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Mould for nano-printing, process for manufacturing such a mould and use of such a mould
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The invention relates to a mould for nano-printing, comprising recess and projection type patterns (12). It also comprises one or several ducts (13), each providing a communication between a mould pattern and a reservoir area (14).
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1. Mould for nano-printing, comprising recess and projection type patterns (12), characterised in that it comprises one or several ducts (13), each providing a communication between a mould pattern (12) and a reservoir area (14). 2. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that a duct (13) opens up in a recess (12.1). 3. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that the duct cross-section is smaller than the surface area of the pattern (12) at which it opens up. 4. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that the reservoir area (14) comprises a single reservoir. 5. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that the reservoir area (14) comprises a plurality of reservoirs (14.1, 14.3). 6. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 5, characterised in that the reservoirs (14.1, 14.3) are independent. 7. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 5, characterised in that the reservoirs (14.1) communicate with each other. 8. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that a duct (13) has an approximately constant cross-section. 9. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that a duct (13.a, 13.b)) has a variable cross-section. 10. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 9, characterised in that a duct (13.a, 13.b) is approximately tapered. 11. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 1, characterised in that the reservoir area (14) communicates with the outside of the mould. 12. Mould for nano-printing according to claim 11, characterised in that the communication is made using at least one duct (17) that opens up at the periphery of the mould. 13. Process for manufacturing a mould for nano-printing, having recess and projection patterns, characterised in that it comprises several steps using lithography techniques, these steps including a step to make mould patterns, a step to make a reservoir area, a step to make at least one duct providing a communication between the reservoir area and a pattern in the mould, these three steps using cores. 14. Manufacturing process according to claim 13, characterised in that the step to make the reservoir area is done: using lithography to make a first core (24) corresponding to the inside of the reservoir area; encapsulating the first core in a material (25) that is the same as the mould material; levelling the material from which the mould is made, stopping on the first core so as to obtain a first surface; eliminating the first core (24) to expose the inside of the reservoir area. 15. Process for manufacturing a mould according to claim 13, characterised in that the step to make at least one duct is done: using lithography to make a core (26) corresponding to the inside of the duct; encapsulating the core corresponding to the inside of the duct in a material (25) that is the same as the mould material; levelling the mould material stopping on the core corresponding to the inside of the duct so as to obtain a surface; eliminating the core corresponding to the inside of the duct to expose the inside of the duct. 16. Process according to claim 13, characterised in that the pattern production step is done: using lithography to make at least one core (27) corresponding to a recess in the patterns; encapsulating the core corresponding to a recess in the patterns in a material (25) that is the same as the mould material; levelling the mould material stopping on the core corresponding to a recess in the patterns so as to obtain a surface; eliminating the core corresponding to a recess in the patterns to expose the recess. 17. Process according to claim 14, characterised in that the first core is made on a substrate (20) acting as the bottom of the mould. 18. Process according to claims 14 and 15, characterised in that the core (26) corresponding to the inside of the duct is made on the first surface. 19. Process according to claims 15 and 16, characterised in that the core (27) corresponding to a recess in the patterns is made on the surface after levelling and stopping on the core corresponding to the inside of the duct. 20. Process according to claim 14, characterised in that the elimination step is common for the first core, the core corresponding to the inside of the duct, and the core corresponding to a recess in the patterns. 21. Process according to claim 16, characterised in that the core (62) corresponding to a recess in the patterns is made on a substrate (60). 22. Process according to claim 21, characterised in that the substrate (60) is a dual layer (60.1, 60.2). 23. Process according to claims 21, 15, and 16, characterised in that the core (64) corresponding to the inside of the duct is made on the surface obtained after levelling and stopping on the core (62) corresponding to a recess in the patterns. 24. Process according to claim 23, characterised in that the elimination step is common for the core (64) corresponding to the inside of the duct (62), and the core (62) corresponding to a recess in the patterns. 25. Process according to claims 23, 14 and 15, characterised in that the surface obtained after levelling and stopping on the core (64) corresponding to the inside of the duct, is assembled to the first surface after the elimination step. 26. Process according to claim 25, characterised in that the substrate (60) on which the core (62) corresponding to a recess in the patterns is made, is removed after assembly. 27. Process according to claim 13, characterised in that cores are made of a material that has been etched through a mask obtained by lithography. 28. Process according to claim 13, characterised in that cores are made based on a sensitive exposed and developed material. 29. Process according to claim 28, characterised in that it includes a hard bake step between development and encapsulation in order to transform the sensitive material. 30. Process according to claim 28, characterised in that the sensitive material is a photosensitive resin or an electron sensitive resin. 31. Process according to claim 28, characterised in that the sensitive material is a material in the hydrogen silsesquioxanes family. 32. Process according to claim 28, characterised in that the sensitive material is a mineral resin such as aluminium fluoride. 33. Process for moulding a material wherein it comprises a step of pressing a mould according to claim 1 on to the material.
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<SOH> BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS <EOH>This invention will be better understood after reading the description of example embodiments given purely for guidance and in no way limitatively, with reference to the attached drawings among which: FIGS. 1A to 1 D show a sequence of steps in a conventional nano-printing process; FIG. 2 shows moulding defects obtained with a mould according to prior art; FIGS. 3A to 3 C show other moulding defects obtained with a mould according to prior art; FIGS. 4A to 4 D demonstrate problems encountered during use of a mould according to prior art with dense patterns; FIGS. 5A to 5 D show various views of a mould conforming with the invention; FIGS. 6A and 6B show several views of a mould according to the invention for which the reservoir area comprises several reservoirs; FIGS. 7A to 7 O show steps in a first embodiment of a mould according to the invention; FIGS. 8A to 8 D partially show a first variant of the process shown in FIG. 7 ; FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a mould duct according to the invention obtained with the process shown in FIG. 8 ; FIGS. 10A to 10 E partially show another variant of the process shown in FIG. 7 ; FIGS. 11A to 11 G show another embodiment of the reservoir area of a mould according to the invention; FIGS. 12A to 12 K show another embodiment of one or several ducts and patterns in a mould according to the invention; FIGS. 13A, 13B show assembly of the structure in FIG. 11G to the structure in FIG. 12K leading to a mould according to the invention being obtained. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"? Identical, similar or equivalent parts in the different figures described below are marked with the same numeric references so as to facilitate the passage from one figure to the next. The different parts shown in the figures are not necessarily all at the same scale, to make the figures more easily understandable.
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Use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer
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The present invention relates to the use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer to improve the air release of a functional fluid.
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1. A use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer to improve the air release of a functional fluid, 2. The use according to claim 1 wherein the functional fluid has a prescribed ISO viscosity grade. 3. The use according to claim 2, wherein the ISO viscosity grade is in the range of 15 to 3200. 4. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer comprises at least 40% by weight methacrylate repeating units. 5. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid has a viscosity index of at least 120. 6. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid comprises 1-30% by weight polyalkylmethacrylate polymer. 7. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer has a molecular weight in the range of 10000-200000 g/mol, specifically 25000 g/mol-100000 g/mol. 8. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer comprises C9-C24 methacrylate repeating units and C1-C8 methacrylate repeating units. 9. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer comprises repeating units derived from dispersant monomers. 10. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer comprises repeating units derived from styrene. 11. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer comprises repeating units derived from ethoxylated and/or hydroxylated methacrylate monomers. 12. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid comprises antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors and/or defoamers. 13. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid is based on mineral oil, preferably an oil from API Group I, II, or III. 14. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid is based on at least one synthetic basestock, preferably a basestock from API Group IV and V. 15. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the synthetic basestock comprises Poly-alpha olefin (PAO), carboxylic esters (diester, or polyol ester), phosphate ester (trialkyl, triaryl, or alkyl aryl phosphates), and/or polyalkylene glycol (PAG). 16. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer is obtainable by polymerizing a mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers, which consists of a) 0-100 wt % based on the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (I) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R1 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 1-8 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 independently represent hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR′, where R′ means hydrogen or a alkyl group with 1-8 carbon atoms, b) 0-100 wt % based on the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (II) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R4 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 9-16 carbon atoms, R5 and R6 independently are hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR″, where R″ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 9-16 carbon atoms, c) 0-80 wt % based on the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (III) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R7 means a linear ox branched alkyl residue with 17-40 carbon atoms, R8 and R9 independently are hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR′″, where R′″ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 17-40 carbon atoms, d) 0-50 wt % based on the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers comonomers, wherein at least 50 wt % based on the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are methacrylates. 17. The use according to claim 16, wherein the mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers comprises 50 to 95% by weight of the component b). 18. The use according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the mixture of olefinically unsaturated monomers comprises 1 to 30% by weight of the component a). 19. The use according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the functional fluid is a hydraulic fluid.
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<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>The present invention relates to the use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer to improve the air release of a functional fluid. A Use of a Polyalkylmethacrylate Polymer The present invention is directed to a use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer. Lubricants must provide sufficient viscosity at normal operating temperatures to reduce the friction and wear of moving parts. If lubricating films are too thin due to low viscosity, then parts are not adequately protected and may suffer reduced operating life. Extremely low viscosity at maximum operating temperatures can lead to high rates of wear or equipment failure due to seizure/welding. Hydraulic fluids must provide sufficient viscosity at operating temperatures in order to minimize internal pump recycle or leakage. If hydraulic fluid viscosity drops to an undesirable level, pump efficiency will drop to an unacceptable level. Poor pump efficiency leads to energy consumption level that are higher than necessary. In many applications the maximum fluid viscosity is limited by the air release properties of the fluid or lubricant; As the fluid moves through the system, it will typically entrain a certain amount of air due to agitation, splashing, or pressure drop. Systems are typically designed with an oil sump in the circulation path that allows the fluid to sit for a period of time to release entrained air and/or heat. A standard design rule is to size a hydraulic fluid reservoir at 2.5 times the pump flowrate. (Kokernak, R. P., Fluid Power Technology, 1999). It is desirable to size the reservoir as large as possible, however this is not practical in many applications (mobile equipment or confined spaces), and also increases the volume of fluid required and overall costs. A fluid with improved air release properties can enable a system designer to reduce costs and/or improve performance by using a smaller reservoir and oil charge. Fast release of entrained air is important for hydraulic and metalworking fluids, as well as lubricants used in engines, transmissions, turbines, compressors, gear boxes, and roller bearings. It is well known that air bubbles will release quickly from thin fluids (water or light viscosity grade oils), and more slowly from thick fluids (gels or high viscosity grade oils). Viscosity grades are typically used to describe the various categories of fluid viscosity, and are summarized in Table 1. TABLE 1 Viscosity limits of ISO VG categories described by ISO 3448 ISO 3448 Typical Minimum Maximum Viscosity Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity, Grades cSt @ 40° C. cSt @ 40° C. cSt @ 40° C. ISO VG 15 15.0 13.5 16.5 ISO VG 22 22.0 19.8 24.2 ISO VG 32 32.0 28.8 35.2 ISO VG 46 46.0 41.4 50.6 ISO VG 68 68.0 61.2 74.8 ISO VG 100 100.0 90.0 110.0 ISO VG 150 150.0 135.0 165.0 A variety of hydraulic fluid specifications established by equipment builders and regional work groups are summarized in Table 2. It can bee seen that less viscous oils will release air faster than higher viscosity oils. TABLE 2 Global and Regional Air Release Specifications (air release time in minutes measured by ASTM D 3427 or DIN 51 381 test methods) ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO ISO VG VG VG VG VG VG VG 15 22 32 46 68 100 150 ASTM D 5 5 5 10 13 — — 6158 DIN 51524 5 5 5 10 10 14 Swedish — — 8 10 10 — — Standard 14 54 34 ISO 11158 5 5 5 10 13 21 32 AFNOR 5 5 5 7 10 — — NF E 48-603 Air release performance is typically measured by ASTM D3427 or DIN 51 381 test methods. In this test procedure, 180 ml of fluid is stabilized at 50° C. and the original density is measured. An air-in-oil dispersion is created by introducing a stream of compressed air through a capillary tube for 7 minutes. The time required for the fluid to return to within 0.2% of its original density is measured and recorded as the air release time. If the air content of a fluid or lubricant is too high, the fluid may form incomplete oil films in contact zones, or become incapable of maintaining system pressure. High levels of entrained air will also result in cavitation, erosion, and high noise levels. Compression of air bubbles in a liquid can lead to ignition of the vapor inside the bubble, known as the micro-diesel effect. These micro explosions lead to accelerated fluid degradation (temperatures of over 1000° C. are reached) and structural damage of metal parts. It is also well known that certain fluid and lubricant additives can have a negative effect on air release performance. Certain additives used to control foaming tendency have been shown to inhibit air release time. Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,513 discloses a combination of a fluorosilicone antifoamant and a polyacrylate antifoamant being effective in reducing foaming without degrading the air release. However, an improvement in air release cannot be achieved by using the combination according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,766,513. While most fluid or lubricant additives do not have any significant negative effect on air release properties, there are no additives that are known to improve air release performance. As fluids degrade in service due to oxidation or contamination (water, dirt, wear debris, metal fines, combustion residue), air release properties are also known to deteriorate. The only known method for improving air release performance of a new fluid is to reduce viscosity. Used fluids can be restored to their original state with filtration or dehydration techniques. Taking into consideration the prior art, it is an object of this invention to make available functional fluids having an improved air release at a desired viscosity grade. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide functional fluids that have good low temperature properties. Furthermore, it should be possible to produce the fluids in a simple and cost effective manner. Additionally, it is an object of the present invention to supply functional fluids being applicable over a wide temperature range. Furthermore, the fluid should be appropriate for high pressure applications. These as well as other not explicitly mentioned tasks, which, however, can easily be derived or developed from the introductory part, are solved by the use of a polyalkylmethacrylate polymer to improve the air release of a functional fluid. Expedient modifications of the fluids in accordance with the invention are described in the claims. The use of polyalkylmethacrylate polymer to improve the air release of a functional fluid provides a functional fluid at the same desired viscosity grade with improved air release speed. At the same time a number of other advantages can be achieved through the functional fluids in accordance with the invention. Among these are: The functional fluid of the present invention shows an improved low temperature performance and broader temperature operating window. The functional fluid of the present invention can be produced on a cost favorable basis. The functional fluid of the present invention exhibits good resistance to oxidation and is chemically very stable. The viscosity of the functional fluid of the present invention can be adjusted over a broad range. Furthermore, the fluids of the present invention are appropriate for high pressure applications. The functional fluids of the present invention show a minimal change in viscosity due to good shear stability. The fluid of the present invention comprises polyalkylmethacrylate polymer. These polymers obtainable by polymerizing compositions comprising alkylmethacrylate monomers are well known in the art. Preferably, these polyalkylmethacrylate polymers comprise at least 40% by weight, especially at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 60% by weight and most preferably at least 80% by weight methacrylate repeating units. Preferably, these polyalkylmetlacrylate polymers comprise C 9 -C 24 methacrylate repeating units and C 1 -C 8 methacrylate repeating units Preferably, the compositions from which the polyalkylmethacrylate polymers are obtainable contain, in particular, (meth)acrylates, maleates and fumarates that have different alcohol residues. The term (meth)acrylates includes methacrylates and acrylates as well as mixtures of the two. These monomers are to a large extent known. The alkyl residue can be linear, cyclic or branched. Mixtures to obtain preferred polyalkylmethacrylate polymers contain 0 to 100 wt %, preferably 0,5 to 90 wt %, especially 1 to 80 wt %, more preferably 1 to 30 wt %, more preferably 2 to 20 wt % based on the total weight of the monomer mixture of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (1) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R 1 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 1-8 carbon atoms, R 2 and R 3 independently represent hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR′, where R′ means hydrogen or a alkyl group with 1-8 carbon atoms. Examples of component (a) are, among others, (meth)acrylates, fumarates and maleates, which derived from saturated alcohols such as methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl(meth)acrylate, n-propyl(meth)acrylate, isopropyl(meth)acrylate, n-butyl(meth)acrylate, tert-butyl(meth)acrylate, pentyl(meth)acrylate and hexyl (meth)acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl(meth)acrylate, heptyl(meth)acrylate, octyl(meth)acrylate; cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates, like cyclopentyl(meth)acrylate, 3-vinylcyclohexy](meth)acrylate, cyclohexyl(meth)acrylate. Furthermore, the monomer compositions to produce the polyalkylmethacrylates useful in the present invention contain 0-100, preferably 10-99 wt %, especially 20-95 wt % and more preferably 30 to 85 wt % based on the total weight of the monomer mixture of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (II) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R 4 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 9-16 carbon atoms, R 5 and R 6 independently are hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR″, where R″ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 9-16 carbon atoms. Among these are (meth)acrylates, fumarates and maleates that derive from saturated alcohols, such as 2-tert-butylheptyl(meth)acrylate, 3-isopropylheptyl(meth)acrylate, nonyl(meth)acrylate, decyl(meth)acrylate, undecyl(meth)acrylate, 5-methylundecyl(meth)acrylate, dodecyl(meth)acrylate, 2-methyldodecyl(meth)acrylate, tridecyl(meth)acrylate, 5-methyltridecyl(meth)acrylate, tetradecyl(meth)acrylate, pentadecyl(meth)acrylate, hexadecyl(meth)acrylate; cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates such as bornyl(meth)acrylate; and the corresponding fumarates and maleates. Furthermore, the monomer compositions to produce the polyalkylmethacrylates useful in the present invention contain 0-80, preferably 0,5-60 wt %, especially 1-40 wt % and more preferably 2 to 30 wt % based on the total weight of the monomer mixture of one or more ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (III) where R is hydrogen or methyl, R 7 means a linear or branched alkyl residue with 17-40 carbon atoms, R 8 and R 9 independently are hydrogen or a group of the formula —COOR′″, where R′″ means hydrogen or an alkyl group with 17-40 carbon atoms. Among these are (meth)acrylates, fumarates and maleates that derive from saturated alcohols, such as 2-methylhexadecyl(meth)acrylate, heptadecyl(meth)acrylate, 5-isopropylheptadecyl(meth)acrylate, 4-tert-butyloctadecyl(meth)acrylate, 5-ethyloctadecyl(meth)acrylate, 3-isopropyloctadecyl(meth)acrylate, octadecyl(meth)acrylate, nonadecyl(meth)acrylate, eicosyl(meth)acrylate, cetyleicosyl(meth)acrylate, stearyleicosyl(meth)acrylate, docosyl(meth)acrylate, and/or eicosyltetratriacontyl(meth)acrylate; cycloalkyl(meth)acrylates such as 2,4,5-tri-t-butyl-3-vinylcyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, 2,3,4,5-tetra-t-butylcyclohexyl(meth)acrylate. The ester compounds with a long-chain alcohol residue, especially components (b) and (c), can be obtained, for example, by reacting (meth)acrylates fumarates, maleates and/or the corresponding acids with long chain fatty alcohols, where in general a mixture of esters such as (meth)acrylates with different long chain alcohol residues results. These fatty alcohols include, among