1. A method of structuring a series of full-face cushions for patient interfaces that deliver breathable gas to patients, each of the full-face cushions including a nasal bridge region, cheek regions and a chin region, each of the full-face cushions defining, at least in part, a breathing cavity, the method comprising:
structuring a first full-face cushion, the first full-face cushion comprising a first membrane including a first nasal bridge region, first cheek regions and a first chin region structured to form a first seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the first membrane having an inner edge that defines a first triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the first triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a first mouth width;
structuring a second full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion comprising a second membrane including a second nasal bridge region, second cheek regions and a second chin region structured to form a second seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the second membrane having an inner edge that defines a second triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the second triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a second mouth width;
structuring a third full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion comprising a third membrane including a third nasal bridge region, third cheek regions and a third chin region structured to form a third seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the third membrane having an inner edge that defines a third triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the third triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a third mouth width; and
structuring a fourth full-face cushion, the fourth full-face cushion comprising a fourth membrane including a fourth nasal bridge region, fourth cheek regions and a fourth chin region structured to form a fourth seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the fourth membrane having an inner edge that defines a fourth triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the fourth triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a fourth mouth width,
wherein the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures are structured such that, in a front view, each of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures has a different height, and the first, second, third and fourth mouth widths are the same, and
wherein one of the first full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion and the fourth full-face cushion is a large size full-face cushion, and wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions is of a different size.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions includes a support structure, each support structure including:
a wall; and
an underlying cushion connected to the wall,
wherein each underlying cushion, in a cross-sectional view, extends from a respective wall and toward a respective breathing cavity to provide support to a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes, each underlying cushion includes cheek regions extending adjacent a perimeter of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures such that each respective full-face cushion has at least a double-walled construction in the cheek regions such that each underlying cushion is positioned to restrain movement of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes, and each respective full-face cushion has only a single-walled construction in at least a portion of the chin region so as to allow each respective membrane to readily flex in said at least a portion of the chin region.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions includes a connection portion connected to the wall of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions, and each of the first, second, third and fourth membranes forms a widest point of the respective full-face cushion, and each connection portion is entirely internally offset with respect to the widest point, and
wherein the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures have different mouth width to height ratios.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the structuring of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions comprises molding at least a portion of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein a first cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in the nasal bridge region of each full-face cushion is different than a second cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in the cheek regions of the respective full-face cushion.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein a third cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in a lower facial area of the cheek regions of each full-face cushion is different than a fourth cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in an upper facial area of the cheek regions of the respective full-face cushion.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first and second cross-sectional configurations of the support structure in the nasal bridge region and the cheek regions of each respective full-face cushion vary by varying an underlying cushion offset relative to the wall.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions is dimensioned to fit respective first, second, third and fourth ranges of the patients, the mouth widths of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures are at a widest point of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures, and the height of each of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures is at a tallest point of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures, and
wherein the first full-face cushion is a large size full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion is a medium size full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion is a small size full-face cushion and the fourth full-face cushion is a size that is smaller than the third full-face cushion.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein a first portion of each support structure extends laterally beyond a second exterior portion of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions, and
wherein:
the first portion of each support structure is movable with respect to the respective second exterior portion when the respective full-face cushion is worn and a force is exerted on the respective full-face cushion,
the first portion of each support structure is movable from an initial position towards a space exterior of the respective full-face cushion when the force is applied, and
the first portion of each support structure is configured to resiliently move back into the initial position when the force is no longer exerted on the respective full-face cushion.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions is adapted to exert a spring force when the force is applied such that the first portion of each support structure is configured to resiliently move back into the initial position when the force is no longer exerted on the respective full-face cushion.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the first, third and fourth cross-sectional configurations of each support structure vary from one another so as to provide different spring constants in the nasal bridge region, the lower facial area of the cheek regions and the upper facial area of the cheek regions of each respective full-face cushion.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of each underlying cushion forms the respective first portion of each support structure, and a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes extends from each underlying cushion, and
wherein each underlying cushion includes a nasal bridge region such that each underlying cushion is continuous along the cheek regions and the nasal bridge region of the respective underlying cushion.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of each wall forms the respective first portion of each support structure, and a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes extends from each wall, and
wherein each underlying cushion includes a nasal bridge region such that each underlying cushion is continuous along the cheek regions and the nasal bridge region of the respective underlying cushion.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first full-face cushion is a large size full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion is a medium size full-face cushion and the third full-face cushion is a small size full-face cushion.
