In some examples, a system may generate an alternating current signal to one of a first sensor electrode or a second sensor electrode. For instance, the first sensor electrode may be associated with a seatbelt and located adjacent to a torso of a vehicle operator of a vehicle. Further, the second sensor electrode may be positioned to be contacted by or otherwise proximate to another body part of the vehicle operator, such as at least one of an arm, hand, leg, or foot of the vehicle operator. The system may receive from the other one of the first sensor electrode or the second sensor electrode, a signal indicative of a capacitance, and may determine a respiration rate of the vehicle operator based at least partially on the signal indicative of the capacitance.

Vehicle operators may sometimes experience physical impairment or distress while operating a vehicle, which may endanger other people or the operators themselves. Monitoring the vital signs of vehicle operator may provide useful information for determining the ability of the vehicle operator to continue operating the vehicle. Four primary vital signs reflect essential body functions, namely, respiration rate, pulse rate, blood pressure, and body temperature. Respiration rate may include the number of breaths a person takes per minute. An abnormal respiration rate may indicate a potentially serious clinical event. Continuous monitoring of the respiration of a vehicle operator may help to prevent high-risk situations. However, conventional respiration sensors may be intrusive in nature and/or may be inconvenient for a vehicle operator to use on a regular basis.

Monitoring respiration of a vehicle operator


A standard and bracket support system is provided. The standard portion includes an elongated standard having opposed front and back walls. One or more brackets are coupled to the standard. An engagement member for engaging a shelf or other supportive item is coupled to the bracket. The shelf-engagement member includes a slot which receives a portion of a bracket. The shelf-engagement member is coupled to a shelf or other supported item. In one embodiment, engagement is by screwing, nailing or adhering a flat portion of the shelf-engagement member to the portion of the shelf, preferably a rear edge or bottom surface of a shelf. In another embodiment, the shelf-engagement member is an elongated member with a channel for receiving an edge of a shelf or other supported item.

Certain previous support systems for supporting shelving, display items, clothes hanger rods and the like have suffered from a number of deficiencies. Many of these systems have provided inadequate or no direct coupling to the item being supported (such as shelving, display items, clothes hanger rods and the like), relying only on, e.g., gravity and/or frictional forces. Many previous devices have permitted an unacceptable degree of lateral movement or "sway" of the brackets and/or the supported shelving. Previous devices have been expensive or difficult to produce, install or maintain.
Many previous systems for supporting shelving, display items, clothes hanger rods and the like have provided for shelf support at discrete heights so that the user cannot select the support height in a continuous fashion. Early efforts to provide for a continuous support system have been unsatisfactory for a number of reasons, including a comparatively high expense of such systems. U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,692, issued Mar. 8, 1955 to Felix discloses a system of uprights and supporting arms intended to permit setting the supporting arm at a required height. The supporting arms of Felix had a side projection which is believed to make it impractical to produce by a stamping operation. More complicated production techniques contribute to the expense of the device. Felix provided for a point on the heel portion of the support for penetrating into the back wall of the upright. Such deformation of the back wall can provide an unsightly device, particularly when a high-finish system is required. The deformation also detracts from infinite adjustability since, whenever the point is positioned sufficiently near a previously formed depression, the pre-existing depression will tend to guide the point of the support away from the desired location, preventing the user from readjusting a shelf to a location close to the original location. Felix provided for a cam action, but considered it necessary to combine this with a wedge device and a point device, and disclosed using the Ycombination of all three to achieve the necessary support.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,865,337 issued Feb. 11, 1975 to Towfigh, et al. discloses a standard and bracket system with a pin secured to the bracket. In the system of Towfigh, a portion of the bracket body is used in maintaining the bracket at the desired height. In particular, a portion of the bracket (the portion between the pin and the back surface) is compressed within the standard. The back surface of the bracket is pressed against the back wall of the standard so that the thickness of the bracket body determines the portion of the back wall over which the clamping pressure is distributed.
Commercial systems employing a pin and bracket system have been found to have relatively high costs, at least partly since a thick bracket body (e.g., 1/4 in. or more) is needed to distribute clamping force over the standard back wall sufficiently to avoid punch-through or rupture of the back wall. This configuration also requires a relatively wide slot to accommodate the wide bracket body. High forces are concentrated on the pin-bracket junction both because of the high clamping forces and the fact that the pin-body junction is a primary component for resisting lateral wobbling of the bracket. The high forces are believed to contribute to enlargement of the pin hole. Attempts to enhance support by employing softer materials such as aluminum (e.g., to provide bearing support as a supplement to friction support) may reduce the bracket lifetime because of the high forces between the pin and the soft metal body. Use of metals such as aluminum for the standard portion of the device result in plastic deformation of the standard leaving gouges or detents in the back wall (which are highly visible because of the wide slot required) and in the front wall (which partially convert the device from a friction clamp to a bearing device). Creation of plastic deformation is enhanced by providing a pin location (with respect to the bracket back surface) which exceeds the standard depth by about 0.02 inches (about 0.5 mm) or more. Formation of gouges or detents limits the continuous nature of the height adjustability since the bracket tends to move to a previously formed detent if an attempt is made to position the bracket near a previous detent.
Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a support system which includes efficient systems and methods for coupling a support system bracket or arm to the item being supported (e.g., shelving, display items, clothes hanger rods and the like). It would be useful to provide a system which reduces or eliminates lateral sway of brackets and/or supported items while providing ease and low cost of materials, production, installation and maintenance. It would further be useful to provide a support system which has continuous height adjustment, is easily manufactured such as by roll forming and/or stamping, and avoids or minimizes gouging or other plastic deformation of components. In one embodiment, previously-available, off-the-shelf steel tubing can be used for the standards.

Standard and bracket support system with coupling device


A toy boat includes a hull formed with a stern plate and a bow, with the boat including a first conduit pipe projecting upwardly terminating at an upper distal end to receive a balloon member thereon, with the first conduit pipe in communication with the second conduit pipe, including a valve therewithin to selectively direct pneumatic pressurized air through a second conduit pipe rear distal end projecting below and rearwardly of the stern plate of the boat. A modification of the invention includes a bath oil dispensing reservoir in conjunction with paddle wheels to disperse bath oil simultaneously in utilization of the boat for entertainment and amusement of individuals.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to toy apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved balloon powered toy boat wherein the same is arranged for amusement and entertainment in enclosed bodies of water, such as in a bathtub.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Balloon powered devices, and particularly toys of various types, are utilized in the prior art. Such a toy structure is exemplified in Allen U.S. Pat. No. 3,613,303 wherein a balloon powered toy car utilizes a turbine-type drive for motivation.
Ralph U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,660 sets forth the use of a balloon powered airplane, wherein the balloon is mounted to a one-piece stick fuselage.
Gilbert U.S. Pat. No. 3,831,315 sets forth a toy rocket launching organization of balloon power.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved balloon powered toy boat as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


A hydrogen peroxide solution is applied onto the surface of a metallic member to oxidize the metallic member and to form the oxide film. At this time, a light beam is irradiated towards the metallic member through the hydrogen peroxide solution to promote oxidization of the metallic member. The light beam is one of a visible ray, a laser beam, and an ultraviolet ray.

This invention relates to a method of forming an oxide film on a metallic member for a dental treatment and, in particular, to a method of forming an oxide film to adhere a metallic member to an object by the use of an adhesive.
Traditionally, a metallic member is often fixed on a dental treatment through an adhesive to a fixing site, such as an affected part of a patient""s tooth. As a metallic material in a dental field, known is an orthodontic bracket, a crown or a bridge as a prosthetic material, or an inlay for conservative restoration.
As the adhesive used in dental treatment, a dental cement is known. As an existing adhering technique, the following methods are adopted in order to improve the adhesive strength between the metallic member and the dental cement.
As a first adhering method, the surface of the metallic member is sandblasted. In this state, the metallic member is placed on the affected part of the patient as the fixing site through the dental cement and fixed by the dental cement.
As a second adhering method, the metallic member to be adhered is heated in an electric furnace to be oxidized. Thereafter, the metallic member is adhered to the fixing site. When the metallic member is oxidized and is adhered to the fixing site through the dental cement, an oxide film is helpful to firmly secure the metallic member to the fixing site. This is because the adhesive such as the dental cement has an improved wettability due to the presence of the oxide film.
Taking the above into consideration, an oxide film has been usually formed on a whole surface of the metallic member. Thus, the metallic member with the oxide film is placed onto the affected part of the patient. In this event, the oxide film should be partially removed or polished from the metallic member to obtain a mirror-finished surface before the metallic member is placed onto the affected part of the patient, on account of the fact that the dental cement as the adhesive is partially coated on the metallic member.
On the other hand, an implant used in the dental field may be directly implanted in the affected part of the patient to be bonded to a living bone after the implant is heated and oxidized in the electric furnace. In this case, the implant acts as the metallic member while the living bone, the fixing site.
At any rate, a very long time is required to polish the oxide film on the metallic member before placement of the metallic member onto the fixing site. In addition, the metallic member may be deteriorated in quality because it is heated in the electric furnace in order to oxidize the surface.
It is an object of this invention to provide a method of forming an oxide film on a metallic member, which is capable of avoiding deterioration of the metallic member that might occur on forming the oxide film at high temperature.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method of the type described, which dispenses with long time polishing before placement of the metallic member onto the fixing site.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of the type described, which is capable of improving reliability and strength in adhesion.
According to this invention, there is provided a method of forming an oxide film a metallic member, the method comprising the steps of (1) selectively applying a hydrogen peroxide solution onto a partial surface of the metallic member and (2) irradiating a light beam onto the partial surface through the hydrogen peroxide solution to selectively and locally form the oxide film onto the metallic member. The light beam is selected from a group consisting of a visible ray, a laser beam, and an ultraviolet ray.
The metallic member may be made of a material selected from a group comprising a cobalt-chromium alloy, a nickel-chromium alloy, a stainless steel, pure titanium, a titanium alloy, a platinum gold alloy, a gold-silver-palladium alloy, a silver alloy, and a gold alloy.
The metallic member may be an implant to be implanted in a living bone.

