A builder, tester, and runtime integration system and method for a graphical touch user interface, such as a point-of-sale (POS) touch screen interface system, is provided. The system and method may include a builder tool to create and modify the graphical interface, a tester tool for testing the interface, and a run-time system for actually executing the interface logic. Because the interface may be designed, modified and tested external to the run-time system, the design and maintenance may be performed by a non-programmer without ever changing run-time code. Additionally, the builder and tester may be designed to be general-purpose, and the run-time code may be reusable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the building, testing and integration of graphical user interfaces (GUI), and in one embodiment to a touch screen point-of-sale (POS) whereby the interface design, testing and maintenance is performed external to run-time code.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, touch screen devices have become commonplace in a variety of environments. For example, touch screen devices have been used in point-of-sale (POS) applications, such as in a retail establishment Within certain types of retail establishments, such as "fast food" restaurants, touch screen POS devices have become quite advantageous, given their ease of use and flexibility.
Superior interfaces are required in many cases to ensure that different types of users of touch screen interfaces can easily use these systems. Accordingly, many of these interfaces are now designed by human interface (HI) engineers, who have training in the design of human-machine interfaces, but who may or may not have an in-depth knowledge of computer programming. Moreover, it may be most efficient for a human interface engineer to not waste time performing software programming work, but rather to concentrate on his or her area of expertise. The problem then arises as to how an interface designed by an HI engineer is best communicated to customers (for approval of the design) and to software engineers (for implementation and testing of the design).
One current approach is to have HI engineers use a presentation tool like Microsoft.RTM. PowerPoint.RTM. to design and layout the graphical user interface. The problem, of course, is that this work does not contribute directly to the final interface. In other words, after an HI engineer has designed the interface, a programmer must then take the design and then start programming. Furthermore, as with any design, there will be design iterations that further compound the problem.
A better approach would be to have an HI engineer use a builder tool that utilizes graphical windows, menus, dialogs, and a common set of control names to build the user interface. A non-programmer could build the interface accurately and quickly. Then, this actual external interface would be read by a skeleton, runtime system that has just a few dummy entry level logic functions defined. The result would be that an HI engineer could very quickly get feedback on how the interface will actually look-and-feel. Also, the HI engineer would have the capability to correct errors and make improvements as the interface is fine-tuned.
Further, by providing a general-purpose tester program, the HI engineer would have another way to judge the design by watching the system run as if a human were pressing the various buttons. Should they have inadvertently forgotten to build a particular screen, then the tester would inform them of the mistake, and the HI engineer could again use the builder tool to correct the problem. Software programming personnel could also use the tester to ensure that the proper entry level logic functions are specified. Finally, when touch screen systems are deployed, it may be desirable to modify the user interface without changing the run-time interface. For example, a user might want to change a button's position, an object's color, some object text, etc.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system and method for building, testing, and integrating a touch screen interface into a runtime system that is simpler and less expensive than the systems and methods of the prior art, is more accurate in progressing from design to implementation, and enables non-programming personnel to do a significant amount of the design and maintenance work

System and method for building, testing and integrating a graphical touch user interface


Organosilicon polymers, including crosslinked polymers and crosslinkable prepolymers, of cyclic polysiloxanes, organic dyes, and, optionally, polyenes. The dyes include those with delocalized Pi electron systems linking electron donor groups and electron acceptor groups, and with at least two carbon-carbon double bond-containing pendant groups attached to at least two different sites from among the indicated delocalized Pi electron systems, donor groups, and acceptor groups.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to novel organosilicon compositions, e.g., polymers--both crosslinked organosilicon polymers and crosslinkable prepolymers--and to novel nonlinearly optically active dyes. The present invention further relates to novel nonlinearly optically active media, and to novel optical articles, comprising these polymers and dyes, as well as to novel processes for preparing these polymers, dyes, media, and optical articles.
2. Background Information
The significant polarization components of a medium produced by contact with an electro-magnetic field are first order polarization (linear polarization), second order polarization, and third order polarization. On a molecular level, the polarization response (p) of a molecule to the incident electric field (E) can be expressed by the following equation: EQU p=.alpha..multidot.E+.beta.:EE+.gamma. EEE+ . . .
wherein .alpha. is the polarizability, .beta. and .gamma. are first and second hyperpolarizabilities, p is the total induced polarization, and E is the local electric field created by an applied electric field. The coefficients in this equation--i.e., a, .beta., etc.--are tensor quantities intrinsic to the molecule under consideration.
For a macroscopic ensemble of molecules, corresponding relationships may be expressed by the following equation: EQU P=.epsilon..sub.0 X.sup.(1) .multidot.E+.epsilon..sub.0 X.sup.(2) :EE+.epsilon..sub.0 X.sup.(3) EEE+ . . .
wherein X.sup.(1), X.sup.(2), and X.sup.(3) are the first, second, and third order polarization susceptibilities of the electromagnetic wave transmission medium, .epsilon..sub.0 is the permittivity in vacuum, P is the total induced polarization, and E is the local field created by an applied electric field.
The coefficients X.sup.(1), X.sup.(2), and X.sup.(3) are analogous to .alpha., .beta., and .gamma., except for the fact that they describe a macroscopic assembly of molecules. On both the molecular and the macroscopic levels, the nonlinear optical properties arise from the coefficients for nonlinear polarization--i.e., .beta. and .gamma. at the molecular level, and X.sup.(2) and X.sup.(3) at the macroscopic level; a significant aspect of this invention pertains to those properties emanating from .beta.:EE or X.sup.(2) :EE, which properties are the second order polarization effects.
For second order polarization of a molecule to be of significant magnitude, it is necessary that the first hyperpolarizability (.beta.) be large. A molecule must be non-centrosymmetric for it to possess a nonzero value for .beta.. A large .beta. value is achieved when the molecule exhibits a large difference between ground state and excited state dipole moments, and a large oscillator strength.
In addition to the foregoing requirement on the molecular level, there is an additional symmetry constraint for macroscopic assemblies; a non-zero X.sup.(2) requires a non-centrosymmetric arrangement of the ensemble of molecules. If the symmetry of the charge transfer molecules is broken--i.e., the molecules are arranged so that the dipoles are unidirectionally aligned along one axis--and if this induced order is frozen into place by some means--for example, a polymer matrix, a crystal lattice, etc.--then the macroscopic assembly is capable of interacting with electro-magnetic waves in such a manner so as to alter the optical properties of the wave--e.g., frequency doubling--and/or the physical properties of the macroscopic assembly--e.g., refractive index changes. These second order nonlinear optical phenomena can be exploited in optoelectronic devices, such as optical switches, phase modulators, amplifiers, and frequency doublers.
Efforts have recently been focused on obtaining efficient second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) properties from poled amorphous polymers. The use of organic polymeric materials offers several advantages over inorganic and crystalline materials. For instance, it is easier to manufacture thin films (e.g., having micrometer thicknesses) of polymer materials onto a variety of substrates for integrated optics applications. An important use of such polymeric thin films incorporates active optical interconnection systems with existing semiconductor electronic technology. This application requires that thin films of the active optical material be deposited onto semiconductor substrates with active semiconductor chips. Crystalline materials, if used in this application, would need controlled methods of growing crystals in the proper molecular orientation and thickness. As a result, the methods of generating these crystalline thin films (e.g., crystallization, molecular organic chemical vapor deposition, liquid phase epitaxy, molecular beam epitaxy) would be time consuming. In contrast, the polymeric thin films are relatively easy to make, using techniques compatible with existing semiconductor processing (i.e., photolithography).
Also to be considered is the nature of the particular component supplying the nonlinear optical response. High nonlinearities, which can exceed those of state of the art inorganics such as lithium niobate, have already been realized in organic dye systems. Because the predominate source of nonlinear optical (i.e., NLO) response of an organic molecule is the polarization of easily perturbed Pi electrons, organic based devices should be able to operate at higher operating frequencies than their inorganic based analogues.
There are four general categories of nonlinear optical media which comprise polymers and organic dyes, both as previously discussed. These are guest/host mixtures, guest/crosslinked host mixtures, polymer bound dyes, and crosslinked polymer bound dyes.
As to these four categories, those systems wherein the nonlinearly optically active organic dye is doped into a linear or crosslinked polymer matrix--i.e., guest/host systems--can achieve high nonlinearities. However, they may be less desirable because there is a time and temperature dependent relaxation of the induced alignment achieved during the poling process; this factor may result in lowered nonlinear optical signals. In addition, high loading of dye in the polymer matrix may be difficult to achieve because of insolubility and phase separation.
Regarding the distinction between these four categories, in guest/host mixtures, the polymer acts simply as a matrix for dissolved dye molecules. In guest/crosslinked host mixtures, the polymer is crosslinked in the presence of a guest dye molecule.
In contrast, a method of generating nonlinearly optically active materials, wherein the dyes may be more permanently aligned, is to covalently bond such dyes into a polymeric matrix.
The polymer bound dyes comprise nonlinear optically active organic dyes covalently bonded to the polymeric chains, either as side groups, or within the backbone itself. In particular, such systems using organosilicon polymers are known in the art.
For instance, FINKELMANN et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,358,391, CHOE '281, U.S. Pat. No. 4,719,281, LESLIE '659, U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,659, and LESLIE '889, U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,889, all disclose linear polysiloxanes with pendant organic dyes. CHOE '281 additionally discloses the formation of a crosslinked ladder polymer by hydrolysis of a bis(diethoxymethylsilylpropylamine) containing a pendant organic dye.
European Patent Application No. 431,466 discloses cyclic polysiloxanes with pendant NLO organic dyes, and KREUZER et al. , U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,570, discloses cyclic polysiloxanes containing mesogenic moieties which exhibit liquid crystalline properties. FUJIMOTO, U.S. Pat. No. 4,698,386, discloses compositions comprising linear and branched polyorganosiloxanes, and dissolved anthraquinone and azo dyes which act as color indicators of curing state. European Patent Application 406,888 discloses a thermosetting silicone resin (polydiphenylsiloxane) containing a guest (not covalently bonded) NLO dye.
Also known in the art are organosilicon polymers which are the hydrosilation product of siloxanes and bicyclic diolefins; further, these resins have been shown to exhibit excellent thermal and electrical properties. For instance, LEIBFRIED '779, U.S. Pat. No. 4,900,779, discloses polymers prepared from reacting polycyclic polyenes, having at least two non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds in their rings, with cyclic polysiloxanes and tetrahedral siloxysilanes, having at least two .dbd.SiH groups. The thermoset polymers, as disclosed in LEIBFRIED '779, can have glass transition temperatures of about 200.degree. C., and less than 10% weight loss at 500.degree. C. during thermogravimetric analysis; these polymers are also insensitive to water, and resistant to both oxidation and ultraviolet radiation.
It has been discovered that cyclic polysiloxanes with at least two .tbd.SiH groups can undergo hydrosilation with organic dyes having at least two carbon-carbon double bonds--or, optionally, with organic dyes having at least one carbon-carbon double bond and polyenes having at least two non-aromatic carbon-carbon double bonds. It has further been discovered that organosilicon crosslinkable prepolymers and crosslinked polymers can be obtained from this reaction, and that the latter, where the dye components thereof have been sufficiently aligned, exhibit highly stable nonlinear optical properties.
It has also been discovered that, as to organic dyes comprising an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group, and a delocalized Pi electron system linking these groups, such dyes can be obtained having at least two carbon-carbon double bonds pending from two different of these three sites.

