A liquid tank holding mechanism for detachably holding a liquid tank to a main body portion includes a biasing member, a cover and a lever, wherein: the biasing member biases the liquid tank in a disengaging direction with the liquid tank mounted; the lever includes a lock, a biasing portion, a shaft, and a retainer and is attached to the cover pivotally around the shaft; when the retainer abuts the retainer catch, a center of the shaft is placed so as to be closer to the bearing region than is the shortest line linking a tip of the first bearing portion and a tip of the second bearing portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid tank holding mechanism detachably mounted on a liquid ejection apparatus and adapted to contain and hold a liquid such as ink.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid ejection apparatus supplies a liquid to a print head by installing a liquid tank directly on the print head or mounting the liquid tank on a liquid tank mount connected to the print head through a tube or the like. As a mechanism for holding a liquid tank at a predetermined position, a configuration disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-110577 is known. In this configuration, the liquid tank biased in a detaching direction by a first spring when mounted is held at a predetermined position by a lever provided on a holder. More specifically, the lever provided on the holder is equipped with a lock protruding toward the liquid tank and configured to be able to pivot on an axis orthogonal to a disengaging direction of the liquid tank, with the lock being biased toward the liquid tank by a second spring. When the liquid tank is mounted, the lock is engaged with part of the liquid tank, thereby holding the liquid tank in a predetermined location. In disengaging the liquid tank, the engagement between the lock and liquid tank is released by application of a force acting against biasing toward the lock, thereby disengaging the liquid tank by biasing in the disengaging direction.
To implement a lever mechanism such as described above using an easy-to-assemble configuration, it is conceivable to configure part of a bearing portion of a cover surrounding a pivot shaft of the lever to be movable in a plane orthogonal to the pivot shaft. More specifically, the bearing portion is divided into two parts and the bearing portion itself or a root of the bearing portion is made flexible and movable in either or both of the two parts. With such a configuration, during assembly of the lever, the bearing portion moves to allow the pivot shaft of the lever to be assembled, and after the assembly, the bearing portion becomes able to hold the pivot shaft of the lever by returning to such a position as to surround the lever shaft.
However, in a configuration in which part of the bearing portion is movable, when an inertial force in the disengaging direction is produced on the liquid tank due to a drop or other shock, a force tending to disengage the liquid tank acts on the lock of the lever, and consequently there is a fear that the lever shaft may come off the bearing portion. When the lever comes off the bearing portion, due to the inertial force produced on the liquid tank and the biasing in the disengaging direction the liquid tank will come off the cover.


A tampering diagnostic system for a vehicle comprises a control system that stores calibration data. A transmitter selectively wirelessly transmits the calibration data. A service assistance system that is remote from the vehicle receives the calibration data wirelessly from the transmitter. A manufacturer information system receives the calibration data from the service assistance system, compares the calibration data to factory calibration data, and selectively generates a tampering flag based on the calibration data.

Automobile manufacturers guarantee the quality of their vehicles by offering limited warranties. The warranty typically includes powertrain components of the vehicle. For example, if a powertrain component malfunctions, the manufacturer will repair the powertrain component at no additional cost to the customer.
The manufacturer tests, evaluates, and adjusts engine and transmission calibration data to optimize emissions, performance, durability and/or other design factors. Some customers may replace factory calibration data in an attempt to modify and/or improve the performance of their vehicle. The warranty typically excludes damage that occurs due to user modification. However, user modification may be difficult to detect.
For example, powertrain calibration data relating to electronic throttle control (ETC), fuel injection, transmission shift points, and/or turbocharger and supercharger set points may be modified to enhance vehicle performance. Increasing performance may damage and/or accelerate wear on the powertrain components. When damage occurs, some customers may reprogram the modified calibration data back to the factory calibration data and attempt to have damaged parts repaired under warranty. Without proof of the customer's modification, the manufacturer must honor the warranty, which unnecessarily increases warranty costs.

Remote diagnostic system for detecting tampering of vehicle calibrations


Packaging films for press-through packaging comprise a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate film having an intrinsic viscosity .eta. of 0.31 to 0.6 wherein the film is: (1) stretched in mutually perpendicular directions each with draw ratios of 1 to 3 times; or (2) stretched in the longitudinal direction at draw ratios of 3 to 6 times and in the transverse direction at draw ratios of 1 to 1.8 times. The films have a thickness of 5-150 .mu.m and may be incorporated into multi-layer cover films comprising the polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate film, a barrier layer, a reinforcing layer, and a sealing or adhesive layer.

Aromatic polyesters exemplified by polyethylene terephthalate (hereinafter abbreviated to "PET") and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) have excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance and other properties and, hence, have been widely used in various industrial applications. Among them, polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate (hereinafter abbreviated to "PEN") is superior to PET in mechanical strength (Young's modulus and breaking strength), heat resistance (longterm heat stability and dimensional stability), chemical properties (chemical resistance and gas barrier property) and other properties by virtue of the rigidity and plainness of the molecular chain and, in recent years, have attracted considerable attention (Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 29541/1973 and 40917/1973). High-performance films of PEN, which have utilized the above properties, for example, base films for magnetic tapes and capacitor films, are currently on the market. Further, PEN is a promising candidate for use in other applications, that is, as a high-performance packaging material in the field of various packaging materials.
Paper, various plastics and the like are currently in use as packaging materials and applied to packaging materials having a gas barrier property, freshness retaining packaging materials, heat-resistant packaging materials, easy-open packaging materials and mischief preventive packaging materials.
Regarding easy-open packages, various easy-open packaging materials have been developed such as those using a stretched film, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 55059/1988 and 96066/1988 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 11258/1979; easy-tear packaging materials exemplified by pouches provided with a cut, a scratch, a perforation or an opening tape, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 52065/1987, 39465/1987, 82965/1988, and 67273/1988; peelable packaging materials wherein the contents are taken out by peeling off a heat-sealed cover, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 109768/1987, 27254/1988, 96067/1988, and 307073/1988; and easy-open caps.
For easy-tear packaging materials, air tightness and an increase in speed have been pursued in bag making/charge packing, and regarding opening, it is a common practice to use a method in which the end face of a bag is subjected to sealer tear cutting so that tearing can be carried out from the bottom, or a notch is provided so that tearing can be carried out from the notch (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 39465/1987). In the above methods, troubles frequently occur including that the bag cannot be torn straight, the contents are damaged, or the liquid is scattered. On the other hand, vacuum packaging or retort packaging is, in many cases, inconvenient because a cutting tool should be used or it is difficult to take out the contents from the package because the contents are adhered to the bag. In recent years, easy-tear packaging materials with various ideas being incorporated have been developed.
Overlap packages in confectionery and tobaccos are generally provided with an opening tape (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 67273/1988) to impart an easy-open property to the packages. In general, the overlap package is produced by a single packaging system, and an easy-open stretched polyethylene (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55059/1988), polypropylene, or cellophane is used in a small thickness (20 to 30 .mu.m) to impart an easy-open property to the film. On the other hand, for shrink packaging, the material, thickness, packaging machine, package form, and the like for the film used vary depending upon the applications and quality required. Therefore, various easy opening methods exist, and this, together with various technical problems, is one of the reasons why easy opening is not extensively adopted in shrink packages.
In general, the stretched film is, of course, easily torn in the stretching direction, and this tendency is particularly significant for a highly crystalline stretched film such as a high-density polyethylene (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 55059/1988).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 11258/1979 discloses, as a synthetic resin film having an easy-open property, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrol and nylon films which have been uniaxially stretched by 3 to 10 times.
Such a highly crystalline film, however, has problems including that the cut cannot be smoothly propagated and hang-up occurs in places, the film is locally stretched to render the opening very difficult and feather-like residues occur to deteriorate the image of goods. Although this film can be broken in a uniaxial direction, it is difficult to break the film in a direction perpendicular thereto, so that the contents cannot be easily taken out from PTP (press-through pack) using the film. Polyolefins, such as polyethylene, have a poor gas barrier property and, hence, have a problem that the contents of the package is deteriorated by oxidation.
The above plastic packaging materials generally have problems including that 1) they cannot be torn by hand or stretched and torn, i.e., do not have an easy-open property, 2) the gas barrier property is low, that is, the gas permeability is high, and 3) since various materials are used in combination, it is difficult to recycle the materials.
On the other hand, PTP's using aluminum as a cover do not suffer from the above problems. Since, however, the blister sheet and the cover are strongly bonded to each other with an adhesive, the separation of the blister sheet from the cover is so difficult that it is impossible to separate the resin and aluminum from each other for recycle. Further, even though the used packs are incinerated, aluminum remains unburned.
Further, since aluminum used as a cover in blister packs and PTP's is opaque, any optical test of the contents cannot be carried out from the side of the cover with the blister sheet and the cover being integrally formed.
Furthermore, also from the viewpoint of preventing the contents from being kept out of mischief, these packages are preferably easy to open and transparent so that whether or not the contents have been once taken out can visually learn.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art and to provide a packaging film which can satisfy requirements for gas barrier properties, easy-open properties (including easy-tear and press-through properties) and can be recycled.

