An automated collection and analysis patient care system and method for ordering and prioritizing multiple health disorders to identify an index disorder is described. A plurality of monitoring sets are retrieved from a database. Each of the monitoring sets include stored measures relating to patient information recorded and derived on a substantially continuous basis. A patient status change is determined by comparing at least one stored measure from each of the monitoring sets to at least one other stored measure with both stored measures relating to the same type of patient information. Each patient status change is ordered in temporal sequence from least recent to most recent. A plurality of health disorder candidates categorized by quantifiable physiological measures of pathophysiologies indicative of each respective health disorder are evaluated and the health disorder candidate with the pathophysiology most closely matching those patient status changes which occurred least recently is identified.

The present invention relates in general to automated multiple near-simultaneous health disorder diagnosis and analysis, and, in particular, to an automated collection and analysis patient care system and method for ordering and prioritizing multiple health disorders to identify an index disorder.
The rising availability of networked digital communications means, particularly wide area networks (WANs), including public information internetworks such as the Internet, have made possible diverse opportunities for providing traditional storefront- or office-bound services through an automated and remote distributed system arrangement. For example, banking, stock trading, and even grocery shopping can now be performed on-line over the Internet. However, some forms of services, especially health care services which include disease diagnosis and treatment, require detailed and personal knowledge of the consumer/patient. The physiological data that would allow assessment of a disease has traditionally been obtained through the physical presence of the individual at the physician""s office or in the hospital.
Presently, important physiological measures can be recorded and collected for patients equipped with an external monitoring or therapeutic device, or via implantable device technologies, or recorded manually by the patient. If obtained frequently and regularly, these recorded physiological measures can provide a degree of disease detection and prevention heretofore unknown. For instance, patients already suffering from some form of treatable heart disease often receive an implantable pulse generator (IPG), cardiovascular or heart failure monitor, therapeutic device, or similar external wearable device, with which rhythm and structural problems of the heart can be monitored and treated. These types of devices are useful for detecting physiological changes in patient conditions through the retrieval and analysis of telemetered signals stored in an on-board, volatile memory. Typically, these devices can store more than thirty minutes of per heartbeat data recorded on a per heartbeat, binned average basis, or on a derived basis from which can be measured or derived, for example, atrial or ventricular electrical activity, minute ventilation, patient activity score, cardiac output score, mixed venous oxygen score, cardiovascular pressure measures, and the like. However, the proper analysis of retrieved telemetered signals requires detailed medical subspecialty knowledge in the area of heart disease, such as by cardiologists and cardiac electrophysiologists.
Alternatively, these telemetered signals can be remotely collected and analyzed using an automated patient care system. One such system is described in a related, commonly owned U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/324,894, filed Jun. 3, 1999, pending, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. A medical device adapted to be implanted in an individual patient records telemetered signals that are then retrieved on a regular, periodic basis using an interrogator or similar interfacing device. The telemetered signals are downloaded via an intemetwork onto a network server on a regular, e.g., daily, basis and stored as sets of collected measures in a database along with other patient care records. The information is then analyzed in an automated fashion and feedback, which includes a patient status indicator, is provided to the patient.
While such an automated system can serve as a valuable tool in providing remote patient care, an approach to systematically correlating and analyzing the raw collected telemetered signals, as well as manually collected physiological measures, through applied medical knowledge to accurately diagnose, order and prioritize multiple near-simultaneous health disorders, such as, by way of example, congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, respiratory insufficiency, and atrial fibrillation, is needed. As a case in point, a patient might develop pneumonia that in turn triggers the onset of myocardial ischemia that in turn leads to congestive heart failure that in turn causes the onset of atrial fibrillation that in turn exacerbates all three preceding conditions. The relative relationship of the onset and magnitude of each disease measure abnormality has direct bearing on the optimal course of therapy. Patients with one or more pre-existing diseases often present with a confusing array of problems that can be best sorted and addressed by analyzing the sequence of change in the various physiological measures monitored by the device.
One automated patient care system directed to a patient-specific monitoring function is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,869 (""869) to Nappholz et al. The ""869 patent discloses an implantable, programmable electrocardiography (ECG) patient monitoring device that senses and analyzes ECG signals to detect ECG and physiological signal characteristics predictive of malignant cardiac arrhythmias. The monitoring device can communicate a warning signal to an external device when arrhythmias are predicted. However, the Nappholz device is limited to detecting ventricular tachycardias. Moreover, the ECG morphology of malignant cardiac tachycardias is well established and can be readily predicted using on-board signal detection techniques. The Nappholz device is patient specific and is unable to automatically take into consideration a broader patient or peer group history for reference to detect and consider the progression or improvement of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, the Nappholz device is unable to automatically self-reference multiple data points in time and cannot detect disease regression. Also, the Nappholz device must be implanted and cannot function as an external monitor. Finally, the Nappholz device is incapable of tracking the cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary consequences of any rhythm disorder.
Consequently, there is a need for an approach for remotely ordering and prioritizing multiple, related medical diseases and disorders using an automated patient collection and analysis patient care system. Preferably, such an approach would identify a primary or index disorder for diagnosis and treatment, while also aiding in the management of secondary disorders that arise as a consequence of the index event.
There is a further need for an automated, distributed system and method capable of providing medical health care services to remote patients via a distributed communications means, such as a WAN, including the Internet. Preferably, such a system and method should be capable of monitoring objective xe2x80x9chardxe2x80x9d physiological measures and subjective xe2x80x9csoftxe2x80x9d quality of life and symptom measures and correlating the two forms of patient health care data to order, prioritize and identify disorders and disease.
The present invention provides a system and method for remotely ordering and prioritizing multiple, near-simultaneous health disorders using an automated collection and analysis patient care system. The various physiological measures of individual patients are continuously monitored using implantable, external, or manual medical devices and the recorded physiological measures are downloaded on a substantially regular basis to a centralized server system. Derived measures are extrapolated from the recorded measures. As an adjunct to the device-recorded measures, the patients may regularly submit subjective, quality of life and symptom measures to the server system to assist identifying a change in health condition and to correlate with objective health care findings. Changes in patient status are determined by observing differences between the various recorded, derived and quality of life and symptom measures over time. Any changes in patient status are correlated to multiple disorder candidates having similar abnormalities in physiological measures for identification of a primary index disorder candidate.
An embodiment of the present invention is an automated collection and analysis patient care system and method for ordering and prioritizing multiple health disorders to identify an index disorder. A plurality of monitoring sets are retrieved from a database. Each of the monitoring sets include stored measures relating to patient information recorded and derived on a substantially continuous basis. A patient status change is determined by comparing at least one stored measure from each of the monitoring sets to at least one other stored measure with both stored measures relating to the same type of patient information. Each patient status change is ordered in temporal sequence from least recent to most recent. A plurality of health disorder candidates categorized by quantifiable physiological measures of pathophysiologies indicative of each respective health disorder are evaluated and the health disorder candidate with the pathophysiology most closely matching those patient status changes which occurred least recently is identified as the index disorder, that is, the inciting disorder.
The present invention provides a capability to detect and track subtle trends and incremental changes in recorded patient medical information for automated multiple near-simultaneous health disorder diagnosis and analysis. When coupled with an enrollment in a remote patient monitoring service having the capability to remotely and continuously collect and analyze external or implantable medical device measures, automated multiple health disorder diagnosis and analysis ordering and prioritizing become feasible.
Another benefit is improved predictive accuracy from the outset of patient care when a reference baseline is incorporated into the automated diagnosis.
A further benefit is an expanded knowledge base created by expanding the methodologies applied to a single patient to include patient peer groups and the overall patient population. Collaterally, the information maintained in the database could also be utilized for the development of further predictive techniques and for medical research purposes.
Yet a further benefit is the ability to hone and improve the predictive techniques employed through a continual reassessment of patient therapy outcomes and morbidity rates.
Other benefits include an automated, expert system approach to the cross-referral, consideration, and potential finding or elimination of other diseases and health disorders with similar or related etiological indicators.
Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is described embodiments of the invention by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

Automated collection and analysis patient care system and method for ordering and prioritizing multiple health disorders to identify an index disorder


A video display apparatus displays videos corresponding to a plurality of observers respectively and comprises a display device. A control unit controls a scan timing so that a sum of a video scanning period from an upper end to a lower end of the display device concerning one video input into the display device and a response period in the lower end of the display device is smaller than a field period of the video. The control unit allows an illumination system to emit light between the end of the response period of the lower end and the start of scanning of the next video in the upper end of the display device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video display apparatus and a video display method capable of simultaneously observing videos which are different according to viewing directions.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has heretofore been known a liquid crystal display apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an MVD) by which it is possible to simultaneously observe videos which are different according to viewing direction. In the MVD, illuminative backlights having directivities in two different directions are alternately switched in synchronization with a time when different videos are alternately displayed in a time sharing manner in the liquid crystal display apparatus. Such a constitution is disclosed in, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2006-10935.
FIG. 19 shows the behavior of driving the MVD by normal scanning. First, a video of a right field (hereinafter referred to as the right video) is scanned from an upper end of a screen based on a vertical synchronous signal in scan timing 1, scanned in the center of the screen in scan timing 2, and scanned in a lower end of the screen in scan timing 3, successively. After the video has been scanned in the lower end of the screen, a video (hereinafter referred to as the left video) of a left field is then scanned from the upper end of the screen.
Graphs of displayed images (1 to 3) show behaviors in which the right video and the left video are alternately displayed in the upper end, the center and the lower end of the screen.
Moreover, an example of image quality improvement of a dynamic video is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2001-183622. A technology concerning the image quality improvement in liquid crystal display of a field sequential driving system is disclosed in Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2003-215535.


