Author: claimsbot

1. At a current node in a federating infrastructure, a method for the current node to maintain membership within the federation infrastructure, the method comprising:
an act of sending a first ping message to a neighborhood node, the first ping message indicating to the neighborhood node the current node is participating as a neighbor of the neighborhood node and including routing partner and neighborhood nodes’ state of the current node;
an act of receiving a second ping message from a neighborhood node, the second ping message indicating to the current node at least that the neighborhood node originating the second ping message is participating as a neighbor of the current node and including routing partner and neighborhood nodes’ state of the originating neighborhood node;
an act of proximally routing an update request message to a processing routing node, the update request message indicating to the processing routing node that the current node is participating as a routing partner of the routing node and including at least the current node’s neighborhood nodes’ identities; and
an act of receiving an update response message from the processing routing node, the update response indicating to the current node that the processing routing node is participating as a routing partner of the current node and including at least the processing routing partner’s neighborhood nodes’ identities.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the act of sending a first ping message to a neighborhood node comprises an act of periodically repeating the sending of a first ping message.
3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the act of periodically repeating the sending of a first ping message comprises an act of accessing the frequency of the periodic repeating applicable to the proximal ring into which the first ping message is to be sent.
4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the act of periodically repeating the sending of the first ping message comprises an act of periodically repeating the sending of the first ping message based on a ping distribution pattern.
5. The method as recited in claim 4, wherein the act of periodically repeating the sending of the first ping message based on a ping distribution pattern comprises an act of periodically repeating the sending of the first ping message based on a ping distribution pattern applicable to the proximity ring the first ping is to be sent to.
6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the act of periodically repeating the sending of a first ping message comprises an act of periodically repeating the sending of the first ping message to nodes in both directions on the ring relative to the current node.
7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving a second ping message from a neighborhood node comprises an act of considering the lack of a ping from the originating neighborhood node being received periodically as an indication that communications have failed between the current node and the originating neighborhood node.
8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the act of considering the lack of a ping from the originating neighborhood node being received periodically as an indication that communications have failed between the current node and the originating neighborhood node comprises an act of accessing configuration state associated with the proximal ring on which the ping message was expected by the current node.
9. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act receiving a second ping message from a neighborhood node comprises an act of current node receiving an indication that the neighborhood node directly sending the second ping message to the current node is participating as a neighbor of the current node not withstanding that the neighborhood node that directly sent the second ping message may not be the originating node of the second ping message.
10. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an act of the current node forwarding the second ping message.
11. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the act of the current node forwarding the second ping message comprising an act of forwarding the second ping message to a plurality of other nodes.
12. The method as recited in claim 10, wherein the act of the current node forwarding the second ping message comprises an act of forwarding the second ping message based on a ping distribution pattern.
13. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the act of forwarding the second ping message based on a ping distribution pattern comprises an act of forwarding the second ping message based on a ping distribution pattern applicable to the proximity ring the send ping message is to be sent to.
14. The method as recited in claim 12, wherein the act of forwarding the second ping message based on a ping distribution pattern comprises an act of forwarding the second ping message to a plurality of other nodes on a ring in a direction away from an originating node of the second ping message.
15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of proximally routing an update request message to a perfect routing node comprises an act of periodically re-routing an update message.
16. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an act of the current node being configured to expect to receive update messages periodically.
17. The method as recited claim 16, further comprising:
an act of the current node detecting a communications failure in response to not receiving an expected update message from a sending routing partner.
18. The method as recited in claim 17, further comprising:
an act of appropriately updating node information to indicate that the current node and the neighborhood node are participating as neighbors and that the current node and the routing node are participating as routing partners.
19. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an act of querying an application component associated with the current node to obtain application specific neighborhood data; and
an act of including any obtained application specific neighborhood data in the first ping message such that the application specific neighborhood data is piggybacked in the first ping message.
20. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the act of querying an application component associated with the current node to obtain application specific neighborhood data comprises an act of querying an application component for application state information that is to be shared with corresponding application components associated with other nodes.
