text:
All quotes tagged Alone
(802 quotes found)
"Historically, gas prices alone have not discouraged people from taking summer trips. You'll see more people driving because it's still cheaper than flying."
"Has anybody felt (ALONE) because i have. Has anybody wondered(WHY) because i did. Has anybody notice that u are not (ALONE). No one in this world is alone there will always be someone there 4 u even though they are not your family or are so always remember you are not alone :)"
"As a stand-alone carrier, Delta is the weakest of the Big Five (American, United, Delta, Continental, Northwest)."
"A mirror can do something better for you which maybe your best friend can't. Cry and it will cry with you, laugh and it will laugh with you, feel alone and it will be with you."
"We certainly don't want anyone going through this material, let alone the FBI, if they're going to pull documents out. We think Jack Anderson represents something important in American culture — answers to the question, how does our government work?"


text:
Dec. 8 (Bloomberg) -- Danone SA, the world's biggest yogurt maker, suspended production of the product at its Shanghai plant as the company evaluates its strategy in China.
Danone will continue to produce yogurt at its Beijing factory in a refocus of its efforts in the country, a "key strategic market," the Chinese unit of the Paris-based company said in an e-mail today.
"In the future, we will adopt a more focused approach on building Bio as a strong value-added brand and focusing our efforts and investments on main cities including Shanghai and Guangzhou," Danone said, referring to its yogurt brand.
The French foodmaker, also the owner of the Evian and Volvic brands, said the changes don't involve its other businesses, such as water, beverages and baby nutrition.
The Financial Times earlier reported Danone was shutting the Shanghai plant to concentrate on more upmarket offerings. Nestle SA is also closing one of its three ice cream factories in mainland China, the newspaper said.
"Nestle continuously reviews its ice cream operations," it said in an e-mailed response to queries on the report. The Vevey, Switzerland-based company said it will share information "at the appropriate time" should a review lead to business adjustments.
--Jasmine Wang, Michael Wei, Editors: Lena Lee, Garry Smith
To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Michael Wei in Shanghai at firstname.lastname@example.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stephanie Wong at email@example.com

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Credit unions underestimate the likelihood they will - or have already - been infiltrated by politically-motivated hackers.
Credit unions greatly underestimate their potential to be targeted by a politically motivated hack attack, experts say.
Sides are being taken over whether – or not – there has been an explosion in mobile remote deposit capture fraud.
WASHINGTON—Executives attending Visa's Oct. 2 Global Security Summit here were told by speakers that increased data security at large retail firms and data processors have forced many thieves move on from seeking big data breaches and compromises. However, the presenters also pointed out that every new app, website, mobile...
WASHINGTON — Panel tells Visa Global Security Summit that Social Security numbers, birthdates, even high school mascots, are hot cyber-crime commodities now.


text:
Product Specs:
- 3 Shelves to store baskets on
- Baskets not included
- Organize your baskets neatly
Finish: Espresso
42"(H) x 25"(W) x 11"(D)
Furnished Over 1 Million Homes Since 1997...
I was very satisfied with One Way Furniture Service. I have referred them to many friends, family, and customers. Thank you. Kathy A. Eisele, Boston, MA
Product Review - 3 Section Storage Shelf
After purchasing just one shelving stand and seeing how well it worked, I purchashed two more and now have my baskets organized. - Mason
All you need is enough space to work with. Once you get the first shelf on and legs upright it is so so easy. - Newton
This shelving system helped me tremendously with a storage situation I was having in my kitchen. - Letty
Moderatly easy to assemble. Very sturdy when put together. Should be able to hold a faily heavy load. - Bode
Furniture Brand
Winsome Wood Trading is a maker in fine wood wine racks and furnishings. Successful at crafting furniture with a beautiful natural wood finish, Winsome has produced exquisite furniture pieces. Top of the line wood wine racks and solid wood bar stools, have defined them as a main manufacturer of traditional furniture. All of our wood wine racks, bar stools, and other products form Winsome Trading are at discount prices. Winsome
Weight & Size
Reference - Sku: 92425 - 3 Section Storage Shelf by Winsome


text:
Easy items for Baldur's Gate: Dark AllianceHome / Playstation 2 /
This page contains Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance Hints for Playstation 2 called "Easy items" and has been posted or updated on Dec 9, 2006 by sisy57. Let us know what you think of this Hint by thumbs voting.
- Developer: Snowblind Studios
- Publisher: VU Games
- Genre: Role-Playing Action RPG
- Release Date: Dec 2, 2001
- ESRB: Teen
Easy items
If you have a high level character with many good items that you would like a new character to have, start a new game with the new character. Then, load the character with all the items as the second player. Then, drop the desired items on the floor to allow the new character to pick them up. Equip everything and sell off things that are not needed. Then, save the game and restart the PlayStation2. Play a new game with a new character and load the other new character (that has all the items) as the main character.
Back to all Cheats
Stuck on this game? Set a specific, clearly defined question and let others answer your question or view answers to previously asked questions. If you think you are an Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance expert then please try to help others with their questions.
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text:
Switchable optical devices are made of transparent optical elements having surfaces separated by small distances, typically less than a few hundred micrometers. The transparent elements contain roughness, kinoforms, Fresnel-lens, or other relief structures with predetermined optical properties that affect the passage of light through the optical elements by refraction and/or diffraction. By introducing a liquid with a refractive index matching that of the transparent elements' material into the space between the surfaces, the effects of the surface structures disappear almost completely, thereby changing the optical characteristics of the device. This effect is used advantageously to change the focal properties, scattering properties, or light directing properties of different kinds of optical devices.
1. A switchable optical device comprising, in combination:
(a) a first optical component having a first surface including a relief structure with predetermined optical properties that affect passage of electromagnetic radiation;
(b) a second optical component having a second surface opposite to said first surface and separated by a gap; and
(c) means for reversibly applying a film of fluid over said relief structure in the gap between the opposite surfaces;
wherein the fluid and the relief structure have a substantially equal index of refraction, such that said optical properties are reversibly modified by the fluid when the fluid is applied over the relief structure.
2. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is a kinoform.
3. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is a linear kinoform.
4. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said first and second surfaces are substantially parallel to one another.
5. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said first and second surfaces are substantially parallel to one another, and each surface includes a linear kinoform in perpendicular alignment.
6. The optical device described in claim 5, wherein said first and second optical components are curved.
7. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first and second optical components is curved.
8. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is a diffraction grating.
9. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is a grating for wavelength-dispersed multiplexing of optical signals in a fiber-optic system.
10. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is a grating on an optical fiber for manipulation of specific wavelengths within the fiber.
11. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said relief structure is random roughness to establish scattering in an optical window.
12. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said film of fluid is permanently attached to the second surface and said means for reversibly applying the film of fluid over the relief structure comprises a mechanism for pressing the two surfaces together, thereby causing the fluid to cover the relief structure.
13. The optical device described in claim 12, wherein said mechanism includes a piezoelectric actuator.
14. The optical device described in claim 1, wherein said means for reversibly applying the film of fluid over the relief structure comprises a mechanism for reversibly flowing the fluid from a reservoir into the gap between the two surfaces, thereby causing the fluid to cover the relief structure.
15. The optical device described in claim 1, further comprising additional pairs of opposite surfaces optically aligned with said first and second surfaces, each pair including at least one additional relief structure with predetermined optical properties that affect passage of electromagnetic radiation; and comprising, for each additional pair of opposite surface, an additional means for reversibly applying a film of additional fluid over said additional relief structure in a gap between said additional pair of opposite surfaces; wherein the additional fluid and the additional relief structure of each additional pair of opposite surfaces have a substantially equal index of refraction.
16. A method for altering the passage of electromagnetic radiation in an optical device, comprising the following steps:
(a) providing a first optical component having a first surface including a relief structure with predetermined optical properties that affect passage of electromagnetic radiation;
(b) providing a second optical component having a second surface opposite to said first surface and separated by a gap; and
(c) reversibly applying a film of fluid over said relief structure in the gap between the opposite surfaces, the fluid and the relief structure having a substantially equal index of refraction;
whereby substantially cancelling said predetermined optical properties of the relief structure.
17. The method described in claim 16, wherein said relief structure is a kinoform.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to the general field of lenses with variable focal length. In particular, the invention consists of devices with variable optical properties changed by the introduction of very thin liquid layers between opposite optical surfaces.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Presbyopia, disease, genetic conditions and accidents often affect people's ability to focus over a wide range of viewing distances. Therefore, most people at some point in their lives need to wear glasses to correct their eyesight, often with different correction requirements for distant and near vision. To that end, people use bifocal or even trifocal lenses that provide specific correction over predetermined distances, but these lenses do not afford good correction for intermediate distances. Therefore, the ideal corrective lens should have adjustable refractive power to provide variable vision compensation for any distance.