others, Oxo Alcohol® 7911 and Oxo Alcohol® 7900, Oxo Alcohol® 1100; Alfol® 610 and Alfol® 810; Lial® 125 and Nafol®-Types (Sasol Olefins & Surfactant GmbH); Alphanol® 79 (ICI);Epal® 610 and Epal®) 810 (Ethyl Corporation); Linevol® 79, Linevol® 911 and Neodol® 25E (Shell AG); Dehydad®-, Hydrenol- and Lorol®-Types (Cognis); Acropol® 35 and Exxal® 10 (Exxon Chemicals GmbH); Kalcol® 2465 (Kao Chemicals). Of the ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds, the (meth)acrylates are particularly preferred over the maleates and furmarates, i.e., R 2 , R 3 , R 3 , R 6 , R 8 and R 9 of formulas (I) (II) and (III) represent hydrogen in particularly preferred embodiments. Component (d) comprises in particular ethylenically unsaturated monomers that can copolymerize with the ethylenically unsaturated ester compounds of formula (I) (II) and/or (III). Comonomers that correspond to the following formula are especially suitable for polymerization in accordance with the invention: where R 1 and R 2 independently are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, CN, linear or branched alkyl groups with 1-20, preferably 1-6 and especially preferably 1-4 carbon atoms, which can be substituted with 1 to (2n+1) halogen atoms, where n is the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group (for example CF 3 ), α, β-unsaturated linear or branched alkenyl or alkynyl groups with 2-10, preferably 2-6 and especially preferably 2-4 carbon atoms, which can be substituted with 1 to (2n−1) halogen atoms, preferably chlorine, where n is the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group, for example CH 2 ═CCl—, cycloalkyl groups with 3-8 carbon atoms, which can be substituted with 1 to (2n−1) halogen atoms, preferably chlorine, where n is the number of carbon atoms of the cycloalkyl group; C(═Y*)R 5 *, C(═Y*)NR 6 *R 7 *, Y*C(═Y*)R 5 *, SOR 5 *, SO 2 R 5 *, OSO 2 R 5 *, NR 8 *SO 2 R 5 *, PR 5 * 2 , P(═Y*)R 5 * 2 , Y*PR 5* 2 , Y*P(═Y*)R 5 2 , NR 8 * 2 , which can be quaternized with an additional R 8 *, aryl, or heterocyclyl group, where Y* can be NR 8 *, S or O, preferably O; R 5 * is an alkyl group with 1-20 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group with 1-20 carbon atoms, OR 15 (R 15 is hydrogen or an alkali metal), alkoxy with 1-20 carbon atoms, aryloxy or heterocyclyloxy; R 6 * and R 7 * independently are hydrogen or an alkyl group with one to 20 carbon atoms, or R 6 * and R 7 * together can form an alkylene group with 2-7, preferably 2-5 carbon atoms, where they form a 3-8 member, preferably 3-6 member ring, and R 8 * is linear or branched alkyl or aryl groups with 1-20 carbon atoms; R 3 * and R 4 * independently are chosen from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen (preferably fluorine or chlorine), alkyl groups with 1-6 carbon atoms and COOR 9 *, where R 9 * is hydrogen, an alkali metal or an alkyl group with 1-40 carbon atoms, or R 1 * and R 3 * can together form a group of the formula (CH 2 ) n , which can be substituted with 1-2n′ halogen atoms or C 1 -C 4 alkyl groups, or can form a group of the formula C(═O)—Y*—C(═O), where n is from 2-6, preferably 3 or 4, and Y* is defined as before; and where at least 2 of the residues R 1 *, R 2 *, R 3 * and R 4 * are hydrogen or halogen. These include, among others, hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates like 3-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-dihydroxybutyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 2,5-dimethyl-1,6-hexanediol(meth)acrylate, 1,10-decanediol(meth)acrylate; aminoalkyl(meth)acrylates and aminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides like N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)methacrylamide, 3-diethylaminopentyl(meth)acrylate, 3-dibutylaminohexadecyl(meth)acrylate; nitriles of (meth)acrylic acid and other nitrogen-containing (meth)acrylates like N-(methacryloyloxyethyl)diisobutylketimine, N-(methacryloyloxyethyl)dihexadecylketimine, (meth)acryloylamidoacetonitrile, 2-methacryloyloxyethylmethylcyanamide, cyanomethyl(meth)acrylate; aryl(meth)acrylates like benzyl(meth)acrylate or phenyl(meth)acrylate, where the acryl residue in each case can be unsubstituted or substituted up to four times; carbonyl-containing (meth)acrylates like 2-carboxyethyl(meth)acrylate, carboxymethyl(meth)acrylate, oxazolidinylethyl(meth)acrylate, N-methyacryloyloxy)formamide, acetonyl(meth)acrylate, N-methacryloylmorpholine, N-methacryloyl-2-pyrrolidinone, N-(2-methyacryloxyoxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, N-(3-methacryloyloxypropyl)-2-pyrrolidinone, N-(2-methyacryloyloxypentadecyl(-2-pyrrolidinone, N-(3-methacryloyloxyheptadecyl-2-pyrrolidinone; (meth)acrylates of ether alcohols like tetrahydrofurfuryl(meth)acrylate, vinyloxyethoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, methoxyethoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 1-butoxypropyl(meth)acrylate, 1-methyl-(2-vinyloxy)ethyl(meth)acrylate, cyclohexyloxymethyl(meth)acrylate, methoxymethoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, benzyloxymethyl(meth)acrylate, furfuryl(meth)acrylate, 2-butoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-ethoxyethoxymethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-ethoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, ethoxylated(meth)acrylates, allyloxymethyl(meth)acrylate, 1-ethoxybutyl(meth)acrylate, methoxymethyl(meth)acrylate, 1-ethoxyethyl(meth)acrylate, ethoxymethyl(meth)acrylate; (meth)acrylates of halogenated alcohols like 2,3-dibromopropyl(meth)acrylate, 4-bromophenyl(meth)acrylate, 1,3-dichloro-2-propyl(meth)acrylate, 2-bromoethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-iodoethyl(meth)acrylate, chloromethyl(meth)acrylate; oxiranyl(meth)acrylate like 2,3-epoxybutyl(meth)acrylate, 3,4-epoxybutyl(meth)acrylate, 10,11 epoxyundecyl(meth)acrylate, 2,3-epoxycyclohexyl(meth)acrylate, oxiranyl(meth)acrylates such as 10,11-epoxyhexadecyl(meth)acrylate, glycidyl(meth)acrylate; phosphorus-, boron- and/or silicon-containing (meth)acrylates like 2-(dimethylphosphato)propyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(ethylphosphito)propyl(meth)acrylate, 2-dimethylphosphinomethyl(meth)acrylate, dimethylphosphonoethyl(meth)acrylate, diethylmethacryloyl phosphonate, dipropylmethacryloyl phosphate, 2-(dibutylphosphono)ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2,3-butylenemethacryloylethyl borate, methyldiethoxymethacryloylethoxysiliane, diethylphosphatoethyl(meth)acrylate; sulfur-containing (meth)acrylates like ethylsulfinylethyl(meth)acrylate, 4-thiocyanatobutyl(meth)acrylate, ethylsulfonylethyl(meth)acrylate, thiocyanatomethyl(meth)acrylate, methylsulfinylmethyl(meth)acrylate, bis(methacryloyloxyethyl)sulfide; heterocyclic(meth)acrylates like 2-(1-imidazolyl)ethyl(meth)acrylate, 2-(4morpholinyl)ethyl(meth)acrylate and 1-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone; vinyl halides such as, for example, vinyl chloride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene chloride and vinylidene fluoride; vinyl esters like vinyl acetate; vinyl monomers containing aromatic groups like styrene, substituted styrenes with an alkyl substituent in the side chain, such as α-methylstyrene and α-ethylstyrene, substituted styrenes with an alkyl substituent on the ring such as vinyltoluene and p-methylstyrene, halogenated styrenes such as monochlorostyrenes, dichlorostyrenes, tribromostyrenes and tetrabromostyrenes; heterocyclic vinyl compounds like 2-vinylpyridine, 3-vinylpyridine, 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine, 3-ethyl-4-vinylpyridine, 2,3-dimethyl-5-vinylpyridine, vinylpyrimidine, vinylpiperidine, 9-vinylcarbazole, 3-vinylcarbazole, 4-vinylcarbazole, 1-vinylimidazole, 2-methyl-1-vinylimidazole, N-vinylpyrrolidone, 2-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpyrrolidine, 3-vinylpyrrolidine, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylbutyrolactam, vinyloxolane, vinylfuran, vinylthiophene, vinylthiolane, vinylthiazoles and hydrogenated vinylthiazoles, vinyloxazoles and hydrogenated vinyloxazoles; vinyl and isoprenyl ethers; maleic acid derivatives such as maleic anhydride, methylmaleic anhydride, maleinimide, methylmaleinimide; fumaric acid and fumaric acid derivatives such as, for example, mono- and diesters of fumaric acid. Monomers that have dispersing functionality can also be used as comonomers. These monomers are well known in the art and contain usually hetero atoms such as oxygen and/or nitrogen. For example the previously mentioned hydroxyalkyl(meth)acrylates, aminoalkyl(meth)acrylates and aminoalkyl(meth)acrylamides, (meth)acrylates of ether alcohols, heterocyclic(meth)acrylates and heterocyclic vinyl compounds are considered as dispersing comononers. Especially preferred mixtures contain methyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate and/or stearyl methacrylate. The components can be used individually or as mixtures. The molecular weight of the alkyl(meth)acrylate polymers is not critical. Usually the alkyl(meth)acrylate polymers have a molecular weight in the range of 300 to 1,000,000 g/mol, preferably in the range of range of 10000 to 200,000 g/mol and especially preferably in the range of 25000 to 100,000 g/mol, without any limitation intended by this. These values refer to the weight average molecular weight of the polydisperse polymers. Without intending any limitation by this, the alkyl(meth)acrylate polymers exhibit a polydispersity, given by the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to the number average molecular weight M w /M n , in the range of 1 to 15, preferably 1.1 to 10, especially preferably 1.2 to 5. The monomer mixtures described above can be polymerized by any known method. Conventional radical initiators can be used to perform a classic radical polymerization. These initiators are well known in the art. Examples for these radical initiators are azo initiators like 2,2′-azodiisobutyronitrile (AIBN), 2,2′-azobis(2-methylbutyronitrile) and 1,1-azobiscyclohexane carbonitrile; peroxide compounds, e.g. methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, acetyl acetone peroxide, dilauryl peroxide, tert.-butyl per-2-ethyl hexanoate, ketone peroxide, methyl isobutyl ketone peroxide, cyclohexanone peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, tert.-butyl perbenzoate, tert.-butyl peroxy isopropyl carbonate, 2,5-bis(2-ethylhexanoyl-peroxy)-2,5-dimethyl hexane, tert.-butyl peroxy 2-ethyl hexanoate, tert.-butyl peroxy- 3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoate, dicumene peroxide, 1,1-bis(tert.-butyl peroxy) cyclohexane, 1,1 -bis(tert.-butyl peroxy) 3,3,5-trimethyl cyclohexane, cumene hydroperoxide and tert.-butyl hydroperoxide. Low molecular weight poly(meth)acrylates can be obtained by using chain transfer agents. This technology is ubiquitously known and practiced in the polymer industry and is described in Odian, Principles of Polymerization, 1991. Examples of chain transfer agents are sulfur containing compounds such as thiols, e.g. n- and t-dodecanethiol, 2-metcaptoethanol, and mercapto carboxylic acid esters, e.g. methyl-3-mercaptopropionate. Preferred chain transfer agents contain up to 20, especially up to 15 and more preferably up to 12 carbon atoms. Furthermore, chain transfer agents may contain at least 1, especially at least 2 oxygen atoms. Furthermore, the low molecular weight poly(meth)acrylates can be obtained by using transition metal complexes, such as low spin cobalt complexes. These technologies are well known and for example described in USSR patent 940,487-A and by Heuts, et al., Macromolecules 1999, pp 2511-2519 and 3907-3912. Furthermore, novel polymerization techniques such as ATRP (Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization) and or RAFT (Reversible Addition Fragmentation Chain Transfer) can be applied to obtain useful poly(meth)acrylates. These methods are well known. The ATRP reaction method is described, for example, by J-S. Wang, et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., Vol. 117, pp. 5614-5615 (1995), and by Matyjaszewski, Macromolecules, Vol. 28, pp. 7901-7910 (1995). Moreover, the patent applications WO 96/30421, WO 97/47661, WO 97/18247, WO 98/40415 and WO 99/10387 disclose variations of the ATRP explained above to which reference is expressly made for purposes of the disclosure. The RAFT method is extensively presented in WO 98/01478, for example, to which reference is expressly made for purposes of the disclosure. The polymerization can be carried out at normal pressure, reduced pressure or elevated pressure. The polymerization temperature is also not critical. However, in general it lies in the range of −20-200° C., preferably 0-130° C. and especially preferably 60-120° C., without any limitation intended by this. The polymerization can be carried out with or without solvents. The term solvent is to be broadly understood here. The functional fluid may comprise 0,5 to 50% by weight, especially 1 to 30% by weight, and preferably 5 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the functionail fluid, of one or more polyalkylmethacrylate polymers. The functional fluid of the present invention may comprise a base stock. These base stocks may comprise a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil. Mineral oils are substantially known and commercially available. They are in general obtained from petroleum or crude oil by distillation and/or refining and optionally additional purification and processing methods, especially the higher-boiling fractions of crude oil or petroleum fall under the concept of mineral oil. In general, the boiling point of the mineral oil is higher than 200° C., preferably higher man 300° C., at 5000 Pa. Preparation by low temperature distillation of shale oil, coking of hard coal, distillation of lignite under exclusion of air as well as hydrogenation of hard coal or lignite is likewise possible. To a small extent mineral oils are also produced from raw materials of plant origin (for example jojoba, rapeseed (canola), sunflower, soybean oil) or animal origin (for example tallow or neatsfoot oil). Accordingly, mineral oils exhibit different amounts of aromatic, cyclic, branched and linear hydrocarbons, in each case according to origin. In general, one distinguishes paraffin-base, naphthenic and aromatic fractions in crude oil or mineral oil, where the term paraffin-base fraction stands for longer chain or highly branched isoalkanes and naphthenic fraction stands for cycloalkanes. Moreover, mineral oils, in each case according to origin and processing, exhibit different fractions of n-alkanes, isoalkanes with a low degree of branching, so called monomethyl-branched paraffins, and compounds with heteroatoms, especially O, N and/or S, to which polar properties are attributed. However, attribution is difficult, since individual alkane molecules can have both long-chain branched and cycloalkane residues and aromatic components. For purposes of this invention, classification can be done in accordance with DIN 51 378. Polar components can also be determined in accordance with ASTM D 2007. The fraction of n-alkanes in the preferred mineral oils is less than 3 wt %, and the fraction of O, N and/or S-containing compounds is less than 6 wt %. The fraction of aromatic compounds and monomethyl-branched paraffins is in general in each case in the range of 0-40 wt %. In accordance with one interesting aspect, mineral oil comprises mainly naphthenic and paraffin-base alkanes, which in general have more than 13, preferably more than 18 and especially preferably more than 20 carbon atoms. The fraction of these compounds is in general at least 60 wt %, preferably at least 80 wt %, without any limitation intended by this. A preferred mineral oil contains 0.5-30 wt % aromatic components, 15-40 wt % naphthenic components, 35-80 wt % paraffin-base components, up to 3 wt % n-alkanes and 0.05-5 wt % polar components, in each case with respect to the total weight of the mineral oil. An analysis of especially preferred mineral oils, which was done with traditional methods such as urea dewaxing and liquid chromatography on silica gel, shows, for example, the following components, where the percentages refer to the total weight of the relevant mineral oil: n-alkanes with about 18-31 C atoms: 0.7-1.0%, low-branched alkanes with 18-31 C atoms: 1.0-8.0%, aromatic compounds with 14-32 C atoms: 0.4-10.7%, iso- and cycloalkanes with 20-32 C atoms: 60.7-82.4%, polar compounds: 0.1-0.8%, loss: 6.9-19.4%. Valuable advice regarding the analysis of mineral oil as well as a list of mineral oils that have other compositions can be found, for example, in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, 5 th Edition on CD-ROM, 1997, under the entry “lubricants and related products.” Preferably, the functional fluid is based on mineral oil from Group I, II, or III. Synthetic oils are, among other substances, organic esters like carboxylic esters and phosphate esters; organic ethers like silicone oils and polyalkylene glycol; and synthetic hydrocarbons, especially polyolefins. They are for the most part somewhat more expensive than the mineral oils, but they have advantages with regard to performance. For an explanation one should refer to the 5 API classes of base oil types (API: American Petroleum Institute). Phosphorus ester fluids such as alkyl aryl phosphate ester; trialkyl phosphates such as tributyl phosphate or tri-2-ethylhexyl phosphate; triaryl phosphates such as mixed isopropylphenyl phosphates, mixed t-butylphenyl phosphates, trixylenyl phosphate, or tricresylphosphate. Additional classes of organophosphorus compounds are phosphonates and phosphinates, which may contain alkyl and/or aryl substituents. Dialkyl phosphonates such as di-2-elhylhexylphosphonate; alkyl phosphinates such as di-2-elhylhexylphosphinate are possible. As the alkyl group herein, linear or branched chain alkyls consisting of 1 to 10 carbon atoms are preferred. As the aryl group herein, aryls consisting of 6 to 10 carbon atoms that maybe substituted by alkyls are preferred. Usually the functional fluids contain 0 to 60% by weight, preferably 5 to 50% by weight organophosphorus compounds As the carboxylic acid esters reaction products of alcohols such as polyhydric alcohol, monohydric alcohol and the like, and fatty acids such as mono carboxylic acid, poly carboxylic acid and the like can be used. Such carboxylic acid esters can of course be a partial ester. Carboxylic acid esters may have one carboxylic ester group having the formula R—COO—R, wherein R is independently a group comprising 1 to 40 carbon atoms. Preferred ester compounds comprise at least two ester groups. These compounds may be based on poly carboxylic acids having at least two acidic groups and/or polyols having at least two hydroxyl groups. The poly carboxylic acid residue usually has 2 to 40, preferably 4 to 24, especially 4 to 12 carbon atoms. Useful polycarboxylic acids esters are, e.g., esters of adipic, azelaic, sebacic, phthalate and/or dodecanoic acids. The alcohol component of the polycarboxylic acid compound preferably comprises 1 to 20, especially 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Examples of useful alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, pentanol, hexanol, heptanol and octanol. Furthermore, oxoalcohols can be used such as diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol up to decamethylene glycol. Especially preferred compounds are esters of polycarboxylic acids with alcohols comprising one hydroxyl group. Examples of these compounds are described in Ullmans Encyclopädie der Technischen Chemie, third edition, vol. 15, page 287-292, Urban & Schwarzenber (1964)). According to another aspect of the present invention, the functional fluid is based on a synthetic basestock comprising Poly-alpha olefin (PAO), carboxylic esters (diester, or polyol ester), phosphate ester (trialkyl, triaryl, or alkyl aryl phosphates), and/or polyalkylene glycol (PAG). The functional fluid of the present invention may comprise further additives well known in the art such as viscosity index improvers, antioxidants, anti-wear agents, corrosion inhibitors, detergents, dispersants, EP additives, defoamers, friction reducing agents, pour point depressants, dyes, odorants and/or demulsifiers. These additives are used in conventional amounts. Usually the functional fluids contain 0 to 10% by weight additives. According to the consumer needs, the viscosity of the functional fluid of the present invention can be adapted with in wide range. ISO VG 15, VG 22, VG 32, VG 46, VG 68, VG 100, VG 150, VG 1500 and VG 3200 fluid grades can be achieved, e.g. ISO 3448 or Typical Minimum Maximum ASTM 2422 Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity, Viscosity Grades cSt @ 40° C. cSt @ 40° C. cSt @ 40° C. ISO VG 15 15.0 13.5 16.5 ISO VG 22 22.0 19.8 24.2 ISO VG 32 32.0 28.8 35.2 ISO VG 46 46.0 41.4 50.6 ISO VG 68 68.0 61.2 74.8 ISO VG 100 100.0 90.0 110.0 ISO VG 150 150.0 135.0 165.0 ISO VG 1500 1500.0 1350.0 1650.0 ISO VG 3200 3200.0 2880.0 3520.0 The viscosity grades as mentioned above can be considered as precribed ISO viscosity grade. Preferably, the ISO viscosity grade is in the range of 15 to 3200, more preferably 22 to 150. According to a further aspect of the invention the preferred ISO viscosity grade is in the range of 150 to 3200, more preferably 1500 to 3200. In order to achieve a prescribed ISO viscosity grade, preferably a base stock having a low viscosity grade is mixed with the polyalkylmethacrylate polymer. Preferably the kinematic viscosity 40° C. according to ASTM D 445 of is the range of 15 mm 2 /s to 150 mm 2 /s, preferably 28 mm 2 /s to 110 mm 2 /s. The functional fluid of the present invention has a high viscosity index. Preferably the viscosity index according to ASTM D 2270 is at least 120, more preferably 150, especially at least 180 and more preferably at least 200. The air release performance of functional fluids and lubricants is typically measured by the test methods ASTM D3427 or DIN 51 381. These methods are nearly identical, and are the most widely referenced test methods used in the major regional hydraulic fluid quality standards, such as ASTM D 6158 (North America), DIN 51524 (Europe), and JCMAS HK (Japan). These methods are also specified when measuring the air release properties of turbine lubricants and gear oils. A typical apparatus can be found in FIG. 1 . A more detailed description of the method is mentioned in the examples. A further specific glass test vessel is required as shown in FIG. 2 , consisting of a jacketed sample tube fitted with an air inlet capillary, baffle plate, and an air outlet tube. Preferably the air release of the functional fluid is lower than 7 minutes, preferably lower than 6 minutes and preferably lower than 5 minutes measured according to the method mentioned in the examples of the present patent application. The functional fluid of the present invention has good low temperature performance. The low temperature performance can be evaluated by the Brookfield viscosimeter according to ASTM D 2983. The functional fluid of the present invention can be used for high pressure applications. Preferred embodiments can be used at pressures between 0 to 700 bar, and specifically between 70 and 400 bar. Furthermore, preferred functional fluids of the present invention have a low pour point, which can be determined, for example, in accordance with ASTM D 97. Preferred fluids have a pour point of −30° C. or less, especially −40° C. or less and more preferably −45° C. or less. The functional fluid of the present invention can be used over a wide temperature range. For example the fluid can be used in a temperature operating window of −40° C. to 120° C., and meet the equipment manufactures requirements for minimum and maximum viscosity. A summary of major equipment manufacturers viscosity guidelines can be found in National Fluid Power Association recommended practice T2.13.13-2002. The functional fluids of the present invention are useful e.g. in industrial, automotive, mining, power generation, marine and military hydraulic fluid applications. Mobile equipment applications include construction, forestry, delivery vehicles and municipal fleets (trash collection, snow plows, etc.). Marine applications include ship deck cranes. The functional fluids of the present invention are useful in power generation hydraulic equipment such as electrohydraulic turbine control systems. Furthermore, the functional fluids of the present invention are useful as transformer liquids or quench oils. The invention is illustrated in more detail below by examples and comparison examples, without intending to limit the invention to these examples. detailed-description description="Detailed Description" end="lead"?
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Metered medication dose
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The invention discloses a metered medication dose of a dry powder protein medicament, particularly a peptide medicament, intended for inhalation by use of an adapted dry powder inhaler. An active peptide agent is presented in a pure, natural, crystalline, micronized, dry powder form. A dose comprises at least one such peptide powder and may optionally comprise at least one biologically acceptable excipient in dry powder form. The dose does not include any substances that are intended to change one, some or all properties of the at least one peptide with an object of improving the stability or systemic absorption of the active peptide or peptides deposited.