Organosilicon polymers, and dyes, exhibiting nonlinear optical response


A method for converting data for a interface module and a network data plane is provided. The data is converted using an interface in a telecommunications system. The method includes receiving data in a plurality of data formats through the interface module. The plurality of data formats include a variable format of a variable-length and a fixed format of a fixed-length. The data in the plurality of data formats is then converted into a predetermined network data plane format and sent in the network data plane format to the network data plane. The method further includes receiving data in the predetermined network data plane format from the network data plane. Then, a format in the plurality of data formats to convert the data received from the network data plane to is determined and the data in the network data plane data format is converted to the determined data format. The data in the determined data format is sent to the interface module.

The present invention relates generally to telecommunication systems and more specifically to a system and method for converting and transferring data in a telecommunications system.
The amount of data communicated through networks, such as the Internet, is increasing dramatically. To meet the increased demand for network bandwidth, different data formats have been developed to communicate data through networks. Examples of different formats include Synchronous Optical Network (SONET)/Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH), DS3/E3, Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and the like.
Information is transmitted through the network in frames of data, which may also be referred to as packets or cells of data. One difference among the various formats is the general size of a transmitted frame of data and the speed in which the frame of data is transmitted. Also, the different formats may transmit frames of data in a variable-length or fixed-length format.
A telecommunications device, such as an aggregator, is used to aggregate data transmitted in the different formats. Because each of the different formats requires a different port type to connect telecommunications devices to the network, the telecommunications device requires a different port type for each format received at the telecommunications device.
To address the problem of receiving and transmitting data that require different ports, industry standard interfaces, such as Utopia/Packet over Sonet II (POSII) and Utopia/Packet over Sonet III (POSIII), have been developed to standardize interfaces for telecommunications devices. A telecommunications device may then use the standard interface to receive data for processing in the telecommunications device's processor.
Typically, the telecommunications device includes a port interface module that extracts data and provides the traffic directly to the network processor through the industry standard interface. The port interface module extracts the data in the format the data was received. Thus, if the data received is in a variable-length format, the data is extracted in the variable-length format and directly sent to the processor in the variable-length format. If the data was in a fixed-length format, the data is extracted in the fixed-length format and directly sent to the processor in the fixed-length format. Because data is sent directly to the network processor from the port interface module, the network processor must determine the format the data is in and process the data accordingly. Thus, the network processor uses time and computing power to analyze the data's format.

System partitioning to allow uniform interfacing to port modules


A solid state relay for controlling a three-phase AC motor running direction is provided, a driver module, power components module, phase sequence detection module, phase lack detection module, and automatic phase correction and phase lack protection logic module. The input of the phase sequence detection module is connected to the three-phase power supply, and the output is connected to the automatic phase correction and phase lack protection logic module, to provide phase sequence detection and a phase sequence signal to the automatic phase correction and phase lack protection logic module. The input of the phase lack detection module is connected to the three-phase power supply, and the output is connected to the automatic phase correction and phase lack protection logic module, to detect a lack of phase and provide the lacking phase signal to the automatic phase correction and phase lack protection logic module.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid state relay, in particular, to a solid state relay and control method for three-phase AC motor running direction.
Brief Description of the Related Art
A three-phase solid state relay in a three-phase motor is used as switches. In general, two groups of power components in the three-phase solid state relay are used for the three-phase power supply and three-phase AC motor reversing switching.
During use, problems of the three-phase AC motor power supply can cause serious consequences.
For example, the phase sequence of the three-phase AC motor changes due to wiring and repairing, which will make the motor work reverse and influence normal operation, will also sometimes damage the external mechanical parts of the motor.
In another example, the three-phase power supply can have phase lack due to wiring, repairing, and vibration, which will make the motor current leap due to phase lack. If the motor works long-term in a state of phase lack, it will make the motor burn down and the solid state relay will be damaged by the high current.
FIG. 1 shows the main structural diagram for existing technology in the solid state relay (SSR) 50, using discrete components. The three-phase solid state relay (SSR) 50 includes a driver module 51 and a power components module 52 which is connected to the driver module 51. Among them, the input terminal I1 and I2 of the driver module 51 are connected to the control signal CS. The control signal CS inputs DC control signal in input terminal I1 or I2. The input terminal L1,L2,L3 of the power components module 52 are connected to the three-phase power supply, the output terminals U,V,W are connected to the load LOAD. LOAD is mainly composed of a motor. The working principle is that, when the l1 is valid, the output terminal U is connected to input terminal L1, the output terminal V is connected to input terminal L2, and the output terminal W is connected to input terminal L3. When the l2 is valid, the output terminal U is connected to input terminal L1, the output terminal V is connected to input terminal L3, and the output terminal W is connected to input terminal L2. This can be controlled via the l1 and l2 to change the phase sequence of the three-phase power supply added at the load end, thereby controlling the motor running direction.
The thyristor is usually used as the power component in power components module 52, while the driver module 51 is usually composed of triode, resistance, capacitance, and photoelectric couplers. The constant current circuit, which is composed of triode, resistance, and capacitance, receives the control signal of input terminal l1 or l2, so that the light emitting diode in the photoelectric coupler could luminescence and make the output of the photoelectric coupler enter a conducting state and trigger the corresponding thyristor conduction.
Because the thyristor turn-off characteristics are relatively special, the load current must be less than a certain degree to completely shut off the thyristor. Therefore, in switching the two groups of power components in the solid state relay itself for a short time, one group of power components are not completely cut-off while another group of power components are conducted, leading to internal interphase short circuit of the three-phase solid state relay, which can then damage the equipment.
At present, in using the external equipment (such as phase sequence protector and controller MCU) to detect the three-phase power supply phase sequence and phase lacking state, according to the power supply state, the external equipment provides the control signal to the solid state relay, and then controls the power components' turn-on and turn-off time to solve the above problems.
Although the use of external equipment could solve some problems in the use of solid state relay for three-phase AC motor, the volume of the external equipment itself is larger, the system is more complex (For example, in order to process the signal logical relations, the central processor will be required), the price is higher, and there are also compatibility problems and obvious shortcomings. So, we must have a kind of structure function which is centralized, safe, reliable, and low-cost in the three-phase solid state relay to solve the above problems.

