A DC power source device comprises a MOS-FET 5 which performs the intermittent switching operation for converting DC input from a DC power supply 1 into high frequency electric power; a control circuit 9 for turning MOS-FET 5 on and off; and a rectifying smoother 6 for converting the high frequency electric power through MOS-FET 5 into a DC power output supplied to a load 50. Control circuit 9 comprises an output current controller 11 for controlling the on-off term of MOS-FET 5 to make DC output current IO through load 50 settle toward a rated value IOMAX; a shunt regulator 24 for receiving a drive current ISH supplied from rectifying smoother 6 and producing a reference voltage VR1 to regulate the rated value IOMAX of output current controller 11; and a constant current source 32 for keeping drive current ISH on a substantially constant level under the rated output current value condition and reduced output voltage condition. Constant current source 32 functions to supply shunt regulator 24 with minimum drive current ISH to maintain reference voltage VREF on a constant level under the reduced output voltage, and also to control drive current ISH to shunt regulator 24 to a necessary but minimum level under the rated value of DC output current.

Recently, energy saving in all electric products has been proposed in view of environmental protection, and in particular, it has become an important problem that recent power source devices should require reduction in power consumption during the standby condition. In addition, with increase of mobile electric equipments such as cellular phones late years, power source devices are necessary which have a chargeable battery and are safe under any loaded condition including an abnormal condition.
A prior art DC power source device shown in FIG. 6 comprises a primary winding 3 of a transformer 2 and a switching element or MOS-FET 5 connected in series to a DC power supply 1; a rectifying smoother 6 connected to a secondary winding 4 of transformer 2 for supplying DC output power to a load 50; and a control circuit 9 for controlling turning-on and -off of MOS-FET 5 in response to the level of DC output supplied to load 50. Rectifying smoother 6 comprises a rectifying diode 7 connected to secondary winding 4 and a smoothing capacitor 8 connected to rectifying diode 7 to supply DC output to load 50 through DC output terminals 29 and 30.
Control circuit 9 comprises a voltage stabilizer 10 for producing control signals of constant or regulated voltage to control the on-off period of MOS-FET 5 in order to make DC output voltage VO to load 50 stabilize to a constant value V2; a current controller 11 for producing current control signals to control the on-off period of MOS-FET 5 in order to make DC output current IO settle on a constant value when DC output current IO supplied to load 50 exceeds a rated value IOMAX; a shunt regulator 24 as a reference voltage generator for producing a reference voltage VREF; a light emitter 26 of a photo-coupler 25 driven by logical sum signals of each output from voltage stabilizer 10 and current controller 11 for radiating a light output; a light receiver 27 of photo-coupler 25 for passing therethrough electric current the amount of which changes in proportion to an amount of light output radiated from light emitter 26; and a PWM controller 28 for supplying a gate terminal of MOS-FET 5 with drive signals VG of variable pulse width in response to the amount of electric current through light receiver 27 of photo-coupler 25. Shunt regulator 24 is driven by output current ISH from rectifying smoother 6 supplied through a bias resistor 23 to produce a reference voltage VREF for regulating a reference value of output voltage VO. Shunt regulator 24 may comprise, for example, a well-known IC (integrated circuit) for reference voltage such as TL431. Resistance value of bias resistor 23 is determined to supply shunt regulator 24 with drive current ISH of a necessary minimum value when DC output voltage VO is of the constant value V2. PWM controller 28 produces drive signals VG of wide and narrow pulse width when respectively small and large amount of electric current flows through light receiver 27 of photo-coupler 25.
Voltage stabilizer 10 comprises detective resistors 12 and 13 connected between output terminals of rectifying smoother 6 for dividing DC output voltage VO to load 50 into a desirable step-down level; and a voltage-controlling operational amplifier 14 which has an inverted input terminal for receiving a first divided voltage on a first junction between detective resistors 12 and 13 and a non-inverted input terminal for receiving a reference voltage VREF of shunt regulator 24. Voltage-controlling operational amplifier 14 compares divided voltage on junction between detective resistors 12 and 13 and reference voltage VREF of shunt regulator 24 to produce an error voltage between the divided and reference voltages as a control signal for constant voltage. Output terminal of voltage-controlling operational amplifier 14 is connected to light emitter 26 through a resistor 15 and a diode 16. Current controller 11 comprises a current detecting resistor 17 as an output current detection means connected to a negative output line of rectifying smoother 6 for detecting DC output current IO through load 50 as a voltage corresponding to output current IO; parting resistors 18 and 19 connected to two terminals of shunt regulator 24 for dividing reference voltage VREF from shunt regulator 24 into a second divided voltage on second junction between parting resistors 18 and 19 so that the second divided voltage provides a reference voltage VR1 for regulating the rated current value IOMAX; and a current-controlling operational amplifier 20 which has a non-inverted terminal for receiving detection signals from current detecting resistor 17 and an inverted terminal for receiving reference voltage VR1 on second junction between parting resisters 18 and 19. Output terminal of current-controlling operational amplifier 20 is connected to light emitter 26 through a resistor 21 and a diode 22. Current-controlling operational amplifier 20 compares detection signal from current detecting resistor 17 and reference voltage VR1 to produce an error voltage therebetween as a constant current control signal. Voltage control operational amplifier 14 produces control signals for constant voltage which thereby causes electric current to flow through a resistor 15, a diode 16 and light emitter 26. Current control operational amplifier 20 produces control signals for constant current which thereby causes electric current to flow through a resistor 21, a diode 22 and light emitter 26. Optical output signals from light emitter 26 of photo-coupler 25 are controlled by a composite logical sum signal formed by constant voltage-current control signals from voltage and current control operational amplifiers 14 and 20.
Light emitter 26 of photo-coupler 25 produces a light output which is received by light receiver 27 to control electric current flowing through light receiver 27 to be proportional to an amount of light output from light emitter 26. PWM controller 28 modulates the pulse width of drive signals VG based on a value of electric current flowing through light receiver 27 of photo-coupler 25 and provides gate terminal of MOS-FET 5 with the pulse width-modulated drive signal VG. Resistors 15, 21, diodes 16, 22, photo-coupler 25 and PWM controller 28 form a drive signal generator. In this way, control circuit 9 controls the on-off period of MOS-FET 5 in response to DC output voltage VO and DC output current IO supplied to load 50 to always supply such stabilized DC output to load 50.
In operation of the DC power source device shown in FIG. 6, PWM controller 28 of control circuit 9 forwards drive signals VG to gate terminal of MOS-FET 5 to alternately turn MOS-FET 5 on and off so that DC input voltage is applied from DC power supply 1 to primary winding 3 of transformer 2 and MOS-FET 5 to cause electric current of high frequency to run through primary winding 3 and MOS-FET 5. Electric current of high frequency through primary winding 3 induces on secondary winding 4 high frequency voltage which is then rectified and smoothed by rectifying diode 7 and smoothing capacitor 8 of rectifying smoother 6, and converted into DC output voltage VO to load 50 through DC output terminals 29, 30.
When DC output current IO equal to or less than a rated value IOMAX is supplied to load 50 through DC output terminals 29 and 30, voltage stabilizer 10 of control circuit 9 operates to control DC output voltage VO toward load 50 to a constant value V2 as shown by a solid line A in FIG. 7. Under such a normal operating condition, DC output voltage VO between DC output terminals 29 and 30 is split to first junction voltage between detective resistors 12 and 13 so that voltage control operational amplifier 14 compares first junction voltage on the inverted input terminal with reference voltage VREF on the non-inverted input terminal from shunt regulator 24 to generate an error voltage between these compared voltages from output terminal of voltage control operational amplifier 14. Accordingly, when first junction voltage divided from DC output voltage VO is lower than reference voltage VREF from shunt regulator 24, voltage control operational amplifier 14 produces a positive error voltage to reduce an amount of light output from light emitter 26 of photo-coupler 25, decreasing electric current through light receiver 27. With declination of electric current through light receiver 27, PWM controller 28 operates to widen on-pulse width or time span of drive signals VG and provide them for MOS-FET 5 which therefore is turned on for a longer time. To the contrary, when first junction voltage of DC output voltage VO is greater than reference voltage VREF from shunt regulator 24, PWM controller 28 performs an opposite operation from the above-mentioned to shorten the on-period of MOS-FET 5. Thus, as shown by solid line A, DC output voltage VO can be adjusted toward a constant value V2 to supply load 50 with DC output power of constant voltage through DC output terminals 29 and 30.
In case DC output current IO through load 50 is greater than rate value VOMAX as in the overloaded condition, current control circuit 11 of control circuit 9 operates to control DC output current IO to the constant rated value IOMAX as shown by solid line B in FIG. 7. Here, as DC output current IO toward load 50 flows through detecting resistor 17 which picks out DC output current IO as a corresponding voltage value thereto. On the other hand, parting resistors 18 and 19 split reference voltage VREF from shunt regulator 24 to produce on second junction between parting resistors 18 and 19 reference voltage VR1 used to regulate DC output current IO toward the rated value IOMAX. Sensed voltage by detecting resistor 17 is input to inverted input terminal of current control operational amplifier 20 which compares sensed voltage from detecting resistor 17 with reference voltage VR1 on non-inverted terminal of operational amplifier 20 from second junction between parting resistors 18 and 19 so that operational amplifier 20 produces an error voltage between sensed voltage and reference voltage VR1 from output terminal. Error voltage from output terminal of operational amplifier 20 provides a control signal for constant current which flows through light emitter 26, diode 22 and resistor 21 to form a logical sum signal in cooperation with a control signal for constant voltage produced from voltage control operational amplifier 14. Accordingly, when DC output current IO toward load 50 exceeds the rated value IOMAX so that detection voltage by detecting resistor 17 is above reference voltage VR1 on second junction between parting resistors 18 and 19, current control operational amplifier 20 generates a negative error voltage to reduce the on-period of MOS-FET 5. Consequently, DC output voltage VO rapidly drops while DC output current IO through load 50 is maintained on a constant level IOMAX as shown by solid line B in FIG. 7, indicating the constant current output characteristics. A typical example of such a DC power source device is disclosed by Japanese Patent No. 3,099,763.
Meanwhile, DC power source device shown in FIG. 6 is defective in that it cannot supply shunt regulator 24 with minimum drive current ISH necessary to keep reference voltage VREF on a constant level when DC output voltage VO declines to a lower voltage VI because resistance value of bias resistor 23 is determined to supply shunt regulator 24 with drive current ISH of a necessary minimum value when DC output voltage VO is on the constant value V2. As a result, when DC output voltage VO drops as shown by solid line B in FIG. 7, shunt regulator 24 fluctuates reference voltage VREF, and therefore, disadvantageously changes DC output current IO. On the contrary, if bias resistor 23 is set to a low resistance value to supply shunt regulator 24 with drive current ISH of necessary minimum value when DC output voltage VO falls to lower voltage V1, a large electric current runs through bias resistor 23 when DC output voltage VO is of constant value V2, thereby inconveniently causing increase in power loss across bias resistor 23. As power loss across bias resistor 23 is indicated by seeking the square of potential difference between voltages V1 and V2 and then dividing the square by resistance value of bias resistor 23, the power loss increases with the greater difference between voltages V1 and V2. During the load standby mode such as under the unloaded or light-loaded condition, the power source device increases the ratio of power loss across bias resistor 23 to the whole power loss so that increased power loss with bias resistor 23 is a serious hindrance against improvement in conversion efficiency during the load standby mode. In this manner, control circuit 9 unfavorably and rapidly increases a rate of consumed power in the load standby mode.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a DC power source device which supplies a reference voltage source with necessary minimum drive current in case of the lowered output voltage, and controls drive current for the reference voltage source to a necessary minimum level in case of the rated output to reduce electric power consumed by the control circuit in the load standby mode such as under unloaded or light-loaded condition.


