All The Claims

1. A latch system comprising:
a latch bolt;
a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position;
a first release member;
a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl;
a second release member;
a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl, wherein a portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch;
a first device capable of holding the lock link in the second position;
a second device capable of holding the lock link in the second position; and
a third device capable of holding the lock link in the second position, wherein the single operation of the first release member moves the lock link into the first position without opening the latch such that a second operation of the first release member after the single operation of the first release member opens the latch.
2. The latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein the lock link is operably connected to a magnetic component, and the first device is an electromagnet operable to hold the magnetic component in a position such that the lock link is held in the second position.
3. The latch system as defined in claim 2 wherein the second device includes a permanent magnet moveable to a position by changing a magnetic field of the first device so that the lock link is held in the second position.
4. The latch system as defined in claim 3 wherein the magnetic field local to the permanent magnet is generated by the electromagnet.
5. The latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein the third device includes an abutment moveable to a position such that the lock link is held in the second position.
6. The latch system as defined in claim 5 wherein the third device moves generally linearly.
7. The latch system as defined in claim 5 wherein the third device moves generally rotationally.
8. The latch system as defined in claim 5 wherein the third device both translates and rotates.
9. The latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein operation of the first release member causes the third device to free the lock link for movement to the first position.
10. The latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein the third device is manually moveable to a position at which the third device retains the lock link in the second position.
11. The latch system as defined in claim 1 including a motor operable to unlatch the latch.
12. The latch system as defined in claim 11 wherein, during power opening of the latch, the motor causes the third device to free the lock link before movement to the first position.
13. The latch system as defined in claim 11 wherein the motor is capable of moving the third device to a position such that the lock link is retained in the second position.
14. The latch system as defined in claim 1 wherein the lock link is moveable between the first position and the second position by a first control member.
15. The latch system as defined in claim 14 wherein the first control member is moveable by a second control member.
16. The latch system as defined in claim 15 wherein at least one of the first device, the second device and the third device act on the second control member to retain the lock link in the second position.
17. A latch system comprising:
a latch bolt;
a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position;
a first release member;
a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl;
a second release member;
a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl, wherein a portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch and wherein the single operation of the first release member moves the lock link into the first position without opening the latch such that a second operation of the first release member after the single operation of the first release member opens the latch;
a device capable of holding the lock link in the second position, wherein the lock link is moveable between the first position and the second position by a first control member, the first control member is moveable by a second control member, and the device acts on the second control member to hold the lock link in the second position; and
a resilient device that acts to bias the lock link to the first position.
18. A latch system comprising:
a latch bolt;
a pawl for releasably retaining the latch bolt in a closed position;
a first release member;
a first transmission path connecting the first release member to the pawl;
a second release member;
a second transmission path connecting the second release member to the pawl;
a portion of the first transmission path and a portion of the second transmission path have a common portion, the common portion including a lock link having a first position at which the lock link completes the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that operation of either the first release member or the second release member opens a latch, and the lock link having a second position at which the lock link breaks the first transmission path and the second transmission path such that a single operation of either the first release member or the second release member does not open the latch; a device capable of holding the lock link in the second position and wherein the single operation of the first release member moves the lock link into the first position without opening the latch such that a second operation of the first release member after the single operation of the first release member opens the latch; and

a motor operable to unlatch the latch, wherein during power opening of the latch, the motor causes the device to free the lock link for movement to the first position, and the motor is capable of moving the device to a position such that the lock link is retained in the second position.

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

What is claimed is:

1. A customer conversion system, comprising:
a data processing unit including a real-time clock and an input;
a first sensor having an output indicative of each activation of the first sensor; and
a first interface unit connecting the output of the first sensor to the input of the data processing unit.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a software program executing on the data processing unit which performs:
receiving the output of the first sensor from the interface unit; and
storing a record of the output of the first sensor together with a

time-stamp based on the real-time clock.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising:
a security system to which the first sensor output is connected.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising:
a second sensor having an output indicative of each activation thereof;
a second interface unit connecting the output of the second sensor to the input of the data processing unit; and
a multiplexer through which the first interface unit and the second interface unit connect the output of the first sensor and the output of the second sensor to the input of the data processing unit.
5. In a retail store including a security system having sensors which detect entry of a person and a data processing unit including a real-time clock, a customer conversion system, comprising:
a first interface unit connecting a first one of the sensors from the security system to the data processing unit; and
a software program executing on the data processing unit directing the data processing unit to:
receive a signal indicating entry of a person from the sensor through the interface unit, and
store a record of receipt of the signal together with a time-stamp indicating when the signal was received.
6. The system of claim 5, further comprising:
in the software program executing on the data processing unit, directing the data processing unit to:
generate the time-stamp based on a current value obtained from the real-time clock.
7. The system of claim 5, further comprising:
a second one of the sensors of the security system;
a second interface unit connecting the second one of the sensors from the security system to the data processing unit; and
a multiplexer through which the first interface unit and the second interface unit connect the first one of the sensors and the second one of the sensors to the data processing unit.
8. The system of claim 7, further comprising:
in the software program executing on the data processing unit, directing the data processing unit to:
generate the time-stamp based on a current value obtained from the real-time clock.