Method of forming an oxide film on a metallic member


A scanning apparatus having a linear photosensor, an imaging assembly, and a scanning displacement assembly adapted for producing relatively constant rate linear displacement between an imaged object and the imaging assembly to cause scan line portions of the object to be sequentially imaged on the linear photosensor device and an image registration holding assembly associated with the scanning displacement device to cause an image from each different scan line portion on the object to be temporarily held in registration with the linear photosensor.

The present invention relates generally to color optical scanners and, more particularly, to a single pass color optical scanner which employs a single linear sensor array.
Color optical scanners are similar to black and white optical scanners in that data representative of a scanned document (object) is produced by projecting an image of the scanned document onto optical sensors. The optical sensors produce data signals representative of the intensity of the light impinged thereon. These data signals are typically digitized and stored in appropriate data storage media. Such stored data may later be used, as for example through a personal computer and computer monitor, to produce a display image of the scanned object.
The image of the scanned object is projected onto the optical photosensor array incrementally by use of a moving scan line. The moving scan line is produced either by moving the document with respect to the scanner optical assembly or by moving the scanner optical assembly relative to the document.
Color optical scanners differ from black and white scanners in that multiple color component images of an object must be collected and stored to produce a color display image of the object. Typically, data representative of red, green and blue component color images of the scanned object are produced and correlated for storage.
Various techniques are used in color optical scanners for collecting data representative of multiple component color images. One technique is to project imaging light onto a single linear sensor array during multiple scanning passes using differently colored illumination sources. For example, a document is first scanned using only red light, then only green light and finally, only blue light. In a variation of this technique, three scanning passes are made using a white light illumination source but the imaging light is filtered before it enters the sensor array with a different color filter during each of the three passes. Such a technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,911 of Kuo which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference for all that it describes.
Another technique, such as described in Vincent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,144 and Boyd et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,041, which are both hereby specifically incorporated by reference for all that is disclosed therein, is to split a polychromatic scan line light beam into multiple color component beams which are projected onto multiple linear photosensor arrays. For example, an imaging beam from the same narrow scan line region of a document is split into red, green and blue component beams which are then simultaneously projected onto separate linear photosensor arrays. Using this technique, the component color image data generated from any particular scan line is generated simultaneously and is thus easily stored in a correlated form.
Yet another technique for generating multiple color component images from a polychromatic light beam is to simultaneously project light from different scan line regions of a document onto separate linear photosensor arrays such as described in Takeuchi, R. et al. (1986) "Color Image Scanner with an RGB Linear Image Sensor", SPSE Conference, The Third International Congress On Advances in Non-Impact Printing Technologies, pp. 339-346, August 1986, which is hereby specifically incorporated by reference for all that it discloses. Using this technique it is necessary to perform data manipulation to correlate the data representative of different scan line component images since the different component color images of any scan line region of the document are generated at different times.
Various types of photosensor devices may be used in optical scanners. Currently the most commonly used photosensor device for optical scanners is the charge coupled photosensor device or "CCD". A CCD builds up an electrical charge in response to exposure to light. The size of the electrical charge built up is dependent on the intensity and the duration of the light exposure. In optical scanners CCD cells are aligned in linear arrays. Each cell or "pixel" has a portion of a scan line image impinged thereon as the scan line sweeps across the scanned object. The charge built up in each of the pixels is measured and discharged at regular "sampling intervals". In most modern optical scanners the sampling intervals of the CCD arrays are fixed. A typical CCD sampling interval is 4.5 milliseconds.
As previously mentioned, an image of a scan line portion of a document is projected onto the scanner's linear sensor array by scanner optics. The scanner optics comprise an imaging lens which typically reduces the size of the projected image from the original size of the document considerably. Pixels in a scanner linear photosensor array are aligned in a "cross" direction, i.e., a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the scan line image which is projected thereon. The direction perpendicular to the "cross" direction will be referred to herein as the "scan" direction. Each pixel has a "length" measured in the cross direction and a "width" measured in the scan direction. In most CCD arrays the length and width of the pixels are equal, e.g. 8 microns in each dimension. The "line width" of a linear CCD array is the same as the width of each of the individual pixels in the array.
At any instant when an object is being scanned, each pixel in the CCD array has a corresponding area on the object which is being imaged thereon. This corresponding area on the scanned object is referred to herein as an "object pixel" or simply "pixel." An area on a scanned object corresponding in area to the entire area of the linear sensor array is referred to herein as an "object scan line" or simply "scan line." An object scan line has the dimensions of the linear sensor array divided by the magnification ratio of the imaging lens. For descriptive purposes a scanned object is considered to have a series of fixed adjacently positioned scan lines.
Scanners are typically operated at a scan line sweep rate such that one scan line width is traversed during each CCD sampling interval.

Color optical scanner with image registration holding assembly


A cutting and scraping tool has a molded, one piece body having a first portion to be held by one hand of the user and an integral blade receiving and holding portion. The blade receiving portion has a first wall which is thinner than the first portion and establishes a shoulder at the junction of the two portions. The first wall has an extension at one end which includes a section of approximately the size and shape of the first wall and a flexible connecting web enabling the section to become a second wall when folded against the first wall then to define a blade holding slit the bottom of which is the shoulder and which is dimensioned to accommodate a blade with one edge exposed. One end of the slit is closed by the web and the other ends of the walls are releasably connected to permit blade placement and removal. A blade within the slit is held against movement by bosses on one wall passing through openings in the blade and into sockets in the other wall.

Razor blades, both single and double edged, are commonly used for various purposes in most homes. The risks attendant their uses of cutting the users has long been recognized and have lead to the development of a variety of hand held tools to which razor blades are detachably attached.
For household uses, such tools having bodies of suitable plastics have been well received but as far as we are aware, no such tool provides a construction that enables the blades to be handled safely with maximum ease and convenience.

Cutting and scraping tool using razor blades


The invention relates to a method (100) for monitoring the accuracy of the azimuthal orientation of a handheld optoelectronic measuring device to be determined (110) by means of an electronic magnetic compass, including an automatic ascertainment (120) of an estimated accuracy value by the measuring device based on measured data of the magnetic compass, characterized by a safety check (200), within the scope of which a probability that the estimated accuracy value meets a previously determined (140) accuracy criterion is automatically ascertained (220) by the measuring device, and the ascertained probability is provided (230) to a user as a return value. The invention also relates to a handheld optoelectronic measuring device including an electronic magnetic compass for carrying out the method according to the invention.