The use of CCR3 antagonists of the formula I

The present invention relates to the use of piperidine derivatives as selective CCR3 antagonists for the treatment of asthma. The invention also relates to a genus of novel compounds useful as selective CCR3 antagonists, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel compounds, and methods of treatment using the novel compounds. Additional novel compounds having CCR3 antagonist activity are also claimed.
Piperidine derivatives useful as CCR3 antagonists are disclosed in WO 01/77101. Piperidine-derivative muscarinic antagonists useful in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,883,096; 6,037,352; 5,889,006; 5,952,349; and 5,977,138. Piperidine-derivative CCR5 antagonists useful in the treatment of HIV and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthtitis are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,387,930.

Bipiperdine derivatives useful as CCR3 antagonists

Abstract: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of asthma is disclosed, as well as novel compounds of the formula II,

Abstract: pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and their use in the treatment of asthma, wherein R, Ra, X, Xa, R1, R2, R2a, R14, R14a, R16 and n are as defined in the specification.


The present invention relates to a stock for a small arms weapon and a modular detachable accessory housing (DAH) for the stock. The DAH may be used to hold a tactical accessory (e.g., a magazine) or provide a closed container. The stock may define a profile which comprises a forward facing segment and a bottom facing segment. The forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may intersect to form a step. The intersection of the forward facing segment and the bottom facing segment may define an oblique angle. The oblique angle may be an obtuse angle. The forward facing segment may include an accessory mounting rail. Also, the body of the stock may include a cylindrical cavity for receiving a receiver extension, a nested lever receiving cavity, as well as a bore that intersects the lever receiving cavity and the cylindrical cavity.

Small arms may be defined as man-portable individual or crew-served weapon systems used against protected and unprotected personnel and light/unarmored vehicles. Man portable individual weapon systems such as an M4 carbine or AR-15 type firearm may be configured to mission requirements or individual preferences. For example, the stock of these weapons may be customized or adjusted for a user's size or preference. Adjustable stocks, however, may be connected loosely to these weapons, causing unwanted noise and movement. Additionally, these weapon systems may include laser pointers, fire control devices, night vision devices, optics, thermal weapon sights and other devices. Many of these accessories require one or more batteries to operate.

Stock and detachable accessory housing for a small arms weapon


Disparate robotic devices can be automatically recharged and reprogrammed by self-scheduling individual time slots for the available recharging area(s) of a charging station. These charging stations provide a nest to which each robot must return periodically for power. These nests can also provide new tasking or patches for the robotic devices. The charging station and the robotic devices are both provided with communications capabilities and a protocol by which they can negotiate to find a time slot in which the device can be recharged, as well as determining a correct connector and a battery type.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to the ability of a robotic device to monitor and negotiate the charging of its own battery and to automatically receive re-tasking and patches during recharging. More specifically, the invention relates to a nesting device to which each robotic device must return periodically, with the robotic devices and nesting device sharing a protocol by which they negotiate a time slot for each robotic device.
2. Description of Related Art
Robots have been the stuff of science fiction from the early part of the nineteenth century to the present. Now, however, many types of robotic devices have been realized and many more are being designed. Some of these are relatively fixed, such as a robotic arm to locate tapes in a tape library, and these can be connected to a source of electricity by a power line. For self-mobile robotic devices, a battery is generally included as a power supply that must be periodically recharged. For a self-mobile robot, periodic recharging of the battery is necessary and it has been suggested that the more capable a robot is of taking care of its own needs, the less of a burden it is on the infrastructure it serves. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,416 to George et al., in its abstract, discloses a "recharge docking system for a battery-powered mobile robot which senses when the battery charge is below a predetermined level and halts the travel of the robot at its next navigational node following which the robot independently plots and negotiates a path from the next node back to a base node at a recharge station, where the batteries are charged." Thus, providing for automatic recharging is known.
However, as self-mobile robotic devices infiltrate into the mainstream, a company or individual who utilizes robots can find themselves with a large number of robotic devices that require regular recharging. It would be desirable to have a device and protocol by which a large number of robotic devices can be charged by a single charging unit in the most efficient possible manner, i.e., without human intervention.

Nesting negotiation for self-mobile devices

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention provides an approach for prioritizing a set of data packets associated with an application running in a networked computing environment. An SLA associated with a particular application and at least one other SLA associated with at least one other application are accessed. A proposed modification to a priority of a set of data packets associated with the particular application is then determined based on a comparison of a current performance of the set of data packets versus a specified performance of the set of data packets as set forth in the SLA. An effect of the proposed modification on a capability of the particular application to meet a set of terms of the SLA, and of the at least one other application to meet terms of the at least one other SLA will be evaluated. It will then be determined whether to implement the proposed modification.

The networked computing environment (e.g., cloud computing environment) is an enhancement to the predecessor grid environment, whereby multiple grids and other computation resources may be further enhanced by one or more additional abstraction layers (e.g., a cloud layer), thus making disparate devices appear to an end-consumer as a single pool of seamless resources. These resources may include such things as physical or logical computing engines, servers and devices, device memory, storage devices, among others.
Challenges can exist in assigning a priority to data packets associated with applications running in networked computing environments (e.g., cloud computing environments) such that Service Level Agreements (SLAs) are met. For example, changing a priority of a set of data packets associated with one application can have detrimental effects on the capability of a second application to meet the terms of its respective SLA (e.g., because data packets associated with the second application may be assigned a lower priority).