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1. A metered medication dose of a peptide medicament in dry powder form, to be made available in an adapted dry powder inhaler, wherein said peptide medicament comprises at least one micronized peptide powder and optionally at least one biologically acceptable excipient in dry powder form acting only as a carrier or diluent for the peptide(s); the at least one peptide powder is in a pure form, without any substances included in the dose that are intended to change or enhance one, some or all properties of the at least one peptide; the metered medication dose is adapted for a prolonged dose delivery directly from a high barrier seal container enclosing the dose; the metered medication dose is arranged to be aerosolized gradually into inspiration air by the suction effort made by a user of the inhaler, whereby more than 40% by mass of the at least one peptide powder, contained in the metered dose, leaves the inhaler as a fine particle dose. 2. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein a total mass of peptide(s) powder in the metered dose is in a range from 10 μg to 50 mg of a total dose mass in a range from 0.1 mg to 50 mg, more preferably in a range from 0.5 to 25 mg. 3. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peptide powder is selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4, interleukin 1, parathyroid hormone, genotropin, colony stimulating factors, erythropoietin, interferons, calcitonin, factor VIII, alpha-1-antitrypsin, follicle stimulating hormones, LHRH agonist and IGF-1. 4. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peptide powder is recombinant, human insulin powder; a mass of the insulin powder in the metered dose is in a range from 400 μg to 20 mg. 5. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peptide powder is a glucagon or a glucagon-like peptide-1 powder. 6. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peptide powder is dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 powder. 7. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peptide powder is parathyroid hormone powder. 8. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein the prolonged dose delivery is not shorter than 0.1 s and not longer than 5 s, but preferably in a range from 0.2 s to 2 s. 9. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein the suction effort produces at least 2 kPa of suction energy. 10. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein more than 50% by mass, preferably more than 60% and most preferably more than 70% of the at least one peptide powder, contained in the metered dose, leaves the inhaler as a fine particle dose (FPD). 11. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said at least one peptide powder is presented having a mass median aerodynamic diameter in a range from 1 to 5 μm and at least 90% of its mass in this range. 12. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said at least one, optional dry excipient comprises particles having a diameter of 25 μm or more, and said at least one, optional dry excipient comprises an excipient selected from a group consisting of monosaccarides, disaccarides, polylactides, oligo- and polysaccarides, polyalcohols, polymers, salts or mixtures thereof. 13. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said peptide medicament consists of the at least one micronized peptide powder and optionally the at least one biologically acceptable excipient in dry powder form acting only as a carrier or diluent for the peptide(s). 14. A medical product comprising a metered dose of a dry powder peptide medicament loaded in a sealed container, made to fit into an adapted dry powder inhaler, wherein said peptide medicament comprises at least one micronized peptide powder and optionally at least one biologically acceptable excipient powder in dry powder form acting only as a carrier or diluent for the peptide(s); the at least one peptide powder is in a pure form, without any substances included in the dose that are intended to change or enhance one, some or all properties of the peptide; the sealed container enclosing the metered dose is a dry, moisture-tight, high barrier seal container adapted for a prolonged dose delivery from the container using the adapted dry powder inhaler; the metered dose is arranged to be aerosolized gradually into inspiration air directly from the container, when opened, by the suction effort made by a user of the adapted inhaler, whereby more than 40% by mass of the at least one peptide powder, contained in the metered dose, leaves the inhaler as a fine particle dose; 15. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is recombinant, human insulin powder; a mass of the insulin powder in the metered dose is in a range from 400 μg to 20 mg. 16. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is a glucagon or a glucagon-like peptide-1 powder. 17. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 powder. 18. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is parathyroid hormone powder. 19. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the prolonged dose delivery is not shorter than 0.1 s and not longer than 5 s, but preferably in a range from 0.2 s to 2 s. 20. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the suction effort by the user produces at least 2 kPa of suction energy. 21. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein more than 50% by mass, preferably more than 60% and most preferably more than 70% of the at least one peptide powder, contained in the metered dose, leaves the inhaler as a fine particle dose (FPD). 22. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein a total mass of peptide(s) powder in the metered dose is in a range from 10 μg to 50 mg of a total dose mass in a range from 0.1 mg to 50 mg, preferably in a range from 0.5 to 25 mg. 23. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is presented having a mass median aerodynamic diameter in a range from 1 to 5 μm and at least 90% of its mass in this range. 24. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one, optional dry excipient comprises particles having a diameter of 25 μm or more, and the at least one, optional dry excipient comprises an excipient selected from a group consisting of monosaccarides, disaccarides, polylactides, oligo- and polysaccarides, polyalcohols, polymers, salts or mixtures thereof. 25. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the dry, high barrier seal comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metals, thermoplastics, glass, silicon, silicon oxides, and combinations thereof. 26. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the dry powder medicament dose in the container is formed using either volumetric, gravimetric or electric field dose forming methods, or combinations thereof. 27. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein the dry, high barrier seal comprises a formed or flat aluminum foil, optionally laminated with at least one polymer. 28. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said container forms a cavity molded from an aluminum foil optionally laminated with at least one polymer providing high barrier seal properties. 29. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said container is a part of a dry powder inhaler. 30. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said container is a separate part adapted for insertion into a dry powder inhaler. 31. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said container is a separate part comprising a primary part adapted for insertion into a dry powder inhaler and a secondary part enclosing the primary part in a moisture-tight package. 32. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said at least one peptide powder is selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4, parathyroid hormone, interleukin 1, parathyroid hormone, genotropin, colony stimulating factors, erythropoietin, interferons, calcitonin, factor VIII, alpha-1-antitrypsin, follicle stimulating hormones, LHRH agonist and IGF-1. 33. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said peptide medicament consists of at least one peptide powder is selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4, parathyroid hormone, interleukin 1, parathyroid hormone, genotropin, colony stimulating factors, erythropoietin, interferons, calcitonin, factor VIII, alpha-1-antitrypsin, follicle stimulating hormones, LHRH agonist and IGF-1. 34. The medical product according to claim 14, wherein said peptide medicament comprises at least a first and a second micronized peptide powder, the first and the second one selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4. 35. The metered medication dose according to claim 1, wherein said peptide medicament comprises at least a first and a second micronized peptide powder, the first and the second one selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides and dipeptidyl-peptidase-4.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND <EOH>Supplying medication drugs directly to the airways and lungs of a patient by means of an inhaler is an effective, quick and user-friendly method of drug delivery. Because the efficacy of inhaled doses often are much higher than e.g. orally administered capsules or pills, the inhalation doses need only be a fraction of the medicament mass in an oral dose. A number of different devices have been developed in order to deliver drugs to the lung, e.g. pressurized aerosol inhalers (pMDIs), nebulizers and dry powder inhalers (DPIs). While inhalation of drugs already is well established for local treatment of respiratory diseases such as asthma, much research is going on to utilize the lung as a feasible entry into the body of systemically acting drugs. For locally acting drugs, the preferred deposition of the drug in the lung depends on the localization of the particular disorder, so depositions in the upper as well as the lower airways are of interest. For systemic delivery of the medication, a deep lung deposition of the drug is preferred and usually necessary for maximum efficiency. The expression “deep lung” should be understood to mean the peripheral lung and alveoli, where direct transport of active substance to the blood can take place. The lung is an appealing site for systemic delivery of drugs as it offers a large surface area (about 100 m 2 ) for the absorption of the molecules across a thin epithelium, thus having a potential for rapid drug absorption. Pulmonary delivery of drugs has the potential of attaining a high, rapid systemic drug concentration without the need of enhancers. The feasibility of this route of administration for a particular drug depends on, for example, dose size and extent of systemic absorption of the particular drug. The critical factors for the deposition of inhaled particles in the lung are inspiration/expiration pattern and the particle aerodynamic size distribution. The aerodynamic particle size of the drug particles is important if an acceptable deposition of the drug within the lung is to be obtained. If a particle is to reach into the deep lung the aerodynamic particle size should typically be less than 3 μm, and for a local lung deposition, typically about 5 μm. Larger particle sizes will easily stick in the mouth and throat. Thus, it is important to keep the aerodynamic particle size distribution of the dose within tight limits to ensure that a high percentage of the dose is actually deposited where it will be most effective. De-Aggregation Powders with a particle size suitable for inhalation have a tendency of aggregating, in other words to form smaller or larger aggregates, which then have to be de-aggregated before the particles enter into the airways of the user. De-aggregation is defined as breaking up aggregated powder by introducing energy e.g. electrical, mechanical, pneumatic or aerodynamic energy. The aerodynamic diameter of a particle of any shape is defined as the diameter of a spherical particle having a density of 1 g/cm 3 that has the same inertial properties in air as the particle of interest. If primary particles form aggregates, the aggregates will aerodynamically behave like one big particle in air. Most finely divided powders are prone to forming particle aggregates. This tendency is aggravated in the presence of water and some powders are sensitive to very small amounts of water. Under the influence of moisture the formed aggregates require very high inputs of energy to break up in order to get the primary particles separated from each other. Another problem afflicting fine medication powders is electro-static charging of particles, which leads to difficulties in handling the powder during dose forming and packaging. A method and a device for de-aggregating a powder is disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,513,663 B1. Preferably, the de-aggregating system should be as insensitive as possible to the inhalation effort produced by the user, such that the delivered aerodynamic particle size distribution in the inhaled air is largely independent of the inhalation effort. A very high degree of de-aggregation presumes the following necessary steps: a suitable formulation of the powder (particle size distribution, particle shape, adhesive forces, density, etc) a suitably formed dose of the powder adapted to the capabilities of a selected inhaler device an inhaler device providing shear forces of sufficient strength in the dose to de-aggregate the powder (e.g. turbulence) Powder Preparation Turning to the drug formulation, there are a number of well-known techniques to obtain a suitable primary particle size distribution to ensure correct lung deposition for a high percentage of the dose. Such techniques include jet-milling, spray-drying and super-critical crystallization. There are also a number of well-known techniques for modifying the forces between the particles and thereby obtaining a powder with suitable adhesive forces. Such methods include modification of the shape and surface properties of the particles, e.g. porous particles and controlled forming of powder pellets, as well as addition of an inert carrier with a larger average particle size (so called ordered mixture). A simpler method of producing a finely divided powder is milling, which produces crystalline particles, while spray-drying etc produces amorphous particles. Novel drugs, both for local and systemic delivery, often include biological macromolecules, which put completely new demands on the formulation. In our publication WO 02/11803 (U.S. Pat. No. 6,696,090) a method and a process is disclosed of preparing a so called electro-powder, suitable for forming doses by an electro-dynamic method. The disclosure stresses the importance of controlling the electrical properties of a medication powder and points to the problem of moisture in the powder and the need of low relative humidity in the atmosphere during dose forming. Dose Forming Methods of dose forming of powder formulations in prior art include conventional mass, gravimetric or volumetric metering and devices and machine equipment well known to the pharmaceutical industry for filling blister packs and gelatin capsules, for example. See WO 03/66437 A1, WO 03/66436 A1, WO 03/26965 A1, WO 02/44669 A1, DE 100 46 127 A1 and WO 97/41031 for examples of prior art in volumetric and/or mass methods and devices for producing metered doses of medicaments in powder form. Electrostatic forming methods may also be used, for example as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,630 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,649. Packaging A common dose container in prior art is a gelatin capsule. A gelatin capsule contains typically 13-14% water by weight in the dose forming stage and after the capsules have been loaded, they may be dried in a special process in order to minimize water content. A number of filled gelatin capsules, whether dried or not, are often enclosed in a blister package. The remaining quantity of water in the capsule material is then also enclosed in the blister package. The drive towards equilibrium between the captured air inside the package and the gelatin capsule will generate a relative humidity inside the blister package that will negatively affect the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the powder dose, if the powder is at all moisture sensitive. Drugs in fine powder form, including peptides like insulin, agglomerate easily in the presence of moisture, and the agglomerates are then extremely difficult to de-agglomerate even with high input of de-agglomeration energy. Aseptic filling of gelatin capsules is very difficult and complicated, so in case aseptic production is required it is better to choose a different enclosure for the dose. A blister pack is a better choice of package for moisture sensitive doses, although a blister of aluminum foil or technical polymer or a combination thereof is sometimes difficult to open for dose access. Peelable blister constructions are sometimes used to improve dose accessibility inside a DPI, but at the price of a less efficient moisture barrier. Proteins and Peptides A number of proteins, which per definition includes poly-peptide drugs (PPDs), have a potential for being suitable for inhalation therapy and some of them are in various stages of development. Some examples are insulin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, interleukin 1, parathyroid hormone, genotropin, colony stimulating factors, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4, erythropoietin, interferons, calcitonin, factor VIII, alpha-1-antitrypsin, follicle stimulating hormones, LHRH agonist and IGF-1. PPDs have characteristics that present significant formulation challenges. In particular their chemical and enzymatic lability practically prevents traditional dosage forms such as oral tablets. Fortunately, proteins and peptides of moderate molecular weights are soluble in the fluid layer in the deep lung and dissolve, therefore ensuring rapid absorption from the lung. From a stability point of view, a solid formulation stored under dry conditions is normally the best choice. In the solid state, these molecules are normally relatively stable in the absence of moisture or elevated temperatures. For example, insulin in dry powder form is relatively sensitive to moisture, more or less so depending on the formulation and needs to be well protected from moisture up to the point of administration in order to preserve the FPF of the metered dose, which secures a high and stable delivered fine particle dose (FPD). In the absence of appropriate, inhalable, dry powder doses and suitable DPIs, poly-peptide drugs are currently mainly administered parenterally as intravenous, intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. While these routes are normally satisfactory for a limited number of administrations, there are problems with a long-term therapy. Frequent injections, necessary for the management of a disease, is of course not an ideal method of drug delivery and often leads to a low patient compliance as they infringe on the freedom of the patient and because of psychologic factors in the patient. Insulin Insulin is an example of an important peptide drug where frequent parenteral administrations are the most common way of administration. Self-administration of insulin is an important reality and part of everyday life for many patients with diabetes. Normally, the patient needs to administer insulin several times daily. The most common method of insulin administration is subcutaneous injection by the patient based on close monitoring of the glucose level. There are pharmacokinetical limitations when using the subcutaneous route. Absorption of insulin after a subcutaneous injection is rather slow. It sometimes takes up to an hour before the glucose level in the blood begins to be significantly reduced. This inherent problem with subcutaneous insulin delivery cannot be solved with a more frequent administration. To obtain plasma insulin concentrations that are physiologically correct it is necessary to choose another route of administration. Methods of manufacturing dry powder insulin from a liquid state has been known and applied for more than 50 years, including such methods as evaporation, spray-drying and freeze-drying. Until recently, reliable and economic technologies have been lacking for on one hand producing insulin powders with suitable properties and on the other hand suitable apparatuses for delivering the powder to the user in a way that ensures an effective systemic delivery. This has prevented the mainstream research from using insulin in dry powder formulations. However, in the early 1990's Bäckström, Dahlbäck, Edman and Johansson (Therapeutic preparation for inhalation WO 95/00127) showed that inhalation of a therapeutic preparation comprising insulin and an absorption enhancer quickly and efficiently leads to insulin being absorbed in the lower respiratory tract. It is evident that the enhancer was necessary, probably because of insufficient de-aggregation of the powder and the use of an inferior dry powder inhaler. During the last decade a number of reports describing the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin delivered to the lung of humans have been published. In most reported cases, the insulin has been nebulized from an aqueous preparation. However, research into the effect of pulmonary administration of insulin in dry powder form has demonstrated that systemic delivery of dry insulin powder can be accomplished by oral inhalation and that the powder can be rapidly absorbed through the alveolar regions of the lung. For instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,848 it is demonstrated that systemic delivery of dry insulin powder is achieved by oral inhalation and that the powder can be rapidly absorbed through the alveolar regions of the lungs. However, dose resolution still seems to be low. According to the disclosure, the insulin dosages have a total weight from a lowest value of 0.5 mg up to 10-15 mg of insulin and the insulin is present in the individual particles at from only 5% up to 99% by weight with an average size of the particles below 10 μm. In general, human insulin in dry powder form is presented in modified chemical and/or physical form, such as insulin analogues and/or insulin derivatives, e.g. in order to offer a suitable stability, bioavailability or flowability. Researchers have tested a rather large number of enhancers, and suggested mechanisms are that they open the tight junctions, disrupt membranes or inhibit enzymes. However, when used in nasal inhalation applications, penetration enhancers are known to cause local irritation on the nasal membrane and they may cause detrimental long-term effects in the lung, problems that may prove difficult to solve. Dry Powder Inhalers A large number of different concepts to de-aggregate the drug powder in DPIs have been developed. One example is an inhaler coupled to a spacer, a container of relatively large volume for injected aerosolized particles, from which the inhalation can take place. Upon inhalation from the spacer the aerosolized powder will effectively reach the alveoli. This method in principle has two drawbacks, firstly difficulties to control the amount of medicine emitted to the lung, since an uncontrolled amount of powder sticks to the walls of the spacer and secondly difficulties by users in handling the relatively space demanding apparatus. External sources of energy to amplify the inhalation energy provided by the user during the act of inhalation are common in prior art inhalers for improving the performance in terms of de-aggregation. Some manufacturers utilize electrically driven propellers, piezo-vibrators and/or mechanical vibration to de-aggregate the agglomerates. The addition of external sources of energy leads to more complex and expensive inhalers than necessary, besides increasing the demands put on the user in maintaining the inhaler. An inhaler dosing device is disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,723 B1. A continuous dry powder inhaler is further disclosed in our U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,236 B1. In our publication WO 03/086515 A1 (US 2003 / 0192538 ) a device is disclosed setting a new standard for effective aerosolization and delivery of a powder dose. In publication WO 03/086516 A1 (US 2003/0192540) the device is used in a new type of DPI and applied to a metered dose, e.g. insulin, to deliver the fine particle dose to a user of the inhaler, only relying on the power of the inhalation effort. Hence, there is a demand for suitable therapeutic doses of pure peptide medicaments, without additional substances such as enhancers, and devices for protecting the fine particle dose against moisture from the point of dose manufacture until the dose is administered to the system by inhalation.
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<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>The present invention discloses a metered medication dose of a dry powder protein medicament, particularly a peptide medicament, intended for inhalation by use of an adapted dry powder inhaler. An active peptide agent, according to the invention, is presented in a pure, micronized, dry powder form. The dose comprises at least one such peptide powder and may optionally comprise at least one biologically acceptable excipient in dry powder form acting as carrier and/or diluent. The dose does not include any substances that are intended to change one, some or all properties of the at least one peptide with an object of e.g. improving the stability or systemic absorption of the active peptide or peptides deposited in the deep lung following an inhalation. It is an object of the present invention to present a metered dose of at least one peptide medicament, where the fine particle fraction (FPF) of the included peptide or peptides powder(s) is at least 80% by mass, preferably more than 90% by mass, such that the fine particle dose mass (FPD) of the at least one peptide powder, leaving an adapted inhaler, aerosolized into inspiration air is at least 40%, and typically at least 70% of the peptide mass in the metered dose. The invention teaches that the at least one pharmacologically active peptide agent of the dose is selected from a group comprising rapid, intermediate and slow acting insulin, including insulin analogues, C-peptide of insulin, alpha1-proteinase inhibitor, glucagons, glucagon-like peptides, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4, interleukin 1, parathyroid hormone, genotropin, colony stimulating factors, erythropoietin, interferons, calcitonin, factor VIII, alpha-1-antitrypsin, follicle stimulating hormones, LHRH agonist and IGF-1. The invention further teaches that the at least one, optional dry excipient comprises an excipient selected from a group consisting of monosaccarides, disaccarides, polylactides, oligo- and polysaccarides, polyalcohols, polymers, salts or mixtures thereof. According to the disclosure a total metered dose mass is in a range from 0.1 to 50 mg and preferably from 0.5 to 25 mg. In a further aspect of the present invention a particular peptide powder included in the metered dose is recombinant human insulin powder. The metered dose is adjusted for administration by inhalation. The present invention also discloses a medical product comprising a metered dose of the protein and preferably peptide medicament in finely divided dry powder form, and a dry, moisture-tight, high barrier seal container, which fits into an adapted dry powder inhaler. The dose loaded into the container, is intended for inhalation and comprises at least one micronized, peptide powder and optionally at least one biologically acceptable excipient powder and does not include any substances that are intended to change one, some or all properties of the at least one peptide with an object of e.g. improving the stability or systemic absorption of the active peptide or peptides. The fine particle fraction (FPF), i.e. the mass of the at least one peptide powder having particles in a range from 1 μm to 5 μm, is kept intact in an amount of more than 80% by mass, preferably more than 90% by mass, by the high barrier seal container for the duration of a shelf life period for the medical product, until the time of administration. In another aspect of the present invention a particular peptide powder included in the metered dose of the medical product is recombinant, human insulin powder. The medical product is adapted for administration by inhalation.
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Personal cleaning utensil
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A personal cleaning utensil includes at least one binding member and a plurality of elastic elements which are respectively formed of elastic netting tubes having optionally different meshes or colors and bound together by the binding member.
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1. A personal cleaning utensil comprising at least one binding member and a plurality of elastic elements bound together by said at least one binding member. 2. The personal cleaning utensil as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elastic elements are respectively formed of a respective netting tube. 3. The personal cleaning utensil as claimed in claim 2, wherein the netting tubes of said elastic elements have optionally different meshes or different colors. 4. A method of manufacturing a personal cleaning utensil, comprising the steps of a) providing a plurality of elastic elements, and b) binding said elastic elements together to form a substantially rounded sponge shape. 5. A method of manufacturing a personal cleaning utensil, comprising the steps of: a) providing a first element and a second element, which are resilient netting tubes respectively; b) stretching said first element in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof; c) tying up a center area of the stretched first element with a binding member; d) releasing said first element from the stretched condition; e) stretching said second element in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis thereof; t) binding said first element to said second element by tying said binding member to a center area of the stretched second element; and g) releasing said second element from the stretched condition.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a personal body cleaning utensil and more particularly, to a bath sponge, which is optionally made of different materials in different colors, and to a method of manufacturing the bath sponge. 2. Description of the Related Art U.S. Pat. No. 5,144,744 discloses a manufacturing method of a diamond-mesh polyethylene netting sponge. According to this method, a diamond-mesh polyethylene netting sponge is obtained from a number of netting tubes stretched over supports, joined and bound together at the center and the released from the supports. According to the characteristics of the netting sponge as stated in the specification of the aforesaid prior art patent, the netting sponge is very easy to clean, and short rinsing is sufficient to eliminate all trace of dirt, and the sponge then dries rapidly. However, because the netting tubes of the netting sponge of the aforesaid prior art design are made from one single material, i.e., polyethylene, the netting sponge provides only one roughness. It is neither practical nor comfortable to use a bath sponge having a particular roughness for cleaning different parts of the body. Therefore, a person may have to prepare several bath sponges having different roughness for cleaning different parts of the body.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a personal cleaning utensil, which is prepared from multiple materials in optionally different colors for different applications. It is another object of the present invention to provide a personal cleaning utensil that causes a sense of beauty. To achieve these objects of the present invention, the personal cleaning utensil comprises at least one binding member and a plurality of elastic elements formed of elastic netting tubes having optionally different meshes or colors and bound together by the binding member.
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Method for manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit device
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A method is used to form a circuit to achieve a high-speed performance and a circuit to attain a high reliability on one and the same substrate, in a semiconductor integrated circuit device containing MIS transistors, in which the gate insulating film is made of a high dielectric constant insulating film. In the method, the high dielectric constant insulating film is removed on the diffusion regions of the MIS transistors in the logic region and I/O region, and suicide layers of a low resistance are formed on the surfaces of the diffusion regions. In the memory region, on the other hand, the silicide layers are not formed on the diffusion regions of the MIS transistors, and the diffusion regions are covered with the high dielectric constant insulating film, thereby preventing damage to the semiconductor substrate during forming of the spacers, silicide layers, and contact holes.
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1. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device, comprising the steps of: (a) preparing a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, having a logic region and a memory region on a surface thereof; (b) forming plural trenches on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic region and the memory region, and forming a first insulating film inside the plural trenches; (c) forming a second insulating film having a relative dielectric constant which is greater than that of the first insulating film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic region and the memory region; (d) forming a first conductive piece on the second insulating film in the logic region, and forming a second conductive piece on the second insulating film in the memory region; (e) introducing first impurities of a second conductivity type, opposite to the first conductivity type, into the surface of the semiconductor substrate, in regions at both ends of the first conductive piece and regions at both ends of the second conductive piece; (f) removing the second insulating film, except at at least a lower layer of the first conductive piece and at the memory region; (g) depositing a high melting point metal film to overlie the semiconductor substrate; and (h) selectively forming a silicide layer in a region between the first conductive piece on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and the first insulating film, in the logic region. 2. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1, further comprising, between the steps (e) and (f), the steps of: (i) forming a third insulating film to overlie the semiconductor substrate; and (j) applying anisotropic etching to the third insulating film so as to form a first sidewall insulating film on sidewalls of the first conductive piece, and a second sidewall insulating film on sidewalls of the second conductive piece. 3. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 2, further comprising, between the steps (i) and (j), the step of: (k) introducing second impurities of the second conductivity type, in a region between the first sidewall insulating film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and the first insulating film, and a region between the second sidewall insulating film and the first insulating film. 4. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1, further comprising, between the steps (b) and (c), the step of: (1) forming a silicon oxide film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic region; wherein, in the logic region, the second insulating film is formed to overlie the semiconductor substrate with intervention of the silicon oxide film, and in the memory region, the second insulating film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate without intervention of the silicon oxide film. 5. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second conductive pieces have a silicon germanium film and a silicon film laminated sequentially from the lower layer. 6. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of: (m) depositing a third insulating film in the logic region and the memory region; (n) applying etching to the third insulating film to form a first contact hole in a region between the first conductive piece and the first insulating film, in the logic region; (o) applying etching to the third insulating film to form a second contact hole in a region between the second conductive piece and the first insulating film, in the memory region; and (p) forming a third conductive piece in the first contact hole, and a fourth conductive piece in the second contact hole. 7. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6, wherein a distance between the first conductive piece and the first insulating film in the logic region is larger than a distance between the second conductive piece and the first insulating film in the memory region. 8. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 7, wherein a part of the second contact hole overlaps with the first insulating film in the memory region. 9. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 7, wherein the first and third insulating films are made of a silicon oxide film. 10. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6, wherein the third insulating film has a silicon nitride film and a silicon oxide film laminated sequentially from the lower layer. 11. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6, wherein a plane form of the third conductive piece is smaller than a plane form of the fourth conductive piece. 12. A method of manufacturing a semiconductor integrated circuit device according to claim 6, further comprising, between the steps (b) and (c), the step of: (1) forming a silicon oxide film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the logic region; wherein, in the logic region, the second insulating film is formed to overlie the semiconductor substrate with intervention of the silicon oxide film, and in the memory region, the second insulating film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate without intervention of the silicon oxide film.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to a technique for use in the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device; and more specifically, the invention relates to a technique that is effective for application to a semiconductor integrated circuit device including a short channel MIS (metal insulator semiconductor) having a gate length, i.e. the width of the gate electrode, which is less than 0.1 μm. The film thickness of the gate insulating film in a MIS transistor having a gate length which is less than 0.07 μm is presumed to be less than 1.2 nm. However, thinning a conventionally used silicon oxide film for use in the gate insulating film will cause the leakage current to exceed 10 A/cm 2 , which involves an increase in the standby current, thereby creating a problem. Accordingly, a trial has been conducted using an insulating film having a comparably high relative dielectric constant (hereunder referred to as a high dielectric constant insulating film), for example, an alumina film having a relative dielectric constant which is about 7 to 11 for the gate insulating film, and in which the effective film thickness is reduced while maintaining the physical film thickness at 1.5 nm or more. Here, the effective film thickness signifies an equivalent silicon oxide film thickness in consideration of the relative dielectric constant. As an example, the publication IEDM (International Electron Device Meetings in an article entitled “80 nm poly-silicon gated n-FETs with ultra-thin Al2O3 gate dielectric for ULSI applications” at pp.223-226, 2000) discloses the performance characteristic of a MIS transistor having a gate insulating film made of an alumina film, with a gate length of less than 0.1 μm.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>As the integration of semiconductor devices increases, the MIS transistor is being made still finer according to the scaling law; and, accompanied with this, the resistances of the gate, source, and drain regions increase, thus leading to a problem in that the micro-structuring of the MIS transistor does not provide a high-speed performance. And, in the MIS transistor having a gate length of less than 0.2 μm, for example, a high-speed performance has been pursued by silicifying the conductive film forming the gate, as well as the semiconductor regions forming the sources and drains. For example, in order to form silicide layers on the surfaces of the semiconductor regions forming sources and drains, a method is employed which removes an insulating film on the same layer as a gate insulating film on the substrate, for example, by reactive etching, and, thereafter, forms silicide layers of a low resistance on the surfaces of the semiconductor regions forming sources and drains by use of a self-aligning method. The above-mentioned reactive etching is one example of dry etching techniques typically used in a semiconductor manufacturing process, in which etching through a chemical reaction is performed by utilizing a chemically active excited activator. This technique will restrain etching damage so as to achieve a comparably high etching selection ratio. However, the inventor of this invention has examined the technique used in the manufacture of a MIS device using a high dielectric constant insulating film for the gate insulating film, and it was confirmed clearly that with the reactive etching, it is difficult to remove the high dielectric constant insulating film, and this leads to an impossibility of silicifying the semiconductor regions forming sources and drains. As a means to solve the above problem that hinders manufacturing a high-speed MIS device, the technique of sputter etching has been examined for use in physically removing a high dielectric constant insulating film on the semiconductor regions forming sources and drains. The result shows that sputter etching is likely to damage the substrate, and, thereby, this invites the lowering of the reliability of the MIS transistor. As an example, applying sputter etching to memory cells tends to create a problem that increased junction leakage currents and retention data errors, and so forth, are caused. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that makes it possible to form a circuit to accomplish a high-speed performance and a circuit to attain a high reliability on one and the same substrate, in a semiconductor integrated circuit device having plural types of MIS transistors, in which the gate insulating film is made of a high dielectric constant insulating film. The above and other objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following descriptions and the accompanying drawings. The typical aspects of the invention disclosed in this application will be summarized as follows. (1) The method of manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes the steps of: preparing a semiconductor substrate of a first conductive type, having a first region and a second region on a surface thereof; forming plural trenches on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the first region and the second region, and forming a first insulating film inside the plural trenches; forming a second insulating film having a relative dielectric constant that is higher than that of the first insulating film on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the first region and the second region; forming a first conductive piece on the second insulating film in the first region, and forming a second conductive piece on the second insulating film in the second region; introducing first impurities of a second conductive type opposite to the first conductive type into the surface of the semiconductor substrate, in a region of both ends of the first conductive piece and a region of both ends of the second conductive piece; removing the second insulating film, except at least a lower layer of the first conductive piece and the second region; depositing a high melting point metal film to overlie the semiconductor substrate; and selectively forming a silicide layer in a region between the first conductive piece on the surface of the semiconductor substrate and the first insulating film, in the first region. (2) The method of manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device further includes, in addition to the steps included in the above-described manufacturing method (1), the steps of: depositing a third insulating film in the first and second regions; applying etching to the third insulating film to form a first contact hole in a region between the first conductive piece and the first insulating film, in the first region; applying etching to the third insulating film to form a second contact hole in a region between the second conductive piece and the first insulating film, in the second region; and forming a third conductive piece in the first contact hole, and a fourth conductive piece in the second contact hole, in which the distance between the first conductive piece and the first insulating film in the first region is larger than the distance between the second conductive piece and the first insulating film in the second region.