Accordingly, for many years inventors have been trying to develop eyeglasses with controllable focusing power. Various inventions have involved the use of conventional mechanically-operated zoom lenses, which are relatively heavy, and liquid-crystal lenses, which suffer from turbidity and insufficient refractive-index change. Another approach has been to use various forms of liquid lenses, which typically have small apertures, poor optical focusing, and require large amounts of liquid to change their properties, causing them also to be heavy and cumbersome.
Several patents exist for eyeglasses with variable focal length obtained by moving solid lenses, as in zoom lenses. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,438. Because of the multiple lenses and mechanisms required for the variable focal length feature, these glasses are necessarily heavy and cumbersome. Thus, they are not yet found in standard eyewear.
A more common approach to achieve this goal has been through the use of liquid or deformable-gel lenses. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,437,642, 2,576,581, 3,161,718, 3,614,215, 3,738,734, 4,174,156, and 4,466,706. All of these patents disclose inventions designed to produce varied focal lengths by changing the content, shape or thickness of fluid-filled lenses, thus providing variable refractive characteristics in a single lens.
In particular, U.S. Pat. No. 4,181,408 discloses a vision compensation system that includes fluid lenses that are adaptively adjustable to correct for vision at different focal lengths. The refractive power of the lenses, mounted on a standard spectacle frame, is changed by varying their curvature as a function of the amount of liquid retained in them, which is in turn controlled by a hydraulic pump system that is operable either manually or automatically.
A similar device was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,585, involving eyeglasses equipped with liquid lenses having adjustable refractive power that depends on the amount of liquid forced into each lens. An electrically powered pump and an electronic controller regulate the liquid input to the lenses in response to a signal determined by the focal length required for viewing a given object in the field of vision, as determined by a rangefinder mounted on the frame of the eyeglasses.
Other patents involving liquid-filled lenses were issued to Croll (U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,145), describing novelty eyeglasses that use a space between lenses that can be filled with a colored liquid (but are not focusable thereby); Gerber (U.S. Pat. No. 4,418,990), disclosing glasses having variable focal length adjusted by pressure along the lens; Quaglia (U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,959), teaching the use of a clear magnetic fluid and solid optical components moved via electromagnets to automatically focus eyeglasses; and Cronin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,067) and Kurtin et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,494), teaching the use of liquid surfaces to form lenses with variable focal length.
Obviously, the complex hardware involved in these inventions is sensitive to any change in physical properties, such as elasticity or temperature, that may cause misalignments of the various components with attendant optical defects, or require a new calibration. Moreover, major problems are related to the high mass and poor optical quality that result from having a relatively large volume of liquid contained between optical membranes.
Several patents teach the application of liquid-crystal layers for use in eyeglasses. Such layers, having optical properties that depend upon applied electric fields, can be used to change the transmissive or the focal properties of eyewear lenses according to the desires of the wearer (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,270).
Intraocular lenses have also been envisioned with focal properties varied by amount or type of injected fluid, or by voltages applied to liquid crystals, or by holographic fragments.
The principal difficulty in making eyeglasses having sufficient focal range with liquid crystals is the limited range of refractive index available due to change of electric fields, which requires thick layers of fluids, and the turbidity of such liquids, making the transmission of thick layers unsatisfactory for use in eyewear. Additionally, there are technical difficulties in producing the necessary precise distributions of high voltages to enable good focusing.
Lack of sufficient range of refractive index also limits the use of liquid crystals in thin layers which alternately match, or do not match, the refractive indices of the surfaces enclosing them, so that diffractive lenses present on those surfaces are optically present or absent according to voltages applied to the liquid crystals. The principal difficulty of this approach, to obtain sufficient index mismatch to enable a lens to focus a large fraction of the light passing through it, remains largely unsolved.
Therefore, this invention is directed at a novel approach to providing variable focusing power of an optical system, wherein the focal length is determined by the optical properties and variable combinations of various fixed solid components in a device, rather than the manipulation and deformation of liquid layers and flexible membranes.
The primary objective of this invention is the rapid change of optical or light-handling properties of an optical system between multiple transmittance states.
Another specific objective of the invention is a system of corrective lenses having variable focal length depending on the introduction of liquid layers into the optical path of the system.
Another object is a system that involves the manipulation of only tiny amounts of liquid between solid optical surfaces, preferably either adhered to a surface or flowing between fixed surfaces (rather than between flexible membranes or between a fixed surface and a membrane, as taught in the prior art).
Still another goal of the invention is a system suitable for coupling with a rangefinder to determine the desired focal adjustment by sensing the presence of a primary object within a certain range of distances in the field of vision of a user and automatically adjusting the lenses to a corresponding predetermined setting that causes them to be in focus for a viewer in that particular range of distances.
A further goal of the invention is an apparatus that enables the utilization of solid lenses with well defined optical properties, such as kinoform lenses, to provide specific alternative optical corrections in combination with removable liquid layers.
Still another objective is the development of systems that can be implemented with pairs of one-dimensional kinoforms, thereby reducing the complexity and cost of manufacturing accurately formed lenses.
Another goal is a method of manufacture of kinoform lenses that is particularly suitable for manufacturing the one-dimensional kinoforms of the invention reliably and inexpensively.
According to these and other objectives, the present invention consists of devices made of transparent optical elements having surfaces separated by small distances, typically less than a few hundred micrometers. The transparent elements contain roughness, kinoforms, Fresnel-lenses, or other surface-relief structures with predetermined optical properties that affect the passage of light (or other electromagnetic radiation) through the optical elements by refraction and/or diffraction. By introducing a liquid with a refractive index matching or nearly matching that of the transparent elements' material into the space between the surfaces, the effects of the surface structures disappear almost completely, thereby changing the optical characteristics of the device. Thus, this effect can be used advantageously to change the focal properties, scattering properties, or light-directing properties of different kinds of optical devices.
According to one aspect of the invention, a system of corrective lenses for eyeglasses includes a surface on an optical component formed to contain a specific kinoform lens designed for diffracting light according to a predetermined pattern. A liquid layer of matching refractive index is coated onto an opposing smooth surface and used to change the properties of the kinoform by flooding the lens by contacting the opposing surfaces, thereby reducing the kinoform to a featureless surface of negligible roughness, thus greatly changing its optical properties. The changes can be reversed by removing the liquid layer by separation of the opposing surfaces. Thus, the liquid layer can be introduced or withdrawn at will to cause the reversible appearance or erasure of kinoforms that serve as optical lenses, thereby changing the optical properties of the device. The same optical results can be achieved by filling the space between the opposing surfaces with a non-wetting index-matching fluid, which can then be withdrawn to restore the effect of the lens.
According to another aspect of the invention, switchable optical devices are disclosed based on the utilization of combinations of one-dimensional (linear) kinoforms. As well understood in the art, �linear� or �cylindrical� lenses are focusing elements that focus only in one dimension. Linear kinoform lenses can be formed on either flat or curved optical surfaces, and the combination of two linear kinoforms with crossed axes is equivalent to a single conventional lens that focuses in two dimensions. The invention includes an easier, quicker, less expensive and more accurate method for manufacturing such kinoforms than previously known in the art.
Various other purposes and advantages of the invention will become clear from its description in the specification that follows and from the novel features particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Therefore, to the accomplishment of the objectives described above, this invention consists of the features hereinafter illustrated in the drawings, fully described in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment and particularly pointed out in the claims. However, such drawings and description disclose but one of the various ways in which the invention may be practiced.
FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of a switchable window or mirror consisting of two opposite plates with interior surfaces containing at least one rough surface for scattering light passing through the assembly.
FIG. 1B is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 1A where the gap between the opposite plates has been filled with a fluid having an index of refraction equal or nearly equal to that of the plate containing the rough surface, thereby substantially eliminating all random refraction.
FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of a switchable kinoform or Fresnel lens consisting of two opposite plates with interior surfaces containing a refracting and/or diffracting structure and an index-matching liquid film separated by a gap, thereby providing a structure functioning as a lens for light passing through the assembly.
FIG. 2B is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 2A where the two opposite plates have been pressed together to cause the liquid film to fill the gap between plates, thereby substantially eliminating the lens effect provided by the refracting surface.
FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a switchable kinoform or Fresnel lens consisting of two opposite plates with interior surfaces containing at least one kinoform structure for refracting light passing through the assembly.
