The present invention provides a process for producing a .beta.-lactam halide compound represented by the general formula (2) which process is characterized in that the hydroxyl group of a .beta.-lactam halide compound represented by the general formula (1) is substituted with a halogen atom or a leaving group. ##STR1##

The .beta.-lactam halide compound of the invention represented by the general formula (2) is prepared by reacting halogen molecules with an allenyl .beta.-lactam compound represented by the general formula (3) as is already known (Can. J. Chem., 1978, 56, 1335). However, this process affords a mixture of .alpha., .beta.- and .beta., .tau.-position isomers depending on the kind of halogen molecule and is not usable in actuality. This process further gives the product via an unstable allene compound as an intermediate and therefore involves many problems on an industrial scale. ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 are as defined below, and R.sup.5 is lower alkyl.
It is also reported that as shown in the diagram, a keto-form .beta.-lactam compound is enolized into an enol ether or vinyl halide, followed by halogenation with N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) or N-chlorosuccinimide (NCS) in the presence of a radical generating agent (JP-A- 135859/1983). Since this process requires use of a hazardous reagent for reaction, processes which are industrially more feasible are desired. ##STR3## wherein R.sup.6 is phthalimido, aryloxyalkaneamido or alkanoyl, R.sup.7 is thiocyanato, alkanoyl, arylthio, benzothiazolethio, or alkoxycarbonyl which may be substituted with alkoxyl, cycloalkyl or the like, R.sup.8 is alkyl which may be substituted with a halogen, aryl or the like, X is chlorine or the like, and Y is a halogen atom.
Further a process is already known for preparing the exo-methylenepenam compound of the invention which is represented by the general formula (5), by the decarboxylation Pummerer-type transition reaction of penam-2-carboxylic acid derived from penicillin as illustrated in Diagram (A) (Bawldwin et al., J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1987, 81), whereas this process comprises as many as eight reaction steps, and is as low as up to 6% in overall yield and by no means feasible. ##STR4##
Also known are a synthesis process wherein an allenyl .beta.-lactam compound obtained from penicillin is subjected to acid hydrolysis, followed by intramolecular cyclization (S. Torii et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 1991, 32, 7445) as shown in Diagram (B), and a synthesis process wherein an allenyl .beta.-lactam compound is subjected to a reductive cyclization reaction (S. Torii et al., Synlett., 1992, 878, S. Torii et al., Chemistry Express, 1992, 7, 885, J. Chem. Soc., Chem. Commun., 1992, 1793). These processes nevertheless have various problems such as cumbersomeness of the reaction procedure for industrial operation since the reaction is conducted via an unstable allene compound as an intermediate. ##STR5##
An object of the present invention is to provide a process adapted to produce a .beta.-lactam halide compound represented by the general formula (2) from a .beta.-lactam halide compound represented by the general formula (1) and readily available industrially, in a high yield with a high purity through a safe and simplified procedure, the process being developed by realizing milder conditions for effecting halogenation and a reaction for introducing the leaving group.
Another object of the invention is to provide a process adapted to produce an exo-methylenepenam compound of the general formula (5) from the .beta.-lactam halide compound of the general formula (2) in a high yield with a high purity through a safe and simplified procedure by developing a novel metal reduction system and a novel electrolytic reduction system and thereby effecting allenization and conversion to an exo- methylenepenam at the same time efficiently.

Process for preparing .beta.-lactam compound


Systems and methods are provided for enabling lower-bandwidth hardware components to support higher data rates. In particular, aspects of the disclosed systems and methods use Raised Cosine pulse shaping in short-reach links to band limit the signal spectra and thereby enable existing, such lower-bandwidth components to support higher data rates.

Short-reach optical communications links are needed to support data center needs and to manage client-side links. Direct modulation and detection using vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) based multimode fiber (MMF) offer low cost and small form factor. Recently, 25 Gbps components are becoming available to support core data rates as standardized by the IEEE 802.3bm efforts. These core data rates support 50 Gbps and 100 Gbps data rates using multiple fibers. But a 400 GbE solution as envisioned by the IEEE P802.3bs Task Force will require 16 fibers in each direction. Thus, alternate solutions that require reduced fiber counts, including PAM-4 modulation with Reed-Solomon forward error correction (FEC), are needed to maintain the low cost and low power consumption of VCSEL MMF-based links for 400 Gbps and, eventually, 1 Tbps interconnects.
In particular, there is a need to develop 100 Gbps single VCSEL/fiber links while maintaining low cost and low power consumption. A preferred solution would retain the benefits of directly modulated VCSELs, direct detection, and MMF. Although component bandwidths have not scaled with line rates, transmitter-based pre-emphasis, receiver-based equalizers, and PAM-4 modulation have shown potential for extending the link capabilities. For example, solutions have demonstrated higher data rates of 71 Gbps NRZ, 70 Gbps PAM-4, and 56 Gbps PAM-8 using equalization. But in each example, the data rates have been constrained by link bandwidth.
To push VCSEL data rates to 100 Gbps with current techniques, the signaling requires at least 50 GHz of electrical bandwidth. But most commercially packaged VCSELs have a bandwidth in the low 20 GHz range. Accordingly, a need exists for techniques to cost-effectively increase data throughput in existing infrastructures of short-reach optical communication links using VCSELs and other direct-modulated lasers including distributed feedback (DFB) lasers.

Systems and methods for improved data transmission in short-reach links


A liquid developer for electrophotography using a polyester resin as a toner binder resin which is suitable for high-speed systems and has excellent stability over time is disclosed.. The invention is a novel liquid developer for electrophotography having colored particles dispersed in an electrically insulated fluid medium. The liquid developer includes an oil-soluble ionic surface active agent as a charge controller. According to one embodiment, the colored particles include a binder resin having an acid value of 40 mgKOH/g or higher but less than or equal to 100 mgKOH/g. According to another embodiment, the colored particles include a binder resin having a glass transition temperature Tg of 35.degree. C. or higher but less than or equal to 65.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid developer for electrophotography for use in developing electrostatic latent images in image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic type copiers, printers and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In image formation by an electrophotographic method, an electrostatic latent image is generally formed by the exposure of an image corresponding to a document image on the surface of an electrostatic latent image carrying member such as a photosensitive member or the like, developing said latent image as a visible toner image, and transferring and fixing said toner image on a recording member to produce an image.
Developing methods can be divided into dry-type developing methods and wet-type developing methods.
Dry-type developing methods use colored microparticles (toner) or a carrier having magnetic properties added to a toner. The main components of dry-type toners are normally pigment and a binder resin, with internal and external additives such as charge controller, conduction controllers, plasticizer, separation agents and the like, being added as necessary. Magnetic toners include a magnetic powder such as Fe3O4. In dry-type developing methods, toner is normally charged via contact with a specific surface of the developing device and contact with other toner particles, or in the case of two-component developers containing a carrier, toner is triboelectrically charged through contact of the toner particles and the carrier, as well as ion adsorption, via vacuum ionic discharge, charge injection, electrostatic conduction via electric field, and said toner is transported to the electrostatic latent image region on a latent image carrying member such as a photosensitive member or the like via electrostatic force, mechanical force, magnetic force or the like so as to develop said latent image.
Due to concern that dry-type toners used in dry-type developing will be released into the air via airborne dispersion in the vicinity of the developing device, such toners cannot be made too fine and typically have a mean particle size of several microns to about 10 .mu.m. Dry-type toners do not produce high resolution images due to their relative large particle size.
On the other hand, the most widely used developer in wet-type developing methods is developer including fine colored particles (toner) mainly comprising pigment and binder resin which is dispersed in an electrically insulated medium (carrier fluid). Charging of the toner is accomplished via charging by the binder resin itself, or ion adsorption via a charge controller when such charge controller is added to the colored fine particles and carrier liquid, such that the charged toner accomplishes; development via the principle of electrophoresis.
Toners used in wet-type developing can be used with a mean particle size in the submicron range because there is no concern of airborne dispersion. Therefore, wet-type developers are advantageous inasmuch as they produce high resolution images having excellent halftone characteristics.
In liquid developers used in wet-type developing, important factors include that the binder resin does not affect toner image transfer characteristics, fixing characteristics, coloration, nor affect toner particle chargeability and dispersion characteristics. Chargeability and dispersion characteristics of the toners used in wet-type developers influence developing characteristics and transfer characteristics when using electrostatic transfers.
For example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 50-10140 discloses a liquid developer having improved toner image transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics as well as improved toner particle dispersibility and chargeability by using a toner particle comprising a pigment coated by a binder resin comprising semi-soluble graft copolymer produced by copolymerization reaction of an insoluble monomer and a soluble monomer, said toner particles being dispersed in an organic hydrocarbon solvent used as a carrier fluid.
It is difficult, however to control each of the various characteristics such as fixing characteristics, chargeability, and dispersion characteristics to attain the optimum conditions for each characteristic when using a single such binder resin. It is furthermore difficult to maintain such characteristics at their initial levels after repeated image formations wherein concentrated toner replenishment liquid is resupplied over a long period because the individual characteristics cannot be separately maintained by the resupplied toner.
Therefore, it is desirable that transfer characteristics, fixing characteristics, and toner particle chargeability and dispersibility are controlled by separate materials. Specifically, transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics can be stabilized by using as a binder resin a resin which is insoluble in an organic hydrocarbon solvent used as a carrier fluid, and toner particle chargeability and dispersion characteristics can be controlled by adding a separate charge controller. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,771 discloses a liquid developer using a thermoplastic resin such as ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or the like as a binder resin which is insoluble in an organic hydrocarbon solvent.
This binder resin affects light transmittancy of the image after fixing, however. Particularly in the case of full color images formed by overlaying developers of a plurality of colors, the image is darkened when the resin light transmittance is poor, thereby making it difficult to obtain a desired color. The ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin disclosed in the aforesaid U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,771 has poor resin light transmittance in toner images fixed on a recording member, thus making it difficult to obtain suitable color levels when forming color images.
In order to attain stable transfer characteristics and fixing characteristics as well as excellent light transmittance in a liquid developer, it is desirable to select from among thermoplastic resins a well known saturated polyester resin for use as a binder resin in a color toner for use in dry-type developing. Polyester resin not only allows the changing of physical characteristics such as thermal characteristics within a wide range, but also provides beautiful color due to excellent light transmittance when making full color images, and provides excellent adhesion characteristics relative to recording members such as paper and the like due to the toughness of the resin layer after fixing due to its excellent elasticity and flexibility. Liquid developers using such polyester resin as a binder resin are disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Applications Nos. 7-92742 and 8-220813.
From the perspective of producing high resolution images, wet-type developing methods are finding increased usefulness in high-speed full color printers in place of dry-type printers, and image formation at ever higher speeds is sought.
Regarding this point, the polyester resin disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 7-92742 allows only a maximum system speed of about 400 mm/sec when used as a toner binder resin in a liquid developer. This limitation is believed to be due mainly to low developing speed caused by the low amount of charge of the toner particles. Since fixing cannot overtake the system speed, poor fixing readily occurs. This limitation is believed to be caused mainly by excessive fixing, temperature.
When the toner particles have too high a charge, the liquid developer generally becomes unstable, making it difficult to achieve stable image formation over a long period of time.
When the toner fixing temperature is too low, the liquid developer becomes unstable due to the binder resin used to form the toner readily eluting in the carrier liquid, thereby making it difficult to maintain stable image formation over a long time period.