21. The method as recited in claim 19, wherein the act of querying an application component for application state information that is to be shared with corresponding application components associated with other nodes comprises an act of querying an application component for sequenced application state information.
22. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of sending a first ping message to a neighborhood node comprises an act of sending a first ping message to a neighborhood node in one of a plurality of proximity rings the current node participates in.
23. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of sending a first ping message to a neighborhood node comprises an act of sending a first ping message that indicates any neighborhood nodes and routing partners for the current node.
24. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein the act of sending a first ping message that indicates any neighborhood nodes and routing partners for the current node comprises an act of a first ping message that indicates, via a liveness header, any neighborhood nodes and routing partners for the current node.
25. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving a second ping message from at least one neighborhood node comprises an act of receiving a second ping message from a neighborhood node in one of a plurality of proximity rings the current node participates in.
26. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving a second ping message from at least one neighborhood node comprises an act of receiving a second ping message that indicates any neighborhood nodes and routing partners of a neighborhood node that originated the second ping message.
27. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving a second ping message from at least one neighborhood node comprises an act of receiving a second ping message that includes application specific neighborhood data piggybacked within the second ping message.
28. The method as recited in claim 27, wherein the act of receiving a second ping message that includes piggybacked application specific neighborhood data comprises an act of receiving a second ping message having sequenced application state information.
29. The method as recited in claim 28, further comprising:
an act of offering the application specific neighborhood data to an application component associated with the current node.
30. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of sending an update message to a routing node comprises an act of routing an update message to a perfect routing node identity in one of a plurality of proximity rings the current node participates in.
31. The method as recite in claim 1, further comprising:
an act of accessing application specific data from an application component associated with the current node; and
an act of piggybacking the accessed application specific data in the update request message prior to sending the update request message.
32. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving an update response message from the routing node comprises an act of receiving an update response message that includes application specific data piggybacked within the update response.
33. The method as recited in claim 32, further comprising:
an act of offering the application specific data to an application component associated with the current node.
34. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the act of receiving an update response from the routing node comprising an act of receiving an update response form a routing node in one of a plurality of proximity rings the current node participates in.
35. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:
an act of the current node determining that its view of the federation infrastructure has become unbalanced.
36. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising:
an act of one or more nodes in the federation infrastructure exchanging synchronization messages to rebalance at least the current node’s view of the federation infrastructure.
37. The method as recited in claim 35, further comprising:
an act of the one or more nodes exchanging update messages to rebalance at least the current node’s view of the federation infrastructure.
38. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein one or more of the sent and received messages includes one or more liveness headers, each liveness header identifying the state of a node in the federation infrastructure based on at least a node ID, an Instance ID, a phase value, and a freshness value.
39. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein one or more of the liveness headers further includes at least an identifying color and weight.
40. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein the Instance ID is ordered within the context of a given node ID.
41. The method as recited in claim 38, wherein a phase value includes an ordered phase-state value that advances forward through a well defined set of phase-states.
42. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein the well defined set of phase-states are: an inserting phase, a sync phase, a routing phase, and an operating phase in order.
43. The method as recited in claim 41, wherein a phase value further includes a phase unknown indication.
44. A computer program product for use at a current node in a federating infrastructure, the computer program product for implementing a method for the current node to maintain membership within the federation infrastructure, the computer program product comprising one or more computer-readable media having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the current node to perform the following:
send a first ping message to a neighborhood node, the first ping message indicating to the neighborhood node the current node is participating as a neighbor of the neighborhood node and including routing partner and neighborhood nodes’ state of the current node;
receive a second ping message from a neighborhood node, the second ping message indicating to the current node at least that the neighborhood node originating the second ping message is participating as a neighbor of the current node and including routing partner and neighborhood nodes’ state of the originating neighborhood node;
proximally route an update request message to a processing routing node, the update request message indicating to the processing routing node that the current node is participating as a routing partner of the routing node and including at least the current node’s neighborhood nodes’ identities; and
receive an update response message from the processing routing node, the update response indicating to the current node that the processing routing node is participating as a routing partner of the current node and including at least the processing routing partner’s neighborhood nodes’ identities.

