frame to approximately 1 kilobyte. Thus a larger exchange must be broken into smaller frames and distributed over a number of frames. Further, since the SAS specifications permit multiple commands/data to be exchanged concurrently. Thus each SAS command is identified with a unique TAG field value. This TAG field value is provided in the headers of each transmitted/received frame so that the receiver may determine which command a received frame is associated with.
SAS specifications also allow for a wide port—a logical port comprising a plurality of physical or link ports (i.e., multiple PHYs) aggregated to operate as one logical port. SAS specifications restrict use of the wide port such that at any given point in time, frames for a particular command may be transferred over only one of the multiple links that make up the wide port at a time. Once one frame is completely transmitted, another frame may be received on the same link or another of the multiple physical links of the wide port. When frames are received, they are typically temporarily stored in buffers associated with the physical link on which the frame was received. Eventually, when the transport layer is ready to process a next received frame, a frame will be transferred from its buffer to the transport layer for further processing. Since the processing of received frames may proceed slower than the speed at which the frames are received, there may be a sequence of received frames scattered in buffers of the various physical links of the SAS wide port.
The received frames in the buffers of the physical links are eventually forwarded up to higher level processing in the SAS controller—i.e., to a transport layer processing element. It is critical that the received frames be forwarded to the transport layer in proper sequential order. In some prior designs, the transport layer and physical or link layer (i.e., the PHY layer) may be tightly coupled in a single processing element. In such a tightly coupled design of the multiple layers of the SAS protocol processing, the sequencing of received frames may be easily maintained between the link layer and the transport layer—i.e., the two layers readily process the same SAS information in received frames. However, in many current designs, more of the processing of the link layer processing element is performed in custom designed circuits to attain higher performance. In such a design, the transport layer may be physically and logically separated from the link layer. The two layers communicate through an interconnecting communication medium and may, for example, be coupled through industry standard interface bus structures such as PCI or AHB/AMBA bus structures. In such designs where the transport and link layers are more separated than integrated, it is more difficult for the transport layer and the link layer to share information. Thus it can be problematic to assure proper sequencing of the processing of received frames as the link layer processing elements are more distinct and separate from the transport layer processing element.
In view of the above discussion, it is evident that there is an ongoing need for improved systems and methods for assuring proper sequencing in the processing of SAS frames received over multiple physical ports of a SAS wide port.

Systems and methods for frame ordering in wide port SAS connections


A vessel with a suspension system for a handle assembly are described. For example, an apparatus can include: a hollow vessel having a body which includes one or more walls extending upwardly from a base portion to form an opening in fluid communication with an interior space of the body; a handle assembly movably coupled to the body, the handle assembly configured to slide outwardly or inwardly with respect to the vessel; and a flexible suspension member coupled to the body and to the handle assembly, the suspension member configured to at least partially suspend a weight of the vessel. The suspension member can stretch in response to outward motion of the handle assembly with respect to the vessel and compress in response to inward motion of the handle assembly with respect to the vessel.

Many vessels designed for food or beverage storage, such as coolers, ice chests, jugs, bottles, and other similar containers, are equipped with handles to enable users to readily transport the vessel to a desired location. For instance, various conventional vessels with handle assemblies are illustrated in FIG. 1. Smaller vessels, such as jug 100, can have a single handle assembly 130 attached to the vessel body with a grip portion traversing the top of the vessel. Larger vessels, such as dispenser 110 or cooler 120, can have two physically separate handle assemblies 130 attached to opposite sides of the vessel body. Each handle assembly 130 can include one or more arms connected in various manners to the vessel body and extending outwardly therefrom. The grip portion can be disposed at the distal end of the one or more arms, and a user may grasp the grip portion in order to pick up and carry the vessel.
Upon loading the aforementioned vessels with food, beverages, ice, and the like, the vessels can become heavy. Consequently, carrying a loaded vessel by its handle(s) for a prolonged period of time can result in significant strain in the user's arms, neck, and back.


An additive for internal addition, which improves the paper qualities of a pulp sheet, such as stiffness and bulk which includes a polymer emulsion containing a natural cationic polymer (A) or synthetic cationic polymer (A′) and polymer particles (B) containing vinyl monomer-derived structural units.