An automated teller machine includes a stack of currency notes and dispenser for dispensing notes from the stack to authorized users. A marker bill is inserted at a predetermined position in the stack of currency notes to indicate a predetermined quantity of notes remaining within the stack.

This invention relates to replenishment arrangements for automated teller machines (ATMs).
In conventional ATMS, stacks of currency notes are stored in one or more currency cassettes and on receipt of a valid cash withdrawal request from a customer, notes are extracted from the cassettes and transported to a cash dispenser slot in a user console. An ATM is generally capable of dispensing notes of several different denominations and separate cassettes are normally provided for notes of each particular denomination.
It is desirable that when the number of currency notes remaining within a particular cassette in the ATM reaches a predetermined critical low level (i.e. a level which may not be sufficient to guarantee that a typical customer cash withdrawal request can be successfully fulfilled using the notes remaining in that particular cassette), indication is provided. Such an indication is typically provided by a sensor comprising a permanent magnet associated with a pusher assembly which is arranged to urge notes towards an exit end of the cassette from which they are extracted. When the pusher assembly reaches a position in the proximity of the exit end, a reed switch mounted within the ATM is activated by the permanent magnet to indicate that the number of notes within the cassette has reached a predetermined low level. The reed switch is commonly positioned so that a low level indication will be given when approximately 75 to 100 notes remain within the cassette. The cassette will then typically be replaced by a new full cassette.
In recent years, free standing ATMs have been installed in bars and shops for the convenience of customers. Often, these machines are loaded with currency notes by the bar landlord or shopkeeper, and for the sake of security it may be desirable to load into and keep in such machines only a relatively small number of notes, i.e. close to or even below the number at which a low level is indicated. Conventional low level sensors may therefore be of little assistance in maintaining such small quantities of notes in an ATM.
It is an object to provide a flexible means for indicating a low quantity of currency notes remaining in an ATM which is suitable for machines in any installation.
According to the invention, there is provided an ATM comprising a stack of currency notes and means for dispensing notes from the stack to authorized users, characterized by a marker bill inserted at a predetermined position in the stack of currency notes to indicate a predetermined quantity of notes remaining within the stack when dispensed from the stack.
By use of a marker bill, the person who loads the ATM with currency notes can insert the bill at the position in the stack of notes which corresponds to the quantity of notes remaining at which a low level is desired to be indicated. When all the notes in the stack in front of the marker bill have been dispensed, the marker bill itself will be dispensed next. The marker bill removes the need for a conventional indication means, which can reduce the cost of manufacture of the ATM.
Suitably, the marker bill may be in the form of a voucher to prompt the user to present it to the person responsible for loading the machine in order to retrieve its face value, thereby providing an alert to the low level of currency in the machine. Alternatively, the means for dispensing notes from the stack may comprise means for detecting the presence of the marker bill and means for indicating the predetermined quantity of currency notes remaining in the stack upon detection of the marker bill. By providing a means for indicating the predetermined quantity of currency notes remaining in the stack, the person responsible for loading the machine need not be reliant on the user presenting a marker bill for an indication that the level of currency in the machine is low. The means for indicating the predetermined quantity of currency notes remaining in the stack could also activate a switch to close the ATM and prevent further currency withdrawals from taking place to avoid a situation in which a user""s request might not otherwise be fulfilled due to a shortage of currency.
Preferably, the ATM further comprises a purge bin and means for automatically transferring the marker bill from the stack to the purge bin upon detection of the marker bill. In this way, the low level indication can be fully automated with no user interaction, the marker bill being retained within the machine while the user receives the currency requested in the normal way.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of indicating the quantity of currency notes remaining within an automated teller machine comprising a stack of currency notes and means for dispensing notes from the stack to authorized users, the method comprising the step of inserting a marker bill at a predetermined position in the stack of currency notes.