Film formed from polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate resin, process for producing said film and package using said film


Novel bicyclic carbohydrate compounds are effective for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases caused by infections of the alphaherpesvirinae HSV-1 and HSV-2. The invention includes the compound

The invention relates generally to compounds active against viral diseases and, more specifically, to bicyclic carbohydrates that are active against infections caused by the alphaherpesvirinae HSV-1 and HSV-2.
Infections by herpes viruses are among the most common and easily transmitted viral conditions. Numerous distinct viruses have been identified and the treatment by chemotherapeutic agents of diseases caused by some of these, such as HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV (varicella-zoster virus), has produced substantial clinical benefit.
The genomic linear double-stranded DNA of the herpes viruses codes for about 100 polypeptides. While the functions of most of the encoded proteins are poorly understood, a number of them are well characterized and include enzymes which provide excellent targets, or have vital implications, for chemotherapy. These include a DNA polymerase essential for replication, a protease and, significantly for HSV-1, HSV-2 and VZV, a thymidine kinase. Anti-herpes virus agents often show a broad spectrum of activity across the family, a consequence of structural similarities between the functional proteins, although the presence or absence of the thymidine kinase is usually a key factor in selectivity.
Herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2 cause a broad spectrum of diseases in humans including labial and genital herpes (R. J. Whitley. Herpes simplex viruses. in Fields virology (eds. B. N. Fields, D. M. Knipe and P. M. Howley) 2297–2342 (Raven, New York, 1995)). The diseases all could be caused by either virus, though HSV-1 primarily affects the upper part of the body whereas HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital infections. Although HSV diseases are not usually life threatening, recurrences can dramatically affect the quality of life of afflicted individuals. Nucleoside analogs such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir have been approved as the drugs of choice for the treatment of HSV infections (C. M. Perry, D. Faulds. Valacyclovir. A review of its antiviral activity, pharmacokinetic properties and therapeutic efficacy in herpesvirus infections. Drugs 52, 754–772 (1996)).
These drugs inhibit the viral DNA polymerase after activation by the viral thymidine kinase (R. A. Vere Hodge. Famciclovir and penciclovir. The mode of action of famciclovir including its conversion to penciclovir. Antiviral Chem. Chemother. 4, 67–84 (1993); J. E. Reardon and T. Spector. Acyclovir: mechanism of action and potentiation by ribonucleotide reductase inhibitors. in Advances in Pharmacology (ed. T. Augusta) 1–27 (Academic, New York, 1991)).
Acyclovir, as a treatment for HSV infections, was the first example of a genuinely selective antiviral agent. Via some interactions acyclovir slows down the DNA-replication. However, it is only the triphosphate of acyclovir that interacts with the virus-specific DNA polymerase (P. A. Furman, M. H. StClair, J. A. Fyfe, J. L. Rideout, P. M. Keller, G. B. Ellion. J. Virol. 32, 72 (1979)). Acyclovir triphosphate (ACV-TP) itself is formed via its mono- and diphoshate intermediates. Already in the first step, the conversion of ACV in its monophosphate form, the first point of selectivity can be found. This step is carried out by an enzyme coded by the virus, viral coded thymidine kinase (TK), which can only be found in virally infected cells. Nevertheless there are cellular counterparts, cellular thymidine kinases, but they show much higher substrate specificity. The viral enzyme is less specific and will recognize a larger diversity of nucleosides as substrate. This is why only in the viral infected cell acyclovir is converted by TK to its monophosphate, which is converted into the triphosphate by cellular enzymes. This is the first aspect of the selectivity of acyclovir: the triphosphate is only formed in infected cells. The obtained ACV-TP then acts as an inhibitor of DNA-polymerase. This is the second step in the selectivity process, since ACV-TP inhibits viral coded DNA polymerase stronger than that in healthy cells. As soon as ACV-TP is incorporated in the growing DNA-chain, it will act through the absence of a 3-OH group as a chain terminator (the same principle as AZT). Additionally the viral DNA polymerase is irreversibly bound to the ACV nucleotide it attached to the DNA chain. In this way the growth of the viral DNA chain as well as the availability of the viral DNA polymerase is diminished, which hampers viral replication severely.
Clinical isolates and, especially, laboratory mutant strains can be resistant to acyclovir and other nucleosides. Many of these strains have deleted or altered the thymidine kinase, which makes them unable to phosphorylate nucleosides. TK function is not vital to the survival of HSV, though it may be able to increase replication rates. In vitro methods have produced acyclovir resistant phenotypes, which have an alteration in the function of the DNA polymerase. These are potentially a bigger problem, but so far appear to be of little clinical significance. When acyclovir resistance causes significant problems, foscarnet is used; however, mutants where acyclovir resistance is due to altered DNA polymerase function can also be resistant to foscarnet and phosphonate isosters of nucleoside monophosphates. Nucleoside-resistant HSV infections are increasingly encountered in immunocompromised individuals (D. W. Kimberlin et al. Antiviral resistance in clinical practice. Antiviral Res. 26, 423–438 (1995)). Therefore, pharmacologically distinct anti-HSV agents with significantly improved therapeutic efficacy are developed, such as HSV helicase-primase inhibitors (J. J. Crute et al. Herpes simplex virus helicase-primase inhibitors are active in animal models of human disease. Nature Med. 8, 386–391 (2002)) or inhibitors that block protein-protein interactions (N. Moss et al. Peptidomimetic inhibitors of herpes simplex virus ribonucleotide reductase with improved in vivo antiviral activity. J. Med. Chem. 39, 4173–4180 (1996)).
Alternative compounds with activity against herpes viruses such as HSV-1 and HSV-2 are needed.

Bicyclic carbohydrates as antiviral bioactives for the treatment of infections caused by the alphaherpesvirinae HSV-1 and HSV-2

Abstract: wherein X1, X2, and X3 are selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S; wherein Y1 and Y2 are selected from the group consisting of O, N, and S; and wherein Z is selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and Br, as well as analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, together with pharmaceutical compositions for the prophylaxis and treatment of diseases caused by infections of alphaherpesvirinae.


Timepiece or watch (1000) or music box including an acoustic display mechanism (100), for a striking timepiece (1000), including a plurality of control-pieces (1) for the same time measurement parameter, staged in parallel planes, and further including melody selection means (3), arranged to be operated by a user or by the timepiece movement, controlling or prohibiting, at a given moment, access of the control-pieces (1) to a common snail (2) corresponding to said time measurement parameter, to allow only one of the control-pieces (1) to operate at least one lever (4) controlling the motion of a hammer to play a melody that is specific thereto or to activate at least one gong that is specific thereto.

Striking watches were invented in the past to overcome the absence of night lighting, and to know the time at any moment.
Improvements have made it possible to play melodies, for example by the juxtaposition, in a predetermined order, of sequences controlled by discs or cylinders with holes or pins such as those used in music boxes.
However, striking watches still do not offer all the possibilities provided by watches with a visual display, and in particular a distinction between day/night, morning or afternoon (AM/PM), a distinction between several time zones (GMT), or even the breaking down of time into particular time scales, as desired by the user.
EP Patent Application No 2498145A1 in the name of MONTRES BREGUET SA discloses a striking mechanism with different chimes, with a stage for a repeater unit including a drive plate with a pivoting pipe carrying a click with a beak returned by a spring and movable under the action of a detent ratchet pin cooperating with a strike work control mechanism, this stage including a ratchet which has a pipe and pivots on the pipe to cooperate, on a toothing comprised therein, with the beak of the click, which allows or prohibits rotation of the ratchet, which is integral with a first hour rack cooperating with a first hammer lever. This stage includes, pivoting about the same axis, a second hour rack cooperating with a hammer lever of said striking mechanism.
EP Patent Application No 1770453A1 in the name of CHRISTOPHE CLARET SA discloses a mechanical timepiece including a mechanism for indicating the time of a first and a second time zone, provided with a striking device for producing, as required, a chime corresponding to the time of the first or of the second time zone; this striking device is powered by a single striking barrel controlled by control members intended to release a strike corresponding to the time of the first and of the second time zone.

Melody selection mechanism for a striking timepiece


An aircraft hydraulic system for operating a plurality of hydraulically-operated actuators in the aircraft having a hydraulic reservoir in which hydraulic fluid is stored, a hydraulic distribution system coupling the hydraulic reservoir to the actuators and having a main flow line coupled to the hydraulic reservoir, a hydraulic pump fluidly coupled to the main flow line and the hydraulic reservoir to pump hydraulic fluid from the reservoir to the main flow line, a main filtration system fluidly coupled to the main flow line upstream of at least some of the actuators, and a self-cleaning filter fluidly coupled upstream of the main filtration system.

Contemporary aircraft may include a hydraulic system for operating or actuating moveable components in the aircraft such as landing gear, brakes, etc. The hydraulic fluid may become contaminated during use and need to be filtered. Thus, filter systems, such as replaceable media filters, may be included in the aircraft to filter contaminates therefrom; such contemporary aircraft hydraulic filter systems are costly and require routine service to replace or clean the filter.


A method of audio signal processing includes receiving a first audio input signal (first input signal) at an input of a first integrating amplifier of a first single-ended (SE) closed loop channel, and second input signal with a polarity reversed relative to the first input signal at an input of a second integrating amplifier configured of a second SE closed loop channel. During audio signal processing a common-mode (CM) reference voltage level applied to a current source coupled to an input of the first and second integrating amplifiers is dynamically changed including whenever a level of the input signals is below a predetermined low level, reducing the CM reference voltage level for implementing low duty cycle (LDC) PWM operation, and whenever the level is above a level that corresponds to an onset of clipping, increasing the CM reference voltage level for at least reducing the clipping to lower crossover distortion.