FIG. 3B is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 3A where the gap between the opposite plates has been filled with a fluid having an index of refraction equal to that of the plate containing the kinoform lens, thereby substantially eliminating its effect.
FIG. 4A is a schematic representation of two opposite plates combining a switchable inner kinoform or Fresnel lens, contained on a surface within the gap between the two plates, with a non-switchable outer kinoform or Fresnel lens formed on a surface exterior to the gap.
FIG. 4B is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 4A where the gap between the opposite plates has been filled with a fluid having an index of refraction equal to that of the interior surface of the plate containing the kinoform lens, thereby substantially eliminating its effect.
FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of a system with two lenses in series and two fluid pumps, in the form of syringes, for squirting index-matching fluid through connecting tubing into the gaps between pairs of kinoforms, each pair comprising one lens.
FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a mandrel with a negative cylindrical kinoform pattern on its exterior bicurved structure produced using a diamond-turning lathe.
FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate different lens-configuration designs having two or more different optical powers, depending on where index-matching liquid is injected between optical components.
FIG. 8 illustrates a switchable optical window that reflects most light incident upon it from either side when no liquid is present and transmits most light from either side when the space between the panes is filled with an index-matching liquid.
It is known that the light scattering effect of a rough optical surface on a transparent material is virtually eliminated by the application of a fluid film having a refractive index equal to that of the material so that the irregularities in the rough surface are filled to form a uniform layer with a smooth surface. The heart of this invention lies in the idea of utilizing this phenomenon to develop a class of new devices with optical properties that can be changed significantly (altered or switched on and off) by the alternative introduction and extraction of thin liquid layers between opposite optical surfaces.
For the purposes of this disclosure, a conventional (spherical) lens is defined as a lens that focuses in two directions, converting a point object into a point image (neglecting the effects of aberrations). Such a lens is typically formed as two spherical surfaces serving as the boundaries of a transparent body. A cylindrical lens is defined as a lens that focuses in one direction only, converting a point object into a line image. Such a lens is typically ground and polished as a transparent rod, or is otherwise formed to have constant cross-sectional shape along one direction, its axis, and to have a cross sectional shape with a boundary consisting of a circular arc and a straight line connecting the ends of the arc.
The term �kinoform,� as used herein, is intended to mean a sawtooth surface profile on an optical component, with typical profile heights of the order of a wavelength of light and with heights and spacings designed to focus or direct light as desired. A properly-designed and constructed kinoform ideally has 100% diffraction efficiency for creating an image at one particular wavelength. Most kinoforms are either used as holograms, diffraction gratings or as lenses, often microlenses. Diffraction gratings are composed of ruled, etched, or built-up lines on a substrate that may be flat or curved, the lines usually being parallel to each other or approximately so. Kinoform lenses typically consist of circular-relief patterns etched into, replicated onto, or deposited onto flat substrates. Many techniques for making such optical devices are well known in the art (see, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,289).
A surface on an optical component can be formed to have either random roughness or specific surface shapes (Fresnel lenses, microlenses, gratings, staircase profiles, kinoforms and the like) for the purpose of scattering, imaging, diffracting or otherwise directing light. Applying the concept of the invention, a liquid layer coated onto such a surface can be used to change its properties, for example, from strongly scattering, focusing or diffracting to those of a featureless surface with negligibly small roughness. After application of the liquid layer, such a surface would no longer be significantly diffracting, focusing, or scattering, thus greatly changing its optical properties. Furthermore, these changes can be reversed by the removal of the liquid layer.
Therefore, it is anticipated that a variety of useful devices can be made advantageously by the reversible addition of liquid layers between pairs of optical surfaces to cause the erasure of kinoforms or other optical structures that serve as optical lenses, diffraction gratings, or other optical components, thereby changing their optical properties. All such devices must include at least a pair of optical surfaces separated by a typical distance of a fraction of a millimeter, with at least one of the opposing surfaces either being randomly rough or formed into a kinoform or other diffractive or refractive structure. In addition, each such pair of optical surfaces is connected to a source of liquid adapted to reversibly fill the space between the optical surfaces with an index-matching liquid.
Thus, an optical device so constructed has two modes of operation for each pair of closely-lying opposite surfaces between which liquid may be introduced and removed. For example, the device may have two different focal lengths, two different transmissivities, or two different sets of color-handling properties, for each such pair of surfaces. As such, N independently operable pairs (devices) in series produce a device capable of having 2N independent sets of properties.
The principle of the invention is illustrated in the switchable window or mirror 10 of FIG. 1A. Two plates 12 of the same material are randomly or systematically roughened, with roughness comparable to the wavelength of visible light, and placed with the rough faces opposite to each other. As a result of the scattering produced by the rough surfaces, incident light rays LI cannot be transmitted undeviated through the assembly, as illustrated by the rays LE emerging therefrom. Thus, an image cannot be transmitted by such an assembly. However, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, if a liquid 16 with a refractive index substantially equal to that of the plates 12 (or that of the roughened layer, if different) is introduced into the gap between them, the roughness is smoothed and disappears optically, so that an image can readily be seen through the assembly. Therefore, such a device can serve as a switchable window or, if either surface on one component is made reflective, as a switchable mirror. As well understood by those skilled in the art, similar effects can be obtained with a plate whereon only one surface has been roughened, so long as the liquid matches that plate's refractive index.
In as much as the invention is expected to produce great advantages and find economical applications in the field of eyesight correction, it is detailed below principally with reference to lenses for prescription eyeglasses. The production of a sharp image on the retina of the eye, which corresponds to a view that is in focus to the observer, requires that the successive refraction of rays of light from a point on the object being observed through the various surfaces in the path of travel of the light result in their convergence to a single point on the retina. People with normal eyesight can naturally adjust the refractive power of their eyes to cause such convergence in most instances. On the other hand, the refractive effect of each lens in prescription eyeglasses is designed to compensate for the refraction capability that is missing in the eyes of people with abnormal eyesight, either because of age or other vision defect.
According to the present invention, a new type of vision-compensation lens to provide the needed supplementary refractive power consists, in its simplest embodiment, of a liquid-switched optical element. Referring to the drawings, wherein like parts are identified throughout with like symbols and numerals, FIG. 2A is a schematic view of an eyeglass lens assembly 20 embodying the variable focal length system of the invention. The assembly comprises a switchable kinoform or Fresnel lens 22 disposed substantially parallel to a transparent plate 24 having substantially the same radii of curvature. A fluid 26 with a refractive index matching that of the material of the lens 22 is deposited on the plate 24 with a thickness greater than the depth of the kinoform's structure, and a gap 28 is left between the two opposing surfaces. As such, the assembly 20 functions as a lens having the optical properties of the kinoform or Fresnel lens 22. According to the invention, the lens assembly 20 can be switched to a second mode of operation wherein the refractive effects of the lens 22 are virtually eliminated. As illustrated in FIG. 2B, switching is accomplished by mechanical contact of the lens 22 with the index-matched fluid 26 adhered to the plate 24, so that the fluid fills up the surface pattern of the kinoform structure and optically cancels the operation of the lens. To reverse the effect and return to the refractive mode, the fluid-carrying plate 24 is removed mechanically away from the lens 22, in which case the optical characteristics of the lens are restored as the fluid 26, adhering preferentially to the plate 24, self-flattens under surface-tension forces. A mechanism 29, illustrated schematically in the figures, must obviously be provided to cause the contacting and separation of the lens 22 and plate 24, as needed for the operation of the invention. Because of the small motions required, it is anticipated that piezoelectric actuators may be used to move the lens and provide an electromechanical control of the focal length of the assembly. Thus, it is clear that this kind of optical device is functionally equivalent to a bifocal lens with the added advantage that the correction extends to the entire field of vision of the lens.
It is understood that the liquid 26 must be capable of adhering to the plate 24 but not to the lens 22, preferably through the action of surface-tension forces. Thus, for example, if the liquid 26 consists of a water solution, the lens 22 and the plate 24 need to be hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials, respectively. The liquid 26 may also be a soft plastic, such as a silicone-based material, so long as it is capable of regaining a smooth surface rapidly when no longer pressed against the kinoform.
Another embodiment 30 of the invention shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B consists of a kinoform or Fresnel lens 32 switchable by the introduction or withdrawal of a fluid. A conforming protective transparent sheet 34 is located a small distance away from the lens 32, which includes a pattern formed in its surface to affect the light transmitted and/or reflected by the assembly. The sheet and the lens may be curved, as shown, or planar. An index-matching liquid 36 introduced into the space between the lens 32 and the sheet 34 fills in the lens pattern and causes the removal of its optical effects. It is noted that a similar effect could be obtained with a transmission grating, rather than a kinoform or Fresnel lens.