Replenishment arrangements for automated teller machines


A method is disclosed for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client to a security gateway which is capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, activating a signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring, and transferring information between the security gateway and the remote client. The transfer of information between the security gateway and the remote client is controlled by the user of the remote client. The security gateway may be operably coupled to at least one camera at the premises and to at least one audio station At the premises.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of security systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method for the remote monitoring of a premises from a location other than the premises.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional security systems typically protect a building using make/break contacts strategically placed at doors, windows, and other potential entry points and motion sensors in strategic areas inside the building. Other devices include glass breakage detectors, panic or medical alert buttons, temperature and flood sensors, smoke detectors, and P.I.R. (passive infra red) sensors, a type of motion sensor that senses heat differences caused by animate objects such as humans or animals. Also used are vibration sensors which, when placed upon a window for example, detect when the window is broken, and radio frequency (rf), radar, and microwave sensors, as well as laser sensing. When the system is on and a sensor is tripped, a signal is sent through a wire, or using radio frequencies (on wireless systems), to a main controller which sounds a siren and dials out via telephone, an IP connection, or cellular service to the monitoring station whenever an alarm condition occurs.
One technological approach to determining whether or not an alarm condition exists is through the use of separate audio monitors operating in concert with separate alarm sensors. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,591,834 and 4,918,717 are directed to such systems. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,591,834 refers to the use of miniature, low-frequency dynamic microphones. Alarm activities noted at the microphones are verified via a separate network of discriminator sensors which comprise geophones. Signal processing techniques are utilized to distinguish alarm activity. Intrusion and discriminator sensors are arranged in known patterns comprised of multiple sensors of each type. U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,717 refers to a system wherein a number of microphones are distributed about a secured premises in relation to other intrusion sensors. Upon detection of an intrusion alarm, the microphones can be manually enabled one at a time from the central station to allow an operator to listen to audio activity in proximity to the sensor alarm.
Another approach is the use of video images to monitor a location. In many prior art devices, however, the video images may not be received by the monitoring party until several moments have passed after the recorded event has actually taken place, likely causing any response to be late and less effective.
Another disadvantage with existing security systems is that after a person has left the premises, he or she may not be certain that he or she remembered to activate or arm the security system. In prior art systems, it has been necessary to return to the premises to arm the security system or ask someone else to check on the premises and report back to the person. Returning to the premises is time-consuming and inconvenient, and may not be possible if the person is traveling or is otherwise unable to return to the premises.
In addition, the owner of a premises may desire to monitor the premises or communicate with an occupant of the premises, whether or not an alarm has been triggered. One approach for remote monitoring or remote communication involves the use of web cams. A disadvantage to using web cams is that they fail to address privacy concerns by failing to inform or notify the occupant of the premises that remote surveillance is occurring. Instead, the attraction of web cams to consumers is the ability to spy on a location without individuals knowing the web cam is transmitting images of the premises.
Furthermore, the owner of the premises may desire to modify aspects of the security system while he or she is away from the premises. In many prior art systems, the owner is unable to modify certain aspects of the security system. Instead, the security system must be reconfigured by a representative of the security system manufacturer or a complex process using the keypad with limited user interface. It is therefore desirable for a user at a remote location to be capable of arming and disarming the security system, changing aspects of the security system, and generally having access to control the monitoring of the premises from the remote location.
Prior art systems generally do not provide for two-way audio communication. Two-way audio capabilities enable owners of the premises and monitoring personnel to communicate with individuals present at the premises, providing an extra means for determining the status of the premises (such as determining if an alarm event is actually occurring) and, in the case of a remote user communicating with the premises, the opportunity to maintain a sense of control of the premises (such as communicating with a child at the premises).
Prior art systems generally do not provide for hands-free communication by occupants of the premises with a remote user. In cases in which the occurrence of an alarm event has resulted in an occupant being injured or otherwise unable to operate the security system, the only option was to wait for someone to check on the premises and notify the proper authorities. Furthermore, prior art systems generally do not transmit images or sound during non-alarm periods. It is therefore desirable to provide a security system capable of transmitting images and sound during non-alarm time periods, and to further provide a way for individuals at a monitored location to communicate with users accessing the security system from a remote location, and without the need for acknowledging the remote user in order to communicate.
There is a desire to balance security, privacy, and convenience concerns, particularly with residential security systems. Many prior art security systems sacrifice security and lack convenience for the sake of privacy. It is therefore desirable to provide a security system that provides security of the premises, is configurable to address privacy concerns of the occupants, and is convenient for the users of the security system to access the system remotely.
From the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a need has arisen for a security system and method that overcomes the limitations of the prior art. It is desirable that such a security system provide the convenience of remote monitoring of a premises by a remote user, while simultaneously addressing privacy concerns by providing a notification signal to alert occupants of the premises that remote monitoring is occurring. It is further desirable that such a system use available infrastructure and protocols and overcome the limitations of conventional methods.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for remote monitoring of a premises, comprising the steps of operatively coupling a geographically remote client to a security system server which is capable of authenticating a user of the remote client, operatively coupling the remote client to a security gateway which is capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, activating a signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring, and transferring information between the security gateway and the remote client. The transfer of information between the security gateway and the remote client is controlled by the user of the remote client. The security gateway may be operably coupled to at least one camera and to at least one audio station.
The notification signal may comprise an audible signal or a visible signal or both. An audible notification signal may comprise a sound uniquely associated with the remote user, and can comprise speech, which may identify the remote user. A visible notification signal may comprise a depiction of the remote user, or a graphical image, or an alphanumeric message, which may identify the remote user, and which may be transmitted to a keypad at the premises. The visible notification signal may be transmitted to a display device, such as a television. The visible notification signal may further comprise an activation signal for a light source at the premises, such as a light emitting diode (LED). The LED may be located on a camera or on a keypad, for example.
In accordance with one embodiment, the inventive method may further comprise steps for verifying the identification of the remote user, transmitting an access token from the security system server to the remote client, providing the security gateway with information about the remote user and the access token and disabling communication between the security system server and the remote client. The access token may be adapted to allow the remote client to access the security gateway based on the user""s permission profile, which is created by a General Administrator of the security gateway. The access token may expire at a designated time and date, or after a designated length of time has elapsed, or after a designated number of accesses has occurred, or upon access being removed by a General Administrator. The access token may allow access to specific features of the security gateway in accordance with the user""s permission profile.
In another embodiment, the inventive method may further provide a controller capable of performing one or more building automation control functions, which may include without limitation controlling air conditioning systems at the premises, doors at the premises, lighting devices at the premises, irrigation systems at the premises, or electrical appliances at the premises.
In yet another embodiment, the inventive method may provide for streaming data in substantially real-time from the security gateway to the remote client. In still another embodiment, the inventive method may provide for substantially real-time audio communication or video communication, or both, between the remote client and the security gateway.
The inventive method may also provide for continuously caching audio and video data. Furthermore, the method of the present invention may provide for recording audio and video data during a particular time period. The particular time period may comprise intervals according to a pre-determined schedule, or may be determined upon demand of an administrator of said security gateway. The particular time period may begin prior to triggering of an alarm, or prior to triggering of a sensor.
The present invention further provides a system for remote monitoring of a premises by a geographically remote user, comprising a security system server capable of authenticating the user, a security gateway capable of managing the monitoring of the premises, one or more cameras, and one or more audio stations, wherein the security gateway provides an audiovisual signal at the premises for notifying an occupant at the premises that remote monitoring is occurring. The inventive system may further comprise a controller capable of performing building automation control functions. The system may also provide for streaming data in substantially real-time from said security gateway to said remote client. The system may further provide for substantially real-time synchronized audio and video communication between said remote client and said security gateway.
The present invention can be also used in many different vertical segments within the security industry. In this present invention, the audio and video digitization and processing including compression is centralized at the security gateway. As processors become less expensive and more efficient, these functions can be done at the individual camera or at the audio station. The security gateway may then act as a central communications and controller for the cameras, audio stations and various other sensors.
The present invention provides the advantage of using the security system as a platform for two-way audio and video communication. By making communication between a remote user and the premises very convenient, the present invention allows the owner of the premises to be proactive in monitoring the premises by allowing remote viewing as well as communicating with individuals at the premises.


The system and method of the present invention provide a data communication between unique ID (UID) registration center and electronic (or other) products, and the product's data management. The UID is previously assigned and integrated or embedded to the product, where the UID of each product is registered with one or more particular UID registration centers over at least one communication network. Each UID is operable to securely store and selectively provide access to predefine location in the product and corresponds to data file at the UID registration center, with data file being inclusive of information related to the product purchase history, current ownership, etc., and wherein one or more authorized parties may subsequently advantageously utilize at least one UID to access, verify, edit, transfer, transmit, and/or otherwise manage at least one information item, including ownership right related to one or more corresponding registered products in the UID registration center.