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Sheaf data model
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A data model including a first table to represent an entity type with a column in the table for a respective attribute of the entity type, and having rows entered with attribute data. The data model also includes a row graph which represents an ordering relationship between the rows of the first table, and a column graph which represents an ordering relationship between columns of the first table. Further, the column graph is a row graph from a second table.
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1. A computer-implemented method of representing data on a computer as a collection of finite sheaves for facilitating information retrieval in response to a query, comprising the steps of: selecting one or more entity sets within an application, each entity set being a collection of entities of a single entity type; constructing a distinct table to represent each entity set selected in said selecting step, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between respective tables and entity sets; for each table executing steps of selecting another table and a member in a finite distributive lattice, FDL, defined by said table, hereafter referred to as a schema table and a schema member, respectively, of a current table, constructing a column in the current table for each row in a down set of the respective schema member, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between columns in the current table and rows in the down set of the schema member, interpreting each column of the table as an attribute of the associated entity type, interpreting a row graph of the down set of the schema member as a column graph of the current table, said column graph representing an ordering relationship between the columns of the current table, constructing a row in the current table for each entity of the associated entity set, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between rows and entities, entering attribute data into rows of the current table, imposing an externally specified ordering relationship between the rows of the current table, hereafter referred to as the row graph, defining the FDL from the row graph to have a member for each row and each distinct combination of the rows of the current table, wherein two combinations of rows are distinct if they do not represent a same ordering relationship, and defining a finite sheaf from the table, row graph and column graph. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein a first entity is included in a second entity if and only if there is a path in the graph from a node corresponding to the first entity to a node corresponding to the second entity. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ordering relationship of the rows of the first table comprises a partially ordered relationship. 4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising steps of executing commands indicative of operations for querying and manipulating the table, row graph, and column graph of one finite sheaf or the respective tables, row graphs, and column graphs of several finite sheaves in combination. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the attribute data comprises at least one of simulation data, spatial data, object-orientated data, and relational data. 6. A data model encoded on a computer-readable medium as a collection of finite sheaves for facilitating information retrieval in response to a query, comprising: a first table and other tables respectively configured to represent a single entity set from a group of entity sets, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between respective tables and entity sets, said first table having an association with a second table and a member in a finite distributive lattice, FDL, defined by said table, hereafter referred to as the schema table and schema member, respectively, of the first table, a column for each row in a down set of the respective schema member, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between columns in the first table and rows in the down set of the schema member, each said column corresponding to an attribute of the entity type associated with the first table, a column graph defined to be a row graph of the down set of the respective schema member, said column graph representing an ordering relationship between the columns of the current table, a row for each entity of the associated entity set, such that there is a one-to-one correspondence between rows and entities, attribute data included in the rows, an externally specified ordering relationship between the rows of the first table, hereafter referred to as the row graph, the FDL defined from the row graph to have a member for each row and each distinct combination of the rows of the first table, wherein two combinations of rows are distinct if they do not represent a same ordering relationship, and a finite sheaf corresponding to the table, row graph and column graph. 7. The data model according to claim 6, wherein a first entity is included in a second entity if and only if there is a path in the graph from a node corresponding to the first entity to a node corresponding to the second entity. 8. The data model according to claim 6, wherein the ordering relationship of the rows of the first table comprises a partially ordered relationship. 9. The data model according to claim 6, further comprising commands indicative of operations for querying and manipulating the table, row graph, and column graph of one finite sheaf or the respective tables, row graphs, and column graphs of several finite sheaves in combination. 10. The data model according to claim 6, wherein the attribute data comprises at least one of simulation data, spatial data, object-orientated data, and relational data.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND 0F THE INVENTION <EOH>0 F THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data model and associated operators. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sheaf data model including a base set and a corresponding graph representing the inclusions of the base set, and associated operators which operate on the sheaf data model. 2. Discussion of the Background A data model is a theory for describing computer data. The term was introduced by C. F. Codd in the early 1970's to describe the relationship between previous approaches to data management and a relational data model which he had just introduced. Formally, a data model specifies three things: 1) a class of mathematical objects which are used to model data; 2) the operations on those objects; and 3) the constraints between the objects that must be satisfied in a valid database. The purpose of a data model is to serve as a basis for analysis, design, and implementation of database management systems (DBMS). That is, a DBMS will implement in software (or sometimes in hardware) the operations of the model which allow clients of the system to store and manipulate their data as instances of the objects of the model. Currently all major DBMS', such as the ones sold under the trademarks ORACLE, INFORMIX and SYBASE, are based on some form of the relational model. To the commercial data management industry, data management is essentially indistinguishable from relational database management system (RDBMS) technology. In the relational data model, the mathematical objects are relations on domains and the operations are given by relational algebra. The terms relation, domain and relational algebra have detailed, rigorous definitions in mathematics. However, it is possible to understand these terms via a widely used table analogy, and which will be described with reference to the tables shown in FIGS. 1 a - 1 c and 2 a - 2 g. A mathematical set is any collection of objects, entities, etc. A domain is a set of values that can be directly represented on the computer, in other words a computer data type. Three very common domains are integer numbers, real numbers, and character strings. Referring to FIG. 1 a , a domain 7 is a table 8 with a single column 17 listing all possible values 9 in the domain 7 . A name 11 of the domain 7 is a column heading. The number of values in the domain 7 has been selected to be very small to make the table easy to draw, however, in practice the number of values is much larger. FIG. 1 b illustrates a table 10 representing a binary Cartesian product of two sets A and B. The table 10 includes all possible pairs (a,b), where a is a member of set A and b is a member of set B. As shown, the table 10 includes two columns 13 and 15 , one for set A and one for set B. FIG. 1 b shows the Cartesian product of the domain TINY_INT with itself. Each row in the table 10 includes a pair of values and hence corresponds to a member of the Cartesian product set. Each column 13 , 15 corresponds to one of the factors in the product. In addition, the Cartesian product can be extended to more than just two factors. The n-ary Cartesian product A×B×C× . . . (n factor sets) is a table with n columns, one for each factor. Each row contains n values, one from each one of the factors. In addition, there is a row in the table for each possible combination of values. Each row is called an n-tuple and the n-ary Cartesian product is the set of all such n-tuples. FIG. 1 c illustrates a table 12 , which is subset of a Cartesian product set shown in table 10 (see FIG. 1 b ). Table 12 is a relation and includes the same column headings as table 10 . However, table 12 includes only some of the rows of table 10 . Thus, table 12 is referred to as a relation, because a subset is selected to represent all the pairs satisfying a predetermined relationship between the two columns 13 and 15 . In more detail, FIG. 1 c illustrates the relation LESS-THAN-OR-EQUAL in which the value in column 13 of a given row is less than or equal to the value in column 15 of the same row. A relation schema or relation type is a list of column headings for the table or equivalently a list of factors in the Cartesian product which the relation is a subset of. There are many different possible subsets of the rows of a given Cartesian product set and hence there are many possible relations for a given relation type. The term “relation instance” is used to refer to a specific subset of the rows of a given relation type. Applications are often analyzed for data base purposes using the dual notions of entity and relationship. An entity is any thing or object in the real world which is distinguishable from all other objects. Entities have attributes. An attribute is a named property that takes its value from some domain. An entity is represented by its set of attribute values and the attribute values identify the entity and describe its state. A relationship is an association between entities. When the relational model is used to store application data, the application data is typically organized so that a relation represents either an entity in the application or a relationship between entities. FIGS. 2 a - 2 g illustrate an example of a relational model directed to a personnel application including an EMPLOYEE table 14 and a MANAGED_BY table 24 (see FIGS. 2 a and 2 b ). The EMPLOYEE table 14 shown in FIG. 2 a is an entity table. Each row in table 14 represents an entity (i.e., an employee) and the columns in table 14 represent attributes of the entity (i.e., an employee_id 16 , name 18 , job title 20 , and salary 22 ). The MANAGED_BY table 24 shown in FIG. 2 b is a relation corresponding to a relationship between workers and managers. That is, each row in table 24 represents a relationship between two employees, one a manager of the other. The columns in table 24 include the ids 16 of the relevant employees and a manager_id 26 . In addition, because an entity is any thing or object, an attribute value can also be considered as an entity. For example, a name serving as an attribute value of an entity EMPLOYEE may also be considered an entity. Thus, an entity-attribute association can be considered as a relationship between two entities, a primary entity and the attribute entity. This fundamental relationship is referred to as a HAS_A relationship, which is built into the relational data model. That is, the HAS_A relationship is directly represented by the relationship between a table and its columns. Other relationships, such as the MANAGED_BY relationship shown in FIG. 2 b , must be represented by additional tables. Further, a large number of operations may be performed on relations. The operations receive one or more relations (i.e., tables) as an input and produce a relation as an output. The operations are not all independent of each other. That is, some operations can be implemented using other operations. Six fundamental operators in the relational algebra include: 1) Cartesian product, 2) selection, 3) projection, 4) union, 5) intersection, and 6) rename. The Cartesian product operator has been discussed with reference to FIG. 1 b . A description of the other five operators will now be given with reference to FIGS. 2 c - 2 f. The selection operator receives a table (i.e., a relation) and a row selection condition as an input and outputs a table containing only the rows that match the selection condition. For example, the command “SELECT rows with SALARY >=$100,000 in relation EMPLOYEE” returns a table 28 shown in FIG. 2 c . Note the table 28 in FIG. 2 c does not have a name. The rename operator (discussed below) allows a table to be named. However, in some instances the table produced by an operator is a temporary result to be used only as input to another operator. In these instances there is no need for the table to have a name. Another result of a selection operation is shown in FIG. 2 d , in which the command “SELECT rows with TITLE=Programmer in relation EMPLOYEE” is executed. As shown, the resulting table 30 includes only the rows with the title “Programmer.” The projection operator is similar to the selection operator, except it works on columns. That is, the projection operator receives a table and a column selection condition, typically a list of column names as an input and outputs a table including only the selected columns. In addition, because two rows may have a different attribute only in a column not selected by the projection operation, the resulting table may include duplicate rows. In this instance, only one of the duplicate rows is retained, and the others are discarded. FIG. 2 e illustrates a result of the projection operation, in which the command “PROJECT columns named NAME in relation EMPLOYEE” is executed. As shown, the projection operation produces a table 32 including all of the employees' names. The union operator receives two tables as an input and outputs a table including all the rows in either of the input tables. In addition, the union operator can only be used on tables which both have the same relation type (column headings). For example, FIG. 2 f illustrates a resultant table 34 from a union operator of the tables shown in FIGS. 2 c and 2 d . The table 34 is produced by executing the command “UNION relation Table 6 with relation Table 7 .” The references to Tables 6 and 7 respectively refer to the tables shown in FIGS. 2 c and 2 d. The intersection operator receives two tables as an input and outputs a table containing all rows that were the same in both tables. Similar to the union operator, the intersection operator can be only used on tables which both have the same relation type. For example, FIG. 2 g illustrates a resultant table 36 from an intersection operation of the tables shown in FIGS. 2 c and 2 d , in which the command “INTERSECT relation Table 6 with relation to Table 7 ” is executed. The above-noted operators all produce nameless tables. However, a table must have a name if it is to be later referred to. The rename operator may be executed to perform this function. The set of operators described above is a primitive set of operators. That is, the set is a minimal set of operations from which other more convenient operations can be built. Practical relational database systems implement a number of other operators, which for simplicity purposes are not described herein. A database for a particular application is designed by choosing a set of relation types that represent the entities and relationships in the application. This collection of relation types is called the database schema. The details of the mathematics of the relation model place a number of constraints on the relation types in the database schema. A database schema that satisfies these constraints is said to be in normal form and the process of reshaping a candidate database schema design to meet the requirements of the normal form is called normalization. The net effect of normalization is typically to scatter the attributes of an entity across many different tables. The constraints of the normal form are organized into various stages, such as first normal form, second normal form, etc. The first normal form requires each column in a table to contain atomic data. That is, the domain associated with the column must be some predefined, preferably fixed size type value such as an integer. The reason for this is because the relational operations deal only with the table structure and can not deal with any internal structure associated with the data within a given cell in the table. The most infamous type of non-atomic data is the array. Frequently, the most natural interpretation of the application entity is it has an attribute which is a variable length collection. For instance, an attribute for an employee might be “skills,” a variable length array of skill keywords. However, this attribute would constitute a non-atomic attribute and hence is forbidden. Typically, the atomic attribute requirement forces the creation of additional tables, such as an EMPLOYEE_SKILLS table, which would cross-reference other employee entities to skill entities. In many applications this is an entirely acceptable approach. However, in several instances (discussed below) this type of processing is unacceptable. The relational data model was a radical departure from previous data management approaches because it is a mathematical model. Previous ad hoc approaches had mostly focused on how data was to be stored and described how to access the data in terms of how it was stored. This limited the types of queries that could be made and generated massive software maintenance problems whenever the data storage was reorganized. The relational data model instead described data in terms of abstract mathematical objects and operations. The mathematical abstraction separated how data was accessed from how it was actually stored. Furthermore, the mathematics ensured that the relational algebra was a complete set of query operators. That is, any query within the universe of possible queries defined by the model could be generated by a suitable combination of the fundamental relational algebra operators. The mathematical abstraction and completeness of the relational algebra meant that sophisticated query processors could be implemented as independent subsystems, without knowledge of the application. This arguably created the database management system as a commercial product and unquestionably revolutionized the database industry. In spite of the overwhelming success of the relational data model, not all application areas are well served by the model. A first application which is not well suited for the relational model is an application which deals with spatial data. There are a wide variety of applications using data that is spatial or geometric in nature. For example, computer aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) and geographic information systems (GIS) are two well known commercially important examples. A main focus of systems that deal with spatial data is the need to represent spatial decomposition. For example, in design data, the decomposition into systems, subsystems, and parts is a spatial decomposition. Similarly, in geographical data, the decomposition into states, counties, and cities is a spatial decomposition. Furthermore, these applications frequently exhibit multiple, concurrent decompositions. For instance, geographic systems must represent both physical boundaries and political boundaries. At the finest level of decomposition, spatial data includes collections of geometric primitives and the topological relationships between the primitives. Geometric primitives include simple geometric shapes like points, lines and polygons, as well as a wide and constantly growing number of mathematically more sophisticated primitives, such as non-uniform-rational-B-splines (NURBS). The topological relationships describe how these geometric patches are connected to form complex structures. It has long been understood that the relational model is a poor choice for representing spatial data. There are at least two fundamental issues. First, it is difficult to represent the decomposition relationships, especially the topological relationships, in a natural and efficient way. For instance, a polygon has a collection of edges (i.e., a HAS_A relationship) which is naturally represented as an attribute of the polygon entity. However, the first normal form prohibits such variable length collections as attributes. On the other hand, representing the topological relationships in separate relationship tables requires complex, possibly recursive, and frequently inefficient queries to retrieve all the parts of a geometric primitive. Second, the operations of the relational algebra are not well suited to natural spatial queries, such as nearness queries and region queries. A second application which is not well suited for the relational model is object-oriented programming systems. Object-oriented languages, such as Smalltalk, C++ and Java, facilitate the definition of programmer-defined entity types called classes. Individual entities of these entity types are called objects. Complex entities and entity types are composed primarily using two relationships. First, the HAS_A relationship is used to compose simpler objects into more complex objects. That is, objects have parts which are other objects. An IS_A relationship is used to combine entity types into more complex types. The IS_A relationship, or inheritance as it is called in the object-oriented paradigm, is a powerful new technique introduced by the object-oriented paradigm. The IS_A relationship is a relationship between entity types, rather than just individual entities. If an entity type MANAGER is specified to inherit type EMPLOYEE, then the MANAGER type is a special type of EMPLOYEE (i.e., a IS_A relationship). Every MANAGER entity has all the attributes every EMPLOYEE entity has, plus any attributes that are specified in type MANAGER. This programming mechanism greatly facilitates the construction of complex software applications by making it much less labor intensive and less error prone to model the natural inheritance relationships found in applications. In execution, an object-oriented application is a complex network of objects related by the HAS_A and IS_A relationships. The natural notion of data storage for such a system is the notion of object persistence. That is, it should be easy to store an object and all the objects it refers to in a database, thus making the object persist after the program that created it has finished execution. Similarly, it should be easy to retrieve the object when execution resumes. Attempts to use the relational model to store object-oriented data suffer one of the same difficulties as described above for spatial data, which is complex, recursive HAS_A relationships are difficult to implement in the relational model. A more severe problem is the IS_A relationship can not at all be implemented directly in the relational model. In the context of a relational data base, the IS_A relationship is a relationship between relation types. As discussed above, a relation type is not a relation, but is a set of attributes. Thus, the relation types as such can not be represented or operated on within the model. A third application area for which the relational model is not well suited, and an increasingly commercially important one, is numerical simulation or scientific computing. Simulation software is aimed at predicting the outcome of complex physical, biological, financial, or other processes by building mathematical models and numerically solving the resulting equations. Defense, petroleum exploration, and medical imaging have been the classical applications for scientific computing. However, as the price of numerical computation has dropped, it is increasingly cost effective to use simulation in a wide range of applications. For example, the manufacturing industry is replacing the conventional design-build-test-redesign product development cycle with a design-simulate-redesign cycle. Similarly, financial trading is directed by market simulations and major metropolitan TV stations produce their own weather simulations, complete with computer generated animations. Simulations combine features of spatial data and object-oriented data. The results of the simulation usually represent the dependence of some property on space or time. For example, the result may represent the dependence of mechanical stress on position within the product, or a stock price on time, or a temperature on location. Thus, simulation data usually contains embedded spatial data representing the shape of the product, the interesting intervals of time, or the geography of the region of interest. In addition, the space and time dependent properties computed are usually complex mathematical types with important IS_A relationships between them. In addition to sharing these features with spatial data and object-oriented data, simulation data has another essential feature which is the data sets tend to be very large. The amount of data that must be processed in a simulation is directly proportional to the desired accuracy. The quest for accuracy always requires that the simulations be run at or over the limits of the computational resource.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to solve the above-noted and other problems. Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel data model which efficiently deals with spatial data, object-oriented programming applications and simulation applications. Another object of the present invention is to provide novel algebraic operators which operate on the data model according to the present invention. To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a novel method of representing data on a computer, including the steps of constructing a first table to represent an entity type with a column in the table for a respective attribute of the entity type, and entering attribute data into rows of the first table. The method also includes the steps of constructing a row graph which represents an ordering relationship between the rows of the first table, and assigning a column graph which represents an ordering relationship between columns of the first table. The column graph is a row graph from a second table. The present invention also provides a novel data model including a first table to represent an entity type having a column in the table for a respective attribute of the entity type, and having rows entered with attribute data, and a row graph which represents an ordering relationship between the rows of the first table. Further, the data model includes a column graph which represents an ordering relationship between columns of the first table; in which the column graph is a row graph from a second table.
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ID tag, a tag reader, ID tag transmitting and recovering methods, and a tag manager
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An ID tag for RF transmitting its own tag ID information is disclosed. The ID tag comprises an ID storage for outputting the tag ID information stored therein; an ID concealing unit that conceals the tag ID information based on a certain value relating to time and outputs a concealed ID; a time information concealing unit that conceals the certain value based on a stored tag unique value and outputs concealed information; and a data outputting unit that receives and combines the concealed ID and the concealed information, and outputs combined data.