The present invention relates to a handheld optoelectronic measuring device, in particular a sighting device, including an electronic magnetic compass for determining the azimuthal orientation of the measuring device, and a method for determining an expected accuracy of the azimuthal orientation of a measuring device including a magnetic compass. According to the present invention, by means of the measuring device, it is automatically detected if the expected accuracy is too low, in particular if a new compensation must be carried out, and at least one warning message is given to the user.
Such measuring devices are used for determining coordinates of distant objects, for example in object recording and data collection for geographical information systems (GIS). Such measuring devices may also be in the form of portable sighting devices which are used in particular for determinations of coordinates of military target objects, as described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,320 B2.
Such a determination of target coordinates requires the relative coordinates between the measuring device and the target object. For this purpose, the sighting device is aligned with the target object, and the azimuthal orientation and the zenith orientation of the sighting device relative to the Earth are then determined. The angle values determined can then be provided, together with a typical accuracy value in each case, at a data interface of the sighting device for transmission to a firing control post. From the firing control post, the firing activity can then be introduced via a firing unit into an area associated with the transmitted target coordinates.
With regard to the achievable accuracy of the target coordinates to be determined, the magnetic compass is the critical component. On the basis of the transmitted accuracy value of the azimuthal orientation, it is possible on the one hand to assess the effect of firing activity to be introduced on the target object, and on the other hand, to assess the probability of collateral damage. In the case of a substantial difference between the effective and the specified typical accuracy value, this assessment may be incorrect.
Even with an electronic magnetic compass, considerable caution is still advisable in the determination of azimuthal orientations, although the components of the magnetic and gravitational fields are measurable as such with sufficient device accuracy. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,089, today, it is possible to take into account the declination of the Earth's magnetic field from geographic north virtually automatically by means of the magnetic variation compensation implemented in military GPS receivers. Since, however, in addition to the Earth's magnetic field, which is the medium for information relating to the north direction, the measured magnetic field as a rule includes stray magnetic fields superposed thereon, the azimuthal orientation relative to geographic north can nevertheless often only be determined with very limited accuracy and reliability, which may be several times the accuracy of the device itself.
These stray magnetic fields comprise stationary stray fields associated with the measuring location and stray fields which relate to the device itself and are due to electrical currents and magnetically hard and magnetically soft materials of the device in which the magnetic compass is installed. Stationary stray fields can moreover be divided into stray fields of regional scale and stray fields of local scale.
Stray fields of regional scale, so-called anomalies of the Earth's magnetic field, are as a rule due to natural interfering effects, for example extensive deposits of iron ore. When considered on a local scale, these stray fields are homogeneous and result locally in a constant azimuthal error comparable to the declination of the Earth's magnetic field.
On the other hand, stray fields of local scale are due to man-made objects, for example railway tracks, water pipes, overhead lines, pipelines, or structures made of steel and reinforced concrete. Quasi-stationary objects, such as parked vehicles or weapons systems brought into position, also cause stray magnetic fields of local scale. When considered on a local scale, these stray fields are inhomogeneous and cause varying azimuthal errors, even within measuring spaces with dimensions of meters, which may also vanish in some locations.
As disclosed in DE 196 09 762 C1, fixed stray fields of a device including an electronic magnetic compass which has sensors for the three-dimensional measurement of a magnetic field and a gravitational field can be arithmetically compensated by means of a vector equation when determining azimuthal orientations of the device. The parameters of the vector equation must be determined beforehand by means of an optimization method. This optimization method is based on values of a more or less rigidly specified sequence of measurements of the magnetic and gravitational fields at a measuring location. In the case of each of these measurements, the device is oriented differently in space. In this way, however, stationary stray magnetic fields can be neither compensated nor detected at the measuring location.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,539,639 B2 discloses a method in which the accuracy in the determination of an azimuthal orientation using a magnetic compass is said to be monitorable. Since such a magnetic compass has sensors for the three-dimensional measurement of the magnetic and gravitational fields, the values of the horizontal and vertical field strengths of the magnetic and gravitational fields are also obtained in the determination of an azimuthal orientation. The method is based here on a comparison of these values with stored values of the horizontal and vertical field strengths from the past in light of a specified threshold value.
The stored values of the horizontal and vertical field strengths may be attributable on the one hand to a determination of the parameters, comparable with DE 196 09 762 C1, at a different measuring location, or, on the other hand, may be obtained by averaging horizontal and vertical field strengths of past determinations of the azimuthal orientation. Since, however, there is no direct relationship between a change in the horizontal and vertical field strengths between different measuring locations and the occurrence of azimuthal errors and, on the other hand, significant azimuthal errors may occur even in the case of similar horizontal and vertical field strengths at different measuring locations, false alarms occur again and again in the case of such monitoring, or necessary warnings are not given. In addition, such a warning also contains only the information that differences of horizontal and/or vertical field strengths of a certain magnitude were determined over a certain period.
It would be helpful if information were provided to the user warning about current interfering effects. Such an error or accuracy indication with respect to the azimuth measurement is not mentioned in any of the aforementioned documents.

Optoelectronic measuring device and method for disturbance detection


In a portable exercise tracking system, a method and apparatus for measuring power output of exercise motion by a user. The system includes a wireless motion sensor and a wireless central mass unit. The wireless motion sensor detects, measures and transmits motion data associated with a first motion by the user. The central mass unit detects and measures motion data associated with a second motion by the user. The central mass unit also computes the power output of the first motion and the second motion as a function of the first motion data and the second motion data. The disclosed method and apparatus provides a more effective means of computing total power output of a user performing free body exercises.

Qualitative analysis of exercise or physical training has historically been based on three parameters: exercise duration, exercise frequency and exercise intensity. Measuring either of the first two parameters is well understood and relatively easy. Measuring the third parameter accurately has historically proven difficult, especially in modes of exercise that involve free body movement.
One method to estimate exercise intensity is through the use of wireless heart rate monitors. A chest strap that measures electrical conduction (EKG) of the heart transmits data to usually a watch type of receiver so that the current heart rate can be viewed during exercise. These have been widely available since the early 1980's and models range from simple monitors that only give current heart rate data to extremely complex monitors that combine GPS data and several data analysis software packages and systems. Although these devices are widely used and have been developed to provide almost every sort of heart rate data available, they are still only estimates of actual work rate during exercise. The heart rate is used as an estimator of the individual's current rate of work output but it is just that, an estimate and not an actual direct measurement of workload being done. The inherent problems of using heart rate to estimate exercise intensity (workload) are that the relationship between heart rate and work rate is not linear, the heart rate response varies between individuals, the heart rate response is affected by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, the heart rate response is affected by current health status (dehydration, illness, etc.) and an individual's heart rate response varies with changes in fitness levels.
During the early 1980's elite level road cyclists began experimenting with what I believe is the direct measurement of work being done during exercise outside of a laboratory environment. Professionals began testing devices that used strain gauges in the crank to measure torque and with a concurrent angular velocity measurement, an actual power reading could be determined in watts and work being done could be calculated. Commercial versions of these power meters for bicycles became available in the late 1980's, and various models have since been developed. The main difference is where the strain is measured: the crank, the bottom bracket, the rear hub and the pedals are all locations of strain gauges that have been marketed. The advent of the commercially available power meter transformed higher level training; no longer was training volume and intensity being described as time spent in various heart rate zones (with all its inherent shortcomings), training was more accurately described by instantaneous wattage (intensity) and Joules of work (quantity) being done. This created the ability to measure and prescribe actual intensity and actual quantity or work done irrelevant of environmental conditions, change of fitness, equipment being used, etc. Individuals could be compared with absolute numbers and talent identification became much more concrete. Coaching and training became divided with the recreational masses still using heart rate due to the affordability and relatively simpler training analysis and prescriptions while the serious and elite athletes predominantly using direct power (wattage) and work (Joules) to measure, describe and prescribe training.
The development of the bicycle power meter and coaching using this device created markets for software (both web based and computer based) to analyze the data, online coaching services that could now have accurate qualitative and quantitative training data off site and an accurate way to prescribe training, and continued development of competing power measuring devices that created more affordable units. Units measuring things other than mechanical strain are also being developed (they measure the cyclist's opposing forces and combined with known velocity, produce a power measurement).
Compared to heart rate monitors, power meters are still relatively expensive so their market is still small compared to the market for heart rate monitors and their related products and services. Upstream users such as elite athletes, coaches, clinical professions and exercise physiologists understand the need for an actual direct measurement of work for accuracy and have been paying the cost differential since the inception of power meters. The rate at which technology, competition and development have expanded the choices while lowering the entry price in the cycling market points to widespread use in the near future, much like the expansion of heart rate monitors in general fitness.
The methods and apparatus that follow are designed to produce direct measurements of work being done in most exercise situations without the need for work being done on something, as in the bicycle power meter. The bicycle power meter has the advantage of the work is being put into a system that lends itself to measuring force, distance, angular velocity, etc. The measurement of work and power is much more complex with say, weight lifting as the direction of forces being applied, the lack of work being put into a closed system that lends itself to measurements, etc. creates a scenario much more complicated. Fortunately technology is advancing to make actual work measurements such as this and motion tracking and associated motion recognition and motion matching possible with the correct methodology.
Increasing awareness of health benefits derived from physical exercise and participation in athletic events has spawned an increase in the numbers of individuals engaged in these activities. Many individuals train or work out in clubs or indoor gyms using exercise equipment that include various sensors for measuring physical and/or physiological parameters associated with the user's workout. For example, treadmills, elliptical trainers, stair steppers, stationary bicycles, and the like often provide electronic devices that measure or estimate various physical and/or physiological parameters associated with a workout or training exercise, such as the distance traveled, the elapsed time of the exercise, the altitude climbed, the inclination level, the movement rate (e.g., miles per hour, etc.), the heart rate, the power expended, the calories burned, the rate of calories burned, etc. In some gyms or clubs, data relating to an individual's workout may be transmitted automatically from the exercise equipment directly to a computer system and stored. Athletes, their trainers, and/or their coaches may gain access to this data, e.g., for post-workout analysis, to gauge progress or improvement, to develop future workout routines or plans, etc.
Thus a need exists for a method and apparatus that provides a more effective means of computing total power output of a user performing free body exercises.

Method and apparatus for measuring power output of exercise


The present invention relates to an improved method for the cytoplasmic delivery of oligonucleotides using cationic copolymers based on vinyl alcohol with low levels of vinyl amine (PVAVAMs). Improved compositions for use in such method are also provided.