In the past several decades, there has been an unprecedented and ever-accelerating growth in availability and sheer quantity and variety of increasingly complex and popular technological items, especially with respect to electronic products and other products ranging from mobile telephones, to media storage and playback products, to personal digital assistants (PDAs), to portable and other types of computers, and so on. However, this course of events has brought about a number of significant and escalating challenges across a wide spectrum of circumstances.
Because of the rapid advances in technological developments, many electronic products are constantly replaced with newer models in relatively short product cycles (some measured in months), which, coupled with the desire of the some consumers to have the "latest and greatest" and the goals of other consumers to find "bargains", lead to a proliferation of a number of secondary markets for pre-owned products.
These markets are quite enormous in scope, and are bolstered by the access to a vast worldwide customer base through popular online auction sites and ready availability of easy to use and inexpensive person-to-person sales facilitators (such as local buy-sell online listings). However, in all types of aftermarket sales, there is an enormous problem with fraud (such as an online auction seller misrepresenting that they actually have the offered electronic product in hand, or that they are in fact the legitimate owner of the product), counterfeiting of expensive products, misrepresentations about item repair histories, ownership records, warranties, age, and so on.
It should also be noted that because many electronic products are in consistent demand, and with quite a few types of these products being expensive, they are often targets for theft or other misappropriation, or otherwise figure in various other types of illegal activities as was noted above (such as fraud, counterfeiting, etc.). In many cases, even if stolen or otherwise misplaced items are recovered by law enforcement, it is very difficult, if not impossible to determine and/or verify ownership.
In addition, product manufacturers rely on establishing, developing and growing a loyal customer base and are always interested in gathering information from purchasers/owners of their products. Most often, this information is gathered though voluntary registration of the products with the manufacturer by their users/owners, for which incentives are often offered (or penalties established for failure to register—such as loss of warranty). Because many users never bother to register their products/products, manufacturers are always looking for incentives to encourage registrations.
Moreover, many product purchasers/users often alter or otherwise misrepresent product purchase information by registering it long after the original purchase date in an effort to extend the effective coverage period of product warranty. Paper receipts issued by most product vendors may be easily forged or otherwise altered. This results in significant losses to manufacturers.
There are a number of reasons why the above challenges have remained largely unmet—these reasons include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following:                (1) the difficulty in obtaining certain specific information about each particular unique electronic product (authenticity, legal status (whether the product is stolen, etc.), purchase records, ownership records and history, warranty/repair history, etc.)—hereinafter the "PRODUCT RECORD",        (2) the difficulty in linking the PRODUCT RECORD to its corresponding electronic product and in maintaining the link over time; and        (3) the difficulty in obtaining, verifying, tracking, and otherwise managing PRODUCT RECORDs.
The above-noted difficulties are not surprising, due to the fact that for decades, the only manner in which each particular electronic product was through its serial number assigned by the product manufacturer. A product serial number is typically printed on, engraved on, or most often otherwise attached to an outer surface of the product (such as printed on a sticker or metal or plastic tape glued to the device). In some cases, serial numbers are provided on an inner surface of the device, such as inside its housing, under a removable battery, etc.). As a result, in the vast majority of cases, serial numbers are quite easy to remove, obscure, or alter. Moreover, because each product manufacturer provides its own serial numbers using its own numbering scheme, most often without regard for serial number nomenclature of other manufacturers, in certain cases, serial numbers for different products from different manufacturers may be identical or confusingly similar to one another. In view of the sheer and ever-growing quantity of available electronic products, this occurrence continues to become increasingly more frequent. Thus, currently, no serial number can ever really be assured of being "unique".
In recent years certain electronic products have been introduced that store serial numbers in digital memory in addition to, or in lieu of, those numbers being physically provided on the device. In cases where serial numbers are only provided in electronic form, the numbers are not visibly displayed to product users for inspection, but are only capable of being retrieved through use of external electronic devices (such as computers) utilizing specially configured software (e.g., typically provided by the manufacturer to authorized personnel).
For the above reasons, product serial numbers were exclusively utilized by the respective product manufacturers, and/or by repair/service providers, for warranty activation and administration, product update and recall notifications, and in connection with the provision of product configuration maintenance/repair services. Primary and aftermarket consumers, law enforcement personnel, product users, and other inquiring parties were not able to use serial numbers to any significant extent, especially because certain potentially very useful information was simply not available in connection with the serial numbers.
In the above-mentioned cases, where serial numbers are digitally stored in certain electronic products, significant problems can arise in connection with unauthorized manipulation thereof. By way of example, each mobile telephone includes an International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number stored in its memory, which can be viewed on the phone display screen in response to certain commands. However, on many mobile telephones, it is possible to alter the IMEI number utilizing a computer or equivalent device equipped with special software configured for that purpose, whether by the manufacturer or, more typically, by an unauthorized third party. Even a cursory Internet search, will readily reveal dozens of "hacking" solutions for modifying the IMEI number of most mobile telephones available on the market.
Because the IMEI number is used by the GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) network to identify valid mobile devices, it can therefore be used to stop a stolen phone from accessing the network, fraudulent alteration thereof may enable a perpetrator to use a stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained mobile telephone with an altered IMEI number, to misappropriate communication and/or data services. It should also be noted that the IMEI number is most often only used to identify a specific mobile telephone, and is not in any way linked to, or associated with, a mobile service subscriber using the telephone.
Certain attempts to address the numerous challenges above have been made, but none have achieved any measurable commercial success, and none have gained any significant degree of widespread implementation. By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,259,367 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,791 have proposed utilizing bar code labels, RFID tags, and/or magnetic tags affixed to various products, in conjunction with appropriate compatible "reader devices" and other system component, for product identification, verification, and related product information management. However, these solutions still suffer from significant disadvantages of the previously known product information gathering and management approaches. For example, in each case, the data-containing, magnetic, and/or electronic labels and/or tags are easy to remove, alter, or erase by physical action. Furthermore, none of the suggested solutions address the challenge of ensuring the implementation and use of truly unique "serial numbers" or equivalents across different manufacturers and/or products.
Other solutions have been proposed that focus on tracking ownership, and verifying the authenticity, of certain products and valuable items (such as artwork). However, all of these solutions require modification of the system and method.
It would thus be desirable to provide an electronic product-related information registration, verification, and management system and method by providing electronic products with a unique ID ("UID") assigned to each product and stored in an integrated or embedded product component in such a manner as to (1) make the UID readily available to an inquirer, and (2) make the UID virtually impossible to remove or change without destroying or seriously damaging its corresponding product, and to provide at least one registration center operable to store and enable conditional access to, at least one information record linked to each product through its UID, such that the at least one information record may be advantageously accessed and/or managed by at least one authorized inquirer through use of the UID.
It would also be desirable to provide a system and method for ensuring that the UIDs assigned to various electronic products are not duplicated, regardless of different product manufacturers. It would further be desirable to provide an embedded or integrated UID component for electronic products operable for at least one of: (1) selective activation in response to one or more predetermined criteria (e.g., an authorized inquirer request, etc.), (2) display of the UID to an inquirer, for example by use of a product's display component, (3) proximity-limited transmission of the UID from the component to a preconfigured UID receiver, (4) wireless transmission (preferably secure) of the UID from the component to a an authorized receiving system, (5) transmission (preferably secure) of the UID through a physical electronic connection to an authorized requesting component or system.
It would additionally be desirable to provide an electronic product-related information registration, verification, and management system and method for electronic products each having a UID assigned thereto and securely stored therein in an integrated and/or embedded component thereof, that comprises at least one UID registration center, each having a communication system operable to receive UID and other information, over at least one communication network, a control system, and a UID database system that comprises a plurality of data records each linked to a particular UID stored in a corresponding UID registration center database file, such that at least one authorized inquirer is able to utilize a particular UID (preferably in conjunction with provision of a verifier to verify authorization) to access, verify, edit, transfer, transmit, and otherwise manage at least one information item related to each registered product in its corresponding UID registration center database file.
It would also be desirable to provide a system and method for ensuring that the integrated/embedded UID components (and the corresponding UIDs) assigned to various electronic products, are configured for use in conjunction with various conventional and future shipping, storage, inventory, tracking, etc. systems.
It would moreover be desirable to provide a system and method for electronic product information registration, verification and management for use in conjunction with electronic products supplied with UIDs, in which at least one UID registration center database further comprises user accounts for parties including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: product manufacturers, product distributors, retail stores, e-commerce stores, consumers, etc., where each account is associated with one or more UIDs that each corresponds to its UID registration center database file (as described above).
It would furthermore be desirable to provide a system and method for UID-based electronic product information registration, verification and management in which, in conjunction with creation of a UID registration center file for a particular electronic product (i.e., during electronic product UID registration), the registrant is provided with at least one verifier, each operable to at least one of: (1) ensure that subsequently only an authorized party may access the file by supplying a provided verifier to the registration center control system, (2) ensure that prior to activation by an electronic product seller, cannot be used to access the UID registration center file to guard against theft, loss, or other misappropriation of the corresponding electronic product, during transit from the seller to a buyer, and (3) when provided for a product manufacturer, ensure that the verifier is associated with each particular product UID and stored in the corresponding UID registration center file linked to the manufacturer's user account, such that the verifier is provided to a purchaser of the particular electronic product to facilitate ready registration thereof with the UID registration center.
It would additionally be desirable to enable a product manufacturer with an account at the UID registration center to automatically transmit and enter, at least one product information item associated with each particular product's UID, into that product's corresponding UID registration center database file, with the at least one product information item including, but not being limited to at least one of the following: manufacturer name, contact information, product brand name, model name/number, production date, warranty information, technical support information, and so on.
It would likewise be additionally be desirable to enable an electronic product sales intermediary party having an account at the UID registration center (e.g., distributor, store, aftermarket seller, etc.), to add product historical information to a particular registered product's UID registration center database file, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: name/contact information of distributor, name/contact information of store, purchase date, return date, and service/warranty claims, status (lost, stolen, returned to manufacturer, reconditioned, etc.), with each information item being optionally time-stamped. It would also be desirable, to selectively ensure that all, or a predetermined portion, of product historical information stored in the UID registration center database file, is prevented from being edited or deleted.
It would furthermore be additionally be desirable to enable a consumer (or another end-user party), a distributor, a store, an after-market seller, or another party having an account at the UID registration center, to add/update/edit certain product information to a particular registered product's UID registration center database file, including, but not limited to, at least one of the following: name/contact information of owner, name/contact information of store, purchase date, return date, service/warranty claims, status (lost, stolen, returned to store or manufacturer, reconditioned, etc.), with each information item being optionally time-stamped. It would also be desirable, to enable the consumer selling a particular electronic product to a buyer, to transfer the UID registration center database file corresponding to the UID of the product being sold, to the buyer, such that the buyer is able to access the UID registration center database file and link the file to their existing (or newly created) account.
It would moreover be desirable to provide an additional access platform to enable other inquiring parties to connect to at least one UID registration center, seeking to verify particular product information through the use of UIDs for various purposes (such as to enable law enforcement officers to determine the status (stolen, etc.) of a recovered electronic product, and to locate the owner of a recovered stolen product, or to enable a person who finds a lost product, to contact its owner and return it).