A class-D power amplifier is an electronic amplifier in which the amplifying devices (typically MOSFETs to limit power loss) operate as electronic switches, instead of as linear gain devices as in other amplifiers. The signal received to be amplified is a train of constant amplitude pulses, so the active devices in the amplifier rapidly switch back and forth between a fully conductive (ON) and fully non-conductive (OFF) state.
The analog signal to be amplified is converted to a series of pulses (output pulse train) by pulse width modulation (PWM), pulse density modulation or other similar method before being applied to the amplifier. After amplification, the output pulse train can be converted back to an analog signal by passing the output pulse train through a passive low pass filter (LPF). The major advantage of a class-D amplifier is generally that it can be more efficient than analog amplifiers, with less power being dissipated as heat in the active devices.
Two single-ended channels can be used to create 1 bridge-tied load (BTL) output channel, where a BTL is an output configuration for audio amplifiers that implements a form of impedance bridging. The two channels of a stereo amplifier are fed the same monaural audio signal, with one channel's electrical polarity reversed relative to the other. A loudspeaker is connected between the two amplifier outputs, bridging the output terminals. BTL can double the voltage swing at the load as compared with the same amplifier used without bridging.
Ternary or 1 sinusoidal pulse width (SPW) modulation can reduce idle loss by creating a PWM waveform with a modified duty cycle at idle that is <a 50% duty cycle. The modified duty cycle idle condition reduces inductor ripple current. A low duty cycle (LDC) PWM generally referred to as LDC idle PWM is known to reduce power loss in class-D amplifiers. However, known methods for implementing LDC idle PWM require fully differential loop architectures in closed-loop class D audio amplifiers that need relatively large chip areas because known single-ended configurations result in the audio performance (such as crossover distortion) generally being unacceptable for most user' applications.

Amplifier with reduced idle power loss using single-ended loops


A novel method for replying to unsolicited e-mail communication such as SPAM or the like. The method includes a variety of steps such as displaying an remove icon on a display, and receiving a selection of the remove icon from a user in response to the unsolicited e-mail communication. The method also includes creating an e-mail communication having a remove message, in response to the selection of the remove icon, the e-mail communication addressed to a reply e-mail address specified by the unsolicited e-mail communication. A step of sending the e-mail communication to the reply e-mail address also is included. These and possibly other steps can permanently remove a portion of unsolicited e-mail in an easy and cost effective manner.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates generally to telecommunication techniques. More particularly, the present invention provides a novel technique, including computer codes, to remove unwanted e-mail messages from a personal computer, workstation, or the like. These unwanted e-mail messages that were unsolicited are commonly referred to as unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE) or xe2x80x9cSPAM.xe2x80x9d SPAM includes junk mail or junk e-mail messages, advertisements, adult web site information, and the like.
A variety of techniques have been used to transmit written messages from one geographic location to another. In the early days, people or messengers were the sole means used to carry written information from one person to another person. Although effective and still used today, messengers were limited by their physical abilities. That is, some messengers could not travel over rough terrain such as rocks, jungles, and other landscapes. Large bodies of water were also difficult to cross. Additionally, messengers generally could not travel over long distances in a short period of time. A human messenger could only travel a few miles or tens of miles during a typical day.
Accordingly, messengers were replaced, at least in part, by carrier pigeons. More particularly, carrier pigeons were used to move small pieces of papers having written information thereon from one geographic location to another. Carrier pigeons were quite efficient in some applications but could not generally travel over substantial distances. Accordingly, a relay of ponies and human riders was used for long distance travel across the North American continent. This relay of ponies was called the xe2x80x9cPony Express.xe2x80x9d The Pony Express carried written communication in the form of mail on leather pouches carried on the relay of ponies across the United States. Although all of these techniques were somewhat effective, they were often costly, unreliable, and difficult to achieve.
In the modern day world, a combination of transportation techniques are used in the postal system. These techniques include, among others, human carriers (e.g., mailmen), motorized vehicles such as cars or trucks, and airplanes, jets, and the like to physically transport mail throughout the United States. Conventional postal systems are often reliable and cost efficient. They are so efficient that they are often subject to many undesirable influences. One of these influences is the routine transmission of unsolicited advertisements, information, and the like to many households across the United States.
On any typical day, an average household receives at least one, if not more than one, unsolicited advertisement. As merely an example, the advertisement can be for carpet cleaning, credit cards, and other goods or services that are routinely sent by companies in an attempt to secure a purchase from the household. In many cases, these unsolicited advertisements often burden the postal system. Additionally, households are burdened by the advertisements, which are throw away. These unsolicited advertisements are also termed as xe2x80x9cJunk Mail.xe2x80x9d
Unfortunately, junk mail is not limited to use in only the conventional postal systems. In many wide area computer networking applications, junk mail is commonly sent to users in large groups, often thousands or perhaps millions of users. For instance, a user of a well known wide area network of computers, which is known as the xe2x80x9cInternet,xe2x80x9d often receives numerous lines of junk mail, which has been coined as SPAM! In fact, SPAM refers to such unsolicited advertisements that come to the user by way of electronic mail, also known as xe2x80x9ce-mail.xe2x80x9d
SPAM has become a significant problem degrading Internet performance due to the large number of junk e-mails sent every day, increases the cost to Internet Service Providers and corporations due to the increased need for storage space, decreases the productivity of recipients of e-mails, and the like. Furthermore, the junk e-mail sender pays very little for the ability to clog up the Internet, businesses, and individuals with junk e-mail.
Many distributors of SPAM send the SPAM with instructions on how to be removed from the SPAM distribution list. However e-mail messages often do not include such instructions on how to remove a recipient from a junk e-mail distribution list. In the cases where instructions are provided, many drawbacks exist to end users attempting to remove themselves from the e-mail lists. As merely an example, some of the ways to be removed from the mailing lists are time consuming to the recipient. Additionally, there are simply no standards in being removed from such mailing lists. Furthermore, the techniques that are available to be removed from the junk e-mail distribution list often require the recipient to perform time consuming tasks, such as sending a reply e-mail to the junk e-mail message and specifically typing a request to be removed from the mailing list, forwarding the e-mail message to another e-mail address and typing a request with specified text requesting removal, connecting to a particular web site and following instructions for removal (benefiting the web site provider by providing an advertising xe2x80x9chitxe2x80x9d), and the like.
Filters have also been used or proposed to remove junk e-mail messages from a recipients e-mail. In fact, various programs have been developed in an attempt to filter-out junk e-mail messages from e-mail in-boxes. Such programs appear to focus upon the e-mail address, host source, the format of the message, the content, and the like. When such programs detect junk e-mail, they automatically delete them so the user is not bothered by them. A drawback to such programs is that they may filter-out legitimate bulk e-mail messages that are of interest to the user, for example, e-mail messages from special interest groups, product recall and product warning notices, valuable product promotions from legitimate businesses, upgrade notices and bug patches for software programs, and the like.
From the above, it is seen that an improved technique for permanently removing junk e-mail messages is highly desired.
According to the present invention, a technique for removing junk e-mail messages from a system of computers over a wide area network is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a technique for easily viewing and removing SPAM without opening it. The technique can permanently remove the SPAM from particular sources in some embodiments.
In a specific embodiment, the present invention provides a novel method for replying to unsolicited e-mail communication such as SPAM or the like. The method includes a variety of steps such as displaying a remove icon on a display, and receiving a selection of the remove icon from a user in response to the unsolicited e-mail communication. The method also includes creating an e-mail communication having a remove message, in response to the selection of the remove icon, the e-mail communication addressed to a reply e-mail address specified by the unsolicited e-mail communication. A step of sending the e-mail communication to the reply e-mail address also is included. These and possibly other steps can permanently remove a portion of unsolicited e-mail in an easy and cost effective manner.
In an alternative embodiment, the present invention provides a method for a computer system including a processor, a display, and a user input device, for requesting removal of a user e-mail address from a SPAM e-mail mailing list in response to a SPAM e-mail. The SPAM e-mail includes removal instructions from the SPAM e-mail mailing list. Among other steps, the method includes displaying a remove icon on the display and receiving a selection of the remove icon from the user input device. The method also includes determining removal actions in response to the removal instructions. Removal actions are also performed. These steps, and possibly others, can permanently remove a portion of SPAM from an e-mail mailing list.
In a further embodiment, the present invention provides another method for removing an e-mail address from a mailing list in response to unsolicited e-mail communications. Among other steps, the method includes displaying the unsolicited e-mail communication on a display using an e-mail system. The method also includes displaying an remove icon on the e-mail system on a display, and receiving a selection of the remove icon from a user in response to the unsolicited e-mail communication. The method further includes a step of creating an e-mail communication having a remove message, in response to the selection of the remove icon, where the e-mail communication addressed to a reply e-mail address specified by the unsolicited e-mail communication. A step of using the e-mail system to send the e-mail communication to the reply e-mail address is included. These steps, and possibly others, can be used to efficiently remove unwanted e-mail messages from an e-mail system.
Numerous advantages are achieved by way of the present invention over conventional techniques. As merely an example, the present invention provides an easy to use method to remove unwanted or unsolicited e-mail messages. In some embodiments, the present invention is relatively easy to implement using pre-existing computer software. The present invention also is time efficient and relatively cost efficient. The computer codes also allows a user to permanently remove unwanted e-mail messages from a distribution list. Depending upon the embodiment, one or more of the advantages are achieved. These and other advantages are described throughout the present specification, and more particularly below.
These and other embodiments of the present invention, as well as its advantages and features are described in more detail in conjunction with the text below and attached

