Author: claimsbot

1. An optical encoder for use with a rotational component, comprising: an encoder framework;
a light source for emitting light, said light source mounted to the encoder framework;
a light detector attached to the encoder framework and disposed to receive light emitted from the light source;
a light interruption screen with one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions, the one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions being movably positioned between the light source and the light detector such that movement of the one or more opaque regions of the light interruption screen interrupts the light emitted from the light source to the light detector;
wherein the light interruption screen is configured for operational attachment to a rotating object; and
further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least ten degrees offset from the rotational axis.
2. An optical encoder as recited in claim 1, and further wherein the light interruption screen is operationally integral with a fitting, and the fitting is configured for attachment to a rotatable shaft.
3. An optical encoder as recited in claim 1, and further comprising a light converter operationally combine with the light detector to convert the interrupted light into at least one electrical signal.
4. An optical encoder as recited in claim 1, and further wherein the light interruption screen has an outer perimeter and the light emitter is disposed transverse to and outside of the outer perimeter of the light interruption screen.
5. An optical encoder as recited in claim 1, and further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least twenty degrees offset from the rotational axis.
6. An optical encoder as recited in claim 1, and further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least thirty degrees offset from the rotational axis.
7. An optical encoder for detecting linear movement between first and second member that move in a linear manner relative to each other, comprising:
an encoder framework;
a light source for emitting light, said light source mounted to the encoder framework;
a light detector attached to the encoder framework and disposed to receive light emitted from the light source;
a light interruption screen operationally attached to an object which moves linearly, the light interruption screen including one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions, the one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions being movably positioned between the light source and the light detector such that movement of the one or more opaque regions of, the light interruption screen interrupts the light emitted from the light source to the light detector; and
further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least ten degrees offset from an axis perpendicular to the light interruption screen.
8. An optical encoder as recited in claim 7, and further wherein the light interruption screen has an outer perimeter and the light emitter is disposed transversely outside of the outer perimeter of the light interruption screen.
9. An optical encoder as recited in claim 7, and further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least twenty degrees offset from a perpendicular axis of the light interruption screen.
10. An optical encoder as recited in claim 7, and further wherein the light source is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least thirty degrees offset from a perpendicular axis of the light interruption screen.
11. An optical encoder for application on a rotational component, comprising:
an encoder framework;
a light emitting means for emitting light, said light emitting means being mounted to the encoder framework;
a light detection means attached to the encoder framework and disposed to receive light emitted from the light emitting means;
a light interruption means with one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions, the one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions being movably positioned between the light emitting means and the light detection means such that movement of the one or more opaque regions of the light interruption screen interrupts the light emitted from the light emitting means to the light detection means;
wherein the light interruption means further includes a means for adapting the light interruption means to a rotating component, wherein the means for adapting the light interruption means has a rotational axis; and
further wherein the light emitting means is mounted to the encoder framework so as to emit the light at an angle at least ten degrees offset from the rotational axis.
12. A method for assembling an optical encoder comprising the following:
providing an encoder framework;
providing a light source for emitting light, said light source mounted to the encoder framework;
providing a light detector attached to the encoder framework and disposed to receive light emitted from the light source;
fixing the optical encoder relative to a movable subject component;
providing a light interruption screen with one or more opaque regions and one or more transparent regions, and further a fitting configured for operational attachment to a movable subject component; and then
attaching the fitting of the light interruption screen to a rotatable shaft such that the one or more opaque regions and the one or more transparent regions are positioned between the light source and the light detector, such that movement of the one or more opaque regions of the light interruption screen interrupts the light emitted from the light source to the light detector.
13. A method as recited in claim 12, and further wherein the light interruption screen has an outer perimeter and the light source is disposed transversely outside of the outer perimeter of the light interruption screen.

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 function converting apparatus comprising:
a storage that stores correspondence-information for making correspondences between operating system function information and device function information, the operating system function information having a predetermined function of an operating system and a type of the operating system, the device function information having a function of an equipment driver and a type of the equipment driver, the function of the equipment driver being related to the predetermined function of the operating system;
a converting unit that converts the predetermined function of the operating system to correspond to a specific version of an application programming interface so that the converting unit can convert the function of the equipment driver to correspond to the specific version of the application programming interface; and
an executing unit that controls so that the converted function is executed by the equipment driver.
2. The function converting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the type is a version of the operating system, architecture of the operating system, or architecture of CPU.