Prioritizing data packets associated with applications running in a networked computing environment


An ink cartridge detection circuit and method for detecting whether an ink cartridge is mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus. The ink cartridge circuit includes a driver for driving a corresponding nozzle by applying a driving power supply voltage to a corresponding heating element; a voltage detector connected to the heating elements for detecting a voltage level of the driving power supply voltage dropped by means of driving of the heating elements; and a controller for driving one or more of the heating elements through the driver and for comparing a voltage level detected by the voltage detector with a preset reference voltage level in order to detect whether an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage of the ink jet recording apparatus.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording images on a recording medium by discharging ink from an ink cartridge to the recording medium through a nozzle, and more particularly, to a circuit and method for detecting whether an ink cartridge is mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus and the type of ink cartridge mounted in the ink jet recording apparatus.
2. Background Art
Substantial developments have been made in the field of electronic recording technology. Specifically, a wide variety of highly efficient recording systems currently available which are capable of recording characters and images onto a recording medium such as, for example, paper and overhead projection film in a rapid and accurate manner. Thermal ink jet recording systems are particularly popular in this regard primarily because they exhibit various advantages such as, for example high printing speed, low noise, easy color printing, simply construction and low price. The concepts and operational principles of thermal ink jet recording systems are well described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,342 for Ink Jet Cartridge And Ink Jet Recording Apparatus Employing The Same issued to Kurata et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,664 for Ink Jet Recording Apparatus And Detachably Mountable Ink Jet Cartridge issued to Suzuki et al., all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
In general, an ink jet cartridge is detachably mounted on a recording head carriage assembly which supports a recording head, and traverses the recording head across the width of a recording medium in line recording operation. An ink jet cartridge is typically constructed in an unitary, detachable cartridge which contains an ink container for containing the ink, drop generating structures and electrically connections adapted for electrically coupling a recording head to the ink jet recording apparatus which provides drop generating energy in response to information signals generated by the ink jet recording apparatus. The principle behind this type of ink jet recording apparatus is the generation of the thermal pressure wave the ink container and subsequent emission of ink droplets from the ink container through a plurality of nozzles arranged vertically at a front end of a recording head. The thermal pressure wave is generated by selected heating elements installed in the nozzles, which heat the ink contained within the nozzles until the ink is ejected through an ejection orifice of the nozzles to produce a flying droplet of the ink. The droplet is deposited on the recording medium so that a desired character and image can be formed.
When the ink in the ink container is used up, however, the entire ink jet cartridge including a recording head needs to be replaced. This is required because the ink jet cartridge is typically constructed in a unitary structure regardless of whether such an ink jet cartridge involves a relatively large difference between the period in which the ink in the ink container is used up and the service life of the recording head. Although there has been proposed construction of an ink jet cartridge in which the ink container is detachably mounted to a recording head so as to permit replacement of the ink container and the recording head separately at different times, the ink jet cartridge still needs to be taken out from the ink jet recording apparatus for replacement of an entire ink jet cartridge or an individual part of the ink jet cartridge. Accordingly, it is necessary for the ink jet recording apparatus to be able to efficiently detect whether a new or replaceable ink cartridge is mounted on a recording head carriage for recording characters and images on a recording medium. However, not all ink jet recording systems are capable of efficaciously detecting a replaceable ink cartridge mounted thereon. More often, users tend to throw out the old ink cartridge but forget to mount a new ink cartridge for replacement. In such a situation, the recording operation is performed without the ink container mounted thereon. This, however, is not a desirable situation because air may be introduced into the ink passageway and contribute to the ink ejection failure.
Unfortunately, conventional ink jet recording apparatus requires additional detection pins mounted in the ink cartridge to detect the presence or absence of an ink container or a recording head. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,502 for Ink Jet Print Head Mounting Mechanism issued to Bowling requires both an ink jet cartridge and a carriage to contain a complementary panel of electrical contacts to determine whether the ink jet cartridge is mounted on the carriage. In Suzuki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,664 for example, a pair of detection pins are mounted on side surfaces of an ink cartridge holder to detect the presence or absence of an ink container. If additional detection pins are mounted in the ink cartridge, as I have observed however, a railroad is also required to connect the ink cartridge to the detection pins which undesirably increase the number of electrical pins in a connector. Further, even if additional detection pins are required to detect the mounting of a replaceable ink jet cartridge mounted on a carriage, it has also been my observation that the conventional ink jet recording apparatus is still unable to distinguish the type of an ink jet cartridge mounted therein. In other words, the conventional ink jet recording apparatus is only capable of detecting whether an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage, and is not capable of detecting whether a mounted ink jet cartridge is one is a mono ink cartridge an a color ink cartridge.

Circuit and method for detecting ink cartridge mounting in ink jet recording apparatus


A method of applying a dental composition to tooth surfaces is provided. The dental composition, comprising polymerizable resin and fluorescing compound, is applied to a tooth surface and cured so that it hardens. The composition is preferably used as a dental sealant that provides a hard, glossy surface finish over a tooth. Upon irradiating the sealant with ultraviolet light, the sealant exhibits a bright fluorescent glow. The sealant reverts immediately to its natural color when it is no longer exposed to the ultraviolet light.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods for using dental compositions containing polymerizable resins and fluorescent compounds. The dental compositions can be used as flowable composites (fillings), adhesives, sealants, and the like. The dental compositions are preferably used as dental sealants.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Dental professionals apply a sealant to the surface of a tooth in order to provide long-term protection against dental caries, which is caused by the accumulation of bacteria. The bacteria in plaque produce acids that eat into the tooth, eventually causing cavities to form therein. Pits and fissures may develop in the surface of a tooth, and bacteria tend to accumulate in these areas. Sealants are commonly used to fill the pits and fissures in the surface of a tooth, particularly the occlusal surfaces of posterior teeth. The sealants, once applied and cured, provide a smooth seal and prevent the ingress of fluids, food, and debris. The sealant can either have a clear composition or opaque composition to match the color of the tooth. Both types of sealant compositions tend to have a glossy surface finish and provide an aesthetically-pleasing appearance.
The dental professional must apply the sealant carefully so that it completely seals the pits and fissures in the surface of the tooth. Typically, the sealant is applied with a brush or other applicator. Then, the sealant is cured and hardened. The curing step normally involves irradiating the sealant with blue visible light having a wavelength generally in the range of about 400 to about 700 nm. The application and curing of the sealant can be difficult. When a clear sealant composition is used, the dentist may have trouble discerning between the pits and fissures, which need to be sealed, versus healthy dentition. It also can be difficult to apply an opaque sealant composition, because the color of the sealant composition and natural color of the tooth can be substantially the same. Another problem with some conventional sealants is that they tend to wear-away over time. When the dentist examines the patient in follow-up visits, he or she may not be able to easily detect if portions of the sealant have worn off. As part of an effort to address these problems, the dental industry has developed dental sealants containing fluorescing compounds. With these fluorescing sealants, the dental professional is better able to check margins and determine if the sealant has been placed accurately on the surface of the tooth during initial patient visits. In follow-up visits, the dentist can examine the patient's tooth, under fluorescing conditions, to determine if the sealant has worn off.
For example, Schwartz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,389 discloses dental compositions used for making restorations, inlays, onlays, crowns, sealants, glazes, and cements. The composition contains microbeads having a fluorescent rare earth chelated compound therein. The fluorescent rare earth compound is permanently isolated within the microbeads. The composition is colorless when viewed under ordinary daylight, sunlight, or disco light but is highly fluorescent when exposed to ultraviolet radiation having a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm according to the '389 patent.
Rheinberger et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,461 relates to a colorless dental material that can be distinguished from natural teeth, false teeth, and other dental materials. The colorless dental material includes a fluorescent substance that emits fluorescent light as a result of being irradiated with radiation having a wavelength in the region of 360 to 480 nm. Suitable dental materials, which can be made in accordance with the '461 patent, include spacer varnishes, blocking materials, composite filling materials, cements, and sealants. The dental material is irradiated with light having a wavelength in the region of 360 to 480 nm, and the material is viewed through a light filter. The '461 patent teaches that the interfering effects caused by reflection of the irradiating light (360 to 480 nm) and the natural fluorescence of teeth are overcome by using the light filter.
Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,748 discloses a dental restorative composition containing an additive that fluoresces under radiation having a wavelength in the visible light spectrum. The preferred additive is chromium-activated "crushed ruby." According to the '748 patent, a conventional light source, such as a blue light used for curing dental composites, can be used to irradiate the composition with the required visible light. The ruby additive fluoresces when irradiated by visible-wavelength light but does not fluoresce when irradiated by ultra-violet light.
Although some of the foregoing dental compositions can be used effectively as dental sealants, there is still a need for an improved composition. It would be particularly desirable to use a fluorescent compound, which does not impart any substantial color to the composition. The sealant, containing the fluorescent compound, would maintain its ordinary color after it had been applied to the surface of the tooth and while it was in an uncured condition. The sealant would maintain this same color after it had been cured. It also would be desirable to have a composition, which would fluoresce upon being irradiated with ultraviolet light, but would revert quickly to its ordinary color when it was no longer exposed to the ultraviolet light. The present invention provides a dental sealant having these desirable properties as well as other features and advantages.

