The present invention relates to topical over-the-counter and prescription strength analgesic and antiphlogistic blended compositions which are useful for reducing inflammation and providing relief from both peripheral and central pain as well as to a flexible therapeutic wrap for topical delivery of said blended compositions. More particularly, the invention is a blended composition comprising from about 3% to about 30% by weight of extract of arnica montana in combination with an effective amount of one or more therapeutic or pharmaceutical agents selected from the group consisting of menthol crystal, camphor, oil of mint, eucalyptus oil, guaifenesin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, topical analgesics, or transdermal opioid analgesics blended in either a pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) or a petrolatum base. The particular agents selected and the percent composition of each selected ingredient in a given blend being determined by the needs and sensitivities of the given patient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to topical over-the-counter and prescription strength analgesic and antiphlogistic blended compositions which are useful for reducing inflammation and providing relief from both peripheral and central pain as well as to a flexible therapeutic wrap for topical delivery of said blended compositions. More particularly, the invention is a blended composition comprising from about 3% to about 30% by weight of extract of arnica montana in combination with an effective amount of one or more therapeutic or pharmaceutical agents selected from the group consisting of menthol crystal, camphor, oil of mint, eucalyptus oil, guaifenesin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, topical analgesics, or transdermal opioid analgesics blended in either a pluronic lecithin organogel (PLO) or a petrolatum base. The particular agents selected and the percent composition of each selected ingredient in a given blend being determined by the needs and sensitivities of the given patient.
2. Background of the Invention
A wealth of problems are known to be associated with the oral ingestion of pharmaceutical agents. For instance, due to sensitivities, many patients experience gastrointestinal irritation and intolerance from a single dose. Many others develop such intolerance as a result of prolonged treatment or develop other more severe gastrointestinal irritations such as ulceration. Further, patients present with widely differing metabolisms resulting in unpredictably variable rates of absorption. In addition, any oral treatment carries with it often unpredictable risks for side effects.
The risks and problems associated with oral introduction of medication are magnified when treating chronic pain such as peripheral neuropathic pain associated with diseases such as diabetes melitis, chronic renal failure, myeloma, cancer, and hypothyroidism. Repeated doses of oral medication are known to compound any negative effect on the stomach and intestinal tract. Moreover, many of the patients suffering from chronic illnesses are senior citizens who are even more susceptible to the risks and side effects from oral medication. Similarly, when a child presents with acute or chronic illness, it is particularly desirable to avoid the risks of side effects and the damage caused from repeated ingestion of medication.
Additionally, many pain medications and muscle relaxants given orally have undesirable effects on cognition and level of consciousness. A patient who suffers pain but must work, drive, and/or care for children places himself and others at risk while taking theses medications. These topical preparations allow for pain relief without undue risk of undesired sedation and altered cognition.
Another disadvantage of oral medication is its frequent ineffectiveness in treating specific types of pain such as the phantom limb pain associated with amputations. One explanation for this ineffectiveness is that oral medication provides no stimulation of the nerve endings to disrupt or stimulate the interrupted signal from the limb to the brain.
Delivery of pharmaceutically active agents through the skin avoids many of these risks and disadvantages. For instance, transdermal medication is parenteral, thus avoiding problems related to gastrointestinal irritation. Further, with topical administration, variances in absorption and metabolism rates cease to be a consequential factor and the risk of potential side effects is greatly reduced. In addition to avoiding many of the disadvantages associated with oral ingestion of medication, topical delivery has some distinct and important advantages. First, by medicating through the skin, a more even and continuous dosage of medication may be administered over a longer period of time. Further, such treatment provides more immediate, as well as more physically and psychologically rewarding, relief, as it may be applied directly to site of the pain, whether that pain be local in nature or a generalized pain with local manifestations. As discussed, localized application and sensitization is particularly important in cases involving amputation. Yet, although direct application may be to a local site, the medication is introduced and acts systemically.
In spite of the obvious advantages in providing medications topically, it has been difficult to find compositions and delivery methods which are effective for this purpose due to the nature of skin as a defensive barrier for the body. After all, one of the main functions of skin as an organ of the body is to obstruct toxic materials and pathogens from entering the body while retaining desired physiological fluids and nutrients within the body. For this reason, the skin is highly impermeable, creating a challenge to the percutaneous introduction of pharmaceutically active agents. Thus, a search continues to discover methods of delivery or compositions which will be successful in transporting an effective dosage of medication across this natural barrier.
The problems with topical delivery are really two-fold. First, as just described, there is the challenge of finding a composition and method of application which permits transport across the skin's natural barrier. The second problem is focused on the mechanics of delivering medication to a flexible, mobile, and sensitive surface such as the skin. To encourage a patient's cooperation with systematic and often long-term treatment, pharmaceutical or therapeutic agents must be delivered in a way that will be comfortable and even rewarding to the patient. Further, it is important that the method of delivery ensure that the active agents are kept securely in place against the skin long enough to permit the desired penetration without unduly affecting the patient's mobility. Finally, safety is a concern, particularly when treating pediatric or geriatric patients in whom there is risk of ingestion of the medication or plasticized portions of the wrap.
There have been a variety of approaches suggested for addressing the first of these challenges--enhanced penetration. For instance, it has long been known that the introduction of an electrical charge at the point of transdermal transport may assist the penetration of certain medications. Recent improvement patents in this area are U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,408 to Haak and U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,646 to Theeuwes et al. The basic principle here is to effect the system electrochemically so as to enhance penetration. The disadvantages of such a system, however, are in the need for additional specialized equipment and/or chemicals beyond that which is needed to medicate. These additional requirements bring with them risks and costs.
Another approach for achieving increased penetration of pharmaceutically active agents is through the use of chemical enhancers. An effective amount of these enhancing chemicals are mixed with the desired medicinal agent before it is applied to the skin resulting in more effective penetration. It is taught that these chemical enhancers are effective in speeding and increasing the penetration of the medication due to their chemical similarity to the highly impermeable outer layer of the skin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,965 to Rajadhyaksha teaches the use of amino alcohol derivatives to achieve enhanced membrane penetration. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,934 discloses another series of chemicals which are effective for this purpose. Once again, however, as in the use of electrical charge, the use of chemical enhancers has the disadvantage of requiring something in addition to the ingredients needed for treatment. Addition of any medically unnecessary chemical ingredient carries with it an increased risk for reaction.
It would be beneficial, therefore, to discover a therapeutically active ingredient or a combination of ingredients which would accomplish penetration without outside influence. This is particularly needed in the treatment of neuropathic pain of the type associated with conditions such as arthritis or diabetes. Anti-inflammatories and pain killers such as ketoprofen or lidocaine applied topically to an area affected by pain may provide some local relief but there is very little deep penetration of such non-steroidal anti-inflammatory and/or analgesic medications and, therefore, little, if any, relief from more generalized neuropathic pain. The inventors herein have unexpectedly discovered that the extract of an herb called amica montana, in combination with certain other therapeutic agents such as analgesics, warms and increases capillary blood flow to the treatment area, thereby improving absorption of the active ingredients. This synergistic effect results in enhanced penetration of the skin to provide pain relief both for local and diffuse pain conditions such as diabetes or myeloma. Arnica montana (commonly known as mountain tobacco) is an herb which grows on the mountains of Switzerland and is also cultivated elsewhere in the world. The medicinal value of various extracts of the herb has been recognized for centuries in the treatment of numerous illnesses, however, there is no consensus as to the active principle behind its reported effectiveness. Nevertheless, amica montana has been cited as useful in a wide variety of applications. For example, a relatively recent patent to Sawruk, U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,579, teaches a method for inducing and enhancing the absorption of calcium into bone by combining the calcium with an effective dose of flavonol aglycone glycoside. Sawruk identifies arnica montana as a significant source of this chemical component. In this instance, it is opined that the flavonol aglycone glycosides assist in absorption of calcium through a chelation delivery system. Other oral applications of arnica extracts are rare, however, because it has been reported that arnica has a harmful effect on the heart and may also effect the nervous system negatively at high doses.
Topical uses for extracts of arnica montana are, by far, the most common and attribute a wide range of attributes to the herbal extract. For example, the addition of extract of arnica is recommended in U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,942 to Heverhagen which discloses an agent for reducing hair growth on the human body. It is suggested that arnica extract has "astringent, tonic, soothing and wound-healing effects" and should, therefore, be added to the hair reduction agent to compensate for cases of sensitive skin. These same soothing and healing qualities are recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,569,839 to Grollier et al. for use in a cosmetic treatment for the hair and skin. Perhaps the most common topical use for arnica is in the treatment of hematomas as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,832,343 to Majoie et al. Arnica's effectiveness in this instance is attributed to its effectiveness in preventing coagulation of blood. In Ismail, U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,960, extract of arnica montana is recognized as having the ability to promote blood circulation and is, therefore, a suggestive additive to an agent for treatment and protection of the skin on the theory that the arnica will increase the action of the vitamin E in the composition. Addition of extract of arnica is also taught for a variety of cases where the desired result is a reduction of inflammation and/or edema such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,153 to Videki et al. for compositions for the treatment of parodonthopathy and U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,638 to Ayache et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,684,522 to Marissal et al., both directed to compositions to reduce adipose swelling and cellulite, inferring an anti-inflammatory characteristic to the herb.
None of these references recognize arnica as useful in enhancing penetration of the skin or as an effective agent in providing neuropathic pain relief. U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,037 to Whitson-Fischman teaches the use of extract of arnica montana as one of many components in an herb-based homeopathic medicament for the treatment of chronic muscular and joint pain. Whitson-Fischman, however, does not specify the role of arnica in the component mix disclosed herein. Further, the method taught in Whitson-Fischman involves delivery of the homeopathic medicant mix in three separate phases: an injectable dose delivered to specified acupuncture points; a topical dose delivered by means of a transdermal patch applied directly over appropriate acupuncture points; and orally. In addition, in each of these delivery methods, the medications delivered to the body are magnetically stimulated at the time of introduction to assist in absorption and effectiveness. The invention herein rests in part on the discovery that extract of arnica montana, in combination with other selected components, warms and increases capillary blood flow, thereby improving absorption of other active ingredients simply through topical delivery according to the proposed delivery method and without the need for other stimulus.
Once penetration and effective pain relief is achieved, the next significant concern in achieving effective topical application is keeping the therapeutic agent comfortably and productively in place for the length of time required to achieve the desired penetration and results. The difficulties here focus on the flexibility of the skin, the mobility of the patient, the sensitivity of the skin, and other related considerations such as sterility and the need to protect clothing and bedding from the medication. For these reasons, it is desirable that topical therapeutic compositions be of a consistency that will easily accommodate the skin's flexibility, yet stay in place as the patient moves about. The consistency of the medicant, therefore, should be pliable but tacky. Further, it is important that the treating composition stay in place for the duration of treatment yet be able to be comfortably removed and cleaned away between treatments. Such a support, whether it be a bandage, patch, or wrap, should be easily removable, offer protection to clothing and bedding, and support the active ingredients in such a way that they achieve the best possible contact with and penetration into the skin. Moreover, it is important that the pharmaceutical composition be sterile and that any bandage or cover placed over the medication is also sterile as well as providing a good support for the therapeutic agents. Finally, safety issues must be addressed. Thus, the medication must be offered in a composition without plastic covering and with low enough dosage to be non-toxic for a pediatric and geriatric population where there is a risk of ingestion of the medicant or any removable plasticized material.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that what is needed in the art are topical compositions which will effectively penetrate the skin's barrier, delivering effective relief from both localized and generalized pain, without the need for expensive andlor risky supplemental enhancers such as non-active chemical additives, or electrical, magnetic, or heat stimulation. Further, a method of topical delivery is needed that will effectively deliver the medication over the period needed for penetration without affecting the comfort, safety, or mobility of the patient.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide safe and effective localized and generalized pain relief through topical delivery of therapeutic agents.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means of delivering effective dosages of therapeutic agents transdermally.
A still further object is to provide pain relief topically, and thereby without the risks of sedation and cognitive effects associated with orally administered pain relievers and muscle relaxants.
Another object is to provide pain relief to geriatric, pediatric, and cancer patient populations unable to tolerate orally administered medications.
Yet another object is to provide pain relief to patients who have not achieved adequate pain control/management via oral medications (e.g. amputee).
Still another object is to provide means for delivering effective dosages of therapeutic agents to sites of localized pain and inflammation.
Another object of this invention is to maintain relatively constant dosages of therapeutic agents to sites of pain.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a protective, comforting cover to sites of local manifestation of pain and/or inflammation.
Another object of this invention is to provide a flexible, protective wrap which will deliver effective dosages of medication without inhibiting patient mobility.
A final object is to provide a controlled-released therapeutic wrap constructed of inexpensive materials.