3. The function converting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a set of function commands relating to the predetermined function of the operating system is included in the operating system function information as the predetermined function of the operating system, and a set of equipment driver function commands relating to the predetermined function is included in the device function information as the function of the equipment driver, the converting unit converts a function command relating to the function of the operating system into a function command relating to the equipment driver on the basis of the correspondence-information.
4. The function converting apparatus according to claim 3, the apparatus further comprising:
a transmitting unit that transmits the converted function command to the equipment driver.
5. The function converting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined function of the operating system is utilized by an application operated on an operating system.
6. A device data generating apparatus comprising:
a storage that stores correspondence-information for making correspondences between operating system function information and image forming apparatus function information, the operating system function information representing a function relating to output of device data an operating system and a version thereof, the image forming apparatus function information representing a function relating to output of device data an image forming apparatuses and a version thereof;
a converting unit that converts, at a time when an image forming apparatus is selected by an application on the operating system and print execution is instructed, the function relating to output of the device data of the operating system to correspond to a specific version of an application programming interface so that the converting unit can convert the function relating to output of the device data of the image forming apparatus to correspond to the specific version of the application programming interface stored in the storage; and
a generating unit that generates device data interpretable by the image forming apparatus on the basis of the function converted by the converting unit.
7. The device data generating apparatus according to claim 6 further comprising:
an output unit that outputs the device data generated by the generating unit to the image forming apparatus instructed by a user.
8. A function converting method comprising:
storing correspondence-information between operating system function information and device function information;
converting a function of an operating system to correspond to a specific version of an application programming interface so that a function of an equipment driver corresponds to the specific version of the application programming interface; and
controlling so that the converted function is executed by the equipment driver,
wherein the operating system function information includes a function of an operating system and a type of the operating system, and the device function information includes a function of an equipment driver relating to the function of the operating system and a type of the equipment driver.
9. The function converting method according to claim 8, wherein the operating system function information represents a set of function commands relating to the function and a type of the operating system, and the device function information represents a set of function commands relating to the function and a type of the equipment driver,
the function command of the operating system is converted into the function command of the equipment driver on the basis of the correspondence-information, and the converted function command is transmitted to the equipment driver.
10. The function converting method according to claim 8, wherein the operating system function information includes a function of an operating system and a type of the operating system, and the function of the operating system is utilized by an application operating on the operating system.
11. A storage medium readable by a computer, the storage medium storing a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform an operation, the operation comprising:
storing correspondence-information between operating system function information and device function information;
converting a function of an operating system to correspond to a specific version of an application programming interface so that a function of an equipment driver corresponds to the specific version of the application programming interface; and
controlling so that the converted function is executed by the equipment driver,
wherein the operating system function information includes a function of an operating system and a type of the operating system, and the device function information includes a function of an equipment driver relating to the function of the operating system and a type of the equipment driver.
12. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the operating system function information represents a set of function commands relating to the function and a type of the operating system, and the device function information represents a set of function commands relating to the function and a type of the equipment driver,
the function command of the operating system is converted into the function command of the equipment driver on the basis of the correspondence-information, and the converted function command is transmitted to the equipment driver.
13. The storage medium according to claim 11, wherein the operating system function information includes a function and a type of an operating system, and the function of the operating system is utilized by an application operating on the operating system.
14. A storage medium readable by a computer, the storage medium storing a program of instructions executable by the computer to perform an operation, the operation comprising:
storing in advance operating function information representing functions relating to device data of an operating system and a version thereof, and image forming apparatus function information representing functions relating to output of device data of an image forming apparatus and a version thereof, after making correspondences between the operating function information and the image forming apparatus function information;
converting, at a time when an image forming apparatus is selected by an application on the operating system and print execution is instructed, the operating system device data output functions to correspond to a specific version of an application programming interface so that the selected image forming apparatus device data output functions correspond to the specific version of the application programming interface stored in a storage means; and
generating the device data interpretable by the image forming apparatus on the basis of the converted device data output function information.

1. A method comprising:
receiving, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item;
storing, in a memory of the computer, the time span of the action as the data for the item;
providing a computer interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action;
obtaining a candidate item responsive to the search; and
providing the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action.
2. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising employing a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item.
3. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying a user who used the item within the time span of the action.
4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the providing the data for the candidate item includes providing a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action.
5. A method as recited in claim 4, further comprising identifying users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action.
6. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising identifying a type of the action for the item.
