Abstract: The instantaneous value of an intermediate waveform I is the instantaneous value of a unipolar waveform U multiplied through amplification by an upscaling factor UF of 1.5. A plateau value P is subtracted from the intermediate value I, and the result of this subtraction is multiplied by a multiplication factor MF of 0.6. The result of the multiplication is added to the plateau value P, which sum becomes an auxiliary waveform A. During the ‘fall-below’ periods F, the value of a combined waveform C is arranged to follow whichever is the highest of the auxiliary value A and the plateau value P. Outside the fall-below periods, the value of the combined waveform C follows whichever is the highest of the unipolar value U and the plateau value P. This combined waveform C has, for a given plateau level P, a narrower fall-below window. Phase-chopping thus has an effect on the power of the output signal over a greater range of the cycle than can be provided by the corresponding prior art arrangement.

Abstract: A method of refilling liquid into a cartridge according to the present invention is a method of liquid refilling, through which liquid is refilled into a used cartridge (1) in a liquid jet apparatus, comprising: a film removing process, in which an injection hole film (90) adhered around an air discharge opening (21), which communicates with the interior of the used cartridge (1), to seal the air discharge opening (21) is removed in order to make the air discharge opening (21) open; a liquid injecting process, in which liquid is injected into the used cartridge (1) through the air discharge opening (21) that has been made open in the injection hole film piercing process; and an injection hole film rewelding process, in which the film is rewelded using a surface other than an originally welded surface as a rewelded surface in order to seal again the air discharge opening (21), through which the liquid is injected in the liquid injecting process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a storage device that enables identification data to be readily rewritten and ensures normal completion of a data writing operation in a short time period. In the storage device of the invention, an ID comparator determines whether or not identification data transmitted from a host computer coincides with identification data stored in a memory array. In the case of coincidence, the ID comparator sends an access enable signal EN to an operation code decoder. The operation code decoder analyzes a write/read command, switches over a direction of data transfer with regard to the memory array based on a result of the analysis, and requires an I/O controller to change a high impedance setting of a signal line connecting with a data terminal DT. This series of processing allows access to an address in the memory array specified by a count on an address counter.

Abstract: An electronic settlement system for settling a transaction through a communication network comprises a settlement apparatus which performs the settlement of the transaction; a billing terminal connecting to the settlement apparatus via the communication network; and a paying terminal, connecting to the settlement apparatus via the communication network, wherein the settlement apparatus performs the settlement of a transaction by synchronizing a communication to the billing terminal with a communication to the paying terminal when the settlement apparatus sets up a transaction identifying number which identifies the transaction and when the paying terminal transmits the same transaction identifying number to the settlement apparatus.

Abstract: In an ink cartridge (liquid container) 1 of the invention, an ink delivery port 17 that connects an ink supply needle 15 of a cartridge holder 110 to an ink containing chamber 7 is disposed at an substantially central position in a shorter side direction of a container front surface 3a. Two positioning portions 13 and 14 that fit to positioning pins 11 provided at two places in the cartridge holder 110 so as to position a container main body 3, a pressurized air introduction portion 21 that connects a pressurized air supply path 19 of the cartridge holder 110 to a pressure chamber 5, and a data storage unit 25 that is connected to a connection terminal 23 of the cartridge holder 110 are disposed toward one side in a shorter side direction of the container front surface 3a with respect to the ink delivery port 17.

Abstract: A primer formulated with a colorless dye detectable only under black light is provided. The present invention is non-detectable on a porous surface and color does not appear over time upon exposure to natural or synthetic lights. Under black light, sometimes referred to as ultra violet energy or long wave black light, the colorless dye appears as purple. However, once the black light is removed, the primer ceases to glow and returns to its natural, colorless state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for feeding pouches and spouts to an apparatus for processing same. A system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention can feed pouches and spouts to a rotary machine simultaneously. More specifically, the system can provide a transferring assembly for grasping a single spout and pouch simultaneously from a spout supply and a pouch supply, respectively, then relinquishing the spout and pouch simultaneously to the rotary machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for relieving back pain, the apparatus having a top and a leg assembly for supporting the top when the apparatus is placed on a surface. A method of relieving back pain is also provided, wherein a user adjusts the height of an apparatus according to the user's buttock popliteus length, and lay on the surface and place his/her lower legs or feet on the top of an apparatus such that the knees are bent at substantially 90 degrees and his/her back is flat on the surface.

Abstract: An implant for use in bone fixation, includes combination of the two materials: metal and plastic. The implant defines several passages with axles (3) running through the implant, which are suitable for receiving a bone fixation device, such as a bone screw. The passages are provided with a peripheral perimeter, which is made of a different materiel than the material of the implant surrounding the perimeter. The implant is, on the one hand, not too rigid and, on the other hand, does not present problems as regards the screw-implant interface.

