Author: claimsbot

1. A control circuit comprising:
a pressure comparator configured to receive a pressure signal from a pressure sensor and a pressure reference voltage, the pressure comparator further configured to output a pressure output signal responsive to a comparison of the pressure signal and the pressure reference voltage;
a temperature comparator configured to receive a temperature signal from a temperature sensor and a temperature reference voltage, the temperature comparator configured to output a temperature output signal responsive to a comparison of the temperature signal and the temperature reference voltage; and
a logic circuit in communication with the pressure comparator and the temperature comparator, the logic circuit configured to output an activating signal to a load in communication with the logic circuit responsive to the pressure output signal and the temperature output signal.
2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to output, responsive to an applied pressure, the pressure signal indicative of the applied pressure.
3. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the temperature sensor is configured to output, responsive to a measured temperature, the temperature signal indicative of the measured temperature.
4. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a pressure signal amplifier for selectively amplifying the pressure signal.
5. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a temperature signal amplifier for selectively amplifying the temperature signal.
6. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit is configured to output the activating signal to the load responsive to one or more of the temperature signal exceeding the temperature reference voltage and the pressure signal exceeding the pressure reference voltage.
7. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the logic circuit comprises an AND gate coupled to the pressure comparator and the temperature comparator, the AND gate configured to produce an AND gate output that activates the load when both the temperature comparator output and the pressure comparator output are high.
8. The control circuit of claim 7, further comprising a first MOSFET having a gate, a source, and a drain wherein the gate receives the AND gate output, wherein the drain is coupled to a load, and the collector is coupled to a reference potential and wherein the first MOSFET allows current to flow to the load when the AND gate output is high.
9. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a pressure reference circuit configured to output the pressure reference voltage, wherein the pressure reference circuit comprises a first voltage divider.
10. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising a temperature reference circuit configured to output the temperature reference voltage, wherein the temperature-reference circuit comprises a second voltage divider.
11. The control circuit of claim 1, further comprising:
a threshold voltage generator for receiving the temperature signal and configured to output a third reference voltage level, wherein the third reference voltage level is indicative of a pressure that is expected to be exerted by a liquid medium at the temperature measured by the temperature sensor; and
a second pressure comparator for receiving the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the third reference voltage level from the threshold voltage generator, the second pressure comparator configured to produce a second pressure comparator output configured to activate the load when the pressure signal exceeds the third reference voltage level.
12. The control circuit of claim 11, further comprising a second MOSFET having a gate, a source, and a drain wherein the gate receives the second pressure comparator output, wherein the drain is coupled to the load, and the collector is coupled to a reference potential and wherein the second MOSFET allows current to flow through the load when the second pressure comparator output is high.
13. A method, comprising:
receiving, by a pressure comparator and from a pressure sensor, a pressure signal;
receiving, by the pressure comparator, a pressure reference voltage;
outputting, by the pressure comparator, a pressure output signal responsive to a comparison of the pressure signal and the pressure reference voltage;
receiving, by a temperature comparator and from a temperature sensor, a temperature signal;
receiving, by the temperature comparator, a temperature reference voltage;
outputting, by the temperature comparator, a temperature output signal responsive to a comparison of the temperature signal and the temperature reference voltage;
receiving, by a logic circuit in communication with the pressure comparator and the temperature comparator, the pressure output signal and the temperature output signal; and
outputting, by the logic circuit, an activating signal configured to activate a load in communication with the logic circuit responsive to the pressure output signal and the temperature output signal.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising selectively amplifying one or more of the pressure signal and the temperature signal.
15. The method of claim 13, wherein outputting the activating signal is responsive to one or more of the temperature signal exceeding the temperature reference voltage and the pressure signal exceeding the pressure reference voltage.
16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
receiving, by a threshold generator, the temperature signal;
generating, by the threshold generator, and based at least in part on the temperature signal, a third reference voltage, wherein the third reference voltage level is indicative of a pressure that is expected to be exerted by a liquid medium at a temperature measured by the temperature sensor;
receiving, by a second pressure comparator, the pressure signal from the pressure sensor and the third reference voltage level from the threshold voltage generator; and
outputting, by the second pressure comparator, an output signal configured to activate the load when the pressure signal exceeds the third reference voltage level.