A vehicle is provided that determines a first triggering event in predetermined triggering event information has occurred, in response to a first event, automatically forwards a first communication to a selected third party vendor to preorder a product or service of the selected third party vendor in connection with a transaction with the user, determines a second triggering event in the triggering event information has occurred, and in response to the later second event, automatically sends an authorization to complete the transaction by providing financial information to the selected third party vendor.

In recent years, transportation methods have changed substantially. This change is due in part to a concern over the limited availability of natural resources, a proliferation in personal technology, and a societal shift to adopt more environmentally and user-friendly transportation solutions. These considerations have encouraged the development of a number of new features on vehicles that allow the user to concentrate on other tasks or on driving.
While these vehicles appear to be new they are generally implemented as a number of traditional subsystems that are executed with a communication system. In fact, the design and construction of the vehicles is limited to operations that can be completed by drivers. Among other things, these limitations fail to take advantage of the autonomous nature of vehicles.

System and method for automatically triggering the communication of sensitive information through a vehicle to a third party


The bandwidth of a first bus and a second bus, unequal due to differences in protocol overheads and cycle times between the buses, are equalized without sacrificing any bandwidth on the lower bandwidth bus and without introducing any buffering in a control logic device. The control logic device equalizes the bandwidths of the buses by instructing a device coupled to the second bus to insert a partial dead bus cycle in a read transmission thereby dynamically adjusting read timing on the second bus when the second bus is heavily loaded.

High performance computer systems typically comprise a plurality of buses to transfer data between elements in the system. For example, a central processing unit (hereinafter "CPU") may conduct data transfers to a memory array through intermediate control logic. In one configuration, there may be two bus arrangements--one which couples the CPU to the control logic and one which couples the memory array to the control logic.
In such a system, the control logic performs the function of adapting the CPU bus protocol to the memory array bus protocol. Typically, the bandwidths, i.e., the amount of data that can be transferred per unit of time on a bus, of these two buses are unequal because of differences in protocol overhead, bus configuration and cycle times between the two buses. In order to maintain efficient and accurate data transfers between the CPU and the memory array, the control logic must equalize the bandwidths of these buses.
One solution for equalizing the bandwidth of the buses proposed by the prior art is to provide some form of buffering to store data received from either the CPU or the memory array at the proper operating speed. The data stored in the buffer is transmitted to its destination at the proper operating speed. However, if such buffering is provided, additional complex logic must be added to the control logic to prevent writes to the buffer when it is full thereby preventing buffer overrun. The stopping of data transfers to empty the buffer results in degradation of bus bandwidth and system performance.
Another solution is to introduce a number of dead, i.e., inactive, bus cycles on the bus operating at a higher bandwidth to equalize the bandwidths of the buses. Such a solution, however, results in a significant loss of bandwidth on both buses since the introduction of dead cycles will typically result in the system operating at a bandwidth lower than the bandwidth of the bus with the lower bandwidth.
While the prior art provides an adequate method for equalizing the bandwidths of two buses, there is a need for advancement. In particular, in a high performance computer system, a major bottleneck to processing speed is bus transfers. Thus, it is imperative to optimize the speed of bus transfers to improve the processing speed of the system.

Method and apparatus for the dynamic adjustment of data transfer timing to equalize the bandwidths of two buses in a computer system having different bandwidths


A container for receiving and holding effluent water containing oil/grease to be removed has sectional covers. A main sectional cover supports a partially immersed rotatable disk; a drive on the main sectional cover rotates the disk; a trough on the main sectional cover straddles the disk; and a blade on the trough scrapes a side of the disk, to direct oil and grease from the disk along the scraper blade along the trough for collection in a storage container. Efficiencies of construction of the sectional covers, disk and a sensor probe are disclosed. Also disclosed are apparatus, system and methods for a sealed container for receiving and holding effluent water containing oil/grease to be removed.

This invention relates to a low cost assembly for the removal and recovery of oil, grease and solid wastes found in drains or effluent discharge of restaurants, food processing, or like facilities, industrial plants, maintenance facilities, or other circumstances involving mixtures of oil, grease and solid waste material to be recovered or removed. This application has some subject matter similar to the disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/161,814, filed Jun. 4, 2002, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Oil, grease and solid waste contaminant removal or recovery systems are well known in the prior art. Over the past thirty years there has been a steady move towards requiring food handling facilities to have systems for servicing kitchen grease and solid waste bearing water flows. Sewer system lines can become clogged from the fats, oil and grease waste materials (hereinafter referred to collectively as "oil/grease") put into the sewer system from food handling facilities. This has led more and more sewer authorities to implement fats, oils and grease control programs. These programs regulate food handling facilities and the manner in which they process oil, grease and solid waste material. The object of many of these programs is to ensure that food handling facilities remove as much of the oil and grease as possible from the effluent flow, thereby releasing only grey water to the sewer system.
One method recognized in the prior art of accomplishing such removal is the use of a container including one or more rotating disks formed of a plastic or like applicable material to which oil/grease contaminants are attracted. Typically, the rotation of the disk is in an at least partially immersed condition, which allows the oil to cling to one or both sides of the disk so that contaminants are removed from the body of water upon rotation of the disk. Scrapers are typically used to force the oil contaminants from the opposite sides of the disk and channel such contaminants to a collection or disposal storage unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,881 to Miller et al. is representative of such oil and grease removal systems containing one or more rotating disks. The Miller et al. patent discloses an oil/grease removal assembly which removes such contaminants from the surface of the body of water and includes a rotatable disk made of plastic or other material to which such oil contaminants have an affinity so they adhere to the disk. The disk is disposed in cooperative relation to an elongated trough having scraper blades for engaging the opposite sides of the disk for the removal of the oil contaminants therefrom with the trough disposed and structured to direct such oil contaminants away from the disk and the body of water via the trough to a storage container. The disclosure of this patent, issued to B. Glenn Miller and William C Batten and assigned to Thermaco, Inc. in Asheboro, N.C., is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
Applicant realized that the existing devices may be difficult to service and are very often permanently installed at facility sites. Because many of the parts are coated with oil/grease, servicing can be messy and time consuming. Since these systems are typically permanently installed and tend to be expensive and represent a significant capital investment it is not desirable for the device to regularly, and noticeably, emit foul odors. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus for separation of oil/grease and solid waste from wastewater which is simple in design, low in cost and controls the escape of odors that can be associated with grease removal systems.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A device for holding a tendon graft in position as the tendon is scraped and sutured is described. The device includes a pair of tension arms that can be moved in both a horizontal and vertical plane. Horizontal movement of the tension arms can be used to adjust the amount of tension that is applied to a tendon graft. Vertical movement of the tension arms can be used to position the tendon graft in a location which enables medical personnel to more easily suture parallel lengths of a graft together.