System and method for streamlined registration of products over a communication network and for verification and management of information related thereto


The present invention is directed to a portable personal training and exercise device with a cable and pulley mechanism which also is a mobile personal training and exercise device having an ergonomic plastic external housing that with the use of straps fits in the hand as well as against different parts of the body. The present invention has a cable and pulley mechanism inside a housing which has a pulley rotatably mounted on a shaft that spins in only one direction. The pulley spins in both directions so that it is spring biased for rewinding a cord onto the pulley. Next to the pulley is a brake wheel or brake bushing that is attached to the shaft. The brake wheel or brake bushing and a pulley spinning on a single shaft inserts into a sealed ball bearing on both ends. A spring is connected to the bottom of the pulley. In the center of the pulley is a combination ball bearing/one-way clutch that turns the shaft only in one direction. The shaft is attached to the brake wheel or brake bushing. Secured around the outer edge of the brake wheel is a brake band. Secured around the outer edge of the brake bushing is a brake clamp. The brake band or brake bushing can be tightened for variable resistance through a tension adjustment assembly including a tension bolt. There is also a multi-directional guide unit mounted on the housing for allowing the pulley cords to be pulled in multiple directions with variable amounts of friction. The cord, which is wrapped around the pulley, emerges through a multi-directional bearing that rotates 360 degrees, thus allowing full range of three dimensional motion. Therefore, a user may pull the cords of the pulley for exercising various muscles of the user and adjust the resistance force of the cord at an appropriate level from the user. Different attachments can be connected to the snap at the end of the cord or cable such as a grip handle, wrist strap, waistband, ankle strap and foot strap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of sport and exercise devices and more particularly relates to a portable personal training and exercise device which utilizes a cable and pulley mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years personal training and exercise devices have become very popular. Many different types of personal training and exercise devices including fixed, stationary and portable exercise devices have been designed and introduced into the marketplace. The following prior art patents are representative of the types of exercise devices which are known in the prior art.
1. U.S. Pat. No. 766,748 issued to Terry on Aug. 2, 1904 for "Physical Exerciser And Developer" (hereafter the "Terry Patent");
2. U.S. Pat. No. 913,799 issued to Burguet on Mar. 2, 1909 for "Exercising Apparatus" (hereafter the "Burguet Patent");
3. U.S. Pat. No. 1,573,362 issued to Stovall on Feb. 16, 1926 for "Child's Toy And Exerciser" (hereafter the "Stovall Patent");
4. U.S. Pat. No. 3,841,627 issued to Vetter on Oct. 15, 1974 for "Push Pull Rotatable Wheel Type exercising Device" (hereafter the "Vetter Patent");
5. U.S. Pat. No. 3,885,789 issued to Deluty on May 27, 1975 for "Exercising Device" (hereafter the "Deluty Patent");
6. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 241,150 issued to Hale on Aug. 24, 1976 for "Physical Exerciser" (hereafter the "Hale Patent");
7. U.S. Pat. No. 4,174,832 issued to Thompson on Nov. 20, 1979 for "Friction Type Exercise Device" (hereafter the "Thompson Patent");
8. U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,965 issued to Hatfield on May 11, 1982 for "Portable Archery Muscle Developer" (hereafter the "Hatfield Patent");
9. U.S. Pat. No. Des. 304,748 issued to Bowers on Nov. 21, 1989 for "Hand Held Exerciser" (hereafter the "Bowers Patent");
10. U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,461 issued to Bailey, Jr. on Oct. 25, 1994 for "Exerciser Activated Body-Mounted Lights And Generators" (hereafter the "Bailey Patent");
11. U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,591 issued to Chen on Aug. 1, 1995 for "Chest Expander" (hereafter the "Chen Patent");
12. U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,149 issued to Smith on Jan. 23, 1996 for "Friction Resistance Exercise Device" (hereafter the "Smith Patent");
13. U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,249 issued to Marshall on Apr. 8, 1997 for "Unidirectionally Adjustably Resistant Recoilers And Portable Exercise Devices" (hereafter the "Marshall Patent");
14. U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,637 issued to Gow on Jan. 20, 1998 for "Rotator Cuff Strength Training Device" (hereafter the "Gow Patent");
15. U.S. Pat. No. 5,733,231 issued to Corn on Mar. 31, 1998 for "Exercise Device With Variable Resistance" (hereafter the "Corn Patent");
16. U.S. Pat. No. 5,876,310 issued to Mackey on Mar. 2, 1999 for "Upper Body Exercise Device" (hereafter the "'310 Mackey Patent");
17. U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,447 issued to Ramsaroop on Aug. 8, 2000 for "Exercise Belt" (hereafter the "Ramsaroop Patent");
18. U.S. Pat. No. 6,149,559 issued to Mackey on Nov. 21, 2000 for "Variable Resistance Exercise Device" (hereafter the "'559 Mackey Patent");
19. U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,899 B1 issued to Charnitski on Sep. 4, 2001 for "Inertial Resistance Exercise Apparatus And Method" (hereafter the "Charnitski Patent");
20. U.S. Pat. No. 6,315,701 issued to Shifferaw on Nov. 13, 2001 for "Portable Exercise Machine" (hereafter the "Shifferaw Patent");
In the Vetter Patent to surmount a resistance a flywheel mass and a pulling member are mounted at one end of a shaft which is journaled in a housing of a gymnastics apparatus. The pulling or drawing member includes a rope which can be wound or unwound from the shaft. The rope has one of its ends fixed to the shaft end while the other end of the rope is attached to the housing and the main portion of the rope is guided over guide rollers housed in an independent handle which is pulled by a user.
The Deluty Patent discloses an exercising device having a housing which is attached to a stationary surface. A cord with a hand grip on its free end can be pulled out of the housing against the internal resistance of the exercising device. The amount of internal resistance can be varied by means of a control knob. An automatic rewind mechanism draws the cord back into the housing when the cord is released. The device has, as a specific feature, a manually adjustable resisting force mechanism. This mechanism includes the combination of a stationary capstan around which the cord is wrapped, and a variable force friction nip mechanism which (a) retards the cord as it is pulled out of the housing, and (b) maximizes the capstan's frictional resistance by keeping the cord tightly wound around the capstan as the cord is being pulled out of the housing.
The Thompson Patent discloses an exercise device has a cord contained in a housing with a handle on the cord to pull it out of the housing. Resistance is developed by sliding friction between the cord and the housing and between the cord and a spool in the housing. The device has independent adjustment for controlling the friction between the cord and the housing and the spool friction. A recoil wheel retracts the cord.
The Hatfield Patent discloses a compact, portable archery exerciser allows an archer to accurately emulate the pulling of a bow to tone and strengthen the muscles used in archery. A first embodiment of the exerciser comprises two elongated handle members which are interconnected at the ends by a selectable number of resilient members to provide an exerciser with a selectable pull weight. A second embodiment of the exerciser includes a housing having an internal chamber and a handle portion for receiving an archer's bow holding hand. A spring loaded pulley is mounted within the chamber and receives a cable which, when unwound from the pulley, compresses the spring. The cable is routed outside the chamber where it is attached to a handle which is positioned to allow an operator of the exerciser to pull the handle away from the handle portion of the housing to accurately simulate the pulling of a bow. An adjustable pulley mounted within the chamber engages the cable to allow adjustment of the pull weight of the second embodiment of the exerciser.