Oligonucleotides are powerful modulators of cell properties at the DNA or RNA level. Oligonucleotides may be designed to base-pair to a specific segment of DNA (triplex-forming oligonucleotides) or RNA (antisense oligonucleotides), and, after binding to the desired target nucleic acid, affect transcription and/or translation with predictable downstream biochemical and functional consequences, i.e., they inhibit gene expression. The exact mechanism by which oligonucleotides act to inhibit gene expression is still not known in all cases. Recent advances in organic synthesis and purification techniques have facilitated practicability for design and synthesis of oligonucleotides.
Because oligonucleotides are designed to bind specifically to matching sequences, they possess a high degree of specificity, and have vast potential therapeutic applications. For example, the two most common problems associated with the use of anticancer and antiviral agents are drug resistance and unacceptable levels of toxicity. These are potentially overcome by the use of oligonucleotides having high degree of specificity because: (1) genes that do not contain the target sequence are theoretically unaffected by the oligonucleotides, thereby reducing the probability of toxicity; and (2) only a point mutation within the oligonucleotide binding site, not outside, can lead to drug resistance. Therefore, oligonucleotides are thought to represent a class of powerful anticancer and antiviral agents.
Inefficient intracellular bioavailability of oligonucleotides, i.e., the amount of intact oligonucleotide that is available in a form that can interact with its intended target, has been a major obstacle in the development of oligonucleotides as therapeutic agents. Key factors contributing to inefficient intracellular bioavailability are poor stability, nonspecific binding, and poor cellular and tissue uptake.
Extensive work has been done to design derivatives of oligonucleotides having improved properties. Modifications in the nucleoside, sugar backbone, terminus, or stereochemistry comprise the four main categories of derivatization; see Uhlmann and Peyman, Chem. Rev., 90: 543-584 (1990). In addition, several delivery strategies that may circumvent some of these problems are being explored; see Akhtar and Juliano, Trends in Cell Biology, 2: 139-144 (1992) and references cited therein.
The mechanism of cellular uptake is not completely understood. For example, it is unclear whether oligonucleotide uptake occurs via a previously described transport mechanism in the cell membrane, or by a unique pathway; see Wu-Pong, Pharmaceutical Tech., pgs 102-112 (October 1994). In addition, it appears that the uptake mechanism may be cell-type and/or oligonucleotide-type dependent. Id. Current evidence indicates that oligonucleotides predominantly enter cells by endocytosis. Endocytosis is typically classified as receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME), adsorptive endocytosis (AE), and fluid-phase endocytosis (FPE).
Following endocytosis, the oligonucleotides must escape from endosomal compartments in order to exert their effects in the nucleus or cytoplasm. The precise mechanism and extent of oligonucleotide transfer from endosomes to cytoplasm and/or nuclear targets remains uncertain. Possible mechanisms are simple diffusion, transient membrane destabilization, or simple leakage during a fusion event in which endosomes fuse with other vesicles such as lysosomes. In order for oligonucleotides taken up by endocytosis to be useful, their efflux from the endosomal compartments must be improved.
Various synthetic methods have been proposed in the literature to improve intracellular bioavailability. One reported approach is the covalent attachment of specific cell receptor ligands to initiate cellular uptake by receptor-mediated endocytosis; see Vestweber and Schatz, Nature, 338: 170-172 (1989). Covalent modification of oligonucleotides generally involves the use of polycations and is a laborious procedure which requires a separate synthesis and purification for each oligonucleotide tested. Polycations such as poly-L-lysine have been reported to have been used in gene transfection studies; see Felgner, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 5: 163-187 (1990). However, unlike gene tranfection, where relatively few copies of DNA are needed, use of oligonucleotides as a therapeutic agent would require high levels of DNA, and covalent modification using polycations such as poly-L-lysine may be toxic to the cells.
The most popular approach currently being investigated is the use of phospholipid vesicles (liposomes) to deliver oligonucleotides to cells; see Akhtar et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 19: 5551-5559 (1991). In addition to protecting oligonucleotides from enzymatic degradation, liposomes offer the potential to control and sustain their release. Id. Efflux of oligonucleotides from liposomes appears to be slow and sustainable over a period of several days, suggesting that they may be useful in delivering oligonucleotides against targets that have a slow turnover. Id. However, as was the case with other polycations, cationic lipids and liposomes (e.g. Lipofectin.RTM.) are generally toxic to the cells and inefficient in their DNA delivery in the presence of serum; see Leonetti et al., P.N.A.S. USA, 87: 2448-2451 (1990).
There have been extensive reports on the synthesis and use of copolymers, based on vinyl alcohol with varying levels of vinylamine, in the paper industry; see European Patent Publication 337310; European Patent Publication 339371; European Patent Publication 617166; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,774,285, 4,880,497, 4,978,427 and 5,270,379, and as flocculants; see U.S. Pat. No. 3,715,336. There are no known reports to date relating to the use of vinyl alcohol/vinylamine copolymers for cellular therapy.
The oligonucleotide modifications and/or delivery systems described in the literature have led to improved efficiency of oligonucleotide cellular uptake; however, they have yet to allow the full potential of oligonucleotide technology to be realized. Therefore, there exists the need to develop improved methods for increasing the intracellular bioavailability of oligonucleotides. It is an object of the present invention to provide such methods. It is a further object of the invention to provide compositions for use in such methods.

Cationic copolymers of vinylamine and vinyl alcohol for the delivery of oligonucleotides


The present invention relates to a skin-protection composition that comprises stilbenoid(s) and/or stilbenoid-containing extract(s) obtained from Dendrobium plants, such as Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium nobile for the management of melanogenesis, skin-darkening and skin-aging. More particularly, it relates to the usage of Dendrobium ingredients and stilbenoids to reduce the formation of melanin in melanocytes. It also relates to the usage of Dendrobium ingredients and stilbenoids to reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species and oxidative free radicals. This invention relates to the use Dendrobium-derived extracts or ingredients or stilbenoids in the formulation of skin-protection, skin-whitening and/or anti-skin aging products.

In general, light skin can become darker upon exposure to sunlight, which is the primary source of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in our daily life. Upon UV exposure, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and highly volatile free radicals are provoked. Consequently, our skin gets darkened since melanin-producing cells, or melanocytes, located in the skin's epidermis are prone to produce more melanin in order to minimize the indirect damages of body cells [Sklar L R, Almutawa F, Lim H W, Hamzavi I. Effects of ultraviolet radiation, visible light, and infrared radiation on erythema and pigmentation: a review. Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences 2013; 12:54-64]. In other words, the elevation of melanin production is actually a defense mechanism against UV radiation; however, the accumulation of melanin may result in deleterious biological effects, including abnormal pigmentation, skin darkening as well as aesthetic problems, e.g. freckles or chloasmata [Mishima Y, Imokawa G. Selective aberration and pigment loss in melanosomes of malignant melanoma cells in vitro by glycosylation inhibitors: premelanosomes as glycoprotein. Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1983; 81: 106-114]. In this regard, the formation of ROS and free radicals plays a pivotal mechanism leading to skin-darkening and skin-aging. Scavenging of ROS and free radicals can definitely protect skin cells from the oxidative damages. Currently, topical antioxidants, e.g. vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, ascorbic acid (AC), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and/or their derivatives, have been widely used in over-the-counter skincare products. However, these products are not effective skin-protection agents possessing both depigmentation and antioxidant properties. To this end, their effectiveness on skin protection is highly limited and restrained. There is a conception in the general public that dark and dull skin makes people look old, depressing and disfigured; therefore, people, especially in oriental countries, are eager to maintain a fair complexion and a pleasing appearance of their integumentary system.
In fact, melanin refers to a group of endogenous pigments that give multitude of skin colors, i.e. from the basic skin tone to freckles, birth marks, age spots, also in eyes and hair. In the human body, melanins are produced by melanocytes and classified into three major types: eumelanin, pheomelanin and neuromelanin. They differ in chemical structures and physical properties, and thus they are elicited upon different biological responses against external stimuli. Eumelanin and pheomelanin are the two types of melanin that can be found in the skin. Eumelanin provides primarily dark brown to black colors whereas pheomelanin produces reddish colors [Maresca V, Flori E, Picardo M. Skin phototype: a new perspective. Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research 2015; 28:378-389]. In melanogenesis, tyrosinase is the major rate-limiting enzyme for regulating melanin production in epidermal melanocytes whereas tyrosinase-related proteins (TRPs) are melanogenic enzymes that control the proportion of carboxylated subunits in melanin biopolymers. When exposed to sunlight, melanin deposition is accelerated as more alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is released from melanocytes. In addition to the overt skin darkening, such acceleration is indeed a defense mechanism against the UV-induced generation of ROS and/or free radicals, which consequently causes most of the wrinkles, freckles, rashes and age spots on the face. Collectively, the harmful effects of constant or excessive sunlight or UV exposure include skin aging, skin damage and even skin cancer. The present invention provides a composition that efficiently attenuates the biosynthesis of melanin as well as oxidative substances. By any means of mechanism, the present invention is able to restrain melanin accumulation and/or oxidative damage in the skin, hence skin protection can be achieved.
The composition of present invention comprises stilbenoids and/or extracts obtained from plants of the genus Dendrobium (Orchidaceae family, commonly called "Shi Hu"), particularly from the species D. officinale and D. nobile. The said stilbenoids, explicitly trans-resveratrol and dihydro-resveratrol, and extracts can be formulated into a cosmetic blend of skin-protection, skin-whitening and/or anti-skin aging products for human skin as they are found to attenuate the generation of ROS and oxidative free radicals, and/or reduce cellular melanin content in melanocytes. The reduction of melanin formation may be associated with an inhibition of the activity of pigment-producing enzymes, namely tyrosinase, TRP-1 and TRP2.