17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:
setting the pressure reference voltage to correspond to a pressure threshold voltage based the temperature signal;
comparing the pressure signal and the pressure reference voltage; and
outputting a load activation signal responsive to the comparing.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein setting the pressure threshold voltage further comprises setting a pressure threshold that corresponds to a pressure expected to be exerted by a liquid medium when the liquid medium is at a measured temperature.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A method for remote maintenance for a machine, the method comprising the steps of:
providing at a first location a machine and an imaging device removably mounted to the machine, the machine including a programmable logic controller and a sensor in communication with the programmable logic controller, the sensor being operable to monitor machine activity and the programmable logic controller including an operating specification for the machine and being operable to transmit a signal concerning an operational status of the machine;
providing at a second location a user interface;
receiving a signal at the user interface from the programmable logic controller, the signal being indicative of a change in a condition of the machine that is outside of the programmed operating specification;
relocating the imaging device from a first position to a second position remote from the first position, the second position having view of a portion of the machine that is operating outside of a programmed operating specification;
receiving an image of the machine at the user interface from the imaging device;
transmitting expert information from the second location to the first location concerning the machine.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the imaging device comprises a digital camera.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the digital camera comprises a digital video camera.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting information from the user interface to the first location regarding the machine.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the information is selected from a group consisting of: assembly information for the machine, installation information for the machine, maintenance information for the machine and repair information for the machine.
6. A method for remote maintenance for a machine, the method comprising the steps of:
providing at a first location a machine, a first user interface and an imaging device removably mounted to the machine, the machine including a programmable logic controller and a sensor in communication with the programmable logic controller, the sensor being operable to monitor machine activity and the programmable logic controller including an operating specification for the machine and being operable to transmit a signal concerning an operational stabs of the machine;
providing at a second location a second user interface;
receiving a signal at the second user interface from the programmable logic controller, the signal being indicative of a change in a condition of the machine that is outside of the programmed operating specification;
receiving an image of the machine at the second user interface from the portable imaging device;
transmitting expert information concerning the machine from the second user interface to the first user interface.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the imaging device comprises a digital camera.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the digital camera comprises a digital video camera.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein the expert information is selected from a group consisting of: assembly information for the machine, installation information for the machine, maintenance information for the machine and repair information for the machine.

1. A light cover comprising:
a body defining:
an interior void for receiving therein a light source affixed to a structure;
an exterior surrounding the void and having an ornamental design;
an expandable opening in a first portion of the exterior, the expandable opening allowing access to the interior void and having:
a closed position in which the exterior has a steady state shape; and
an open position in which a portion of the exterior is flexibly deformed from the steady state shape and the light source can be inserted into the interior void; and
a structure support portion at the opening shaped to support and balance the body on the light source when inserted within the interior, wherein the ornamental design and at least a portion of the body surrounding the ornamental design have differing translucences such that light emitted from the void enhances visibility of the ornamental design from outside the skin.
2. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the body is at least partially plastic.
3. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the ornamental design is at least partially defined by recessed areas in the body.
4. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein the ornamental design comprises at least one of:
a holiday-related image; and
a holiday-related shape.
5. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein the ornamental design comprises text.
6. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the opening has first and second sides; and
a fastener is attached to the opening and selectively couples the first side to the second side.
7. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the body has a bottom portion; and
the opening is at the bottom portion.
8. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the shape is at least one of curved, square, and a holiday figure.
9. The light cover according to claim 1, wherein:
the closed position is a steady state of the body; and
the opened position is a temporary deformation of a shape of the body.
10. An ornament comprising:
a skin having:
an exterior defining an interior and having a steady state shape;

an opening having flexibly deformable sides, the opening being shaped to accept a light source into the interior of the skin when the exterior is flexibly deformed into an open state, the steady state shape elastically biasing the skin to a steady state closed position about the light source when the exterior is released to thereby cover the light source;
a decorative portion on the exterior surrounding the interior; and
a translucence allowing light to pass from the light source, through the skin, and away from the skin.
11. The ornament according to claim 10, wherein:
the light source is attached to a building.
12. The ornament according to claim 10, wherein:
the skin is a substantially rigid material.
13. The ornament according to claim 10, wherein:
the skin is shaped to define a void within the skin.
14. The ornament according to claim 10, wherein:
the skin is removably attachable to the light source.
15. The ornament according to claim 10, wherein the decorative portion comprises:
a shape of the skin.
16. A cover for covering an exterior lamp attached to a building, the cover comprising:
a skin having:
a shape defining a lamp-holding void;
a holiday-related design on an exterior of the skin surrounding the lamp-holding void;
an opening having an open position and a closed position, the closed position being a natural resting shape of the skin, the open position being a flexibly-deformed state of the skin from the natural resting shape and the opening providing access for the lamp to enter the void when the opening is flexibly deformed to the open position;
a closing mechanism operable to secure the opening in the closed position; and
a translucence for allowing light to pass from the lamp in the void, through the skin, and away from the skin.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. A photostabilized photoactive composition comprising a mixture of a photoactive compound that develops a singlet excited state, or fluoresces when subjected to UV radiation and an effective amount of an excited state quencher comprising a cyano-containing fused tricyclic compound of formula (I):
wherein:
A is selected from the group consisting of O, S, C\u2550O, and
n is 1; and,
R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, ether, aryl, and amino.
2. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the cyano-containing fused tricyclic compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of:
3. The photostabilized photoactive composition of 2, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C30 alkyl.
4. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 3, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C20 alkyl.
5. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 4, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C10 alkyl.
6. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 5, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or 2-ethylhexyl.
7. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 6, wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of:
8. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount in the weight range of 0.1% to 20%, based on the total weight of the composition.
9. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 8, wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount in the weight range of 1% to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition.
10. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of p-aminobenzoic acid and salts and derivatives thereof; anthranilate and derivatives thereof; dibenzoylmethane and derivatives thereof; salicylate and derivatives thereof; cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; dihydroxycinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; camphor and salts and derivatives thereof; trihydroxycinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; dibenzalacetone naptholsulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; benzalacetophenone naphtholsulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; dihydroxy-naphthoic acid and salts thereof; o-hydroxydiphenyldisulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; p-hydroxdydiphenyldisulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; coumarin and derivatives thereof; diazole derivatives; quinine derivatives and salts thereof; quinoline derivatives; hydroxyl-substituted benzophenone derivatives; naphthalate derivatives; methoxy-substituted benzophenone derivatives; uric acid derivatives; vilouric acid derivatives; tannic acid and derivatives thereof; hydroquinone; benzophenone derivatives; 1,3,5-triazine derivatives; disodium phenyl dibenzimidazole and salts thereof; terephthalyidene dicamphor sulfonic acid and salts and derivatives thereof; methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol and salts and derivatives thereof; bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and salts, diethylamino hydroxyl benzoyl and derivatives thereof; phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid and salts thereof; terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid and salts thereof; and combinations of the foregoing.
11. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the photoactive compound comprises a dibenzoylmethane derivative.
12. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 10, further including a cinnamate ester.
13. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 12, wherein the cinnamate ester is an ester of an alkoxycinnamate.
14. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 13, wherein the alkoxycinnamate ester is a methoxycinnamate ester.
15. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 12, wherein the cinnamate ester is selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate, isoamyl p-methoxycinnamate, and a combination thereof.
16. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 13 wherein the cinnamate ester is 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate.
17. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 11, wherein the dibenzoylmethane derivative comprises butylmethoxy dibenzoylmethane.
18. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, further including a naphthalene dicarboxylic acid ester in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt %.
19. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 18, wherein the naphthalene dicarboxylic acid ester comprises a diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid ester.
20. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, further including a salicylate or a derivative thereof in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt %.
21. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 15, further including a salicylate or a derivative thereof in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt %.
22. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, further including a benzophenone or a derivative thereof in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt. %.
23. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 22, wherein the benzophenone comprises benzophenone-3 in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt. %.
24. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the photoactive compound comprises a 1,3,5-triazine derivative.
25. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the photoactive compound comprises 2-(methylbenzilidene)-camphor.
26. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the photoactive compound comprises a dibenzoylmethane derivative selected from the group consisting of 2-methyldibenzoylmethane; 4-methyldibenzoylmethane; 4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane; 4-tert-butyldibenzoylmethane; 2,4-dimethydibenzoylmethane; 2-5-dimethydibenzoylmethane; 4,4\u2032-diispropyldibenzoylmethane; 4,4\u2032-dimethoxydibenzoylmethane; 4-tert-butyl-4\u2032-methoxdibenzoylmethane; 2-methyl-5-isopropy-4\u2032-methoxydibenzoylmethane; 2-methyl-5-tert-butyl-4\u2032-methoxydibenzoylmethane; 2,4-dimethyl-4\u2032-methoxydibenzoymethane; 2,6-dimethyl-4-tert-butyl-4\u2032-methoxydibenzolmethane, and combinations thereof.
27. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1 further including 0.1 to 10 wt. % of a triplet quencher selected from the group consisting of octocrylene, methyl benzylidene camphor, diethylhexyl 2,6-naphthalate, diethylhexyl syringylidene malonate, and combinations thereof.
28. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1 further comprising 0.1 to 10 wt. % benzophenone-3.
29. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1 further comprising 0.1 to 10 wt. % octyl salicylate.
30. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition includes a compound selected from the group consisting of methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetranl ethylbutylphenol, salts and derivatives thereof; bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, and salts and derivatives thereof.
31. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein the composition includes a hydroxyl-substituted benzophenone derivative or a methoxy-substituted benzophenone derivative, or a combination thereof.
32. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, further comprising a diester or polyester of naphthalene dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of compounds of formula (II) and (III), and combinations thereof:
wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and selected from the group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl groups, dials having the structure HO\u2014R4\u2014OH, and polyglycols having the structure HO\u2014R3\u2014(\u2014O\u2014R4\u2014)n\u2014OH; wherein each R3 and R4 is the same or different and selected from the group consisting of C1-C6 straight or branched chain alkyl groups; and wherein m and n are each in a range of 1 to 100.
33. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 32, comprising a diester of formula (III) wherein R1 and R2 are 2-ethylhexyl.
34. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1 further including about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of another singlet quencher.
35. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 34, wherein the another singlet quencher is an alkoxy crylene having formula (IV):
wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkoxy radical, and any non-alkoxy R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkyl radical.
36. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein said mixture includes a cosmetically acceptable carrier.
37. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 1, wherein said mixture includes an oil phase having a dielectric constant of at least about 8.
38. A method of increasing the UV absorbing life of a composition containing (a) a dibenzoylmethane derivative andor (b) a cinnamate ester comprising adding a compound of formula (I) in an amount effective to prevent the reaction of (a) with (b); or to photostabilize (a) andor (b)
wherein:
A is selected from the group consisting of O, S, C\u2550O, and
n is 1; and,
Ra is hydrogen or C1-C10 alkyl.
39. The method of claim 38, wherein the compound of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of:
wherein R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, ether, aryl, and amino.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C30 alkyl.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C20 alkyl.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C10 alkyl.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, or 2-ethylhexyl.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the compound of Formula I is selected from the group consisting of:
45. The method of claim 38, wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount in the weight range of 0.1% to 20%, based on the total weight of the composition.
46. The method of claim 45, wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount in the weight range of 3% to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition.
47. The method of claim 38, further comprising a photoactive compound selected from the group consisting of p-aminobenzoic acid and salts and derivatives thereof; anthranilate and derivatives thereof; dibenzoylmethane and derivatives thereof; salicylate and derivatives thereof; cinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; dihydroxycinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; camphor and salts and derivatives thereof; trihydroxycinnamic acid and derivatives thereof; dibenzalacetone naptholsulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; benzalacetophenone naphtholsulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; dihydroxy-naphthoic acid and salts thereof; o-hydroxydiphenyldisulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; p-hydroxdydiphenyldisulfonate and salts and derivatives thereof; coumarin and derivatives thereof; diazole derivatives; quinine derivatives and salts thereof; quinoline derivatives; hydroxyl-substituted benzophenone derivatives; naphthalate derivatives; methoxy-substituted benzophenone derivatives; uric acid derivatives; vilouric acid derivatives; tannic acid and derivatives thereof; hydroquinone; benzophenone derivatives; 1,3,5-triazine derivatives; disodium phenyl dibenzimidazole and salts thereof; terephthalyidene dicamphor sulfonic acid and salts and derivatives thereof; methylene bis-benzotriazolyl tetramethylbutylphenol and salts and derivatives thereof; bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine and salts, diethylamino hydroxyl benzoyl and derivatives thereof; phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid and salts thereof; terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid and salts thereof; and combinations of the foregoing.
48. The method of claim 38, wherein the photoactive compound comprises a dibenzoylmethane derivative.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the photoactive compound comprises a cinnamate ester.
50. The method of claim 38, wherein the composition includes a hydroxyl-substituted benzophenone derivative or a methoxy-substituted benzophenone derivative, or a combination thereof.
51. The method of claim 38, wherein the composition includes about 0.1 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of another singlet quencher.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the another singlet quencher is an alkoxy crylene having formula (IV):
wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkoxy radical, and any non-alkoxy R1 or R2 is hydrogen; and R3 is a straight or branched chain C1-C30 alkyl radical.
53. A composition comprising a mixture of a photoactive compound that reaches an excited state when exposed to UV radiation from UV-induced photodegradation and an effective amount of an excited state quencher comprising a cyano-containing fused tricyclic compound of formula (I):
wherein:
A is selected from the group consisting of O, S, C\u2550O, and
n is 1; and,
R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, ether, aryl, and amino,
wherein the photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of retinoids, coenzyme Q, cholecalciferol, resveratrol, protoporphyrins, and combinations thereof.
54. The photostabilized photoactive composition of claim 53, wherein the protoporphyrin comprises protoporphyrin IX.
55. A method of protecting a photoactive compound that reaches an excited state when exposed to UV radiation from UV-induced photodegradation in a composition containing said photoactive compound, comprising: combining with said photoactive compound a cyano-containing fused tricyclic compound of formula (I):
wherein:
A is selected from the group consisting of O, S, C\u2550O, and
n is 1; and,
R1 and R2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, ether, aryl, and amino,
wherein the photoactive compound is selected from the group consisting of retinoids, coenzyme Q, cholecalciferol, resveratrol, protoporphyrins, and combinations thereof.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the protoporphyrin comprises protoporphyrin IX.