Analgesic and antiphlogistic compositions and therapeutic wrap for topical delivery


The present invention relates to holding equipment at an operating table. In order to removably provide equipment at a patient support, a holding device (10) is provided that comprises an accessory rail (12) and at least a first portion (14) of a coupling is provided. The accessory rail is configured as an attachment interface (16) for temporal attachment of equipment (18) at a patient support (20). The accessory rail is rigidly connected to the first portion of the coupling. The first portion of the coupling is configured to provide, in interaction with a second portion (22) of the coupling, a movable connection for connecting the accessory rail to a patient support, wherein the movable connection is configured to provide a horizontal sliding movement of the accessory rail in relation to the patient support. The provision of a movable connection allows, for example, to temporarily move or even remove the accessory rail together with mounted equipment. For example, during an intervention procedure, for certain phases, the equipment is not needed or a different configuration is needed, and wider access to the patient is required. The equipment can then easily be removed and put back in place.

In a hospital, healthcare or medical environment different types of devices and equipment may need to be provided at a patient table. Equipment is mounted, for example, to a rail lateral to the patient table. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,023,800 describes a detachable siderail that may be clamped onto the side edge of a surgical table top. For example, US 2005/0004470 A1 describes an ultrasound head mounting that engages, with a bracket, a mounting-side adapter rail that is connected to a table-side adapter piece via a mounting element for level compensation. The adapter piece has a hook attachment for an accessory rail of the patient positioning table. For example, DE 20 2009 007202 U1 describes a holding device for mounting of equipment to a holding rail of an operation table. In an example, an additional rail is attached to a first rail by two holding brackets, as the first rail is covered by a sterile cloth. For example, DE 10 2013 105374 A1 describes an adapter device for an operation table. The adapter device comprises a rail segment for detachably mounting of equipment. The adapter device is attachable to a siderail of an operation table and allows for a rotatable adjustment of the rail segment. To fulfill certain requirements during medical interventions, it may occur that devices need to be relocated in the range of a physician, or different types of equipment or modules may be needed. US 2004/0223806 describes a fastening system for fastening an object or an accessory on a patient table. Nevertheless, the mounting and demounting steps may lead to damage of the modules when they are needed at different location at the table and the relocating may impair the physician during work.

Sliding accessory rail for holding equipment at a patient support


A spade-type drill bit is disclosed having a shank portion and a spade bit portion extending from the shank portion. The spade bit portion includes a spade portion with a planar region, and a center tip concentric with a longitudinal axis and extending from the spade portion. First and second radial cutting edges extend from the center tip toward first and second corner tips. First and second longitudinal cutting edges extend along longitudinal sides of the spade portion and terminate at the first and second corner tips. The first and second corner tips are located forward of the plane of the spade portion in the direction of rotation of the drill bit. The first and second radial cutting edges, and the first and second longitudinal cutting edges further include curved portions adjacent each of the first and second corner tips. Threads may also be provided on the center tip. A method of manufacturing is disclosed wherein each of the corner tips are formed by cutting from a smashed planar portion of a round rod an outline of the spade bit and further bending each of the corner tips in a direction of rotation of the spade bit.

Spade-type drill bits, hereinafter referred to as "spade bits", are known in the art for drilling or boring holes through wood and other materials. Typically, the spade bit includes an elongated shank with a spade bit portion at one end of the shank for boring through the wood or other material. The opposite end of the shank is received and held by the drill during the drilling operation.
The spade bit portion of the spade bit generally includes a plate-like structure, sometimes planar, which is generally thinner than the shank. Sharpened cutting edges are provided that engage and cut the wood or other material during drilling. The spade bit portion also typically includes a centering tip.
Spade bits come in a variety of sizes for drilling holes anywhere from 1/4 inches in diameter or smaller to 1 and 1/2 inches in diameter or larger. Spade bits are useful in drilling holes of different sizes and are used instead of conventional auger drill bits or twist drill bits. Prior problems with known spade bits are that they have a tendency to become dull quickly, do not cut well through desired materials even when sharp, and are difficult to manufacture and sharpen.
Several significant concerns exist both for drill bits generally, and also in particular, for spade bits. One significant concern is the performance characteristics of the spade bit. Considerations such as the speed of cutting holes and the ease of cutting holes are important. In some circumstances, the length of time for the spade bit to cut through the material is important. These considerations are also related to the power and torque requirements necessary to cut the hole. Power and torque requirements may impact whether the spade bit can be used with ordinary electric drills or conventional cordless drills.
Another consideration related to performance is the ability of the spade bit to be easily resharpened after the spade bit has been used for a period of time and becomes dull. Complex shapes for the cutting edges and surfaces may make it difficult or impossible for the spade bit to be sharpened without special equipment. Complex shapes may also make it too time consuming to resharpen, meaning that the blades would have to be disposed of once they became dull. The ability to produce even, smoothly cut holes is also desireable in a spade bit.
A further consideration with respect to the spade bits relates to the ability to manufacture the spade bits easily and inexpensively. Complex shapes or complex processes may excessively raise the costs to manufacture the bits.
There has existed a long and unfilled need in the prior art for a spade bit and method for manufacturing the same which addresses the above and other problems and concerns relating to spade bits.

Spade-type drill bit apparatus and method


A drive belt tensioning method and assembly using a dual spring tensioner. A pulley from a drive belt/pulley system is mounted onto a pivot arm having a pivot point. A tensioner spring mounts between the machine frame and the pivot arm, such that is causes rotation of the pivot arm about the pivot point in the opposite direction that the belt/pulley system causes rotation about the pivot point. A stop is used to keep the pivot arm in the position of tensioner spring/belt/pulley system equilibrium. This stop is mounted to the machine frame after the pivot arm equilibrium is reached. A retainer spring mounts between the machine frame and the pivot arm such that when in tension it causes a rotational force about the pivot point in the same direction that the tensioner spring causes a rotational force about the pivot point.