In certain orthopaedic reconstruction procedures such as a semitendinosus gracilis composite graft procedure, it is necessary to remove a piece of tendon from a patient's knee area. After the tendon has been removed, it is frequently used to replace either the anterior or posterior cruciate ligament. These tendons and ligaments are illustrated in FIG. 1. The semitendinousus gracilis composite graft is illustrated as element 12, and a mid-third patellar tendon graft is illustrated as element 14. The anterior and posterior ligaments are illustrated as elements 16 and 18. Replacement of a ligament with a tendon 20 is illustrated in FIG. 2.
The anterior and posterior ligaments, 16 and 18, are generally much stronger than the tendons that are used to replace these ligaments. Therefore, when a substitute tendon is used, it may be necessary to double, triple, or even quadruple the thickness of a tendon graft to produce a replacement graft having a strength that is similar to the anterior or posterior ligament it is intended to replace. Therefore, in some surgical procedures, after a tendon graft has been harvested, a surgeon will loop the graft and suture opposing lengths 24 and 26 of the graft together as illustrated in FIG. 3. In many surgical procedures, two tendon grafts are looped together to form four strands of tendons which are sutured together.
Generally, it is desirable to suture such strands together on both an upper and a lower side of the strands. Therefore, after a surgeon will typically rotate the strands 180 degrees and suture the under side of the strands together. In the past, a surgeon has performed this procedure of suturing the strands together on a simple table or in mid-air. Since such strands are not under tension when they are sutured together, irregularities in the suturing may occur which can cause an unevenness in the loops. This unevenness may be intensified when the loops are rotated 180 degrees for suturing on the underside.
Therefore, a need existed to provide a device for tensioning such strands in a fixed, looped position to evenly stretch such strands before and during suturing. A need also existed to provide a device which could rotate such strands 180 degrees for suturing on the underside without changing the tension applied to the strands.
Another aspect of the surgical procedures in which tendon grafts are harvested is that the grafts generally need to be scraped prior to suturing or reinsertion into a patient. Generally, a harvested tendon graft will contain a certain amount of "meaty" tissue which needs to be scraped from the surface of the graft. In the past, a harvested graft was typically placed on a sterile cloth or disposable paper towel to scrape this tissue from the graft. One disadvantage of placing the graft on a flexible cloth or towel was that the cloth or towel had a tendency to slip and wrinkle while the graft was being scraped. Therefore, a need existed to provide a rigid, non-skid, sterile surface which could be used for supporting a graft as it is being scraped.
Yet another aspect of such surgical procedures is that after a tendon graft has been scraped and sutured, the graft is generally stored temporarily while the patient is being prepared to receive the graft as an implant. In the past, the graft has been stored in a wet towel or cloth that is wrapped around the graft. The towel is generally soaked in saline solution or other preservative liquid to prevent the graft from drying out while the implantation site in the patient is being prepared. Since the graft is generally totally wrapped up in the towel or cloth, on rare occasions, the graft has been mistakenly thrown away with the towel. Therefore, a need exists to provide a relatively safe and accessible site for storing a tendon graft while a patient is being prepared.
Yet, another aspect of such surgical procedures is that it is commonly necessary to accurately measure the length of a harvested graft, both before and after suturing. In the past, medical personnel have used a separate ruler or other measuring device to measure the length of a graft. The use of a separate measuring device can sometimes be inconvenient in an operating room in which a multitude of surgical instruments are present. It may be difficult for medical personnel to quickly locate a measuring device among the many surgical instruments. Therefore, a need existed to provide a measuring device in close proximity to the location at which a graft would be scraped and sutured.


A method of patient management including receiving therapy data associated with a plurality of durable medical devices and a first set of patients, and displaying an overview of patient compliance and a plurality of customizable tiles. The overview of patient compliance includes at least the number of patients in the first set of patients, current compliance data, compliance history data, and follow-up data. The plurality of aligned tiles includes at least a title and a plurality of selectable subtitles, each of the plurality of selected subtitles associated with one or more rules. Upon selection of a first selectable subtitle, displaying at least an indication of patients in a second set of patients, wherein the second set of patients is a subset of the first set of patients; upon selection of a first patient, displaying at least all of the rules triggered by the first patient.

Insurance companies, or other reimbursing entities (payors), often require evidence that a patient prescribed with respiratory pressure therapy has been compliant, that is, used their respiratory pressure therapy ("RPT") device according to certain a compliance standard before reimbursing the patient for the RPT device. Compliance standards generally require some minimum amount of usage per session for some fraction of a number of consecutive sessions known as the compliance period. One example of a compliance standard for Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy common to many payors, known as the CMS compliance standard, is that a patient is required to use the RPT device for at least four hours a night on at least 21 of 30 consecutive days. In order to determine a patient's compliance, a provider of the RPT device (such as a durable medical equipment provider or DME agent, also sometimes referred to as a home medical equipment provider or HME agent) may manually obtain data describing the patient's therapy using the RPT device, calculate the device usage from the therapy data, and compare the usage with the compliance standard. Once the DME agent has determined that the patient is compliant according to the compliance standard, the DME agent may notify the reimbursing entity that the patient is compliant. This process can be costly, time-consuming, and error-prone if conducted manually. RPT devices typically therefore contain data management capability that enables the RPT device to store and transmit therapy data to a remote server to determine automatically whether the patient has used the RPT device in accordance with the compliance standard.

Method and system for patient management using rules engine


A laser includes an optically pumped semiconductor OPS gain-structure. The apparatus has a laser-resonator which includes a mode-locking device for causing the laser to deliver mode-locked pulses. The resonator has a total length selected such that the mode-locked pulses are delivered at a pulse repetition frequency less than 150 MHz. An optical arrangement within the resonator provides that radiation circulating in the resonator makes a plurality of incidences on the OPS gain-structure with a time less than the excited-state lifetime of the gain-structure between successive incidences.

Mode-locked lasers including a solid-state gain-medium provide very short pulses at relatively high pulse-repetition rates. Typical mode-locked lasers operate at a pulse repetition frequency of between about 50 and 150 MHz megahertz (MHz) with 80 MHz being typical. Depending on the gain-medium, pulses can have a FWHM duration of about 100 picoseconds or less. Most commercially available mode-locked lasers employ a solid-state gain-medium with a relatively broad gain-bandwidth. The most common solid-state gain-medium is titanium-doped aluminum oxide (Ti:Sapphire or Ti:Al2O3) which can provide gain with a limited range of tunability in a fundamental wavelength range between about 700 nanometers and 900 nanometers. The wavelength range of such lasers can be extended by frequency conversion of the output radiation having the fundamental wavelength.
A common application of mode-locked laser pulses is for fluorophore excitation in multi-photon microscopy. This application would benefit from the availability of mode-locked pulses the wavelength of which could be tailored for specific fluorophores.
OPS-lasers include a multilayer semiconductor surface-emitting gain-structure having active or quantum-well (Q-W) layers spaced apart by spacer layers. The output wavelength of such lasers can be "tailored" to a particular value by selecting an appropriate composition of the semiconductor material of the active layers. This can provide, in theory at least, fundamental wavelengths from the ultraviolet spectral region to the mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. A characteristic of semiconductor gain-media is that the excited-state lifetime of such gain-media is relatively very short, for example, about 10 nanoseconds (ns) or less, compared with one millisecond or more for a solid-state gain-medium. It is for this reason that mode-locking in semiconductor lasers has only been achieved with very short resonators, at correspondingly very high pulse repetition frequency (PRF), for example, a few gigahertz (GHz). This provides that multiple round trips in the resonator can be achieved within the excited-state lifetime of the semiconductor gain-medium. Unfortunately, the pulse energy achievable at such a high PRF is too low and the PRF is too high for multi-photon microscopy applications. There is a need to overcome this deficiency of OPS-lasers to enable the wavelength-selection advantage thereof to be made available for optimizing the response of particular fluorophores in multi-photon microscopy applications.