The Bailey Patent discloses exercise activated body-mounted lights and generators wherein generators attached to bright lights on exercise clothing are turned by recoiling pull-cords attached to hand grips pulled during the normal arm movement of the exercise to light the path of the exerciser. Bright white front lights may pivot to adust for the body angle of the exerciser. Colored back lights may also be lighted to make the exerciser more visible from the rear. A vest or belt and shoulder straps both attached adjustably by VELCRO (hooks and loops fastener) are used to support the generators and lights on the body of the exerciser. Wires run under the material of the belt or vest to the lights. Alternately, a single generator in the center of the back with two separate cord reels, on at each side, may be used to turn the generator. The generators and reels are covered by water-proof material. A one-way drive in the cord reel turns the generator only in one direction to create power. Weights may be added to the hand grips to enhance the exercise effect of moving the arms. An alternate grip in the shape of a ski-pole grip is attached to a ski pole for cross-country skiing at night. The system could be supplemented with a battery to store electricity so that the lights may remain on during rest periods. The invention is used for night-time jogging, walking, roller blading, cross-country skiing, or other activities where it is desired to light the path of the exerciser and make the exerciser visible from the rear.
The Chen Patent discloses a chest expander includes a first handle having two distal ends, a substantially U-shaped tubular housing including a first line and a second line extended from two limb ends thereof and connected to two distal ends of the first handle, a second handle connected between the two limbs of the U-shaped tubular housing, and a load adjusting mechanism being received in one corner of the U-shaped tubular housing allowing a user to adjust the load of the chest expander. The two handles of the chest expander are manually extended and retracted repeatedly via the two lines.
The Smith Patent discloses a one-way clutch which is rotatable with a member (e.g. helical spring) and a sleeve, while the spring is being constrained by the manual winding of a cable on the sleeve. The sleeve is constructed to wind the cable uniformly on the sleeve. During the constraint imposition, the clutch drives a shaft and a disc. One disc surface abuts bearing liners affixed to a casing. The other disc surface is separated from the spring. Calibrated numbers are printed on the casing periphery. A dial externally supported by the casing is rotatable relative to the casing to any of the calibrated numbers to adjust the friction force between the liners and the disc when the disc is rotated. The casing is vented at its opposite ends. When the spring is being constrained or the constraint is being released, air flows through the vents and through the space between the successive turns in the spring and past the disc to cool the disc. When the spring constraint is released, the clutch floats relative to the shaft so that the spring returns to its unconstrained relationship without any movement of the shaft or the disc. The dial is also adjustable in position, independently of any dial rotation, after being removed from the casing to adjust the calibration of the friction force between the liner and the disc and is thereafter attached to the casing in this adjusted position. Another looped cable anchors the exercise apparatus against a post before the apparatus is operated.
The Marshall Patent discloses an upper body exercise device comprising a base (10) on which two adjustably resistant recoilers (20) are mounted is contained in a waist pouch (30). Two extension members (40) extend outwardly and downwardly from the base (10) and pulleys (50) are attached to the recoilers (20) are threaded through the pulleys (50) and handles (70) are provided at the ends. The extension members (40) displace and direct frictional force created by the recoilers (20), and the pouch (30) makes the device easy to put on and take off. The recoilers (20) preferably provide adjustably resistant force against tension applied to the cords (60) and a slight restoring force sufficient to recoil the cords (600 when tension is released. This avoids safety problems with other mechanisms that provide a restoring force equal to the displacing force.
The Gow Patent discloses a portable exercise device which is provided for specific strength training of the rotator cuff. A cylindrical spool member is provided with a handle across its diameter. A length of rubber exercise tubing is fixed tangentially to one point of the spool, with the other end attachable to a fixed point on an inertial resistance, allowing the user to grip the handle and rotate or move the spool against a continuous resistance for muscle development.
The Corn Patent discloses an exercise apparatus includes a plurality of inelastic, retractable cords, each terminating at a handgrip. A retracting mechanism is provided for retracting the cords. Separate resistance mechanisms are provided to resist each of the cords as the cords are being withdrawn from the retracting mechanism. The resistance mechanisms operate independently of one another. At least one removable disk unit is connectable to the resistance mechanism of the exercise apparatus for incrementally increasing resistance force with respect to unwinding movement of the cords when operably connected to the resistance mechanism. The removable disk units can be preloaded with a predetermined biasing resistance force when assembled during manufacturing, and the biasing resistance force can be maintained while not connected to the main unit of the exercise apparatus. The preload maintenance mechanism maintains the preloaded spring force of the removable disk unit while connected to the main unit, as well as when disconnected from the main unit.
The '310 Mackey Patent discloses an upper body exercise device designed to be used by a person while walking. The device consists of a belt to which a pair of cables is attached. The cables are retractable and roll up automatically, via a spring reel assembly, onto spools located within a pair of handgrips. The user grasps the handgrips and pulls outwardly while walking. The force required to pull the handgrips outwardly can be increased or decreased by turning an adjustment knob located on the outside of each handgrip. The adjustment knob causes a frictional force to be exerted on the cable spool making it easier or harder to pull the cable out. Straps are provided on each side of the belt to store the handgrips when not in use. Obviously the device of the present invention may also be used while in stationary position or while jogging.
The Ramsaroop Patent discloses an exercise belt for exercising the upper body of a user. The exercise belt includes a belt and a pair of cable retracting devices coupled to the belt. Each of the cable retracting devices comprises a housing and a cable that is retractably extended from the housing. A pair of handles are coupled to free ends of the cables.
The Mackey '559 patent discloses a variable resistance exercise device with a resistance mechanism comprised of a housing, spring reel, extension cable and resistance applying knob. A strap helps attach the resistance mechanism to a person's arm or keg. An eye bolt or bracket is attached to a wall. A retaining clip attaches to the wall bracket at the end of the cable of the resistance mechanism. An alternate embodiment where the resistance mechanism is removably attached to a wall at one end and a user retaining or holding means attached to said cable at the opposite end. A preferred embodiment includes wherein said housing has a padded portion on its underside where it interfaces the users arm or leg.
The Charnitski Patent discloses an exercise apparatus and method which utilizes a flywheel mounted on a rotatable axle. The user exercises by accelerating and decelerating the rotation of the flywheel. For example, a line which wraps around the axle provides a mechanism for accelerating and decelerating the flywheel when a user applies a pulling force to the line. The inertia of the flywheel resists the user applied pulling force and provides the exercise mechanism. Preferably, spool mounted on the axle and variable pivot locations provide a mechanism for easily varying the exercise resistance.
The Shifferaw Patent discloses a portable exercise machine having a base, a capstan rotatively mounted within the base, an elongated cable wrapped about the capstan and trained about guides toward opposite ends of the base with end portions of the cable extending beyond the base, handles attached to the end portions of the cable for drawing the cable back and forth through the base and thereby rotating the capstan, and means for resisting rotation of the capstan. The handles have frames with reels rotatively mounted on the frames and the end portions of the cable being wound about the reels, springs for rotating the reels to wind the end portions of the cable onto the reels, first grips connected to the reels and adapted to be grasped by the hands of an exerciser to prevent rotation of the reels and second grips connected to the frames and adapted to be engaged by the hands of the exerciser for moving thee handles without inhibiting rotation of the reels.
In spite of the numerous types of exercise devices in the prior art, none of these devices are portable, can have varied resistance and are capable of attachment to numerous body parts to facilitate a wide range of exercises. There is a significant need for such a device. It is also desirable to provide a new design and construction of a portable personal exercise device that utilizes the above features.