Thus, when no liquid is present to flood the kinoform, as seen in FIG. 3A, the assembly 30 acts as a lens (or grating, if so designed). When the liquid 36 is introduced between the interior surfaces of the lens 32 and the sheet 34 and optically matches the lens surface, the refractive effect of the patterning on the lens is removed. Therefore, the assembly acts as a transparent plate, except possibly for residual focusing effects due to the curvature of the plates, if any.
In yet another embodiment 40 of the invention shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, two substantially parallel kinoform or Fresnel lenses are combined. A first lens 42 includes a refractive surface facing the gap between the two lenses, while the second lens 44 has the kinoform structure on its outer surface (FIG. 4A). As in the other embodiments, switching is accomplished by injecting an index-matched fluid 46 to fill up the irregularities in the surface patterning of the interior lens 42, thereby optically cancelling the operation of the lens, as illustrated in FIG. 4B. The refractive effect of the second lens 44 remains unaltered. Thus, the index-matching fluid 46 injected between the components reduces the optical power by filling up the interior kinoform's structure so that the interior region becomes equivalent to just a parallel plate. As a result, the interior kinoform no longer contributes to the focusing power of the assembly.
It is noted that the amount of fluid required for switching is small. For example, if the components are disposed 20 μm apart and have a surface area of about 100 cm2 (considered very large for eyeglasses), the total volume of fluid needed is only 0.2 cc. If the fluid does not wet the components, it is easily removable through suction with a slight vacuum. If necessary, the space between the components may also be slightly wedged to facilitate removal of the fluid. Obviously, channels for ingress and egress of fluid through the frame used for mounting the lens components must be provided, but such structures are well known in the art relating to liquid lens devices. Similarly, devices for moving small amounts of fluid are known. Therefore, such details are not described here.
FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a two-lens assembly 50 with two fluid pumps 52, in the form of syringes, for squirting index-matching fluid through connecting tubing 54 into the gaps between pairs of surfaces 56 and removing it therefrom by suction, thereby turning off and on, respectively, the focal action of each pair of surfaces. It is anticipated that several different fluid-handling systems could be used to implement the invention. For example, manually or motorized hypodermic syringes, peristaltic pumps, compressible bulbs, and piezoelectric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuators could all be used advantageously to inject and withdraw the index-matching fluid.
The use of one-dimensional (linear) lenses is considered particularly suitable for eyeglasses and other optical devices constructed according to the invention. Each switchable lens consists of two opposite surfaces, which may be two linear kinoforms with their axes perpendicular to one another. Because the combination of two linear kinoforms with perpendicular axes corresponds to a single conventional lens that focuses in two dimensions, all forms of eyesight correction can be achieved with linear lenses, which are simpler and less expensive to manufacture than conventional two-dimensional kinoforms. Thus, another aspect of the present invention teaches an improved method and apparatus for manufacturing one-dimensional kinoform lenses.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, a mandrel 60 is made with a negative cylindrical kinoform pattern formed on a spherical or bicurved structure using a diamond-turning lathe, or by other means known in the art. The circumferential lines 62 shown for illustration on the spherical part of the mandrel correspond to the first two structural steps on each side of the centerline of the cylindrical kinoform lens to be produced thereby. It is noted that the central part of the mandrel could be made in equivalent fashion in the form of a prolate or oblate spheroid to correspondingly produce lenses of different radii in perpendicular directions, as in some conventional eyeglasses. Moreover, if the curvature of the two cylindrical kinoforms used to duplicate the function of a conventional lens is not the same, two separate mandrels, for vertical and horizontal lines, need to be used.
Using a mandrel as described, the process of producing a lens involves the following steps, which are generally known but have never been used or suggested for making linear kinoforms. First, a mold is made to fit the exterior surface of the mandrel, with an airspace of suitable thickness left between the mandrel and the mold. The mold need only be as large as an eyeglass lens blank. Next, the airspace is filled with a casting resin or other transparent casting compound. When the resin is almost completely hardened, the mold is removed and the casting is cured as needed (i.e., baked, UV treated, aged, etc.). Finally, one or more lenses are cut out of the cured casting. Such lenses are often referred to as daughter lenses; that is, they are the product of first-generation casting. The resulting kinoform lens formed on a negative-pattern mandrel is a positive lens formed on a concave surface.
For positive lenses on a convex surface, an intermediate step is required. First, a mandrel is made with a positive cylindrical kinoform lens structure on its exterior surface. Then, the first-generation casting, which will have a negative kinoform lens on its outside concave surface, is used as the mold for a second-generation casting, which will have the desired shape.
A lens could also be molded simply by lowering the mandrel into a disk-shaped container filled with an appropriate monomer, such as CR-39�, sold by PPG Industries of Pittsburgh, Pa., or poly methylmethacrylate (PMMA), and causing the monomer to polymerize. If the radii of curvature of the bottom of the monomer's container match the curvatures of the mandrel, the resulting lens can be nearly net shape, and quite thin (1-2 mm, preferably thin for lightness and thick for strength). Thus, this method of lens manufacture is also suitable for direct use of commercially made blanks according to the following procedure. Net-shape cast blanks of CR-39 (or other plastic) are coated with a thin layer of transparent adhesive capable of adhering to the blank but not to the mandrel; then the adhesive is brought into contact with the mandrel, caused to harden (perhaps UV activated), and removed from the mandrel. Thus, the technique is simply one of replication, a well understood and reliable way for making good and inexpensive optics, using the mandrel of the invention. It is noted that the surface-relief structure on the mandrel is preferably made using a diamond lathe, but alternatively it can constructed by mask-based photolithography or by evaporation and deposition of dielectric or metallic layers on the mandrel. However, diamond-turning is believed to yield the best and least-expensive master mold.
Coining and other pressing-based methods, including injection-molding, could also be carried out using the mandrel of the invention by pressing it onto discs of appropriate material (such as PMMA). If necessary, heating could be provided from inside the mandrel. Alternatively, long strips of preheated PMMA could be passed under the mandrel as it rotated, thereby making long strips of cylindrical Fresnel lens that could then be stamped, sawn or laser-cut into eyeglass-shaped lenses. However, replication is expected to remain preferred because of its proven record in diffraction-grating production.
As explained, it is expected that the lenses produced with the mandrel of the invention can be made of nearly net shape. Similarly, they can be formed with compound curvature, with concave (or convex) surfaces having different curvatures in two directions, just as in conventional eyeglasses. Optical systems having more than one lens are expected to require both concave and convex sides on some components. On the other hand, because of their relative fragility, it would be preferable to have no Fresnel or kinoform structures on exposed surfaces. Therefore, assuming, for example, that horizontal and vertical kinoforms are to be placed on the convex and concave sides of a lens, respectively, three different kinds of moldings would be required. The first type includes, for instance, a horizontal kinoform on the convex side, the other side being smooth; the second type includes a vertical kinoform on the concave side, the other side being smooth; and the third type includes kinoforms on both sides, a horizontal kinoform on the convex side and a vertical kinoform on the concave side.
In order to manufacture eyeglasses, cylindrical lenses made by the process of the invention would preferably be assembled into solid fixed assemblies to avoid the use of flexible hinges or other moving components. FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate different lens-configuration designs having two or more different optical powers, depending on where index-matching liquid is injected between optical components. Each interior surface consists of a linear (cylindrical) kinoform component. The symbol V indicates a vertical axis; H indicates a horizontal axis. Using a focal length of 1.25 meters for each kinoform, for example, each surface will have an optical power of 0.8 diopters (neglecting any refraction due to curvature). Thus, referring to the figures, the following different kinds of components are shown. Component A has a horizontal kinoform on its convex surface; component B has a vertical kinoform on its concave surface; and component C has a horizontal kinoform on its convex surface and a vertical kinoform on its concave surface. All three kinds of components can be made with a single mandrel, used as detailed above to make, for example, 0.8-diopter cylindrical Fresnel lenses. Thus, as one skilled in the art would readily understand, the power of a composite lens made of N molded complete lenses with focal length of 1.25 meters can vary from zero to (N−1)(0.8D) diopters in 0.8-diopter steps, leaving smooth external surfaces for protection.
The refractive indices of the materials of the invention are wavelength-dependent and temperature-dependent. Therefore, the best choice of refractive indices for a particular application requires a judicious balance between optical performance and practical considerations such as other physical properties, safety, toxicity and cost. Tests have shown that within the temperature and wavelength ranges of interest for the invention a satisfactory approximate refractive-index matching can be achieved both with oil-based and water-based liquids. For example, using PMMA (refractive index of 1.49) for the lens material, oil-based geraniol (index of 1.46) and citral (1.48), and water-based potassium acetate, potassium citrate, magnesium chloride, and magnesium nitrate, either alone or in combination, would be suitable index-matching liquids to practice the invention. It is noted that the refractive index of water solutions is a function of solute's molecular weight and concentration. Therefore, these parameters can be manipulated to produce the desired value.