Methods for using dental compositions containing fluorescent agents


A method and system for encouraging users of computer readable content to register. The method involves embedding in the computer readable content, instruction codes operable to direct a processor circuit to automatically establish a connection to a server, when the content is in use by the processor circuit, to transmit registration information to the server and operable to control further use of the content by the processor circuit in response to a key received from the server.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to user registration of software and more particularly to methods, systems, signals and media for encouraging users of computer readable content to register with a server.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the proliferation of computer readable content for sale such as software applications, music, data or movie files, for example, available for purchase on computer readable media such as a CD-ROM®, or a DVD® or floppy disc, or available for download via an Internet connection with a web server, unauthorized access and copying of computer readable content has become more and more widespread. Currently a computer user attempting to gain access to locked content such as on a CD-ROM®, must make live contact with the content owner or licensor and must purchase or license a key to access the content. This is inefficient and does not restrict the user from making use of the application on other computers or from providing the key to others to the detriment of the content owner. What is needed therefore is a more robust way to ensure that a person accessing the computer readable content is authorized to do so. In particular, it would be advantageous to have a way to restrict access to the content so that it can only be accessed from a single user's computer. This would effectively prevent unauthorized access to the content even if large numbers of copies of the work are distributed without control.

Methods, systems, signals and media for encouraging users of computer readable content to register


The present disclosure relates to a method and a control device (100) for operating an air treatment apparatus (10), the control device (100) comprising an input (102) arranged to receive measured data that is indicative of particle concentration from a sensing unit (130), a baseline processing module (104) arranged to derive particle concentration indicative information from the received measured data, an obtaining module (106) arranged to obtain augmenting information that is indicative of air quality, an air quality index augmenting module (108) arranged to determine an augmented air quality index based on the particle concentration indicative information and the augmenting information, and an operation control module (110) arranged to operate the air treatment apparatus (10) based on the augmented air quality index. The disclosure further relates to a corresponding computer program.

WO 2016/102510 A1 discloses an air quality-monitoring system which may include at least one sensor configured to detect operation of a mechanism within or at a boundary of an indoor environment. The mechanism may be external to an air purifier associated with the indoor environment. The system may include a persistent memory for storing data about the indoor environment observed by the at least one sensor. A controller may be communicatively coupled with the at least one sensor and configured to: assemble the data into an air quality profile associated with that environment; determine, based on a signal from the at least one sensor and on the air quality profile, a likelihood that operation of the mechanism will cause a measure of air quality within the indoor environment to fail one or more air quality criteria; and selectively provide, based on the likelihood, an indication that operation of the mechanism will cause the measure of air quality within the indoor environment to fail the one or more air quality criteria.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,940 B1 discloses an air purifier comprising a housing supporting an air inlet, an air outlet and an air flow passage interconnecting said air inlet and said air outlet, a blower assembly supported within said housing for forcing air through said air flow passage from said air inlet to said air outlet, a treatment light source disposed in said air flow passage and positioned proximate said air outlet, a filter arrangement disposed in said air flow passage, and an outlet grille supported by said housing proximate said air outlet, said outlet grille permeable to air.
WO 2014/207629 A1 discloses an air purifier and a controller for controlling an air purifier, the controller comprising a first obtaining module adapted to obtain a forecast of airborne injurants, a determination module adapted to determine an operation scheme of the air purifier according to said forecast of airborne injurants, and a purifier interface adapted to communicate with the air purifier and to transmit said operation scheme to the air purifier.
Air treatment apparatuses may be used in housing areas, but also in working areas, including offices, workshops, shops, etc. An air purifying apparatus is a device which is arranged to remove small particles and gaseous contaminants from the ambient air in a room. These devices are commonly considered as being beneficial to allergy sufferers and asthmatics. They may be also helpful in reducing or eliminating second-hand tobacco smoke, for instance, and similar small particle contaminants. Further fields of application may be envisaged.
Those appliances may be regarded as domestic appliances that improve the quality of the room air in buildings. Air purifying apparatuses may utilize, for instance, a set of filters to clean the room air. Further, air quality sensors may be provided. A ventilating unit may be provided that generates an air flow through the appliance. Regarding the purifying procedure, apart from filtering, further techniques may be utilized, for instance UV irradiators, thermodynamic sterilization, ozone generators, ionizers, etc.
Indoor air purification is an important topic for human health because nowadays people generally spend more than 80% of their time in houses, offices, and cars.
In allergen sufferers, relatively low levels of airborne allergens can trigger an allergic reaction. Airborne allergens may originate from outdoor sources (e.g. pollen, molds, etc.) and/or indoor sources (e.g. dust mites, animal hair, skin scales, mold, etc.). Further, apart from being present in the air, allergens settle on surfaces in the home and some allergens (from dust mites) originate on residential environment surfaces such as beds, floors, couches.
There is a demand for air purifiers and air treatment apparatuses that are capable of reducing the impact of allergens, which may involve a reduction of an allergen level in the ambient air. Accurate allergen sensors are not currently available. However, users still want feedback on allergen levels and a purifier that can smartly react to control the allergen levels and reduce the likelihood of an allergen reaction.
Furthermore, it has been observed that operating an air treatment apparatus sometimes is experienced as cumbersome and complicated. For instance, a main control value for the operation of air treatment apparatuses is a current concentration of particulate matter (PM) in ambient air. However, the nature and significance of PM concentration values (e.g. a PM2.5 concentration) is sometimes hard to understand for unexperienced users. As a result, there is the risk that due to operator errors the air treatment apparatus cannot achieve the desired purifying performance.
Hence, there is still room for improvement in air treatment apparatuses and operating methods therefor.

Control device and operating method for air treatment apparatuses


A height-adjusting foot for a household appliance includes an adjuster housing solidly connected to an appliance housing. A vertical threaded shaft is form-lockingly guided in the adjuster housing. A foot plate is connected to the threaded shaft. A nut which is rotatably supported in the adjuster housing and is screwed on the threaded shaft, has an outer periphery with a worm wheel. A worm is rotatably supported in the adjuster housing for driving the worm wheel. An adjusting rod is connected to the worm. Due to reduced expenditures, the costs of the adjusting device are lowered. It can be operated from one side wall of the housing, preferably from the front panel of the household appliance. The adjusting foot does not co-rotate in the adjusting operation.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a height-adjusting device for an adjusting foot of a household appliance, including a vertical threaded shaft having a foot plate and being guided in an adjuster housing solidly connected to an appliance housing, and a nut rotatably supported in the adjuster housing, screwed to the threaded shaft, having an outer periphery constructed as a worm wheel, being driven by a worm connected to an adjusting rod and being rotatably supported in the adjuster housing.
It has been known for a long time to provide household appliances with adjusting feet, at least one of which is adjustable in height in order to adapt the household appliance that is to be installed to local conditions (see German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE-OS 35 01 364, for example).
When household appliances are installed in a closed facade of furniture, such as in a corresponding niche or opening in built-in kitchen cabinets, difficulties arise for the user in gaining access to the adjusting feet disposed in the region of the rear edge of the housing when the installed height of the household appliance is set through the use of the adjustable adjusting feet which, for instance, are set to a precise horizontal and vertical position with the household appliance already inserted into its niche or opening. Thus if the household appliance proves to have been installed in an incorrect position, it may even have to be pushed in and out several times.
In order to make it easier for the user to adjust the height of the adjusting feet disposed in the region of the rear housing edge, it is also known, for instance from German Published, Non-Prosecuted Patent Application DE-OS 43 43 709, to provide one of the adjusting feet in the back with an adjusting device that can be operated from one wall of the housing, preferably the front of the household appliance. A disadvantage of that configuration is that the adjusting foot co-rotates as it is adjusted, and it has been found in practice that especially if it is on a relatively soft floor covering, it can cause damage to the floor covering, and/or extremely high force must be exerted to adjust the adjusting feet.
In order to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage, German Utility Model DE-GM 91 12 657 discloses a height-adjusting device for adjusting feet of the type referred to at the outlet, in which the adjusting foot does not co-rotate upon being adjusted, because of a mandrel in the adjuster housing that protrudes into an opening in the hollow threaded shaft.
That configuration is expensive because of the engineering and production-related expenditure, and since the housing has to fit over the threaded shaft of the adjusting foot, the adjustment range of the adjusting foot is limited.