An example implementation involves a control device displaying on a graphical user interface, an indicator positioned with respect to a particular multimedia item in a displayed list of a plurality of multimedia items. After displaying the indicator on the graphical user interface for a first predefined time, the control device displays on the graphical user interface, an information panel obstructing a portion of the displayed list, the information panel providing information associated with the particular multimedia item that is not shown in the displayed list. After displaying the information panel for a second predefined time, the control device terminates display of the information panel.

The most popular use of a scroll wheel may be probably found on an Apple's iPod. A scroll wheel of an iPod allows a user to scroll where he/she desires. Thus a user can choose songs to play on from lists of artists, albums, composers, genres, or tracks.
The underlying mechanism of a scroll wheel is a software module being executed to convert a physical motion of the user moving his/her finger over the scroll wheel to a highlight bar on a list of music items. The software module is configured based on the concept of 'acceleration'. In simple terms, this means that the faster the user turns the scroll wheel, the faster the list on the screen will scroll. This is very effective in allowing users to traverse long lists.
There are, however, at least two problems observed. First, it still takes a long time to get through a large list of music items. For example, if a desired item is an item No. 1500 in a list of 2000 songs, a user has to go through the first 1499 items before reaching the item No. 1500. Second, when a list is scrolled fast, it is very hard for the user to stop at the desired position without overshooting. For example. If the list is showing an artist named "Abba", and the user wants to scroll to an artist named "Sting", he/she must turn the scroll wheel fast in order to get from Abba to S's quickly. But because the list is long and so being scrolled fast, it is very easy to overshoot the list and get to the T's or U's by moving his/her finger on the scroll wheel too fast.
Once reaching a neighborhood of a desired item in a list, a user typically scrolls slowly through neighboring items before reaching the desired item. Depending on what is being searched, it is always preferable for the user to see what is being scrolled by in a substantially similar category. Sometimes, the desired item may not be in the list while there are others that are substantially similar to the desired item and may interest the user. FIG. 1A shows an example 150 of a music library called "albums" 152 including a list of albums. The contents 154 in the library 150 are shown as a list of items, each of the items is an album that may further include a list of tracks. As the user scrolls through the library 150, there is limited information about each of the albums except for a name thereof. It would be helpful if additional information is displayed without actually going into a specific album.
Thus, there is a need for solutions that can provide additional or hidden information on an item being selected, wherein a selection of an item means a stay of scrolling on the item for a predefined time.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A hand tool includes a retractable shank, a handle, an elastic member, and at least one fixing pin. Thus the rod assembly of the retractable shank can be retracted into and expanded outward from the receiving chamber of the handle so as to adjust the distance between the retractable shank and the handle, so that the working length of the hand tool can be can be easily, rapidly and arbitrarily.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a handle tool, and more particularly to a handle tool having a retractable handle structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional handle tool, such as the wrench, screwdriver, socket or the like, usually comprises a handle and a driving portion mounted on one end of the handle. However, the handle has a fixed length, so that the working length of the conventional handle tool is fixed and cannot be adjusted, thereby limiting the versatility of the conventional hand tool.

Hand tool having a retractable handle structure


Method for displaying characters with improved legibility at relatively low resolution by modifying the center point fill method and displaying additional pixels as needed to maintain connectivity and avoid dropout problems. Additional pixels are turned on as needed where a black section of the character crosses the midline between two adjacent horizontal or vertical pixel centers. If the intersections of a black section of a character with a midline is entirely within one pixel which is not otherwise turned on, then that pixel is turned on; if a black section of a character crosses between two such adjacent pixel reference points in parts of both pixels, and if neither pixel is already on, the pixel having more of the black section, measured along the line between pixel centers, (or other reference points), is turned on.

Traditionally, characters have been printed using metal type which allows very detailed rendering of a character, including subtle curves and very fine lines. In modern computer devices, characters are defined on raster devices such as video display terminals or by using a multi-pin print head. Characters can be printed on a surface or displayed on a video screen as a series of dots which are printed or turned on in order to approximate as closely as possible the ideal shape of the character. When characters are small enough relative to the resolution of the display device, choosing which pixels should be displayed to accurately represent the character becomes more complex than when the character is large. A typical video monitor can display about 72 pixels per inch. At this resolution it is difficult to display legibly most type faces smaller than about twenty pixels tall.
An ideal representation of the character is usually defined in "character space" at very high resolution as one or more areas bounded by an outline or path. A character consists of one or more continuous black areas. For instance the letter "O" consists of a single closed loop, the letter "d" consists of a loop connected to a line and the letter "i" consists essentially of a dot a short distance away from a line which may have additional details such as serifs. One way of describing a character involves defining an outline of the outer edge of each contiguous black portion of the character and then filling that outline to display the character. Since characters are usually printed in dark ink on a light background, one can describe filled areas as black but one skilled in the art will recognize that characters which are light on a dark background, commonly used in video displays, are also within the teachings of this invention. This path can be represented as a sequential series of curves and/or linear line segments called edges. If a black area has interior white spaces as, for instance, in the letter "O38 , each interior white area can also be defined by a path consisting of a series of edges.
When tracing or displaying such a character, it is generally useful to trace the edges in a consistent direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. If edges of an outside path are traced in the counter-clockwise direction, then the area to the left of that edge will always be black and the area to the right will always be white. If the path is traced in the clockwise direction, the black area will be on the right of the edge. Enclosed white areas should be traced in the direction opposite to the exterior path so that the black area is on the same relative side of the edge.
When a character is displayed on a raster device, those pixels which fall within the black area of the character should be displayed, that is, they should be printed on a surface or turned on for a video display. At high resolution or when the character is very large, multiple pixels may fall within each black area and the character can be displayed in great detail. When the character is reduced to a small size, however, or the resolution of the device is limited, certain black areas may no longer cover multiple pixels and in fact may cover only a fraction of a pixel. Displaying small characters on a device of limited resolution has been a persistent problem in the past. This is illustrated in the figures by a character on an 8.times.10 matrix. In FIG. 1 the outline of the character "S" is illustrated as filled at very high resolution. The raster display, however can only turn on or off entire pixels.
One prior approach to this problem is the center point fill method, illustrated in FIG. 2. A pixel is displayed only if the center of that pixel falls within or on the boundaries of a black area, illustrated by pixels 40-44. Where only a limited number of pixels are available to display the character, there are gaps or dropouts 50-52 in the black areas so that it may be difficult to recognize the character. An alternative way of displaying the character, called area fill, is to turn on all pixels which intersect or fall within the outline of the character. The result, shown in FIG. 3, is that too many pixels are turned on, leading to blobs which also make the character difficult to recognize. At higher resolution both of these methods work successfully but at low resolution characters become difficult to recognize.