To the extent that a perfect match of the refractive index may be difficult to obtain, applying a simple anti-reflection coating to the internal (fluid-contacting) faces would largely solve the problem for devices used in transmission, such as eyeglasses and windows. The coating can be simply a single layer having optical thickness of (�)-wavelength for visible light (that is, about 100 nanometers in physical thickness). In that case the layer needs to have a refractive index that is about the geometric mean of that of the fluid and that of the plastic. Silicon dioxide (on polycarbonate plastic lenses or windows) is a good anti-reflection coating for this application because it is insoluble, relatively inert, safe and easy to apply, and provides an almost perfect index match with many different water solutions having modest concentrations. The coating can further include a (much thinner) chemical treatment layer to make it hydrophobic, or oleophobic, or as needed.
A single layer anti-reflection coating suffers from the defect that it works perfectly only at one wavelength, on one substrate, with one fluid at one temperature; however, if the combination of fluid and layer is optimized at the peak of the eye's response, at room temperature, the layer will still be helpful for the whole visible range, over a wide range of temperature, and with the liquid either present or absent. As well understood in the art, multilayers could be designed easily to have better performance.
Thus, it has been shown that the present invention includes eyeglasses whose optical power depends upon liquid-switched lenses, such as kinoforms, the focal length of which can be changed at will by a wearer. It is anticipated that the optical power of such eyeglasses may be automatically controlled by an auxiliary rangefinder. The invention also encompasses liquid-switched diffractive optical systems other than lenses and arrays of lenses: for example, microlenses used in switchable fiber-optic fan-out assemblies, diffraction gratings used for analyzing spectra, gratings for wavelength-dispersed multiplexing of optical signals in fiber-optic systems, and gratings on the surfaces of optical fibers for manipulation of specific wavelengths within the fibers. The invention in each case utilizes the manipulation of very thin layers of liquid for changing optical powers of eyeglasses and other lens systems, deflecting paths of light beams, changing the chromatic properties of light-handling systems so that different wavelengths can be steered into different directions, or blocking light from certain paths.
This invention is believed to have particular significance at the present time because of the growing market of aging baby-boomers. It allows for a significant improvement to eyeglasses: a lightweight assembly that has the capability to focus as desired by a user. It therefore has widespread application and fulfills widespread long-felt needs. It also has application to laboratory optics requiring variable focus, and to switchable windows.
It is noted that another way by which a switchable window could be made involves the use of a thin, transparent sheet between two closely-spaced transparent panes. The thin transparent sheet should be embossed, frosted, or otherwise formed to have an irregular thickness and/or irregular surface(s) to make the sheet translucent and to provide channels for liquid ingress and egress. When an index-matched liquid is introduced between the window panes and immerses the thin transparent sheet, the fluid cancels out the irregularities and the assembly becomes transparent. This arrangement has the advantage that the structuring of the thin sheet can be done independently of the manufacturing processes used to provide the window with good structural integrity.
A switchable window can also be obtained between fully-transparent and nearly fully reflecting elements, without using any reflecting coatings, if the interior surfaces of the elements are formed into long narrow prisms or into pyramids, each with an approximately 90-degree apex, as illustrated in FIG. 8. The prisms need not be interlocking. Without an index-matching fluid, light incident over a range of incident angles is totally internally reflected, from either side. With fluid present, the light passes through without deviation.
Various other changes in the details, steps and materials that have been described may be made by those skilled in the art within the principles and scope of the invention herein illustrated and defined in the appended claims. Therefore, while the present invention has been shown and described herein in what is believed to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures can be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and methods.
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Courtesy Think Progress, here's a pretty good chart detailing the health program savings that were included in the White House's opening bid on the fiscal slope. You can get this information from the White House's FY2013 budget request. As you can see above, the plurality of the savings come from "Medicaid drug rebates for Part [...]
Reducing Prescription Drug Costs Central to Administration Opening Bid on Medicare
|By: David Dayen Friday November 30, 2012 2:34 pm
VP Debate: The Constrained Discussion on Social Insurance
|By: David Dayen Friday October 12, 2012 8:30 am
I think Dave Weigel highlights the right moment in last night's Vice Presidential debate, on the subject of Medicare. Paul Ryan is most closely associated with that policy, and Biden was clearly briefed that Ryan would try to bamboozle his way through the question. So Biden cut off the ring and never let one lie [...]
Medicare Advantage Example Yields Lessons for Both Parties
|By: David Dayen Monday August 27, 2012 8:21 am
The substance of the Medicare debate in the 2012 election is completely at odds with the realities. The Romney campaign hammers away at the $716 billion in "Medicare cuts" imposed by the Affordable Care Act, designed to blunt a traditional Democratic advantage on the topic, as it did in 2010. So far this has worked; [...]
Rare Judicial Rulings Go Against Corporate Power
|By: David Dayen Friday July 27, 2012 12:22 pm
A couple judicial rulings recently actually went against corporate America in favor of consumers and residents, in such a rare fashion that I feel compelled to report on it. First, in Pennsylvania a state appellate court delivered what may be one of the first rulings against expanded hydraulic fracturing in a state with plenty of [...]
Prescription Drug Reimportation Amendment Fails Again in Senate
|By: David Dayen Thursday May 24, 2012 1:50 pm
The Senate has spent the day on a must-pass FDA bill that reauthorizes a user fee from drug companies to finance FDA operations, in addition to making other changes to how the FDA deals with drug shortages. The bill is primed for passage in the House, so if it can get through the Senate without [...]
Biologic Market Slips as Biosimilars Come to the Fore
|By: David Dayen Tuesday December 20, 2011 8:55 am
During the health care debate, this website focused on the biologics provisions in the law. Because of the influence of biotechnology companies, lawmakers pushed for an exemption of 12 years for the expensive drugs, during which time no generics could enter the market. In the final negotiations that got lowered to 10 years. In some [...]
Census' Alternative Poverty Statistics Prove that Elderly Benefits Are Too Meager
|By: David Dayen Monday November 7, 2011 9:35 am
The US Census Bureau changed its formulation of poverty for the first time in over fifty years, taking into account reductions in the cost of food while including rising costs in health care, child care, housing and transportation. In addition, non-cash government aid like food stamps and tax credits were finally included in the formulation. [...]
Obama Executive Order Seeks Crackdown on Drug Shortages
|By: David Dayen Monday October 31, 2011 10:15 am
In the latest in a flurry of executive actions, the Obama Administration has directed the FDA and the Justice Department to reduce shortages in prescription drugs, a growing problem over the last decade. The order is being sold as part of the Administration's "We Can't Wait" campaign to push economic actions in the midst of [...]
Obama Administration Plans Round of Trans-Pacific Free Trade Agreement Talks
|By: David Dayen Thursday September 1, 2011 6:50 am
Jon Huntsman's economic plan should dispel any rumors of his moderation. It eliminates the Earned Income Tax and the child tax credit to pay for a reduction of the top marginal tax rate to 23%. I don't think I need to go any further. It's a reverse-Robin Hood special. And he's barely scraping past 1% [...]
Harkin, Reed Want to Take Medicare Off the Table in Debt Limit Negotiations
|By: David Dayen Friday June 3, 2011 8:30 am
In addition to promising not to cave on tax cuts for the rich, President Obama in his meeting with House Democrats also promised not to cave on Medicare, amid urging from the caucus. Kathy Hochul (D-NY), the newest member of Congress, stressed the importance of Medicare to her Congressional victory last week. And Nancy Pelosi [...]
FDA Reverses Exclusivity Policy for Pregnancy Drug After Enormous Price Hike
|By: David Dayen Thursday March 31, 2011 9:10 am
Time to mix in a good news story. A few weeks back, the Food and Drug Administration gave exclusive rights for a pregancy drug named Makena that prevented premature births to KV Pharmaceuticals. They promptly raised the price for Makena, which needs to be injected weekly between 16 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, from $10 [...]


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Asarco LLC, the Arizona copper producer, sued Montana Resources Inc. to recover ownership of its minority interest in a mining venture that was lost while the company was controlled by Grupo Mexico SA de C.V.