Method and device for removing junk e-mail messages


This invention is directed to ethylene based copolymer pellets having an acid content at least 5% by weight and having an effective amount of a surface coating to increase the stick temperature of the copolymer above 25xc2x0 C.;

This invention is directed to ethylene based polymer pellets that have resistance to blocking under storage conditions and under conventional operating temperatures used to process the polymer pellets.
Polymer pellets after manufacturing and during shipment and subsequent handling, such as when the pellets are charged into an extruder for further processing to form articles, need to remain free flowing and not stick together or agglomerate at conventional storage, shipping and operating temperatures. Additives that reduce blocking or sticking can be melt blended into the polymer before it is pelletized or an additive can be applied to the surface of the pellet. In either case, the additive should remain effective from the time the pellet is formed to when the customer uses the pellet. The additive must not cause operability problems in equipment during handling either while the pellet is being formed, conveyed, packaged or in the customer""s plant. The additive must not negatively affect the end use properties of the product and must meet food regulations in the event the product is used, for example, for food packaging.
Donaldson et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,528,841, issued Sep. 15, 1970 shows the use of a copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide on polymeric pellets to reduce tackiness. Pugh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,304 issued Jul. 13, 1976 shows the use of slip agents for polyethylene films of various inorganic powders and organic materials such as erucamides, oleamides, sulfonates, stearates, stearamides, and the like. Kelly et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,289 issued Sep. 6, 1988 shows the use of fumed silica on polar ethylene interpolymers to form free flowing polymer particles.; Smith, U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,771 issued Feb. 15, 1994 shows various alcohols, ethers, alkylene oxide polymers, and oils as additives to reduce blocking of polymer pellets. Japanese Patent Kokia Patent No. Sho 60(1985)-23449 published Feb. 2, 1985 shows the use of an alkali metal salt of a higher aliphatic acid having 8-22 carbon atoms or an ester of such an acid to reduce the adhesion problems of thermoplastic resin particles or pellets. However, none of these patents are concerned with reducing the blocking of pellets of ethylene based copolymers having a relatively high acid content, for example, polymers having an acid content of 5-30% by weight.
This invention effectively reduces blocking of pellets of relatively high acid containing ethylene based polymers by increasing the stick temperature of the polymer.
This invention is directed to ethylene based copolymer pellets having an acid content at least 5% by weight and having an effective amount of a surface coating to increase the stick temperature of the copolymer above 25xc2x0 C.;
wherein the ethylene based copolymer comprises repeating polymerized units of
(a) at least 50% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of ethylene,
(b) 5 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; and
(c) up to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate,
wherein the copolymer has 0-100% of the acid groups neutralized with metal ion selected from the following group: zinc, magnesium, sodium and lithium and the surface coating comprises an effective amount of a metal salt of an aliphatic acid having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, generally in an amount of 25 to 6,000 ppm (parts per million).
The ethylene based relatively high acid containing copolymer pellets of this invention are free flowing and can be transported and processed using conventional equipment without blocking or sticking of the copolymer pellets. An effective amount of a metal salt of an aliphatic acid having 12-22 carbon atoms is deposited on the polymer pellets to prevent blocking and raises the stick temperature of the pellets above 25xc2x0 C. Even small increases in the stick temperature above 25xc2x0 C. can be highly desirable for many of the operations involved in the production, handling, shipping and storage of polymer pellets. Preferably, the stick temperature is increased to 30-60xc2x0 C. One particular advantage of the above coating of the metal salt is that it is a tenacious coating and a sufficient amount of the coating is retained during subsequent processing, shipping and storage of the pellets to maintain an effective stick temperature that prevents blocking or agglomeration of the pellets.
The word xe2x80x9ccopolymerxe2x80x9d as used herein embraces a polymer formed with two or more monomers.
The xe2x80x9cstick temperaturexe2x80x9d is the maximum temperature at which all of the polymer pellets empty from a test apparatus in less than one minute following a hold up under fixed conditions. To measure the stick temperature, polymer pellets are placed in a vertical tube having an inside diameter of 3.9 cm and a length of 23.2 cm lined loosely with a 5 mil (127 micron) thick film of Mylar(copyright) polyethylene terephthalate. A 4086 g weight is placed on top of the pellets so that the downward pressure is 33.5 kPa. Hot air is passed upward through the pellets at 30 L/min for 15 minutes followed by ambient temperature air at 130 L/min for 5 minutes. The weight is then removed and the tube is inverted. Time during which all of the pellets flow out of the tube is noted. The test is repeated at gradually increasing temperatures until a point is reached when only a portion of the copolymer pellets or none of the pellets flow out of the tube. The stick temperature is the last temperature at which all of the pellets flow out in less than one minute.
Typical metal salts of an aliphatic acid having 12-22 carbon atoms that are used in this invention are calcium, sodium, magnesium and zinc salts. Examples of such salts are calcium laurate, zinc laurate, sodium laurate, magnesium laurate, calcium oleate, sodium oleate, magnesium oleate, zinc oleate, calcium palmitate, sodium palmitate, magnesium palmitate, zinc palmitate, calcium behenate, sodium behenate, magnesium behenate and zinc behenate.
Preferred metal salts used in this invention are metal stearates, such as calcium stearate, sodium stearate, magnesium stearate and zinc stearate. Calcium stearate is particularly preferred since it is an excellent anti-blocking agent, meaning it raises the stick temperature of the acid containing copolymer to a desired level. Also, calcium stearate is readily available and can be formed into an aqueous dispersion that preferably is used in the process of this invention for coating copolymer pellets.
Typical ethylene based copolymers of this invention are ethylene/acid copolymers and ethylene/acid/alkyl(meth)acrylate copolymers containing 5-30% by weight of polymerized acid monomers such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. Copolymers having an acid content of 5% or greater often have a stick temperature below 25xc2x0 C. Generally, polymers having an acid content above 30% are not made.
The term alkyl(meth)acrylate as used herein refers to alkyl esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid.
Ethylene based copolymers of this invention contain at least 50% of polymerized ethylene, 5 to 30% by weight of a polymerized acid constituent such as acrylic or methacrylic acid and 0 to 40% by weight of a polymerized alkyl (meth)acrylate. This invention is particularly applicable to but not limited to ethylene/acid copolymers containing 75-85% by weight ethylene and 15-25% by weight of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, such as an ethylene (81%)/methacrylic acid (19%) copolymer, an ethylene(85%)/methacrylic acid(15%) copolymer and an ethylene(80%)/acrylic acid (20%) copolymer.
Other useful copolymers contain at least 50% and preferably, 65 to 85% by weight polymerized ethylene, 15 to 25% by weight acrylic or methacrylic acid and 5-30% by weight of an alkyl (meth)acrylate. Typical of such copolymers are ethylene/methacrylic acid/n-butyl acrylate having a weight ratio of components of 67.5/9/23.5.
The copolymers also include ionomers in which up to about 100%, preferably 5 to 70% of the acid groups are neutralized with a metallic ion selected from the following group: zinc, magnesium, sodium and lithium.
These ethylene based copolymers typically have a melt index (MI) of 0.5 to 2000, preferably, 1 to 1000 g/10 minutes determined by ASTM D 1238 using condition E (2190 g, 190xc2x0 C.)
While neutralization somewhat affects the stick temperature of the copolymer, zinc ionomers generally are more prone to blocking in comparison to lithium, sodium and magnesium ionomers. A coating is required on copolymer pellets to increase the stick temperature to form pellets that do not block under normal use conditions.
There are a number of other factors that have an affect on the stick temperature of copolymer pellets such as surface roughness, pellet dimensions and shape that may be affected by the particular type of cutter used to form the pellets. When a pellet surface is nonroughened, sticking will increase due to increased contact area. When the surface is slightly roughened, stick temperature may increase. Pellets obtained immediately after pelletization have a nonroughened surface and also have low block resistance due to the high pellet to pellet contact.
During the production of copolymer pellets, in the various blending, screening and conveying operations, pellets are subjected to various degrees of surface modification by abrasion and roughening. Generally, there is an increase in stick temperature after these processes and stick temperatures can increase as much as 10xc2x0 C. However, such methods of roughening that inherently occur are generally not of much utility since control is difficult and results vary. Attempts to roughen pellets in a controlled manner by passing them over a very rough surface have not produced a reliable and consistent increase in stick temperature. Any roughening operation generates very small polymer particles or fines that promote blocking and are disadvantageous in later polymer processing.
Just allowing the pellets to stand or xe2x80x9cagexe2x80x9d can cause a change in the stick temperature. Changes in surface crystallinity and other surface changes occur but vary from polymer to polymer.
The copolymer pellets of this invention are of the normal size. A broad range is from 0.4 to 18 g/100 pellets, typically 1 to 5 g/100 pellets and usually 2 to 4 g/100 pellets. Pellet size does not directly affect this invention. Smaller pellets can be cooled more rapidly than larger pellets but tend to block more readily. This is an inherent feature of pellets and not directly related to this invention.
The copolymer pellets are coated with an effective amount of the aforementioned metal salt to prevent blocking of the pellets during handling, shipping and processing. Generally, 25 to 6,000 ppm (parts per million of polymer) of the metal salt are used and preferably, 50 to 2,500 ppm are used.
The metal salt also can be applied to the copolymer pellets by any of a variety of conventional techniques. One technique is to immerse the pellets in an aqueous dispersion of the metal salt for 0.5 to 30 minutes and then remove and dry the pellets, for example, by blowing ambient air, typically at temperatures of 20 to 30xc2x0 C., through the pellets until dry. Other techniques that can be used are to spray the pellets with an aqueous dispersion of the metal salt while agitating the pellets and then drying the pellets as above.
An aqueous dispersion of one of the metal salts typically contains a surfactant to disperse the metal salt in an aqueous medium and is formed using conventional techniques known to those skilled in the art.
The metal salt can be applied as a powder to the copolymer pellets. A metal salt, such as calcium stearate in the form of a fluffy powder is blended with polymer pellets until a coating is formed on the pellets using typical milling or mixing techniques.
Any of the above methods to apply the metal salt to the copolymer pellets can be carried out in a batch process or in a continuous process.
The use of the aforementioned metal salt improves blocking resistance and increases the stick temperature of the copolymer pellets but does not adversely affect other properties of the ethylene based copolymer such as its heat sealing characteristics, does not increase haze of the copolymer significantly, and does not cause the copolymer to yellow on exposure. The moisture content of the copolymer pellets does not increase with the use of the metal salt.
The following examples illustrate the invention. All parts, ratios and percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated. MI (melt index) and ST (stick temperature) of the copolymers were determined as described above.