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 of making an endless image-forming medium which comprises:
bringing the ends of a strip of semi-crystalline support material together,
fusing these ends together to form an endless support,
post-crystallizing the fused ends, and
applying an image-forming layer to the endless support, wherein prior to the application of the image-forming layer at least a part of the endless support containing the post crystallized used ends which is free of any image-forming layer stretched and heated at the same time to a temperature above the glass transition temperature of the support material.
2. The method according to claim 1, wherein after heating above the glass transition temperature and before the application of the image-forming layer, the support material is cooled to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the support material.
3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the entire endless support is stretched.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the endless support is stretched over a drum having a radius slightly larger than the length L of the strip divided by 2\u03c0.
5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the support is heated to a temperature above the glass transition temperature by placing a drum on which the endless support is applied in an oven.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image-forming layer comprises a dielectric layer which is applied as a solution, whereafter the solvent is evaporated.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image-forming layer comprises a metal layer which is applied to the surface of the endless support.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein a polyester is used as the support material.
9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the polyester used as the support material is polyethyleneterephthalate.

1. A medical imaging system comprising:
a camera head including a camera surface, said camera surface defining a field of view where a patient’s body is to be placed;
a mechanism for rotating said camera head around said patient’s body in a first plane and moving said camera head in a second plane substantially parallel to said first plane;
a light source being adapted to emit a light beam which travels over and substantially parallel to said camera surface, said light source being mounted on said camera head;
a light detector being adapted to detect said light beam emitted from said light source at least at multiple heights over said camera surface, said light detector being mounted on said camera head and being spatially separated from said light source such that a space between said light source and said light detector is sufficient to place said patient’s body therein;
a module for analysing characteristics detected by said light detector and measuring a distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface; and
a controller for controlling said mechanism based on an output of said module to adjust a relative distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface.
2. A system according to claim 1, wherein said controller is adapted to prevent said camera head and said patient’s body from approaching each other based on interruption or disturbance in said light beam.
3. A system according to claim 2, wherein said controller is adapted to adjust said predetermined distance.
4. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light source includes a laser.
5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light detector includes a charge coupled device (CCD) or a photodiode.
6. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light source is adapted to oscillate in such a manner that said light beam sweeps over the camera surface and said light detector is adapted to detect the light beam at said multiple heights or at said multiple heights and at multiple points substantially parallel to the camera surface.
7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged perpendicular to the camera surface.
8. A system according to claim 6, wherein said light detector comprises an optical bar for receiving said sweeping light beam at said multiple heights and a photo-sensor for detecting said received light beam.
9. A system according to claim 6, further comprising:
an additional light source being adapted to oscillate in such a manner that a light beam emitted by said additional light source sweeps over the camera surface, and
an additional light detector being adapted to detect said additional light beam at multiple points to the camera surface,
wherein the light beams emitted by said two light sources are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of the camera surface.
10. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light source is adapted to emit a sheet-like light beam which travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
11. A system according to claim 10, wherein said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged perpendicular to said camera surface.
12. A system according to claim 10, wherein said light detector comprises an optical bar for receiving said light beam at said multiple heights, and a photo-sensor for detecting said received light beam.
13. A system according to claim 10, wherein said light detector has an elongated shape, and is mounted on said camera head so as to extend substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
14. A system according to claim 10, wherein said light source is adapted to oscillate in such a manner that said sheet-like light beam sweeps over said camera surface, and said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns which detect said sweeping sheet-like light beam.