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1. An ID tag for RF transmitting its own tag ID information, comprising: an ID storage for outputting the tag ID information stored therein; an ID concealing unit that conceals the tag ID information based on a certain value relating to time and outputs a concealed ID; a time information concealing unit that conceals the certain value based on a stored tag unique value and outputs concealed information; and a data outputting unit that receives and combines the concealed ID and the concealed information, and outputs combined data. 2. An ID tag for RF transmitting its own tag ID information, comprising: a timer for outputting time information; an ID storage for outputting the tag ID information stored therein; an ID concealing unit that conceals the tag ID information based on a tag unique value and the time information, and outputs a concealed ID; and a data outputting unit that outputs a changed value of the concealed ID. 3. The ID tag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an ID divider for dividing the tag ID information output from the ID storage into plural fragments; wherein the ID concealing unit conceals the fragments based on the certain value. 4. The ID tag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the certain value changes depending on time. 5. A tag reader for receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising: a data separator for separating the received data into at least concealed information and concealed ID information; a time information recovering unit that recovers the concealed information based on a tag unique value, and outputs a certain value relating to the recovered time; and an ID recovering unit that recovers the concealed ID information based on the certain value. 6. A tag reader for receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising; a timer for outputting time information; an ID recovering unit that recovers the received data based on a tag unique value and the time information; and a timer corrector for correcting the time information of the timer by recognizing a value dependent on tag time, from the received data. 7. The tag reader as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a divider for determining that the concealed ID information has been divided and for supplying the divided concealed ID information to at least one ID recoverer; the at least one ID recoverer that recovers the divided concealed ID information; and an ID combiner for combining the divided ID information. 8. A method of RF transmitting tag ID information, comprising the steps of: outputting the tag ID information; outputting time information; scrambling the tag ID information with the time information, and outputting a scrambled ID: and transmitting the scrambled ID and concealed time information. 9. A method of recovering data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising the steps of; separating received data into concealed time information and concealed ID information; and recovering the concealed ID information based on a value dependent on the recovered concealed time information. 10. A tag manager for directly or indirectly receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising: a storage that correlates tag ID information of at least one tag and location information of the tag, and stores the correlated information; and an authenticator that determines authenticity of the tag based on tag ID information and location information included in the received data, with reference to the tag ID information and the location information stored in the storage. 11. The tag manager as claimed in claim 10, determining the authenticity of the tag at another station's request. 12. The tag manager as claimed in claim 10, wherein the storage holds tag ID information and location information provided by another station, and the authenticity of the tag is determined with reference to the ID information and the location information provided by the other station.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention generally relates to an ID tag, a tag reader, ID tag transmitting and recovering methods, and a tag manager utilized in mobile communication systems, and particularly relates to such an ID tag, a tag reader, ID tag transmitting and recovering methods, and a tag manager capable of recognizing counterfeit tags. RFID tags are well known in this art as disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents #1, #2 and #3 below, which can be applied to mobile communication systems. An example of such an RFID system is shown in FIG. 1 . In FIG. 1 , an authentic first tag 7 transmits its own tag ID as it is without concealing the tag ID. The first tag 7 is placed at a fixed location. The tag ID of the first tag 7 and information about the first tag 7 are correlated and held in a server 2 . In this manner, the server 2 can provide a service in which the location information of the first tag 7 is provided to a mobile station 5 . Other types of services relating to the location of tags are also available. In such a location notifying service, the first tag 7 is placed at A station East exit. The tag ID of the first tag 7 and the location information of the first tag 7 are correlated and held in the server 2 . When a reader 6 coupled to or integrated with the mobile station 5 moves close to the first tag 7 , the reader 6 receives tag ID information transmitted from the first tag 7 . The reader 6 outputs the received tag ID information to the mobile station 6 . The mobile station 6 extracts a tag ID (“12345678” in the example shown in FIG. 1 ) from the received tag information, sends information obtained from the first tag ID 7 to the server 2 via a first base station 3 and a network together with an inquiry as to where the first tag 7 is located. As mentioned above, the server 2 holds information of “A station East exit” correlated to the tag ID of the first tag 7 , and answers to the mobile station 5 “A station East exit”. Accordingly, the user of the mobile station 5 recognizes that he is now at the East exit of A station. A counterfeit tag (a second tag 8 in FIG. 1 ) transmitting the same ID “12345678” as the first tag 7 is located at B station East exit. If the mobile station 5 moves close to the second tag 8 and receives the ID of the tag 8 , the same information “A station East exit” is provided to the mobile station 5 . Although the user is actually at the East exit of B station, the user receives wrong information “A station East exit”. If many counterfeit tags like this are placed at many places, the location notifying service becomes unreliable. In another available service, a user having a mobile station with tag reader function can monitor an ID transmitted from a tag attached to his wallet to always know where the wallet is, and he can notice that he forgot or dropped the wallet. Such a tag transmits a constant ID. Therefore, someone can detect the constant ID and know where the tag holding person is, which may invade individual privacy. [Patent Document #1] Japanese Laid-open No. 2003-524242 [Patent Document #2] Japanese Laid-open No. 2002-533846 [Patent Document #3] Japanese Laid-open No. 2000-224219
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A general object of the present invention is to provide an ID tag, a tag reader, ID tag transmitting and recovering methods, and a tag manager that can recognize counterfeit tags and avoid service degradation and privacy invasion. The above object of the present invention is achieved by an ID tag for RF transmitting its own tag ID information, comprising: an ID storage for outputting the tag ID information stored therein; an ID concealing unit that conceals the tag ID information based on a certain value relating to time and outputs a concealed ID; a time information concealing unit that conceals the certain value based on a stored tag unique value and outputs concealed information; and a data outputting unit that receives and combines the concealed ID and the concealed information, and outputs combined data. The object of the present invention is achieved also by an ID tag for RF transmitting its own tag ID information, comprising: a timer for outputting time information; an ID storage for outputting the tag ID information stored therein; an ID concealing unit that conceals the tag ID information based on a tag unique value and the time information, and outputs a concealed ID; and a data outputting unit that outputs a changed value of the concealed ID. The object of the present invention is achieved also by an ID tag as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: an ID divider for dividing the tag ID information output from the ID storage into plural fragments; wherein the ID concealing unit conceals the fragments based on the certain value. The object of the present invention is achieved also by a tag reader for receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising: a data separator for separating the received data into at least concealed information and concealed ID information; a time information recovering unit that recovers the concealed information based on a tag unique value, and outputs a certain value relating to the recovered time; and an ID recovering unit that recovers the concealed ID information based on the certain value. The object of the present invention is achieved also by a tag reader for receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising: a timer for outputting time information; an ID recovering unit that recovers the received data based on a tag unique value and the time information; and a timer corrector for correcting the time information of the timer by recognizing a value dependent on tag tine, from the received data. The object of the present invention is achieved also by a method of RF transmitting tag ID information, comprising the steps of: outputting the tag ID information; outputting time information; scrambling the tag ID information with the time information, and outputting a scrambled ID; and transmitting the scrambled ID and concealed time information. The object of the present invention is achieved also by a method of recovering data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising the steps of: separating received data into concealed time information and concealed ID information; and recovering the concealed ID information based on a value dependent on the recovered concealed time information. The object of the present invention is achieved also by a tag manager for directly or indirectly receiving data RF transmitted from an ID tag, comprising: a storage that correlates tag ID information of at least one tag and location information of the tag, and stores the correlated information; and an authenticator that determines authenticity of the tag based on tag ID information and location information included in the received data, with reference to the tag ID information and the location information stored in the storage.
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Active matrix type display
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An active matrix type display includes a light emission device having a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode on both surfaces of a light emitting layer and a driving circuit controlling the driving current of the light emission device. The driving circuit is formed on a substrate, and the light emission device is formed as a layer above the driving circuit with an intermediate layer of insulation material interposed therebetween. The metal pixel electrode device is connected with the driving circuit through a conduction portion which extends through the intermediate layer. Thus, light emitted from the light emission device can be prevented from reaching transistors by locating the transistors below the metal pixel electrode, and leakage current produced by the light of a transistor in the off state can be suppressed to prevent degradation of the image quality.
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1. An active matrix type display, comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate; wherein each of the pixels comprises a light emission device prepared by forming a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode on respective surfaces of a light emitting layer, and a driving circuit for controlling a driving current of the light emission device; the driving circuit is formed on the substrate; the light emission device is formed in a layered manner above the driving circuit with an intermediate layer made of an insulation material being interposed therebetween; and the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device is connected with the driving circuit through a conduction portion which extends through the intermediate layer. 2. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 1, wherein the driving circuit comprises a transistor for controlling the driving current of the light emission device, and the transistor is disposed below the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device. 3. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 2, wherein the metal pixel electrode with the transistor being disposed therebelow is a metal pixel electrode of the light emission device of the preceding stage in a scanning direction. 4. An active matrix type display, comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate; wherein each of the pixels includes a lower layer having a driving circuit formed thereon, an intermediate layer made of an insulator material formed on the lower layer, and an upper layer having a light emission device formed on the intermediate layer; the driving circuit includes a transistor circuit that controls a driving current of the light emission device in response to a scanning signal and a pixel signal; the light emission device includes a light emission layer, and a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode that interpose the light emission layer therebetween; and the transistor circuit is connected with the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device through a conductor which extends through the intermediate layer, and is disposed below the metal pixel electrode of a pixel of the preceding stage in a scanning direction of the pixels. 5. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 4, wherein the lower layer comprises scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed to cross to each other along the arrangement of the pixels, and current lines for allowing a driving current of the light emission device to flow. 6. An active matrix type display, comprising: a substrate; and a plurality of pixel elements arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate; wherein each of the pixels includes a lower layer having a driving circuit formed thereon, an intermediate layer made of an insulator material formed on the lower layer, and an upper layer having a light emission device formed on the intermediate layer; the driving circuit includes scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed to cross to each other along the arrangement of the pixels, a first current line for allowing a driving current of the light emission device to flow therethrough, and a transistor circuit connected with the scanning signal line and the image signal line to control the driving current of the light emission device by way of the first current line in response to a scanning signal and a pixel signal, the light emission device includes a light emitting layer, and a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode that interpose the light emitting layer therebetween; the transistor circuit is connected with the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device through a conductor which extends through the intermediate layer, and is disposed below a metal pixel electrode of a pixel at the preceding stage in the scanning direction of the pixels; and a second current line is disposed in the upper layer so as to allow a driving current of the light emission device to flow therethrough, and the second current line is connected with the transparent pixel electrode of the light emission device. 7. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 6, wherein the first current line formed in the lower layer and the second current line formed in the upper layer are extended while being overlapped along the pixel. 8. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 7, wherein the driving circuit includes a capacitor for defining the current to flow to the light emission device, and a pair of electrodes constituting the capacitor is stacked below the first current line with an insulative layer sandwiched therebetween. 9. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 6, wherein the pixel signal line and the first current line are extended in an identical direction and are each disposed substantially at an equal interval. 10. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 6, wherein the second current lines are disposed in the form of a lattice along the arrangement of the pixels. 11. An active matrix type display as defined in claim 6, wherein the second current line is disposed along a shorter side of the pixel.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention relates to an active matrix type display device, for example, a display device using light emission devices that emit light by themselves, such as organic LEDs. Demands for personal computers, portable information terminals, information communication equipment or composite products thereof have increased with the advent of a high information society. For use in such products, display devices of reduced thickness and weight and having a high-speed response are in demand. As a display device which is suitable to meet such demands, displays that are formed by light emission devices that are capable of saving electric power have been proposed. Generally, an active matrix type display device is formed by arranging rectangular pixel regions in a matrix form on a substrate. For example, an organic LED, as one example of light emission devices is formed by putting an organic LED device, comprising a hole transportation layer, a charge injection layer and an organic light emission layer, between a transparent pixel electrode (anode) and a metal pixel electrode (cathode) in such a manner that both surfaces of the organic LED device are in contact with the transparent pixel electrode and the metal pixel electrode, respectively. Existent active matrix type organic LED display devices are formed by disposing a transparent pixel electrode of the organic LED device on the side of the transparent substrate, such as a substrate made of glass and disposing the metal pixel electrode on the side opposite to the substrate. In the driving circuit for the organic LED device in each pixel, a first thin layer transistor (TFT 1 ) is disposed at a position near the intersection between each of the scanning lines and the signal lines arranged in the form of a lattice, the TFT 1 is driven by scanning signals and pixel signals to store data in a capacitor (holding capacitor), a second thin layer transistor (TFT 2 ) is driven in accordance with the voltage of the capacitor and the current flowing to the organic light emitting layer by way of the transparent pixel electrode, which serves as the anode connected with the TFT 2 , is controlled to emit light. Then, light emitted from the organic light-emitting layer passes out through the transparent pixel electrode on the substrate side. In the case of a bottom emission type display, in which emission light is taken out from the substrate, since the area of the driving circuit, comprising transistors TFT 1 , TFT 2 , the capacitor and lines arranged for each of the pixels, hinders light transmission, an improvement in the so-called aperture ratio is limited. In view of the above, to improve the aperture ratio without effect on the driving circuits, such as the transistor TFT, a so-called top emission type display device, that takes out light from the side opposite to the substrate, has been proposed (Document: SID2001 Digest-24-4L). In such a top emission type of device, an improvement in the aperture ratio can be expected as compared with the bottom emission type of device. In this top emission type of device, light is taken out by using a transparent electrode layer on the upper side of the organic LED device, but the document referred to above discloses no actual structure of the organic LED device and the driving circuit. Further, the dielectric constant of the transparent pixel electrode layer is generally greater by about one digit or more as compared with that of the metal pixel electrode layer. Accordingly, the current consumption increases as the size of the display panel becomes larger, which poses a problem in that the power loss of the current supply line to the organic LED device increases. Further, the organic LED device has the characteristic that it degrades rapidly due to heat or humidity. Accordingly, the method of forming a transparent pixel electrode layer in the upper portion, or a method of patterning the transparent pixel electrode layer, becomes significant. In particular, to realize multi-color display, organic LED devices capable of displaying plural colors are necessary. However, since the light emission characteristics of devices are different from one color to another color at present, it is preferred to separate, for each color, the lines for current supply in order to effectively control the display colors. However, this involves a problem in that it is difficult to form the transparent pixel electrode layer into an optional shape. A first object of the present invention is to provide a specific pixel structure in a top emission type display device using light emission devices. A second object of the present invention is to provide a current supply structure to a transparent pixel electrode that is capable of coping with an increase in the scale in the top emission type display device using light emission devices. A third object of the present invention is to provide a pixel structure that is suitable to coloration of a panel in the top emission type display device using organic LED devices.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an active matrix type display device comprising a substrate and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate, wherein each of the pixels includes a light emission device that is prepared by forming a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode on respective surfaces of a light emitting layer, and a driving circuit for controlling a driving current of the light emission device. The driving circuit is formed on the substrate, and the light emission device is formed in a layered manner above the driving circuit with an intermediate layer made of an insulation material interposed therebetween, the transparent pixel electrode being situated on the side opposite to the substrate; and, the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device is connected with the driving circuit through a conduction portion which extends through the intermediate layer. With this configuration, since the aperture ratio of the light emission device is free from the effect of the driving circuit in the lower layer, for example, a scanning signal line, pixel signal lines, a current line allowing a driving current of the light emission devices to flow therethrough and a transistor, the aperture ratio can be increased. In particular, since the aperture ratio is determined only by the conduction portion for connecting the lower layer portion and the upper layer portion, an extremely high aperture ratio can be obtained. In the case described above, the transistors for controlling a driving current of is the light emission devices are preferably disposed below the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device. With this configuration, the light emitted from the light emission device can be shielded by the metal pixel electrode, and the occurrence of leakage current due to the light produced in the off state of the transistor can be suppressed. As a result, the change in the potential of the capacitor to which image data is written by the transistors can be suppressed so as to reduce the degradation in the image quality. In particular, the metal pixel electrode covering the transistors is preferably a metal pixel electrode of the light emission device of the preceding stage in the scanning direction. That is, when a pixel signal is written to a corresponding capacitor by the transistor, since the metal pixel electrode in the upper layer has already been selected, it is in a constant potential state. Accordingly, the effect on the writing operation can be decreased. In addition, since current flows through the metal pixel electrode in this case, the effect caused by peripheral electric fluctuations can also be shielded. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an active matrix type of display device comprising a substrate; and a plurality of pixel elements arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate, wherein each of the pixels includes a lower layer having a driving circuit formed thereon, an intermediate layer made of an insulator material formed on the lower layer, and an upper layer having a light emission device that is formed on the intermediate layer. The driving circuit includes scanning signal lines and image signal lines disposed so as to cross each other along the arrangement of the pixels, a first current line for allowing a driving current of the light emission device to flow therethrough, and a transistor circuit connected with the scanning signal line and the image signal line to control the driving current of the light emission device by way of the first current line in response to a scanning signal and a pixel signal. The light emission device includes a light emitting layer, and a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode with the light emitting layer interposed therebetween, the transparent pixel electrode being situated on the side opposite to the substrate. The transistor circuit is connected with the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device through a conductor which extends through the intermediate layer and is disposed below a metal pixel electrode of a pixel of the preceding stage in the scanning direction of the pixels, and a second current line is disposed in the upper layer so as to allow a driving current of the light emission device to flow therethrough. The second current line is connected with the transparent pixel electrode of the light emission device. While a transparent pixel electrode of high light permeability generally has a high sheet resistance, formation of the second current line can reduce the loss due to the lines and can provide the light emission devices with more pixel current. In particular, as the size of the display panel enlarges, the amount of current per line increases, and the length of the lines also will increase resulting in more current loss in the current lines. Thus, it is difficult to apply a sufficient voltage to light emission devices remote from a power source because of the voltage drop along the lines; however, provision of the second current line with low resistance makes it possible to obtain a large sized panel. In this case, the second current line formed in the upper layer can be extended to a portion overlapping the first current line. Further, when the capacitor for controlling the transistor that defines the driving current of the light emission device is disposed below the first and second current lines at a constant potential, the voltage held in the capacitor can be held more stably to attain a display of high quality. Further, the pixel signal line and the first current line preferably extend in one identical direction and are disposed substantially at an equal interval. This can minimize the wiring capacitance between the pixel signal line and the first current line so as to reduce the load capacitance of the transistor that writes pixel data into the capacitor and enable high-speed operation. Further, the second current lines are preferably disposed in a lattice-like configuration along the arrangement of the pixels. This can decrease the voltage drop caused by the second current lines, which is applicable to large sized panels. According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an active matrix type of display device comprising a substrate, and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate, wherein each of the pixels includes a light emission device prepared by forming a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode on both surfaces of a light emitting layer and a driving circuit for controlling a driving current of the light emission device. The driving circuit is formed on the substrate, the light emission device is formed in a layered manner above the driving circuit, with an intermediate layer made of an insulation material interposed therebetween, the transparent pixel electrode being situated on the side opposite to the substrate. The metal pixel electrode of the light emission device is connected with the driving circuit through a conduction portion which extends through the intermediate layer, and an insulative partition wall having a height higher than the height of the transparent pixel electrode is formed at the boundary region between the plurality of respective pixels. With this configuration, the light emission device can be prepared by forming a mask (for example an interlayer insulative layer) for an aperture that defines the light emission device, and vapor depositing light emitting materials of different emission colors, or dissolving such light emission materials into a solvent and printing them by means of an ink jet printer or the like, in the apertures defined on a color basis, thereby making it possible to cope with coloration. That is, by arranging light emission devices that emit different colors, for example, red, green and blue, for each row of pixels successively, and connecting the second current lines separately on a color basis to a power source, the bias voltage for light emission devices having different characteristics of respective colors can be adjusted and, as a result, color images of high quality can be obtained. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an active matrix type of display device comprising: a substrate, and a plurality of pixels arranged in the form of a matrix on the substrate, wherein each of the pixels includes a lower layer having a driving circuit formed thereon, an intermediate layer made of an insulator material formed on the lower layer, and an upper layer having a light emission device formed on the intermediate layer. The driving circuit includes a transistor circuit that controls a driving current of the light emission device in response to a scanning signal and a pixel signal. The light emission device includes a light emission layer, and a transparent pixel electrode and a metal pixel electrode with the light emission layer interposed therebetween, the transparent pixel electrode being situated on the side opposite to the substrate. The transistor circuit is connected with the metal pixel electrode of the light emission device through a conductor which extends through the intermediate layer, and it is disposed below the metal pixel electrode of a pixel of the preceding stage in a scanning direction of the pixels. The light emitted obliquely from the light emission device is reflected at a transparent protective layer formed on the surface and intrudes into other pixels to possibly lower the contrast. In this regard, when the second current line of the constitution described above is provided, since the light that is emitted obliquely from the light emission device is reflected on the surface of the second current line and is emitted to the outside as an emission light of that pixel, the light output efficiency can be improved as a whole.
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Thermal spraying device and thermal spraying method
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A thermal spraying device is provided with a first blowing mechanism for lengthening droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by arc, and a second blowing mechanism for blowing tip portion of the lengthened droplet to atomize the droplet and to scatter atomized droplets towards a face to be thermally sprayed. The first blowing mechanism lengthens the droplet so that the second blowing mechanism propels air to the tip portion of the lengthened droplet that is separated from a location where the tips of thermal spraying materials are adjacent and the arc is generated, therefore arcing between the tips of the thermal spraying materials continues stably. Satisfactory thermal spraying is possible.
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1. A thermal spraying device comprising: a delivery mechanism for delivering a plurality of wire-shaped thermal spraying materials to maintain a positional relationship where tips of the thermal spraying materials are located mutually adjacent while the tips of the thermal spraying materials are consumed, an exciting mechanism for applying voltage difference between the plurality of thermal spraying materials to generate an arc between the tips of the thermal spraying materials, a first blowing mechanism for lengthening droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by the arc, and a second blowing mechanism for blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet to atomize the droplet and to smash atomized droplets onto a face to be thermally sprayed. 2. A thermal spraying device of claim 1, wherein the second blowing mechanism is disposed in a symmetrical plane of two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials. 3. A thermal spraying device of claim 1, further comprising: a rotating mechanism for rotating the entirety of the delivery mechanism, the exciting mechanism, the first blowing mechanism, and the second blowing mechanism. 4. A thermal spraying device of claim 3, wherein the tips of the thermal spraying materials are located in a position offset from a rotary center of the rotating mechanism so as to optimize a distance from the tips of the thermal spraying materials to the face to be thermally sprayed. 5. A thermal spraying device of claim 1, wherein the second blowing mechanism comprises a low speed blowing mechanism disposed close to the tips of the thermal spraying materials and a high speed blowing mechanism disposed far from the tips of the thermal spraying materials, and the thermal spraying device further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the entirety of the delivery mechanism, the exciting mechanism, the first blowing mechanism, and the second blowing mechanism from the side with the high speed blowing mechanism to the side with the low speed blowing mechanism. 6. A thermal spraying method comprising: a step of delivering a plurality of wire-shaped thermal spraying materials to maintain a positional relationship where tips of the thermal spraying materials are located mutually adjacent while the tips of the thermal spraying materials are consumed, a step of applying voltage difference between the plurality of thermal spraying materials to generate an arc between the tips of the thermal spraying materials, a first step of blowing droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by the arc to lengthen the droplet, and a second step of further blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet to atomize the droplet and to scatter atomized droplets towards a face to be thermally sprayed. 7. A thermal spraying method of claim 6, wherein the second step of further blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet comprises a step of blowing the droplet with low speed and a step of blowing the droplet with high speed, and wherein the face is coated with droplets atomized with low speed and subsequently coated with droplets atomized with high speed.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device and a method for forming a thermally sprayed coating on a face of a base material. 2. Description of the Related Art A technique that an inner circumference face of a bore of an aluminum cylinder block is strengthened by thermally spraying a metal such as iron or the like onto the inner circumference face is known. There are vigorous research activities in the field of thermal spraying techniques. Especially intense research activities are being carried out on arc thermal spraying techniques, which allow cheap operating cost, to replace plasma thermal spraying techniques, in which operating cost is expensive. In the arc thermal spraying techniques, two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials, in which differing voltages are applied between the two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials, are delivered to a location where the tips of both are adjacent. Thereupon, an arc is generated between the tips, thus forming droplet of the thermal spraying material by the arc. An air current, for atomizing the droplet and scattering atomized droplets of the thermal spraying materials is directed towards a face to be thermally sprayed through the droplet. The air current atomizes the droplet into fine droplets and the atomized droplets are smashed and piled on the face to be thermally sprayed. The wire-shaped thermal spraying materials are delivered such that they can be maintained in a positional relationship in which their tips, which are being consumed, remain mutually adjacent. U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,042 issued to Benary teaches a technique in which an air current is propelled towards droplet formed in a region adjacent the tips of two thermal spraying materials and the atomized droplets are consequently smashed onto the face to form the thermal spraying coating. In a case where an inner circumference of a bore or the like is to be thermally sprayed, thermal spraying must be performed such that an area of atomized droplets scattered onto the bore inner face moves along a circumferential direction of the inner circumference face of the bore. In the prior art, the thermal spraying device is fixed in position and the cylinder block is rotated so that the inner circumference face of the bore moves in a circumferential direction around the thermal spraying device. The method of rotating the cylinder block has a problem that only one cylinder bore can be thermally sprayed at a time, and the thermal spraying process is consequently time consuming. A technique to deal with this problem is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,205 issued to Marantz et al. In this technique, the location in which the tips of the wire-shaped thermal spraying materials are adjacent is treated as a center, and a plurality of air current propelling nozzles is disposed around the center. Each of air current propelling nozzles propels an air current toward the center. By using the plurality of air current propelling nozzles disposed around the center, the direction of the air current can be made to rotate, for example, in a clockwise direction by activating one of the air current propelling nozzles sequentially in the clockwise direction. There is no need to rotate the cylinder block or the like with this technique. Further, there is also no need to rotate the thermal spraying device.