Mode-locked optically pumped semiconductor laser


The present invention allows an optimal quantity of refrigerant to be quickly and easily charged into the refrigeration device. In a refrigeration device that includes a refrigerant cycle circuit (A) connecting an outdoor unit (X) and indoor units (Y) via refrigerant lines (6), (7), a refrigerant charging device (10) that charges refrigerant to the refrigerant cycle circuit (A) in the cooling operational state is detachably connected to the liquid side refrigerant line (6) (the high pressure liquid line during cooling operations) that links the outdoor unit (X) with the indoor units (Y). In this way, when the refrigerant charging device (10) and the liquid line refrigerant line (6) are linked together and the refrigerant cycle circuit (A) is in the cooling operational state, refrigerant charging can be carried out from the refrigerant charging device (10) to the refrigerant cycle circuit (A) via the liquid side refrigerant line (6) (the high pressure liquid line).

As shown in FIG. 5, a separate-type refrigeration device well known in the prior art includes a refrigerant cycle circuit A in which a compressor 1, a four-way switching valve 2, an outdoor heat exchanger 3, a heating pressure reduction mechanism 4B, cooling pressure reduction mechanisms 4A, and indoor heat exchangers 5 are connected together in series. The outdoor heat exchanger 3 is used as a condenser during cooling operations, and used as an evaporator during heating operations. The indoor heat exchangers 5 are used as evaporators during cooling operations, and used as condensers during heating operations. In addition, the refrigeration device is separated into an outdoor unit X which has the compressor 1, the four-way switching valve 2, the outdoor heat exchanger 3, and the heating pressure reduction mechanism 4B, and indoor units Y which have the cooling pressure reduction mechanisms 4A and the indoor heat exchangers 5. The outdoor unit X and the indoor units Y are connected together via refrigerant lines 6, 7.
In this refrigeration device, the cooling cycle and the heating cycle are switched by switching the four-way switching valve 2. In the cooling cycle, refrigerant circulates in this way: the compressor 1→the four-way switching valve 2→the outdoor heat exchanger 3→the heating pressure reduction mechanism 4B→the cooling pressure reduction mechanisms 4A→the indoor heat exchangers 5→the four-way switching valve 2→the compressor 1. In the heating cycle, refrigerant circulates in this way: the compressor 1→the four-way switching valve 2→the indoor heat exchangers 5→the cooling pressure reduction mechanisms 4A→the heating pressure reduction mechanism 4B→the outdoor heat exchanger 3→the four-way switching valve 2→the compressor 1. In the refrigeration device shown in FIG. 5, two indoor units Y are connected to one outdoor unit X. Reference numerals 8, 9 are shut-off valves.
The separate-type refrigeration device described above produces a differential in the quantity of refrigerant needed by means of the distance between the outdoor unit and the indoor units. Because of this, there will be a need to charge the refrigeration device with the optimal quantity of refrigerant onsite. For example, conventionally a refrigerant charging operation is performed in which the outdoor unit X is charged in advance with a predetermined quantity of refrigerant, and then during installation onsite, an additional quantity of refrigerant is added in accordance with the length of the refrigerant lines 6, 7 that connect the outdoor unit X and the indoor units Y.
The aforementioned refrigerant charging is normally carried out while creating a vacuum in the refrigerant cycle circuit A. However, in situations in which refrigerant is not placed into the refrigerant cycle circuit A, as shown in FIG. 5, with the refrigerant cycle circuit A in the cooling cycle state (cooling operational state), a method is employed in which a cylinder V in which refrigerant is collected is connected to the shut-off valve 8 on the liquid side refrigerant line 6 (the high pressure liquid line) side thereof, the shut-off valve 8 is closed, and the cylinder V is weighed on an electric scale E while charging refrigerant into the refrigerant cycle circuit A.
One problem that occurs when employing the aforementioned method is that a workman must be present for a long period of time in order to perform this task. For example, in a situation in which 10 refrigeration devices are to be installed, assuming 20 horsepower and 70 m of line in wintertime (20 kg of refrigerant charged), then it will take 2 to 3 hours to charge each refrigeration device, and thus the total time needed for the task will be 20 to 30 hours (3 to 4 days). Moreover, compared to charging the refrigerant in a factory, the task of charging the refrigerant onsite means that handling the lines will be difficult, work efficiency will be poor, and it will be difficult to correctly charge the refrigerant.
In addition, as noted above, when the amount of refrigerant to be charged is determined onsite during installation, the performance and reliability of the equipment becomes dependent on the quality of the onsite installation and thus, in some cases, the maximum performance of the refrigeration device cannot be realized.
Accordingly, it is known to employ a method (i.e., a chargeless method) in which refrigerant for local lines that have this degree of length is charged into the refrigeration device in advance, and when the local lines are short, the remaining refrigerant is stored in a receiver or the like inside the refrigerant cycle circuit. However, in this method, when the lines are short, unneeded refrigerant is always charged in the receiver or the like, and not only is the reliability of the equipment worse, but a receiver of an unnecessary size is needed and an unnecessary amount of refrigerant is needed. As a result, problems such as an increase in costs, an increased burden on the user, and harmful impact on the environment will be produced. In particular, this problem will be conspicuous in systems (refrigeration devices) in which there is a large quantity of refrigerant, like with multi systems for buildings.


Screw capping devices are configured to remain tethered to a container after opening of the container. The screw capping devices include a cylindrical wall having a section having an end closed by a bottom and a section having an open end, the section being connected to the section by a circumferential junction having a non-breakable connection and a breakable connection, the section further having a breakable connection extending parallel to the circumferential junction, the breakable connection and the breakable connection being configured to be broken during a first unscrewing of the section. The breaking of the breakable connections creates two arms retaining the section to the container.

For ecological reasons, in most countries, new regulations impose or will impose that the capping device of a container, such as a bottle, remains tethered to the container, even when the capping device leaves the neck of the container open.
There are already containers closed with a screw capping device, but most often, these devices are not tethered to their container when the neck of the container is open. Consequently, to comply with the new regulations, the bottling lines which are configured to mount these screw capping devices on their containers require a sometimes complex and expensive adaptation to adapt the bottling line such that these capping devices are tethered to their container.

Screw capping device intended to remain tethered to a container after opening of the container

SOCIÉTÉ LORRAINE DE CAPSULES MÉTALLIQUES-MANUFACTURE DE BOUCHAGE


An ECU executes a program including the steps of: executing fuel-cut control when an IG OFF operation has been performed and a vehicle is traveling; determining torque command values of a first MG and a second MG when a charge power upper limit value Win is reduced; controlling the first MG based on the determined torque command value of the first MG; and controlling the second MG based on the determined torque command value of the second MG.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2007-23919 (PTD 1) discloses an engine start control system disclosing a technique of restarting an engine when a push switch is pushed even if a brake pedal is not depressed if the engine has stopped due to some cause while a vehicle is traveling.
In addition, in recent years, as one of the countermeasures against environmental problems, hybrid vehicles equipped with a motor generator and an engine have received attention. A publicly known example of such a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle with elements: drive wheels, an engine, and a motor generator which are mechanically coupled together.


A method and device are provided for affinity gradient focusing for directing at least one analyte in a solution containing a pseudostationary phase and located in a channel such as a capillary or a microchannel. The method includes establishing a steady-state spatial gradient in a retention factor of the pseudostationary phase for the at least one analyte. The analyte is caused to be moved within the channel whereby the concentration of the at least one analyte changes at one or more positions along the gradient. The pseudostationary phase is charged and the analyte is either neutral or charged or alternatively, the pseudostationary phase is neutral and the analyte is charged. The device may include a fluid channel, a pseudostationary phase having a retention factor gradient, an electrical current source and a pump system for establishing the bulk flow in the solution in the channel.