The present invention is in the field of drive belt tensioning. The invention is particulalry useful for drive belt tensioning in reproduction machines such as electrographic printers.
The use of timing belts requires accurate tension for proper function. Common practice is to use a spring to set the initial tension, and then to lock the tensioner in place, to prevent belt jumping under torque impulses. However, when it is necessary to move the drive points or other pulleys in the belt/pulley system, such as when paper path assemblies are opened for paper jam clearance, the drive belts can lose tension and fall off the drive points.
A tensioner is desired which can prevent belt jumping under torque impulses and prevent over tensioning, while allowing drive points and other pulleys to move if required.


A video bitstrean error resilient transcoder (100), method (300), video-phone, and video-communicator are provided wherein error resilience is implemented by verifying a syntax of a video bitstream and replacing the video bitstream between resynchronization markers with a valid syntax that is used by a decoder to produce a video sequence.

The present invention relates to communication of video bitstreams and, more particularly, to correction of video bitstreams.
Video compression is designed to represent full motion video with as small a number of information bits as possible, and still preserve acceptable quality. Acceptable quality is defined as the level of perceived quality required by the viewer of the decoded video. To preserve acceptable quality, many video compression encoders and decoders (i.e., video codecs) try to represent each frame of encoded video by predicting it from the previously encoded frame. Generally, motion compensated prediction is used to reduce the amount of information needed to be coded for each frame. This approach is used in the ISO MPEG- 1, MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 standards, as well as in the ITU H.261 and H.263 standards. When motion compensated prediction is used between frames in a video sequence, the error in the prediction must be encoded and successfully transmitted to the decoder to preserve the quality of the decoded video sequence.
To further improve the amount of compression achieved by a video encoder, several tools or modes, in addition to motion compensated prediction, are available in today""s video compression standards. How these tools are utilized must also be transmitted to the decoder to preserve the quality of the decoded video sequence. This mode information combined with the motion information (motion vectors) prediction information (discrete cosine transform coefficients) form a video bitstream. It is this video bitstream which is transmitted to the video decoder to produce video sequences with acceptable quality.
Due to the strong dependence between the information contained in a video bitstream and the perceived quality of the decoded video sequence, video decoders are highly susceptible to bit errors. A single bit error in a video bitstream can cause a video decoder to interpret the information remaining in the bitstream incorrectly. This situation is generally referred to as a loss of synchronization. That is, the decoder is no longer synchronized with the start of the codewords contained in the video bitstream.
To guard against the possibility that the decoder and video bitstream never resynchronize, all video compression standards require that resynchronization markers be inserted into with the video bitstream at predetermined locations. These resynchronization markers are unique codewords that can be located within a video bitstream. Currently, video decoders utilize these markers to resynchronize in case of a bit error.
The ability to resynchronize after an error is important. However, it does not guarantee that the video quality will be acceptable if the video bitstream has been corrupted by an error or errors. Concealment of the information lost between resynchronization markers is necessary if acceptable video quality is to be maintained. Due to the constraints imposed by real-time operation, it is difficult for a video decoder to provide the necessary error concealment.
For instance, prior art shows that in order to provide some error concealment capabilities, an entirely new system for transmitting digital video is required. A major problem with this approach is that it does not conform to any of the known video compression standards. The method is completely dependent upon the use of a very powerful Cyclic Redundant Codes (CRC). Once an error is detected, sophisticated messaging must occur between the error detection device and the video decoder. This type of processing and communication within a device is very complicated and difficult to build. Furthermore, since it does not comply with any video compression standards, it can not interoperate with any ISO-MPEG or ITU compliant video decoder.
Thus, there is a need for a method and device to provide efficient error resilient video bitstream decoding which does not conflict with current or future video compression standards.

Video bitstream error resilient transcoder, method, video-phone, video-communicator and device


An ophthalmic lens system comprises a lens body with a curved outer surface and an assembly including a plurality of spaced apart nanostructures. The assembly covers at least a portion of the curved outer surface.

Age, disease, trauma, or a combination thereof may result in deterioration in vision which may be corrected through the use of ophthalmic lenses. Ophthalmic lenses may include lenses positioned externally of the eye or implanted in the eye. Lenses positioned externally of the eye include spectacle lenses and contact lenses. Implanted lenses include intraocular lenses ("IOLs"). An "aphakic IOL" may be used to replace a natural lens of any eye that has, for example, developed a cataract. A "phakic IOL" is generally used with the natural lens intact. The phakic IOL may be located in either the anterior chamber (i.e., in front of the natural lens and the iris) or the posterior chamber (i.e., in front of the natural lens, but behind the iris).
Traditionally, the surface reflectance and scattering of light caused by ophthalmic lenses has been considered undesirable. For example, the reflectance may be cosmetically undesirable for persons who are on camera or photographed. Reflectance may also interfere with the physical examination of the eye. Some lens wearers also report glare, halos, dysphotopsia, reflections, and other undesirable images associated with reflective lenses.
Traditional anti-reflection coatings formed of uniform and polished anti-reflection layers have shortcomings. For example, the ability to reduce reflection may be limited by the available material's refractive index. Traditional coatings often require multiple layers and work only for a limited range of reflection angles. Additionally, traditional coatings often use rigid materials that interact poorly with biological tissue.
Accordingly, new systems and methods are needed to reduce reflection associated with ophthalmic lenses.

Optical structures with nanostructre features and methods of use and manufacture


A dust core includes large particles having an average particle size of 8-15 μm, medium particles having an average particle size of 1-5 μm, and small particles having an average particle size of 300-900 nm when a cross section thereof is observed. An area ratio occupied by the large particles is 50% to 90%, an area ratio occupied by the medium particles is 0% to 30%, and an area ratio occupied by the small particles is 5% to 30%, when a total area ratio occupied by the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 100% in the cross section. Vickers hardness (Hv) of the large particles, the medium particles and the small particles is 150-600 respectively. The small particles are alloy powder containing Fe and at least Si or N. The dust core may be included in an inductor element.

The present invention relates to a dust core and an inductor element including the same.
In recent years, increasing high frequency of a power supply is progressing, and an inductor element suitable for use in a high frequency band of several MHz is required. In addition, an inductor element excellent in DC superimposition characteristics for miniaturization and low in core loss for increasing the efficiency of the power supply is required. Further, a dust core having a high withstand voltage is required to ensure reliability in automotive applications, particularly in applications of ECU drive circuits.
WO 2010/082486 discloses a dust core made of metallic magnetic powder having predetermined Vickers hardness (Hv). However, WO 2010/082486 does not consider use of the dust core in a high frequency band such as several MHz, and does not disclose that three types of particles having different particle sizes are used as the metallic magnetic powder.
WO 2010/103709 also discloses a dust core made of metallic magnetic powder having predetermined Vickers hardness (Hv). However, the dust core disclosed in the embodiment of WO 2010/103709 has low DC superimposition characteristics (permeability) and is insufficient for miniaturization. In addition, the core loss in the high frequency band (1 MHz) is large, and the efficiency of the power supply is insufficient. Further, it is not disclosed that three types of particles having different particle sizes are used as the metallic magnetic powder.
[Patent Document 1] WO2010/082486
[Patent Document 2] WO2010/103709


A method and apparatus 10 are disclosed for applying a bead or strip of material 16 upon an object 18, such that the bead 16 has a desired cross-sectional area. Moreover, system 10 includes a source 30, controller 38, a dispensing apparatus 28, and a gun 14. In operation, controller 38, by controlling gun 14, ensures that a constant pressure of material is output from unit 28 to gun 14, for a variety of material flow rates from unit 28.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a material dispensing system and, more particularly, to a computerized system which places a strip or bead of material, having a substantially constant cross-sectional area upon a desired object, or is capable of selectively placing a bead if a variable cross-sectional area is required upon such an object.
2. Discussion
Dispensing systems are normally used to place several beads or strips of material, each comprising an adhesive or sealant, upon an object such as an automobile windshield or door frame assembly. It is very desirable to ensure that these material beads each have a specific and constant cross-sectional area, in order to allow the beads to cooperatively perform their desired function, while preventing material build-up, which may cause the material to flow to undesired portions of the object. This undesirable and improper material flow usually requires the object to be cleaned, thereby causing a waste of much time and resources, and may even cause the object to adhere to undesired portions of an assembly, resulting in undesirable assembly operation.
Prior dispensing systems usually include a source of material (i.e. a supply pump and metering unit), which provides a constant flow of material. The material is then directed to an applicator which is adapted to be moved in close proximity to and around the object. In order for these prior dispensing systems to apply a material bead or strip, having a constant cross-sectional area (or several beads, each having substantially similar cross-sectional areas), the applicator must be moved at a constant velocity, proportional to the rate of flow of the material emanating from the dispenser. Moreover, if a bead having a variable cross-sectional area is required, the applicator must be moved at a varying speed during bead formation.
While these prior dispensing systems have worked well for some objects, they failed to provide beads, each having a desired constant (or selectively variable) cross-sectional areas upon objects having very sharp or rounded corners or edges. This was due to the fact that the applicator is usually required to be stopped or reduced in velocity, around these sharp corners or edges. This reduction in applicator velocity causes some of the beads, or even portions of a single bead, to have irregular and undesirable cross-sectional areas, since the material flow rate is not concomitantly reduced.
One approach, used to alleviate these problems, involved stopping both the applicator and the flow of material entering the applicator, as soon as the applicator reached a very sharp corner or edge. While this approach is somewhat useful, it requires extensive software programming of the dispensing system and often results in an excessive build-up of the dispensed material in the corner or rounded edge portion of the object, or in a failure to provide needed material over some of the object portions.
Another approach, to alleviate problems associated with these prior dispensing systems, required the changing of the dispensed material flow rate to correspond to the slower applicator velocity, needed to traverse the sharp corner or edge portions of the object. This approach was found to be unsatisfactory since a change in material dispensing flow rate does not instantaneously result in a change of material flow rate at the applicator. This flow rate delay is due to the fact that a certain pressure drop is normally established between the material dispenser and the dispensing applicator, which are normally many feet apart.
When the flow rate of the dispensed material, at the dispenser, is quickly reduced to a new flow rate, the new flow rate is not observed at the applicator, until a new pressure drop is established between the material dispenser and the applicator (commonly called lead/lag). This delay is known to be caused by the distance between the tip and the dispensing unit; the viscosity of the utilized material, the compressibility of the material; the elasticity of the conduits connecting the dispenser with the applicator; and the magnitude of the rate of change in the flow rate, at the metering or dispensing unit.
Moreover, this flow rate gradient is unacceptable, since it also causes accessible build-up at the sharp corner or edge portions of the object or a failure to provide needed material over some of the object portions.