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<SOH> BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>In the technique set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,042 issued to Benary, as described above, air current is propelled towards the droplet formed by the arc at the region adjacent the tips of the thermal spraying materials. The air current must be strongly propelled so as to atomize the droplet and smash the atomized droplets onto the face to be coated. However, it is difficult to maintain the arcing between the tips of the thermal spraying materials when the air current is strongly propelled towards the tips of the thermal spraying materials, and the arcing between the tips becomes unstable. As a result, atomized droplets are not homogeneous and the droplets or particles piled on the face to be coated are not homogeneous. Satisfactory thermally sprayed coating cannot be obtained. The present invention aims to solve this problem, and presents a technique in which high quality thermally sprayed coating can be obtained. A thermal spraying device of the present invention comprises a delivery mechanism for delivering a plurality of wire-shaped thermal spraying materials to maintain a positional relationship where tips of the thermal spraying materials are located mutually adjacent while the tips of the thermal spraying materials are consumed and an exciting mechanism for applying voltage difference between the plurality of thermal spraying materials to generate an arc between the tips of the thermal spraying materials. The thermal spraying device of the present invention further comprises a first blowing mechanism for lengthening droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by the arc and a second blowing mechanism for blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet to atomize the droplet and to smash atomized droplets onto a face to be thermally sprayed. In the present invention, there is provided the first blowing mechanism that lengthens droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by the arc. The first blowing mechanism does not need high speed blowing, therefore, the arc between the tips of the thermal spraying materials can be maintained stable. The second blowing mechanism needs high speed blowing in order to atomize the droplet and to smash atomized droplets onto the face to be coated. If the high speed blowing is propelled directly towards the tips of the thermal spraying materials, stable arcing cannot be obtained. However, in the present invention, the high speed blowing by the second blowing mechanism is not directed towards the tips of the thermal spraying materials, instead, the high speed blowing by the second blowing mechanism is directed towards the tip portion of the lengthened droplet. The tip portion of the lengthened droplet is separated from the tips of the thermal spraying materials. The high speed blowing by the second blowing mechanism does not make the arcing between the tips of the thermal spraying materials unstable. As a result, satisfactory thermally sprayed coating can be obtained. The term ‘adjacent’ refers not only to a state in which the tips of the thermal spraying materials are not in contact, but also refers to a state in which they are in contact. Arcing may be generated even the tips of the thermal spraying materials are in contact. In the aforementioned thermal spraying device, it may be preferred that the second blowing mechanism is disposed in a symmetrical plane of two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials. Performing thermal spraying with this positional relationship promotes the formation of the atomized droplets into very fine particles, and allows a fine textured thermally sprayed coating to be formed. According to the technique set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,714,205 issued to Marantz et al, by activating one of air current propelling nozzles arranged circumferentially around the tips of the thermal spraying materials, the direction of the air current for atomizing the droplet and scattering the atomized droplets rotates. However, when this method was investigated by the present inventor, it was found that a high quality thermally sprayed coating is not formed, and that the thermally sprayed coating easily peels off. It was supposed that this was caused by the sudden change in the direction of the air current that occurred when the propelling nozzles were switched sequentially. To deal with this, the present inventors tested an improvement in which a single propelling nozzle is rotated around the tips of the thermal spraying materials continuously. However, as will be described later in the reference example, this did not yield a great improvement. Unless this problem can be solved, the inefficient method must be adopted in which the cylinder block is rotated and only one cylinder bore can be thermally sprayed at a time. The present inventors performed extensive research to discover why high quality thermal spraying was not possible when the direction of air current continually rotates with respect to the tips of the wire-shaped thermal spraying materials. As a result, the present inventors discovered that there was an important relationship between the position of the tips of wire-shaped thermal spraying materials and the direction of the air current. The present inventors discovered that this positional relationship greatly affects the atomization of the droplet into fine particles. For example, in the case where two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials are utilized, the two wire-shaped thermal spraying materials are disposed so as to form a V-shape so that tips of both thermal spraying materials are adjacent. The inventors discovered that there was a large difference in the characteristics of the thermally sprayed coating when the air current was propelled from a front face of the V-shape and when the air current was propelled from a side face of the V-shape. From this, the present inventors confirmed that this was the reason why satisfactory thermal spraying was not possible when the direction of the air current was rotated continually with respect to the tips of the wire-shaped thermal spraying materials. In order to overcome that problem, it is preferred that the thermal spraying device is provided with a rotating mechanism for rotating the entirety of the delivery mechanism, the exciting mechanism, the first blowing mechanism for lengthening the droplet, and the second blowing mechanism for atomizing the droplet and scattering atomized droplets towards the face to be coated. The rotating mechanism of the thermal spraying device rotates the entirety of the delivery mechanism, the first blowing mechanism, and the second blowing mechanism. As a result, thermal spraying can be continued without any change in the positional relationship between the thermal spraying materials and the direction of blowing current, and consequently a high quality thermally sprayed coating can be formed homogeneously along the entire inner surface of the bore. It may be preferred that the tips of the thermal spraying materials are located in a position offset from a rotary center of the rotating mechanism so that a distance from the tips of the thermal spraying materials to the face to be thermally sprayed is optimized. According to this device, the thermal spraying operation can be performed while the distance from the tips of the thermal spraying materials to the face to be thermally sprayed is optimized. It may be preferred that the second blowing mechanism for atomizing the droplet and scattering atomized droplets towards the face to be coated is provided with a mechanism for blowing low speed air current and a mechanism for blowing high speed air current, the former being disposed close to the tips of the thermal spraying materials and the latter being disposed far from the tips of the thermal spraying materials. In this case, it my be preferred that the thermal spraying device is further provided with a moving mechanism that moves the entirety of the delivery mechanism, the exciting mechanism, the first blowing mechanism, and the second blowing mechanism from the side with the high speed blowing mechanism to the side with the low speed blowing mechanism. The droplets atomized by low speed air current are larger in size than the droplets atomized by high speed air current. When the moving mechanism moves the entirety of the thermal spraying device from the side with the high speed blowing mechanism to the side with the low speed blowing mechanism, larger droplets atomized by low speed air current reach the face to be coated at first, and subsequently smaller droplets atomized by high speed air current reach the thermally sprayed coating formed from the larger atomized droplets. The thermally sprayed coating formed from the larger atomized droplets adheres strongly to the face of a base material. The thermally sprayed coating formed from smaller atomized droplets adheres strongly to the thermally sprayed coating formed from larger atomized droplets. The smaller atomized droplets form a finely textured thermally sprayed coating. As a result, it is possible to form a high quality thermally sprayed coating that has strong adherence and does not easily peel off, and in which a surface of the coating is finely textured. A thermal spraying method of the present invention comprises a step of delivering a plurality of wire-shaped thermal spraying materials to maintain a positional relationship where tips of the thermal spraying materials are located mutually adjacent while the tips of the thermal spraying materials are consumed, a step of applying voltage difference between the plurality of thermal spraying materials to generate an arc between the tips of the thermal spraying materials, a first step of blowing droplet formed near the tips of the thermal spraying materials by the arc to lengthen the droplet, and a second step of further blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet to atomize the droplet and to scatter atomized droplets towards a face to be thermally sprayed. When thermal spraying is performed in this manner, the strong air current for atomizing the droplet and scattering atomized droplets does not make direct contact with the tips of the thermal spraying materials and the arcing between the tips can therefore continue stably. As a result, satisfactory thermal spraying is possible. It may be preferred that the step of blowing tip portion of lengthened droplet comprises a step of blowing the droplet with low speed and a step of blowing the droplet with high speed. In this case, it may be preferred that the face is coated with droplets or particles atomized with low speed at first and subsequently coated with droplets or particles atomized with high speed. When thermal spraying is performed in this manner, a thermally sprayed coating formed from larger atomized droplets is formed on a face of a base material. The thermally sprayed coating formed from the larger atomized droplets adheres strongly to the face of the base material. Subsequently, a thermally sprayed coating formed from smaller atomized droplets is formed on the thermally sprayed coating formed from the larger atomized droplets. The thermally sprayed coating formed from the smaller atomized droplets adheres strongly to the thermally sprayed coating formed from the larger atomized droplets. The smaller atomized droplets form a finely textured thermally sprayed coating. As a result, it is possible to form a high quality thermally sprayed coating that has strong adherence and does not easily peel off, and in which a surface of the coating is finely textured.
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System and method for peer to peer synchronization of files
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A system and related techniques provide a seamless, peer-to-peer file synchronization capability for sharing files, folders, directories or other stored content between machines. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a sync engine or other file management logic may be integrated into the operating system or other resources of a user's desktop, laptop, network-enabled cellular device or other computer, client, machine or other hardware. The sync engine may accept user designations of files, folders, directories or other contents which they wish to share, sync or roam between two or more selected machines, on an automatically consistent basis. The sync engine or other control logic may maintain a file system log to record the state of files which have been designated for sharing, to indicate for example whether a transmission of the file has been made, to which target machine or machines it has been transmitted, and other variables regarding the state of file or other content. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the sync engine may apply version management logic when files located on a target or destination machine, may, for example, reflect newer or more complete content than the file which is designated for roaming to that machine, or other under conditions. A user may therefore readily and with a comparative minimum of configuration effort select and effectuate the sharing of a set of frequently used or otherwise desired files to an arbitrary set of machines which they own or use, without a need to invoke a remote server or other control or storage to back up and synchronize that content.
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1. A system for managing the synchronization of data, comprising: an input interface to receive a designation of a set of content for synchronization; and a sync engine, the sync engine communicating with the input interface to receive the designation of the set of content and synchronize the set of content without intermediate control on a set of participating machines. 2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the set of content comprises at least one of files, folders, directories, volumes, disk media and electronic media. 3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the set of content is automatically advertised for sync selection by the user. 4. A system according to claim 1, wherein the synchronization comprises transmitting consistent versions of the set of content to the set of participating machines. 5. A system according to claim 1, wherein the sync engine comprises an engine hosted in at least one of an operating system and an application. 6. A system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the set of content and the set of participating machines are automatically detected by discovery logic. 7. A system according to claim 1, wherein the set of content is synchronized via at least one of a direct connection between participating machines and a network connection between participating machines. 8. A method for managing the synchronization of data, comprising: receiving a designation of a set of content for synchronization; and receiving the designation of the set of content in a sync engine to synchronize the set of content without intermediate control on a set of participating machines. 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the set of content comprises at least one of files, folders, directories, volumes, disk media and electronic media. 10. A method according to claim 9, wherein the set of content is automatically advertised for sync selection by the user. 11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the synchronization comprises transmitting consistent versions of the set of content to the set of participating machines. 12. A method according to claim 8, wherein the sync engine comprises an engine hosted in at least one of an operating system and an application. 13. A method according to claim 8, further comprising automatically discovering at least one of the set of content and the set of participating machines. 14. A method according to claim 8, wherein the set of content is synchronized via at least one of a direct connection between participating machines and a network connection between participating machines. 15. A set of synchronized content, the set of set of synchronized content being generated according to a method comprising: receiving a designation of a set of content for synchronization; and receiving the designation of the set of content in a sync engine to synchronize the set of content without intermediate control on a set of participating machines. 16. A set of synchronized content according to claim 15, wherein the set of content comprises at least one of files, folders, directories, volumes, disk media and electronic media. 17. A set of synchronized content according to claim 16, wherein the set of content is automatically advertised for sync selection by the user 18. A set of synchronized content according to claim 15, wherein the synchronization comprises transmitting consistent versions of the set of content to the set of participating machines. 19. A set of synchronized content according to claim 15, wherein the sync engine comprises an engine hosted in at least one of an operating system and an application. 20. A set of synchronized content according to claim 15, wherein the method further comprises comprising automatically discovering at least one of the set of content and the set of participating machines.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Many personal computer users and users of other machines or clients today regularly own or use more than one machine. For example, many business, personal and other users own or use both a desktop machine and a laptop computer or other mobile client or device. Users who own or have access to multiple machines may use different machines at different times for different purposes, yet still frequently want to access commonly used files or other content on all those machines. However, most applications, databases and other resources lack the capability to automatically or natively “roam” or share those files to a common group of machines, so that the user may be able to work with the most up-to-date or complete version of a given file, no matter what machine they happen to be using. Solutions have been marketed for purposes of addressing the file-syncing problem, including platforms which temporarily back up one machine to a remote Internet server or other resource. According to those techniques, however, the destination or target machine which is receiving the latest file, folder or directory image must wait to connect to the Internet to reach that remote server and initiate a file transfer of current files. Machines which do not operate with continuous Internet connections, such as many laptop or portable computers, may not therefore always allow the user to access that service. That may happen, for example, when a business or other user travels to a distant location without an immediate Internet access point. Moreover, file syncing solutions which depend on intermediate servers may crash, be suspended for maintenance or otherwise suffer from unpredictable interruptions in connectivity which may make the file-synchronization feature less reliable than desired. Other problems in file syncing and replication technology exist.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The invention overcoming these and other problems in the art relates in one regard to a system and method for peer-to-peer synchronization of files, in which each of a user's designated machines may host or contain a sync engine or sync logic enabling those machines to independently discover, connect to and manage the user's desired set of shared files, on a peer-to-peer basis. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the automatic discovery and management of file roaming may be accomplished without the necessity for remote server storage or other remote resources, may rather be carried out using sync engine logic hosted or contained within an operating system or other local resource of each participating machine. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, a user may register two, three or more machines for file synchronization services, and freely designate one or more files, folders, directories or other sources or content to be shared from any one or more of their set of machines to any one or more of the remainder of that registered set of machines. Each machine may transparently detect and discover connectivity status to other machines within the group, and automatically begin to roam or image selected files to or from that machine to other machines or destinations. The sync engine may in embodiments apply version management logic to detect version conflicts, and for example query the user for their preferred choices for backup and other options when version conflicts arise. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the user may therefore select or discover a set of working documents, images or other files, folders, directories or other sources or content to be automatically propagated throughout a set of working machines, with comparatively minimum configuration effort while achieving maximum currency for that set of files across all participating machines.
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Wireless mouse for receiving a receiver therein
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A wireless mouse for receiving a receiver is described. The wireless mouse has a mouse body, a circuit board and a receiver. The mouse body has an upper casing and a lower casing mating with each other, the circuit board is disposed on the lower casing of the mouse body, and the receiver is separably disposed on any places of an inner portion, such as the inner bottom edge or the inner top edge, of an upper casing by an inserting or a retaining method. The wireless mouse is thus convenient to carry and collect because the receiver is received in the upper casing of the mouse body. Moreover, the design of the present invention does not affect an inner structure of the wireless mouse, and is convenient for users to carry around and collect.
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1. A wireless mouse, comprising: a mouse body having an upper casing and a lower casing mating with each other; a circuit board disposed on the lower casing of the mouse body; and a receiver separably disposed on the upper casing of the mouse body; wherein the wireless mouse is convenient to carry and collect because the receiver is received in the upper casing of the mouse body. 2. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper casing and the lower casing pivotally mate with each other. 3. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper casing comprises a receiving groove for receiving a receiver plug of the receiver. 4. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper casing comprises a first retaining portion. 5. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiver comprises a second retaining portion disposed on a bottom side thereof and corresponding to the first retaining portion, and the receiver is received in the second retaining portion of the upper casing by the first retaining portion. 6. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner bottom edge of the upper casing. 7. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner bottom edge of the upper casing. 8. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner top edge of the upper casing. 9. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner top edge of the upper casing. 10. A wireless mouse, comprising: a mouse body having an upper casing and a lower casing mating with each other; a circuit board disposed on the lower casing of the mouse body; and a receiver separably disposed on an inner bottom edge of the upper casing of the mouse body; wherein the wireless mouse is convenient to carry and collect because the receiver is received in the upper casing of the mouse body. 11. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper casing and the lower casing pivotally mate with each other. 12. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper casing comprises a receiving groove for receiving a receiver plug of the receiver. 13. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 10, wherein the upper casing comprises a first retaining portion. 14. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 13, wherein the receiver comprises a second retaining portion disposed on a bottom side thereof and corresponding to the first retaining portion, and the receiver is received in the second retaining portion of the upper casing by the first retaining portion. 15. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 12, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner bottom edge of the upper casing. 16. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 13, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner bottom edge of the upper casing. 17. A wireless mouse, comprising: a mouse body having an upper casing and a lower casing mating with each other; a circuit board disposed on the lower casing of the mouse body; and a receiver separably disposed on an inner top edge of the upper casing of the mouse body; wherein the wireless mouse is convenient to carry and collect because the receiver is received in the upper casing of the mouse body. 18. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper casing and the lower casing pivotally mate with each other. 19. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper casing comprises a receiving groove for receiving a receiver plug of the receiver. 20. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 17, wherein the upper casing comprises a first retaining portion. 21. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 20, wherein the receiver comprises a second retaining portion disposed on a bottom side thereof and corresponding to the first retaining portion, and the receiver is received in the second retaining portion of the upper casing by the first retaining portion. 22. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 19, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner top edge of the upper casing. 23. The wireless mouse as claimed in claim 20, wherein the receiving groove or the first retaining portion is pivotally disposed on an inner top edge of the upper casing.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wireless mouse for receiving a receiver therein, and particularly relates to a receiver disposed on an inner face of an upper casing of a mouse body. Therefore, it is convenient for users to carry and collect the wireless mouse. 2. Description of the Related Art People increasingly like to use a wireless mouse. The wireless mouse is convenient for a user, because the wireless mouse lacks a signal wire. However, a receiver is necessary for the wireless mouse to receive the movement signal of the wireless mouse. Because of the two-part design of the wireless mouse, the wireless mouse is inconvenient to carry around. Moreover, the receiver is easily damaged or lost during carrying around or collection. Hence it is important to provide a wireless mouse that can prevent the receiver from being damaged or lost during carrying around or collection.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention provides a wireless mouse for receiving a receiver therein in order to resolve the above problems. A receiver can be disposed on any part of an inner portion of an upper casing of the wireless mouse. The design of the present does not affect an inner structure of the wireless mouse, and is convenient for users to carry around and collect. One aspect of the invention is a wireless mouse for receiving a receiver therein. The wireless mouse comprises a mouse body, a circuit board and a receiver. The mouse body has an upper casing and a lower casing mating with each other, the circuit board is disposed on the lower casing of the mouse body, and the receiver is separably disposed on the upper casing (such as an inner top edge or a top edge of the upper casing) of the mouse body. The wireless mouse is thus convenient to carry and collect because the receiver is received in the upper casing of the mouse body. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description, drawings and claims.
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System and method for extracting data from recording media
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A system and method for extracting data from recording media scan a recording media so that a plurality of key frames and a plurality of time intervals can be extracted, wherein each of the plurality of key frames and each of the plurality of time intervals correspond to one of the scenes in the recording media. Afterwards, at least one selected key frame can be acquired. Eventually, a multimedia file can be outputted according to the selected frame. By acquisition of the plurality of key frames, the present invention allows of processing only key frames such that the amount of information needed processing can be reduced. Not all frames of the desired scenes are extracted from the recording media until a user output a multimedia file, so that the processing time for extracting data from the recording media can be concentrated in outputting multimedia files.
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1. A method of extracting data from a recording media, comprising: scanning a recording media, to extract a plurality of key frames and a plurality of time intervals, wherein each of the plurality of key frames and each of the plurality of time intervals correspond to a scene of the recording media; selecting the plurality of key frames, to acquire at least one selected frame; and outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein before scanning the recording media further comprises: extracting an environment configuration of a photography device; and providing at least one corresponding special-effect template according to the environment configuration. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein before outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval further comprises: selecting at least one special-effect template to edit the selected frame. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein during outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval further comprises: extracting at least one selected scene according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval; applying the special-effect template to the selected scene, to generate the multimedia file; and storing the multimedia file. 5. A method of extracting data from a recording media, comprising: scanning a recording media, to extract a plurality of key frames, wherein each of the plurality of key frames corresponds to a scene of the recording media; selecting the plurality of key frames, to acquire at least one selected frame; and outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein before scanning the recording media further comprises: extracting an environment configuration of a photography device; and providing at least one corresponding special-effect template according to the environment configuration. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein before outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame further comprises: selecting at least one special-effect template to edit the selected frame. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein during outputting a multimedia file according to the selected frame further comprises: extracting at lease one time interval according to the selected frame; extracting at least one selected scene according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval; applying the special-effect template to the selected scene, to generate the multimedia file; and storing the multimedia file. 9. A system of extracting data from a recording media, comprising: a scan unit, which scans a recording media to extract a plurality of key frames, wherein each of the plurality of key frames corresponds to a scene of the recording media; a selection unit, which selects the plurality of key frames to acquire at least one selected frame; and an output unit, which outputs a multimedia file according to the selected frame. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein each scene comprises a plurality of frames, and each of the plurality of key frames can be any one of the plurality of frames corresponding to the scene. 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising an editing unit, which provides at least one special-effect template for a user to edit the selected frame. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the special-effect template can be a transition effect, a special effect of playing menu, a background sound effect, or a related multimedia special effect. 13. The system of claim 9, further comprising a preset extraction unit, which extracts an environment configuration of the photography device. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the environment configuration includes an aspect ratio of frames, a frame rate, a sampling frequency, and a sampling format. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein an editing unit provides at least one special-effect template according to the environment configuration. 16. The system of claim 9, wherein the scan unit scans the recording media to extract a plurality of time intervals, wherein each of the plurality of time intervals includes a start time and an end time corresponding to the scene. 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the output unit further comprises: an extraction unit, which extracts at least one selected scene according to the selected frame and the corresponding time interval; a management unit, which applies at least one special-effect template to the selected scene to generate the multimedia file; and a storage unit, which stores the multimedia file. 18. The system of claim 9, wherein the output unit further comprises: an extraction unit, which extracts at least one time interval corresponding to the selected frame, and extracts at least one selected scene according to the time interval; a management unit, which applies at least one special-effect template to the selected scene to generate the multimedia file; and a storage unit, which stores the multimedia file. 19. The system of claim 9, wherein the recording media can be a magnetic tape, a memory card, a videotape, or a digital disc.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Owing to prosperous development of related technologies in digital photography devices as well as to the characteristics of shrinkage in sizes of electronic components and lower prices, the general public gradually accepts digital photography devices. It is expected that by means of digital photography devices, photography and audio can be combined to make content be presented with reality and continuity. The recording media of digital photography devices includes a magnetic tape and a memory card. The common ways of storage are recording a plurality of scenes on a magnetic tape sequentially, or storing images in memory cards, wherein the scene means the moving picture representation during a continuous time period; that is, the movie generated between the time when a user presses the recording button of a photography device, and the time when the user presses the stop button thereof. Thereby each scene includes a plurality of frames. If the photography device adopts magnetic tape as the media for storing movies, therefore when a user wishes to extract the plurality of scenes on the recording media, he/she has to read the plurality of scenes sequentially. Referring to FIG. 1 , it shows the schematic diagram of prior-art extraction of a plurality of scenes. As shown in the figure, the system includes an extraction unit 20 ′, an editing unit 30 ′, an output unit 40 ′, and a storage unit 50 ′, wherein when a user uses the extraction unit 20 ′ to extract a plurality of scenes from a recording media 10 ′, he/she has to wait for 60 to 90 minutes in order to extract the plurality of scenes if the plurality of scenes takes 60 minutes. Then the user selects at least one of special-effect templates provided by the editing unit 30 ′, and applies the selected special-effect template to the plurality of scenes extracted by the extraction unit 20 ′ via the output unit 40 ′. In accordance with the complexity of special effects, the user has to further wait for a considerable period of time to make the output unit 40 ′ output the plurality of scenes that have been applied with the special-effect template. At last, when using the storage unit 50 ′ to store the plurality of scenes output by the output unit 40 ′ to a disc, the user has to wait for another 60 to 90 minutes in order to transform the file formats of the plurality of scenes, thereby he/she can store the plurality of transformed scenes to the disc. As described above, in the process of extracting data from recording media, the user needs to wait for a period of time to execute the next step. In addition, the command from the user is required before the execution of each step. It's troublesome and inconvenient for the user to keep watch for the computer without completing all operation steps in a short time. Consequently, a system and a method for extracting data from recording media proposed to solve the above problems not only can reduce waiting time for processes, but also is more convenient to use. Such a system and a method have been users' eager expectations for a long time, and have been kept in mind by the present inventors. Owing to the consciousness of improvements, the present inventors delve into their personal expertise. After multi-faceted researches, designs, and monographic studies, a system and a method for extracting data from recording media have finally been proposed to solve the foregoing problems.