The thickness of paper is decreased with lighter weight of paper, high-speed papermaking and incorporation of higher amount of deinked pulp for the purpose of reducing burden on the environment and reducing transport costs in recent years. While bulky paper is desired, the stiffness of paper is proportional with the cube of thickness, and thus a decrease in the thickness of paper causes a reduction in stiffness.
The stiffness of paper exerts significant influence on feeling of high qualities, operativeness in papermaking and printing, the durability of a box, etc., and a reduction in stiffness gives a feeling of low qualities and causes paper clogging in operation and swelling of a box etc.
Techniques of improving stiffness include a method (1) wherein unit pulp amount (basis weight) is increased, a method (2) wherein a paper-strengthening agent or the like is used, etc., but there is a problem that in the method (1), the amount of necessary pulp is increased and the weight of paper is increased, and in the method (2), paper strength (difficulty in tearing paper) is improved and stiffness is somewhat improved, but satisfactory levels are not reached.
JP-A 8-170296 discloses a paper internal agent comprising fine polymer particles of vinyl monomers or diene monomers with a dispersant cationic polyvinyl alcohol having a mercapto group, and JP-A 11-302992 discloses an additive for papermaking, which is based on grafted starch obtained by graft-copolymerizing (meth)acrylamide-containing monomers while maintaining the form of starch particles without gelatinizing starch, and these preparations improve stiffness to a certain extent, but are still unsatisfactory.
With respect to techniques of improving the bulk of paper, Japanese Patent No. 2971447 discloses a polyvalent alcohol/fatty acid ester compound, and Japanese Patent No. 3283248 discloses a paper quality improver having a water freeness of 4% or more and improving at least two items selected from bulk, whiteness and opaqueness, but there is also demand for improvement of stiffness.


The present invention relates to a system and method for electronically communicating, coordinating and disseminating product designs, specifications and production-related data between a plurality of parties. More particularly, the invention relates to the coordination of parties that create color and graphic designs, including manufacturers, designers, suppliers and printers for new or existing color products.

The development of color-related products frequently involves a coordinated effort of assorted color product development specialists, such as manufacturers, designers, printers, ink manufacturers, dye manufacturers, paint manufacturers and material suppliers. Demand for products and services provided by these businesses originates from many industries, including cosmetics, plastics, textiles and the food industry. A great deal of communication between the contributors to a color product can be expensive and time burdensome. Frequently, the communication between the contributors to a color product can be expensive and time burdensome. Frequently, the communication comprises physically handling the delivery of samples for approval during the several developmental stages in the production chain.
During creation of color products, many samples are packaged and delivered to many different parties for approval. For example, a designer provides physical design samples to a manufacturing company for approval, a plate separator converts digital and/or analog images into a form of printing plates or cylinders and submits proofs to a designer or manufacturer, a formulator submits proofs to a printer, and printer submits samples to a designer and/or manufacture for approval. Physical models of the design and prospective future appearances are included in the package.
In the event that any one sample is unacceptable, for example, because it varies from the original specifications, then a party relying on the sample usually insists upon revisions. Whenever revisions to a sample are made, new samples typically are provided for additional review.
For example, a printer may require products and services from material suppliers, including ink manufacturers, dyers, separators and the like. Potentially expensive packages containing samples, prototypes and documents relating to each party's respective involvement are transferred between the parties. Physical packages typically require approval in a particular sequence during development in the production chain. Reliance upon a particular schedule increases the impact of delays caused by a lengthy sample creation and acceptance process. Moreover, samples that are rejected after several stages of development have already been approved can result in changes that impact those previously approved stages.
Electronic color production hardware and software systems currently exist which separately and independently perform many of the tasks required in the above-described production chain. For example, a known system reads visible spectrum of a color sample and generates data directed to measured amounts of light absorbed or reflected at particular points in the spectrum. Any given color has a spectral curve associated with it that functions as a signature of the color. Once a spectral curve is determined, the visible spectrum and coefficients are then processed to predict a color formula for reproducing the color. This measuring technique is more accurate than, for example, the colorimetric approach to color representation because the colors will appear the same in any lighting environment.
The calorimetric representation is a numeric method (CIELAB) of representing a color, wherein "L" represents the lightness to darkness of a color, "A" represents the redness to greenness of a color and "B" represents the yellowness to blueness of a color. The values of similarity between colors is determined by calculating the sum of the squares of the differences between the L, A and B values. This method is not as comprehensive as determining spectral curves for a color because the values are applicable for only one lighting condition. Differing lighting conditions can product different shades of color, and then a new set of CIELAB values.
Other common color representations exist, for example RGB represents the degree of red, green and blue in a color. CMYK represents the degree of cyan, magenta, yellow and black in a given color. Accurate translation between color representations, for example a translation from RGB to CMYK for computer monitors and computer printers is provided. Accurate color reproduction is achieved, in part, by retrieving data for a plurality of input and output devices, e.g., printers, monitors, and color measuring devices, and modifying the color translation formulas to account for the specific devices receiving the data.
Another known system provides a method and apparatus for accurately matching colors. For example, spectral data are received from a color measuring device and the corresponding color is matched in an electronic color library. The desired color is compared to colors stored in the electronic color library and the color or colors in the library that are within a specified color range are reported. By searching in an electronic library, the traditional standard color swatch book used for locating a desired color is replaced. This electronic color library is vulnerable, however, to problems associated with producing samples from multiple devices.
Another method involves receiving a communication of the designer's computer image and converting the RGB setting to CIELAB values. Computer software design packages such as ADOBE® PHOTOSHOP® and ADOBE® PAGEMAKER® provide such conversion functionality.
EP 00974225 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,933,578, describe a method for predicting the color of two or more overprinted inks in halftone, and a method for modeling the tone scale value of spot inks by reading the spectral reflectance of halftone patches printed over a white, gray and black substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,698 and WO 1086943, describe a method to model the tone curve of one print device in order to reproduce the tone curve of another print device. The system automates the process of creating plate curves for a printing system from a design proof with a known tone value curve and compensates for differences in optical and mechanical dot gain by building a look-up table for multiple screening frequencies.
The assemblage of mutually distinct and often disparate methods, samples, and goods as encountered in the current prior art can potentially result in errors and delays in the process. Each communication delay frustrates the color reproduction process and can result in the associated parties trying to identify a party to be held liable.
Current color formulation technology does not meet some market needs as the emphasis is on matching only the solid ink color. As color markets now often take advantage of the both the solid color value and less saturated tone values (halftone, error diffusion and other pattern-generation methodology) in order to add depth and image detail in the coloring process, a method of formulating a match to both a solid color and one or more tone values of the same color can bring improved repeatability to the coloring process. This approach can also aid in obtaining formulae that result in color matches between disparate materials coloring/imaging processes and end-use applications.
Due to their linear nature (see FIG. 10) at the various halftone steps (i.e. from 100% tone strength all the way down to 0%), mono-pigmented CMYK process colors allow for the prediction of ink color formulae that accurately reproduce color standards.
The current state of the art also allows for reliable prediction of formulae for producing multi-pigmented spot colors (henceforth "brand colors") that accurately match a standard at 100% tone strength (AKA solid color). Note: "Brand colors" refers to customer-specific multi-pigmented colors often associated with a specific product or brand name. Brand colors are sometimes referred to as "special colors". However, when this same brand color is printed at various halftone values, it often no longer matches the brand color standard due to the non-linear nature of multi-pigmented brand colors when printed at various halftone values (see FIGS. 11 & 12). Thus, a need exists for a system that can accurately predict a color formula that will match a brand color standard at both 100% tone strength as well as at any of the halftone steps up to the 100% tone value (e.g. 5%, 10%, 15% halftones, etc.).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for managing electronic transmission of color data