An apparatus (100) for processing substrates includes: a substrate cleaning device (20), which cleans the substrates with treating liquid; a developing device (40); and a treating liquid recovery system (30), which is connected with the cleaning device and the developing device. The treating liquid recovery system can convey the treating liquid from the cleaning device to the developing device. Thus the treating liquid that has been used in the cleaning device can be reused in the developing device. Therefore the apparatus can economize on treating liquid and reduce costs.

A typical process in the manufacturing of a liquid crystal display includes the following steps: cleaning a substrate; forming a photoresist; exposing; and developing. An apparatus for processing the substrate during these steps typically uses a treating liquid. In particular, a cleaning device and a developing device of the apparatus use the treating liquid. With large-sized liquid crystal panels now commonplace, the amount of treating liquid needed for processing the corresponding substrates can be considerable.
Referring to FIG. 3, a typical apparatus 10 for processing substrates includes a substrate cleaning device 70 and a treating liquid circulation device 165. The treating liquid circulation device 165 has a drainpipe 140, a treating liquid holding unit 168, a through flowline 166, and a pair of treating liquid providing devices 151, 152. The drainpipe 140 is connected with the substrate cleaning device 70 and the treating liquid holding unit 168. The drainpipe 140 can convey treating liquid that has been used in the substrate cleaning device 70 to the treating liquid holding unit 168. The through flowline 166 is connected with the treating liquid holding unit 168 and with the treating liquid providing devices 151, 152. The through flowline 166 can convey the treating liquid that is held in the treating liquid holding unit 168 to the treating liquid providing devices 151, 152, whereupon such treating liquid can be conveyed to the substrate cleaning device 70 for reuse. The treating liquid circulation device 165 has a mirage trap 142, which is set between the drainpipe 140 and the treating liquid holding unit 168. The mirage trap 142 can remove air bubbles from the treating liquid. The treating liquid circulation device 165 also has a filtering device 167, which is set between the mirage trap 142 and the treating liquid holding unit 168. The filtering device 167 can filter impurities from the treating liquid.
In summary, the apparatus 10 comprises the substrate cleaning device 70, which makes use of recycled treating liquid to clean substrates. This is accomplished by directing used treating liquid form the substrate cleaning device 70 through the treating liquid circulation device 165.
However, in the overall process of manufacturing the liquid crystal panel, the developing process as well as the substrate cleaning process needs treating liquid. The apparatus 10 only recycles treating liquid used in the cleaning substrate process. Treating liquid used in the developing process is discarded after use.
Further, the substrate cleaning process and the developing process have different demands for cleanliness of the treating liquid. Generally, the level of cleanliness required in the developing process is lower than that in the substrate cleaning process. Thus when new treating liquid is used in the developing process and then discarded, this is considered by many to be wastage of treating liquid.
What is needed, therefore, is a new apparatus for processing substrates which overcomes the above-described problems. What is also needed is a new method involving such apparatus.

Apparatus for processing substrates and method therefor


A method of manufacturing first and second substrates that are coupled together, e.g., an active and passive plate of a flat panel display. The active plate is formed according to a standard pattern and inspected. The passive plate is then formed by modifying the pattern data for the passive plate according to the actual pattern formed on the active plate to ensure that the patterns formed on the active and passive plates correspond closely.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic apparatus and a device manufacturing method.
2. Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs), flat panel displays and other devices involving fine structures. In a conventional lithographic apparatus, a patterning means, which is alternatively referred to as a mask or a reticle, can be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC (or other device), and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g., comprising part of one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g., a silicon wafer or glass plate) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). Instead of a mask, the patterning means can comprise an array of individually controllable elements that generate the circuit pattern on an impinging light beam.
In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Lithographic apparatus include steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion in one pass, and scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction), while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
Flat panel displays can be comprised of two plates that are manufactured separately by a lithographic process and then coupled together to form the flat panel display. For the device to function correctly, features on the two plates are precisely aligned. Even a small mismatch of the two plates can lead to light leakage or other distortion in the optical performance of the display. Such errors reduce the overall yield of the fabrication process, increasing the cost of each unit produced. In order to reduce the likelihood of light leakage, the features formed on one plate are conventionally designed to cover a larger area than necessary, providing for a margin of error. However, this typically results in aperture loss and more power being required to provide the same display intensity.
Therefore, what is needed is a manufacturing method in which the yield of a fabrication process for a device comprised of two substrates is improved without sacrificing the performance of the device produced thereby.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


The present invention relates to an electric fan employing three impellers which are so implemented as to receive the driving force of the motor and, more particularly, to an electric fan equipped with the second crank device and the convex surfaced driving bevel friction wheel and driven bevel friction wheel to swing the fan impeller shaft up-down repeatedly and right or left simultaneously, and to an electric fan that has the carrying handle or the carrying handle with the wheels for the convenience of moving, and also to an electric fan that can separate the upper body from the lower body to establish itself as a short up-right standing type, an attache-to-ceiling type, or an attach-to-wall type, and to an electric fan that can get rid of blowing reaction by a stabilizer and, thus, stabilize the swing movement of the fan impeller.

Conventional electric fans were either of the structure of using a wind direction shifting plate without moving the fan head itself to change the direction of the wind generated by the fan impellers, or of the structure of mounting a fan impeller coaxially to the motor and swinging the fan head from left to right and vice-versa by a certain fixed crank device.
Accordingly, these conventional electric fans displayed the problem of not sending wind to all directions, thus leaving the other side with no wind in a hot state.
To overcome this problem, the inventor of the present invention proposed an electric fan in the Korean Utility Model Publication No. 89-1902 (U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,766) employing a plurality of fan impellers, e.g. three impellers that are detatchably connected to the driving motor, each of said fan impellers being arranged with 120 degrees in radial direction and driven individually or simultaneously by using the fan clutch device, thus sending the wind to 360 degrees in all directions.
However, said previously invented electric fan not only had an inefficiency of driving force transmission due to the flat surface of the friction face of both the driven bevel friction wheel which is located at one end of the fan impeller shaft and the driving bevel friction wheel which is located at one end of the driving motor shaft, but did not have any means for controlling or adjusting the slanted angle of the fan impeller in vertical movement and, thus, sent no wind to the up-and-down direction.
Another problem raised in the previously invented electric fan is a blowing reaction which makes the fan head be biased to right or left. That is, since an electric fan which is in general formed by a plurality of helical fan blades, is a device which sends the wind to the front of the fan impeller by turning the fan impeller rapidly, the fan impeller receives some blowing reaction during operation due to the direction of the helical fan blades. The previously invented fan was so implemented as to have three fan impellers and, therefore, if all the fan impellers were blowing the wind and turning simultaneously in one direction, the blowing amount of wind will increase and so will the blowing reaction as much. That is, when the fan impellers were turning in one direction, e. g. to the left by the operation of a crank device while still blowing, the blowing reaction will be added to its turning force to the left, thus, the turning speed will increase. On the other hand, when the fan impellers were turning to the right, the blowing reaction will work against the turning force, and this resulted in some vibration to the fan impeller itself and an excess load on the driving motor.
Further, since the fan clutch device of the previously invented electric fan is of a screw type, some inconvenience in manipulating the shaft clutch device due to incurrence of some extra time, resulted.
And also, since the previously proposed electric fan has three fan impellers, the total weight thereof becomes too heavy to move around and also since the control switch was provided on the lower body, which works as a support for the upper body, the upper body could not be separated from the lower body and, thus, it could not be constructed as a short up-right standing type and/or an attach-to-ceiling type and/or an attach-to-wall type.