Through a complaint filed April 9, Asarco seeks to regain its 49.9 percent interest in the Montana mining operation. Asarco says in its papers that it lost the interest in Montana Resources when it was financially unable to invest less than $5 million to cover the operating needs of the business. Asarco said it was unable to meet the cash calls because valuable assets had been taken away from Asarco under Grupo Mexico's management.
Asarco claims it is entitled to recover its interest because the transfer, it says, was a fraudulent conveyance. Asarco contends that the Montana investment was worth ``hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars.''
Asarco's complaint recites that the majority interest in the Montana business was controlled by Dennis Washington.
In an unrelated court filing on April 4, ACRE Acquisition Corp. disclosed it was formed in December by Glencore Ltd. and Washington Corp. for the purpose of exploring the possibility of acquiring Asarco.
Asarco sued Grupo Mexico in February, contending its parent company fraudulently transferred Asarco's 54 percent ownership in a Peruvian copper mine named Southern Copper Corp. to another subsidiary of Grupo Mexico before the Chapter 11 filing. The copper company previously was named Southern Peru Copper Corp.
Phoenix-based Asarco filed to reorganize in 2005 to help resolve asbestos claims. Grupo Mexico acquired Asarco for $1.2 billion in stock six years ago.
The Chapter 11 case is In re Asarco LLC, 05-21207, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas (Corpus Christi).
Northwest Airlines Wins Extension of $233 Million Credit Lines
Northwest Airlines Corp. won agreement from U.S. Bank N.A. for a one-year extension of three letters of credit totaling $233 million.
The letters of credit secured Northwest's obligations regarding charter flight operations, U.S. Customs Service requirements and workers' compensation policies. The letters of credit are secured by cash and Northwest's trans-Pacific routes.
Northwest is scheduled to ask a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge in New York at an April 24 hearing for approval to extend the letters of credit.
Creditors are voting on Northwest's reorganization plan which will distribute the airline's new stock in exchange for unsecured claims. The confirmation hearing to approve the plan is scheduled to begin May 16, two days after the deadline for the examiner to issue his report on whether Northwest ``employed improper processes and procedures in order to arrive at a materially reduced valuation of their assets and businesses.''
Northwest, based in Eagan, Minnesota, estimates the plan will pay unsecured creditors between 66 percent and 83 percent of the value of their claims. The plan will extinguish existing stock and issue new equity to creditors in exchange for their claims.
Separately, Spirit Airlines Inc., which has been suing Northwest for $300 million claiming violation of antitrust laws, arranged to cap its antitrust claim at $105 million.
The interim agreement provides that a judgment in the antitrust suit in federal court in Detroit won't exceed $105 million. The arrangement also provides that Spirit can vote a $35 million claim either for or against Northwest's reorganization plan and participate in the rights offering as though it had a $28.5 million claim.
The Chapter 11 case is In re Northwest Airlines Corp., No. 05-17930, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District New York (Manhattan).
Joan Fabrics Files Chapter 11, Seeking to Sell Assets
Joan Fabrics Corp., a textile maker with plants in North Carolina and Mexico, filed a petition yesterday under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code with the intention of selling its business.
The Tyngsboro, Massachusetts-based company generated $124 million in revenue last year making woven jacquard and velour fabrics for the home and commercial markets. Revenue fell from $345 million in 2003 as a result of foreign competition, the company said in its filing. An affiliate filed the same day.
Joan Fabrics' chief operating officer said in a filing that the company owes $45 million to secured creditors, $7.1 million on a secured factoring agreement and $5 million in subordinated secured debt. Suppliers are owed $19 million.
The company has obtained $10 million in financing to carry it through the bankruptcy process.
In its petition, filed in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, the company said its largest unsecured creditor, trade creditor UNFI, is owed $4.8 million. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. is the second-largest creditor, owed $3.3 million for an under-funded pension plan.
The case is In re Joan Fabrics Corp., 07-10479, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).
Former Mortgage Lenders Network Chief Liable for Arrest
Mitchell Heffernan, the former chief executive officer of Mortgage Lenders Network USA Inc., lost a bid to block state authorities in Connecticut from bringing criminal charges against him for failing to pay employee commissions.
Connecticut authorities have been threatening to file the charges, saying its actions were aimed at Heffernan, not the company, which filed Chapter 11 Feb. 5. Yesterday, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Peter J. Walsh in Wilmington, Delaware, said bankruptcy protection wasn't a shield from prosecution.
``I don't think it is the province of this court to make a determination as to whether the criminal prosecution is being brought in good faith or bad faith,'' Walsh said.
Mortgage Lenders Network, the country's 15th-largest subprime mortgage provider in 2006, is one of the five such lenders undergoing bankruptcy reorganization.
The case is In re Mortgage Lenders Network USA, 07-10146, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).
Pleasant Care Faces Call for Trustee From U.S. Health Department
The U.S. Health and Human Services Department will join the U.S. Trustee at a May hearing to call for the naming of a Chapter 11 trustee to manage Pleasant Care Corp.'s 30 nursing homes in California.
Lender Bridge Healthcare Finance LLC had asked for a Chapter 11 trustee four days after Pleasant Care filed for reorganization in March. Bridge dropped the request after Pleasant Care chose consultants to take over as chief operating officer and chief clinical officer.
The U.S. Trustee, the arm of the U.S. Justice Department that participates in Chapter 11 cases, filed a separate motion for a Chapter 11 trustee, and Health and Human Services joined the motion.
The motion for the Chapter 11 trustee and a competing motion to approve the new officers will both come before the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Los Angeles for approval on May 2.
The U.S. Trustee is a government official, while a Chapter 11 trustee supplants management and takes over control of the company's reorganization.
Pleasant Care filed its Chapter 11 petition on March 20 immediately before Bridge, owed $9.7 million, was scheduled to ask a state court in California to appoint a receiver. Bridge argued that the company was ``grossly mismanaged'' to the ``detriment of the elderly residents.''
Pleasant Care's filing listed $20.6 million in debts to its 20 largest unsecured creditors.
The case is In re Pleasant Care Corp., 07-12312, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Central District of California (Los Angeles).
Rockaway Bedding Files Chapter 11 with 194 Stores in New Jersey
Rockaway Bedding Inc. and its six subsidiaries, together operating 194 mattress stores in New Jersey, filed for Chapter 11 reorganization on April 9, listing $12.7 million owed to the 20 largest creditors.
Rockaway Bedding, based in Randolph, New Jersey, filed no papers in the bankruptcy court by the close of business yesterday, except for the petition and the list of its largest creditors.
The case is In re Rockaway Bedding Inc., 07-14890, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New Jersey (Newark).
Auto Part Maker Amcast Wins Approval of Liquidation Plan
Amcast Industrial Corp. won approval of its liquidation plan from a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge in Indianapolis, who said April 9 that he would sign a confirmation order.
Amcast reached agreement with its creditors' committee and lenders in January on a revised Chapter 11 plan originally filed in October. The plan calls for distributing remaining cash and receivables toward $52.8 million still owing in secured debt.
The plan sets aside $2 million for unsecured creditors. Before confirmation, Amcast settled all its disputes with General Motors Corp. The settlement gave GM a $2 million payment to release $38 million in secured, unsecured and administrative claims that GM was making against Amcast.
Senior secured creditors were paid through asset sales.
Amcast confirmed a plan in July 2005. It filed another Chapter 11 petition in December 2005. The more recent filing occurred after GM decided to take its business elsewhere.
Amcast, based in Fremont, Indiana, made metal products for the auto and construction industries. GM reportedly accounted for 80 percent of Amcast's business.
The case is Amcast Automotive of Indiana Inc., 05-33322, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Indiana (Indianapolis).
Advanced Marketing to Sell U.K. and Australian Operations
Book distributor Advanced Marketing Services Inc., which already sold its primary assets, proposed selling its operations in the U.K. and Australia.
Advanced Marketing has a contract for the sale of the Australian business for a total of $475,000 together with a separate agreement with current managers to pay a total of $216,000 for the business they founded in 1992 and later sold to Advanced Marketing.
Other bids are due by April 20.
Advanced Marketing has sold the larger part of its assets to Baker & Taylor Inc., which described itself as the world's largest book distributor. The U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Wilmington, Delaware, previously approved the sale of the subsidiary Publishers Group West.
Advanced Marketing, based in San Diego, California, filed its petition for Chapter 11 reorganization in December.
Three former AMS officers were given prison sentences for allegedly assisting in the issuance of false financial statements. AMS was restating earnings dating back to 2002.
The case is In re Advanced Marketing Services Inc., 06- 11480, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Delaware (Wilmington).
Florida Builder Construction Compliance Files for Bankruptcy
Construction Compliance Inc., a Florida homebuilder, filed a Chapter 11 reorganization petition April 3, listing assets of $8.9 million and debt of $10.9 million.