A method of preparing a compound corresponding to general formula (3):

It is common for a compound to be prepared in a laboratory, on a small scale, when the compound is being tested for suitability for a commercial product. Then, for bulk manufacture of the product, there may be limitations in for example the purity of the product or practicalities in the apparatus or reagents required for preparing the compound using the same method as used in the laboratory.
Hence, it is desirable to devise a method appropriate for preparing the compound on an industrial scale.

Abstract: R1 and R2 each independently being an alkyl group, and the method comprising reacting a compound corresponding to general formula (2):

Abstract: with an alkylamine corresponding to general formula (4):H2N—R2  (4).


A hazardous material transfer system for the transfer of waste from a containment cell through a transfer port to a storage vessel. A port door in the containment cell is movable between a open and closed positions relative to the transfer port. The port door has a closure face with a first connector set. A storage vessel sealed by a storage vessel cover is provided for receipt of waste transferred through the port. The cover has an outside face that carries a second connector set that interlocks with the first connector set on the port door. The inside face of the vessel cover has a third connector set. A fourth connector set is located on the storage vessel and mates with the third connector set to lock and seal the cover to the vessel. The connector sets are the variety that engage and disengage upon rotational motion.

The invention pertains to a system for the secure transfer of material and in particular of hazardous material from an isolated environment to a storage container external to that environment. Such material can be a hazardous radioactive or toxic material that needs to be transferred from a containment enclosure such as a closed storage basin or room to a portable storage vessel. A containment cell will typically have a wall or floor with a transfer port for removal of the objectionable material to the portable vessel. It is important that the transfer equipment enable secure transfer of the material so as to avoid contamination of the surrounding environment. This gives rise to a requirement for a system for the secure transfer of the material from the containment area to the storage vessel.

Hazardous waste transfer port system and storage container