Provided is scissors comprising a movable first handle unit; a stationary second handle unit including a bifurcated jaw, a pivotal blade in the jaw, a spring biased pivotal plate member in the jaw and including teeth, a gear and ratchet wheel assembly, and a spring biased pivotal pawl; and a spring biased lever including a pawl member engaged with the ratchet wheel. Continuously pivoting the first handle unit about the second handle unit by moving the first handle unit alternately back and forth in each action of pivoting the first handle unit toward the second handle unit will pivot the first and second protrusions counterclockwise, rotate the gear and ratchet assembly clockwise, and pivot the teeth counterclockwise to cut a pipe anchored in the mouth.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to scissors and more particularly to a pair of ratchet scissors for smoothly, stepwise cutting a pipe (e.g., water pipe) without causing deformation in a labor saving manner.
2. Related Art
A conventional pair of scissors for cutting pipe (e.g., water pipe) is shown in FIG. 1. The scissors comprises a first assembly 10 including a stationary handle unit 11, a stationary jaw 12 having an inner curved edge, and a shoulder 14; a second assembly 20 including a movable handle unit 21 and a pivotal ring 22 provided at an open end of the handle unit 21; a movable jaw 30 pivotably connected to an intermediate portion of the first assembly 10 and including a blade 31 formed on an inner edge facing the stationary jaw 12, a series of ratchet teeth 32 formed opposite the blade 31, and a raised stop 33 proximate the shoulder 14; a toggle link 40 interconnected a forward portion of the handle unit 21 and a rear portion of the jaw 30; and a pawl 51 pivotably formed between a first pivot joining portion (i.e., joining portion of the link 40 and the handle unit 21) and a second pivot joining portion (i.e., joining portion of the handle unit 21 and the stationary jaw 12), the pawl 51 being engaged with the ratchet tooth 32 and including a spring 51 pivotably formed on the handle unit 21.
A cutting operation of the scissors will be described in detailed below. A user may first place a water pipe in the open jaw in position. Note that a maximum angle between the first and second assemblies 10 and 20 is defined when the stop 33 contacts the shoulder 13. Next, the user may hold the handle with one hand and exert force to move the handle unit 21 toward the handle unit 11. The pawl 51 thus continuously moves from one tooth 32 to the adjacent tooth 32 until the pipe is cut by the blade 31. However, the prior art suffered from a couple of disadvantages. For example, a user is required to exert a great force in the cutting operation. Further, the number of the ratchet teeth 32 is limited (i.e., cutting time is short). Thus, the cut pipe may deform undesirably. Thus, a need for improvement exists.


A dryer includes a cabinet; a drum rotatably mounted inside the cabinet; a front panel provided between the cabinet and the drum; a valve provided inside the cabinet to control supply and cutoff of gas and an amount of the supplied gas; a fixing piece for mounting the valve on one side thereof; and a bracket coupled to the other side of the fixing piece.

The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a dryer with improved assemblage and easy repairing and replacing workability.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a flow path of a conventional dryer and FIG. 2 is a partially broken perspective view of the conventional dryer.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the conventional dryer includes a cabinet 2 which forms an external appearance of the dryer and provided with an opening formed in front thereof and through which laundries to be dried are put into the dryer, a drum 12 which is rotatably mounted inside the cabinet 2 to accommodate the laundries to be dried and has opened front and rear portions for allowing air to pass therethrough, a heater 18 which is disposed inside the cabinet 2 to heat the air sucked into the cabinet 2, an intake duct 20 which guides the heated air passed through the heater 18 to the rear of the drum 12, an exhaust unit 22 which exhausts the air polluted by drying the laundries to the outside of the cabinet 2, a blower fan (not shown) which is installed in the exhaust unit 22, and a motor (not shown) and a belt 40 which drive the drum 12 and the blow fan to be rotated.
A lifter 11 is mounted on an inner peripheral surface of the drum 12 to lift up and drop the laundries to be dried.
The exhaust unit 22 includes a lint duct 25 which receives the air from the drum 12 to filter foreign substances from the air by a filter 24 mounted therein, a fan housing 26 which communicates with the lint duct 25 and houses the blower fan and an exhaust duct 27 which communicates with the fan housing 26 at one end thereof and extends to the outside of the cabinet 2 at the other end.
Operation of the conventional dryer having the above described structure will be described.
First, by operating the dryer after putting the laundries to be dried into the drum 12 and closing a door (not shown), the motor is driven to rotate the drum 12 and the blower fan and the heater 18 is operated together.
At this time, as the drum 12 is rotated, the laundries to be dried in the drum 12 are lifted up and dropped by the lifter 11.
External air is sucked in the heater 18, heated to air with high temperature and low humidity and then supplied to the inside of the drum 12 through the intake duct 20.
The air with high temperature and low humidity supplied to the inside of the drum 12 is brought into direct contact with the laundries to dry the laundries and changed to air with low temperature and high humidity. While drying the laundries, the air is moved toward the front of the drum 12 and then exhausted to the outside of the dryer through the exhaust unit 22.
In the conventional dryer, it is not easy to assemble a valve for controlling injection and cutoff of gas and an amount of the injected gas, and replacement of the valve is complex since a front panel should be disassembled in order to replace the valve. Therefore, it is required to improve the problems.


A data processing form for use with photo-sensing apparatus that detect the presence of indicia at indicia-receiving locations on the form. The form is composed of a sheet of carrier material and plurality of indicia-receiving locations. The indicia-receiving locations are defined by a mutable colored composition including a mutable colorant and an ultraviolet radiation transorber such that the indicia-receiving locations are adapted to become substantially undetectable by photo-sensing apparatus upon irradiating the colored composition with ultraviolet radiation at a dosage level sufficient to irreversibly mutate the colorant. The colored composition may be irradiated with radiation in the ultraviolet region of the ultraviolet spectrum. Also disclosed is a data processing form that includes a plurality of mutable indicia, at least a portion of which are adapted to become substantially undetectable by photo-sensing apparatus upon irradiation with an effective dosage level of ultraviolet radiation such as, for example, ultraviolet radiation. One embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method for improving the readability of a data processing form used in photo-sensing apparatus. Another embodiment of the present invention encompasses a method of modifying indicia on a data processing form used in photo-sensing apparatus.

Optical or conductive mark scanning systems of several types used to read and record large amounts of data very quickly are well known in the prior art. Such systems are typically used to process data from documents such as, for example, sheets of paper, cards, labels, tags, or other material. Generally speaking, some types of these documents have a plurality of pre-printed control marks (sometimes called "timing marks") in a control mark column (sometimes called a "timing track") used to trigger the system to scan or "read" certain data marks (also called "indicia") or data response areas (also called "indicia-receiving locations"). The data response areas are placed in a specified relation to the control marks. Usually, a firmware programmable read only memory (PROM) or software template and data processing means are used to keep track of control marks and data marks. The processing means will normally be programmed to work with a specific document format (e.g., it will expect a certain number of control marks and a certain pattern of data response areas in relation to the control marks).
At least two distinct optical scanning methods are used to detect the presence of indicia (e.g., data marks), control marks or other marks in data response areas (i.e., indicia-receiving locations). In one method, a light source placed at one surface of a document illuminates the area to be read and a photo-sensor placed at the opposite surface of the document is used to sense light that is transmitted through the document. The photo-sensor detects differences between the levels of light transmitted through marked and unmarked areas.
In another method, both the light source and the photo-sensor are located on the same side of the document that is scanned. The photo-sensor detects differences between the levels of light reflected by marked and unmarked areas when they are illuminated. In both methods, the output of the photo-sensor is processed electronically to determine the presence or absence of a mark.
Both methods have limitations that may affect the ability of a photo-sensing apparatus to accurately detect the information on data processing forms. One limitation is related to the placement of indicia (e.g., data marks) in the data response areas (i.e., indicia-receiving locations). Each indicia-receiving location may be outlined or otherwise designated by some sort of marking printed on certain types of data processing forms. In some embodiments, indicia is placed in the indicia-receiving locations by darkening the designated area or by printing or writing a response in alpha-numeric characters or other such characters as may be required.
Inaccurate responses may be generated by the photo-sensing apparatus if the markings that designate the indicia-receiving location interfere with the proper detection of indicia. As an example, scannable answer sheets, census forms and the like are filled-out by providing indicia within designated indicia-receiving locations. If the indicia overlap any markings used to designate the indicia-receiving locations, they might be improperly read by the photo-sensor.
Conventional photo-sensing apparatus, which may incorporate computer software and/or hardware, are often configured to inspect or "look" precisely at areas designated to contain indicia and not at other areas in order to discriminate between indicia (e.g., data marks), stray indicia (e.g., stray data marks), non-indicia (e.g., material not intended to be detected by photo-sensing apparatus), smudges, flaws in the document, or the like. Moreover, data processing forms may have applications where only a few indicia-receiving locations are expected to contain indicia. In those situations, photo-sensing apparatus can be designed or programmed to ignore indicia sensed in other areas. It is important that the data processing form be as free of clutter or markings which may interfere with the processing in order to simplify the design of the photo-sensing apparatus and to enhance the accuracy of processing. Accordingly, it is very desirable to eliminate or otherwise render undetectable any text, graphics, position markers (e.g., marks defining indicia-receiving locations), or other markings that should not be detected by the photo-sensing apparatus prior to processing.
Another limitation of conventional data processing form relates to the indicia. In many situations, it may be desirable to quickly and efficiently erase or modify the indicia that are to be detected by photo-sensing apparatus. For example, data processing forms containing indicia (e.g., dots, shapes, alpha-numeric characters, lines, bars or the like) in formats, such as, for example, coupons, packaging labels, parts labels, bar code labels or tags, assembly-line work-in-progress labels or tags, or other items are used in such large numbers that the cost of reprinting or replacing the forms on each item simply to modify the indicia could become significant.
Accordingly, there is a need for a data processing form that can be used with a photo-sensing apparatus without the problem of indicia overlapping the markings used to designate indicia-receiving locations. There is also a need for a data processing form that permits quick and efficient erasure or modification of the indicia that are to be detected by photo-sensing apparatus.