Portable handheld exercise apparatus which can be attached to a multiplicity of body parts


A dry-wipeable overhead projector film ink is provided which includes a colorant, an acrylic polymer having a film forming temperature below room temperature, and water. Preferred inks further include a surfactant and an anti-drying agent. The inks are easily removable from most types of overhead projector film by wiping with a dry cloth or fingertip. Certain preferred inks are also removable by wiping with a wet cloth.

This invention relates to ink compositions.
Overhead projectors are widely used, particularly in academic and business settings. Overhead projectors enable a marking on a transparent film to be projected on a screen or wall by shining light through the transparent film. A speaker giving a presentation can write on the transparent film, and/or make additions or corrections to a preprinted image, while the film is on the overhead projector. This allows the speaker a flexibility which would not be possible if transparencies or other audiovisual aids were used.
Conventional inks for use on overhead projector (OHP) film fall into two categories: permanent OHP inks and erasable OHP inks. Most erasable OHP inks are xe2x80x9cwashable,xe2x80x9d i.e., water is required to remove a marking made with the ink. This can make removal of the markings messy and inconvenient, and also can make it difficult to erase a small portion of a marking.
The invention features aqueous inks for use in marking overhead projectors. These inks form markings of excellent quality and light transmission on, and are readily removable from most commercially available overhead projector films. The inks are dry-wipeable, i.e., a marking made on an overhead projector film with the ink may be removed, after drying, by wiping the marking with a dry cloth (i.e., a cloth, felt eraser, tissue, or the like). Advantageously, by dry wiping, a small area of a marking can be easily removed, without interfering with the rest of the marking. Markings made with preferred compositions may also be removed by the user by wiping the marking with a fingertip. Further, the markings formed with the inks wipe off cleanly, with minimal dust formation, and resist inadvertent removal, e.g., when sheets of OHP film are shuffled together or photocopied. Some preferred compositions are also water wipeable, as well as dry-wipeable.
The inks of the invention include a colorant, a polymer having a film-forming temperature below room temperature, and water.
In preferred compositions, the polymer is an acrylic polymer, preferably provided in the form of an emulsion. The acrylic polymer preferably has a glass transition temperature (Tg) of from about +20xc2x0 C. to xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. and a film forming temperature below room temperature (25xc2x0 C.), preferably below 20xc2x0 C. Preferably, the ink further includes a surfactant, more preferably a silicone surfactant, and an anti-drying agent, more preferably a humectant, most preferably glycerol.
The term xe2x80x9cfilm forming temperature,xe2x80x9d as used herein, refers to the temperature at which the film forming polymer forms a continuous dry film. The term xe2x80x9cglass transition temperature,xe2x80x9d as used herein, refers to the temperature at which the mobility of randomly cited long chain molecules in the film forming polymer is lost.
It has been found that, by adjusting the pH of the ink composition, the ink can be rendered washable as well as dry-wipeable. Accordingly, if washability is desired, the compositions further include a base, e.g., a buffer. Preferably, sufficient base is added to adjust the pH of the ink composition to from about 7 to 10.
Preferred compositions may also include a peeling agent, e.g., a latex polymer, to enhance removability of the dry marking, and/or a fluoropolymer, to extend the period of time over which the marking remains dry-wipeable.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the Description of the Preferred Embodiments and from the claims.
Preferred marker inks include a surfactant, an acrylic film-forming polymer, an anti-drying agent, a pigment, and water.
The surfactant is preferably a silicone surfactant. Suitable silicone surfactants include, but are not limited to, silanes and siloxanes. Preferred silicone surfactants are polyalkylene oxide-modified methylpolysiloxanes, e.g., those commercially available from Union Carbide under the tradename SILWET. Preferred compositions contain from about 0.1 to 5 weight percent surfactant, more preferably from about 0.5 to 2 weight percent. Lower levels may reduce wetting of the OHP film by the ink, while higher levels may cause too much adhesion of the ink to the film.
The acrylic polymer is preferably provided in the form of an emulsion. Typical emulsions have a solids level of about 50%. If desired, a water soluble acrylic may be used and predissolved in the water which will be contained in the ink composition. Preferred acrylic polymers have a glass transition temperature of from about +20xc2x0 C. to xe2x88x9240xc2x0 C. and a film forming temperature below room temperature, more preferably below 10xc2x0 C. Preferred acrylic polymers include those commercially available under the tradename G-CRYL from Henkel Corp., and the tradename ACRYSOL from Rohm and Haas. Particularly preferred acrylic emulsions are G-CRYL 1200 and ACRYSOL I-1955. Acrysol I-1955 has a glass transition temperature of 26xc2x0 C. Preferred compositions contain from about 5 to 15 weight percent of the acrylic polymer. Too much of the acrylic may result in undesirably high viscosity at an effective level of resin and may reduce the removability of the dried marking, while too little may result in an ink which does not form a coherent film on all overhead projector films.
The anti-drying agent is preferably a humectant, more preferably glycerol. Glycols are typically less preferred, as they may cause smearing when the marking is dry-wiped. The anti-drying agent prevents dry-out of a marker containing the ink when its cap is left off, and also significantly enhances removability of the dried marking. Too much of the anti-drying agent may cause the ink to dry too slowly, while too little may not prevent drying out of the marker and may reduce removability. Preferred compositions include from 1 to 25 weight percent of the humectant, preferably from about 5 to 20 weight percent.
Enough pigment should be included in the ink to provide an adequate color intensity, but not so much that light transmission is compromised. The preferred inks include between approximately 2% and 20% pigment by weight, more preferably between approximately 5% and 10%. Pigments that may be used in the invention include water dispersible pigments, and preferably the pigment is provided in the form of an aqueous dispersion, for accurate measurement and uniform mixing. Preferred pigment dispersions contain an acrylic dispersant, as these dispersions are most compatible with the acrylic polymer component of the composition. Suitable pigment dispersions are available from HeucoTech, under the tradename HEUCOSPERSE III. It is preferred that the pigment have a relatively small particle size, preferably less than 0.5 micron, to prevent settling and for use in capillary feed markers.
Sufficient water should be included in the ink so that its Brookfield viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. is less than about 20 cps, more preferably between about 2 cps and 10 cps. If the viscosity is too low, the composition may not contain effective amounts of the active ingredients. If the viscosity is too high, the ink may be too thick for practical use, particularly in capillary feed systems.
Preferred compositions may, optionally, include a small amount of a peeling agent, to enhance the removability of the dried marking. Preferred peeling agents are latex polymers, more preferably styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) latexes. A suitable SBR latex is available from Goodyear under the tradename PLIOLITE. It is preferred that the composition contain from about 0 to 5 weight percent of the SBR latex. Too much of the peeling agent may cause a marking made with the ink to be crumbly or smeary.
Preferred compositions may also include a base, e.g., a buffer, if it is desired that markings formed by the ink be water washable as well as dry-wipeable. Acid stabilized acrylic emulsions are generally preferred for optimal washability with a wide variety of bases. A suitable emulsion is ACRYSOL I-1955 emulsion, available from Rohm and Haas. Suitable buffers include but are not limited to potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. Preferred washable compositions contain from about 0.1 to 5 weight percent of the buffer. The preferred amount will depend upon the strength of the base selected and the initial pH of the composition. Preferably, a sufficient amount is included to bring the Ph of the ink to about 7 to 10.
Markings made with the preferred inks typically become permanent after a period of time, e.g., a week after the marking is made. This may be advantageous, if the user desires to store the marked OHP film for future use. However, if it is desired that markings made with the ink remain dry-wipeable over long periods, a fluoropolymer may be added to the ink to enhance long-term removability. A suitable fluoropolymer is available from Eastern Color and Chemical under the tradename RANE-OFF F-7. Preferred compositions contain from about 1 to 10 weight percent fluoropolymer.
Other conventional ingredients may be included in the composition, e.g., biocides.
A preferred procedure for preparing the compositions of the invention is to add the surfactant to the water, then add the acrylic emulsion, then the anti-drying agent, and finally the pigment dispersion, mixing between each addition. The order of addition is not critical however, and other procedures can be used, as is well known in the art. The ingredients can be mixed using any conventional mixer, under conditions of relatively low shear.