15. A system according to claim 14, further comprising:
an additional light source being adapted to emit a sheet-like light beam which travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface, said additional light source being adapted to oscillate in such a manner that said sheet-like light beam emitted by said additional light source sweeps over said camera surface, and
an additional light detector comprising a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns which detect said additional sheet-like light beam during the sweeping thereof,
wherein said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
16. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light source includes a plurality of light emitters arranged substantially perpendicular to said camera surface, each of said light emitter is adapted to emit a light beam substantially parallel to said camera surface, and each of said multiple heights corresponds to the height of a respective light emitter.
17. A system according to claim 16, wherein said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged perpendicular to said camera surface, each of which corresponds to a respective light emitter.
18. A system according to claim 16, wherein said light source is adapted to oscillate in such a manner that a light beam emitted by each of said light emitters sweeps over said camera surface, and said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns.
19. A system according to claim 18, further comprising:
an additional light source comprising a plurality of light emitters arranged substantially perpendicular to said camera surface, each of said light emitters being adapted to emit a light beam substantially parallel to said camera surface, said additional light source being adapted to oscillate in such a manner that a light beam emitted by each of said light beams sweeps over said camera surface, and
an additional light detector comprising a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns,
wherein said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
20. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light source comprises a plurality of light emitters arranged in rows and columns, and said light detector comprises a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns, each of said light emitters corresponding to a respective photo-sensor.
21. A system according to claim 1, wherein said light beam is capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of the camera surface.
22. A system according to claim 21, wherein said camera head is adapted to scan said patient’s body, and said apparatus is adapted to keep adjusting said relative distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface at a predetermined value during said scanning.
23. A system according to claim 22, further comprising means for memorizing a path of said camera head according to a profile of said patient after said body scanning.
24. A system according to claim 21, wherein said light source includes a laser.
25. A system according to claim 21, wherein said light detector includes a charge coupled device (CCD) and a photodiode.
26. A system according to claim 1, further comprising a profile detector for detecting a profile of said patient based on said characteristics detected by said light detector.
27. A system according to claim 26, further comprising a memory for storing said profile, said controller being capable of adjusting said relative distance based on said profile stored in said memory.
28. A system according to claim 1, wherein said mechanism includes:
(i) an annular support for defining an orifice around said patient’s body, and being rotatable around said patient’s body,
(ii) an elongate support for supporting said camera head and being rotatable with said annular support, and
(iii) a guide for controlling said elongate support such that said camera head is moved substantially parallel to a plane defined by said orifice.
29. A method of positioning a camera head in a medical system, said camera head having a camera surface, said camera surface defining a field of view where a patient’s body is to be placed, said method comprising the steps of:
at a light source, projecting a light beam in such a manner that said light beam travels over and substantially parallel to said camera surface, said light source being mounted on said camera head;
at a light detector, detecting said light beam at least at multiple heights over said camera surface, said light detector being mounted on said camera head and being spatially separated from said light source such that a space between said light source and said light detector is sufficient to place said patient’s body therein;
at a controller, analysing characteristics in said detected light beam, including measuring a distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface, said light beam being interrupted or disturbed by said patient’s body placed in said field of view; and
based on the analysis, moving said camera head or the patient’s body to adjust a relative distance between said camera surface and said patient’s body, said camera head being rotatable around said patient’s body in a rotation plane and movable substantially parallel to said rotation plane.
30. A method according to claim 29, further comprising steps of:
scanning said patient’s body with said camera head; and
adjusting said relative distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface during said scanning.
31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising steps of:
detecting a profile of said patient based on said analysis; and
memorizing a path of said camera head according to said profile of said patient after said step of body scanning.
32. A method according to claim 29, wherein said projecting step includes the step of emitting a plurality of light beams which travel substantially parallel to said camera surface and cover a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
33. A method according to claim 32, further comprising the steps of:
at an additional light source, emitting a sheet-like light beam which travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface;
moving said additional light source such that said sheet-like light beam sweeps over said camera surface;
at a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns, detecting said sweeping sheet-like light beam,
whereby said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
34. A method according to claim 29, wherein said projecting step includes the step of emitting a sheet-like light beam which travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
35. A method according to claim 29, wherein said projecting step includes the step of moving said light source such that said light beam sweeps over said camera surface.