The filing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Tampa, Florida, said the company had revenue of $63 million in 2005.
The St. Petersburg-based company ceased operations this year, according to a story in the Bradenton Herald.
The case is In re Construction Compliance, Inc., No. 07- 02650, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District Florida (Tampa).
San Diego Diocese, Lawyers Threatened With Contempt of Court
A bankruptcy judge ordered the Diocese of San Diego and its lawyer to appear in court today to determine whether they transferred church property in violation of the law and should be held in contempt.
After the diocese was driven into bankruptcy by lawsuits claiming sexual abuse, two priests allegedly told parishes that U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Louise De Carl Adler in San Diego had ordered the parishes to transfer 770 bank accounts held in trust by the diocese and to obtain new taxpayer identification numbers for the accounts, the judge said in her April 9 order.
``A creditor or other claimant such as the parishes may not undertake any action to obtain possession of property of the estate or exercise control over that property,'' she wrote. The priests and a newly formed organization of parishes and its lawyers were also ordered to appear with their lawyers.
Adler said it appeared that the diocese's parish organization and its lawyers ``conspired'' with the diocese and its lawyer to ``effect a post-petition transfer of the debtor's assets.'' The diocese, the lawyers and the parish organization were told to file papers yesterday explaining their actions.
If she determines their actions were improper, Adler said, she may find them in contempt, impose sanctions and bar the diocese's lawyer from participating in the case.
Calls to the lawyers for the diocese and the parish organization weren't returned.
The diocese filed its petition in February, on the eve of the first trial stemming from approximately 150 sexual-abuse claims. The diocese proposed a Chapter 11 reorganization plan at the end of March, offering to create a trust fund with $95 million to compensate victims of sexual abuse by priests.
Along with the disclosure statement explaining the plan, the diocese filed an amended list of its assets and liabilities on March 29. The list shows assets of $167.8 million and claims of $95.5 million.
The bankruptcy filing in San Diego was the fifth by a Roman Catholic diocese.
The case is In re Roman Catholic Bishop of San Diego, No. 07-00939, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of California (San Diego).
Downgrades, Statistics
Hovnanian Ratings Cut by Moody's on Housing's `Steep Decline'
Credit ratings at homebuilder Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. (HOV:US) and its subsidiary K. Hovnanian Enterprises Inc. were cut yesterday by Moody's Investors Service Inc. in light of the housing market's ``steep decline.''
The corporate and senior note ratings were both dropped one level, to Ba2. The subordinated notes fell two steps, to B1.
Hovnanian, based in Red Bank, New Jersey, generated $5.8 billion in revenue in the 12 months ended in January.
Hovnanian shares fell 29 cents to $23.56, a 52-week low, in New York Stock Exchange composite trading yesterday, during which the hares fell as low as $23.45.
Berry Downgraded on Merger With Covalence Specialty Materials
The merger between Berry Plastics Holdings Corp. and Covalence Specialty Materials Corp. spurred Moody's Investors Service Inc. to cut Berry's corporate rating one level.
Moody lowered the company's rating to B2 after concluding that ``required investments for synergies will leave no free cash flow for debt reduction.''
Berry's $750 million in second-lien notes were also lowered one level, to B3. The senior subordinated debt of Covalence, which becomes an obligation of Berry, fell to Caa1, one step below its pre-merger level.
Berry, based in Evansville, Indiana, makes rigid plastic packaging products. Bedminster, New Jersey-based Covalence makes polyethylene-based plastic film and packaging products.
Company Bankruptcies in Japan Rose 9.3 Percent in Fiscal 2007
Company bankruptcies during Japan's fiscal year ended March 31 increased 9.3 percent over the prior year, according to statistics compiled by Teikoku Databank Ltd.
Total filings in fiscal 2007 were 9,572. While the number of bankrupt companies increased, the debts of the failed companies decreased 8.6 percent.
To contact the reporter on this story: Bill Rochelle in New York at email@example.com.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Patrick Oster at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Jon Trickett has been the Member of Parliament for Hemsworth in West Yorkshire since a 1996 by-election. He served as the Parliamentary Private Secretary to Prime Minister Gordon Brown from 2008 to 2010, and was promoted to Ed Miliband's Shadow Cabinet in 2011 as Shadow Minister for the Cabinet Office.
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Once a Basement, always a basement? Maybe Not.
The subjects above ground GLA contains two bedrooms and one bathroom. The lower level, a partially finished basement, contains a game room and three bedrooms. Due to rolling and sloped topography in the area, basements are not necessarily uncommon. The typical basement, however, in the subject community is usually finished, and most often used as everyday living area by the typical owner. The subjects basement is only partially finished (still having brick and wood paneled walls, indoor/outdoor carpeting, etc). The basement is a footprint of the upper level.
COUNTY ASSESSOR'S field card says the subjects basement is the "lower level" and counts/taxes it as Above Ground Living Area. The lower level, however, does have walls below grade and partially finished, as noted above.
Long story, not so short...the owners are "appealing" because of the difference between me and county.
I know the county is wrong, maybe its getting late, or maybe I'm just getting old, but I just cant find an actual above ground GLA or basement definition and wondering for some input...to satisfy a silly homeowner. Thanks in advance.
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This issue comes up a lot here in Indianapolis where there are a lot of Raised-ranch and split-level ranch (tri-level) type homes. Here is the Fannie Mae Guideline that I reference in all reports for these types of homes:
Fannie guidelines
XI, 405.05: Gross Living Area (11/01/05)
The most common comparison for one-family properties (including units in PUD, condominium, or cooperative projects) is above-grade gross living area. The appraiser must be consistent when he or she calculates and reports the finished above-grade room count and the square feet of gross living area that is above-grade. For units in condominium or cooperative projects, the appraiser should use interior perimeter unit dimensions to calculate the gross living area. In all other instances, the appraiser should use the exterior building dimensions per floor to calculate the above-grade gross living area of a property. Only finished above-grade areas should be usedgarages and basements (including those that are partially above-grade) should not be included. We consider a level to be below-grade if any portion of it is below-graderegardless of the quality of its finish or the window area of any room. Therefore, a walk-out basement with finished rooms would not be included in the above-grade room count.
Rooms that are not included in the above-grade room count may add substantially to the value of a propertyparticularly when the quality of the finish is high. For that reason, the appraiser should report the basement or other partially below-grade areas separately and make appropriate adjustments for them on the basement and finished areas below-grade line in the sales comparison analysis grid. To ensure consistency in the sales comparison analysis, the appraiser generally should compare above-grade areas to above-grade areas and below-grade areas to below-grade areas. The appraiser may deviate from this approach if the style of the subject property or any of the comparables does not lend itself to such comparisons. However, in such instances, he or she must explain the reason for the deviation and clearly describe the comparisons that were made.
You are correct. Any level that is even partially below grade is basement area. Most tax reports (at least here in Indy) characterise the sizes of these homes incorrectly as do most realtors.
You can google "Fannie guidelines XI 405.05" to get a couple of good explainations.
Hope this helps!
Check the Governing Municipality's Building Ordinance to see if they utilize ANSI Standards (adherence is entirely voluntary).
Kill the Contract Review Bull$eye - Now.
One county's assessment office does that around here. Split level/bi-level homes are taxed on the total building area, both 1st floor and basement, so instead of 1,200 s.f. the card shows and is taxed on 2,400 s.f.
A canned comment explaining why I only use 1,200 s.f. (or whatever gla they are) along with similar style homes with the 'wrong' gla (per county records) corrected to 'my' gla works everytime. Just explain it.
I are serious appraiser, this is serious thread.
Scott references the best answer - good work Scott and welcome to the forum
"Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is much the same." Oscar Wilde
If it ain't the realtors counting below grade as above grade it's the assessors.......I just do what the above indicated.....any part of the lower level touching soil.......you're basement.....funny thing is....many owners get so bent out of shape when you call an area basement.....like it's the death nell or something....heck, you get credit for it if it's finished half way decent.....
The Leprechauns surmise that typically, after spending a half hour or so writing the diatribe above emphatically stating DO NOT INCLUDE BASEMENTS IN GLA, someone reviewed the draft with their Boss who said - WHAT ARE YOU NUTS????? YOU'RE GONNA GET US BOTH FIRED - HERE..........STICK THIS SENTENCE IN THERE - LET THE APPRAISERS STAND UP FOR THEMSELVES!.
The F&F Fairie Angel
"NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO well okay go ahead we know ya need the extra sf to hit the Bull$eye and WE NEED TA BUY LOANS - so fine go ahead - it's your neck on the chopping block - not mineeeeeeeeeee"
Kill the Contract Review Bull$eye - Now.