A UART sets a predetermined threshold remaining data amount n, which defines an interrupt position, in a transmission trigger detector before data transmission is completed, checks if a trigger, which indicates the value of a read pointer RP or a count value N has reached a position indicated by the setting, has occurred and, if the trigger has occurred, causes a trigger detector to output a interrupt output control signal to an internal interrupt circuit to perform internal interrupt processing. Upon detecting this trigger, the internal interrupt circuit outputs an internal interrupt signal. When all data has not yet been transmitted from a transmission FIFO circuit, a CPU of a host controls the amount of data to be transferred to the transmission FIFO circuit, considering the threshold n, to prevent data in that circuit from being overwritten.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication terminal and a data transmission method therefor. The present invention is applicable to, for example, a Universal Asynchronous Receiver-Transmitter (hereinafter called UART) in a controlling main unit, a method conveniently used by the UART for interrupting the main controlling unit, and asynchronous transmission between the main unit and a slave device with the UART.
2. Description of the Background Art
The UART, like other peripheral devices of a processor, has been evolving as means for efficient asynchronous serial transmission with the purpose of higher speed operation, higher integration and, at the same time, price reduction. Initially, the UART was used as a standalone LSI (Large-Scale Integrator) chip under the product code 8250 introduced by National Semiconductor Corp. U.S., as a low-speed communication device for use on an IBM's AT (Advanced Technologies) compatible personal computers. The chip was installed on an extension board or a mother board. After that, the UART has increased in performance and evolved while maintaining comparability with the software.
In general, the UART is designed on the assumption that the processor is able to transmit data at a speed higher than that of the UART. Giving processor's services to the UART would interrupt the current processing and puts a heavy software load on the processor. The processor, which performs multitasking, must control interrupt processing to give services to the UART. This interrupt puts a load on the processor and delays processing.
Now, with these points in mind and to increase the transmission rate, the NS16550 (registered trademark of National Semiconductor Corp., U.S.) with a 16-byte FIFO (First-In First-Out) buffer is generally used. The FIFO buffer is provided on both sending and receiving sides.
On the other hand, Bluetooth (registered trademark of Ericsson, Sweden) was proposed as handy, versatile radio communication means. This communication standard, initially proposed in 1994 for low-cost, low-power communication between mobile telephones, is now used as the radio card standard for personal computers. A device with the Bluetooth function conforming to this communication standard connects the Bluetooth host controller of the device to the hardware modules over a transport bus and, through this bus, performs internal communication within the device with the Bluetooth interface. This communication is controlled at the HCI (Host Controller Interface) layer, one of Bluetooth protocol stacks. HCI is a data communication interface standard used for Bluetooth. The hardware module sends or receives data, with the antenna, to or from a device in another system to perform radio data transmission.
The host controller has an HCI driver and an HCI transport driver installed. These drivers control the transport bus. More specifically, the HCI transport driver controls the hardware while the HCI driver controls the software. The hardware module has, for example, the HCI transport firmware installed internally. Between the HCI driver and the HCI transport firmware is provided the HCTL layer (Host Controller Transport Layer) that includes the HCI transport driver. The HCI transport driver controls operation to allow not only the UART but also RS (Recommended Standard)-232C, USB (Universal, Serial Bus), PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect), and so forth to be used.
The Bluetooth Radio, the radio communication specifications defined by the Bluetooth communication standard, uses 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial Scientific Medicine) band to perform communication of spread spectrum system. The maximum effective data transmission rate of this communication is 723 kbps during asymmetrical transmission. Because the maximum asynchronous data transmission rate is about 1.4 μsec/bit, it takes 14 microseconds to transmit 10 bits of data.
When communicating data, for example, through the UART in the Bluetooth configuration described above, the processor interrupted causes the delay of about 20 microseconds. Therefore, data communication is restored after interrupted and following processing, is performed after this delay.
As described above, the UART uses the NS16550 (registered trademark) LSI with a 16-byte FIFO buffer for high-speed communication in order to prevent data from being lost. Because 8-bit (one-byte) data is preceded by the one-bit start bit and followed by the one-bit stop bit, 10 bits are sent per 8-bit data. Calculating the FIFO buffering time of one-byte data considering these bits gives about 220 microseconds of buffering time.
During communication performed by a device with the Bluetooth function through the UART that involves the interrupt, about 10% of the buffering time is used for the interrupt. The higher the asynchronous transmission rate, the shorter the buffering time and the longer the delay time caused by interrupt. This delay time will become so long that it cannot be neglected and, in the future, the delay time will be a problem in data communication.
The speed of radio communication between Bluetooth devices during Bluetooth asynchronous transmission is 723 kbps. UART asynchronous transmission is defined by the standard for cable transmission between a host personal computer and a Bluetooth host controller. For example, for above-described 10-bit serial communication using the UART that supports data communication at 921.6 kbps, the maximum effective transmission rate is lower than 723 kbps. Therefore, for radio communication at the maximum communication speed on a device with the Bluetooth function, higher-speed UART asynchronous transmission is required.

Communication terminal increasing effective data rate on asynchronous transmission and a data transmission method therefor


A mineral composition comprised of at least about 90 weight percent of roofing granules, at least about 50 weight percent of calcium carbonate with a hardgrove grindability index of less than about 70, from about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of a pigmented material, from about 0.1 to about 1.0 weight percent of a composition for inhibiting the growth of an organism selected from the group consisting of algae, bacteria, and mixtures thereof, and less than about 100 parts per million of a metal selected from the group consisting from the group consisting of arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver, and less than about 100 parts per million of a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. The mineral composition, when tested in accordance with by ASTM Standard Test D 4977-03, loses less than 5 grams of material.

An International Search Report for International patent application PCT/US06/22389 was issued on Jan. 29, 2007 The references found included U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,179 of Kutta; published United States patent application 2002/0160151 A1 of Pinault et al., and an article entitled "A Review of Methods for the Manufacture of Residential Roofing Materials (Akibari et al.), dated June 2003. These were reported to be "A" documents, i.e., documents" . . . defining the general state of the art which is not considered to be of particular relevance."
Roofing shingles are comprised of a headlap portion and a butt portion; granules are often used in both of such portions. Reference may be had, e.g., to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,921,358 (a composite asphalt-impregnated felt roofing shingle comprising a rectangular sheet having a headlap portion and a butt portion), 4,717,614 (a shingle whose headlap portion is coated with a layer of asphaltic material), 4,900,589 (a process for applying granules to a moving sheet having a headlap area and a butt area for making a shingle roofing product), 6,358,305 (a process of preparing a darkened headlap for a roofing shingle), and the like. The entire disclosure of each of these United States patents is hereby incorporated by reference into this specification.
Many abrasive materials, and many roofing granules (such as headlap granules and prime granules), are made from slag. Processes for making granules from slag are well known. Reference may be had, e.g., to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,615,329, 4,358,415 (method for producing granules from molten metallurgical slags), 4,374,645 (process for granulation of slag), 4,758,260 (process and device for producing granulated slag sand from blast furnace slag), 4,909,837 (process for granulating molten slag), 6,803,016 (device for atomizing and granulating liquid slags), and the like.
Roofing granules made from coal slag are also well known. Coal slag, and its properties have been widely described in the patent literature. Reference may be had, e.g., to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,995,079 (artificial turf-like product), 4,174,974 (process for converting coal slag into Portland cement), 4,576,638 (process for the production of ferromanganese), 4,629,506 (process for the production of ferrochromium), 4,971,615 (method and means for producing mineral wool), 5,211,895 (molding process for forming a concrete block) 5,337,824 (coal slag universal fluid), 5,405,648 (coating particulate material with a polymer film), 5,439,056 (coal slag solidification of drilling fluid), 5,681,361 (method of making an abrasive article), 6,001,185 (method for treatment of heavy metal contamination), 6,007,590 (method of making a foraminous abrasive article), 6,109,913 (method for disposing of waste dust), and the like.
Coal slag is also often referred to as "Cyclone Boiler Slag," "Cyclone Bottom Ash," "Bottom Ash," "Slag Residue," "Black Jack," etc. Granules made from such coal slag often contain substantial amounts of toxic metals, such as, e.g., arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver. The concentrations of these metals in a particular matrix may be measured by well known methods such as, e.g., the "Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure" (TCLP), which is described, e.g., in EPA method SW 846-1311.
Heavy metals (such as arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead, mercury, selenium, and silver) are found to contaminate ground water and, when consumed via drinking water and certain injected foods, they accumulate over time in the human body tissue.
Essential metals are required by all organisms in small quantities in order to accomplish specific catalytic functions. However, at levels exceeding these requirements, both essential and non-essential metals can disturb metabolism by binding non-specifically to biomolecules and by inflicting oxidative damage due to their ability to catalyze redox reactions. This can result in the deactivation of essential enzymatic reactions, damage to cellular structures (especially membranes), and DNA modification (mutagenesis). In humans, exposure to high levels of metals can cause acute toxicity symptoms, while long-term exposure to lower levels can trigger allergies and even cancers. In all organisms, uptake, localization, cytoplasmic concentration, and targeting of micronutrient metals must be tightly controlled in order to meet nutritional needs while avoiding damage. Any non-essential metals that enter organisms by virtue of their chemical similarity to nutrient ions must be detoxified and/or excreted.
Metals tend to accumulate in animals and plants. They enter aquatic organisms through body and respiratory surfaces, and by ingestion of particulate matter and water. Toxicity manifests as impairment of metabolic function, with possible changes to the distribution and abundance of populations. Sublethal effects may include changes in morphology, physiology, biochemistry, behavior and reproduction. Massive fish kills can occur when aluminum and iron are mobilized with drainage from acid sulfate soils. The extent of metal uptake, toxicity and bioaccumulation varies depending on the organism, and can be modified by temperature, pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen and the concentrations of other metals in solution. Accumulation of metals by aquatic organisms (e.g., bivalves and crabs can be a useful indicator of the presence of metals in biologically available forms. If metal levels in organisms are too high for human consumption, shell-fishing waters are closed.
Coal slag and roofing granules made therefrom, are believed to contain one or more of the aforementioned heavy metals. It is not known to what extent, if any, coal slag particles that are disposed within a biological organism degrade and release either heavy metals and/or other contaminants to the biological organism.
It is known, however, that many products derived from coal, such as coal tar, contain substantial amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). As is disclosed in an article by D. James Fitzgerald et al., "Application of Benzo(a)pyrene and Coal Tar Tumor Dose—Response Data to a Modified Benchmark Dose Method of Guideline Development," Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 112, Number 14, October, 2004, pages 1341-1346, "Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons . . . are found at a variety of contaminated sites throughout the world from industries such as coal gasification, coke production . . . and cresoste and asphalt production. Some PAHs, for example the well-studied benzo(a)pyrene . . . , are mutagenic and carcinogenic in experimental animals and probably in humans also . . . ." (See page 1341.)
It is an object of this invention to provide granular materials that can function as roofing granules and that contain less than about 100 parts per million of leachable heavy metals via EPA method SW 846-1311 but that have good adhesion properties when incorporated into a roofing shingle.
It is another object of this invention to provide granular materials that can function well as roofing granules but that do not contain any polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and have good adhesion properties when incorporated into a roofing shingle.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide granular materials that, in response to electromagnetic radiation, provides a means for inhibiting the growth of undesirable organisms such as, e.g., algae, bacteria, and mixtures thereof.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A fastener includes a fastener body having a pair of legs. A shoulder portion causes the legs to be elastically engaged with inner edges of a mounting aperture when the fastener is inserted into the mounting aperture. A gripper portion includes a pair of gripper arms that interpose an insertion rib between a pair of opposite gripper surfaces of the pair of gripper arms when the fastener is fitted to the insertion rib. An engagement projection is formed on any one of the pair of gripper surfaces and extends from one of the pair of gripper surfaces to a height exceeding half of the distance between the pair of gripper surfaces so as to engage with an engagement slot formed on the insertion rib.