Over the past decade a great deal of research has been focused on the development of micro-total-analytical systems. This technology is based on the concept of integration of a series of microfluidic channels for the movement, separation, reaction, and/or detection of various chemicals, e.g., proteins, DNA, chemical compounds, etc.
Prior methods for concentrating analytes include stacking and focusing. In the context of this disclosure, focusing refers to methods for manipulating the velocity of an analyte and thereby causing the analyte to move towards a point at which its velocity is zero and where the analyte will therefore accumulate and increase in concentration. In addition, the location of the zero velocity point is often dependent upon some characteristic of the analyte molecule being focused, so that different analyte molecules are focused at different points, and thereby separated.
In this context, focusing is to be distinguished from stacking, which is a related class of methods in which analytes are moved through a velocity gradient (which is often transient) and the analyte peaks become narrower and more concentrated, but there is no point of zero analyte velocity. In stacking methods, the maximum degree to which analyte concentration can be increased is theoretically limited to the ratio of the velocities on the fast and slow sides of the velocity gradient. In contrast, for focusing at a zero velocity point, there is no theoretical limit to the concentration factor.
Previously known focusing methods include isoelectric focusing (hereinafter "IEF"), electric field gradient focusing (hereinafter "EMF"), counteracting chromatographic electrophoresis, and temperature gradient focusing (hereinafter "TGF"). In general, all of these previously known methods work by creating a gradient in the electrophoretic velocity of the analyte. Therefore, they only work with analytes that have non-zero electrophoretic mobility. For example, in IEF, the analyte has zero electrophoretic mobility only at the zero velocity point.
Micellar electrokinetic chromatography and related methods (hereinafter "EKC") take advantage of an analyte's affinity for a pseudostationary phase to facilitate separations using capillary electrophoresis. Traditional EKC separations differ from traditional focusing techniques in that analyte molecules move along a separation channel at an essentially constant velocity, whereas in focusing techniques, analytes migrate through the channel to a point where they have a zero velocity. Separation in EKC is achieved because different analytes migrate with different velocities dependent on their affinity for the pseudostationary phase. Often EKC separations are implemented in conjunction with stacking procedures to preconcentrate analytes and facilitate lower detection limits.
In EKC (and in chromatography in general), the buffer is referred to as the mobile phase, and a second phase such as a micellar phase is referred to as the pseudostationary phase. The pseudostationary phase serves the same function—to provide selectivity—as a stationary phase in chromatography, but is not actually stationary, and can move with the buffer and/or with its own electrophoretic mobility.

The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards & Technology


A wavelength converting material comprising a phosphate compound have a chemical formula of AB1-m-nPO4:Mm, Nn, wherein A comprises an alkali metal element, B comprises an alkaline earth metal element, M is a sensitizer comprising a rare-earth element, and N is an acceptor comprising a rare-earth element, wherein 0<m≦0.3 and 0<n≦0.3.

Solar cell or photovoltaic device suffers conversion inefficiency; they are typically able to convert only a portion of the solar spectrum, the longer wavelength between 400 nm and 1100 nm for example, to electricity, and the shorter wavelength lower than 400 nm (higher energy portion) is wasted. To improve the conversion efficiency of the solar cell or the photovoltaic device, a number of schemes have been proposed in past decades. These schemes have attempted to make use of the solar spectrum more efficiently.
The mechanism of quantum cutting absorbs a high-energy photon and emits two low-energy photons. A quantum cutting phosphor (QC phosphor) based on the mechanism of quantum cutting could generate two low-energy photons corresponding to one incident high-energy photon, and the quantum efficiency is two. The development of near IR quantum cutting phosphor opens a new approach in achieving high efficiency of silicon-based solar cell by absorbing one photon in the UV part of the solar spectrum and emitting two photons near 1000 nm.


According to an embodiment, a processing circuit includes: a data acquisition circuit configured to acquire process data and measurement data of a processing arrangement, the process data including a plurality of process event data in accordance with a plurality of process events and the measurement data including a plurality of measurement event data in accordance with a plurality of measurement events; a data merging circuit configured to provide state information, the state information representing a status of the processing arrangement, and accuracy information representing an accuracy of the state information; wherein the data merging circuit is further configured to update the state information based on the acquired process event data, wherein the accuracy of the state information is decreased, and, independently from updating the state information, to downdate the state information based on the acquired measurement event data, wherein the accuracy of the state information is increased.

In general, in many branches of industry, more or less complex processing arrangements may be used to produce or process the desired goods, e.g. electronic devices, mechanical devices, electromechanical devices, and the like. Such processing arrangements may include a plurality of processing tool or any other suitable devices for processing the goods. In semiconductor industry, for example, a so-called tool park including a plurality of processing tools may be used for processing any suitable type of workpiece, e.g. for processing a wafer, a chip, a chip package, a circuit board, and the like. In semiconductor industry, processing a workpiece may include one or more layering processes, one or more patterning processes, one or more temperature treatments, one or more implantation processes, etc. Although the processing tools can be controlled individually, a global control system can be used to control all of the processing tools, e.g. for adjusting the respective processing tools, for setting one or more operation parameters of the respective processing tools, or for other adjustment of the respective processing tools. The local and/or global (e.g. factory wide) control of the respective processing tools may be also referred to as run-to-run system. However, in general it may be difficult to control a large number of processing tools running also a large number of different processes with respect to the data processing.

Process control circuit and method for controlling a processing arrangement


A virtual reality (VR) system includes an image playback system that sends images to an image viewing device, such as a pair of display glasses. Each image has a 360-degree field of view. An user views a portion of the images. The portion of the image viewed is determined by a directional sensor mounted to the display glasses. The images are advanced according to a speed sensor attached to a moving device, such as a stationary bicycle. The VR system simultaneously coordinates the portion of the images viewed by the user by coordinating signals from the directional sensor and the speed sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates generally to virtual reality (VR) systems. The invention relates specifically to VR systems coupled with an exercise apparatus where a user views and interacts with images in an immersion-type fashion.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various VR systems are well known in the prior arch in which a user views a plurality of images. Two such VR systems are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,146 (the '146 patent) to Donahe et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,987 (the '987 patent) to Ohsuga et al.
The '146 patent discloses a VR system having an image playback system for storing a plurality of images having a 360-degree field-of-view. The images are previously recorded using a plurality of video cameras and electronically "stitched" together to create the images with the 360-degree field-of-view. The playback system is operatively connected to a display and a directional sensor. The display and directional sensor are mounted to a helmet that is worn by a user. The display shows a portion of each image based on the position of the helmet, as measured by the directional sensor. The plurality of images are sequenced and displayed for the user at a predetermined rate.
The '987 patent discloses a VR system having an image playback system for storing a plurality of images. The playback system is operatively connected to a display and a speed sensor. The speed sensor is attached to an exercise apparatus for measuring a speed of a user operating the exercise apparatus. The display presents the plurality of images to the user at a rate determined by the speed measured by the speed apparatus.
Although these systems may provide some advantages over other systems, there remains an opportunity for a VR system that provides a more realistic environment of 360-degree images that are dynamically viewed by a user.


Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are disclosed for fully automated order fulfillment. A method includes identifying a shelf tote having an item contained therein for transfer to an order tote; dispatching a first carrier to pick up the shelf tote and a second carrier to pick an order tote; causing the picker to pick the item from the shelf tote while the shelf tote is moving through the transfer station; and transferring the item to the order tote by the picker.

With the ever expanding utilization of online commerce, merchants and sellers have set up warehouses where various products and items are shelved to be packed into orders as orders are received from some customers to be shipped out to the other customers. As the number of items and orders increase, automation becomes critical for businesses to be able to meet the customer demands and provide timely and satisfactory customer service.
What is needed is an improved system to efficiently automate and fulfill orders.

System and method of asynchronous and automated order fulfillment


A sensor device is used for sensing position of a movable component. The sensor device can be applied to multiple applications. For example, proper alignment between a shifter spline and a shifter position sensor of a transmission assembly can be confirmed by applying the sensor device of the present invention to confirm alignment of the transmission shifter with a transmission shifter position sensor during transmission assembly. A rotary sensor converts angular movement to a proportional electrical output. A converter then converts the proportional electrical output to an input which can be read. The location of the movable component is then determined, and displayed.

This invention relates generally to a vehicle automatic transmission, and more particularly, to positioning of the vehicle automatic transmission shifter.
During vehicle assembly, a torque converter case assembly is assembled to a transmission subassembly. To properly accomplish this assembly, internal splines of the torque converter case must be aligned with the external splines, or transmission shifter, which is connected to the shifter position sensor. Currently, this process is accomplished manually, wherein an assembler lowers a torque converter onto a transmission, with the torque converter generally appearing to be centered about the transmission splines. The assembler manipulates the interface structures until all of the splines align and the torque converter drops into place, and then installs the shifter position sensor.
Therefore, among the purposes of this invention is to provide a sensor means for automatically sensing whether a transmission shifter is properly aligned with the shifter position sensor of the transmission.
Also a purpose of this invention is to confirm the integrity of each contact in the transmission shifter position sensor.
These purposes are achieved by the transmission shifter position sensor system and method according to the present invention, wherein automatic determination of proper alignment of the shifter with the transmission shifter position sensor is determined during vehicle assembly.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a sensor device is provided for sensing the position of a movable component. The sensor device comprises a rotary sensor for converting angular movement to a proportional electrical output. A converter then converts the proportional electrical output to an input, which is read by an input reading means. The location of the movable component is determined and indicated on a display means.
For example, the sensor device can be used when aligning a transmission shifter with a transmission shifter position sensor during transmission assembly. It is necessary for the wiper contact of the transmission shift position sensor to be as close as possible to the center of the neutral contact, to eliminate the possibility of the wiper contact being offset to the point that it no longer makes contact with the neutral contact when the transmission shifter is in the neutral position. Since, the shifter cable has a tendency to offset the shifter, the sensor device of the present invention is useful for automatically sensing whether a transmission shifter is properly aligned with the shifter position sensor.
The primary advantage provided by the present invention is to confirm the location of a movable component, and can be applied to confirm proper alignment between the shifter spline and the shifter position sensor.