Abstract: An intervertebral implant having a lower implant part and an upper implant part. The lower implant part has an outer casing, a hollow cylindrical cavity, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the lower vertebra. The upper implant part has an essentially circularly cylindrical shaft, which has an external thread, for extending into the cavity of the lower implant part, an axis of rotation, and an apposition part for contacting the upper vertebra. The two implant parts may be secured to prevent rotation about their axis of rotation. The implant also includes a ring with an internal thread, disposed between the two implant parts and interacts with the external thread of the upper implant part. Rotating the ring permits the distance between the two apposition parts to be adjusted. The ring may be axially fixed but rotatively movably with the lower implant part.

Abstract: An endoprosthesis for a joint, in particular a an intervertebral implant with a central axis, a top part, a bottom part and a joint provided between them, wherein the joint comprises at least two articular surfaces A and B that can slide on one another; the top part has a top apposed surface that intersects the central axis and lateral surfaces; the bottom part has a bottom apposed surface that intersects the central axis and lateral surfaces; and wherein the endoprosthesis comprises at least one channel suitable to convey body fluid, said channel terminating in one of the two articular surfaces A and B and connecting it with the exterior of the endoprosthesis for the joint.

Abstract: A fixation assembly is described comprising at least two plates, one of which may be a contoured plate and one of which may be a securing plate. The contoured plate may have a plurality of teeth, and the securing plate may have a resilient securing element. The teeth may be arranged so that the resilient securing element encounters progressive resistance as the plates are compressed.

Abstract: A multi-layer thin film is provided preferably for use with photochromic lenses, wherein the thin film comprises a plurality of layers, preferably including dielectric layers, selected and arranged so as to reflect less than about 6 percent of the UVA rays in a range of about 315 to 400 nm, more preferably about 350 to 380 nm. The thin film preferably has an activation value greater than 25%.

Abstract: A damping element for the dynamic stabilization of two bones, particularly of two adjacent bodies of the vertebra, includes a flexible spring element having a hollow space. The hollow space is open on a first end and closed on a second end by a wall extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the damping element. A clamping sleeve is inserted at least partially into the hollow space. The sleeve has a front end directed towards the wall of the flexible spring element. The distance between the front end and the wall affects the damping characteristics of the damping element. A coaxial connecting element is attached to each end of the flexible spring element. Each connecting element is configured to be connected within an osteosynthetic stabilizing device.

Abstract: The invention relates to an anchor piece for fixing an intervertebral implant (15) to the end plate of a vertebra body (19;20), comprising A) an anchor piece (1), with a central axis (6) and two end faces (4, 5) transverse to the central axis (6), B) at least two spikes (7) extending from one of the end faces (4;5), parallel to the central axis (6) and which may be pushed into an end plate of a vertebral body (19;20), whereby B) the anchor piece (1) has a cavity (3) extending through the anchor piece (1) in the direction of the central axis (6) and C) the anchor piece (1) comprises fixing means (9), by means of which the anchor piece may be detachably locked to an intervertebral implant (15).

Abstract: Intervertebral disc prosthesis including an upper apposition plate appropriate to rest against the base plate of an upper vertebra, a lower apposition plate spaced apart from the upper apposition plate and suitable to rest against the base plate of a lower vertebra, a plurality of elastic devices mounted between the two apposition plates and in their peripheral zones in a manner that the two apposition plates shall be displaceable in mutually resilient manner, and a central axis which runs essentially perpendicularly to the two apposition plates, the elastic devices being designed/configured in a manner that the intervertebral disc prosthesis as a whole exhibits asymmetrical stiffness.

Abstract: An ink cartridge 111 holding a recording material used for printing therein has a sensor substitute module 170 to simulate operations of a cartridge having a built-in sensor. As a control circuit 222 of a printer 200 gives a sensor access instruction to the ink cartridge 111, the sensor substitute module 170 generates a specific signal and outputs the specific signal via an output module 178. The specified signal is equivalent to a signal that represents a sufficient level of remaining ink and is expected to be output from the built-in sensor of the cartridge. The ink cartridge 111 is thus applicable to both a printer designed for the use of a cartridge with a built-in sensor and a printer designed for the use of a cartridge without a built-in sensor. Namely the cartridge of the invention is compatible with the cartridge having the built-in sensor.

Abstract: An ink cartridge 1 attachable to an ink jet printer, includes a liquid chamber 5 for accommodating an ink liquid 4, a liquid supply port 7 to be connected to a liquid receiving portion 2a on the ink jet printer side, a liquid passage 9 for causing the liquid chamber 5 to communicate with the liquid supply port 7, and an ink end sensor 13 forming a part of the liquid passage 9 and serving to detect a presence or absence of the ink liquid 4 in the liquid chamber 5, The liquid passage 9 on a downstream of the ink end sensor 13 is provided with a buffer chamber 15 capable of storing the ink liquid 4 to be supplied to the liquid supply port 7 and supplying the ink liquid in a constant amount after the ink end sensor 13 detects that the liquid is not present. An amount of storage of the liquid in the buffer chamber 15 is set to be substantially 10% of an effective amount of the ink liquid to be accommodated in the liquid cartridge 1.