Solid-state relay for running direction control of three-phase alternating current motor and method thereof

KUDOM ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY (SHANGHAI) CO., LTD.


This invention relates to a sunshade anti-theft window which is composed of an anti-theft window and a rolling curtain; wherein the anti-theft window having a pivot arm installed at its bottom, the pivot arm being pivoted on bottom of window-still. The rolling curtain is installed on top of the window-still and have a rolling shaft and a sunshade curtain winded on the rolling shaft, the end of sunshade curtain being connected with top of the anti-theft window. The anti-theft window can be pushed outwardly and rotated around the pivot arm, meanwhile, the sunshade curtain will he dragged openly by the anti-theft window for shading sunlight, furthermore, the sunshade curtain can be returned to original position by means of a tension spring installed on the rolling curtain when the anti-theft is dragged inwardly.

(1) Field of this Invention
This invention relates to a sunshade anti-theft window. especially an anti-theft window having a rolling curtain, furthermore, the rolling curtain can be dragged openly and automatically when the anti-theft window is pushed outwardly to a setting angle.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
The conventional anti-theft window is used for preventing theft intruding into from the window; thus the anti-theft window must be made of iron, stainless steel or other rigid metal. But the conventional anti-theft window have a dull appearance, furthermore, we cannot install sunshade curtain on the anti-theft window for shading sunlight, if we install reluctantly a sunshade curtain at outside of the anti-theft window, the user could not open the sunshade curtain easily owing to the separation of anti-theft window.

1Fl., No. 44, Lane 144, Sec. 2, Nan Ya South Rd.


A game racket has a handle formed of at least three suspension arms arranged side by side at an interval to form therebetween three slots parallel to the longitudinal axes of the suspension arms. The handle is provided with a shock-absorbing element having a body and a plurality of pieces extending from the body and corresponding in number to the slots. The shock-absorbing element is implanted in the handle such that the body is located in a common center of the slots, and that the pieces are located in the slots. The overall contact area between the shock-absorbing element and the handle is greatly expanded to enable the handle to alleviate the impact effectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a prior art game racket has a handle 11 which is provided with a shock-absorbing strip 12. Another prior art game racket has two arms 14 and 15, which are extended from a head frame 13 such that they are superimposed to form a handle of the game racket. The arms 14 and 15 are slightly twisted and provided therebetween with a shock-absorbing body 16.
The shock-absorbing strip 12 and the shock-absorbing body 16 are defective in design in that they are arranged respectively in a single planar surface, and that they are capable of absorbing the shock wave coming from a single direction, and further that they are incapable of absorbing the shock waves coming from various directions. As a result, the overall shock-absorbing effects of the strip 12 and the body 16 are seriously hampered.

Game racket having handle capable of absorbing shock


Navigation of a virtual environment (VE) can mean navigating a VE that is spatially larger than the available Physical Tracked Space (PTS). Accordingly, the concept of redirected walking was introduced in order to provide a more natural way of navigating a VE, albeit with many restrictions on the shape and size of the physical and virtual spaces. However, prior art techniques have limitations such as negatively impacting the sense of immersion of the user, motion sickness, or forcing the user to look away by stimulating major saccades. Accordingly, the inventors have established a novel technique which overcomes these limitations. The technique is based on the psychological phenomenon of inattentional blindness allowing for re-directed walking without requiring the triggering major saccades in the users, complex expensive systems, etc.

Since the early days of virtual reality researchers have investigated ways of users navigating virtual environments (VEs) that are spatially larger than the available Physical Tracked Space (PTS). A number of locomotion techniques relying on pointing devices or walking in-place were proposed which have since become customary in VE applications. However, users find these methods cumbersome and unnatural. The concept of redirected walking was introduced about 20 years ago in order to provide a more natural way of navigating VEs, albeit with many restrictions on the shape and size of the physical and virtual spaces.
A number of approaches have since been proposed for implementing redirected walking based upon hardware or software techniques. Hardware-based techniques such as omni-directional treadmills, the VirtuSphere, etc. are not only expensive solutions to this problem but also fail to provide inertial force feedback equivalent to natural walking. In contrast, software-based techniques are more cost effective and typically involve applying perceptually subtle rotations to the VE causing the user to unknowingly change their walking direction. Applying these rotations to the VE, however subtle, can negatively impact the sense of immersion of the user. This arises as these techniques either employ warping which introduces visual artifacts and distortions in the VE or even simulation sickness, or rely on forcing the user to look away by stimulating major saccades in order to update the environment during the subsequent rapid eye movement resulting from the stimulated major saccades.
Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a method of redirected walking for users exploiting virtual reality (VR) or a VE allowing virtual distances and spaces to be traversed which are larger than the available physical space to the user. The inventors have therefore established a novel technique based on the psychological phenomenon of inattentional blindness without requiring the triggering major saccades in the users, complex expensive systems, etc.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.


The invention regards a method for broadcasting multimedia signals towards a plurality of terminals as a data flow comprising successive packets, being organised into sessions, a session comprising a set of packets forming a whole, at least some of said sessions being transmitted under several versions, corresponding to different starting moments. According to the invention, such a method implements a mechanism for merging versions of a same session, so that at least two versions starting at different moments use, at first, session portions which are peculiar to them, and, subsequently, a shared session portion.

(a) Field of the Invention
The invention regards broadcasting of multimedia presentations, or signals (such as MPEG-4 presentations), in a broadcasting system providing for random access to a presentation (e.g. MPEG-2).
To allow such a random access, a given presentation has to be broadcast several times, so that several terminals can get the beginning of a presentation at different instants.
Broadcasting MPEG-4 presentations over MPEG-2 transport channels has recently been described in the Amendment 7 to MPEG-2 system.
However, it appears that this Amendment 7 is not sufficient, and requires being updated. The invention try and build MPEG-4 presentations then to see whether we could achieve or not sending them according to Amendment 7. This has lead us to point out here and there some functionality that was left aside or impossible to be efficiently handled.
We tried then to modify as minimally as possible Amendment 7 so as to be able to achieve a complete transmission of an MPEG-4 presentation. This process has been incremental and this document tries to sum up both what can't currently be done in terms of unavailable functionality and our conclusions so as to encompass complete MPEG-4 functionality in the broadcast of MPEG-4 presentations over MPEG-2 transport channels. (In the following lines, MPEG-2 will mean MPEG-2 transport.)
(b) Description of Related Art
1 Prior art: Audit of Amendment 7.
1.1 Implications on MPEG-4 Elementary Streams.
One feature of MPEG-2 is that it enables random access to a presentation. Let us focus on the implications of this when transmitting an MPEG-4 presentation according to MPEG-2.
Most current MPEG terms are defined in Annex 1.
An example of MPEG-4 presentation is given in Annex 2.
Annex 3 relates to MPEG-4 over MPEG-2 mapping according to prior art.
1.1.1 BIFS ES.
Assumption: Random access to a presentation provides two different users with the same presentation.
Assertion: Access units of a BIFS Command ES that are not RAP should not modify the scenegraph structure.
Reason: Otherwise two different users don't have the same presentation at the same point in time. More precisely: since there is random access to the presentation, we can assume there is a RAP AU after such structural modification. The RAP is necessarily a SceneReplace, and the SceneReplace is the modified scenegraph. Consequently the two users don't experience the same presentation.
Conclusion:
a) Updates are only used for scene structure construction and not for presentation purposes. Thus presentations can't be very dynamic. Many MPEG-4 presentations can't be transmitted over MPEG-2. Cartoons, for instance, would not be properly handled.
b) Even in the case of a static presentation, this implies that resources are available or will be available in a very short time which is not possible due to bandwidth limitations if the presentation is a large one. This will result in poor quality presentations (missing images that will pop up some time later, . . . )
1.1.2 OD ES.
Assumption: Random access to a presentation provides two different users with the same presentation.
Assertion: Access units of OD ES that are not RAP should not modify the stream structure.
Reason: Otherwise two different users don't have the same presentation at the same point in time. (see BIFS)
Conclusion: Since OD do not imply modifications in the presentation, this does not alter the presentation.
1.1.3 JPEG, MPEG-J
Assertion: JPEG and MPEG-J have to be sent in PES.
Reason: see Amendment 7 only BIFS & OD can be carried in sections.
Conclusion:                a) Existing error detection mechanism in sections can't be used. It can be critical to know if a JPEG or an MPEG-J AU or corrupted or not.        b) Behaviour of an MPEG-4 terminal that receives duplicate Access Units for JPEG or MPEG-J is not specified.(or not allowed)
1.1.4 Audio & Video
Assertion: Audio and Video have to be sent in PES.
Reason: see Amendment 7 only BIFS & OD can be carried in sections.
Conclusion:                a) Audio "jingles" and "beeps" as well as "video clips" can't be properly handled        b) Behaviour of an MPEG-4 terminal that receives duplicate Access Units for Audio, Video is not specified. (or not allowed)
1.2 Some Remarks.
In normal use-cases, we want users to experience the same visual animations in part of the presentation and not for others. Amendment 7 limits the scope of MPEG-4 presentations to an almost static BIFS scene and streamed audio and video.
Applications such as cartoons, lightweight ads could not be properly handled.
1.3 Section Versioning.
MPEG-2 allows to give a version number to sections. However the semantics of version_number is signalling a state change if it is incremented.
With the RAP mechanism mentioned above, this does not allow using the update mechanism provided by MPEG-4. As a matter of fact, a session that begins will take the first available section and then incrementally all next version-numbers. This allows a very limited and complicated way of dealing with the update mechanism.
1.4 US-A-5 477 263
This document discloses a video distribution technique, which can be implemented in TIPEG-2 and which also provides fast forward, fast reverse and channel pause functionalities to the user. Such functionalities are achieved by memorizing several versions having staggered starting times of a given program. A pointer to the program which should be decoded for presentation to a given user is also memorized. When a user indicates that he requires a special function, the pointer is changed to point to a program with a different starting time.
A drawback of this technique is that it is resource-consuming, since it requires that several versions of several different programs be stored and handled at the same time.