Side Note: having discussed the new phenomena with 20-30 local, seasoned Assessors back in 2002 - their common position statement on this issue (paraphrased)>
"YOU know it's not GLA, the owners know it's not GLA, but.........THEY ARE BEGINNING TO LIST HOMES WITH FINISHED BASEMENTS ADDED IN - SOOOOOOO if they are listing em that way - and selling them that way - and the sale price reflects the bogus GLA - well helll..........I'm gonna TAX em that way too! IF buyers / owners have a problem they can grieve. Wanna point the finger - I'll just point it where it belongs - the person who SOLD you the damned house."
BAMMMMMMMMMMM... overnite 1,000sf (and larger) one story ranches and raised ranches, and 1 story split levels with partial or fully below grade homes became 1500-2000sf+ homes at $100-200 per square foot. Once they saw they got away with it, some daring entrepreneurial home marketers proceeded to combo above and below grade areas in OTHER style homes as well!! (not to mention illegal additions and illegal converted garages).
Thus, the 2003 Bubble was created. The $$$ gains 2003-2006/7/8 were never real. In many markets the current MV level post-bubble burst are back to 2002-3 levels. Go figure.
Kill the Contract Review Bull$eye - Now.
I've analyzed a ton of houses with walk out finished basements and the $/SF of the combined basement and GLA is invariably well below the $/SF of a single floor or 2 sty house without basement. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Fannie mae placed that little caveat in the description for some apparent reason but no one really knows why... but it is a trap that fannie created and is now claming down on all those dumdums back there that
"Bigamy is having one wife too many. Monogamy is much the same." Oscar Wilde
If it's below ground at all, it's a basement. However, whether someone calls it a basement (or lower level or GLA), makes no difference to the actual market value of the property.
One approach that is used sometimes, is to describe the improvements in line with appraisal standards on the 1st page of the report, then report the SF in line with local market conventions on the grid. Just make sure you clearly explain what you did and why. I've done this many times...in my market, it's a common issue for split level designs...and never had anyone question the validity of my approach.
Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?
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What We Expect to See at Fashion Week
As we look forward to the fall shows in Milan and Paris, a look back at the small ideas we noticed last time that will likely land in your closet soon
By The Fashion Editors
The Anti-Suit
As men become so comfortable with tailoring that they're fluent in peak lapels, shawl collars, and double-breasted everything, we've also noticed a new sort of "suit": One that's not a suit at all, but a more casual look that's worn head-to-toe without any semblance of seeming boardroom-ready. Some call it defiance; others, swagger.
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They are trying to find the one the suites them, and that they feel comfortable in.
Yes, where you get baptized is your church home.
Well the reason that they hop from church to church because they are not truly ready to make real changes in their life. So they search for a church that will suit or fit their lifestyle. Such as lesbianism or a gay lifestyle, or "shacking together" without the benefit of marriage, and etc.
Some churches are friendlier than others. Most are just trying find one that fits them like hunting for a pair of shoes which fits.
to find the one that feels right
Because they have turned into social clubs instead of a place to worship God?
The churches nowadays is like a social club, where skimpy very immodest and showy dress and behavior is exhibited....Gambling, selling, politics, you name it is going on in many churches today. To draw in and keep members at some churches everything under the sun is allowed and done. So, if a person or a family is truly serious about having or leading a godly or christian life, yet sees all the garbage going on and being done in the name of God in a particular church they are checking out, it is only natural to search for greener pastures or fresher watering holes spiritually speaking. There IS truly a true religion and organization out there....One that the majority of people do not want to adhere to. Yet if an honest-hearted, humble person became a part of this true religion they would be thoroughly be satisfied spiritually and have no need hop from religious building to religious building.
I was in a church for 17 years I thought I would be there for the rest of my life.

My husband and I were counselors and sun school teacher, pre-school teacher etc etc fully involved. Then our Pastor started going off to another country and comming back with another pastors vision and if we didn't catch it we were being unfaithfull. Problem was while he was away visiting pastors came to us and fed us alot of untruth. I couldn't respect my pastor any longer and we left. Church to me was not acting and sounding like a chicken or chanting you going to kick the devil in the butt. It was like a kids playground. We out grew it.
sometimes it takes a while to find the one that feels right in your heart.~
These people are the the kind of people that are never satisfied with anything and are very easily offended. If the Pastor say's something they don't like or disagree with they move along to another church. It's like the saying goes, "You can please all of the people some of the time!" but "You can't please "All" of the people all of the time!"

So these kind of people are never satisfied or content. It reminds me of something I once heard, "just go on to church with the hypocrits and ignore them because that's better than staying at home and not going to church and end up in hell with them for eternity.
The first missionaries in China were often confused to find their best converts attending a Buddhist temple or whatever. When they asked them if they had not accepted Jesus as their lord and savior they would respond with something like, "Yes! And on Tuesdays I'm a Taoist and on Fridays a Buddhist." For them there was no contradiction and the odd thing was to deny one's self whatever wisdom the other religions had to offer. To a great extent one's choice in religion was considered merely a personal preference rather than a lifetime commitment or sacred duty and the idea of different religions all claiming they alone had the key to heaven was absurd.
They look for an image/ideal that works too their vision
I guess sometimes, they're looking for a community (people) that can make them fit in so they can grow more in Christ. Sometimes, they have found that, but there's conflict that cause them to leave, so they have to find new church, and so on.
We did a lot of hopping because we didn't feel welcome at the churches we visited.
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<snip> > <john> we need a #tag > > <john> for everything - twitter, flickr, youtube etc > > <Daniel_Bennett> suggestion #w3cigegov > > <john> what about just #egov? or too cheeky? > > <john> exactly - w3c is like a gov > > <john> it has its ideas about whats good for us </snip> So what? AFAIR, nothing decided. I propose the Chairs to decide asap. I would avoid the "ig" part and leave it more open, such as in "w3cegov" or "egovw3c". -- JoseReceived on Wednesday, 4 February 2009 17:55:01 GMT
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Is Marco Rubio the Worst Climate Denier in Congress?
By Chris Joseph
Broward Judge Rules for Same Sex Marriage in FL
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New Times Writers to Host Reddit AMA
By Allie Conti
Potential Hurricane Forming in Atlantic
By Chuck Strouse
Sextortion Scam in South Florida
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7 Spots Where David Beckham Could Build His Stadium
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Alvarez Wants to Be Broward's First Gay State Rep
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MagicJack Inventor Left Behind Messy Legacy
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The figure of 19,000 votes thrown out for either overvoting or undervoting is incorrect. The correct number is closer to 30,000. Please hold our communities here and across the country in light and love.
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Slow down and count to 10... or 10,000: Fairness vs. expediency. All citizens, especially federal and state employees, have a responsibility to ensure fair elections and to make certain that every registered voter has a chance to have his or her vote count. This "butterfly ballot" issue in Florida has negated many votes. This is not right!
This election has been important because it has renewed and reinforced the importance of every single vote and every voter's responsibility to participate. To now say that, due to a badly laid-out ballot, in a state run by one candidate's brother, some votes won't count will tarnish the election and negate much of the positive impact on future elections.
I strongly urge everyone to make sure this does not happen. I can understand the urge, in the name of expediency, simply to accept the decision of Florida voters after the final recount. I repeat, this is not good for the future of our country. We should insist these wronged voters somehow get a chance to have their votes counted before a decision is made on our next President. Fairness is an American ideal. Let us ensure that it is applied fully to this election.
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CDC Software 3Q Profit Rises On Lower Costs
NEW YORK (AP) ¿ CDC Software Corp., a Chinese business software developer whose shares began trading in the United States last summer, said Monday its third-quarter profit rose 47 percent on lower costs and expenses.
Profit rose to $6.2 million, or 22 cents per share, in the three months ended Sept. 30 compared with a profit of $4.2 million, or 15 cents per share, a year prior.
Revenue fell 20 percent to $48.6 million from $60.5 million.
Excluding charges, the company said it earned 33 cents per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected profit of 31 cents per share on revenue of $48.7 million.Cost of revenue fell 23 percent to $21.4 million while operating expenses fell 43 percent to $20 million. CDC Software provides business software applications that enable customers to increase revenue and control costs by automating business processes and making it easier to access critical information. The company is controlled by CDC Corp., a business software maker based in Hong Kong. In August, CDC sold 4.8 million American depositary shares of CDC Software at $12 a share. They ended trading Friday at $10 a share. CDC still owns an 83 percent stake and a 98 percent voting interest in CDC Software.
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