36. A method according to claim 35, wherein said detecting step includes the step of detecting said sweeping light beam at said multiple heights or at said multiple heights and at multiple points parallel to said camera surface.
37. A method according to claim 35, further comprising the steps of:
at an additional light source, emitting a plurality of additional light beams which travel substantially parallel to said camera surface and cover a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface;
moving said additional light source such that said additional light beams sweep over said camera surface;
at a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns, detecting said sweeping light beams,
whereby said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
38. A method according to claim 29, wherein said medical system includes (i) an annular support for defining an orifice around said patient’s body, and being rotatable around said patient’s body, and (ii) an elongate support for supporting said camera head and being rotatable with said annular support, and
said moving step includes the step of controlling said elongate support such that said camera head is moved substantially parallel to a plane defined by said orifice.
39. An apparatus for controlling a relative distance between a patient and a camera head, said camera head being adapted to produce image of said patient and defining a field of view, said apparatus comprising:
a light source including a plurality of light emitters arranged substantially perpendicular to said camera surface and being adapted to emit a plurality of light beams substantially parallel to said camera surface, said light source being mounted on said camera head;
a light detector being adapted to detect said light beams at least at multiple heights over said camera surface, said light detector being mounted on said camera head and being spatially separated from said light source such that a space between said light source and said light detector is sufficient to place said patient’s body therein;
a module for analysing interruption or disturbance in said light beams and measuring a distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface; and
a mechanism for adjusting said relative distance between said patient and said camera surface based on an output of said module.
40. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said light detector includes a plurality of photo-sensors arranged substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
41. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said light detector has an elongated shape, and is mounted on said camera head so as to extend substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
42. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said light source is oscillated such that said light beam sweeps over said camera surface.
43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said light detector includes an optical bar for receiving said sweeping light beam, and a photo-sensor for detecting said received light beam.
44. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said light source includes a plurality of light emitters arranged in rows and columns, and said light detector is adapted to detect light beams emitted by said light emitters.
45. An apparatus according to claim 39, further comprising:
an additional light source being adapted to emit a set of light beams or a sheet-like light beam such that said set of light beams or said sheet-like light beam travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface; and
a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns arranged for said additional light source,
wherein said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
46. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein said module includes a detection module for detecting a profile of said patient’s body based on said interruption or disturbance.
47. An apparatus for controlling a relative distance between a patient and a camera head, said camera head being adapted for producing image of said patient and defining a field of view, said apparatus comprising:
a light source being adapted to emit a sheet-like light beam which travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and covers a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface, said light source being mounted on said camera head;
a light detector being adapted to detect said sheet-like light beam at least at multiple heights over said camera surface, said light detector being mounted on said camera head and being spatially separated from said light source such that a space between said light source and said light detector is sufficient to place said patient’s body therein;
a module for analysing interruption or disturbance in said sheet-like light beam and measuring a distance between said patient’s body and said camera surface; and
a mechanism for adjusting said relative distance between said patient and said camera surface based on an output of said module.
48. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said light detector includes a plurality of photo-sensors arranged substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
49. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said light detector has an elongated shape, and is mounted on said camera head so as to extend substantially perpendicular to said camera surface.
50. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said light source is oscillated such that said sheet-like light beam sweeps over said camera surface.
51. An apparatus according to claim 50, wherein said light detector includes an optical bar for receiving said sweeping light beam, and a photo-sensor for detecting said received light beam.
52. An apparatus according to claim 47, wherein said light source includes a plurality of light emitters arranged in rows and columns, and said light detector is adapted to detect light beams emitted by said light emitters.
53. An apparatus according to claim 47, further comprising:
an additional light source being adapted to emit a set of light beams or an additional sheet-like light beam such that said set of light beams or said additional sheet-like light beam travels substantially parallel to said camera surface and cover a plane substantially perpendicular to said camera surface; and
a plurality of photo-sensors arranged in rows and columns arranged for said additional light source,
wherein said light beams emitted by said light source and said additional light source are capable of sweeping substantially the whole area of said camera surface.