Method for broadcasting multimedia signals towards a plurality of terminals


A machine has a boom, that is pivotally raised and lowered by a first cylinder, and has a load carrier that is pivoted at the end of the boom by a second cylinder. As a machine operator commands movement of the boom, the position of the load carrier is automatically altered by a controller to prevent a load from falling off the load carrier. The load carrier position with respect to the boom is altered in response to the amount of boom motion to maintain a constant position relationship between the load carrier and a chassis of the machine. Although the boom and load carrier move through different angular positions, the machine control is expressed in terms of the linear motion of the first and second cylinders.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hydraulic systems, and in particular to such systems that control hydraulic actuators on a work vehicle to maintain a predefined angular position of a load carrier as the load is raised and lowered.
2. Description of the Related Art
Construction and agricultural machines employ hydraulic systems to operate different mechanical elements. For example, a telehandler is a common material handling machine that has a pair of forks or a platform attached to the end of a telescopic boom pivotally attached to a tractor. Separate hydraulic actuators are employed to change the pivot angle, i.e. raise and lower the boom, and change the length of the boom, with each of those operations being referred to as a "function" of the machine. Another hydraulic actuator tilts the forks or platform with respect to the boom. The term "hydraulic actuator", as used herein, generically refers any device, such as a cylinder or a motor, that converts hydraulic fluid flow into mechanical motion.
Historically, the machine operator controlled each function independently by manipulating different control levers. Each control lever was mechanically linked to operate a valve that governed the flow of pressurized fluid from a pump to the associated hydraulic cylinder and the return flow of fluid to a tank that supplied the pump.
There is a present trend away from mechanically operated hydraulic valves toward electrical controls using solenoid operated valves and control levels of electrical joysticks. Electrical control systems enable the valves to be located remotely from the operator cab, such as on the cylinder being controlled for example. This simplifies the hydraulic plumbing on the machine, as only a single pair of supply and tank return lines need to be run to service all the hydraulic actuators on a boom. Electrical operation of the valves also enables computerized control of the machine functions to provide additional capabilities that are unachievable with purely mechanical controls.
The operator may have to manipulate several control levers simultaneously in order to perform a given machine operation. In the case of a telehandler for example, as the boom is being raised or lowered, the position of the load carrier with respect to the boom must be varied to maintain the load carrier level and prevent a load from sliding off. Therefore, as the operator controls the hydraulic actuator that varies the boom pivot angle, the hydraulic actuator for the load carrier tilt also must be operated in a precisely controlled manner. Such simultaneous, coordinated maneuvers can be difficult to perform, especially by inexperienced operators.
Because it is desirable to simplify the operator control, several mechanical or hydraulic mechanisms have been developed to automatically maintain the load carrier level while the boom is being raised or lowered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,767,256 discloses a second cylinder connected between the boom and the base on which the boom is mounted. As the boom moves up and down, fluid is exchanged between the second cylinder and the load carrier cylinder which causes the load carrier to pivot with respect to the boom in a manner that maintains a constant orientation of the load carrier with respect to the base.
Nevertheless, it is desirable to provide an electronic system that automatically maintains the load carrier level while the boom is being raised or lowered, without the need for an additional hydraulic cylinder.

Automatic hydraulic load leveling system for a work vehicle


A hand-held data terminal employs a projection display, thus eliminating the need for a flat screen display conventionally employed in hand-held data terminals. The projection display according to the present invention comprises a light source, a spatial light modulator for varying the light emitted by the light source to produce an optical image that corresponds to visual output of the data terminal, and a lens to project the resulting image. In this manner, the computer output that would normally be visualized using a display such as an LCD display may be viewed as a projected image on a nearby surface, thus allowing the data terminal to be made smaller while providing a robust visual user interface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to data collection devices; and, more specifically, to a portable code reader which in addition to, or instead of, traditional display means, incorporates an improved visual feedback system for interfacing with an operator.
2. Related Art
Prior hand-held portable data collection devices come in different shapes, sizes and weights. Typically, the smaller they are and the less they weigh, the more portable they are considered to be. Some hand-held portable data collection devices employ a laser for scanning coded images, while others employ a charge coupled device (CCD) based system with full illumination. Some of these devices are used to scan only one-dimensional (1D) coded images, while others can be employed to scan both 1D and two-dimensional (2D) coded and non-coded images.
Often the cost and size of a hand-held portable data collection device is determined by the number of features and the number of components implemented by the device. For example, a low cost barcode reader might include an optics assembly for illuminating and capturing an image of a barcode, processing circuitry for decoding the captured image, a buzzer or beeper and LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to signal successful or unsuccessful scanning events, a computing component for computations, and a memory for the storage of collected information. Although small in size, such data collection devices have several problems associated with their operation. They cannot convey more detailed information, such as the decoded information to an operator. Again, information regarding the unit itself, such as problems with the unit and the battery power levels cannot be easily conveyed to the operator. Although the LEDs may be used to convey some information to the operator, unless the operator is looking at the LED's any information conveyed via the LEDs is likely to be missed by the operator. Moreover, an operator who is color blind is likely to miss the information being conveyed via the LEDs. If an operator tries to look at the LEDs while trying to capture a target coded image using the hand-held data collection device, the operator is likely to miss the target by moving his eyes away from the target. If a buzzer is employed to convey information to an operator, the noise made by the buzzer is often not heard by an operator.
High-cost hand-held portable data collection devices include extra features such as a display for displaying collected information and a small keyboard for data entry. These devices typically have a display mechanism attached to the top of the device to enable the operator to read information that is collected. For example, an LCD screen is often located on the top of bar code scanners that provides information to a user. One problem with the higher-cost data collection devices is their bigger size and weight due to the addition of a display and a keyboard, which makes them less portable than a smaller and lower cost one. Another problem is the higher power consumption due to these additional components. A further problem with such systems is that the user may not read the information displayed on the display mechanism while simultaneously aiming the device at a coded image. The placement of the display mechanism, on top of the device and facing the operator during the operation of the device, does not take into account the fact that the operator is typically looking at the target coded image and cannot simultaneously focus his eyes on the display. Thus, any information displayed during the operation of the device that can facilitate in the activity of reading coded images may be lost on the operator. If the operator tries to focus his eyes on the display to read the displayed information, the operator is likely to aim the data collection device away from the target coded image in doing so. Other problems described above with reference to low cost data collection devices are also likely to be experienced with these higher-cost devices. Moreover, the power consumption of these higher-cost devices is likely to be a lot more than the lower-cost devices described above due to the addition of the display and a keyboard.
Another common problem faced by operators of hand-held data collection devices in large industrial environments is one of receiving messages from others in the work environment while operating a hand-held portable data collection device. Some of these operators carry a pager to receive messages or stay in touch with others. Others carry an RF communication device or a mobile telephone for communication with others. In such environments, the operators are not only required to carry a hand-held data collection device on their person but also on such associated communication devices. It is usually quite cumbersome to carry multiple devices all day long in work environments such as a warehouse, especially if the multiple devices are bulky.
Another problem typically faced by operators of hand-held data collection devices in noisy industrial environments is one of receiving audio messages announced over an audio system. Most messages announced over audio systems in noisy work environments are not heard by the intended recipients. Having a message communicated on their cellular phone or RF device, if an operator carries them around, is an option. However, a phone in noisy industrial environments is undesirable and costly, besides requiring the operator to carry an addition device.
Similarly, when an operator carries a pager for receiving paging messages, the operator will have to carry an additional device just to alert him of messages received or on the need to contact another individual. If the pager employs audio stimulus to alert an operator of incoming calls or messages, such audio stimulus may be drowned by the ambient noise in noisy work environments.
Conventional code reading units also suffer from other problems related to the reading of coded images. For example, while trying to collect data from coded images, such as bar codes using a hand-held data collection device, an operator may be too close or too far from the coded image for the device to properly read and decipher the coded image. The operator receives no indication of such orientation problems. Thus, the operator repeatedly attempts the read operation without much success wasting portable battery power. Similar problems occur when the hand-held data collection device is in an off-center of skewed orientation. The operator is not aware of the problem and may repeat the reading process many times before completing a successful read.

