Abstract: The invention provides novel compounds selected from the group consisting of: 1

Abstract: Disclosed are compounds which are inhibitors of metalloproteases and which are effective in treating conditions characterized by excess activity of these enzymes.

Abstract: In a replicated component system, changing the condition of a component can deleteriously effect the system as a whole unless the result of making such a change may have on other components is considered. In response to a request to change the condition of a subject component to a specified condition, where the request is from a fixed set of request operations, the request is first validated using a particular validation algorithm associated with the request type. If the request is successfully validated (i.e., a determination is made using the validation algorithm that making the requested change will not negatively affect the system or components with which the subject component has a relationship), then the request is realized using a particular realization algorithm associated with the request type. Each validation algorithm and realization algorithm are from fixed sets of such algorithms that are associated with each possible request operation.

Abstract: In a replicated component system, changing the condition of a component can deleteriously affect the system as a whole unless the result of making such a change may have on other components is considered. In response to a request to change the condition of a subject component to a specified condition, the request is first validated using a particular validation algorithm associated with the request type. Prior to effecting a change to any component in the system, the configuration controller is provided with information that includes the type of component that each component in the system is and the relationships that exist between components. This information is provided through a graphical user interface in which the attributes of each component type and the relationships between components are specified using dialog windows and a canvas window which visually displays representations of each component in the system and the relationships that exist between these components.

Abstract: A printstream processor separates documents, e.g. in a printstream or batch, into a physical delivery printstream and an electronic delivery printstream based on delivery preferences stored in a database. The documents in the physical delivery printstream are printed and combined with physical inserts for physical delivery, e.g. by the U.S. Postal Server. The documents in the electronic delivery printstream are combined with electronic inserts for electronic delivery, for example, via electronic mail, facsimile, pager, or to a server on World Wide Web.

Abstract: In order to locate a package (110) which houses active elements including an opto-electric type transducer (100), in a position which assures that the opto-electric sensor and other active elements will be located in proper operative positions when the package is installed in predetermined piece of apparatus, the package casing (102) is provided with location features (112) at least some of which are deformable. During optimization, the package is moved with respect to a target until such time as the sensor is detected as producing an optimal output. Selected location features are then deformed to form location faces (112a) which have a predetermined spatial relationship with the active elements and which ensure that the active elements will be supported in an optimally operative position when the package is operatively disposed in a device such as an optical scanner or the like.

Abstract: A thickness detector is provided for detecting the thickness of envelopes containing documents. The thickness detector detects the thickness of the envelopes at a plurality of points along the length of the envelopes as the envelopes are conveyed along a transport path. The thickness detector includes a fixed roller and a follower roller forming a nip. The follower roller is rotatably mounted on a follower arm that is pivotable relative to the fixed roller. A semi-rigid connecting rod connects the follower arm to a damper that dampens the reciprocal movement of the follower arm.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating handling particularly tab stock in a sheet feeder, having a top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly for feeding sheets seriatim from a sheet supply stack. The facilitating apparatus includes a platform adapted to support a sheet supply stack of the tab stock type. A tab stock sheet supply stack is located on the platform in relation to the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly. A force is applied to the tab stock sheet supply stack, such force having at least a component in a direction relative to such tab stock sheet supply stack to prevent individual tab stock sheets in such stack from prematurely moving out of control of the top feed vacuum corrugated feed head assembly.

Abstract: The printwheel setting apparatus is used in a postage meter for setting the posting date printwheels. Each settable member of the apparatus includes digital encoding marks thereon. A charge coupled device is arranged to detect the encoding marks of one or more settable members simultaneously. A lens is disposed between the settable member and the charge coupled device to focus the image of the encoding marks onto the surface of the charge coupled device. Thus, the settings of a number of settable members such as thumbwheels may be determined simultaneously. A shutter may be closed across the charge coupled device to protect it from damage, dust contamination.

Abstract: An engine operating time measuring apparatus is provided for use with an engine having an internal magneto-type electrical generator providing an ignition voltage. The engine operating time measuring apparatus includes a housing and a pair of terminals extending outside the housing for connection with the monitored engine and extending inside the housing for connection with the time measuring apparatus. A subassembly including power supply circuitry, a clock movement drive assembly, gear train and mechanical counter for displaying the engine operating time is accurately positioned and retained in the housing cooperatively provided by a counter frame and a plurality of keying and positioning rails formed within the housing. A low torque clock movement for driving the mechanical counter is generated by a crystal-based clock motor movement assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting contents from a plurality of envelopes comprises a device for severing edge portions of the envelopes and for discharging the edge-severed envelopes serially and one at a time, and a device for extracting the contents from the edge-severed envelopes including a pair of conveyor belts which diverge from a nip for receiving the edge-severed envelopes from the severing device, and vacuum ports cooperating with the conveyor belts to separate faces of the envelopes from one another, and a device for separating contents from the separated faces of the envelopes, for discharge from the apparatus. Also a device for receiving the separated contents and envelope faces, and for testing them to verify that only effectively extracted contents are passed on for further processing.

Abstract: An engine operating time measuring apparatus is provided for use with an engine having an internal magneto-type electrical generator providing an ignition voltage. The engine operating time measuring apparatus includes power supply circuitry coupled to the electrical generator of the monitored engine for supplying operating power to the apparatus in response to generated ignition voltage. Timing circuitry is responsive to the operating power supplying circuitry for generating a clock signal. A counter is responsive to the clock signal for counting the generated clock signal to identify the engine operating time.

Abstract: An apparatus for the automated processing of bulk mail in a continuous and automatic procedure includes an operative combination of processing stations including an input station for receiving incoming mail in bulk fashion and for separting the pieces of mail for individual delivery to the remainder of the apparatus; a station for detecting irregularities in the contents of the envelopes, such as metal items, folded contents, or oversized items; a station for out-sorting envelopes rejected in accordance with the determinations made at the detection station; a station for opening the envelopes, preferably along multiple edges; a station for removing the contents from the opened envelopes, for subsequent processing of the contents; and a series of stations for handling and orienting the contents for subsequent delivery to a plurality of output stackers.

Abstract: A radiation imaging system and method is disclosed for producing an enhanced television image from a light image produced by an image intensifier tube having an unusually large output face and corresponding to a pattern of penetrative radiation from a subject. A source directs radiation such as X-rays through the subject and the image tube converts the emergent radiation pattern to a corresponding visible light image at an output phosphor. A television apparatus including a pickup tube views the output light image at a tube input face by way of a lens assembly and converts the light image to electrical, including video, signals. A television monitor reconverts the electrical signals to a visible television image of enhanced quality representing the pattern of radiation from the subject.The illuminated portion of the image tube output phosphor is similar in size and has the same shape as the input face of the television pickup tube.

Abstract: A circuit for cancelling nontonal variations in the output signal from a facsimile scanner. The circuit generates a location signal which corresponds to the physical location of the document sample. The location signal is passed through a function generator, inverted and thereafter multiplied with the output signal of the scanner. Since the characteristic of the inverted function generator output is the reciprocal of the nontonal characteristics of the scanner signal, the resulting output signal from the multiplier is substantially free of nontonal variations.