Surface treatment of ethylene based polymer pellets to improve blocking resistance

Abstract: (d) at least 50% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of ethylene,

Abstract: (e) 5 to 30% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid; and

Abstract: (f) up to 40% by weight, based on the weight of the copolymer, of an alkyl acrylate or an alkyl methacrylate,


A fragrance releasing electronic candle comprises a housing constructed in the form of a cylinder and including a circuit board and a battery case, both of which are assembled therein, the battery case including a power switch arranged thereon and a bottom lid covered to the opening thereof, characterized in that the housing includes a receiving compartment formed on the top end thereof for receiving a fragrance piece, and includes a fan secured in the lower side thereof for the connection with the circuit board, the housing also includes an upper cover covered thereon and having a plurality of bores arranged thereon and having a central hole formed at the center thereof for inserting at least one LED lamp therein, such that the at least one LED may be electrically conducted with the circuit board, and a lamp shield in the shape of a flame may be adhesively affixed in the central hole of the upper cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic candle, and more particularly to a fragrance releasing electronic candle that may achieve aesthetic appearance and releasing fragrance.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
A prior art candled is employed for a decoration, a celebration or a religious ceremony, and the like. Nevertheless, a fire may bring about while in use because of carelessness, accordingly a variety of safe candles have been developed in recent days, e.g., an electronic candle, yet such an electronic candle can not release aroma with its illumination.
The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the afore-described disadvantages.


A system for handling special television video features digitally. The system receives incoming broadcast video into a switch (106). The switch allows the viewer to select a main channel and at least one auxiliary channel for viewing as a special feature, if the viewer does not want to view only the main channel for that particular special feature. The main video channel data is processed by a scan converter (216) to convert it from interlaced to progressive scan. A logic device (212) handles the auxiliary channel data to format it into the selected special feature and inputs that data to the scan converter (216) such that the special feature appears in the proper place relative to the main channel image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to digital television systems, more particularly to special features for digital television systems.
2. Background of the Invention
Digital television has several advantages over the current standard analog system. Because the digital data can be packed, more data can be transmitted that allows for a better picture. Additionally, manipulation of the data on a picture element (pixel) level can reduce artifacts and increase the resolution and overall clarity of the picture.
Currently, most televisions that implement digital displays remain restricted by the analog transmission standard. Because of that and because, to some extent, adding special features in analog requires less data manipulation, most of these sets do all of the processing in the analog realm and convert to digital just before display.
While some special feature processing modules process data in the digital realm internally, most have analog input and output (I/O) to support analog broadcast and display standards. These processing modules must then include an analog to digital (A/D) converter for the inputs and a digital to analog (D/A) converter for the outputs. This increases the complexity and cost of the processing circuitry over a circuit with digital I/O. Further, each converter degrades the digital signal. For televisions that implement digital displays and several special feature modules, this series of AIDs and D/As can noticeably corrupt the television picture.
Special features include picture-in-picture (PIP), which allows other channels to be viewed within the main channel's picture. These usually reside in small windows around the outside of the main channel's picture, or the channel being viewed. Picture-outside-picture typically has the extra channels along the side, top or bottom of the main channel, but instead of encroaching on the main channel's picture, they are boxed next to it. Additional special features are zoom, freeze, TV guide and his/hers. TV guide usually involves some number of channels all displayed simultaneously, with no main channel picture, so the viewer can decide what to watch. His/hers includes two pictures, side by side on the TV.
Most current television systems perform the channel manipulation and set up in analog and then convert the incoming data to digital format for display. This becomes awkward when either the entire television system functions digitally, or the incoming signal is itself digital. Therefore, a need exists for the ability to provide the special features of a television set in the digital realm.


A dental impression silicone composition comprising: (A) 100 parts by weight of an organopolysiloxane having at least two aliphatic unsaturated hydrocarbons in one molecule; (B) from 0.1 to 30 parts by weight of an organohydrogen polysiloxane having at least three hydrogen atoms directly bonded to the silicon atom in one molecule; (C) from 10 to 500 ppm, based on the total amount of the components (A) and (B), of a silicone-soluble platinum compound; (D) from 10 to 500 parts by weight of an inorganic filler; (E) from 5 to 50 parts by weight of a fine silica powder having a BET specific surface area of from 50 to 500 m.sup.2 /g, whose surface is made hydrophobic; (F) from 0.5 to 50 parts by weight of a nonionic surfactant; and (G) from 10 to 200 parts by weight of a methylphenyl polysiloxane, being disclosed, the invention providing a dental impression silicone composition used for the preparation of oral models that are required in the preparation of dental prostheses in the dentistry, such as crowns, inlays, and dentures, soft in the hardness after setting, large in the strain in compression, good in the wettability against the water content such as saliva, and being so large in the tear strength that the set material hardly comes off.

As dental elastic impression materials, those in which the stock is comprised of agar hydrocolloid, alginates, polysulfide rubbers, polyether rubbers, silicone rubbers, or the like are used. These elastic impression materials are suitable for impression taking of complicated forms having an undercut in the oral cavity, such as tooth roots, dentitions, jaws, and mucous membranes because the deformation generated upon being removed out from the oral cavity is quickly recovered.
Among these elastic impression materials, the agar hydrocolloid impression materials and the alginate impression materials have a suitable elasticity from the clinical viewpoints. On the other hand, however, these elastic materials are large in the permanent deformation having a high content of water in the structures thereof, and therefore, they have such properties that the water content is vaporized from the taken impressions, resulting in big changes in the dimension with a lapse of time. Furthermore, since these elastic materials have such drawbacks that they are likely to come off due to their low tear strengths, they are mainly used for preliminary impression taking.
On the other hand, the synthetic rubber-based elastic impression materials in which the stock is comprised of polysulfide rubbers, polyether rubbers, silicone rubbers, or the like have such advantages that the detail reproducibility is superior, the changes in the dimension are extremely small, and they hardly come off. For these reasons, these synthetic rubber-based elastic impression materials are mainly used for precision impression taking. However, the polysulfide-based impression materials in which the stock is comprised of polysulfide rubbers have such drawbacks that the unpleasant odor is strong and that the setting is slow. Also, the polyether rubber-based impression materials are superior in the hydrophilicity and convenient for taking impressions in the state that a saliva is present as in the oral cavity. However, the polyether rubbers-based impression materials have such a drawback that it involves difficulty to remove out the impression from the oral cavity of a patient, because the rubber elasticity is low, and the set material is hard. Furthermore, since the polyether rubbers have an inherent bitter taste, the polyether rubber-based impression materials have such a drawback that they give an unpleasant feeling to a patient. Moreover, since the polyether rubber-based impression materials have a large permanent deformation, there is a danger that the deformation occurs at the time of removing out the impression from the oral cavity.
In contrast thereto, the impression materials in which the stock is comprised of silicone rubbers include a condensation polymerization type and an addition polymerization type depending on the setting process thereof. Any of these room temperature-vulcanizing silicone rubbers are used as dental silicone impression materials. Of these materials, the addition polymerization type silicone impression materials are sharp in the setting, small in the permanent deformation and extremely small in the dimensional changes and hence, are most likely used as the precision impression. However, as compared with the alginate impression materials, the silicone rubber-based impression materials are so high in the hardness after the setting that when the impression is removed out from the oral cavity of a patient, they give the patient pain, and when a plaster model is prepared using the thus taken impression and then removed out from the impression, the plaster may sometimes be broken depending on the site. Also, as compared with the polyether rubber-based impression materials, the silicone rubber-based impression materials are inferior in the hydrophilicity that the detail impression may be unclear due to the saliva in the oral cavity. In addition, since the tear strength is not sufficiently high, when the impression is removed out from the oral cavity of a patient, the impression material may come off depending on the impression site, resulting in making the impression incomplete.
In the light of the above, while the currently used impression materials have inherent advantages, they involve various disadvantages. Any of these impression materials were incomplete as impression materials for reproducing the state in the oral cavity in detail and preparing dental prostheses with a good fitness accuracy, without giving a patient pain.
Of the above-described respective impression materials, the present inventors paid attention to the addition polymerization type silicone impression materials which are not only small in the dimensional changes and permanent deformation but also superior in obtaining that an accurate impression can be taken. Thus, an object of the present invention is to develop a dental impression silicone composition provided with excellent properties for the precision impression by improving such defects of the addition polymerization type silicone that the hardness after the setting is so high that the strain in compression is small, the wetting against the water content such as saliva is poor and that the tear strength is not sufficient, while enhancing the superior characteristics thereof.