Height-adjusting device for an adjusting foot of a household appliance


A pluggable file-based DRM (digital rights management) API (application program interface) layer for applications and engines. The invention defines a pluggable file-based DRM API layer such that mobile operators can choose to use any file-based DRM (FDRM) engine in their final product. An FDRM engine can be content agnostic (e.g., can range from an executable to a media file or ring-tone). In accordance with the invention, an application can become DRM aware by calling the novel file-based DRM APIs. Any FDRM engine can be plugged into the novel API layer such that applications can use the protected content. The API layer of the subject invention can be designed such that applications that are DRM aware by using the file-based DRM API layer can be DRM engine agnostic.

Technological advances in digital media players have created a new market channel for distribution of copyrighted content (e.g., music, video, pictures) to users. For example, a user can download and/or share (e.g., transfer) digital content via the Internet. Oftentimes, this download and/or transferred content can violate copyright laws and rights of the owner of the work.
Recent developments in audio compression technologies have been directed to digital rights management (DRM) mechanisms in order to control unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content. In general, these audio compression technologies make it feasible to download quality audio from the Internet expeditiously while limiting access and/or sharing of the content to only authorized users.
These compression techniques have revolutionized music distribution. For example, an hour of near CD-quality audio can be downloaded in less than five minutes using a standard home computer. Accordingly, publishers have tried to cope with this phenomenon by introducing and enforcing copyright protections via the compression techniques. Overall, unauthorized downloading and/or sharing have become a major legal issue for the music industry.
DRM is a mechanism for protecting the copyrights of digital content that is distributed over the Internet. A DRM system can also include the accounting for paying royalties to the authors of the material. For example, in the music industry, a typical DRM system can provide a container format that includes album and track titles along with a set of rules that can enforce copyright compliance. Accordingly, software and hardware media players should support the rules order to play back the copyrighted material.
With respect to portable devices, there are several possible file-based DRM engines required by mobile operators around the world. Unfortunately, today, it is not determined which DRM format a device will be required until a mobile operator and OEM (original equipment manufacturer) commence working together and well after product development has concluded.
What is needed is a system that defines a FDRM (file-based DRM) API layer such that mobile operators can choose to use any file-based DRM engine in their final product. Further, a need exists for a file-based DRM engine that is content agnostic. In other words, the content can range from an executable to a media file or ring-tone.

Pluggable file-based digital rights management API layer for applications and engines


A dispensing lid assembly which includes a rotatable spout for use with a container defining a container cavity. The container may be the type having deflectable sidewalls. The rotatable spout includes an arcuate ball portion and a nozzle portion. The arcuate rotator portion is retained on a base of the lid assembly to allow rotation thereof to align a through hole in the spout with a dispensing hole in the base. The arcuate rotator portion is configured to reduce the wear on a sealing gasket. A check valve assembly is attached to the base of the dispensing lid assembly. The check valve assembly includes a diaphragm which is pre-loaded within a valve chamber to provide a desired sealing effect between the diaphragm and the base portion. The check valve assembly is configured to pre-load forces on the diaphragm such that a desired inhaling force will unseat the diaphragm from the corresponding portion of the base to draw air therethrough. Upon equalization of the pressure within the container cavity and the ambient atmosphere, the diaphragm will return to seal against the base portion to prevent dripping therethrough.

The present invention envisions a dispensing lid for use with a container.
Dispensing lids are available which include a displaceable spout. However, these prior art lid assemblies generally must be used with a container having generally rigid, generally non-deflectable side walls. A rigid container is required due to the fact that such lid assemblies typically vent air into the container through the spout. This type of arrangement may develop a substantial inhaling force or vacuum in the container cavity and as a result create inwardly drawing forces on the container side walls. Such prior art lids operate in a satisfactory manner when used with a rigid container having non-deflectable walls which can withstand the vacuum created therein without collapsing.
In contrast, when a generally rigid, yet flexible container is used, such dispensing lid tend to draw the walls of a flexible container inwardly. Inhaling forces created during the dispensing of liquid through the spout tend to overcome the strength of the container wall thereby pull the container walls inwardly. As such, these prior art dispensing lids have not been used with lightweight flexible containers.
As a result of having a rigid container construction, container assemblies which employ a dispensing lid tend to be rather cumbersome. The cumbersome products are also are generally heavier and may not provide sufficient thermal efficiency.
One way in which the prior art has tried to overcome these problems of venting air other than through the dispensing spout is by the addition of a vent hole. However, vent holes in dispensing lids tend to result in dripping of water through the venting holes. If the size of the venting holes are reduced in order to minimize the dripping, the holes tend to be so small that adequate venting is not achieved thereby resulting in at least partially collapsing of the container walls.
As an additional factor, the prior art tends to create a pulsing or "burping" flow of water through the dispensing spout. In a rigid wall container, burping occurs when the flow is momentarily stopped as the inhaling forces overcome the head forces of the water in the container and outward flow forces of the water. The stream of fluid flowing from the container is momentarily stopped to draw air into the container and once the pressure inside the container is generally equalized relative to the ambient atmosphere, flow is resumed with a rush of water through the dispensing spout. Such pulsing flow can be unpredicatable and results in splashing of the liquid when dispensed from the container. The pulsing flow will also occur in a container having a somewhat flexible wall design in which the lid includes a venting hole.
As an additional matter, dispensing lids which include a rotatable spout typically include a design in which a ball portion is retained in a seat of the lid. The ball and the seat design tends to result in an unstable spout such that over extension of the spout might disengage the ball from the seat. This disengagement of the ball from the seat could result in uncontrolled flow of fluid from the container.
Additionally, prior art ball and seat design tends to result in leaking between the ball and seat. Although the prior art structures may employ an o-ring or other gasket, the design of the prior art ball and seat structure tends to wear the o-ring such that it prevents proper sealing.


To provide an electrochemical energy generating apparatus which can regulate the operating conditions of an electrochemical device such as a fuel cell, according to a change of the internal properties of the device, achieving high energy density, and a method for driving the apparatus. An electrochemical energy generating apparatus and a method for driving the apparatus which includes: an electrochemical device (2) such as fuel cell, for generating electrochemical energy; a measurement section measuring the operational state of the electrochemical device (2); a regulation section regulating the operating conditions of the electrochemical device 2; and a control section (11) connected to the measurement section and the regulation section and controlling the operating conditions, wherein the control section (11) controls the regulation section based on a measurement obtained by the measurement section during the operation of the electrochemical device (2) to regulate the operating conditions through the regulation section.