An electronic catalogue system which, for easy sensory recognition of the size of a commercial product which is displayed in an electronic catalogue, displays on one screen the image of the commercial product together with the image of an article for comparison which is for comparing and notifying the size comprises: a communication control part which reads three-dimensional data DTA regarding the commercial product and three-dimensional data DTB regarding the article for comparison; an observation image generating part which generates the image of the commercial product and the image of the article for comparison based on thus read three-dimensional data DTA regarding the commercial product and three-dimensional data DTB regarding the article for comparison; and a displaying part which displays the generated images.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved electronic catalogue system, and a server, a computer program and a recording medium used in this electronic catalogue system.
The present invention more particularly relates to an electronic catalogue system with which it is possible to look at commercial products from various angles, and a server, a computer program and a recording medium used in this electronic catalogue system.
2. Description of the Related Art
As high-performance personal computers have become widely used in households and telecommunications technologies such as the Internet have advanced, systems such as Internet shopping which allow people to enjoy shopping through computers which are connected to the Internet have developed and put into actual use.
Allowing users to do shopping without going out, such a system is convenient to the users. On the contrary, since the users cannot pickup actual products with hand, it is difficult for the users to learn about the sizes of the products, etc. While the sizes of the products may be displayed on a screen as numerical figures, the users merely looking at such figures can not easily have a sensory grasp on the sizes of the products.
Noting this, methods requiring to improve the visual image of a commercial product to display on a computer screen have been proposed. For instance, among the proposed methods is a method which require to display on a screen side by side the image of a product viewed from one direction and the image of an article for comparison (JP1997-218769A). With this method, if a commercial product is a product which has been widely known from before, most users can develop sensory perception of the size of the product based on information the users have learned so far.
However, if a commercial product is a product which a user sees for the first time, the image of the product viewed from one direction alone does not permit the user to easily develop a good feeling on the size of the product. Further, even though the product has existed from before, if the product was largely modified in terms of size or to adopt an innovative design, it is possible that the user will fail to grasp the size of the product and accordingly have false recognition. The problems above are increasingly likely, as the market these days demand new products, products having small sizes or products having innovative designs.

Electronic catalogue system, server, and medium for displaying on one screen images of a commercial product and articles for comparison


A memory module is disclosed. The memory module comprises a voltage supply; a memory interface coupled to the voltage supply; a plurality of memory components; and a voltage stabilizer converter (VSC) coupled to the memory interface and to the plurality of memory components, the VSC for ensuring that the plurality of memory components operate at their optimum performance level. A voltage stabilizer memory module (VSMM) in accordance with the present invention includes a printed circuit board (PCB) that contains memory chips, discrete components, a voltage stabilizer converter, and other related components. The voltage stabilizer converter uses system voltage supply as its input and its output is the voltage supply for the DRAM components. Accordingly, the VSSM is more adaptable, more stable and has better performance than conventional memory modules.

Memory modules are utilized in a variety of devices, such as computers, cell phones, PDAs, media players, MP3 players and the like to provide additional storage for such devices. FIG. 1 illustrates a device 5 that includes a function circuitry 7 which is coupled to at least one memory module 10. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional memory module 10. As shown in FIG. 1, the module 10 interfaces through memory bus interface 12 with conventional memory module 10. The memory module 10 includes DRAM chips 11-19, a memory bus interface 22, a serial present detect (SPD) ROM chip 20, a printed circuit board (PCB) 23 and discrete components (not shown). The supply voltage 24 is supplied by the system through the memory bus interface 22 to all DRAM components 11 through 19.
The memory module 10 is a narrow printed circuit board that typically comprises multiple memory chips, typically dynamic RAM (DRAM) or synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM) or double data rate (DDR, DDR2, DDR3). The performance of one memory module is based on PCB design and electrical characteristics of memory chips. One of the parameters of electrical characteristics of memory chips that affects the performance of the memory module is the supply voltage to the memory components.
The common operating voltage condition of the memory module 10 depends on the memory technology For example, a DDR2 module has an operating voltage supply of 1.8 volt+/−5%. The operating voltage of DDR1 266 and DDR1 333 modules is 2.5 V=/−8%, and a DDR1 400 memory module has an operating voltage of 2.6+/−4%. The memory modules may encounter memory error that causes system data errors if their operating voltage falls below the lower range of the operating voltage. In general, the memory module will still perform well if the voltage supply swings higher than the upper range of the supply voltage. Accordingly, a conventional memory module's performance depends on how good the system voltage source supply is; therefore, one module can work on one system but fail on another. In addition, as is seen all of the DRAM components receive the same voltage from the voltage supply 24. Therefore, if the DRAM components 11-19 require different voltage levels for optimum performance the conventional memory module is not adequate.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method for overcoming the above-identified issues. The present invention addresses such a need.


A fogging vending machine is provided. A vending machine has a housing, and a fogging means provides a fog consisting of a mist of atomized coolant which is partially evaporated and entrained in an air flow. At least one conduit is provided which has an inlet coupled to the fogging means and an outlet coupled to the vending machine housing to direct the fog away from the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to air circulating and cooling devices, and in particular concerns an air circulating and cooling device with a misting or fogging means for establishing a cooled area surrounding a vending machine. The invention is integrated into the vending machine and provides a unique visual effect in which fog appears to flow from the vending machine front panel graphics.
2. Prior Art
There are well known techniques for providing relief from high temperature outdoor conditions generally involving one or more of air conditioning (cooling and/or dehumidification), application of water to the person for evaporative cooling, forced air circulation, shade from the sun and so forth. However, in a given situation it can be impractical or impossible to employ such remedies freely.
For example, air conditioning and dehumidification are wasteful of energy except in closed spaces; affected persons may not wish to drench themselves to cool off; shade may be unavailable at the desired location, etc. A typical air conditioning unit of sufficient capacity to provide meaningful relief in an open outdoor space would be prohibitively expensive.


An apparatus having a plurality of insulating layers, a plurality of conductive layers and a plating is disclosed. The conductive layers may be separated by the insulating layers. A first pattern in a first of the conductive layers generally extends to an edge castellation. A second pattern in a second of the conductive layers may also extends to the edge castellation. The plating may be disposed in the edge castellation and connect the first pattern to the second pattern. The plating in the castellation may extend at most between a subset of the conductive layers.

Conventional land grid array packages often have blind solder joints. Such solder joints cannot be visually inspected and so present a problem. Conventional edge castellations overcome the visual inspection problem by running platings in vias on an outside edge of the package. The solder joints made to the platings are visible. For high-frequency signals used in radio frequency circuits, the edge castellations act like transmission line stubs. Some edge castellations add such sufficient loss to the high-frequency signals that the edge castellations cannot be implemented.
It would be desirable to implement a blind via edge castellation.

MACOM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc.


The present invention provides a site assembled swimming pool comprising a plurality of upstanding staves arranged in side by side relation and held together by upper and lower L-shaped rails, a coping extending entirely around and in releasably secured relation to the rails that fasten the upper edges of the staves together, and a flexible liner and cover releasably secured to the coping. The wooden staves include opposing vertical edges one of which includes a modified tongue and the other of which includes a groove. When assembled, the tongue of one stave engages the groove of the adjacent stave, thereby interconnecting the two staves.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to swimming pools, and more particularly to pools having a flexible water containing liner composed of vinyl or the like surrounded by a support wall.
2. Description of Prior Art
Applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,266 describes a site-assembled swimming pool structure generally comprising a flexible liner supported by a surrounding wall of side-by-side wooden staves, wherein one vertical edge of each stave is convex and the other edge is concave. When the staves are arranged in side-by-side relation the convex edge of one stave nests in the concave edge of the adjacent stave. A plurality of cables pass entirely around the wall, and the cables are tensioned to urge the staves into tightly engaged relation. A downwardly facing U-shaped track member extends around the upper periphery of the wall and snugly engages the upper ends of the staves. The track member includes open channels formed on its opposing sides for releasably receiving bead portions of the pool liner (in the inwardly facing channel) and a removable cover (in the outwardly facing channel), respectively.
3. Objects and Advantages
In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a site assembled swimming pool including a liner and cover attachment mechanism that is more easily manipulated than the state of the art.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a site assembled swimming pool that may be constructed in various sizes and shapes.
It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a site assembled pool that may be leveled despite being positioned on an uneven surface.
It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention to provide a liner and cover attachment mechanism that includes aesthetically pleasing features incorporated therein.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.