Conventionally, a fastener for removably mounting a cluster to the instrument panel of a vehicle has been generally formed of metal or plastic. In FIGS. 7 and 8, an assembled state of such a fastener is shown in a cross-sectional view.
The fastener shown in FIG. 7 is one made using a metal spring plate. FIG. 7 shows a conventional use of a metal fastener. As shown in FIG. 7, the fastener 300 is mounted with an insertion rib 322 of a cluster 320 interposed and closely contacted between grippers 310. Further, one of the grippers 310 is provided at one end thereof with an engagement pin 312, which is inserted into a engagement hole 324 of the insertion rib 322. In this manner, when the fastener 300, pre-mounted to the insertion rib 322, is inserted from an outer surface 336 of the instrument panel 330 into a mounting aperture 332 of the instrument panel 330, both opposite shoulder portions 314 of the fastener 300 are engaged with inner edges of the mounting aperture 332 in the inner surface 334 of the instrument panel 330, and simultaneously, an attached surface of the insertion rib 322 is pressed against the outer surface 336 of the instrument panel 330. Thereby, the cluster 320 is fixed to the instrument panel 330.
However, the above conventional fastener 300 has such problems that it is not firmly fixed because its grippers 310 are brought into point contact with the insertion rib 322, and is readily bent or loosened because it is made of metal. Further, while the cluster 320 is manipulated before the mounted fastener 300 is fixed into the mounting aperture 332, the fastener 300 would be separated from the cluster 320. In addition, after the cluster 320 is fixed to the instrument panel 330, a noise would be generated by vibration of the metal fastener.
In order to overcome these problems, the plastic fastener shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed. The fastener 400 of FIG. 8 comprises a fastener body 410 having a U shape, a pair of legs 412 extending in parallel, and a pair of gripper arms 414 extending from the inside of the fastener body 410. Each of the gripper arms 414 has a free end formed with an engagement projection 416. Further, the free ends of the legs 412 are formed with stabilizers 419 protruding outwardly therefrom, respectively.
The pair of gripper arms 414 have flat gripper surfaces 413 formed as opposite inner surfaces. The free ends of the gripper arms 414 are formed with the engagement projections 416 fixed in an engagement slot 424 of an insertion rib 422. The fastener body 410 connected with the pair of legs 412 is formed on both opposite sides thereof with shoulder portions 418 protruding outwardly.
When the fastener 400 is fixed to the insertion rib 422 of a cluster 420, the insertion rib 422 is brought into surface contact between the gripper surfaces 413 of the gripper arms 414, and simultaneously the engagement projections 416 are fixed in the engagement slot 424 of the insertion rib. When the fastener 400 is inserted from an outer surface 436 of the instrument panel 430 into a mounting aperture 432 of an instrument panel 430 after being fixed to the insertion rib 422, the shoulder portions 418 of the fastener 400 are elastically pressed against an inner surface 434 of the instrument panel 430 around the mounting aperture 432 of the instrument panel 430.
In the plastic fastener 400, the insertion rib 422 is thin, and the free ends of the pair of gripper arms 414 are formed with engagement projections 416 fixed in the engagement slot 424 of the insertion rib 422. As such, the engagement projections 416 have difficulty not only in securing the depth at which they enter the engagement slot 424, but also maintaining sufficient engagement force between the engagement projections 416 and the engagement slot 424. Especially, when the cluster 420 is removed from the instrument panel 430 for maintenance or repair, the fastener 400 should be separated from the instrument panel 430 together with the insertion rib 422. However, when the engagement depth between the engagement projections 416 and the engagement slot 424 is not sufficiently provided, the fastener 400 is left on the side of the instrument panel 430, or falls down to the bottom, which leads to confusion during maintenance work.
Further, when the thickness of the insertion rib 422 increases to sufficiently secure the engagement depth, an outer surface of the cluster 420, which is viewed inside the vehicle by any occupant such as a driver, is subjected to a sink by the thickness difference between the insertion rib 422 and a base of the cluster 420 integrally formed with the insertion rib 422. Therefore, such a sink spoils the indoor scenery of the vehicle.


The invention relates to a biological system for diminishing cell growth or inducing selective killing of target cells, in particular pathogenic bacterial or fungal cells, or cancer cells. The biological system is based on toxin-antitoxin systems, as found in prokaryotic plasmids and their host chromosomes. The biological system comprises a vehicle with a first nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence encoding for a prokaryotic toxin of a prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin pair, and a second nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence encoding for the corresponding prokaryotic antitoxin of the prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin pair. The system is characterized in that the toxin and/or the antitoxin is operably linked to a protein output modifier (POM) that comprises a nucleic acid sequence or amino acid sequence that modifies the relative rate of transcription, mRNA stability, mRNA translatability or protein stability of the toxin and/or antitoxin.