Lithium ion secondary batteries have two advantageous properties of high energy density and high power density and hence are at a higher level of perfection, and widely used as power sources for mobile devices. However, in recent years, the mobile devices have higher performance and are likely to have increased power consumption, and therefore a lithium ion secondary battery having further improved energy density and power density is demanded.
For meeting the demands, studies are made on the improvement of the lithium ion secondary battery in energy density, for example, a change of the electrode material for positive electrode/negative electrode, an improvement of the method of applying the electrode material, and an improvement of the method of sealing the electrode material are made, but the results cannot be put into practical use. A remarkable improvement in the energy density cannot be expected unless otherwise the materials currently used in the lithium ion secondary battery are changed.
For this reason, the development of a battery having an energy density higher than that of the lithium ion secondary battery is earnestly desired, and a fuel cell is one of the promising candidates.
The fuel cell includes an anode electrode and a cathode electrode, and a fuel is supplied to the anode electrode side, and air or oxygen is fed to the cathode electrode side. The fuel is supplied to cause a redox reaction, and electric energy can be taken from the chemical energy of the fuel.
A number of types of fuel cells are present in the world, and, according to the electrolyte membranes used in the fuel cells, they are classified into an alkali system (AFC), a phosphoric acid system (PAFC), a melt carbonate system (MCFC), a solid oxide system (SOFC), and a solid polymer system. Among a great number of fuel cells, a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), which is an example of fuel cells of a solid polymer system, is the most promising energy source for use in mobile devices, electric cars, and others.
The reason for this is that the DMFC uses a methanol solution as a fuel having a theoretical energy density of 4.8 kW/l, which is ten times or more the energy density of the lithium ion secondary battery. In other words, it is possible that the fuel cell using methanol as a fuel achieves an energy density higher than that of the lithium ion secondary battery. In addition, the DMFC has advantages in that it does not need a reformer for taking hydrogen from a raw material and hence can be relatively simply designed, and that the DMFC normally operates at a low temperature of 30 to 130° C., as compared to other fuel cells.
As a fuel for the DMFC, an aqueous methanol solution is used, and the aqueous methanol solution is supplied to the anode electrode side. The aqueous methanol solution advances an oxidation reaction at the catalyst layer on the anode electrode side to form carbon dioxide. Protons generated in this instance travel through an electrolyte membrane separating the anode electrode and the cathode electrode toward the cathode electrode where the protons react with oxygen to form water. The reactions proceeding on the anode electrode side and the cathode electrode side and the DMFC as a whole are represented by the following formulae.Anode electrode: CH3OH+H2O→CO2+6e−+6H+Cathode electrode: 3/2O2+6e−+6H+→3H2ODMFC as a whole: CH3OH+3/2O2→CO2+2H2O
A theoretical voltage generated by the above reactions is 1.23 V, but an actual voltage during the power generation is about 0.6 V or less. The reason the actual voltage is lower than the theoretical voltage resides in voltage depression caused due to the internal resistances of the DMFC, and there are present internal resistances inside the DMFC, such as a resistance caused due to the reaction proceeding at each electrode, a resistance caused due to the movement of a substance, a resistance caused when protons travel through the electrolyte membrane, and a contact resistance. Energy which can be taken from methanol is represented by a product of a voltage during the power generation and an amount of electrons flowing the circuit by the redox reaction of methanol, i.e., an output current, and, the lower the voltage during the power generation, the smaller the energy which can be taken from methanol. The total amount of the electrons flowing the circuit by the redox reaction of methanol is proportional to the amount of the methanol in the fuel if the below-mentioned methanol crossover is not caused.
The DMFC has a problem of methanol crossover. The methanol crossover is a phenomenon that occurs due to both diffusion caused by the methanol concentration gradient between the anode electrode side and the cathode electrode side, and electro-osmosis such that methanol leaks from the anode electrode side to the cathode electrode side in association with water moving due to the travel of protons.
Methanol penetrates the electrolyte membrane and goes from the anode electrode side to the cathode electrode side, and the methanol undergoes an oxidation reaction at the catalyst on the cathode electrode side, so that a counter-electromotive force is generated on the cathode electrode side, thus lowering the voltage. Further, this problem leads to another one in that the methanol is not used in the power generation but consumed on the cathode electrode side.
As mentioned above, the DMFC has two problems of the lowering of the voltage due to the internal resistance and methanol crossover and the fuel consumption by methanol crossover, and these problems are factors in lowering the power generation efficiency of the DMFC.
For increasing the power generation efficiency, research and development on the improvement of the properties of materials constituting the DMFC and on the optimization of the power generation conditions of the DMFC are made.
In the research on the improvement of the properties of materials constituting the DMFC, intensive studies are conducted especially on prevention of the methanol crossover.
As a method for preventing the methanol crossover, a method in which the all methanol supplied is used up on the anode electrode side is considered. As examples of this, there can be mentioned a method in which the catalytic activity per unit amount on the anode electrode side is improved and a method in which the amount of the catalyst carried is increased. However, it is difficult to improve the catalytic activity of a Pt—Ru catalyst currently generally used in the catalyst layer for the anode electrode, and an optimal catalyst has not yet been found. The increase of the amount of the catalyst carried can improve the catalytic activity to some extent, but the increase of the catalyst causes the internal resistance to be larger, leading to a problem in that the voltage is lowered.
In addition to the research and development of new catalysts, intensive studies are also made with a view toward developing an electrolyte membrane that can minimize the methanol crossover. A polyperfluoroalkylsulfonic acid membrane {e.g., Nafion (registered trademark) membrane}, which is generally used as an electrolyte membrane for DMFC, advantageously has high Proton conductivity, but it also has high permeability to methanol. An optimal catalyst has not yet been found as mentioned above, and similarly an optimal electrolyte membrane has not yet been found.
On the other hand, an article: "Journal of Power Sources, 112, (2002) 339-352" has a description showing that the power density and power generation efficiency of a DMFC vary mainly depending on the temperature, the flow rate of the fuel supplied, and the fuel concentration, and a description about the properties of the fuel cell as the above operational environments are changed.
In this article, data of the properties of the fuel cell is collected wherein the fuel cell is operated under different operating conditions such that the temperature is 40° C., 60° C., or 80° C., the flow rate of the fuel supplied is 0.15 ml/min, 0.5 ml/min, or 5 ml/min, and the fuel concentration is 2 mol/l, 1 mol/l, or 0.5 mol/l, and it is shown that, when the fuel cell is operated at 80° C. under operating conditions such that the smallest fuel concentration is selected, i.e., 0.5 mol/l and the largest flow rate of the fuel supplied is selected, i.e., 5 ml/min, the largest power density can be obtained. The article has a description that, in the power generation by the fuel cell under the above operating conditions, the output is high, but the methanol crossover is increased, and hence the power generation efficiency becomes poor. Further, the article also has a description that a power generation efficiency required for obtaining the same output markedly varies depending on the operating conditions.
For solving this problem, a method is considered in which the properties of the fuel cell are measured while finely changing parameters, such as the temperature, the flow rate of the fuel supplied, and the fuel concentration, and the operating conditions under which a high power generation efficiency is obtained are preliminarily determined to prepare a database, and the operation of the fuel cell is controlled based on the database.
Further, as a method for optimizing the operating conditions, there has been proposed a method in which a fuel flow rate control means for controlling the flow rate of the fuel supplied from a fuel tank according to the fuel concentration is utilized to improve the performance of the fuel cell [see, for example, Patent document 1 {Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-22830 (page 9, column 16, line 26 to page 11, column 20, line 35, FIGS. 8 to 12)}]. In this case, the internal model of a DMFC is represented by a mathematical formula, and the power generation conditions are grasped in the form of a formula to obtain the operating conditions.

Electrochemical energy generating apparatus and method for driving the apparatus


Embodiments of the disclosure include lubricious coatings. In an embodiment the disclosure includes a lubricious coating for a medical device including first and second coated layers. The first coated layer is between the second coated layer and the device surface and includes a vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and a photo reactive group. The second coated layer is in direct contact with the first coated layer and is a top coating that includes an acrylic acid polymer. The second coated layer can optionally include photoreactive groups. The coating was found to have a very low number of particulates (e.g., 10 μm or greater) which is very desirable for in vivo use.

Medical devices include, amongst others, those that are chronically implanted, devices that are transitorily implanted, and those that not implanted at all. Many types of medical devices are enhanced by reducing the friction between the device and the environment that surrounds the medical device, particularly during insertion of a device. One example is catheters that are inserted, at least transitorily, into the body of a subject. Reduction of friction can lead to enhanced patient comfort, procedural ease for the care provider, reduced chances for infection, as well as reduced tissue disruption, amongst other benefits. One approach to reducing the friction between a medical device and the environment surrounding the medical device is to apply a lubricious coating onto the medical device.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low particulate lubricious coating with vinyl pyrrolidone and acidic polymer-containing layers


An occurrence description scheme that describes an occurrence of a semantic entity in multimedia content is encoded into a content description for the content. The occurrence description scheme is extracted from the content description and used by an application to search, filter or browse the content when a full structural or semantic description of the content is not required.