15. A method of structuring a series of full-face cushions for patient interfaces that deliver breathable gas to patients, each of the full-face cushions including a nasal bridge region, cheek regions and a chin region, each of the full-face cushions defining, at least in part, a breathing cavity, the method comprising:
structuring a first full-face cushion, the first full-face cushion comprising a first membrane including a first nasal bridge region, first cheek regions and a first chin region structured to form a first seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the first membrane having an inner edge that defines a first triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the first triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a first mouth width; and
structuring a second full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion comprising a second membrane including a second nasal bridge region, second cheek regions and a second chin region structured to form a second seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the second membrane having an inner edge that defines a second triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the second triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a second mouth width,
wherein the first and second full-face cushions are of different sizes, and the first mouth width and the second mouth width are substantially constant,
wherein each of the full-face cushions in the series includes a support structure, each support structure including:
a wall; and
an underlying cushion connected to the wall,
wherein each underlying cushion, in a cross-sectional view, extends from a respective wall and toward a respective breathing cavity to provide support to a respective one of the membranes, each underlying cushion includes cheek regions extending adjacent a perimeter of a respective one of the triangular-shaped apertures such that each respective full-face cushion has at least a double-walled construction formed by the underlying cushion and a respective membrane in the cheek regions such that each underlying cushion is positioned to restrain movement of the respective membrane, and each respective full-face cushion has only a single-walled construction formed by the respective membrane in a majority of the chin region so as to allow each respective membrane to readily flex in the chin region of the cushion.
16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:
structuring a third full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion comprising a third membrane including a third nasal bridge region, third cheek regions and a third chin region structured to form a third seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the third membrane having an inner edge that defines a third triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the third triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a third mouth width,
wherein the third full-face cushion is a different size than the first and second full-face cushions, and the third mouth width is within 5 mm of the first and second mouth widths.
17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:
structuring a fourth full-face cushion, the fourth full-face cushion comprising a fourth membrane including a fourth nasal bridge region, fourth cheek regions and a fourth chin region structured to form a fourth seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the fourth membrane having an inner edge that defines a fourth triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the fourth triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a fourth mouth width,
wherein the fourth full-face cushion is a different size than the first, second and third full-face cushions, and the fourth mouth width is within 5 mm of the first, second and third mouth widths.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions includes a connection portion connected to the wall of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions, and each of the first, second, third and fourth membranes forms a widest point of the respective full-face cushion, and each connection portion is entirely internally offset with respect to the widest point, and
wherein the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures have different mouth width to height ratios.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein a first cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in the nasal bridge region of each full-face cushion is different than a second cross-sectional configuration of the support structure in the cheek regions of the respective full-face cushion.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein a first portion of each support structure extends laterally beyond a second exterior portion of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions, and
wherein:
the first portion of each support structure is movable with respect to the respective second exterior portion when the respective full-face cushion is worn and a force is exerted on the respective full-face cushion,
the first portion of each support structure is movable from an initial position towards a space exterior of the respective full-face cushion when the force is applied, and
the first portion of each support structure is configured to resiliently move back into the initial position when the force is no longer exerted on the respective full-face cushion.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the first and second cross-sectional configurations of each support structure vary from one another so as to provide a spring constant in the nasal bridge region of each respective full-face cushion that is different than a spring constant in the cheek regions of the respective full-face cushion.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first and second cross-sectional configurations of the support structure in the nasal bridge region and the cheek regions of each respective full-face cushion vary by varying an underlying cushion offset relative to the wall.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions is dimensioned to fit respective first, second, third and fourth ranges of the patients, the mouth widths of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures are at a widest point of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures, and, in a front view, each of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures has a different height at a tallest point of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures, and
wherein the first full-face cushion is a large size full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion is a medium size full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion is a small size full-face cushion and the fourth full-face cushion is a size that is smaller than the third full-face cushion.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the first, second, third and fourth mouth widths are substantially constant.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth membranes has a height in the nasal bridge region of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions that is greater than a height of the respective membrane in the cheek regions of the respective full-face cushion.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of each underlying cushion forms the respective first portion of each support structure, and a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes extends from each underlying cushion, and
wherein each underlying cushion includes a nasal bridge region such that each underlying cushion is continuous along the cheek regions and the nasal bridge region of the respective underlying cushion.