A client/server network enables access to non-HTML objects from a web browser. The system includes a database for storing non-HTML files. A system user requests a non-HTML file from a database using a web browser. The web browser transmits the request to a server via a HTTP server and module. The server locates and retrieves the object requested. The module translates the object to a format supported by the web browser. The HTTP server communicates the translated file to the web browser over a network. The web browser then presents the translated file to the system user.

Web browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer are well known. Web browsers are software residing on a client (e.g., a personal computer). Using a browser, the client can communicate with a web server to enable access to and viewing of Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) objects. A web server typically includes a server (e.g., a UNIX-or Windows NT-based computer) connected to a network (e.g., the Internet, an intranet or other network), web server software configured with the host name of the server and the location of HTML objects on the server and the HTML objects stored by that server.
In general operation, to access a web page, a user enters a request for a HTML object by specifying a uniform resource locator (URL) via the browser and hitting "Submit" (or another function key) and the URL is sent to the web server using Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). The web server responds by locating the HTML object requested and returning it to the browser. The browser receives the HTML object, interprets the HTML codes, translates them into a web page, and displays the web page. In this way, web browsers enable access to the vast number of HTML objects via the World Wide Web, the Internet or intranets. HTML generally is well known. A primary purpose of HTML is to describe how to format the text (and other content) of a web page. HTML uses tags to indicate how text of a web page should be displayed and to specify the URL of objects to which a page is linked. HTML objects are commonly stored on a web server as standard text files with a HTM or HTML extension. Linking is a powerful feature of HTML. One drawback with HTML links is that links are created by coding a page with HTML tags to link it to other objects (e.g., another document or a specific location within a document). Therefore creating web pages and links requires a working knowledge of HTML and the time required to write HTML code a create a page and any desired links. Editing a HTML web page or a link typically requires using HTML to edit the original web page or link. One significant problem with HTML links is that if a web page (or other object linked to it) is moved or deleted, any links to that page or object needs to be manually changed or an error message (e.g., "file not found") may appear when a user clicks on the link.
One limitation of web browsers and web servers is that they were designed primarily to access HTML objects. Browsers typically cannot cause a web server to retrieve and return non-HTML objects. This inhibits a user from accessing non-HTML objects, documents or databases from a web browser. Non-HTML objects, for example, may include databases, non-HTML documents, stored views for documents in a database, identification files stored in a user directory and many other types of objects. Database views provide a convenient way to index a plurality of documents. Identification files may comprise information about a system user (e.g., electronic mail address, role, profile, etc.).
One example of a non-HTML database is Lotus Notes. Lotus Notes is a popular software system, rich with a number of well-known functions. These functions, however, are typically accessed via a client (loaded with Lotus Notes client software) communicating with a server (loaded with Lotus Notes server software). Because Notes is not an HTML-based application, it has not been practical to access objects in a Notes database via a standard web browser.
Prior database systems, for example, Lotus Notes, offer a broad range of well-known features and functions. Lotus Notes databases store a plurality of objects, for example, forms, documents, views, folders, agents, navigators, and other objects.
Forms and documents typically comprise one or more fields. Forms may be used to display and edit documents.
A view is a collection of documents selected and organized based on predetermined user specific processes. Notes determines which documents are to be displayed in a particular view based on the user specified process. Folders are another type of view. Documents within a folder are selected by a user, whereas documents within a view are arranged according to the predetermined user specific processes.
Auto-indexing refers to automatically indexing documents within a database. Auto-indexing may index documents within the database according to fields within the document. Auto-indexing occurs when a document is created. When a document is created, the system lists the document in an index of the database. A database configured to include a Full-text index enables system users to perform full-text searching of the database.
Agents automate a sequence of events. Agents are processes which occur upon the occurrence of an event. For example, Notes agents may be used to automatically organize items within a folder.
Navigators provide a graphical process for finding documents or taking actions without maneuvering through multiple views or find menu commands.
A drawback of prior systems is that powerful non-HTML based database functionality has not been exposed to a web browser. For example, a standard server typically does not have the ability to interpret and respond to a HTML-based browser request.
These and other drawbacks exist.

Web server enabling direct scheduling and calendaring capability

Internatioal Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments permit searching across different system landscapes, for data associated with master data objects. A map is constructed comprising (explicit, inferred) connections between different pieces of data located in various databases, systems, and landscapes. In certain embodiments the map is constructed utilizing a parameter (e.g., family name) present in a received query, as a boundary condition. The map may be in tabular form, and may conform to a particular notation scheme. Once the map is constructed, the query is executed thereupon to search for relevant data. The corresponding query result is received and stored, ultimately for communication back to the user posing the original query. Embodiments may be particularly suited to returning private data of a unique entity (e.g., natural person, corporation, juristical person) that is stored over a variety of different master data objects (e.g., employee, customer, supplier) and across complex system landscapes.

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
A natural person can be represented by multiple master data entities, such as customers, suppliers, and employees. While in some cases such master data entities may be located in a same software system, alternatively they may be (potentially widely) distributed across a larger landscape made up of suite(s) of a number of different software systems.
Software processes may need to deal with more than one representation of a natural person in order to effectively perform required tasks. In order to accomplish this with accuracy and efficiency, it may be desirable to keep track of master data information in an organized and centralized manner.

Master data mapping scheme permitting querying


A method and associated apparatus for announcing and identifying metadata relating to available video programs and/or enhancements in an enhanced television communications system compliant with the standard set forth by the Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF). In particular, the method provides for a new attribute to the existing Session Description Protocol (SDP) announcement specified by the ATVEF standard which is used by client receivers to access metadata. Metadata is data that describes other data, in particular, that describe available video programs and/or enhancements transmitted by a content creator and/or transport operator. The new SDP announcement provides a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) to allow client receivers to identify the incoming metadata. Additionally, the new SDP announcement further can provides the address and/or port if the metadata is located on a network database. After receiving this new SDP announcement, a client receiver can retrieve the metadata and store it in its local memory. The client receiver may present the metadata to the user to allow the user to select which one or more television programs and/or enhancements to download and view or merely to store for later use. Or, the client receiver may be automatically programmed to receive the television program and/or enhancement based on a specified criteria and information provided in the metadata.

Many broadcasters are delivering television signals to clients containing not only the television program that is viewed by the client in essentially real time, but additional digital information embedded in the television signal. The additional digital information has been termed in the art as "television enhancements." Television enhancements can be of many forms, including news, web-site links, interactive games, and others. A client's receiver, which could be a television set, a set-top box, and a computer-based system, can simultaneously display the television program as an object window and the television enhancement as another object window.
Typically, the television enhancement transmitted is associated with the television program being simultaneously transmitted. For instance, if the television program is a commercial for a particular product, the enhancement may include one or more web-site links providing information about the product and its manufacturer. If interested, a client can activate the web-site link shown as an object window on the client's display to open a web-site providing further information about the product. Alternatively, for example, the enhancement may include an interactive game which allows a client to receive discounts on the product or actually win the product as a prize. The above are merely examples.
Recently, a cross-industry group named Advanced Television Enhancement Forum (ATVEF) was formed to specify a standard for delivering television enhancements to client receivers. Because the Internet is now widely accepted for the transmission of digital data, the ATVEF specification uses existing Internet standards for the transmissions. For instance, information conforming to the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) can be transmitted as an enhancement along with the television program signal, and processed by the client receiver to simultaneous display of the television program and the website as separate object windows. The transmission of television enhanced signals can be through a terrestrial wireless medium, cable, satellite system, fiber optics, to name a few.
According to the ATVEF standard, there are three (3) basic data structures for transmission of enhanced television signals: announcements, content, and triggers. Announcements are used to announce currently available programming to client receivers. Typically, announcements are broadcast on a single multicast address that inform client receivers of the multicast address and port number of a particular content for access purposes. The content can be television programs, television enhancements, and triggers. They are typically broadcast from a multi-cast address and port, and can be "tuned" to by a client receiver for reception and real-time display. Triggers identify a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) and a limited human readable string to use in an announcement. When a client receiver receives a trigger, it displays the corresponding URL in the form of a link on the client display to allow the user the opportunity to access the corresponding website if so desired.
Also according to the ATVEF standard, there are two types of transport platforms for transmission of television enhancements: transport "A" and transport "B." Transport A is for the delivery of triggers only by a forward path and the pulling of data by a required return path. Accordingly, transport "A" is particularly suited for enhanced television that runs on relatively low bandwidth communications medium. Transport B is for delivery of triggers and data by a forward path where the return path is optional. Transport B is typically for true broadcast of both resource data and triggers. The return path can be optionally provided to provide users at their respective client receivers the capability of e-commerce and general web browsing. The invention herein concerns a transport B platform.
The existing announcement provided by the ATVEF has several limitations. First, an announcement for a particular video program is transmitted to clients immediately before the video program is transmitted. There is no provision for announcing available future programs and/or enhancements so that a client receiver can set itself out to receive it at the appropriate time. Second, because of the limited size of the announcement (i.e. 1 Kbyte) and other information which the announcement is required to include, a limited amount of information about the television program can be provided. Typically, just the title of the program is provided. Third, the announcement identifies one (1) program and includes a Universally Unique Identifier (UUID) to identify the corresponding television program.