1. A portable power source system comprising a battery pack for accommodating at least one secondary battery and a mounting part for mounting said battery pack,
said mounting part being disposed in power using equipment,
said battery pack comprising a charge circuit having a charge terminal and a discharge circuit having a discharge terminal, and said charge circuit comprising a control circuit for controlling a voltage and a current during charging,
said mounting part comprising a protruding external terminal for connecting with said discharge terminal, said battery pack comprising an inserting part for inserting said external terminal, and said discharge terminal being disposed in a concealed position inside said inserting part,
said battery pack being movable from an initial position to a fixing position while said external terminal has been inserted in said inserting part, and connection between said external terminal and said discharge terminal being achieved at said fixing position, and
said battery pack being movable from the initial position to the fixing position in a direction different from the inserting direction.
2. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said charge terminal and discharge terminal respectively comprise both a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, and said negative electrode terminals are mutually electrically independent while said positive electrode terminals are united and have equivalent potential.
3. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said battery pack comprises a thermistor terminal for temperature measurement.
4. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said charge circuit further comprises a thermal protector.
5. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said discharge circuit does not comprise a current regulating device.
6. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said charge terminal is not concealed but exposed to the outside.
7. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said secondary battery is a lithium-ion secondary battery.
8. The portable power source system in accordance with claim 1, wherein said power using equipment is an electric tool, an electric vacuum cleaner, an electric bicycle or an electric motorbike.
9. A portable power source system comprising a battery pack for accommodating at least one secondary battery and a mounting part for mounting said battery pack,
said mounting part being disposed in power using equipment,
said battery pack comprising a charge circuit having a charge terminal and a discharge circuit having a discharge terminal, and said charge circuit comprising a control circuit for controlling a voltage and a current during charging,
said mounting part comprising a protruding external terminal for connecting with said discharge terminal, said battery pack comprising an inserting part for inserting said external terminal, and said discharge terminal being disposed in a concealed position inside said inserting part,
said battery pack being movable from an initial position to a fixing position while said external terminal has been inserted in said inserting part, and connection between said external terminal and said discharge terminal being achieved at said fixing position, and
said battery pack being rotatable from the initial position to the fixing position.
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 device for testing a sample solution comprising a test chamber comprising a test component enclosed by an air impermeable casing, a sample inlet distal from the test component capable of being connected to a sample solution and, in a test position, maintaining a higher altitude than the liquid level within the test chamber, a sealable air vent distal from the sample inlet capable of permitting air to exit the test chamber when a sample solution flows into the test chamber through the sample inlet and being closed by a sealing means and stopping sample inflow through the sample inlet when sufficient sample solution flows into the test chamber and before the liquid level within the test chamber reaches the level of the sample inlet.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sample solution is a sample from a group of solutions including, but not limited, to bodily fluid, environmental water, and liquid extraction of a dry material.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the test component is a lateral flow test strip for testing substances including, but not limited to, drugs, infectious pathogens, chemicals, antigens, antibodies, and enzymes.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the test component is a lateral flow test strip.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the sealing means is a capillary porous plug permeable to air in dry condition and becomes non permeable when moisturized by a sample solution.
6. A test device for collecting and testing a sample solution comprising a sample collection cup, a lid capable of covering the sample collection cup defined by a bottom, sidewalls, and an opening, and a test chamber comprising a test chamber comprising a test component enclosed by an air impermeable casing, a sample inlet distal from the test component capable of being connected to a sample solution and, in a test position, maintaining a higher altitude than the liquid level within the test chamber, a sealable air vent distal from the sample inlet capable of permitting air to exit the test chamber when a sample solution flows into the test chamber through the sample inlet and being closed by a sealing means and stopping sample inflow through the sample inlet when sufficient sample solution flows into the test chamber and before the liquid level within the test chamber reaches the level of the sample inlet.
7. The test device of claim 6, wherein the sample inlet is disposed at the bottom of the sample collection cup.
8. The test device of claim 6, wherein the test chamber is disposed at the lid of the device.
9. A method for testing a sample solution comprising introducing a sample solution into device comprising a test chamber comprising a test component enclosed by an air impermeable casing, a sample inlet distal from the test component capable of being connected to a sample solution and, in a test position, maintaining a higher altitude than the liquid level within the test chamber, a sealable air vent distal from the sample inlet capable of permitting air to exit the test chamber when a sample solution flows into the test chamber through the sample inlet and being closed by a sealing means and stopping sample inflow through the sample inlet when sufficient sample solution flows into the test chamber and before the liquid level within the test chamber reaches the level of the sample inlet.