Data collection device having visual display of feedback indicators and messages


Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards a memory device removably couplable with a mobile device. In some embodiments, the memory device may include a PCB insertable in the mobile device. The PCB may include a first chip (a micro SD device); a second chip (a SIM card); a first contact electrically coupled with the first chip, to provide a first communication interface between the first chip and the mobile device; and a second contact electrically coupled with the second chip, to provide a second communication interface between the second chip and the mobile device. The first and second communication interfaces may provide for respective communications between the micro SD device and the mobile device, and between the SIM card and the mobile device, at the same time, when the PCB is removably coupled with the mobile device.

Current mobile devices may employ subscriber identification module (SIM) cards (sometimes two SIM cards for dual SIM card devices), along with micro secure digital (SD) devices. Some of the mobile devices may be configured as dual SIM card devices, A socket (card holder) insertable into such mobile device may typically include two slots, to receive either two SIM cards (one in each slot), or receive a SIM card in one slot and a micro SD device in another slot.
Typically, a first slot of the socket may have two communication interfaces: one for the micro SD device (micro SD card) and another for the SIM card. A second slot of the socket may have one communication interface for a SIM card. Accordingly, if two SIM cards are disposed in each slot of the socket inserted in a mobile device, only the SIM cards may be active at the same time, and a micro SD card may not be active because it is not included in the socket. If a SIM card is inserted in one slot of the socket, and a micro SD card is inserted in another slot of the socket, only one SIM card and the micro SD card may be active at the same time, but another SIM card may not be because it is not included in the socket. In other words, only two devices out of three (two SIM cards or a SIM card and a micro SD card) may be active at the same time when the socket is inserted in the mobile device.


The invention relates to a single-part cable clamp with a base (1) which is fixed to a carrier part, a bearing surface formed on said base (1) for a cable or bundle of cables which are to be fixed and a cable cover (6) which is joined to the base (1) by means of a flexible strip (5), said cable cover encompassing the cable or bundle of cables and being able to be engaged with the base (1), said base (1) being U-shaped. The insides of the U-shaped limbs (3) of the base are provided with transversally extending ribs (4) as known per se. A clamp cover (6) is joined to the upper edge of one U-shaped limb (3) by means of a flexible strip (5). Said cover can be inserted between the U-shaped limbs (3) and an adjustable fixed control element (9), preferably in the form of a screw head is formed thereon and can be placed in two positions. In one position thereof, the fixed control element (9) engages with the ribs (4) of the U-shaped limbs (3). In another position, said control element is disengaged therefrom. The cable clamp automatically adapts to different diameters of cable and maintains the cable in a safe and stationary manner. Said cable clamp is easy to use and can be disengaged in an especially simple manner with the aid of a suitable tool, preferably a screwdriver, if a cable needs to be dismantled without causing damage thereto, whereby said cable clamp can be reused.

The invention relates to a one-piece cable clamp with a base, which can be fixed to a carrier part, a bearing surface formed on this base for a cable or a bundle of cables to be fixed, and a clamp cover, which is joined to the base by a flexible strip and which encloses the cable or bundle of cables that can engage with the base.
Such a cable clamp is known from DE 26 26 412. Two opposing limbs project at a right angle from the clamp cover of this cable clamp. The outer surfaces of these limbs are ribbed with a sawtooth shape. In the base, openings with catch means are provided on both sides of the bearing surface formed on the base for the cable or the bundle of cables. After a cable or a bundle of cables has been placed on the bearing surface, the clamp cover is bent onto the connecting strip between the clamp cover and the base and its limbs are inserted into the openings next to the bearing surface. The clamp cover can be pressed down until the cable or bundle of cables is clamped tight between the cover and the bearing surface and the catch means of the openings engage the ribs of the limbs at a corresponding height. For this purpose, the limbs are formed such that they bend inward and underneath the base when they contact the carrier part. Thus, the cable can be locked at a number of different heights on the limbs and the clamp adapts to different diameters of the cable or bundle of cables.
A disadvantage of this cable clamp is that it cannot be disengaged again if it is necessary to set the cable or the bundle of cables free again and possibly to mount them again to the same cable clamp. The known cable clamp must be destroyed, thus made unusable, and replaced by a new clamp to achieve these tasks.
A two-part cable clamp with a U-shaped foundation or base is known from French Patent No. 2,130,753. Here, the bent floor of the U forms the bearing surface for the cable or the bundle of cables and the inner surfaces of both U limbs have transversely extending ribs. A separate plunger with an essentially rectangular base surface is equipped on its two narrow sides with ribs corresponding to the ribs of the U limbs. The plunger also has a central opening with internal threads which opens on the bottom side into a recess, which is suitable for receiving a pressure plate. In the opening, a fixing screw is screwed in, with which the pressure plate is connected tightly by a pin. After a cable or a bundle of cables has been placed on the floor surface of the U-shaped foundation, the plunger is inserted between the U limbs and, so that the plunger is held, its ribbed narrow sides are offset by 90° relative to the ribbed U limbs. As soon as the bottom side of the plunger or the pressure plate which remains drawn into the plunger comes into contact with the cable or the bundle of cables, the plunger is turned 90°, so that the ribs of the plunger engage with those of the U limbs. Then the fixing screw is tightened, which moves the pressure plate out from the plunger to contact the cable or the bundle of cables with pressure. Through corresponding notches in the bottom side of the pressure plate, this cable clamp can be used for cables with different diameters. Disadvantages of this cable clamp are that it consists of two separate parts, which are not connected to each other, so that there is still the risk of losing a part, and also the rather difficult and time-consuming manipulation involved with its assembly. The cable clamp, which can be used for various cable diameters through a plurality of notches in the bottom side of the plunger, is also very complicated and makes the production of the device more expensive. Here, the clamp can be adapted only to fixed diameters given by the shape of the notches, thus it is not continuously adjustable.
There exists a need for a one-piece cable clamp, which is simple and reliable in its use and manipulation, which can also be disengaged and then reused easily and without causing damage. A cable should be held tightly by the clamp in its closed state, such that the cable cannot move in the clamp, and thus also relative to the carrier part.
However, the cable clamp should also be able to be disassembled again in a simple way, without damaging the cable itself or the cable clamp. In addition, there should be the ability to secure rigidly and also to disassemble several cables with different diameters with minimum space requirements on a carrier part.


Plural spaced projections attached to the outer surface of a branch pipe of a tapping sleeve positioned on a main water line are disposed in contact with a rubber gasket also positioned on and disposed about the branch pipe. A two-piece split gland is also positioned about the branch pipe and engages a first surface of each of the projections. The split gland is adapted for coupling to the flange of a mechanical joint tapping valve by plural nut and bolt combinations for urging the gasket into intimate contact with a second opposed surface of each of the projections and the tapping sleeve's mechanical joint in forming a seal with the branch pipe. The split gland coupling allows for vertically orienting the tapping sleeve even when the main water line is not level, or horizontal, to facilitate tapping valve access via an extension pipe when the tapping sleeve is buried.