27. The method of claim 25, wherein at least a portion of each wall forms the respective first portion of each support structure, and a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes extends from each wall, and
wherein each underlying cushion includes a nasal bridge region such that each underlying cushion is continuous along the cheek regions and the nasal bridge region of the respective underlying cushion.
28. A method of structuring a series of full-face cushions for patient interfaces that deliver breathable gas to patients, each of the full-face cushions including a nasal bridge region, cheek regions and a chin region, each of the full-face cushions defining, at least in part, a breathing cavity, the method comprising:
structuring a first full-face cushion, the first full-face cushion comprising a first membrane including a first nasal bridge region, first cheek regions and a first chin region structured to form a first seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the first membrane having an inner edge that defines a first triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the first triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a first mouth width;
structuring a second full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion comprising a second membrane including a second nasal bridge region, second cheek regions and a second chin region structured to form a second seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the second membrane having an inner edge that defines a second triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the second triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a second mouth width;
structuring a third full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion comprising a third membrane including a third nasal bridge region, third cheek regions and a third chin region structured to form a third seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the third membrane having an inner edge that defines a third triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the third triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a third mouth width; and
structuring a fourth full-face cushion, the fourth full-face cushion comprising a fourth membrane including a fourth nasal bridge region, fourth cheek regions and a fourth chin region structured to form a fourth seal to contact a nasal bridge region, cheek regions, and a chin region of the patient’s face, the fourth membrane having an inner edge that defines a fourth triangular-shaped aperture to receive the patient’s nose and mouth, the fourth triangular-shaped aperture including a lower portion having a fourth mouth width,
wherein the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures are structured such that, in a front view, each of the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures has a different height, the first mouth width is within 5 mm of the second, third and fourth mouth widths, the second mouth width is within 5 mm of the third and fourth mouth widths, and the third mouth width is within 5 mm of the fourth mouth width,
wherein the first full-face cushion is a large size full-face cushion, the second full-face cushion is a medium size full-face cushion, the third full-face cushion is a small size full-face cushion and the fourth full-face cushion is an extra small size full-face cushion,
wherein the first full-face cushion is the largest full-face cushion in the series and the fourth full-face cushion is the smallest full-face cushion in the series, and the first mouth width is within 5 mm of the fourth mouth width, and
wherein the first, second, third and fourth triangular-shaped apertures have different mouth width to height ratios.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the first, second, third and fourth mouth widths are substantially constant.
30. The method of claim 28, wherein each of the first, second, third and fourth full-face cushions includes a support structure, each support structure including:
a wall; and
an underlying cushion connected to the wall,
wherein each underlying cushion, in a cross-sectional view, extends from a respective wall and toward a respective breathing cavity to provide support to a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes, each underlying cushion includes cheek regions extending adjacent a perimeter of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth apertures such that each respective full-face cushion has at least a double-walled construction in the cheek regions such that each underlying cushion is positioned to restrain movement of a respective one of the first, second, third and fourth membranes, and
wherein the cheek regions of each underlying cushion terminate proximate a transition between the chin region and a respective cheek region of a respective one of the full-face cushions to form an underlying cushion cutaway profile in the chin region of the respective full-face cushion, and
wherein each underlying cushion is absent in the underlying cushion cutaway profile of the respective full-face cushion.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for controlling recording and reproducing of content to which an accessible time is restricted, said apparatus comprising:
content recording means for recording said content received from an external source;
determining means for determining said accessible time;
indication means for indicating information related to said accessible time;
content reproducing means for reproducing said recorded content; and
reproduction control means for controlling reproducing operation performed by said content reproducing means according to said accessible time.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determining means determines said accessible time based on an accessible time uniquely given to each item of a content.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said determining means determines said accessible time based on a record holding period given to said content and starting when distribution of said content is initiated or when reception or recording of said content is initiated.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein
said determining means determines said accessible time based on a record holding period given to said content and starting when distribution of said content is initiated or when reception or recording of said content is initiated