7. A method as recited in claim 1, further comprising recording a start time of performance of the action for the item.
8. A memory storing logic executable by one or more processors, the logic comprising:
logic programmed to receive, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item;
logic programmed to store, in the memory, the time span of the action as the data for the item;
logic programmed to provide a computer interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action;
logic programmed to obtain a candidate item responsive to the search; and
logic programmed to provide the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action.
9. A memory as recited in claim 8, the logic further comprising logic to employ a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item.
10. A memory as recited in claim 8, the logic further comprising logic to identify a user who used the item within the time span of the action.
11. A memory as recited in claim 8, wherein the logic to provide the data for the candidate item includes logic to provide a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action.
12. A memory as recited in claim 11, the logic further comprising logic to identify users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action.
13. A memory as recited in claim 8, the logic further comprising logic to identify a type of the action for the item.
14. A memory as recited in claim 8, the logic further comprising logic to record a start time of performance of the action for the item.
15. A computing device comprising:
a processor;
a memory storing modules executable by the processor, the modules comprising:
a retrieval module programmed to retrieve, via a computer, data including a time span of action for an item;
logic programmed to store, in the memory, the time span of the action as the data for the item;
a computer interface module programmed to provide an interface to search the data for the item based at least on the time span of action;
an analysis module programmed to obtain a candidate item responsive to the search; and
logic programmed to provide the data for the candidate item based at least on the time span of action.
16. A computing device as recited in claim 15, the computer interface module further comprising logic to employ a zoom control to obtain a differing scope of the data for the candidate item.
17. A computing device as recited in claim 15, the modules further comprising a user data retrieval module to identify a user who used the item within the time span of the action.
18. A computing device as recited in claim 15, wherein the logic to provide the data for the candidate item includes logic to provide a timeline with identifiers corresponding to operations during the time span of the action.
19. A computing device as recited in claim 18, the modules further comprising a user data retrieval module to identify users who perform similar operations with the item during the time span of the action.
20. A computing device as recited in claim 15, the modules further comprising a collection interface through which to identify a type of the action for the item.

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. Granules which effervesce upon being combined with water, comprising an effervescent combination of an organic acid component and a carbonate salt component, said granules exhibiting a density of from 1.1-1.6 gcc, and wherein said granules, when placed in warm water, effervesce over a period of 30-120 seconds.
2. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules exhibit a size of approximately 6-14 mesh.
3. The granules of claim 1, wherein said organic acid component is an acid selected from the group consisting of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, sodium hydrogen sulfate and mixtures thereof.
4. The granules of claim 1, wherein said carbonate salt component is a carbonate salt selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, calcium carbonate and mixtures thereof.
5. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules further comprise at least one functional component selected from the group consisting of flavors, vitamins, minerals, sweeteners, colors and drugs.
6. The granules of claim 5, wherein said granules comprise at least one drug selected from the group consisting of analgesics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, decongestants, expectorants, anti-flatulants, cough suppressants, stimulants, and sleep aids.
7. The granules of claim 5, wherein said granules comprise at least one sweetener selected from the group consisting of sugars, sugar alcohols, saccharin, acesulfame-K, aspartame, sucralose, neotame, stevia, and luo han guo.
8. The granules of claim 7, wherein said sweetener comprises at least one of sucrose, dextrose, fructose, glucose, lactose, xylitol and sorbitol
9. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules comprise at least one formulation aid.
10. The granules of claim 9, wherein said formulation aid comprises a binder, a lubricant or both.
11. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules further comprise a surfactant.
12. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules are comprised of edible materials.
13. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules comprise at least one topical agent which treats mammalian skin discomfort.
14. The granules of claim 1, wherein said granules comprise at least one of a whitening agent, an antimicrobial agent and fluoride, and when dissolved in liquid, provide a mouthwash.
15. The granules of claim 1 which comprise a bleach and surfactant, and when dissolved in water provide a cleaning solution.
16. The granules of claim 15, wherein said cleaning solution is a denture cleaner.
17. The granules of claim 15, wherein said cleaning solution is a ceramic surface cleaner.
18. The granules of claim 1, provided in a unit dosage container that is moisture excluding, comprises a single dose of said granules, and can be dissolved in a liquid to provide a beverage for human consumption.
19. The granules of claim 18, wherein said granules comprise a drug, and said drug is present in said unit dosage in an amount equal to a single human dosage of said drug.