In a water distribution system, it is frequently necessary to provide another branch in the system to direct water to a new location for additional users. In order to form the new branch, a tapping sleeve is positioned about the main water line for connecting the main water line to the new branch. A tapping valve is frequently connected between the tapping sleeve and the new branch for regulating water flow in the branch. The main water line is then tapped in a sealed manner allowing water to flow into the branch via the tapping sleeve and the tapping valve combination.
The tapping sleeve is typically comprised of stainless steel or A-36 carbon steel and is attached to the tapping valve by means of a flange welded to the tapping sleeve's branch pipe and connected to the tapping valve by plural nut and bolt combinations. In order to reduce the cost of tapping a water main, tapping valves having a mechanical joint are increasingly being used in combination with the tapping sleeve. The use of a tapping valve with a mechanical joint standardizes the tapping valve/tapping sleeve connection and avoids the requirement for specially designed tapping valves which are expensive and frequently in scarce supply. In some cases, a stainless steel flange is incorporated in the tapping sleeve for connection to the flanged joint of the tapping valve. While reducing the cost of the connection by using a mechanical joint tapping valve, commonly known as an MJ×MJ tapping valve, this arrangement also tends to increase the cost of the tapping sleeve/tapping valve connection by requiring the passivation, i.e., acid washing of the welded stainless steel, of the entire tapping sleeve/flange combination.
In order to avoid the cost of incorporating a coupling flange in a tapping sleeve for connection to the mechanical joint of a tapping valve, some approaches use a metal gland attached to the tapping sleeve and adapted for connection to a flange on the tapping valve. These types of glands are typically positioned on the tapping sleeve using plural spaced projections disposed on and about the branch pipe. Plural spaced recesses disposed on an inner portion of the gland are each adapted to engage one of the aforementioned projections for fixedly positioning the gland on the branch pipe. The gland is then connected to the tapping valve by means of plural nut and bolt combinations, as is conventional. In this arrangement, positioning the gland on the branch pipe and connecting the gland to the tapping sleeve is done with some difficulty, particularly where access is limited as in excavated underground locations where these types of water system tapping sleeves are most commonly used. In addition, the orientation of the gland and tapping valve combination is fixed on the branch pipe by the location of the spaced projections thereon. This typically results in non-vertical orientation of the attached tapping valve when the main water line is not level, or horizontal. Because the tapping valve is typically buried at a depth on the order of 6 feet, manipulating a non-vertical tapping valve to control water flow by means of an extension pipe with an attached stem nut inserted through a conduit extending from the surface of the ground down to the tapping valve is very difficult, and frequently impossible.
Another approach employs a metal ring fixedly attached to the outer surface of the branch pipe and disposed between the tapping sleeve's gland and the tapping valve's flange and engaging the joint's seal, or gasket. The metal ring is typically formed by stamping or by plasma cutting and is welded to the branch pipe in a typically time-consuming process. The cost of these operations constitutes a substantial portion of the manufacturing expense of the mechanical joint coupling.
The present invention avoids the aforementioned limitations of the prior art by providing a tapping sleeve for forming a sealed connection with a mechanical joint tapping valve. The connection includes plural spaced projections attached to a branch pipe about its outer periphery in combination with a circular gasket also disposed about the branch pipe and in contact with the projections. A two-piece split gland is also disposed on the branch pipe and engages the projections and is adapted for secure connection to the tapping valve's mechanical joint by means of a flange and plural nut and bolt combinations to form a sealed connection between the tapping valve and branch pipe.

Tapping sleeve with mechanical joint connection

Cascade Waterworks Manufacturing Co., Inc.


A vacuum laminating apparatus includes a laminating space formed by a base member, a tube having deaeration holes, and a flexible lid member. A vacuum laminating method places the material to be laminated within the laminating space and heats the material while creating a vacuum in the space.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vacuum laminating apparatus and method, and more particularly to a vacuum laminating apparatus and method which is applicable to, e.g., a manufacturing system for the solar cell module.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, a vacuum laminating apparatus was applied as a final manufacturing system for the purpose of covering the elements exposed in use to the outer atmosphere, such as semiconductor devices, in particular, solar cells. This was conducted to enhance the durability of such elements against the temperature/humidity and the external pressure.
FIGS. 17 and 18 show the material constitution of a solar cell module in the state where the materials are laminated and the state where the solar cell module is completed, respectively. In these figures, 1701 is a surface covering material, 1702 is a filler, 1703 is a solar cell element, and 1704 is a back covering material.
As one procedure of making a solar cell module, a material constituting the solar cell module is first laid down within a vacuum apparatus, and a vacuum is created to evacuate the air from between materials, or perform the so-called deaeration. Then, the materials are heated in this vacuum state. Due to heating, the temperature of material will rise up to a temperature for allowing the filler to be bridged or cured, this temperature being retained for a predetermined time until the filler is fully cured. Thereafter, the materials are cooled, and placed in atmospheric pressure again by stopping to pull the vacuum. With this procedure, the solar cell with a constitution as shown in FIG. 18 is completed.
FIGS. 20 to 22 are views for explaining the construction of a vacuum laminating apparatus which is applicable to a conventional manufacturing system for the solar cell module. FIG. 20 is an overall view, FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional structural view of FIG. 20, and FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional structural view in making the solar cell module. In these figures, 701 is a main body lid portion, 702 is a main body, 703 is a vacuum pump for the main body lid portion, 704 is a vacuum pump for the main body, 705 is a silicone rubber, 706 is a base, 707 is a heater, and 708 is a solar cell module component material.
A procedure of making a solar cell module in a vacuum laminating apparatus for the solar cell module as above described is as follows. First, as shown in FIG. 20, the solar cell module component material 708 is placed on the base 706 within the main body 702 which is opened. Then, the vacuum pump 703 for the main body lid portion is activated to create a vacuum in the main body lid portion. And after the main body lid portion 701 is closed, the vacuum pump 704 for the main body is activated to evacuate the main body of the air. When the main body lid portion 701 and the main body 702 become stable at the respective degrees of vacuum (with a vacuum meter not shown), the vacuum pump 703 for the main body lid portion is stopped to return the inside of the main body lid portion to atmospheric pressure. And the heater 707 is activated to raise the temperature up to a predetermined value, at which value the temperature is retained for a predetermined time, and then stopped to allow the cooling. If the cooling is fully achieved, the vacuum pump 704 for the main body is stopped to return the inside of the main body to atmospheric pressure, so that the solar cell module as shown in FIG. 18 is completed. Herein, the predefined temperature condition with the heater 707 involves a temperature at which the filler in the solar cell module component material can be cured or bridged. Also, the set time for maintaining such high temperature is a time for the filler to be completely cured or bridged.
However, this conventional vacuum laminating apparatus of the solar cell module is very heavy in weight, with poor operation efficiency, since the main body 702 and the main body lid portion 701 are made of metal. Also, owing to a great heat capacity of the base 706 within the main body, the temperature of the solar cell module component material 708 quite slowly rises or falls, even if the heater 707 is operated, resulting in longer time of heat treatment. Further, among the solar cells, an amorphous silicone solar cell is well suited to the constitution of larger area, but this conventional vacuum laminating apparatus for the solar cell module, having the above-mentioned structure, has a problem that it is difficult to easily construct the larger apparatus to produce the solar cell module with the larger area.
An object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum laminating apparatus and method which is simple in structure, and is capable of making the larger area, with the shorter processing time.


The present invention relates to the long-term administration of a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) with a short half-life for the treatment of a variety of estrogen receptor-mediated conditions. The SERM may be administered at a concentration at or below that of a SERM with a long half-life in order to achieve an equivalent therapeutic effect.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are a class of compounds that bind to estrogen receptors (ERs) thereby inducing specific conformational changes in the receptors. SERMS can exert different effects in different tissues resulting from tissue-specific recruitment of coactivators (which enhance ER transcriptional activity) and corepressors (which repress ER transcriptional activity). SERMs are therefore distinguished from the so called "pure" estrogen receptor agonists/antagonists that uniformly activate or block estrogen effects independent of tissue type.
SERMS, by virtue of their effect on the estrogen receptor, are useful for treating a variety of disorders having an estrogen component. Many of these disorders are chronic disorders requiring long-term administration of the SERM. However, when administered over long periods of time, serious adverse effects have been observed, limiting the usefulness of these compounds. A significant advance in the art would occur if these SERMs could be administered to treat chronic estrogen receptor-mediated disorders.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators with short half-lives and uses thereof


A system to capture a remote RFID electro magnetic interrogation of a warehouse or distribution center environment through the propitious use of an external directional antenna. The system comprises a directional external yagi antenna affixed to the exterior of the distribution center or warehouse distribution center; an electric motor attached to a boom of the external yagi antenna to enable the antenna to change direction; a directional finding equipment spliced to the circuit of the external yagi antenna, and multiple transformers, the antenna and interrogation units mounted to a ceiling of the warehouse or distribution center to modulate and reradiate signals of the remote microwave or ultra high frequency interrogation to interrogate transponders attached to articles at the articles' resonant frequency and re-radiate responses to the external yagi antenna for capture by the cellular transmission tower.