5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said indication means indicates said information related to said accessible time by superposing with a signal of said content reproduced by said content reproducing means.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said indication means indicates said information related to said accessible time via an output apparatus other than a channel for reproducing said content.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said indication means transmits said information related to said accessible time to a predetermined communication path.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
said reproduction control means prohibits said content reproducing means from reproducing content to which accessible time has expired.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
a control input means for receiving a command from a user, wherein
in response to a command for shifting an access start position of said content received via said control input means, said reproduction control means instructs said content reproducing means to shift a reproducing position of said content, and said indication means indicates said information related to said accessible time to said reproduced content.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising
control input means for receiving a command from a user, wherein
in response to a command for releasing from a pause, received via said control input means, said indication means indicates said information related to said accessible time to said content, and said reproduction control means instructs said content reproducing means to start reproducing said content unless said accessible time to said content has expired.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
upon expiration of said accessible time to said content when under a pause, said reproduction control means starts reproducing said content under pause, irrespective of whether there is a command activated for resuming accessing of said content under pause.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
upon expiration of said accessible time to said content when under a pause, said reproduction control means starts reproducing said content under pause irrespective of whether there is a command activated for resuming accessing of said content under pause, and
said indication means indicates at least one of said information indicating time elapsed since start of reproduction of said content and information indicating expiration of said accessible time.
13. A method of controlling recording and reproducing of content to which an accessible time is restricted, said method comprising the steps of:
(a) recording said content received from an external source;
(b) determining said accessible time;
(c) indicating information related to said accessible time; and
(d) reproducing said recorded content according to a relationship between a record holding period to said recorded content and a current time.
14. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (b), said accessible time to said content is determined based on a accessible time uniquely given to each subdivision of said content.
15. The method according to claim 14, wherein
in said step (b), said accessible time to said content is determined based on a record holding period given to said content and starting when distribution of said content is initiated or when reception or recording of said content is initiated.
16. The method according to claim 14, wherein
in said step (b), said accessible time to said content is determined based on a record holding period given to said content and starting when distribution of said content is initiated or when reception or recording of said content is initiated.
17. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (c), said information related to said accessible time is indicated by superposing with a reproduced signal of said content.
18. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (c), said information related to said accessible time is indicated via an output apparatus other than a channel for reproducing said content.
19. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (c), said information related to said accessible time is transmitted to a predetermined communication path.
20. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (d), reproduction of content to which accessible time has expired is prohibited.
21. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (d), in response to a command for shifting an access start position, a reproducing position of said content is shifted, and in said step (c), said information related to said accessible time to said reproduced content is indicated.
22. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (c), in response to a command for deactivating a pause function, said information related to said accessible time to said content is indicated, and in said step (d), reproduction of said content is started unless said accessible time to said content is expired.
23. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (d), upon to expiration of said accessible time to said content when under a pause, reproduction of said content under pause is started irrespective of whether there is a command activated for resuming accessing of said content under pause.
24. The method according to claim 13, wherein
in said step (d), upon expiration of said accessible time to said content when under pause, reproduction of said content under pause is started irrespective of whether there is a command activated for resuming accessing of said content under pause, and
in said step (c), at least one of said information indicating time elapsed since start of reproduction of said content and information indicating expiration of said accessible time is indicated.
25. A storage medium for recording a software program in computer readable form for controlling recording and reproducing of content to which an accessible time is restricted, the software program comprising the steps of:
(a) recording said content received from an external source;
(b) determining said accessible time;
(c) indicating information related to said accessible time; and
(d) reproducing said recorded content according to a relationship between a record holding period to said recorded content and a current time.
26. A software program in computer readable form for controlling recording and reproducing of content to which an accessible time is restricted, said software program comprising the steps of:
(a) recording said content received from an external source;
(b) determining said accessible time;
(c) indicating information related to said accessible time; and
(d) reproducing said recorded content according to a relationship between a record holding period to said recorded content and a current time.