There is disclosed an electrothermal color-varying device inducing color change in a thermally color-varying layer by heat generation in an electrothermal heat-generating member, in which the heat-generating member is composed of a non-metallic member having a positive temperature coefficient on the electric resistance at least in a temperature range 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C. and a particular volume resistivity, is adapted to generate heat by the application of a low voltage and is capable of self-control of the saturated heating temperature at an arbitrary temperature within a range of 25.degree. C. to 65.degree. C., whereby improved safety is achieved without the danger of overheating or current leakage. Also there are disclosed toys utilizing such color-varying device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrothermal color-varying device, and more particularly such device of higher safety, capable of rapid heat generation in a heat generating member to a predetermined temperature by the application of a low voltage, thereby inducing a visible color change in a thermal color-varying layer, wherein the generated temperature is self-controlled to avoid danger resulting from overheating.
2. Related Background Art
There are already proposed, for example in the Japanese Laid-open Utility Model No. 62-137093 and the Japanese Laid-open Patent No. 62-201178, color-varying toys in which a color change in a color-varying layer is induced by current supply to an electrically energizable heat-generating member positioned behind said color-varying layer.
The heat-generating member in such proposals in a heater composed of a metal wiring capable of heat generation by current supply, such as tungsten, nickel or titanium, and an insulating ceramic material covering said metal wiring.
The heat-generating member employed in the above-mentioned conventional color-varying toys lacks the temperature self-controlling ability required for proper function in a desired temperature range, thereby involving danger of overheating and requiring therefore a temperature control switch or the like, and also necessitates insulation such as a ceramic covering in order to avoid danger of current leakage.

Electrothermal color-varying device and toy utilizing the same


4-(2-Fluorophenyl)-6-Methyl-2-(1-Piperazinyl)-Thieno(2,3-D)pyrimidine or a salt thereof is useful for the treatment of urinary incontinence.

4-(2-Fluorophenyl)-6-methyl-2-(1 -piperazinyl)thieno[2, 3-D]pyrimidine monohydrate hydrochloride is known (see U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,568) and has shown activity as an antidepressant. It has serotonin and noradrenergic reuptake blocking properties and this is thought to be the mechanism for its action as an antidepressant. The compound also has 5HT-3 receptor blocking activity.
Urinary incontinence is a distressing condition which is poorly treated. It can be classified as urge (caused by overactive bladder) or stress (for example caused by prolapse of the bladder to a position which puts excessive pressure on the urethral sphincter). Some unfortunate patients have both of these types of urinary incontinence which is known as mixed. Other types of urinary incontinence have been described, including functional incontinence, overflow incontinence and transient incontinence (a temporary condition due to infection or medication). Urinary incontinence can be caused by a number of disorders.
All of the drugs used for incontinence have side effect problems which often result in non-compliance with treatment or a necessary withdrawal of treatment. Also they are not always effective. For stress incontinence, surgery is often the only answer although an antidepressant that is a serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake blocker, duloxetine, is showing some promise in clinical trials. Other antidepressants have also shown activity in in vivo models of urinary incontinence (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,474).

Use of 4-(2-Flurophenyl)-6-methyl-2-(1-piperazinyl)thieno(2,3-D)-pyrimidine for treating of urinary incontinence


An optical disc apparatus in which the inclination of an optical axis of laser light relative to an optical disc is adjusted. When data is recorded, laser light is irradiated at recording power in mark periods and irradiated at reproducing power or erasing power in space periods. Immediately after the beginning of the mark periods, no pits are ye formed even though recording power is applied and the amount of reflected light has a level corresponding to the inclination of the optical axis of laser light relative to the optical disc without influence exerted by the pits. Also in the space period, the amount of reflected light has a level corresponding to the inclination of the optical axis of laser light relative to the optical disc. By sampling the reflected light signal at the instant following to the beginning of the mark period or space periods, the inclination is adjusted so as to maximize the sampled signal level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disc apparatus, and more particularly to an adjustment to the inclination (tilt) of an optical disc relative to an optical axis of laser light.
2. Description of the Related Art
A recordable optical disc apparatus such as a CD-R/RW drive or a DVD-R/RW drive has a problem that stability of data recording/reproducing cannot be maintained when an optical disc tilts relative to an optical axis of laser light (in a tilt state). Accordingly, a technology for providing a tilt sensor to the optical disc to detect the amount of tilt and adjusting the inclination of an optical pickup according to the detected amount of tilt has been proposed.
A block diagram of an optical disc apparatus with a tilt sensor is outlined in FIG. 10. An optical disc 10 is driven by a spindle motor 12 to be rotated. An optical pickup 14 is placed so as to be opposed to the optical disc 10. Laser light irradiated from the optical pickup 14 toward the optical disc 10 is reflected from the optical disc 10 and converted to an electric signal at a photo detector provided in the optical pickup 14. The signal from the optical pickup 14 is provided to an RF signal processor in which a tracking error signal TE and focus error signal FE are generated and provided to a tracking controller 50 for controlling tracking of the optical pickup 14 and focus controller 52 for controlling focusing of the optical pickup 14, respectively.
A tilt sensor 54, which is independent from the optical pickup 14, is installed opposed to the optical disc 10 to detect the amount of tilt. Information on the amount of tilt detected by the tilt sensor 54 is passed to a tilt driver 56 which adjusts the inclination of the optical pickup 14 so as to cause the amount of tilt detected by the tilt sensor 54 to approach zero. As a result, the optical axis of laser light is controlled to be almost perpendicular to the optical disc 10.
FIG. 11 shows the structure of the tilt sensor 54 of FIG. 10. The tilt sensor 54 includes a laser diode (LD) 54a, a two-segmented photo detector 54b and a differential amplifier 54c. Laser light irradiated from the LD54a is reflected from the optical disc 10 and then enters the two-segmented photo detector 54b comprising two detectors A and B where laser light is converted to an electrical signal. The LD54a and the two-segmented photo detector 54b are placed in such a manner that the same amount of reflected laser light enters both two detectors A and B in the two-segmented photo detector 54b when the amount of tilt of the optical disc 10 is zero. Accordingly, when the amount of tilt of the optical disc 10 is zero, the quantities output from the detectors A and B in the two-segmented photo detector 54b are equal to each other, with a result that there is no output from the differential amplifier 54c, in other words no tilt error signal is output.
On the other hand, when the optical disc 10 is inclined, the balance of incident quantities between the detectors A and B will be lost causing the quantities output from the detectors A and B to be unequal. As a result, the tilt error signal is output from the differential amplifier 54c. Because a signal level of the tilt error signal is proportional to the amount of tilt of the optical disc 10, the tilt driver 56 can adjust the inclination of the optical pickup 14 in accordance with the signal level of the tilt error signal.
However, the above-described structure in which the tilt sensor 54 is installed independently from the optical pickup 14 to detect the amount of tilt has a problem that the tilt error signal from the tilt sensor 54 does not precisely reflect the inclined amount of the optical disc 10 relative to the optical pickup 14. This problem is not resolved by placing the tilt sensor 54 in the vicinity of the optical pickup 14. Further, there is another problem that the overall cost of the apparatus is increased by providing a separate tilt sensor 54.
Another structure for performing tilt control based on the amount of returned laser light which is irradiated from an optical pickup toward an optical disc and then reflected from the optical disc, without providing a separate tilt sensor is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication 2001-184690. More specifically, the tilt is here controlled so as to keep the maximum value among the amounts of reflected light obtained when laser light at reproducing power, erasing power, and recording power is irradiated to an optical disc at a smaller level (i.e. to make the amount of reflected light obtained when recording power is applied smaller). By irradiation of laser light at recording power, marks are formed on the optical disc. However, the occurrence of tilt reduces the power of the laser light incident to the optical disc surface and causes failure of forming marks due to insufficient power, with a result that reflectance is not decreased. The amount of tilt, therefore, is controlled by executing an adjustment for minimizing the amount of reflected laser light.
As described above, when laser light is irradiated onto the optical disc at an angle, desired marks are not formed due to the reduced power of the laser at the optical disc surface. When this happens, however, the amount of reflected light transmitted to the photo detector is also reduced by the angled irradiation of laser light onto the optical disc. The increase of reflectance due to mark forming failure for lack of power caused by the tilt of incident laser light and the decrease of the amount of reflected light itself caused by the tilt are canceled out each other. Accordingly, such a structure for minimizing the amount of reflected laser light may cause inaccurate control of the amount of tilt.