Dropout-free center point fill method for displaying characters


A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes first, second gate electrodes, first, second diffusion layers, contact electrodes electrically connected to the first diffusion layers, a first insulating film which has concave portions between the first and second gate electrodes and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, a second insulating film which is formed on the first insulating film and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, and a third insulating film formed on the first diffusion layers, first gate electrodes, second diffusion layers and second gate electrodes with the second insulating film disposed therebetween in a partial region. The second insulating film is formed to fill the concave portions and a portion between the first and second gate electrodes has a multi-layered structure containing at least the first and second insulating films.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit device and more particularly to a semiconductor integrated circuit device containing a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a NAND type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device is known as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device having two-layered gate electrodes of floating gates and control gates.
The NAND type nonvolatile semiconductor memory device has a memory cell array in which a drain-side selection transistor STD and source-side selection transistor STS are arranged on both ends of a series connected circuit of memory cell transistors MC. The selection transistor STD is electrically connected to a bit line via a bit line contact electrode and the selection transistor STS is connected to a source line via a source line contact electrode.
The bit line contact electrode and source line contact electrode are formed by forming contact holes in an inter-level insulating film and filling a conductive material into the contact holes. However, in the photolithography process performed when the contact holes are formed, the contact holes penetrate into the element isolation region in some cases. This is caused by misalignment of the photomask. If the contact holes thus penetrate into the element isolation region, the bit line contact electrode or source line contact electrode is brought into contact with the semiconductor substrate, for example. As a result, a leak current increases to make the device faulty.
Therefore, in order to suppress the device from becoming faulty even when misalignment occurs, a barrier insulating film formed of a silicon nitride film is formed between the semiconductor substrate, the element isolation region and the inter-level insulating film as an etching stopper.
However, the silicon nitride film used as the barrier insulating film contains a large amount of hydrogen and tends to cause charge traps. After formation of gate electrodes, the silicon nitride film used as the barrier insulating film is formed on each of the surfaces of the gate electrodes, semiconductor substrate and element isolation region. Therefore, the characteristic of a memory cell transistor may be deteriorated in some cases by an influence of charges, for example, electrons trapped in portions of the silicon nitride film which are formed on the diffusion layers formed in the semiconductor substrate between the gate electrodes and the gate electrode side walls. In order to improve the deteriorated characteristic, the technique for forming insulating films such as silicon oxide films between the gate electrode side walls, diffusion layers and silicon nitride film is described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-148428.
Further, as the elements are further miniaturized, the influence by the parasitic capacitances between the floating gates and between the control gates becomes larger and the influence is given to the transistor characteristic. When the parasitic capacitance between the floating gates becomes large, a variation in the threshold voltage of a memory cell transistor caused by an influence by a variation in the amount of charges stored in the adjacent floating gate becomes large, thereby making it difficult to control the threshold voltage. Further, when the parasitic capacitance between the control gates becomes large, the wiring delay caused when the control gate is driven becomes large, thereby making the operation speed low.
In order to solve the above problems, it is effective to make small the dielectric constant of the insulating films filled in between the floating gates and between the control gates. For this purpose, it is preferable to completely fill materials such as silicon oxide films having small dielectric constants in between the floating gates and between the control gates. The technique is described in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2002-280463.
However, if the amount of buried silicon oxide films increases, a trapped amount of charges, for example, electrons increases more depending on the film quality of the silicon oxide film in comparison with a case where silicon nitride films are filled.
In order to improve the above situation, it is preferable to fill the gap between the gate electrodes with a silicon oxide film having a less hydrogen content and a small amount of charge traps. However, in this case, it is necessary to perform the silicon oxide film forming process at high temperatures for a long period of time. As a result, the manufacturing cost will rise and miniaturization of elements becomes difficult.

Non-volatile NAND memory semiconductor integrated circuit


An LED illuminator includes an LED chip and an opaque resin member. The LED chip includes a support substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the obverse surface of the support substrate, an electrode formed on the reverse surface of the support substrate. The obverse surface of the support substrate has a peripheral edge portion exposed from the semiconductor layer. The opaque resin member covers at least apart of the side surface of the support substrate while exposing the peripheral edge portion of the obverse surface of the support substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an LED illuminator including an LED chip as a light source, and also to a method of making an LED illuminator.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional LED lighting fixture. The LED lighting fixture 110 shown in the figure includes an LED chip 112 mounted on a substrate 111. The LED chip 112 is surrounded by a frame-shaped reflector 113. The space surrounded by the reflector 113 is filled with a sealing resin 114. For the LED lighting fixture, various measures are taken to cause the light from the LED chip 112 to be emitted to the outside as efficiently as possible. For example, the reflectivity of the substrate 111 and reflector 113 is enhanced, and a protective layer covering a wiring pattern formed on the substrate 111 is provided in order to inhibit light absorption due to deterioration of the wiring pattern (see e.g., JP 2014-67846A).
However, part of the light beams that have been emitted from the LED chip 112 and traveled to side surfaces of the LED chip 112 by diffused reflection will be absorbed by the LED chip 112. This inhibits enhancement of the brightness of the LED lighting fixture 110.

LED illuminator and method of making the same


Novel tricyclic lactones, viz. 10,10-dimethyl-4-oxa-tricyclo[7.1.1.0.sup.3,8 ]undec-3(8)-en-5-one and 10,10-dimethyl-4-oxa-tricyclo[7.1.1.0.sup.3,8 ]undecan-5-one, and use thereof as perfuming or flavor-modifying ingredients.

In the perfumery as well as in the flavour industry a lot of efforts are devoted today to the replacement of expensive naturally occurring raw materials or the reproduction of original organoleptic effects by making use of new chemicals. Among the numerous synthetic odorants prepared in a recent past, bi-, tri- or polycyclic derivatives of decalin can be cited as examples, as well as bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octane, cedrene or caryophyllene derivatives.
For instance, the tricyclic compound of formula ##STR2## is appreciated in the art for its original floral and woody odour--see e.g. Swiss Pat. No. 547 850--, as well as the compound of formula ##STR3## which is used in perfumery for developing or enhancing woody and spicy odour notes--see e.g. Swiss Pat. No. 557 870--. As further example of tricyclic fragrant compounds, one can also cite the compound of formula ##STR4## characterized by its original odour note, at the same time sweet, fresh, spicy and herbaceous--see e.g. DE-OS No. 28 26 302.
Notwithstanding the relative abundance of tricyclic fragrant compounds known in the art, there still remains a constant need of enrichment of the palette of the perfumer, or of the flavourist, by the finding of new active substances.


A portable, cellular phone battery charger using solar energy as the primary source of power and including two separate solar panels and a battery/switch containing unit. The two panels are hingedly connected together, and the battery/switch containing unit is hingedly connected to the back side of one of the panels. The assembly is pivotable between a retracted configuration in which the three component parts lie in parallel planes, and a deployed configuration in which the two solar panels lie in one plane and the battery/switch unit lies in another plane angularly intersecting the solar panel plane. The device is selectively operable in three different modes; namely, a first mode in which the solar panels are connected to charge or power a cell phone; a second node in which the solar panels are connected to charge the device's internal battery, and a third mode in which the internal battery is used to charge or power a phone coupled to the device.

Most cellular phones are equipped with rechargeable batteries which can be recharged through a power conversion adapter used in conjunction with household alternating current (AC) power or through a power conversion adapter used in conjunction with a 12-volt cigarette lighter socket provided in an automobile. However, depending on the frequency or duration of use of the cellular phone, leaving the phone in the "ON" mode or engaging in air time talking to another person, the battery may only last for a few hours.
It would be desirable to have a portable battery charging device that is capable of using solar power to charge batteries in a cellular phone.
It would also be desirable to have a battery charging device that is alternatively capable of charging the battery in a cellular phone using the power of regular non-rechargeable batteries.
It would further be desirable to have a cellular phone battery charging device that uses solar power to charge one or more self contained rechargeable batteries for use as backup batteries and that permits use of such backup batteries to charge the battery in the cellular phone or to power the cellular phone directly.

Portable cell phone battery charger using solar energy as the primary source of power


A bio-implantable energy capture and storage assembly, including an acoustic energy transmitter for contact with the skin, and an acoustic energy receiver—converter for converting acoustic energy to electrical energy; and a battery or capacitor connected to the energy converter. The acoustic energy receiver/converter is contained within a biocompatible implant.

The lifetime of most implantable electro-devices is limited by the longevity of the power source. As the need for autonomous implanted sensors and devices increases, this will become even more critical. Future advances in power source design must continue to accommodate a range of battery functions in implants. In pacemakers, half the battery capacity is used for cardiostimulation and the other half to gather and telemeter information for monitoring purposes. Defibrillator and neurostimulator activities require burst mode applications of electrical shock that deplete the energy stored in the battery more quickly. Pacemakers and defibrillators are currently powered by primary batteries. Neurostimulators use primary or secondary batteries, the latter recharged by conversion of radio-frequency electromagnetic energy to electrical energy. Simpler and more effective recharging techniques are needed to power these types of devices.
Thus, a need exists for the development of power sources for implanted electro-medical devices. For example, when the battery of an implanted pacemaker has discharged to a predetermined threshold, surgery must be scheduled to replace the entire implant. Moreover, despite advances in battery technology, batteries currently consume 50% or more of the weight and volume of most implanted devices. Many new and emerging medical device technologies, such as enhanced inter-device telemetry, automated wireless alarm signaling, advanced sensors, and infusion pump therapies, continue to place demands on powering implanted systems .
The global market for implanted medical devices is significant and growing. Over 600,000 pacemakers were implanted worldwide in 2003, with 3 million of the devices in use at that time. In 2004, the overall market for cardiac rhythm management was estimated to be $8.9 billion, and by 2007 the total market for implantable and ingestible devices was predicted to exceed $24.4 billion. In addition to pacemakers and defibrillators, implantable devices now include pumps for diabetes and pain management, neurostimulators for pain therapy, and devices similar to pacemakers to electrically stimulate the stomach, throat, and other muscles.
Rechargeable batteries heretofore have not found wide use in implantable medical device applications. Patient compliance and recharge frequency limited the utility of rechargeable batteries. However, the increasing power needs for implanted devices directed at new therapies (defibrillators, drug pumps, left ventricular assist devices, and neurostimulators) combined with the development of advanced rechargeable lithium ion chemistries have awakened new interest in the use of rechargeable batteries in implants. A new recharging technology which is simple and user friendly, coupled with the improvements in rechargeable lithium ion or more advanced batteries, will prompt the medical community to rethink the issue of primary versus secondary batteries in conjunction with implantable medical devices.
The present method of recharging implantable batteries has been the radio frequency (RF) induction technique. Two coils, one outside the body and the second inside and connected to the device are placed in close proximity. A current generated in the outer primary coil induces a current in the inner secondary coil, and the voltage so generated is used to recharge the battery. While this technique can provide considerable power transmission, it has its disadvantages. The more power required, the larger the coils, leading to a heavy device with a large footprint both inside and outside of the body. Orientation of the two coils is critical, there is the potential for electromagnetic interference with other devices in the area, and nearby metal can be heated by eddy currents. Dielectric attenuation restricts usage to transmission through a few millimeters of skin. The ferrous metal parts inhibit magnetic-resonance imaging.
Several workers have proposed various implantable devices configured for transporting acoustic waves transmitted through the tissue of a patient to electrical current for powering the implanted device. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 7,283,874 to Penner. See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,749,909 to Schroeppel et al. and 6,185,452 to Schulman et al. Devices such as described above have, in practice, not proved to be satisfactory in that they were extremely limited in the amount of power that could be transmitted through the skin and tissue of the patient without causing excessive heating with the potential for tissue damage and the like, or because their objectives required lower power. This limitation of the prior art is, in part, a result of the use of PZT-based piezoelectric ceramic materials which are relatively inefficient when it comes to converting energy and transferring the energy through the skin and tissue.