Digital multimedia information is becoming widely distributed through broadcast transmission, such as digital television signals, and interactive transmission, such as the Internet. The information may be in still images, audio feeds, or video data streams. However, the availability of such a large volume of information has led to difficulties in identifying content that is of particular interest to a user. Various organizations have attempted to deal with the problem by providing a description of the information that can be used to search, filter and/or browse to locate the particular content. The Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) has promulgated a Multimedia Content Description Interface standard, commonly referred to as MPEG-7 to standardize the content descriptions for multimedia information. In contrast to preceding MPEG standards such as MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, which define coded representations of audio-visual content, an MPEG-7 content description describes the structure and semantics of the content and not the content itself.
Using a movie as an example, a corresponding MPEG-7 content description would contain "descriptors," which are components that describe the features of the movie, such as scenes, titles for scenes, shots within scenes, and time, color, shape, motion, and audio information for the shots. The content description would also contain one or more "description schemes," which are components that describe relationships among two or more descriptors, such as a shot description scheme that relates together the features of a shot. A description scheme can also describe the relationship among other description schemes, and between description schemes and descriptors, such as a scene description scheme that relates the different shots in a scene, and relates the title feature of the scene to the shots.
MPEP-7 uses a Data Definition Language (DDL) to define descriptors and description schemes, and provides a core set of descriptors and description schemes. The DDL definitions for a set of descriptors and description schemes are organized into "schemas" for different classes of content. The DDL definition for each descriptor in a schema specifies the syntax and semantics of the corresponding feature. The DDL definition for each description scheme in a schema specifies the structure and semantics of the relationships among its children components, the descriptors and description schemes. The DDL may be used to modify and extend the existing description schemes and create new description schemes and descriptors.
The MPEG-7 DDL is based on the XML (extensible markup language) and the XML Schema standards. The descriptors, description schemes, semantics, syntax, and structures are represented with XML elements and XML attributes. Some of the XML elements and attributes may be optional.
The MPEG-7 content description for a particular piece of content is an instance of an MPEG-7 schema; that is, it contains data that adheres to the syntax and semantics defined in the schema. The content description is encoded in an "instance document" that references the appropriate schema. The instance document contains a set of "descriptor values" for the required elements and attributes defined in the schema, and for any necessary optional elements and/or attributes. For example, some of the descriptor values for a particular movie might specify that the movie has three scenes, with scene one having six shots, scene two having five shots, and scene three having ten shots. The instance document may be encoded in a textual format using XML, or in a binary format, such as the binary format specified for MPEG-7 data, known as "BiM," or a mixture of the two formats.
The instance document is transmitted through a communication channel, such as a computer network, to another system that uses the content description data contained in the instance document to search, filter and/or browse the corresponding content data stream. Typically, the instance document is compressed for faster transmission. An encoder component may both encode and compress the instance document or the functions may be performed by different components. Furthermore, the instance document may be generated by one system and subsequently transmitted by a different system. A corresponding decoder component at the receiving system uses the referenced schema to decode the instance document. The schema may be transmitted to the decoder separately from the instance document, as part of the same transmission, or obtained by the receiving system from another source. Alternatively, certain schemas may be incorporated into the decoder.
Description schemes directed to describing content generally relate to either the structure or the semantics of the content. Structure-based description schemes are typically defined in terms of segments that represent physical, spatial and/or temporal features of the content, such as regions, scenes, shots, and the relationships among them. The details of the segments are typically described in terms of signals, e.g., color, texture, shape, motion, etc. The semantic description of the content is provided by the semantic-based description schemes. These description schemes describe the content in terms of what it depicts, such as objects, people, events, and their relationships. Depending on user domains and applications, the content can be described using different types of features, tuned to the area of application. For example, the content can be described at a low abstraction level using descriptions of such content features as objects' shapes, sizes, textures, colors, movements and positions. At a higher abstraction level, a description scheme may provide conceptual information about the reality captured by the content such as information about objects and events and interactions among objects. For example, a high abstraction level description may provide the following semantic information: "This is a scene with a barking brown dog on the left and a blue ball that falls down on the right, with the sound of passing cars in the background."
Current methods for constructing semantic descriptions allow for automatic creation of many low-level descriptions. However, construction of high-level descriptions still requires significant human interaction. One reason for that is the lack of formal specification of logic in MPEG-7 semantic descriptions that would allow computer science specialists to develop software for automatically constructing semantic descriptions of any abstraction level.

Use of formal logic specification in construction of semantic descriptions


A reaction can (40) formed from a light weight typically non-structural material, comprising: a housing (42) comprising sides (24a, b, 26a, b) defining an open mouth and a bottom (28) generally opposite the mouth; and a reinforcement collar the sides, about the mouth to reinforce the housing.

The present invention relates to an air bag inflation systems and more particularly to a housing or reaction can for a passenger side an air bag inflation system.
FIG. 1 is typical of a prior art reaction can, usually fabricated of metal, which is used to house and protect the other portions of the passenger side air bag system. Typically passenger side air bag systems include a cylindrically shaped gas generator about which may be placed an air bag in a folded configuration. Alternatively, a separate cylindrical sleeve or manifold is positioned about the gas generator with the air bag positioned about the manifold. The various parts are inserted into an open end 22 on one of the facing sides 24a, 24b of the reaction can 20. The other sides of the housing such as 26a and 26b may typically be formed of a single sheet of metal defining a bottom portion 28. Depending upon the mounting configuration the housing or reaction can 20 may include a plurality of openings such as 30a-30d to receive fasteners which exit from the manifold or gas generator or alternatively, other means may be formed in one or both of the sides 24a and 24b and used to support the gas generator manifold and air bag.
As previously mentioned, the prior art reaction can 20 is typically manufactured of metal as during inflation the air bag may tend to forcibly react with one or more of the sides 26a and 26b tending to warp same. The substantial construction of the metal retainer 20 lessens this warping and any incidental damage to a mating or closely spaced portion of the vehicle such as an instrument panel.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved, lightweight reaction can for an air bag inflation system. Accordingly, the invention comprises: a reaction can formed from a lightweight non-structural housing comprising sides defining an open mouth and collar secured to the sides about the mouth to reinforce the housing. In one embodiment of the invention the collar is formed of four separate pieces, while in other embodiments the collar is of unitary construction having an L or U shaped cross-section. In a further embodiment reinforcement straps extend for the collar and envelope the underside of the housing.
Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.


The invention is directed to a concrete distribution system for transportable concrete and includes a concrete conveying pipe line of several pipe sections and a pipe line carrier boom of several carrier boom segments. The concrete distribution system is so configured that it can be conveniently used in spatially limited construction sites such as tunnels. This is achieved in that pipe sections (6, 8) are connected to corresponding ones of the carrier boom segments (4, 5). The pipe sections are telescopically engaged with each other and the boom; segments are likewise telescopically engaged with each other. The pipe sections and boom segments are extended and retracted in tandem.

For a concrete distribution system of the above kind, it is necessary to configure the same so that its use is possible even at construction sites where free working space in elevation is limited, for example, in a tunnel or the like.
Concrete distribution systems for transportable concrete are known wherein the concrete conveyor pipe line comprises several pipe sections which are mounted so as to be foldable on the foldable pipe line carrier boom so that both are folded in the manner of a folding measuring scale. Here, the pipe line is guided through the knee joints of the carrier boom with a two-time 90.degree. bend at each knee joint. These bends cause unwanted repulsions in the pumping operation and therefore cause increased loading of the structure of the carrier boom. Furthermore, to move the concrete conveyor pipe line into an operating position for a concrete distribution system of this type, a free working space with a minimum height corresponding to the length of a pipe section is required. The use of the known concrete distribution system is restricted because a corresponding free working space is often not available.

Concrete distribution system for transportable concrete


A power system includes a dual fuel engine, a first fuel source configured to provide a first fuel to the engine, and a second fuel source configured to provide a second fuel to the engine different than the first fuel. The power system also includes an exhaust system configured to receive combustion exhaust from the engine. The exhaust system includes a reduction catalyst comprising palladium catalyst material and an oxidation catalyst comprising cobalt catalyst material. Additionally, changing a ratio of the first fuel provided to the engine relative to the second fuel changes a NOx conversion efficiency of the reduction catalyst.

Internal combustion engines, including diesel engines, gasoline engines, gaseous fuel-powered engines, and other engines known in the art exhaust a complex mixture of air pollutants. These air pollutants are composed of gaseous compounds such as nitrogen oxides (NOX), and solid particulate matter also known as soot. Due to increased awareness of the environment, exhaust emission standards have become more stringent, and the amount of NOX and soot emitted to the atmosphere by an engine may be regulated depending on the type of engine, size of engine, and/or class of engine.
In order to ensure compliance with the regulation of NOX, some engine manufacturers have implemented an exhaust treatment strategy incorporating SCR. SCR is a process where a gaseous or liquid reductant, most commonly urea or ammonia, is injected into the exhaust gas stream of an engine and is absorbed onto a substrate that has been coated with a reduction catalyst. As the exhaust passes through the substrate, the reductant reacts with NOX in the exhaust gas to form H2O and N2. In general, SCR is most effective when a concentration of NO to NO2 supplied to the reduction catalyst is about 1:1. In order to achieve this optimum ratio, a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) is often located upstream of the substrate to convert NO to NO2.
Although SCR with urea or ammonia is useful in some exhaust treatment systems, the use of such reductants can be hazardous. For example, ammonia can cause the direct oxidation of machine components, and the formation of ammonium salts can further corrode such components. Moreover, excess ammonia injected into the exhaust flow upstream of the substrate can often "slip" past the substrate, thus requiring the use of an additional "clean-up catalyst" downstream of the substrate to capture ammonia slip before it is released to the environment. Such clean-up catalysts increase the size, cost, and complexity of the exhaust treatment system.
As an alternative to SCR with urea or ammonia, an SCR process in which hydrocarbons are used as reducing agents may be employed. For example, combustion exhaust produced by natural gas engines and other like combustion engines is principally composed of methane and other hydrocarbons. Such hydrocarbons are capable of acting as reductants in the SCR process under certain conditions, and using such hydrocarbons as reducing agents in the SCR process eliminates the need for carrying a supply of hazardous reductants on the machine.
An exemplary system utilizing the SCR process to treat combustion exhaust is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,488,462 (the '462 patent). For example, the '462 patent teaches a lean-burn natural gas engine fluidly connected to a catalyst system. The catalyst system includes an oxidation catalyst configured to oxidize NO to NO2. The catalyst system also includes a reduction catalyst configured to reduce NO2 to N2 in the presence of methane and other hydrocarbons present in the exhaust stream.
While the system taught in the '462 patent may be utilized to treat exhaust produced by a natural gas engine, it may be difficult to optimize the efficiency of the disclosed system. For instance, it is understood that increasing the ratio of non-methane hydrocarbons to methane in the exhaust may increase the effectiveness of known reduction catalysts. However, the system taught in the '462 patent does not allow engine operators to increase the proportion of non-methane hydrocarbons in the exhaust. While methane and other hydrocarbons used as reducing agents by the system of the '462 patent may be plentiful in the engine exhaust, these hydrocarbons are easily combusted at elevated exhaust temperatures in the presence of oxygen. As a result of such combustion, a desired amount of hydrocarbons may not be available to sufficiently react with NOx.
The system of the present disclosure solves one or more of the problems set forth above.