54. A method according to claim 47, wherein said module includes a detection module for detecting a profile of said patient’s body based on said interruption or disturbance.

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 compound of the formula I:
wherein:
A is selected from the group consisting of phenyl, naphthyl and heteroaryl;
R1a, R1b and R1c are independently selected from the group consisting of:
(1) hydrogen,
(2) halogen,
(3) hydroxyl,
(4) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014On\u2014C1-6 alkyl, where m is 0 or 1, n is 0 or 1 (wherein if m is 0 or n is 0, a bond is present) and where the alkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(5) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014On\u2014C3-6cycloalkyl, where the cycloalkyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(6) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014C2-4 alkenyl, where the alkenyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(7) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014C2-4 alkynyl, where the alkynyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(8) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014On-phenyl or \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014On-naphthyl, where the phenyl or naphthyl is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(9) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014On-heterocycle, where the heterocycle is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4,
(10) \u2014(C\u2550O)m\u2014NR10R11, wherein R10 and R11 are independently selected from the group consisting of:
(a) hydrogen,
(b) C1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,
(c) C3-6 alkenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,
(d) C3-6 alkynyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,
(e) C3-6cycloalkyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,
(f) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4, and
(g) heterocycle, which is unsubstituted or substituted with R4,

(11) \u2014S(O)2\u2014NR10R11,
(12) \u2014S(O)q\u2014R12, where q is 0, 1 or 2 and where R12 is selected from the definitions of R10 and R11,
(13) \u2014CO2H,
(14) \u2014CN, and
(15) \u2014NO2;

R3 is selected from C1-6alkyl and C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents selected from R4;
R4 is selected from the group consisting of:
(1) hydroxyl,
(2) halogen,
(3) C1-6alkyl,
(4) \u2014C3-6cycloalkyl,
(5) \u2014O\u2014C1-6 alkyl,
(6) \u2014O(C\u2550O)\u2014C1-6alkyl,
(7) \u2014NH2,
(7) \u2014NH\u2014C1-6 alkyl,
(8) \u2014NO2,
(9) phenyl,
(10) heterocycle,
(11) \u2014CO2H, and
(12) \u2014CN;

R5 is selected from the group consisting of:
(1) C1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or phenyl,
(2) C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with C1-6 alkyl, halogen or phenyl, and
(3) phenyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with C1-6 alkyl, halogen or phenyl;

R6 is selected from the group consisting of:
(1) hydrogen,
(2) halogen,
(3) C2-6alkenyl,
(4) C3-6cycloalkyl,
(5) \u2014(C\u2550O)\u2014H, and
(6) \u2014(C\u2550O)\u2014C1-6alkyl;

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
2. The compound of claim 1 of the formula Ia:
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
3. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1a, R1b and R1c are independently selected from the group consisting of:
(1) hydrogen,
(2) halogen,
(3) hydroxyl,
(4) C1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,
(5) \u2014O\u2014C1-6 alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl or phenyl,
(6) \u2014CN, and
(7) heteroaryl, wherein heteroaryl is selected from imidazolyl, indolyl, oxazolyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrimidinyl, tetrazolyl, and triazolyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen, hydroxyl, C1-6 alkyl, \u2014O\u2014C1-6 alkyl or \u2014NO2.
4. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R3 is methyl.
5. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of:
(1) C1-6alkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with halogen or phenyl,
(2) C3-6cycloalkyl, which is unsubstituted or substituted with C1-6alkyl or halogen, and
(3) phenyl.
6. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R5 is selected from the group consisting of: methyl, fluoro-methyl, difluoro-methyl, ethyl, fluoroethyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, 2,2-difluoro-ethyl, phenyl, and benzyl.
7. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R5 is methyl, ethyl or isopropyl.
8. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R6 is selected from the group consisting of:
(1) hydrogen,
(2) fluoro,
(3) chloro,
(4) bromo,
(5) methyl,
(6) ethenyl,
(7) \u2014(C\u2550O)\u2014H, and
(8) \u2014(C\u2550O)\u2014CH3.
9. The compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R6 is hydrogen.
10. A compound which is selected from the group consisting of:
4-ethoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
3-bromo-4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(benzyloxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(1-methylethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(1-methylethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-ethoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{4-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridin-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{3-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-methoxypyridine;
3-({(2R,5R)-5-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)-4-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)benzamide;
2-({(3R,6R)-1-(2-cyclopropylphenyl)carbonyl-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}oxy)-4-methoxypyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(trifluoromethyl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-({(3R,6R)-1-(2-ethoxyphenyl)carbonyl-6-methylpiperidin-3-yl}oxy)-4-methoxypyridine;
6-methoxy-3-({(2R,5R)-5-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)-2-phenylpyridine;
4-methoxy-2-({(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-(4-phenylisothiazol-5-yl)carbonylpiperidin-3-yl}oxy)pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{2-fluoro-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-methoxypyridine;
6-methoxy-3-({(2R,5R)-5-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-methoxypyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-1-{4-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-cyclopropyl-6-methoxy-3-({(2R,5R)-5-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)pyridine;
2-chloro-6-methoxy-3-({(2R,5R)-5-(4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl}carbonyl)pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(1-methylethoxy)pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{4-methoxy-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(1-methylethoxy)pyridine;
6-methoxy-3-{(2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-{4-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-1-{5-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(1-methylethoxy)pyridine;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-((4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-((4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)piperidin-1-yl)methanone;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-({2-(methylsulfonyl)methylphenyl}carbonyl)-piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
1-(2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile;
2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}-3-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-1-{3-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-1-{4-fluoro-2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-1-{2-fluoro-6-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-6-methylpiperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-(cyclopropyloxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}-piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(oxetan-3-yloxy)pyridine;
4-(2-methylpropoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}-4-propoxypyridine;
2-(2-{(2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-{4-(1-methylethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}phenyl)pyrimidine;
2-(2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}phenyl)pyrimidine;
2-(2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}-5-fluorophenyl)pyrimidine;
2-(2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}pyridin-3-yl)pyrimidine;
4-methoxy-3-methyl-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2,4-dimethoxy-6-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine-3-carbaldehyde;
1-(4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridin-3-yl)ethanone;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-((4-(difluoromethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)phenyl)((2R,5R)-5-((4-(fluoromethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)-((2R,5R)-5-((4-(difluoromethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone;
4-(difluoromethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{4-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
1-(2-{(2R,5R)-5-{4-(difluoromethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}-2-methylpiperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}phenyl)cyclopropanecarbonitrile;
4-(difluoromethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-tetrazol-2-yl)phenylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
((2R,5R)-5-((4-methoxypyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone;
4-methoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
(2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)-((2R,5R)-5-((4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)methanone;
4-(1-methylethoxy)-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
4-ethoxy-2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}pyridine;
2-{(3R,6R)-6-methyl-1-{2-(2H-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)thiophen-3-ylcarbonyl}piperidin-3-yloxy}-4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridine;
((2R,5R)-5-((4-(2,2-difluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yl)oxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone;
((2R,5R)-5-(4-ethoxypyridin-2-yloxy)-2-methylpiperidin-1-yl)(2-(pyrimidin-2-yl)thiophen-3-yl)methanone; and
2-(3-{(2R,5R)-2-methyl-5-{4-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)pyridin-2-yloxy}piperidin-1-ylcarbonyl}thiophen-2-yl)pyrimidine;
or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
11. A pharmaceutical composition which comprises an inert carrier and a compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. A method for enhancing the quality of sleep in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
15. A method for treating insomnia in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
16. A method for treating or controlling obesity in a mammalian patient in need thereof which comprises administering to the patient a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.