A resistive element including a P-channel MOS device (101, 401, 402, 608a-608c) having a first and second current carrying electrodes, and a gate. The first current carrying electrode forms a first impedance terminal and the second current carrying electrode forms a second impedance terminal. A bias circuit (103, 104, 105, 106) coupled to the first current carrying electrode and gate of the P-channel MOS device (101, 401, 402, 608a-608c). The bias circuit (103, 104, 105, 106) generates a voltage less than the threshold voltage of the P-channel MOS device (101, 401, 402, 608a-608c).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to monolithic devices for integrated circuits and, more particularly, to a monolithic high impedance device with programmable poles for use in passive low pass filters.
2. Relevant Background
Integrated circuits comprise a number of passive and active devices formed monolithically on a single integrated chip. Usually if more devices can be formed on a single chip the overall system cost for the electronic circuit using the chip is reduced. While great strides have been made in reducing the size of active devices such as transistors, passive devices such as resistors, have been somewhat more difficult to shrink. In particular, resistors are difficult to fabricate because high resistivity materials tend to be non-uniform leading to unpredictable resistor values.
Large value resistors are formed by long serpentine strings of resistive material. For resistance values larger than 10 megaohms, most manufacturers rely on off-chip, discrete resistors. The use of discrete components complicates circuit design, adds parasitics due to the interconnections between the integrated circuit and the discrete components, increases cost of the overall system and reduces reliability because of the additional connections. Moreover, valuable input-output leads to access the integrated circuit are dedicated for connections to the external passive components, limiting functionality of the integrated circuit and increasing cost of the packaging.
Passive low pass filters are widely used in voltage reference systems (e.g., power supplies, DC-DC converters, AC-DC converters, and the like). To effectively remove low frequency noise such as 1/f noise, a pole located at lower than 10 Hertz (Hz) is required. A "pole" is a point in the complex frequency plane where the magnitude of a given network function goes to infinity. Such a low frequency pole is usually achieved by a low pass filter using a resistor-capacitor combination. At least one and in some designs both the resistor and capacitor are implemented by off-chip components. These low pass filters provide a large time constant determined by the product of the resistance and capacitance used in the filter. On-chip resistors are usually limited to values of less than 10 megaohms because of the large area taken up by large value resistors.
What is needed is a low cost volume efficient structure and method for monolithically integrating large value resistors onto integrated circuits.

On-chip high resistance device for passive low pass filters with programmable poles


An example operation may include one or more of receiving system calls captured from a plurality of peer nodes of a blockchain that occurred within a predetermined period of time, determining a subset of system calls among the received system calls that correspond to a blockchain process performed during the predetermined period of time, detecting a free-riding peer node from among the plurality of peer nodes based on the identified subset of system calls with respect to system calls of the free-riding peer node within the predetermined period of time, and storing an indicator of the free-riding peer node.

A centralized database stores and maintains data in a single database (e.g., a database server) at one location. A centralized database is easy to manage, maintain, and control, especially for purposes of security because of its single location. However, a centralized database suffers from significant drawbacks. For example, a centralized database has a single point of failure. Therefore, data that is unexpectedly lost is very difficult to retrieve other than through manual operation from back-up storage. In addition, a centralized database can be highly dependent on network connectivity. Furthermore, a centralized database may only provide limited access to data when only one copy of the data is maintained by the database.
Recently, organizations have been turning to blockchain as an improved storage system over a traditional database. Blockchain offers data redundancy, no single central authority, multiple nodes of access, an immutable ledger, and the like. Another benefit of blockchain is the requirement that transactions be approved fairly through endorsement and consensus. Thus, untrusting parties can interact and share in the management of the blockchain. In particular, these untrusting parties typically manage nodes which undertake roles such as storage of the blockchain, endorsement of transactions, and the like.
Endorsing peer nodes within a blockchain network are responsible for verifying a transaction proposal from a client before it can be stored on the blockchain. The endorsing peer may receive a transaction proposal, verify the client signature, and execute a chaincode function to initiate the transaction. If the transaction executes successfully, a proposal response may be sent back to the client along with an endorsement signature. When the client receives a predetermined number of endorsement signatures (e.g., from at least half of the endorser nodes, etc.), transaction is approved and will be stored on the blockchain. Endorsing nodes are often compensated for their role due to the computation necessary, security to be maintained, etc. However, a free-riding node may exist among the endorsing nodes. The free-riding node does not perform all of its required duties as an endorser. The failure can go unnoticed (disguised). For example, the free-riding endorsing node may simply send an approval signature, use another node's read-write set, etc., without having to verify the work that was performed.
As such, what is needed is a solution that can identify free-riding nodes within a blockchain and overcome these drawbacks and limitations.

Free-riding node identification for blockchain

International Business Machines Corporation


A tool for supporting and centering a flat circular orifice plate flow meter between two pipe flanges that have circumferentially spaced apart circular flange bolt holes that lie on a bolt circle and receive circular flange bolts for interconnecting the flanges, comprising a flat plate having a first edge which includes at least two points that lie on a line of curvature having a radius equal to the radius of the circular orifice plate, and at least one set of at least two tool holes sized to receive two of the bolts that interconnect the flanges.

Circular orifice plate fluid flow meters and flow conditioning plates are traditionally designed with a diameter that is compatible with the size and dimension of the specific pipe coupling flanges between which the orifice plate will be installed. Standard ANSI, DIN and JIS pipe flanges are designed with a variety of pressure ratings. For example ANSI standard flanges are classified as 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500 and 2500. For each of these ratings the flanges will have different dimensions and different number of bolt holes as well as different spacing and size of the holes comprising the bolt hole circle. Accordingly, for a given pipe line size, prior art orifice plates have had to be sized to fit the particular pressure rated flange pair being used in the application.
The requirement for centering an orifice plate so that its center is coaxial with the longitudinal center line of the pipes carrying the attachment flanges is well known. It is also acknowledged that visually performed alignment of a flow meter within its compressive mounting pipe flanges is time consuming and unreliable. Various alignment and centering devices have been proposed, including various gauges and installing tools. Such attempts are represented by U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,464 for Centering Device for Flowmeters Interposed in Flow Line and U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,632 for Flowmeter Alignment Device. The '464 patent discloses a pair of rectangular plates acting as camming devices that take advantage of the normal play present in a bolted pipe flange arrangement, The '632 patent discloses both a closed ring and an arc that are designed to mate with an edge of the raised face of a pipe flange. While adequate for a single pipe size and a single pressure rated pipe flange and flow meter, one of these devices of the prior art is not adapted for use with a large number of different pipe flanges.
It is therefore the primary object of the present invention to provide a selection of arcuate appliances that center and permanently support a single size of orifice plate within any one of a plurality of different pressure rated flange pairs that interconnect pipes of the same size.


To improve the identification of system parameters of a test setup of a test bench there is provision for the test setup to be dynamically excited on the test bench by virtue of a dynamic input signal being applied to the test setup. Measured values of the input signal of the test setup and of a resultant output signal of the test setup are recorded. A frequency response of the dynamic response of the test setup between the output signal and the input signal is determined using a nonparametric identification method. A model structure of a parametric model that maps the input signal onto the output signal is derived from the frequency response. The model structure and a parametric identification method are used to determine at least one system parameter of the test setup, and the at least one identified system parameter is used to perform the test run.

The development of drive units, such as internal combustion engines or electric motors, of drive trains with such drive units or of drive train components with such drive units, largely take place on test benches. Likewise, the calibration of a control function or regulation function of a vehicle, for example to meet legal requirements, such as, for example, the emission behavior, usually takes place on a test bench. To carry out a bench test on the test bench, the test object, i.e. the drive unit or the drive train or the drive train component, is connected to a load machine (usually an electric motor, also called a dynamometer) to form a test setup on the test bench in order to be able to operate the test object against a load. The test object and load machine are usually coupled using coupling elements such as test bench shafts, coupling flanges, etc. The test setup consisting of the test object, coupling element and load machine forms a dynamic system that responds according to the dynamic response of the system when excited (for example, by the combustion shocks of an internal combustion engine or by load jumps). Of course, excitations with a natural frequency of the dynamic system are critical on the test bench, since this can create critical states that can even damage or destroy certain parts, in particular the coupling elements, of the test setup on the test bench. Knowledge of the dynamic response of the test setup is therefore important for carrying out bench tests on a test bench.
However, controllers are also used on the test bench to control components of the test setup, in particular the load machine and a drive unit, for carrying out the bench test. For the design of the controller, precise knowledge of the dynamic response of the test setup is also desirable in order to be able to adapt the controller response to it and/or to ensure the stability of the control system.
Last but not least, so-called observers are often used on a test bench in order to calculate non-directly measured or non-directly measurable quantities of the test setup from other accessible or available measurement variables. An example of this is the internal torque of the drive unit, i.e. the torque actually generated and not the torque provided, that is often required or used on the test bench for the test run.
For the design of a controller and/or an observer, a model of the dynamic system, i.e. the test setup, is generally required, which requires sufficient knowledge of the dynamic system.
The dynamic response of the test setup on the test bench is primarily determined by the inertia of the components of the test setup (in particular the test object and the load machine) and by the stiffness, possibly also the damping, of the coupling between the test object and the load machine (i.e. between the mass-loaded components of the test setup), for example, the torsional rigidity of a test bench shaft. These parameters are often determined individually for each component or are known from data sheets for the respective component. In practice, however, the use of these known parameters is often unsatisfactory when carrying out the test run and has often led to poor results. The reason for this is that adaptations of the mechanical setup of the test setup are often made on the test bench, which changes the dynamic system. For example, other measuring sensors, for example a torque sensor on the test bench shaft, are used, or mechanical components are exchanged or added or removed on the test bench. For example, an adapter flange between two components of the test setup can be changed. The properties of components in the test setup can also change due to aging, which also affects the response of the dynamic system.
From DE 10 2006 025 878 A1, it is therefore already known to determine the parameters of the dynamic response directly on the test bench. For this purpose, the test setup is dynamically excited by a pseudo-stochastic speed stimulation and the parameters of a model of the dynamic system, in particular stiffness and damping of a connecting shaft, are determined using methods of the identification theory. With the identified parameters of the model of the test setup, the response of the test setup can be described with sufficient accuracy and used for the design of an observer or a controller, but also for monitoring the system. In this approach, a parametric model of the test setup is used, i.e. a model that contains the parameters of the dynamic system and that reproduces the input/output response of the dynamic system. The parameters are ascertained as the poles of the dynamic system. A difficulty with this method is that the resultant torques have to be measured as output variables of the dynamic system due to the speed stimulation, which is difficult in practice on the test bench. Apart from this, certain assumptions about the model structure must be made in advance in order to be able to determine the parameters of an adopted model. If an unsuitable model structure is selected, the real dynamic response is only partially or inaccurately reproduced by the model. In practice, however, the correct choice of the model structure is a difficult task, especially in the case of more complex test setups with a plurality of masses and couplings in between, and can only be carried out by specialists, which limits the applicability of the method. In addition, no noise of a measurement signal (e.g. a measured speed) is taken into account during identification, which can lead to a poorer identification result. In addition, identification in DE 10 2006 025 878 A1 takes place in an open loop, although the measurement signals on the test bench were measured in a closed control loop. This can also reduce the quality of identification. Last but not least, pseudo-stochastic speed stimulation cannot be set to the desired or required frequency range. This can lead to certain frequencies not being stimulated at all or more frequencies than required being stimulated, which can also have a negative effect on the quality of identification.