Bio-implantable ultrasound energy capture and storage assembly including transmitter and receiver cooling


A most recent electrostatic capacitance value for a backup capacitor is measured periodically. Each time the most recent electrostatic capacitance value is measured, a charging voltage (a required charging voltage) that is required in order to cause a return operation of a valve from the setting opening at that time to an emergency opening/closing position (for example, the fully closed position) is calculated based on the electrostatic capacitance value that has been measured. If the required charging voltage that has been calculated is higher than the terminal voltage that has been detected, then a value for a charging current value is determined based on the actual degree of opening and the setting opening of the valve, and the backup capacitor is charged until the terminal voltage reaches the required charging voltage.

Conventionally, electric actuators have been used as devices for controlling the opening/closing of valves used in air-conditioning equipment, plants, and the like. In these electric actuators, the opening/closing of valves has been controlled through the driving forces of motors, with ball valves or butterfly valves, or the like, installed as valve bodies in pipelines wherein cold water or hot water, high-temperature steam, or the like, flows.
One type of electric actuator is a spring-return-type electric actuator. In this spring-return-type electric actuator, a spring is provided, as emergency opening/closing means for the valve at the time of a power outage, on the valve shaft of the valve or on an output shaft that rotates the valve shaft, where the rotational force of the motor that rotationally drives the valve is used to wind the spring at the time of normal operation, so that when there is no rotational force of the motor at the time of a power outage, an opening operation or a closing operations to an emergency opening/closing position is performed by the biasing force of the spring that has been wound. Note that the emergency opening/closing position may be set as the fully closed position, or may be set as the fully open position.
However, even though such a spring-return-type electric actuator has the benefits of performing the opening operation or the closing operation with extreme rapidity at the time of a power outage of the valve, it also has the following problem areas: (1) being relatively noisy when opening/closing; (2) requiring a motor that produces a torque that is large enough to wind the spring at the time of normal operation, increasing the amount of power consumed; (3) the spring overrunning, that is, performing in the opening operation or closing operation beyond what is necessary, at the time of the emergency opening/closing, causing substantial damage to the equipment; and so forth.
Given this, there has been a proposal for an electric actuator wherein, instead of a spring, an electric double layer capacitor is provided in the electric actuator as a backup capacitor, where, during normal operation, the backup capacitor becomes electrically charged, and where, at the time of a power outage, the valve is forcibly opened or closed through driving the electric motor with the electrical energy that is stored in the backup capacitor. (See, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2007-218433.)
However, the electrical energy that can be stored in the backup capacitor depends on the electrostatic capacitance of the backup capacitor, where this electrostatic capacitance is reduced through variation over time, applied voltages, temperature fluctuations, and the like, and thus even if the terminal voltage of the backup capacitor is monitored so as to always maintain a voltage value that is set in advance, if, after some time has elapsed, a power outage were to occur, there would be the risk that the electrical energy that is stored may be inadequate, producing a state wherein it is not possible to perform the desired opening operation or closing operation (a return operation).
Moreover, because it is not possible to specify what the degree of opening of the valve will be at the time of the power outage, normally it is necessary to store in the backup capacitor the amount of electrical energy required to operate from a fully open state to a fully closed state or from a fully closed state to a fully open state. In contrast, the electric actuator does not always control the valve to be in the fully closed (degree of opening=0%) or the fully open (degree of opening=100%) position, but rather often the control is to an intermediate degree of opening. Notwithstanding only needing to operate to the fully closed or fully open state from the intermediate degree of opening when there is a power outage when the valve is controlled to an intermediate degree of opening, still the amount of energy required for moving from fully open to fully closed or from fully closed to fully open is stored in the backup capacitor. Because of this, an excessive amount of electrical energy is stored in the backup capacitor (it is overcharged), which not only interferes with energy conservation, but also reduces the service life of the backup capacitor.
Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2008-89109 discloses charging a backup capacitor with only the electric power required for the opening operation or closing operation of the valve at the time of a power outage. However, based on the disclosure, even if the amount of electric power required for the opening operation or the closing operation to the emergency opening/closing position from the current opening position of the valve is calculated and the backup capacitor is charged with that amount of electric power, still there would be declining electrostatic capacitance of the backup capacitor due to changes over time, the applied voltages, variations in temperature, and the like, so that there would not always be an appropriate amount of electrical energy stored in the backup capacitor, with the risk that it might not be possible to perform the desired opening operation or closing operation (return operation).
Moreover, the electric double layer capacitor that is used as the backup capacitor has the distinctive feature of enabling rapid electric charging by a large electric current. However, when charged with a large electric current, heat is produced by the internal resistance within the electric double layer capacitor, which causes degradation of the electrostatic capacitance. Moreover, it is necessary to increase the output electric current-carrying capacity of the charging circuit, which increases costs.
The present invention was created in order to resolve such issues, and the object thereof is to provide an electric actuator that is able to perform reliably the desired return operation, regardless of when a power outage occurs, while always storing an appropriate amount of electrical energy in the backup capacitor. Moreover, it is to provide an electric actuator able to achieve a cost reduction through eliminating the need for increasing the output electric current-carrying capacity of the charging circuit along with preventing degradation of the electrostatic capacitance due to heating through the internal resistance of the backup capacitor.


A circuit arrangement for overload protection, particularly for an evaluation electronics unit for child-seat detection in a vehicle, has first and second input connections for an input voltage signal, and first and second output connections for an output voltage signal. The first input connection and the first output connection are connected to one another by means of a first circuit path; and the source/drain path of a first field-effect transistor is included in a second circuit path from the second input connection to the second output connection, to block the second circuit path if an overvoltage is present. The source/drain path of a second field-effect transistor, is included in a third circuit path between the first circuit path and that connection of the first field-effect transistor which is coupled to the second input connection. The second field effect transistor completes the third circuit path when overvoltage is present between the first and the second input connection.