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<SOH> SUMMARY <EOH>The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for extracting data from recording media. By means of scanning the recording media, the system and the method extract a plurality of key frames, and each of the plurality of key frames corresponds to a scene of the recording media such that each step processes the plurality of key frames only. Not all frames of the corresponding scene are extracted from the recording media until the user outputs multimedia files. In this way, the process time required for extracting data from recording media can be concentrated in the step of outputting multimedia files, thus the waiting time for executing each operation step is reduced. The secondary purpose of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for extracting data from recording media that disclose an editing unit and provide at lease one special-effect template for users to select from. In addition, the editing unit further provides the corresponding special-effect template according to environment configurations of photography devices; thereby the viewing quality of multimedia can be improved. In order to achieve foregoing advantages, the system and the method for extracting data from recording media of the present invention use a scan unit to scan a recording media so that a plurality of key frames and a plurality of time intervals can be extracted, wherein each of the plurality of key frames and each of the plurality of time intervals correspond to one of the scenes in the recording media. Afterwards, the plurality of key frames is selected via a selection unit so that at least one selected frame can be acquired for an output unit to generate a multimedia file. Moreover, the present invention further includes an editing unit to provide a plurality of special-effect templates for users to select from. In addition, the editing unit also provides the corresponding special-effect template according to environment configurations of photography devices extracted from a preset extraction unit.
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Method for cooling a thermoreactor and system thereof
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A method for cooling a thermoreactor and system thereof, having a noncombustible function for chemical materials pyrolysis in a hot thermoreactor that also lowers the temperature inside the hot thermoreactor, and a method for exhausting pyrolysis oil gas from a thermoreactor after batch type heating, pouring N2 or inert gas into the thermoreactor for cooling the gas until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined pressure, and finally circulating cooling from thermoreactor; the system equipment includes a thermoreactor, a heat exchanger, a mixed gas thermoreactor, a circulation pump and a greaves settling thermoreactor.
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1. A method for cooling a thermoreactor, comprising: (1) exhausting pyrolysis oil gas from the thermoreactor until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined pressure or temperature after batch type heating; (2) pouring N2 or an inert gas into the thermoreactor to cool the oil gas until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined pressure or concentration; and (3) circulating cooling from the thermoreactor connected to a heat exchanger until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined lower temperature range. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the step (1) the predetermined pressure range is 1.3 to 0.7 atm. 3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the step (1) the predetermined temperature range is 300° C. to 600° C. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the step (1) the predetermined pressure range is 2.6 to 1.4 atm. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is ice water to gas for heat exchanging. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the predetermined lowered temperature range is 80° C. to 40° C. 7. A system for cooling a thermoreactor, comprising: A thermoreactor, having an entry hole for the N2 or an inert gas and an exhaust hole for the mixed oil gas; a heat exchanger, having a frame for a refrigerant to mix with the oil gas for heat exchanging; a mixed gas storage thermoreactor, having an entry and an exhaust hole for the cooling mixed oil gas; and a circulation pump, connecting the thermoreactor and the heat exchanger and the mixed gas storage thermoreactor; wherein the circulation pump connecting the thermoreactor and the heat exchanger, forms the first circulating cooling circuit. 8. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the circulation pump connecting the thermoreactor, the heat exchanger and the mixed gas storage thermoreactor, forms the second circulating cooling circuit. 9. The system as claimed in claim 7, further includes a greaves settling thermoreactor connected to the thermoreactor. 10. The system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the refrigerant of the heat exchanger is ice water or cool water. 11. The system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the heat exchanger has two-stages of cooling the mixed oil gas, the first using ice water and the second using cool water.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for cooling a thermoreactor and system thereof, and more particularly, to a noncombustible chemical materials pyrolysis in a hot thermoreactor that lowers its temperature by using N 2 or inert gases with middle-low temperature characteristics and a surrounding heat exchanger. 2. Description of Related Art A thermoreactor for refuse batch heating, in which refuse fiber or plastic is first added into a thermoreactor, and heated to a high temperature, or pyrolysis refuse is added with a catalyst to recycle the oil gas using the batching method. However, this method has suffers from the problems of reaching too higher temperatures and being highly flammable. After batch heating and recycling the oil gas, the thermoreactor communicates with a heat exchanger for directly cooling the thermoreactor. However, this method has the drawback of often causing the thermoreactor to burst. Inert gas is the best choice for creating a noncombustible environment and can be poured to a thermoreactor to dilute oil gas to create a noncombustible environment. Using N 2 is the preferred embodiment of this invention for achieving a noncombustible environment. Accordingly, as discussed above, the prior art still has some drawbacks that could be improved upon. The present invention aims to resolve the drawbacks of the prior art.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>An objective of the present invention is to provide a method for cooling a thermoreactor and system thereof, which is noncombustible. For reaching the above objective, the present invention provides a method for pouring N 2 or an inert gas as a cooling medium with two stages of cooling. The first is by press cooling a noncombustible gas and the second is cooling by heat exchange circulation. The system of the present invention includes: a thermoreactor, having an entry hole for N 2 or an inert gas and an exhaust hole for the mixed oil gas; a heat exchanger, having a frame for the refrigerant to mix oil gas for heat exchanging; a mixed gas storage thermoreactor, having an entry and an exhaust hole for the cooling mixed oil gas; and a circulation pump, connecting the thermoreactor and the heat exchanger and the mixed gas storage thermoreactor; wherein the circulation pump connects to the thermoreactor and the heat exchanger, forming a first circulating cooling circuit. The method of the present invention includes: (1) exhausting pyrolysis oil gas from the thermoreactor until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined pressure or temperature after batch type heating; (2) pouring N2 or inert gas into the thermoreactor for cooling the oil gas until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined pressure or concentration; and (3) circulating cool water from the thermoreactor connected with the heat exchanger until the thermoreactor achieves a predetermined lower temperature range. Numerous additional features, benefits and details of the present invention are described in the detailed description, which follows.
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Portable device with motion sensor
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A portable device is capable of automatically determining if the portable device is moving and achieving a specific function with a button-free procedure. The portable device includes an embedded microprocessor and an acceleration detector. The acceleration detector can determine if the portable device is moving by detecting a vibration of the portable device and thus prohibit the portable device from entering the locked mode. In addition, when the portable device is moving or inclining with specific sequential operations by the effect of an external force, the acceleration detector can generate a sensing signal and the microprocessor can obtain a specific command in response to the comparison between the sensing data and a sample database, so that the microprocessor can achieve the specific function.
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1. A portable device with a motion sensor, comprising: an embedded microprocessor; and an acceleration detector electrically connected to said microprocessor for generating a sensing signal in response to said effect of an external force, said sensing signal converted into a behavior data by said microprocessor; wherein if said sensing signal maintains stable within a predetermined period of time, said microprocessor drives said portable device into a locked mode. 2. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing unlocking data, wherein if said behavior data matches with said unlocking data, said microprocessor unlocks said portable device. 3. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 2, wherein said sensing signal is an acceleration signal, an inclination signal, or a combination of an acceleration signal and an inclination signal. 4. A portable device with a motion sensor, comprising: an embedded microprocessor; an acceleration detector electrically connected to said microprocessor for detecting if said portable device is placed under said effect of an external force and in response thereto generating a sensing signal; and a memory electrically connected to said microprocessor for storing a sample database comprising at least one sample data; wherein said microprocessor converts said sensing signal into a behavior data and compares said behavior data with said sample data within said sample database, and if said behavior data matches with at least one sample data within said sample database, said microprocessor achieves a specific function mode corresponding to said sample data. 5. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 4, wherein said sensing signal is an acceleration signal, an inclination signal, or one of the combination thereof. 6. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 5, wherein said sensing signal is a one-dimensional acceleration signal, a two-dimensional acceleration signal, or a three-dimensional acceleration signal. 7. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 5, wherein said sensing signal is a one-dimensional inclination signal, a two-dimensional inclination signal, or a three-dimensional inclination signal. 8. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 4, wherein said sample database is established in a learning mode. 9. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 4, wherein said specific function mode is a power-on mode, a power-off mode, a call reception mode, a speed dial mode, a caller ID display mode, a vibration alert mode, an address book mode, a personal data mode, or one of the combination thereof. 10. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of pushbuttons is mounted on said portable device. 11. The portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 4, wherein said portable device is a mobile phone, a PDA, a MP3 player, a MP4 player, a voice recorder, a telecommunication device, or one of the combination thereof. 12. A method for automatically locking a portable device with a motion sensor, comprising the steps of: detecting if said portable device is placed under said effect of an external force by an accelerator detector, and in response thereto generating a sensing signal; and if said sensing signal is maintained stable within a predetermined period of time, driving said portable device to enter a specific mode. 13. The method for automatically locking a portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 12, wherein said specific mode is a locked mode or a power-saving mode. 14. The method for automatically locking a portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: when said portable device enters said specific mode, check if said sensing signal matches with an unlocking data stored in a memory; and if said sensing signal matches with said unlocking data, relinquish said specific mode. 15. The method for automatically locking a portable device with a motion sensor according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of: when said portable device enters said specific mode, determining whether an input signal matches with an unlocking password stored in a memory; and if said input signal matches with said unlocking password, relinquish said specific mode.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>With the burgeoning development of the telecommunication technology, the devices that are on the cutting edge of the development trend of portable product, such as the mobile phone and personal digital assistant (PDA), have served indispensable implements in modern life. In order to push the market share of the portable products, the industrialists have successfully endeavored to provide their portable devices with an excellent versatility and facility with intent to draw more attention of consumers. Generally speaking, a typical portable device is set to automatically enter the locked mode when it is idled for a certain period of time. Meanwhile, if the user desires to use the portable device, the user is required to depress specific pushbuttons or input a specific password to unlock the portable device. The above-mentioned auto-lock mechanism is devised for protecting the data retained in the portable device from dissemination when the user is far away from the portable device for a long time or loses the portable device. However, as is often the case that when the user desires to use the portable device which has been idled for a long time, the portable device has been placed under the locked mode, and the user has to waste some time depressing pushbuttons to unlock the portable device. This would result in a sharp deterioration in the convenience of the portable device. Furthermore, when the user is operating a portable device to achieve a certain function, the user has to follow the steps prescribed by the product vendor to sequentially depress the pushbuttons mounted on the portable device, so that a specific function, such as power-on or power-off can be completed. Furthermore, the product vendor normally adopts an improved user interface design by predefining a hotkey or speech control means to facilitate the user operation in order to simplify the operation steps and decrease the times of depressing the pushbuttons. In this manner, the user can handle the portable device to achieve a specific function mode. Furthermore, for the sake of data security, the user is urged to set a start-up password on the portable device. If the user desires to drive the portable device into the startup mode, the user is required to input the password for user authentication. The aforementioned portable device has simplified the procedure of user interface operation. Nonetheless, the user is still required to depress the pushbuttons for inputting password or depress the hotkeys corresponding to a variety of specific function modes. Such operation procedure is awkward and the data security mechanism is vulnerable to be cracked down by illegitimate users. Even if the hotkey means is replaced by a speech control means to fulfill the lock/unlock mechanism, the speech control means is susceptible to the outside noise and interference. In this manner, the portable device is prone to misjudge the commands issued by the user due to the limited accuracy of speech recognition, and thus such voice-controlled portable device is disobedient to modern praxiology.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Therefore, a major topic of the present invention has been targeted at the drawbacks of the user operations encountered by the prior art portable device. To this end, the present invention designs a portable device capable of automatically determining if the portable device is moving. As long as the portable device is moving, the portable device is prohibited from entering the locked mode. Otherwise, the portable device is forced to automatically enter the locked mode after a predetermined period of time. The portable device proposed by the present invention is advantageous in that a specific function of the portable device is achieved with a button-free procedure, so that the user can facilitate the operation procedure. The portable device can provide the user with a more convenient operating interface, and evade the interferences stemming from the outside environment. A primary object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of automatically determining if the portable device is moving by detecting the vibration of the portable device by an acceleration detector and detecting if the portable device is placed under a locked mode. A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of achieving a specific function with a button-free procedure. The portable device includes an acceleration detector for detecting the desired function the portable device is requested to achieve. Therefore, the portable device is allowed to readily achieve a specific function without the need to contact a pushbutton. Another yet object of the present invention is to provide a portable device capable of achieving a specific function with a button-free procedure. The user can readily and accurately issue a specific command intended to achieve a specific function without the use of pushbutton or speech control means. Thus, the interference stemming from the outside environment can be minimized, and the portable device is practicable to a variety of applications. To fulfill the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a portable device with motion sensor, comprising at least one embedded microprocessor mounted within the portable device and electrically connected to an acceleration detector and a memory. The acceleration detector can detect if the portable device is placed under the effect of an external force and generate a sensing signal in response to the detection. The sensing signal is then transmitted to the microprocessor. If the microprocessor determines that the portable device is placed under vibration, the lock procedure is not performed to lock the portable device. If the microprocessor determines that the portable device is not placed under vibration, the portable device is automatically driven into a locked mode. Besides, the microprocessor also compares the sensing signal with the sample data within a sample database stored in the memory, and thereby enables the portable device to achieve a specific function mode. The foregoing and features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent through the following descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
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Retrovirus-like particles made non-infectious by a plurality of mutations
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Non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles contain mutations to reduce gag-dependent RNA-packaging of the gag gene product, eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product, eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product and eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product through genetic manipulation of the gag and pol genes. The corresponding nucleic acid molecules are described. The non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles have utility in in vivo administration including to humans and in diagnosis.
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1. (canceled) 2. (canceled) 3. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the at least one amino acid is contained within amino acids Cys392 to Cys395 of the gag gene product of the HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other HIV gag gene products. 4. The virus-like particle of claim 3, wherein the Cys392 and/or Cys395 is replaced by serine. 5. The virus-like particle of claim 4, wherein both Cys392 and Cys395 are replaced by serine. 6. (canceled) 7. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the at least a portion of the pol gene product contributing to reverse transcriptase activity is contained between amino acids Pro168 and Leu727 of the pol gene product of the HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other HIV pol gene products. 8. (canceled) 9. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the at least a portion of the pol gene product contributing to integrase activity is contained between amino acids Phe728 and Asp1016 of the pol gene product of the HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other HIV pol gene products. 10. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the substantial elimination of RNase H activity of the pol gene product is effected by deletion of at least a portion thereof contributing to RNase H activity. 11. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the substantial elimination of reverse transcriptase activity, integrase activity and RNase H activity all are substantially eliminated by deleting a portion of the pol gene product corresponding to amino acids Pro192 to Trp835 of the HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other HIV pol gene products. 12. (canceled) 13. A non-infectious, immunogenic, non-replicating human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-like particle containing a plurality of mutations in the viral genome resulting in a virus-like particle, comprising the following: (1) a modified Gag protein, wherein said protein contains a modification in the first Cys-His box only, wherein at least one amino acid residue has been replaced in said first Cys-His box, said replacement resulting in a reduction of gag-dependent genomic viral RNA packaging in the virus-like particle while retaining the immunogenicity of said virus-like particle; (2) a deficient reverse transcriptase, wherein said deficiency results from a deletion of that portion of the pol gene responsible for reverse transcriptase activity, said deletion substantially eliminating reverse transcriptase activity in the virus-like particle; (3) a deficient integrase, wherein said deficiency results from a deletion of that portion of the pot gene responsible for integrase activity, said deletion substantially eliminating integrase activity in the virus-like particle: and (4) a deficient RNase H, wherein the deficiency results from a deletion of that portion of the pol gene responsible for RNase H activity, said deletion substantially eliminating RNase H activity in the virus-like particle: wherein said particle is encoded by a modified HIV genome devoid of lone terminal repeats (LTRs) and containing the gag, pol and env genes in their natural genomic arrangement, and wherein said particle further comprises at least one non-retroviral antigenic marker, wherein the at least one antigenic marker is contained within the gag gene product to form a hybrid gag gene product having the particle-forming characteristics of unmodified gag gene product. 14. The virus like particle of claim 13, wherein said at least one antigenic marker is inserted into an insertion site of the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site. 15. The virus like particle of claim 14, wherein said insertion site is located between amino acid residues 210 and 211 of the gag gene product of the HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding location of other retrovirus gag gene products. 16. The virus like particle of claim 15, wherein said at least one antigenic marker comprises from 1 to 4 tandem copies of the amino acid sequence AFDTRNRIIEVEN (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence AFDTRNRIIEVEN (SEQ ID NO: 1). 17. (canceled) 18. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein said env gene product is a modified env gene product in which endogenous anchoring function has been replaced by a different antigenic anchor sequence operatively connected to the env gene product to anchor said env gene product to the retrovirus-like particle. 19. The virus-like particle of claim 18, wherein said anchor sequence is inserted into an insertion site of the env gene product adjacent to and upstream of functional cleavage sites of the env gene product. 20. The virus-like particle of claim 19, wherein said insertion site is located between amino acid residues 507 and 508 of the env gene product of the HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding location of other HIV env gene products. 21. The virus-like particle of claim 20, wherein the anchor sequence includes an amino acid sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCWCWGSSCGPAK KATLGATFAFDSKEEWCREKKEQWE (SEQ ID NO: 4) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence WILWISFA ISCFLLCWCWGSSCGPAKKATLGATFAFDSKEEWCREKKEQWE (SEQ ID NO: 4). 22. The virus-like particle of claim 20, wherein the anchor sequence includes an amino acid sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCWLLGFIMW (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCWLLGFIMW (SEQ ID NO: 2). 23. The virus-like particle of claim 20, wherein the anchor sequence includes an amino acid sequence STVASSLALAIMIAGLSFWMCSNGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 3) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence STVASSLALAIMIAGLSFWMCSNGSLQ (SEQ ID NO: 3). 24. (canceled) 25. The virus-like particle of claim 13, wherein the human immunodeficiency virus is selected from the group consisting of HIV-1 and HIV-2. 26-53. (canceled) 54. An immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a human immunodeficiency virus specific immune response, comprising the virus-like particle of claim 13 and a carrier therefor. 55. The immunogenic composition of claim 54 formulated for mucosal or parenteral administration. 56. The immunogenic composition of claim 54 formulated for oral, anal, vaginal, or intranasal administration. 57. The immunogenic composition of claim 54 further comprising at least one other immunogenic and/or immunostimulating material. 58. The immunogenic composition of claim 57, wherein the at least one other immunostimulating material is an adjuvant. 59. The composition of claim 58, wherein the adjuvant is aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, Freund's incomplete adjuvant, or QS21. 60-63. (canceled)
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>Human immunodeficiency virus is a human retrovirus and is the etiological agent of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Since AIDS was first reported in the US in 1981, more than 194,000 people have died of AIDS and over 330,000 cases of HIV infection have been reported in the US alone. Worldwide, it is estimated that more than 17 million people have been infected with HIV. More than 100 AIDS-related medicines are in human clinical trials or awaiting FDA approval but there is currently no cure for the disease. There is, therefore, a clear need for immunogenic preparations useful as vaccine candidates, as antigens in diagnostic assays and kits and for the generation of immunological reagents for diagnosis of HIV and other retroviral disease and infection. Particular prior art immunogenic preparations include non-infectious, non-replicating HIV-like particles. Thus PCT applications WO 93/20220 published Oct. 14, 1993 and WO 91/05860 published May 2, 1990 (Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research), teach constructs comprising HIV genomes having an alteration in a nucleotide sequence which is critical for genomic RNA packaging, and the production of non-infectious immunogenic HIV particles produced by expression of these constructs in mammalian cells. PCT application WO 91/07425 published May 30, 1991 (Oncogen Limited Partnership) teaches non-replicating retroviral particles produced by co-expression of mature retroviral core and envelope structural proteins, such that the expressed retroviral proteins assemble into budding retroviral particles. A particular non-replicating HIV-1 like particle was made by coinfecting mammalian host cells with a recombinant vaccinia virus carrying the HIV-1 gag and protease genes and a recombinant vaccinia virus carrying the HIV-1 env gene. In published PCT application WO 91/05864 in the name of the assignee hereof (which is incorporated herein by reference thereto), there are described particular non-infectious, non-replicating retrovirus-like particles containing at least gag, pol and env proteins in their natural conformation and encoded by a modified retroviral genome deficient in long terminal repeats and containing gag, pol and env genes in their natural genomic arrangement. Virions of HIV comprise two copies of the single-stranded RNA genome enclosed within a capsid. After penetration into a susceptible host cell, the HIV genome is copied by the viral reverse transcriptase into single-stranded DNA that is thought to be translocated into the nucleus, wherein a cellular DNA polymerase synthesizes the second DNA strand. The double-stranded copy is then integrated, at random, into one of the host chromosomes, resulting in a duplication of a region of the viral genome at the extremities of the genome. The long-terminal repeat (LTR) of the integrated provirus is recognized by a cellular RNA polymerase and the transcribed RNA is translated to give rise to viral proteins. The RNA transcripts can also be packaged into new virions that leave the cell by a process of budding. The HIV genome encodes at least nine different proteins. The three major genes, gag, pol and env are common to all retroviruses and encode virion proteins. The differential expression of these genes is achieved through a complex pattern of processing of the primary precursor transcript. Only the GAG and POL proteins are produced from the unspliced mRNA corresponding to the genomic RNA of the virion. The ENV protein is translated from a mRNA species that has undergone a single splicing event to delete the gag and pol coding sequences, and other proteins are produced from mRNA species that are spliced several times. The general structure of HIV is reviewed by Kieny et al (ref. 8). Thus, it may be advantageous under particular circumstances to produce retrovirus-like particles (and in particular HIV-like particles) by mutating other portions of the HIV genome contributing to infectivity and replication of the virus. Such modifications may be modifications of the gag and pol gene products. There is currently no vaccine nor effective treatment for AIDS. Heat-inactivated anti-HIV antiserum obtained from HIV-infected people and inactivated HIV are currently commercially available as components of many diagnostic methods. For safety, ease of handling, shipping, storage and use, it may be preferable to replace such antigen and heat-inactivated antisera by non-infectious HIV-like particles and antisera generated by immunization with non-infectious HIV-like particles as described above and particularly in WO 91/05864. Furthermore, antisera generated by immunization with these non-infectious HIV particles do not require heat inactivation to remove infectious HIV. The HIV-like particles described in WO 91/05864 are entirely deficient in replication and infection. However, because of the seriousness of HIV infection, it may be desirable under certain circumstances to provide retrovirus-like particles deficient in a plurality of elements required for infectivity and/or replication of HIV but dispensible for virus-like particle formation. Furthermore, since prior art HIV-like particles contain many of the HIV proteins in substantially their natural conformations, a host immunized therewith may mount an immune response immunologically indistinguishable from infection by HIV and it may be desirable to be able to distinguish between inactivated HIV and non-infectious, non-replicating HIV particles and antisera generated by virulent HIV and non-infectious, non-replicating HIV-like particles. Thus, in the development of AIDS vaccine candidates, immunogenic preparations and diagnostic methods and kits, it would be useful to provide an HIV-like particle deficient in a plurality of elements required for infectivity and/or replication and optionally immunologically or otherwise distinguishable from virulent HIV.