Test bench and method for performing a dynamic test run for a test setup


The present invention provides novel 4-aryl-3-aminoquinolin-2-one derivatives having the general formula ##STR1## wherein R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are as defined herein, or a non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof which are modulators of the large conductance calcium-activated K.sup.+ channels and are useful in the treatment of disorders which are responsive to the opening of the potassium channels.

Potassium channels play a key role in regulation of cell membrane potential and modulation of cell excitability. Potassium channels are largely regulated by voltage, cell metabolism, calcium and receptor mediated processes. [Cook, N. S., Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences (1988), 9, 21; and Quast, U., et al, Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences (1989), 10, 431]. Calcium-activated potassium (K.sub.Ca) channels are a diverse group of ion channels that share a dependence on intracellular calcium ions for activity. The activity of K.sub.Ca channels is regulated by intracellular [Ca.sup.2+ ], membrane potential and phosphorylation. On the basis of their single-channel conductances in symmetrical K.sup.+ solutions, K.sub.Ca channels are divided into three subclasses: large conductance (BK)>150 pS; intermediate conductance 50-150 pS; small conductance<50 pS. Large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (Maxi-K or BK) channels are present in many excitable cells including neurons, cardiac cells and various types of smooth muscle cells. [Singer, J. et al., Pflugers Archiv. (1987) 408, 98; Baro, I., et al., Pflugers Archiv. (1989) 414 (Suppl. 1), S168; and Ahmed, F. et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. (1984) 83, 227].
Potassium ions play a dominant role in controlling the resting membrane potential in most excitable cells and maintain the transmembrane voltage near the K.sup.+ equilibrium potential (E.sub.k) of about -90 mV. It has been shown that opening of potassium channels shift the cell membrane potential towards the equilibrium potassium membrane potential (E.sub.k), resulting in hyperpolarization of the cell. [Cook, N. S., Trends in Pharmacol. Sciences (1988), 9, 21]. Hyperpolarized cells show a reduced response to potentially damaging depolarizing stimuli. BK channels which are regulated by both voltage and intracellular Ca.sup.2+ act to limit depolarization and calcium entry and may be particularly effective in blocking damaging stimuli. Therefore cell hyperpolarization via opening of BK channels may result in protection of neuronal cells.
A range of synthetic and naturally occurring compounds with BK opening activity have been reported. The avena pyrone extracted from avena sativa-common oats has been identified as a BK channel opener using lipid bi-layer technique [International Patent application WO 93/08800, published May 13, 1993]. 6-Bromo-8-(methylamino) imidazo[1,2-a]pyrazine-2-carbonitrile (SCA-40) has been described as a BK channel opener with very limited electrophysiological experiments [Laurent, F. et al., Br. J. Pharmacol. (1993) 108, 622-626]. The flavanoid, Phloretin has been found to increase the open probability of Ca.sup.2+ -activated potassium channels in myelinated nerve fibers of Xenopus laevis using outside-out patches [Koh, D-S., et al., Neuroscience Lett. (1994) 165, 167-170].
In European patent application EP-477,819 published Jan. 4, 1992 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,422, issued Apr. 6,1993 to Olesen, et al., a number of benzimidazole derivatives were disclosed as openers of BK channels by using single-channel and whole-cell patch-clamp experiments in aortic smooth muscle cells. Further work was reported by Olesen, et al in European J. Pharmacol., 251, 53-59 (1994).
A number of substituted oxindoles have been disclosed as openers of BK channels by P. Hewawasam, et al, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,483, issued Oct. 15, 1996.
E. S. Hamanaka in U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,472, issued Oct. 15, 1996, discloses a number of 4-aryl-3-(heteroarylureido)-1,2-dihydro-2-oxo-quinoline derivatives which are inhibitors of acyl coenzyme A; cholesterol acyltransferase and are useful as hypolipidemic and antiatherosclerosis agents.
A. Walser, et al, J. Org. Chem., 38, 449-456 (1973) disclose a limited number of 3-hydroxyquinolinones as by-products formed during the opening of the epoxide intermediate.
Y. S. Mohammed, et al, Pharmazie, 40, 312-314 (1985) discloses a series of 4-substituted-3-hydroxy-2-quinolones as analogues of the natural product viridicatin. The Merck Index, 11th Edition, 1575 (1989) briefly summarizes the references to the antibiotic substance, viridicatin.
M. S. Masoud, et al, in Spectroscopy Letters, 21 (6), 369-383 (1988) describe the spectral properties of several 2-quinolones as liquids and in Synth. React. Inorg. Met.-Org. Chem., 17, (8 & 9), 881-899 (1987) describe the equilibria and stability of the 2-quinolones in metallic complexes.
It is the object of the present invention to provide novel compounds that will modulate potassium channels, in particular, large-conductance calcium-activated potassium (BK) channels which will be useful in reducing neuronal damage.

4-aryl-3-aminoquinoline-2-one derivatives as potassium channel modulators


A filter includes: a piezoelectric substrate; a first acoustic wave resonator located on the piezoelectric substrate and including a pair of first reflectors including first grating electrodes and a pair of first comb-shaped electrodes that is located between the first reflectors and includes first electrode fingers; and a second acoustic wave resonator that is connected in series or parallel with the first acoustic wave resonator, is located on the piezoelectric substrate, and includes a pair of second reflectors including second grating electrodes and a pair of second comb-shaped electrodes that is located between the second reflectors and includes second electrode fingers, an average value of duty ratios of the second grating electrodes being different from an average value of duty ratios of the first grating electrodes, an average value of pitches of the second electrode fingers being substantially equal to an average value of pitches of the first electrode fingers.

In surface acoustic wave resonators, an interdigital transducer (IDT) including a plurality of electrode fingers and reflectors are provided on a piezoelectric substrate. The reflectors reflect the acoustic wave excited by the IDT to confine the acoustic wave within the IDT. It has been known to connect surface acoustic wave resonators having different resonant frequencies or different antiresonant frequencies in series or in parallel as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2001-510950, 2016-82570, and 2017-204743 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Documents 1 through 3, respectively).


An apparatus and method for interference mitigation comprising determining if an unscheduled service transmission frequency is in a predefined frequency range; determining if an unscheduled service transmission power is less than a predefined power threshold; and performing one or both of the following: a) erase the baseband signal when an unscheduled service transmission is ON and stop the channel estimation process when the unscheduled service transmission is ON; b) initiate a smart channel information report.

I. Field
This disclosure relates generally to apparatus and methods for interference mitigation. More particularly, the disclosure relates to interference mitigation in a dual mode device.
II. Background
In many telecommunication systems, communications networks are used to exchange messages among several cooperating spatially-separated devices. The various types of networks may be classified in different aspects. In one example, the geographic scope of the network could be over a wide area, a metropolitan area, a local area, or a personal area, and the corresponding networks would be designated as wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), local area network (LAN), or personal area network (PAN). Networks also differ in the switching/routing technique used to interconnect the various network nodes and devices (e.g. circuit switching vs. packet switching), in the type of physical media employed for transmission (e.g. wired vs. wireless), or in the set of communication protocols used (e.g. Internet protocol suite, SONET (Synchronous Optical Networking), Ethernet, etc.).
One characteristic of communications networks is the choice of wired or wireless media for the transmission of electrical signals among the constituents of the network. In the case of wired networks, tangible physical media such as copper wire, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, etc. are employed to propagate guided electromagnetic waveforms which carry message traffic over a distance. Wired networks are a static form of communications networks and are typically favored for interconnection of fixed network elements or for bulk data transfer. For example, fiber optic cables are often the preferred transmission media for very high throughput transport applications over long distances between large network hubs, such as, bulk data transport across or between continents over the Earth's surface.
On the other hand, wireless networks are often preferred when the network elements are mobile with dynamic connectivity needs or if the network architecture is formed in an ad hoc, rather than fixed, topology. Wireless networks employ intangible physical media in an unguided propagation mode using electromagnetic waves in the radio, microwave, infrared, optical, etc. frequency bands. Wireless networks have the distinct advantage of facilitating user mobility and rapid field deployment compared to fixed wired networks. However, usage of wireless propagation requires significant active resource management among the network users and high levels of mutual coordination and cooperation for compatible spectrum utilization. Wireless propagation is also subject to interference among the various users so that interference mitigation techniques are required for acceptable operation.

Apparatus and method for interference mitigation