A coatable, thermally curable binder precursor solution, the solution including a 30-95% solids solution of a thermally curable resin and a reactive diluent. The reactive diluent may be selected form urea derivatives, alkylsubstituted 2-aminoalcohols, .beta.-ketoalkylamides, nitro alkanes, and poly(oxyalkylene) compounds, and has at least one functional group independently reactive with methylol groups of the resin and with aldehydes. The thermally curable resin may include up to 50% (wt of total resin) of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. Method of making abrasive articles are also presented.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to abrasive articles utilizing a binder which secures abrasive grains to a backing sheet, on fibers of a fibrous mat, or in a shaped mass, and to methods of making such articles utilizing a binder precursor solution including a reactive diluent. The reactive diluent reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds from the binder precursor solutions and, in some embodiments, renders the cured binder more flexible.
2. Discussion of the Art
Abrasive articles may be categorized as coated, bonded, and nonwoven abrasives. Coated abrasives generally comprise a flexible backing upon which an abrasive coating comprising abrasive grains and a binder is attached. The backing can be selected from paper, cloth, film, vulcanized fiber, etc. or a combination of one or more of these materials, or treated versions thereof. The abrasive grains can be formed of flint, garnet, aluminum oxide, alumina zirconia, ceramic aluminum oxide, diamond, silicon carbide, etc. Binders commonly comprise cured versions of hide glue or varnish, or one or more resins such as phenolic, urea-formaldehyde, melamine-formaldehyde, urethane, epoxy, and acrylic resins. Phenolic resins include those of the phenol-aldehyde type.
Nonwoven abrasive articles typically comprise a fibrous mat of fibers which have on at least a portion of their surface an abrasive coating comprising abrasive grains and a binder. The fibers can be formed from various polymers, including polyamides, polyesters, polypropylene, polyethylene, and various copolymers. Naturally occurring fibers such as cotton, wool, bast fibers and various animal hairs may also be suitable.
Coated and nonwoven abrasives may employ a "make" coating of binder precursor solution, which includes one or more of the above-named resins, in order to secure the abrasive grains to the backing when the resin is cured as well as to orient the abrasive grains on the backing or throughout the lofty fibrous mat. A "size" coating of resinous binder material can be applied over the make coating and abrasive grains in order to firmly bond the abrasive grains to the backing or fibrous mat. The resin of the size coating can be the same as the resin of the make coating or a different material.
In the manufacture of coated and nonwoven abrasives, the make coating and abrasive grains are usually first applied to the backing or lofty fibrous mats, the make coating partially cured, then the size coating is applied, and finally the make and size coatings are fully cured.
Generally, binders which include thermally cured resins provide abrasive articles having excellent properties, e.g., heat resistance. In order to render the resin precursors coatable, obtain the proper coating viscosities, and obtain defect free coatings, solvent is commonly added to the uncured resins.
When polyester or cellulose backings or lofty fibrous mats of such fibers are used, curing temperature is sometimes limited to about 130.degree. C. At this temperature, the long cure time along with solvent removal necessitate the use of festoon curing areas. Disadvantages of festoon curing areas include the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) such as organic solvents, unreacted resin precursors such as phenol and formaldehyde, and the like.
Of the many thermally curable resins, including phenolic resins, urea-aldehyde resins, urethane resins, melamine resins, epoxy resins, and alkyd resins, phenolic resins are used extensively to manufacture abrasive articles because of their thermal properties, availability, low cost, and ease of handling. Although phenolic resins are discussed herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the principles discussed herein are applicable to other thermally curable resins, such as those previously named. The monomers currently used in greatest volume to produce phenolic resins are phenol and formaldehyde. Other important phenolic starting materials are the alkyl-substituted phenols, including cresols, xylenols, p-tert-butyl-phenol, p-phenylphenol, and nonylphenol. Diphenols, e.g., resorcinol (1,3-benzenediol) and bisphenol-A (bis-A or 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl) propane), are employed in smaller quantities for applications requiring special properties.
There are two basic types of phenolic resins: resole and novolak phenolic resins. Molecular weight advancement and curing of resole phenolic resins are catalyzed by alkaline catalysts. The molar ratio of aldehyde to phenolic is greater than or equal to 1.0, typically between 1.0 and 3.0. In the production of adhesive coatings for nonwoven and coated abrasives, one standard starting phenolic resin composition is a 70% solids condensate of a 1.96:1.0 formaldehyde:phenol mixture with 2% potassium hydroxide catalyst added based on weight of phenol. The phenolic resin composition is typically 25-28% water and 3-5% propylene glycol ether, which are required to reduce viscosity of the resin. Before this resin is used as a component of a make or size coating, i.e., to make it coatable, further viscosity reduction is often achieved using VOC. A binder precursor solution containing a phenolic resin which is used to produce a make coating may contain up to 40% of a VOC such as isopropyl alcohol to reduce viscosity and make the phenolic resin compatible with resin modifiers (flexibilizers), while a binder precursor solution which is used to produce a size coating might contain up to 20% of a VOC such as diethylene glycol ethyl ether. Unreacted phenol and formaldehyde in the final, cured resin also contribute to VOC.
In order to reduce emissions of VOC, efforts have been made to increase the water compatibility of phenolic resins. Fisher, in a review article without references titled "Water Compatible Phenolic Resins" in Proceedings of the American Chemical Society, Division of Polymeric Material: Science and Engineering; 65 pp. 275-276 (1991), describes currently known methods of making "water compatible" phenolic resins, their benefits, and their shortcomings.
Unfortunately, the water tolerance of phenolic resins suffers in many of the formulations designed to reduce VOC. "Water tolerance" refers to the measurement of the maximum weight percent of distilled water, based on initial resin weight, which can be added to a stirred, uncured phenolic resin via titration to begin causing visual phase separation (as evidenced by a milky appearance) of the resin/water mixture into aqueous and organic phases. As mentioned by Hoy et al, below, it is imperative that during the drying stage, after a particular substrate has been covered with a layer of coating, that a single phase be maintained until the water has evaporated away leaving the now insoluble organic polymer deposit. Another problem with many water compatible phenolic resins is that gel time is increased. "Gel time", as used herein, refers to the length of time at a given temperature that a phenolic resin transforms from a liquid to a gelled state. It is an indication of the rate of cure of a phenolic resin under established conditions.
Phenolic resins suitable for use in the manufacture of abrasive articles may optionally contain plasticizers, crosslinking aids, or other modifiers. Modifiers have been used to overcome deficiencies of phenolic resins in certain applications such as brittleness in the cured state and lack of water tolerance in the uncured state. Modifiers have previously been used to adjust the physical properties of the finished product, such as hardness in a wet environment, but many have required additional VOC for viscosity reduction.
It is known that nitroalkanes and urea react with formaldehyde, but these compounds have not been used as reactive diluents in the production of abrasive articles to the inventors' knowledge. It is also known that poly(oxyalkylene) amines react with phenolic resins, and there have been attempts by assignee to commercialize nonwoven abrasive articles employing poly(oxyalkylene) amines having molecular weight of 400 and above. These attempts were largely unsuccessful. The high molecular weight poly(oxyalkylene) amines typically require an organic solvent to render coatable the binder precursor solution in which they are mixed.
U.S Pat. No. 4,571,413 to Dolden et al. describes the use of polyethers [poly(oxyalkylene) diamines] in the preparation of modified phenolic resins for use in fiber-reinforced composite materials and phenolic foams. Improved impact strength and flexural properties are noted. 2-45 parts of polyether per 100 parts aqueous phenolic resin are suggested. All resole resins were acid catalyzed. There is no mention of base-catalysis, applicability to abrasive compositions, or lowering of VOC.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,683 to Schloman, Jr. et al. describes modified guayule resins containing poly(oxyalkalene) amines and phenolic resins for use as rubber modifiers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,163,030 to Banucci et al. describes blends of polyetheramide-imide compounds and phenolic resins. Applicability to solventless dry powder coatings and electrical insulation is noted.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,734,965 to Becker describes poly(oxyalkalene) compounds with aldehydes and substituted phenols as curatives for epoxy resins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,971 to Waddill e al. describes an epoxy curing agent derived from the phenol-aldehyde condensation product with the aminoalkylene derivative of a poly(oxyalkalene) polyamine.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,933,936 to Smith et al. describes aziridine-modified phenolic resins with good bond to wood, metal, ceramics, and plastics, and which have fast cure. There is no mention of abrasive applications, poly(oxyalkalene) compounds, or reduction of VOC.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,838 to Das et al. describes aromatic phthalocyanine compounds as modifiers for phenolic resins. Improved thermal stability and applicability to friction materials are noted. Novolaks or resolated novolaks are the focus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,481 to Sugimori et al. describes amino compound adhesion promoters for curable compositions such as paints, adhesives, or sealing compounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,102,866 to Speranza et al. describes poly(oxyalkalene) compounds as a curative for epoxy-novolak resins.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,164,520 to Waddill et al. describes a process employing poly(oxyalkalene) compounds to accelerate the cure of epoxy resins.
British Patent No. 1,501,331 to Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company describes the use of poly(oxyalkalene) compounds with epoxy resins to manufacture friction materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,774 to Speranza et al. describes the preparation of urea-linked diamine product from poly(oxyalkalene) diamines and diisocyanates.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,724 to Schulze describes the preparation of ureido-functional poly(oxyalkalene) compounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,039,759 (Hoy, et al.) discloses the use of reactive urea, thiourea, and carbamate derivatives as cosolvents and reactive diluents for modifying water dispersible resins including polyester alkyd resins, carboxylated hydroxyl-containing epoxy fatty acid esters, carboxylated polyesters, carboxylated alkyd resins, carboxylated acrylic interpolymers free of amide groups, and carboxylated vinyl interpolymers. While utility in these systems is disclosed, there is no suggestion of the use of reactive urea, thiourea, or carbamate derivatives as reactive diluents in phenolic or urea-aldehyde resin systems.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,060 (Anderson) descibes stable emulsions containing high concentrations of thermosettable phenol-formaldehyde resole resins as the dispersed phase. The emulsions exhibit a water tolerance of less than 40 percent, and are stabilized with a proteinaceous compound. The resole resins are prepared with amine catalysts and are preferably modified with melamine. The emulsions optionally contain urea or dicyandiamide, which act to reduce the free formaldehyde.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,336 (Richey, Jr., et al.) describes tri-substituted amino oxides having at least two reactive hydroxyls useful as reactive diluents in polyol polymer-containing coating compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,440 (Larson, et al.) describes a modified resole phenolic resin for use in abrasive articles containing a binder having at least 1.1 pendant alpha, beta-unsaturated carbonyl groups per molecule but does not suggest the storage life benefits of the compositions described herein, nor the compositions themselves.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,817,976 (Bakul, et al.) discloses the use of a butadiene-nitrile rubber as a modifier, but requires the use of additional organic solvents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,505,712 (Floyd, et al.) and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,345,063; 4,285,690; 4,332,586; and 4,284,758 (North) describe the use of cyclic urea derivatives for treating textile fabrics and paper in the absence of formaldehyde, but likewise requires organic solvent additions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,927,431 (Buchanan, et al.) describes a modified phenolic resin binder for use in abrasive articles which contains a radiation-curable component containing pendant acrylate groups, but requires the addition of organic solvents.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,405 (Guerro) describes a modified phenolic resin incorporating certain alkyl or hydroxyalkylcarbamylmethyl triazines to improve the wet strength of bonded abrasive articles. The dry strength of the abrasive articles is diminished, however.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,896 (Law, et al.) discloses a modified phenolic resin binder for use in abrasive articles which contains a thermally-stable aromatic ligand. Added organic solvents are required in this composition as well.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,516 (Creamer) describes a water soluble phenolic resin containing a soluble alkaline earth metal salt for use in binding glass fiber batts.
Other patents which are of interest include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,073; 4,311,631; 4,515,835; and 4,108,840.
This invention addresses many of the above problems associated with binder precursor solutions which include one or more thermally curable resins (including phenolic resins) which are used as binders in the manufacture of abrasive articles.
As emissions of VOC are increasingly being regulated, an unmet need exists in the art of manufacturing abrasive articles for coatable, thermally curable binder precursor solutions which reduce or substantially eliminate the use of VOC as solvents and which scavenge unreacted resin precursors such as phenol and aldehydes. It would also be advantageous if a coatable, thermally curable binder precursor solution could be developed having increased water tolerance and dry hardness (i.e., cured binder hardness), and gel time comparable to or less than previously known coatable, thermally curable binder precursor solutions, while reducing VOC emissions.

Coatable thermally curable binder presursor solutions modified with a reactive diluent, abrasive articles incorporating same, and methods of making said abrasive articles