This invention is in response to a pervasive industry wide RFID problem. Specifically, the problem is an inefficient read rate of passive RFID transponders by RFID interrogators. The inefficient read rate is due, in part, to the amount of reflection, refraction and absorption which occurs within a standard RFID interrogation environment. This problem is exacerbated, in part, by the amount of metal and liquid components located within these environments. The metals and liquids tend to reflect, refract or absorb RFID electromagnetic signal inquiries, thereby reducing read rates by increasing signal to noise interference. Furthermore, a remote electro magnetic read of the environment from a cellular telephone transmission tower, which is contemplated in this invention, is thwarted by concrete or metal on the walls or roof of the environment. This is caused by the density or physical properties of the building materials which went into the construction of the environment. Furthermore, there is significant electro magnetic attenuation of any remote RFID inquiry which is a function of the distance traveled by the remote interrogation signal.
This invention contemplates the use of a directional antenna designed to receive and transmit. The antenna is made of ceramic powder or aluminum shavings manufactured in a composite formula. The function of this invention is to increase the reading rate of an RFID interrogation system when inquiries come from a remote source. Pursuant to this invention the initial interrogation inquiry will emanate form a remote source using a microwave or ultra high frequency band. The external source contemplated is a cellular telephone transmission tower. One aspect of this invention is to channel cut the antenna or manufacture it so that it is perfectly attuned to the nearest cellular transmission tower. Alternatively, for mass produced external antennas, the boom of the antenna can be electronically swung by a remote control device so that it is pointed in the direction of the strongest electro magnetic signal emanating from a cellular telephone transmission tower. The directional antenna is located outside of the environment. For example, the directional antenna could be placed on the rooftop of the environment. The microwave electro magnetic inquiry signal will be harvested and captured by the directional antenna and then sent via a wire or wireless connection to transformer/interrogators positioned within the environment.
The concept of the invention is to use advanced composite construction materials in the outside antenna so that it efficiently receives from and transmits to a remote microwave RFID inquiry. Manufacturing components will consist of aluminum shavings and ceramic powders mixed into slurry and baked onto a Yagi antenna. The Yagi antenna is then covered in white polymer powder which is baked unto its surface to protect the reflectors and elements. It is also anodized to protect from corrosion. The antenna can be channel cut to mimic the exact wave characteristics of the initial inquiry signal or manufactured so that the antenna boom swivels 360 degrees to point in the direction of the most powerful cellular tower signal as determined by onboard commercial direction finding electronics.
This invention obviates any problems arising from signal attenuation. Attenuation is a function of distance traveled or can be caused by building material density or reflectivity. Furthermore this invention is designed to capture a weak signal from a remote inquiry if the inquiry takes place within a large cell zone. For example, for a warehouse on the outside fringes of a cellular transmission zone atmospheric conditions could play havoc with RFID remote inquiries. In other words, some remote inquiries maybe received at the environment and some not. This problem is obviated through the use of an advanced composite design of the state of the art antenna and electronic direction pointing as outlined herein. When this invention is properly manufactured and pointed it will act as an amplification device of the remote inquiry electro magnetic signal emanating from a cellular telephone transmission tower.
Once the initial RFID inquiry has been received from the cellular telephone transmission tower, the electro magnetic signal is relayed by wire (or wirelessly) to transformer/amplifier/interrogation units (hereinafter "TAINS") located within the environment. These TAINS units modulate the initial microwave inquiry. Interrogators which are attached to the transformers re-radiate the RFID inquiry into the resonant frequency of the integrated circuit passive tags which are embedded or attached to items within the environment. The TAINS units also amplify the electro magnetic signal so that it is consistently re-radiated at the maximum two watt power limitation which is the RFID industry standard. There will be enough TAINS units strategically located within the environment so that the environment is consistently blanketed with RFID interrogation signals.
It is contemplated by this invention that the outside antenna can be connected via wires or through a wireless system to a number of TAINS units. In other words, one outside antenna can service a plethora of TAINS. The TAINS contain an amplification component which ensures that the re-radiated signal is transmitted at maximum allowable power to all corners of the environment. In this way the problem of dropped RFID tag reads or misreads or double reads is obviated as there is consistent electro magnetic signal coverage within the interrogation environment.
The extraordinary sensitivity which is a product of the composite design of the outside antenna allows for better reception of the initial microwave electro magnetic signal inquiry. This sensitivity transforms the external antenna into an amplification unit of the initial cellular telephone transmission tower electro magnetic signal. Subsequently, the re-radiated electro magnetic signal emanating from the TAINS blankets the entire environment with a consistent two watt interrogation signal. The re-radiated signal is powered by wall sockets attached to the TAINS. This obviates the need for a power source on board the RFID tags. This means that the backscatter methodology can be used with one hundred percent effectiveness due to blanket and consistent interrogation from re-radiated electro magnetic signals. As only passive tags are required, the price for this system is shifted from the tags to the TAINS units. In other words, there is no need for active RFID tags which are much more expensive than passive tags. The upgrade in power and receptivity is produced from one antenna and several TAINS units as opposed to an increase in power for millions of RFID tags. The commercial case is obvious.
This system is contemplated for use in suburban environments or in geographical areas where cellular telephone service is poor. For example, the sensitive electronics in the outside antenna can transmit and receive for a distance of fifty miles. This invention is also designed for effective use in a cellular system which is constructed of large cell zones. It is also designed for use in a high density urban environment through use of a specifically designed 0 dB gain antenna which radiates more energy higher in the vertical plane to reach radio communication sites that are located in higher places. These systems are more useful in metropolitan areas with tall buildings. Alternatively, a 5 dB gain antenna radiates more energy toward the horizon compared to the 0 dB and can reach radio communication sites that are further apart and less obstructed. This is for use in deserts, plains, flat lands, and open farm or rural areas. A 3 dB gain antenna is the compromise in suburban and general settings.
The external antenna piece of this inventive system is also contemplated for use in environments where microwave signals are partially or completely blocked by the construction materials of the walls or roof of the environment or are disrupted by the materials within the environment.
The antenna design is of the directional type. As wireless devices have continued to move to higher and higher frequencies, antennas have gotten smaller. As cell towers transmit in the high UHF and low microwave frequency region the antenna is only a few inches long. In order to fit inside a cell phone they have been designed to fit within the PC board copper. Separate antennas optimized for best performance can be used. A popular antenna is the planar inverted F antenna. It works well but it is subject to loading by surrounding objects. Any devices near the antenna like discrete components or camera modules tend to couple to the antenna and absorb some of the radiated power making the antenna less efficient. Another problem is the loading of the antenna by the user's hand. Therefore, holding a hand held RFID interrogator couples the energy to the hand and detunes the antenna. This reduces efficiency and read rate. This is known as the excessive specific absorption rate (SAR). This rate measures the amount of RF which is coupled into a person's body. This coupling has the effect of reducing the received signal strength and decreasing the amount of radiated signal. This coupling effect in a normal RFID system would result in less coverage and more missed reads of RFID tags. In some systems this phenomenon is compensated for by increasing the power radiated. However, this shortens battery life in interrogators, increases power bills and can cause annoying interference with RFID systems of contiguous neighbors. In data transmission situations, diminished signal strength translates to reduced data rates. The answer proffered by this invention is an external directional antenna.
This invention is in response to a number of RFID industry challenges.
First, there is the challenge of waking up the passive RFID transponder. In order for a passive transponder to reflect or backscatter a radio signal to the interrogator it must first gather enough energy from the signal of the interrogator in order to reach an excitation level of roughly 1.2 volts. This is the threshold energy required to arouse the integrated circuit contained within the RFID transponder. As this invention contemplates a microwave remote interrogation it is clear to the inventor that operation in either the 2.45 MHz or 5.8 MHz bands will have problems in terms of reflections, refractions or absorption from metal and concrete surfaces located in the building materials of the outside perimeter of the environment. Normally, passive transponders struggle to operate around metal and are sensitive to the dielectric constant of the metal. Furthermore, shelving and environmental materials, such as metals or liquids, can reduce the amount of electromagnetic energy which is effectively transmitted to the RFID passive tag from the interrogating source. The result may be that the transponder harvests insufficient energy from the interrogation process to sufficiently awaken itself as instructed by the interrogation prompt. This invention addresses this RFID industry problem by using a TAINS unit to re-radiate a consistent strength interrogation signal at a much lower frequency than the initial microwave inquiry yet congruent to the resonant frequency of the RFID passive transponders.
Second, there is the challenge of insufficient energy to backscatter or reflect the energy of the initial interrogator. As in the paragraph above, the identical energy problems are evident to the inventor. Specifically, the electromagnetic signal quality must be of high enough power to overcome the obstacles posed by environmental problems, such as reflection or refraction by metals, concrete and liquids. Furthermore, there is an inherent compromise in the design of passive transponders. They must have the ability to both collect and backscatter a signal. This is a tradeoff which can result in a low power transmission meaning far less than 100% interrogation rates. In other words, the result is often a low signal to noise ratio. The solution, as presented by the inventor, is to provide a consistent power level at the resonant frequency of the RFID passive transponder. This is accomplished by the TAINS units whereby the inquiring electro magnetic signal is modulated and then re-radiated.
Third, the microwave transmission requires an external antenna to gather, harvest and capture electromagnetic signals in a metal, concrete and/or liquid intensive environment. The high frequency microwaves can carry a great deal of electromagnetic energy. This energy can travel very quickly. However, microwaves have the tendency to bounce off of metal and to be absorbed into concrete and liquid. Thus microwave remote RIFD inquiries become dissipated and ineffective. In response the inventor proposes an external antenna comprised of aluminum shavings/fibers and ceramic powders contained in a composite construction. Furthermore, this invention contemplates channel specific or channel cut external antenna construction for the circumstance whereby the strongest external cellular telephone transmission is constant. Alternatively, this invention contemplate the use of an electric motor and off the shelf direction finding electronics to shift the direction of the external antenna to face the strongest point of remote transmission at any given time.