Apparatus and method for delivery of metadata on ATVEF transport B enabled platform


The present disclosure generally relates to a protective case for a tablet computer, includes: a front plate (110) having a first surface (111) configured to protect a display surface of the tablet computer, wherein a magnetic element (112) is installed on the first surface (111); a holding plate (120) being configured to hold a back of the tablet computer; a supporting plate (130) connecting the front plate (110) and the holding plate (120) to prop up the tablet computer; wherein the magnetic element (112) can be installed at different positions on the first surface (111), in order to enable the tablet computer to stand up at different angles. The magnetic element (112) installed on the first surface (111) of the front plate (110) is attracted with a bottom end of the tablet computer, thus a steady triangle frame is formed between the tablet computer and the folded protective case, further enabling the tablet computer to stand up at different angles.

The customers who have purchased a tablet computer generally use it to watch films or various TV shows in a Cafe, on travel or in bed, thus a tablet protective case with multi-angle support becomes the option of many customers. At present, Apple protective case and other protective cases provided by third parties generally have protective functionality. In addition, to attract customers, the vendors will design a multi-angle support with the protective case.
Many protective cases on the market appear to be a three-fold design as illustrated by FIG. 1. A tablet computer 20 is secured in a protective shell 11, and a supporting shell 12 can be folded into a stand behind the protective shell 11, thus enabling the tablet computer 20 to stand up. However, since the folds on this design are not deep enough, or the protective shell is too thick to fold, the tablet computer can't stand firmly against the folded triangle, in particular when placed on bed.

Huizhou TCL Mobile Communication Co., Ltd.


Liquids in general, and paint in particular, can be evenly distributed by a paint transfer drum having a friction-creating surface that is placed in contact with a friction-receiving surface of an endless belt that is driven (by the drum as it rotates) into and out of a container for the liquid. A scraper removes a portion of the lifted liquid from the endless belt. The scraped liquid falls upon a liquid distribution device that serves to evenly distribute said liquid laterally so that it will be evenly applied along the exterior surface of the paint transfer drum.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to hand held, roller-type paint applicators. More particularly, it relates to electrically powered devices for applying paint to such hand held, roller-type paint applicators.
2. Discussion of the Background
Many hand held paint applicators (short-handled as well as long-handled) have a paint roller component whose interior cavity is supplied with paint that is placed under pressure by an electrically powered pump. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,175,300; 4,576,553; 4,639,156; 4,842,432 and 5,454,656 teach a variety of such paint applicators. U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,522 ("the '522 patent") is of particular interest to this patent disclosure because it teaches an electrically powered paint applicator having both a paint applicator roller and a paint feed roller that are placed in rolling contact with each other. An inside cavity of the paint feed roller is filled with paint that is placed under pressure in order to force the paint through the paint-porous body of the paint feed roller and on to its outside surface. The paint ladened outside surface of the paint feed roller is placed in rolling contact with the paint applicator roller. This arrangement results in paint being transferred from the outside surface of the paint feed roller to the outside surface of the paint applicator roller. The paint applicator roller is then placed in rolling contact with a surface (such as a wall) that is to be painted.
Unfortunately, pressurized paint rollers have been plagued with several persistent drawbacks. Not the least of these follows from the fact that their paint pressurizing pumps must create fluid pressures great enough to force paint through their porous paint roller bodies, or through an array of small holes in those roller bodies. Such pressures often cause the roller's paint seals to leak. This leakage generally causes unsightly paint applications as well as messy conditions that cause a great deal of extra cleanup work. Moreover, these pressurized rollers do not always evenly supply paint to the outside surface of the pressurized rollers even when their paint seals do not leak. This uneven paint application on to a roller's outside surface often results in blotchy and otherwise unsightly paint applications. Pressurized paint applicators are also difficult to take apart and put together for cleaning and maintenance operations. Moreover, pressurized paint rollers are rather expensive compared to hand powered, non-pressurized paint rollers.
Consequently, many painters—professional as well as amateur—prefer to use hand powered roller devices whose paint applicator rollers are not pressurized, but rather are re-supplied with paint simply by rolling them in an open tray of paint. These paint trays usually have a lower paint reservoir portion and a higher, inclined plane portion. There are, however, several drawbacks associated with hand powered paint rollers vis-à-vis their working relationships with paint trays. Not the least of these is the fact that the weight of the paint on a bottom semicircular portion of a paint roller that has been dipped in a paint tray reservoir will cause that roller to rotate such that the paint ladened portion of the roller will, under the influence of gravity, go to its lowermost rotative position. The problem then becomes how to apply paint to the top semicircular portion of the roller that has not yet been dipped into the paint. Immersing the entire roller in the tray's paint reservoir is not a good technique because such immersion will cause too much paint to be placed on the roller, and worse yet on the paint roller's mounting arm—from which paint will profusely drip on to the floor next to a wall or other building component that is being painted.
As an alternative method of getting paint on the entire circumference of the paint roller, many painters will simply roll the half immersed paint roller up the inclined plane portion of a paint tray in order to more evenly distribute the available paint about the entire circumference of the paint roller. However, by the time the paint on the lower half of the roller is more evenly distributed about the entire circumference of the paint roller, an excessive amount of the paint is often squeezed from the roller and, hence, is not available for application to the surface being painted (e.g., a room wall).
Consequently, one of the most commonly used techniques to apply paint to an undipped portion of a paint roller is to rotate the roller 180 degrees—by hand. The hand powered 180 degree rotation of the roller is tedious and messy. Nonetheless, it must be carefully done in order to prevent blotchy looking paint applications. That is to say that the paint-free semicircular side of the roller must be rotated by hand and submerged into the paint reservoir in the open paint tray. Thus, it is only after two dips and one hand powered rotation of the roller that there will be an appropriate amount of paint covering both semicircular sides of the paint roller. At this point most painters simply begin to back the paint roller up the paint tray's inclined plane portion in order to more evenly spread an appropriate amount of the paint on the entire circumference of the roller. After 8-10 seconds of such paint evening action, the roller is usually ready to transfer its evened paint supply onto a wall, etc. that is being painted.
The electric paint tray of this patent disclosure, among other things, obviates the need for the 180 degree hand powered rotation of the paint roller. It also rotates the roller component of the hand held paint applicator in a manner that more evenly spreads an appropriate amount of the paint over the entire circumference of said roller component. It also greatly reduces the frequency of the painter's need to kneel or bend over a paint tray.


A fixed weight/permanent weight-lifting apparatus including dumbbells and barbells is provided including an elongated shaft having threaded ends, a centrally located handle, collars distal the threaded ends and tapered splines between the threaded ends and the collar and a head to provide the fixed weight of the apparatus that has been forced onto each end of the elongated shaft and a nut securely fastened on each of the threaded ends. When the nut is tightened onto each end with sufficient torque, the tapered spline is forced into the head and forms grooves in the head that correspond to ridges in the spline, which has a higher tensile strength than that of the head.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to weight-lifting apparatus and a method of assembling the apparatus, and more particularly to fixed dumbbells and barbells and a method of assembling to insure the user's safety after the apparatus has undergone heavy commercial use.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Fixed dumbbells and barbells are those in which the individual weights or heads cannot be added or subtracted by the user, but are permanently fixed to each end of a handle or bar. Fixed dumbbells and barbells have been used for over 50 years in commercial exercise environments such as health clubs, gyms, schools, YMCAs and the like. Under such heavy commercial use, the heads on the fixed dumbbells and barbells become loose on the handle causing the heads to rotate. The moment the heads begin to loosen, the user has insecurities concerning the safety of the equipment. The goal in assembling such weight-lifting equipment is to prevent the heads from becoming loose.
Patti, U.S. Pat. No. 6,602,169 (the '169 Patent), offered a solution to the foregoing problem by disclosing and claiming a method for placing a single locking nut on threaded ends of the handle.
It has been found that even with the improvement offered in the '169 Patent, the problem of rotation still exists. There is a need for improvements in dumbbell and barbell design to eliminate such rotation.

Weight-lifting apparatus and method of assembling same