This application claims the priority of German patent document 199 28 856.9, filed Jun. 24, 1999, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to an overload protection arrangement for an electric circuit, which is particularly suitable for use in an evaluation electronics unit for child-seat detection in a vehicle. The protection arrangement according to the invention includes a first and a second input connection for an input voltage signal, and a first and a second output connection for an output voltage signal. The first input connection and the first output connection are connected to one another by means of a first circuit path, and the source/drain path of a first field-effect transistor is included in a second circuit path from the second input connection to the second output connection in order to block the second circuit path if an overvoltage is present.
A circuit arrangement of this generic type is disclosed in German patent document DE 38 04 250 C1 for current limiting in digital telephone terminals which are supplied via the subscriber line. The gate potential of the field-effect transistor there is equivalent to the potential difference between the connections of a parallel circuit comprising a transistor and a capacitor in series with a resistor via the two input connections. On the one hand, this arrangement limits the maximum level of a current flowing between the input and output connections of the circuit, while on the other hand, voltage spikes in a signal applied to the two input connections are damped and transferred to the output connections.
Circuit arrangements for overload protection having zener diodes are also known. In these, the voltage between two input connections is limited by short-circuiting these input connections through zener diodes connected back to back. If a threshold voltage appropriate to the zener diodes is exceeded, a short-circuit current flows between the input connections, so that electrical power is primarily dissipated in the zener diodes, and not in the load connected to the output connections.
Overload protection is desirable, for example, in devices for child-seat detection in motor vehicles, such as described in German patent document DE 44 09 971 C2. Such devices usually comprise a transmission and reception unit, accommodated in a vehicle seat, with an inductive antenna which has an associated resonator located in the child seat. The resonator can be combined with an intelligent identification medium operated by the energy drawn by the resonator from the electromagnetic radiation field. Because the operating frequency range of 125 kHz frequently used for child-seat detection overlaps the frequency range for keyless-go systems, it is desirable, particularly for a resonator in the child seat and also for intelligent identification media that may be coupled thereto, to assure protection against overvoltages such as can be caused by a keyless-go system.
The circuit arrangement used for overload protection should, on the one hand, protect against excessively high powers picked up from an electromagnetic interference field; and on the other hand, it should not significantly reduce the sensitivity of the resonator and of the possibly associated identification medium in the child seat, at least in a normal operating range. This means that only a very low leakage-current loss should occur in a normal operating range. These requirements are not fulfilled unsatisfactorily by circuit overload protection arrangements based on zener diodes.
The object of the invention is to provide an improved circuit overload protection arrangement of the type mentioned above, which has a high input resistance and a correspondingly low leakage-current loss.
This and other objects and advantages are achieved by the circuit arrangement according to the invention, in which a third circuit path (between the first circuit path and that connection of the first field-effect transistor which is coupled to the second input connection) includes the source/drain path of a second field-effect transistor. The latter completes the third circuit path if an overvoltage is present between the first and the second input connection. The gate connection of the first field-effect transistor is connected to a potential in the first circuit path between the first input connection; and the first output connection, and the gate connection of the second field-effect transistor is connected to a potential in the second circuit path between the second output connection and that connection of the first field-effect transistor which is coupled to the second output connection. This produces an overload protection circuit in which, in a normal operating range, only a very small leakage current flows, which is significantly below that in an equivalent circuit based on zener diodes. In addition, the field-effect transistor in the circuit path between the second input connection and the second output connection causes the voltage between the output connections to be advantageously stabilized.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first field-effect transistor is a depletion-mode n-channel MOSFET or an n-channel field-effect transistor, and the second field-effect transistor is an enhancement-mode p-channel MOSFET. This permits a positive potential difference between the second and the first input connection to be limited to a positive threshold value.
In another embodiment of the invention, the first field-effect transistor is a depletion-mode p-channel MOS field-effect transistor or a p-channel field-effect transistor, and the second field-effect transistor is an enhancement-mode n-channel MOSFET. This permits a negative potential difference between the second and the first input connection to be limited to a negative threshold value, so that the potential difference on the output connections does not fall below this threshold value.
In still another embodiment of the invention, the source/drain path of a third field-effect transistor is connected in parallel with the second field-effect transistor. This short-circuits the first and the second input connection if an overvoltage is present, the gate potential of the third field-effect transistor being equivalent to the voltage drop for the current flowing through the second field-effect transistor across a resistor. This arrangement permits a potential difference between the output connections to be limited, when an overvoltage is present on the input connections, such that the short-circuit current between the input connections rises very steeply as a function of the voltage between the input connections if the voltage applied between the input connections enters an overvoltage range.
Finally, in a further embodiment of the invention, the circuit arrangement is integrated in an ASIC module. This achieves a robust and compact design for the circuit arrangement with a low space requirement.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Circuit arrangement for overload protection


An optical transmission system is configured to optically transmit data from an optical transmitter to an optical receiver using a plurality of subcarriers. The optical transmitter includes a control unit configured to transmit a measurement signal using a subcarrier included in a band used for optical transmission when a signal is communicated to the optical receiver, the control unit being configured to calculate transmission characteristics obtained between the optical transmitter and the optical receiver based on the measurement signal returned from the optical receiver, and the control unit being configured to allocate, based on the transmission characteristics, a communication link to a subcarrier excellent in the transmission characteristics and least affecting transmission capacity. The optical receiver is configured to return the measurement signal received thereby to the optical transmitter.

In response to a shift to use multiple values for transmission signals, a discrete multi-tone (DMT) scheme has been proposed as a transmission scheme to add a subcarrier modulation signal to a carrier light beam and thereby optically transmit data. Under the DMT scheme, for respective subcarriers whose frequencies are different from each other, negotiation is executed to optimize the transmission capacity according to frequency characteristics including those of the optical transmitter, the optical receiver, and the line path. In this negotiation, for example, bit/power mapping is executed for each of the subcarriers and the degree of multiple values of the modulated signal to be allocated to each of the subcarriers is accordingly varied. According to the DMT scheme, this scheme is thereby applicable also to a low-cost optical device whose band cannot be expanded to a high frequency, and enables an increase of the transmission capacity (for example, refer to Toshiki Tanaka, et al, "50 Gbps Class Transmission in Single Mode Fiber using Discrete Multi-Tone Modulation with 10G Directory Modulated Laser", March 2012, OFC 2012, OSA; and Toshiki Tanaka, et al, "Discrete Multi-Tone Technology for 100G Ethernet (100 GbE)", September 2012, IEEE 802.3 Geneva interim meeting).
A transmitting apparatus based on the DMT scheme has an optical transmitter and an optical receiver that are directly connected to each other (point-to-point connection). The transmitting apparatus allocates a subcarrier that is arbitrarily set from plural subcarriers to a communication link and, after securing the communication link between the transmitter and the receiver, executes the negotiation (for example, refer to David Lewis, et al, "400GE DMT Multi-Vendor Interoperability Requirements", January 2015, JDSU).
A technique has been disclosed to determine a pilot signal and a control channel based on the reception quality of the pilot signal and that of each component carrier in multi-carrier radio communication (for example, refer to Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-109743 and International Patent Application No. 2013-524672).

Optical transmission system and optical transmitter


The invention is directed to calcium fluoride crystal optics with improved laser durability that can be used for the transmission of below 250 nanometer (nm) electromagnetic radiation. The optics consists of CaF2 as the major component and Mg in an amount in the range of 13 ppm to 20 ppm while Ce and Mn are <0.5 ppm. The doped crystal and optics made therefrom have a ratio of 515/380 nm transmission loss of less than 0.3 after exposure to greater than 2.8 MRads of γ-radiation. Further, the doped crystal and optics made therefrom exhibit a greatly improved lifetime as shown by ALDT testing to at least 1 billion pulses.

Excimer lasers are the illumination sources of choice for the microlithographic industry. The use of high power lasers, for example, those with pulse energy densities (fluence) above 20 mJ/cm2, with pulse wavelengths below 250 nm (for example, 193 nm and below) can degrade the optics used in laser lithography systems. T. M. Stephen et al., in their article "Degradation of Vacuum Exposed SiO2 Laser Windows," SPIE Vol. 1848, pp. 106-109 (1992), report on the surface degradation of fused silica in an Ar-ion laser. More recently, it has been noticed that there is optical degradation in high peak and average power 193 nm excimer lasers using materials made from substances other than silica.
Ionic materials such as crystals of MgF2, BaF2 and CaF2 are the materials of choice for excimer optical components due to their ultraviolet transparencies and their large band gap energies. Of these three materials, CaF2 is the preferred material due to its cubic crystal structure, performance, quality, cost, and relative abundance. However, the polished but uncoated surfaces of CaF2 optics are susceptible to degradation when exposed to powerful excimer lasers operating in the deep ultraviolet ("DUV") range, for example at 248 and 193 nm and the vacuum ultraviolet ("VUV") range, for example at 157 nm. For lasers operating at 193 nm, 2-9 KHz, with pulse energy densities of 20-80 mJ/cm2, the surfaces of the optical elements made from these ionic materials are known to fail after only a few million laser pulses. In other applications, for example medical lasers, alternate operating parameters could exist such as 193 nm laser fluences of 200 mJ/cm2-1000 mJ/cm2 (very high fluences) and very low repetition rate (for example 10-100 Hz) that may also result in the accelerated failure of such optical elements. The laser damage is thought to be the result of fluorine migration from the crystal optic interior or bulk to the surface where the fluorine is lost to the atmosphere. The loss of fluorine from the CaF2 crystal optic results in the formation of F centers which can then combine to form Ca colloids near the surface and within the bulk. These Ca colloids subsequently increase scatter and heating of the optical element, with eventual catastrophic failure. U.S. Pat. No. 6,466,365 (the "365 patent) describes a method of protecting metal fluoride surfaces, such as of CaF2 optics, from surface degradation by use of a vacuum deposited coating, for example, a silicon oxyfluoride material. While coatings may be sufficient to address surface damage, the microlithographic industry constantly demands greater performance from excimer sources, and consequently from optical components used in connection with excimer laser based systems. Therefore, the laser durability of the bulk material, CaF2, must also be improved by limiting the formation of Ca colloids that result in the eventual failure of the optical element. The solution presented herein will either eliminate the problem or greatly extend the bulk durability and consequently the length of time that existing and future optical elements can be used without having to be replaced.
Solutions to the issue of optical element lifetime involving the use of other optical materials, such as MgF2, have been considered. However, it is believed that such materials will also experience degradation similar to that of CaF2 with time, leading to the same requirement; i.e. that the expensive windows be replaced. It is further believed that the degradation problems of CaF2, MgF2, and other fluoride optical materials will be exacerbated with the advent of laser systems operating at wavelengths below 193 nm. Thus, identifying a method to increase the laser durability of the CaF2 bulk appears to be the most straightforward method of achieving the industry demands for improved laser performance.

Calcium fluoride optics with improved laser durability