External antenna for RFID remote interrogation


The present invention provides a protein or polypeptide substance having at least one amino group bonded to a polyethyleneglycolosy group represented by the following general formula; EQU R.sub.1 --(OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2).sub.n --O--. (wherein R.sub.1 represents an optionally substituted cholesteryl group; and n represents a positive integer which is arbitrarily variable), and a method for producing said the protein or polypeptide.. The present invention also provides a reactive polyethyleneglycol derivative as an intermediated for above the method.. The chemically modified protein or polypeptide of the present invention never impairs bonding with a receptor and has a high plysiological activity. Then, a behaviors in vivo of these substance is improved. Now medical substances or drugs having a high pharmacological activity can be developed by using these substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel protein or polypeptide modified in bonding with a polyethylene glycol derivative, which is useful as a physiologically active or medically active substance or an intermediate compound therefor, and a method for producing the same. The present invention also relates a reactive polyethylene glycol derivative which is an intermediate compound for the novel protein or polypeptide above-mentioned.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many protein, polyaminoacid and peptide substances having a physiological or medical activity have recently been discovered, permitting expectation of more common application to medical substance. However, these protein and peptide substances have only a short half-life in blood when administered in vivo, giving a sufficient pharmacological effect in few cases. In order to utilize these substances as medical substance, therefore, it is believed to be absolutely necessary to improve behaviors in vivo by some method or other.
It is known that many of physiologically active or medically active substances administered in vivo, particularly into the blood flow, disappear from the biological body through glomerular filtration in the kidney. This glomerular filtration process may be considered a kind of molecular sieve in principle: substances of a molecular weight smaller than that of albumin (about 60,000) which is plasma protein indispensable for a biological body are excreted as a rule. In order to improve in vivo behaviors of protein and peptide medical substance disappearing from the body through glomerular filtration, therefore, it has conventionally been believed to be necessary to increase the molecular weight of medical substance through various chemical modifications.
As a method for improving behaviors in vivo of a protein or peptide medical substance, chemical modification using a water-soluble polymer typically represented by polyethylene glycol (hereinafter abbreviated as "PEG" as required) has popularly been applied. PEG has rather a long history: this substance has been utilized and studied widely in various areas since its synthesis in 1859. In the areas of biochemistry and medicines or medical drugs as well, it is confirmed that PEG exerts no interaction to protein except for physical stereo-hindrances, and no change is observed in protein CD spectrum even in a high-concentration aqueous PEG solution. This suggests that modification with PEG does not destroy the higher-order structure of protein. When, for example, PEG of a molecular weight of 4000 is administered to a dog at a rate of 90 mg/kg/day for a period of a year, no abnormality is observed in body weight or in a pathological or hemological inspection. Administration of PEG to a guinea pig does not cause an allergic symptom. Safety of PEG is thus commonly confirmed. By modifying protein with PEG having the unique properties as described above, it is expected to be possible to develop a protein or peptide medical substance having a long life in vivo, which is hard to be recognized not only by the immune system but also by the reticuloendothelial system.
When modifying a protein or peptide medical substance with PEG, the following advantages are available. When non-denatured protein is insoluble under a physiological pH condition or only partially soluble, it is possible to considerably improve solubility under the physiological pH condition by modifying protein with PEG, and also to reduce immune response of non-denatured protein. For these advantages, many types of protein or peptide medical substance have been modified with PEG to date for utilization in medical drugs regarding general remarks, see Inada, Y., Yoshimoto, T., Matsushima, A. and Saito, Y. (1986) Trends Biotechno, 1, 4: 68-73!.
PEG derivatives so far used for modifying protein or peptide medical substance include: 2-(alkoxypolyethyleneglycoxy)-4,6-dechlorotriadine Abuchowski, A., Van Es, T., Palczuk, N. C. and Davis, F. F. (1977) J. Biol. Chem. 252, 3578-3581!; 6-(alkoxypolyethyleneglycoxy)-S-carboxamide-methyl-dithiocarbonate King, T. P. and Weiner, C. (1980) Int. J. Peptide Protein Res. 16, 147-155!; 2-(alkoxypolyethylene-glycoxy)-N-succinimyzilsuccinate Abuchowski, A, Kazo, G. M., Verhoest, C., Van Es, T., Kafkewitz, D., Viau, A. and Davis, F. (1984) Cancer Biochem. Biophys. 7, 175-186!; 2-(alkoxypolyethyleneglycoxy) carboxyimidazole Beauchamp, C. O., Gonias, S. L., Menapace, D. P. and Pizzo, S. V. (1983) Anal. Biochem. 131, 25-33!; 2-alkoxypolyethyleneglycoxy)-2,4,5-trichlorobenzene Versonese, F. M., Largajolli, R., Boccu, E., Benassi, C. A. arid Schiavon, O. (1985) Applied Biochem. Biotech., 11, 141-152!; 2-(alkoxypolyethylene-glycoxy)-4-nitrobenzene Versonese, F. M., Largajolli, R., Boccu, E., Benassi, C. A. and Schiavon, O. (1985) Applied Biochem. Biotech. 11, 141-152!; 2-(alokxypolyethylene-glycoxy)-2,2,2-trifluoroethane Delgads, C., Patel, J. N., Francis, G. B. and Fisher, D. (1990) Biotech. Applied Biochem. 12, 119-128!; 2-(alkoxypolyethylenealdehyde) Andrews, B. A., Head, D. M., Dunthrone, P. and Asenjo, J. A. (1990) Biotech. Tech. 4, 49-54!; and 2-alkoxypolyethylene-glycoxymethylepoxide Andrews, B. A., Head, D. M., Dunthrone, P. and Adenjo, J. A. (1990) Biotech. Tech. 4, 49-54!.
Regarding modification with a PEG derivative, a number of patent applications have been filed to date. Some examples include, for example, Japanese Provisonal Patent Publication JP-A-61-178,926; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-61-249,388; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-1-316,400; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-2-117,920; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-3-88,822; Japanese Proisional Patent Publication JP-A-5-117,300; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-132,431; Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-5-214,092; and Japanese Provisional Patent Publication JP-A-5-503,092. All these inventions are based on attention to the high water solubility of PEG, having therefore a terminal structure comprising a short-chain aliphatic group.
However, the method of improving behaviors in vivo by increasing the molecular weight of a protein or peptide medical substance through PEG modification is considered to suffer on the other hand limitations imposed on medical substances to which it is applicable. For example, most of conventional protein or peptide medical substances of which PEG modification has been confirmed to have improved behaviors in vivo and increased pharmacological effect are limited to enzymes. A conceivable cause is the pharmacological effect expressing mechanism unique to enzymes.
An enzyme having a physiological activity expresses its effect by causing a substance detrimental for a biological body or a substance specifically required at a site suffering from a disease such as tumor to specifically disappear through a chemical reaction such as metabolism. In the case of PEG modification of an enzyme, therefore, it is possible to increase the pharmacological effect by only causing enzyme molecules to be present in blood for a long period of time. However, such a method of increasing the molecular weight of a medical substance through PEG modification is not clearly a method commonly applicable to all protein or peptide medical substance other than enzymes.
More particularly, a protein or peptide medical substances requiring improvement of behaviors in vivo necessitates bonding with a receptor, for example, for the purpose of displaying its pharmacological effect, PEG modification cannot be expected to increase the pharmacological effect, but the pharmacological effect decreases in many cases as a result of impairment of receptor bonding caused by stress hindrance of polymer PEG used for modification. For example, in Ehrat, M, and Luisi, P. L. (1983) Biopolymer 22, 569, 573, when PEG-modifying insulins to be bonded with a receptor for more remarkable pharmacological effect, a decrease in pharmacological effect in vivo by up to 50% is reported as compared with non-modified insulin.
Therefore, for many of protein, polyaminoacid and peptide substances expected to become applicable to medical uses, bonding with a receptor or the like is a necessary prerequisite for the expression of pharmacological effect. Under such circumstances, there is an increasing demand for achievement of a novel method of improving behaviors in vivo of medical substances, which does not impair bonding with a site where a pharmacological effect is to be expressed, such as a receptor or the like, i.e., novel means for chemical modification, and a medical substance comprising a pharmacologically active substance modified by such means.

Protein or polypeptide, method for producing the same and intermediate compound therefor