Systems and methods for an improved solar/infrared conversion efficiency using multiple rectennas, one for each band of the spectrum. Each rectenna is optimally efficient for each spectrum band. An antenna receives at least one of a visible or infrared spectrum. Rectifying circuits coupled to the antenna generate a current based on a portion of the spectrum received by the at least one antenna. Each rectenna operates efficiently using a different operating voltage. The operating voltages are based on the selected load resistor and the current-voltage characteristics for the diode of the rectifying circuit at the associated spectrum portion.

It has been assumed implicitly by researchers in the field of rectennas (i.e., antenna-coupled diodes) that rectenna solar cells can provide efficient power conversion for the full solar spectrum. This would appear to be the case because rectennas operating in the microwave band can efficiently convert a broad range of frequencies. However, in the visible and near-infrared spectrums this is not the case.
Ordinarily diodes (as used in rectennas) act as mixers, producing sum and difference frequencies in response to input frequencies. This mixing effect would be expected to homogenize the input frequencies so that a single operating voltage would suffice for power conversion. This mixing effect increases with increasing input power. However, the maximum solar power that can be obtained by each rectenna element is approximately 0.3 microwatts due to coherence limitations. This does not provide sufficient power to produce significant mixing in the diode.
At the frequencies of visible and infrared light, the operation of an optical rectenna is fundamentally quantum mechanical in nature. A monochromatic (single-frequency) light source can, in principle, be converted to electrical power by an optical rectenna with 100% efficiency. However, this high conversion efficiency is available only at one operating voltage, corresponding to the photon energy (in eV) divided by the electronic charge q. That means that the entire solar spectrum cannot be efficiently converted to electrical power using optical rectennas operating at any single voltage.

Spectrum splitting using optical rectennas

THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, A BODY CORPORATE


Disclosed herein is a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display element, the liquid crystal display element including: a pair of alignment films provided on mutually facing sides of a pair of substrates; and a liquid crystal layer which is provided between the pair of alignment films and contains a liquid crystal molecule having a negative dielectric anisotropy, wherein at least one of the pair of alignment films contains a cross-linked compound obtained by cross-linking a polymer compound having a cross-linkable functional group as a side chain, the liquid crystal layer further contains a molecule which has a ring structure and a spacer linking the ring structure, and the liquid crystal molecule is given a pre-tilt by the cross-linked compound.

The present disclosure relates to a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal display element having a liquid crystal layer formed in a sealed-off state between a pair of substrates provided with alignment films on mutually facing sides thereof, and to a method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display.
In recent years, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) have been frequently used as display monitors in liquid crystal TV sets, notebook-sized personal computers, car navigation systems, etc. The liquid crystal displays are classified into a variety of display modes (systems) according to the molecular alignment (orientation) of liquid crystal molecules contained in a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between substrates. As one of the display modes, for example, a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode is well known in which the liquid crystal molecules are aligned (oriented) in a twisted state in the condition where no voltage is impressed thereon. In the TN mode, the liquid crystal molecules have a positive dielectric anisotropy, i.e., a property such that the dielectric constant in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule is greater than the dielectric constant in the minor axis direction. As a result of this, the liquid crystal molecules are arranged in a line in the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface while the oriented azimuths of the liquid crystal molecules are sequentially rotated in planes parallel to the substrate surface.
On the other hand, an increasing attention has been paid to a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode in which liquid crystal molecules are oriented (aligned) vertically to the substrate plane in the condition where no voltage is impressed thereon. In the VA mode, the liquid crystal molecules have a negative dielectric anisotropy, i.e., a property such that the dielectric constant in the major axis direction of the liquid crystal molecule is lower than the dielectric constant in the minor axis direction. Consequently, a wider viewing angle can be realized in the VA mode as compared with the TN mode.
In a liquid crystal display in such a VA mode, when a voltage is impressed thereon, the liquid crystal molecules of a negative dielectric anisotropy having been aligned in the direction vertical to the substrates respond to the voltage in the manner of falling down to be parallel to the substrates, thereby permitting transmission of light therethrough. However, the liquid crystal molecules having been aligned vertically to the substrates are tilted in arbitrary directions. Upon application of a voltage, therefore, the alignment of the liquid crystal molecules is disturbed. This has been a cause of worsening the response characteristic to voltage.
In view of this, in order to enhance the response characteristic, technologies for regulating the direction in which the liquid crystal molecules fall down in response to a voltage have been investigated. A specific example of the technologies is a technique (light alignment film technique or photo-alignment technique) in which a pre-tilt is given to liquid crystal molecules by use of an alignment film formed by irradiation with linearly polarized UV light or irradiation with UV light from an oblique direction relative to the substrate plane. As the light alignment film technique, there has been known, for example, a technique in which a film formed from a polymer including a chalcone structure is irradiated with linearly polarized UV light or irradiated with UV light from an oblique direction relative to the substrate plane, whereby double bond portions in the chalcone structures are cross-linked to form an alignment film (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-087859, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-252646, and Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-082336). In addition, there has also been known a technique in which an alignment film is formed by use of a mixture of a vinyl cinnamate derivative polymer and a polyimide (see Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-232400). Further, there has been known, for example, a technique in which a film containing a polyimide is irradiated with linearly polarized light having a wavelength of 254 nm to decompose a portion of the polyimide, thereby forming an alignment film (see Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 10-073821). Besides, as a peripheral technique of the light alignment film technique, there has been known a technique in which a film of a liquid-crystalline polymer compound is formed on a film of a polymer containing a dichromatic photo-reactive building block such as an azobenzene derivative which film has been irradiated with linearly polarized light or irradiated with oblique light, thereby forming a liquid-crystalline alignment film (see Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 11-326638).
In addition, there has been known, from Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2011-095696, a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display element including a pair of alignment films provided on mutually facing sides of a pair of substrates, and a liquid crystal layer containing liquid crystal molecules having a negative dielectric anisotropy, wherein at least one of the pair of alignment films contains a cross-linked or deformed compound obtained by cross-linking or deforming a polymer compound having a cross-linkable functional group as a side chain, and the liquid crystal molecules are given a pre-tilt by the cross-linked or deformed compound.

Liquid crystal display and method of manufacturing the same


A data management apparatus includes a storage device; and a processor that executes a procedure, the procedure including selecting a data group, each data in the data group including one of a plurality of tags, among a plurality of data, compressing the data group into a compressed data group, and storing the compressed data group in the storage device, the stored compressed data group being associated with tagging information which indicates that each data of the data group includes the certain tag.

Data warehousing involving the collection of large numbers of business reports is conducted in order to increase the transparency of corporate activity over long periods. Such data warehouses generally have characteristics like the following. Although the access reference is low, large amounts of data are saved for long periods. Also, since data is stored over long periods, reports and other information are stored in a general format (such as XML (eXtensible Markup Language), for example) able to cope with changes of application due to changes in business practices. Furthermore, endeavors to reduce costs are made by utilizing a relational database (RDB) as a long-term asset.
For this reason, it is typical to store XML documents directly as columns in an RDB as assumed by design, and the resulting increases in data search costs (performance problems, for example) and investment costs of disks for large-volume data storage are becoming significant. Formats that conform to Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) considerations are also becoming typical data layout structures.
In contrast, regarding the performance problems mentioned above, there exists technology that localizes records to be accessed in a database management system by adding an index with an XML-like structure (such as creating an index that stores XML document paths and their values, for example). As a separate approach, there also exists technology that, although searching all records, uses parallel processing to speed up overall performance.
The above-described technique of identifying target records by adding an index with an XML-like document structure is an adaption of existing ideas about RDB index structures to XML. However, with long-term data storage, there is a possibility that design changes may occur in order for the XML document structure (report format) to keep pace with changes in business practices, thus increasing costs.
In addition, the technique that performs parallel searches is a method that yields performance advantages by splitting information across disks, which incurs the usage of extra resources. Moreover, partitioning to split up data in order to yield parallel performance gains involves designing how to level access across disks for long-term data management, and is burdensome from a cost perspective.

Data managing method, apparatus, and recording medium of program, and searching method, apparatus, and medium of program