Prokaryotic toxin-antitoxin systems play a major role in the maintenance of genetic information and in response to stress. The toxin of a toxin-antitoxin pair has cytostatic capabilities and usually affects cell growth or leads to cell death. The toxin and its activity can be neutralized in cells containing a plasmid that encodes for the corresponding antitoxin for the toxin. Toxin-antitoxin systems thus contribute to the maintenance of the extrachromosomal genetic information in bacterial populations by interfering selectively with the growth or viability of plasmid-free segregants or of host cells that are about to produce plasmid-free segregants if their growth is not arrested. Such systems are also found in the chromosomes of bacteria and archaea where they can have different functions, such as regulation of cell growth and viability under different stress conditions.
The Kid-Kis toxin-antitoxin system of the plasmid R1 shows significant similarities with other existing toxin-antitoxin systems (Diago-Navarro et al., FEBS Lett 277, 3097-3117 (2010)). This toxin-antitoxin pair is encoded by the parD locus of the Escherichia coli plasmid R1, which is conserved in closely related plasmids like R100. In addition, there are also chromosomal homologues in Escherichia coli, which are functionally and structurally related to other known toxins-antitoxins. For the toxin-antitoxin pair Kid and Kis it was shown that the Kid toxin could specifically inhibit cell proliferation and viability in eukaryotic cells (De la Cueva Mendez et al., EMBO J 22, 246-251 (2003)). When both genes for the toxin Kid and the antitoxin Kis are expressed, the cells grow in a normal manner. If the concentration of the Kid toxin exceeded a certain ratio to the concentration of the Kis antitoxin or if the antitoxin gene expression was repressed, growth was inhibited and the cells subsequently died by apoptosis as a result of the Kid activity. Similar results were also reported for other toxin-antitoxin pairs (Kristoffersen et al., Appl Environ Microbiol 66, 5524-5526 (2000); Yamamoto T A et al., FEBS Lett 519, 191-194 (2002)).
The observation that toxin-antitoxins can be used for selective cell killing or diminishing cell growth in prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells makes toxin-antitoxin systems suitable for treatment of degenerative disorders, such as cancer.
US 2009/0075270 A1 describes methods for evading the action of Escherichia coli Kid (PemK), and for manipulating nucleic acid expression. In particular, target sites for Kid/PemK endoribonuclease were identified and mutated.
The US 2009/0124012 A1 describes compositions and methods for regulating cell growth and metabolism by expression of components of toxin-antitoxin pairs. The described system is used for decreasing the cellular growth rate and comprises a first nucleotide sequence encoding an mRNA interferase operably linked to a first heterologous regulatory element, wherein the expression of the nucleotide sequence diminishing the growth rate of the target cells.
EP 1 198 239 B1 describes a composition comprising the parD Kid toxin and parD Kis antitoxin, for use in a therapeutic method of inhibiting cell proliferation and/or cell cycle progression carried out on a human or animal body. The method comprises providing within eukaryotic cells in the human or animal body the toxin and antitoxin, under appropriate control for selective cell cycle inhibition and/or killing of target cells.
The ParD system has also been used to investigate a role of germ line in the sex differentiation in zebra fish during somatic development. The expression of Kid toxin eliminated selectively primordial germ cells, whereas the uniform expression of the Kis antitoxin protected somatic cell lines (Slanchev K et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 102, 4074-4079 (2005)).
Although the observations that toxin-antitoxin essentially could be used for diminishing the cell growth rate or cell killing in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, no approach or system has been described so far that could be applied to successfully treat a pathological disease by specifically killing pathologic prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells. It would hence be desirable to selectively kill target cells, cancer cells for instance, by a toxin-antitoxin combination in order to treat pathological conditions. In order to achieve this goal, it would be necessary to specifically target cells (e.g. pathologically affected cells) with a toxin-antitoxin combination in order to increase the concentration of the toxin over the antitoxin in the target cells for killing or to increase the concentration of the antitoxin in non-target cells to protect them from the activity of the toxin. Alternatively, the expression of the antitoxin could be repressed in order to obtain an excess of the toxin in the target cell.
Shi Ya-Li et al., US National Library of Medicine (NLM), Bethesda, Md., US (May 2008), RelE toxin protein of Mycobacterium tuberulosis induces growth inhibition of lung cancer A-549 cell) teaches RelE, RelB and RelE genes subcloned into PcDNA3. The recombinant vectors were used to transfect lung cancer A-549 cells by liposome transfection. Said genes were under the control of a heterologous promoter. This expression system, however, does not allow the controlled alteration of the ratio of an toxin/antitoxin pair within target and/or non-target cells. A similar expression system for Rel proteins is also disclosed in S. B. Korch et al., Three Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rel Toxin-Antitoxin Modules inhibit mycobacterial growth an dare expressed in infected human macrophages, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol. 191, No. 5, Dec. 29, 2008.
Also other publications merely address the issue of cell growth inhibition by expressing or inhibiting the a toxin and/or an antitoxin of a toxin-antitoxin pair in target cells, but do not address the actual ratio of toxin/antitoxin within the target-cells and/or non-target cells (see K. Nehlsen et al., Toxin-antitoxin based transgene expression in mammalian cells, Nucleic Acids Research, Vol. 38, No. 5, Dec. 8, 2009; F. F. Correia et al., Kinase activity of overexpressed HipA is required for growth arrest and multidrug tolerance in Escherichia coli, Journal of Bacteriology, Vol. 199, No. 24, Oct. 13, 2006K; Mathieu Picardeau et al., The spirochetal chpK-chromosomal toxin and antitoxin locus induces growth inhibition of yeast and mycobacteria, FEMS Microbiology Letters, Vol. 229, No. 2, Dec. 1, 2003).
Another problem that needs to be faced is that the toxin-antitoxin members must be specifically delivered to the targeted cells in order to express their function or activity specifically in these cells. Different approaches have been employed for aiming a specific delivery of drugs, chemicals and other compounds to target cells, among these are viruses, plasmids, polymer particles or nanocells. These delivery systems are able to carry cell cycle inhibitors to the targeted cells while avoiding toxicity to non-targeted cells. Bacterially-derived minicells have been described for targeted delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs (Mac Diarmid et al., Cancer Cell, 11, 431-445 (2007)). Minicells were first observed and described by Howard Adler and colleagues in 1967 who also created the term "minicell" for bacterially-derived nanocells. Minicells are non-living nano-sized cells (approximately 200-400 nm in diameter) and are produced as a result of mutations in genes that control normal bacterial cell division, thereby de-repressing polar sides of cell division. Since the size of the vector is 200-400 nm in diameter, the term "nanocell", as used in the present invention, is often used instead of the term "minicell".
It was demonstrated that a range of chemotherapeutic drugs with differing structure, charge, hydrophobicity and solubility such as 5-fluoracil, carboplatin, cisplatin, doxorubicin, irinotecan, paclitaxel and vinblastine could be readily packaged within the minicells. Although the potency of minicells to deliver chemotherapeutic drugs to target cells constitutes a promising approach, specificity and cell targeting still remains as a problem. MacDiarmid et al delivered minicells to cancer cells using bispecific antibodies. The problem however was that the utilized antibodies were difficult and costly to prepare. Thus, bispecific antibodies did not provide the results that would be satisfactory for therapy or diagnosis.
It would therefore by desirable to have a nanocell-based delivery system by which not only toxin-antitoxin compounds could be transported to the respective target cells, but also any other drug, antigen, chemical, protein or whatsoever that needs to be delivered to pathological cells.
A further problem that needs to be faced is the immunogenicity of the nanocells since they are of bacterial origin. So far, a systemic administration could result in unwanted side-effects as bacterial products are known to elicit potent inflammatory responses activated by bacterial proteins and structures. A separation procedure has been developed to eliminate free endotoxin and free bacterial components to minimize the potential of toxic side-effects (MacDiarmid et al., Cancer Cell, 11, 431-445 (2007)).

Systems and methods for diminishing cell growth and inducing selective killing of target cells


A calibration error correction device for an optical instrument includes a detector operable to detect a position of a focusing lens of an optical instrument along a mechanical path of the focusing lens. A line of sight through an image plane of the optical instrument and the focusing lens at a present position defines an actual viewing direction. The device also includes a memory configured to store viewing direction errors specifying a deviation between a known theoretical viewing direction and the actual viewing direction associated with a plurality of different positions of the focusing lens along the mechanical path and an indicator of at least one value indicative of the actual viewing direction based on the theoretical viewing direction and the viewing direction errors at each of the different positions of the focusing lens along the mechanical path.

The present invention relates to the correction of calibration errors, particularly for optical instruments.
Optical instruments generally comprise an arrangement of optical elements such as lenses of a telescope or camera for viewing or to focus onto an object. Further, optical instruments such as a tachymeter or a leveling device are available allowing determining a position of an object relative to a position of the optical instrument. A leveling device generally indicates the relative position of a target object based on a vertical direction only, i.e. the elevation of the target object relative to the position of the leveling device. A tachymeter, on the other hand, may indicate the position of a target with a vertical component and a horizontal component.
The position of the object may be indicated by angles specifying a deviation of a line connecting the object and the instrument from e.g. a known horizontal and/or a known vertical direction. Often, optical instruments indicate the relative position of an object by using spherical coordinates. For example, the position of an object may be defined by Cartesian coordinates defined with respect to a Cartesian coordinate system having three axes orthogonal to each other with the instrument located at the origin. For measuring positions, spherical coordinates, however, are more appropriate. The position of the object relative to the instrument may thus be defined in spherical coordinates by its distance to the origin of the orthogonal coordinate system, an angle between one of the horizontal axes of the coordinate system and a line connecting the origin of the coordinate system with a projection of the point onto the horizontal plane and finally a vertical angle between the coordinate system axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane and a line connecting the origin of the coordinate system and the point. Cartesian coordinates can be transformed into spherical coordinates and vice versa.
In all cases very precise measurements of such angles are required. Conceivably, a relatively small error in a measured angle may translate into a potentially large positioning error that may be unacceptable for example in construction applications, especially if the position of an object in a larger distance to the optical instrument is be determined.
To reduce the occurrence of measurement errors an optical instrument such as a tachymeter or leveling device usually is adjusted or calibrated. A calibration generally is performed before use of the instrument and/or upon manufacture. With the calibration measurement errors of the instrument are quantified and used for correcting an actual measurement, e.g. of a position of a target object. For example, if it is known from a test measurement that an optical instrument determines a viewing direction with a 1 degree error, an actual measurement can be corrected by compensating for the 1 degree error, i.e., adding or subtracting 1 degree from the measurement result depending on the direction of the 1 degree measurement error. The determined measurement error can be used to set the initial adjustment of the optical instrument, such as an indicator of an angle or used to correct an angle indicated by the instrument.
While the above outlined calibration of optical instruments works well for many applications, error sensitive applications may require an error correction with higher accuracy. Moreover, applications requiring a large number of consecutive measurements may require repeated calibration steps for calibrating the optical instrument, thus reducing productivity.

Correction of calibration errors in an optical instrument