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention is directed towards the provision of retrovirus-like particles made non-infectious by a plurality of mutations. Accordingly, in one aspect of the invention there is provided a non-infectious immunogenic, retrovirus-like particle comprising, in an assembly, gag, pol and env gene products, wherein at least one modification has been made to the pol and/or gag gene product, to effect at least one of the following: (a) reduce gag-dependent RNA packaging of the gag gene product; (b) substantially eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product; (c) substantially eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product; and (d) substantially eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product. The reduction in gag dependent RNA packaging may be effected by replacing or deleting at least one amino acid residue contributing to gag-dependent RNA packaging in the gag gene product. In an illustrative embodiment, the at least one amino acid may be contained within amino acids Cys 392 to Cys 395 of the gag gene product of HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding region of other retroviral gag gene products and CyS 392 and/or Cys 395 or both cysteines may be replaced by serine residues. In one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the substantial elimination of reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product may be effected by deletion of at least a portion thereof contributing to reverse transcriptase activity. The at least a portion of the pol gene product may be contained between amino acids Pro 168 and Leu 272 of the pol gene product of HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding region of other retroviral pol gene products. The substantial elimination of integrase activity of the pol gene product, may be effected by deletion of at least a portion thereof contributing to integrase activity and the at least a portion of the pol gene product may be contained between amino acids Phe 728 and Asp 1016 of the pol gene product of HIV-LAI isolate or the corresponding region of other retroviral pol gene products. The substantial elimination of RNase H activity of the pol gene product may be effected by deletion of at least a portion thereof contributing to RNase H activity. In a particular embodiment of this aspect of the invention substantial elimination of reverse transcriptase, integrase and RNase H activities may be simultaneously effected by deleting a portion of the pol gene product corresponding to amino acids Pro 92 to Trp 835 of HIV-1 LAI isolate, or the corresponding region of other retroviral pol gene products. In a further aspect of the invention, the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles of the invention may additionally comprise at least one non-retroviral antigenic marker. The incorporation of antigenic markers into non-infectious retrovirus-like particles is described in our copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ filed ______, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The at least one antigenic marker may be contained within the gag gene product to form a hybrid gag gene product having the particle-forming characteristics of unmodified gag gene product. In a particular embodiment, the at least one antigenic marker may be inserted into an insertion site of the gag gene product at an antigenically-active insertion site and the insertion site may be located between amino acid residues 210 and 211 of the gag gene product of the HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding location of other retroviral gag gene products. The at least one antigenic marker may comprise from 1 to 4 tandem copies of the amino acid sequence AFDTRNRIIEVEN (SEQ ID NO: 1) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence AFDTRNRIIEVEN. The marker sequence also may be provided by deleting or preventing production of an amino acid sequence that corresponds to an epitope of a retroviral protein. Such epitope may comprise the immunodominant epitope of gp41, which provides endogenous anchoring function. When such endogenous anchoring function is removed in this way, the anchoring function is provided by a different antigenic anchor sequence. In a further particular embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the env gene product of the retrovirus-like particles as provided herein may be a modified env gene product in which endogenous anchoring function has been replaced by a different antigenic anchor sequence opertively connected to the env gene product to anchor the env gene product to the retrovirus-like particle and the anchor sequence may be inserted into an insertion site of the env gene product adjacent to and upstream of functional cleavage sites of the env gene product. The insertion site may be located between amino acid residues 507 and 508 of the env gene product of the HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding location of other retroviral env gene products. The anchor sequence may include an amino acid sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCVVLLGFIMW (SEQ ID NO: 2) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCVV LLGFIMW. In yet another embodiment, the anchor sequence may include an amino acid sequence STVASSLALAIMIAGLSFWMCSNG SLQ (SEQ ID NO: 3) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence STVASSLALAIMIAGLSFWMCSNGSLQ. In another embodiment, the anchor sequence may include an amino acid sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCVVCWGSSCG PAKKATLGATFAFDSKEEWCREKKEQWE (SEQ ID NO: 4) or a portion, variation or mutant thereof capable of eliciting antibodies that recognize the sequence WILWISFAISCFLLCVVCWGSSCGPAKKATLGATFAFDSKEEWCREKKEQWFZ. The retrovirus-like particle generally is a human retrovirus-like particle, particularly derived from HIV-1, HIV-2, HTLV-1 or HTLV-2. Specifically, the human retrovirus may be HIV-1 and the env gene product may be an LAI env gene product, an MN env gene product, an env gene product from a primary HIV-1 isolate, or an env gene product antigenically equivalent thereto. The present invention also includes nucleic acid molecules encoding the non-infectious, retrovirus-like particles of the invention. Accordingly, in another aspect of the invention, there is provided a nucleic acid molecule encoding a non-infectious, immunogenic, retrovirus-like particle, comprising a modified retroviral genome deficient in long terminal repeats and containing gag, pol and env genes in their natural genomic arrangement and means for expression operatively connected to the modified retroviral genome for production of gene products in cells to produce non-infectious, immunogenic, retrovirus-like particles comprising an assembly of gag, pol and env gene products, wherein at least one codon in the gag or pol gene has been mutated to effect at least one of the following: (a) reduce gag-dependent RNA packaging activity of the gag gene product; (b) substantially eliminate reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product; (c) substantially eliminate integrase activity of the pol gene product; and (d), substantially eliminate RNase H activity of the pol gene product. The nucleic acid molecule may comprise a DNA molecule containing the characteristic genetic elements present in a SacI 678 to XhoI 8944 fragment of the genome of the HIV-1 LAI isolate. The modified genome also may be deficient in primer binding site and/or an RNA packaging signal. The reduction of gag-dependent RNA packaging may be effected by mutagenesis of a region thereof encoding at least one amino acid contained with a region of the gag gene product corresponding to Cys 392 to Cys 395 of the HIV-1 LAI isolate, or the corresponding region of other retroviral gene products, and Cys 392 and/or Cys 395 or both cysteines may be replaced by serine residues. In one specific illustrative embodiment of the invention, the substantial elimination of reverse transcriptase activity of the pol gene product may be effected by-deletion of at least a part of the pol gene encoding reverse transcriptase and the at least a part of the pol gene deleted may be contained between nucleotides 2586 and 4265 of the pol gene of HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other retroviral pol genes. In an additional aspect, the substantial elimination of integrase activity of the pol gene product may be effected by deletion of at least a part of the pol gene encoding integrase and in an illustrative embodiment the at least a part of the pol gene deleted may be contained between nucleotides 4266 and 5129 of the pol gene of HIV-1 isolate LAI or the corresponding region of other retroviral pol genes. The substantial elimination of RNase H activity of the pol gene product may be effected by deletion of at least a part of the pol gene encoding RNase H. In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided modified retroviral genomes of the invention including a segment encoding at least one antigenic marker. In one specific illustrative embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the sequence encoding the at least one antigenic marker is inserted into the gag gene at an antigenically active insertion site and specifically at the PstI site at nucleotide 1415 of the gag gene of HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding location of other retroviral gag genes. One specific segment comprises from 1 to 4 copies of a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: (SEQ ID NO: 5) (a) 5′GCATTCGACACTAGAAATAGAATAATAGAAGTTGAAAAT 3′;; (SEQ ID NO: 6) (b) 3′CGTAAGCTGTGATCTTTATCTTATTATCTTCAACTTTTA 5′;; and (c) DNA sequences that hybridize with (a) or (b) under stringent conditions, particularly sequences that have at least about 90% sequence identity with the sequence of (a) or (b). A variety of hybridization conditions may be employed to achieve varying degrees of selectivity of hybridization. For a high degree of selectivity, stringent conditions are used to form duplexes, such as low salt and/or high temperature conditions, such as provided by 0.02 M to 0.15 M NaCl at temperatures of between about 50° C. to 70° C. For some applications, less stringent hybridization conditions may be required such as 0.15 M to 0.9 M salt, at temperatures ranging from between about 20° C. to 55° C. Hybridization conditions can also be rendered more stringent by the addition of increasing amounts of formamide, to destabilize the hybrid duplex. In a yet further embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a nucleic acid molecule encoding a non-infectious retrovirus-like particle of the invention, comprising a modified retroviral genome deficient in long terminal repeats and containing gag, pol and env genes in their natural genomic arrangement with the env gene being modified to provide therein a segment encoding an antigenic anchor sequence to anchor the env gene product to the retrovirus-like particle, whereby the modified env gene encodes a modified env gene product in which endogenous anchoring function of env has been replaced by the antigenic anchor sequence. In one specific illustrative embodiment of this aspect of the invention,the segment encoding the antigenic marker sequence is inserted into the env gene, specifically between nucleotide 7777 and 7778 of the env gene of the HIV-1 LAI isolate or the corresponding location of other retroviral env genes. One specific segment encoding the anchor sequence includes a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: (SEQ ID NO: 7) (a) 5′TGGATCCTGTGGATTCCTTTGCCATATCATGCTTTTTGCTTTG TGTTGTTTTGCTGGGGTTCATCATGTGG 3′;; (SEQ ID NO: 8) (b) 3′ACCTAGGACACCTAAAGGAAACGGTATAGTACGAAAAACGAAA CACAACAAAACGACCCCAAGTAGTACACC 5′;; and (c) DNA sequences that hybridize with (a) or (b) under stringent conditions, particularly sequences that have at least about 90% sequence identity with the sequences of (a) or (b). Another specific segment encoding the anchor sequence includes a DNA sequence selected from the group consisting of: (SEQ ID NO: 9) (a) 5′TCAACAGTGGCAAGTTCCCTAGCACTGGCAATCATGATAGC TGGTCTATCTTTTTGGATGTGTTCCAATGGGTCATTGCAG 3′; (SEQ ID NO: 10) (b) 3′AGTTGTCACCGTTCAAGGGATCGTGACCGTTAGTACTATCGA CCAGATAGAAAAACCTACACAAGGTTACCCAGTAACGTC 5′; and; and (c) DNA sequences that hybridize with (a) or (b) under stringent conditions, particularly sequences that have at least about 90% sequence identity with the sequences of (a) or (b). Another specific segment encoding the anchor sequence is selected from the group consisting of: (SEQ ID NO: 11) (a) 5′TGGATCCTGTGGATTTCCTTTGCCATATCATGCTTTTTGCTTT GTGTTGTTTGCTGGGGTTCATCATGTGGGCCTGCCAAAAAGGCAACATTA GGTGCAACATTTGCATTTGATAGTAAAGAAGAGTGGTGCAGAGAGAAAAA AGAGCAGTGGGAA 3′;; (SEQ ID NO: 12) (b) 3′ACCTAGGACACCTAAAGGAAACGGTATAGTACGAAAAACGAAA CACAACAAACGACCCCAAGTAGTACACCCGGACGGTTTTTCCGTTGTAAT CCACGTTGTAAACGTAAACTATCATTTCTTCTCACCACGTCTCTCTTTTT TCTCGTCACCCTT 5′; and; and (c) DNA sequences that hybridize with (a) or (b) under stringent conditions, particularly sequences that have at least about 90% sequence identity with the sequence of (a) or (b). The present invention further includes, in an additional aspect, an immunogenic composition capable of eliciting a retroviral specific immune response, comprising the retrovirus-like particles or nucleic acid molecule provided herein, and a carrier therefor. Such composition may be formulated for mucosal or parenteral administration, by oral, anal, vaginal or intranasal routes. The immunogenic composition may comprise at least one other immunogenic or immunostimulating material, specifically an adjuvant, such as aluminum phosphate, aluminum hydroxide, Freund's incomplete adjuvant or QS21. In a further aspect, the present invention includes a method of immunizing a host to produce a retroviral specific immune response, comprising administering to the host an immunoeffective amount of the immunogenic composition provided herein. The present invention also includes diagnostic procedures and kits utilizing those materials. Specifically, in another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining the presence of antibodies specifically reacting with retroviral antigens in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) contacting-the sample with the non-infectious retrovirus-like particle provided herein to produce complexes comprising the non-infectious retrovirus-like particles and any said antibodies present in the sample specifically reactive therewith; and (b) determining production of the complexes. In an additional aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of determining the presence of retroviral antigens in a sample, comprising the steps of (a) immunizing a host with the immunogenic composition provided herein to produce retroviral antigen-specific antibodies; (b) contacting the sample with the retroviral antigen-specific antibodies to produce complexes comprising any retrovirus antigens in the sample and retroviral antigen-specific antibodies; and (c) determining production of the complexes. A further aspect of the invention provides a diagnostic kit for detecting the presence of retroviral antigens in a sample comprising (a) at least one such retroviral antigen-specific antibody provided herein; (b) means for contacting the at least one antibody with the sample to produce a complex comprising any retroviral antigens in the sample and the retroviral antigen-specific antibodies; and (c) means for determining production of the complex. Advantages of the present invention include: an immunogenic retrovirus-like particle comprising gag, pol and env gene products in their natural conformations rendered non-infectious and non-replicating by a plurality of mutations; and an immunogenic retrovirus-like particle immunologically distinguishable from a virulent retrovirus.
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Radiographic image capturing apparatus
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A radiographic image capturing apparatus captures consecutive radiographic images on the basis of the radiation intensity distribution transmitted through a subject, and extracts lung field parts from the captured consecutive radiographic images. A fluctuation condition is detected from the extracted lung field parts, and whether or not the respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior is determined on the basis of the detected fluctuation condition.
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1. A radiographic image capturing apparatus comprising: a capturing unit configured to capture consecutive radiographic images on the basis of a radiation intensity distribution transmitted through a subject; an extraction unit configured to extract lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured by said capturing unit; and a determination unit configured to detect a fluctuation condition from the lung field parts extracted by said extraction unit, and determine on the basis of the detected fluctuation condition if a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a presentation unit configured to present a respiratory pace, wherein radiography of the respiratory behavior is executed by functioning said capturing unit in synchronism with the respiratory pace presented by said presentation unit. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a notification unit configured to, when said determination unit determines that the respiratory condition is inappropriate, notify a message that advises accordingly after the end of radiography. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processes of said extraction unit and said determination unit are executed parallel to the capturing operation of consecutive images by said capturing unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to capture consecutive radiographic images using radiation weaker than a dose used to radiograph diagnostic images prior to radiography of the respiratory behavior, extract lung field parts from the captured consecutive radiographic images, and notify, when it is determined based on a fluctuation state detected from the extracted lung field parts that a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior, a message that advises accordingly. 6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a control unit configured to capture consecutive radiographic images using radiation weaker than a dose used to radiograph diagnostic images prior to radiography of the respiratory behavior, extract lung field parts from the captured consecutive radiographic images, and start, when it is determined based on a fluctuation state detected from the extracted lung field parts that a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior, radiography of diagnostic images by said capturing unit. 7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said control unit determines a radiography start timing and radiography time of the respiratory behavior on the basis of the fluctuation state detected from the lung field parts. 8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination unit determines based on a fluctuation of lengths of the extracted lung field parts whether or not the respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph the respiratory behavior. 9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination unit determines based on a fluctuation of areas of the extracted lung field parts whether or not the respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph the respiratory behavior. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said determination unit detects the fluctuation condition by analyzing a fluctuation of sizes of the lung field parts upon respiration. 11. A radiographic image capturing apparatus comprising: a capturing unit configured to capture consecutive radiographic images using radiation weaker than a dose used to radiograph diagnostic images prior to radiography of a respiratory behavior; an extraction unit configured to extract lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured by said capturing unit; and a determination unit configured to determine based on a fluctuation state detected from the lung field parts extracted by said extraction unit whether or not a respiratory condition of a subject is suited to start radiography of a respiratory behavior. 12. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: an instruction unit configured to, when said determination unit determines that the respiratory condition of the subject is suited to start radiography, issue a radiography start instruction of diagnostic images. 13. The apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising: an execution unit configured to, when said determination unit determines that the respiratory condition of the subject is suited to start radiography, starting radiography of diagnostic images by said capturing unit. 14. A radiographic image capturing method using a radiographic image capturing apparatus which can capture respiratory behavior images, comprising: a capturing step of capturing consecutive radiographic images on the basis of a radiation intensity distribution transmitted through a subject; an extraction step of extracting lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured in the capturing step; and a determination step of detecting a fluctuation condition from the lung field parts extracted in the extraction step, and determining on the basis of the detected fluctuation condition if a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior. 15. A radiographic image capturing method using a radiographic image capturing apparatus which can capture respiratory behavior images, comprising: a capturing step of capturing consecutive radiographic images using radiation weaker than a dose used to radiograph diagnostic images prior to radiography of a respiratory behavior; an extraction step of extracting lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured in the capturing step; and a determination step of determining based on a fluctuation state detected from the lung field parts extracted in the extraction step whether or not a respiratory condition of a subject is suited to start radiography of a respiratory behavior. 16. A control program for making a computer execute a radiographic image capturing method of claim 14. 17. A control program for making a computer execute a radiographic image capturing method of claim 15. 18. A storage medium storing a control program for making a computer execute a radiographic image capturing method of claim 14. 19. A storage medium storing a control program for making a computer execute a radiographic image capturing method of claim 15.
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<SOH> BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION <EOH>A technique for imaging a transmission intensity distribution using the material transmission performance of radiation represented by X-rays is fundamental of development in modern medical techniques. Since discovery of X-rays, imaging of the intensity distribution of radiation adopts a method in which an X-ray intensity distribution is converted into visible light by a phosphor, a latent image is formed by using a silver halide film, and the latent image is developed. In recent years, a method of using a so-called imaging plate is generally used. This method uses a photostimulable phosphor upon converting an X-ray image into a digital image, and reads out a latent image as an accumulated energy distribution on the photostimulable phosphor by exciting it by a laser beam, thus capturing a digital image. Furthermore, with the advance of the semiconductor technologies, a large-sized solid-state image sensing element that can cover the human body size, i.e., a so-called flat panel detector, has been developed, and an X-ray image can be directly converted into a digital image without forming any latent image. In this way, efficient diagnosis can be made. On the other hand, the behavior inside the human body can be observed by imaging fluorescence of weak X-rays using a high-sensitivity image sensing element represented by an image intensifier, and such method is popularly used. The latest flat panel detector has a sensitivity as high as the image intensifier, and allows to radiograph the behavior of the human body over a broad range. Chest radiography of the human body is most effective in medical radiography. Since radiographed images over the broad range of a chest including an abdomen serve to find many diseases including a lung disease, chest radiography is indispensable in normal health examinations. In recent years, in order to efficiently diagnose chest X-ray images in huge quantities radiographed for the health examination, so-called Computer-Aided Diagnosis. (CAD) for applying image analysis to digital chest X-ray images using a computer to help initial diagnosis of a doctor is put into practical use. As an example of image analysis, Powell GF, Doi K, Katsuragawa S: location of Inter-rib spaces for lung texture analysis and computer-aided diagnosis in digital chest images; Med. Phys. 15 581-587, 1988 (to be referred to as reference 1 hereinafter) describes a technique for extracting a lung field part from a digital chest X-ray mage. When an opinion about the suspicion of a disease of some kind is found in the health examination, a definite diagnosis based on so-called a diagnostic workup is made. Such definite diagnosis normally requires diagnostic cost several times of normal radiography such as CT/MR scan or the like. Furthermore, the diagnostic workup may often determine that the initial diagnosis is a false diagnosis, and no disease is found. Hence, wasteful medical cost is spent, resulting in part of the reason of medical cost inflation. In order to avoid such problem, the accuracy of the health examination as the initial diagnosis must be improved. As a method of improving the accuracy while suppressing cost rise, it is effective to make behavior observation by capturing a chest moving image representing the behavior due to respiration and the like using the aforementioned large-sized flat panel detector. In order to assure stable behavior observation, a patient as a subject must appropriately respire. Therefore, imaging must be started while the patient appropriately respires, but it is difficult to find out such timing. An apparatus that monitors respiration is available. However, such apparatus requires high cost and complicated operations for the patient.
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<SOH> SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION <EOH>The present invention has been made in consideration of the aforementioned problems, and has as its object to appropriately capture the behavior of a chest image by a simple operation. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiographic image. capturing apparatus comprising: a capturing unit configured to capture consecutive radiographic images on the basis of a radiation intensity distribution transmitted through a subject; an extraction unit configured to extract lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured by the capturing unit; and a determination unit configured to detect a fluctuation condition from the lung field parts extracted by the extraction unit, and determine on the basis of the detected fluctuation condition if a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior. According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radiographic image capturing method using a radiographic image capturing apparatus which can capture respiratory behavior images, comprising: a capturing step of capturing consecutive radiographic images on the basis of a radiation intensity distribution transmitted through a subject; an extraction step of extracting lung field parts from the consecutive radiographic images captured in the capturing step; and a determination step of detecting a fluctuation condition from the lung field parts extracted in the extraction step, and determining on the basis of the detected fluctuation condition if a respiratory condition of the subject is suited to radiograph a respiratory behavior. Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof.
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Flexible LED cable light
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A flexible LED cable light has a flat insulation body, at least two wires embedded in parallel in the insulation body, multiple LEDs connected in parallel electrically to the two wires and a protective layer covering the insulation body. Each wire has high flexibility, good conductivity and large current-resistant that is suitable to decorate over long distances. Furthermore, segments of the cable light can also be connected to another segment by a connector so the present invention is waterproof, inexpensive, cuttable, joinable, etc.
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1. A flexible LED cable light, comprising: a flexible and flat insulation body having multiple notches; at least two wires embedded in parallel in the insulation body; multiple strings each comprising a plurality of LEDs and at least one resistor connected in series thereto, the LEDs being respectively mounted in the notches and electrically connected between the at least two wires, wherein each LED is mounted on a circuit board connected to the at least two wires by conductors; and, a protective layer covering the insulation body and the LEDs wherein the protective layer is made of light transmissive material. 2. The cable light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the LEDs are surface-mounted technology (SMT) packaged LEDs. 3. The cable light as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strings are connected in parallel to the at least two wires. 4. The cable light as claimed in claim 3, wherein the multiple notches are arranged in at least one row. 5. The cable light as claimed in claim 4 further comprising at least one longitudinal slot is defined in the insulation body, wherein each longitudinal slot communicates with the notches in a same row, wherein each resistor is mounted in one longitudinal slot. 6. The cable light as claimed in claim 5 further comprising multiple pairs of holes defined in the insulation to make portions of the at least two wires be exposed, wherein the multiple strips of LEDs are electrically connected to the at least two wires through the pairs of holes. 7. A flexible LED cable light assembly comprising: two segments each having: a flexible and flat insulation body having multiple slots; at least two wires embedded in parallel in the insulation body; multiple strings each comprising a plurality of LEDs and at least one resistor connected in series thereto, the LEDs being respectively mounted in the slots and electrically connected between the at least two wires, wherein each LED is mounted on a circuit board connected to the at least two wires by conductors; and, a protective layer covering the insulation body and the LEDs wherein the protective layer is made of light transmissive material; and, a connector including a base having two opposite ends, at least two first awl-shaped prongs with sharp points formed on one end and at least two second awl-shaped prongs with sharp points formed on the other end, whereby the first awl-shaped prongs are pushed into the insulation body of one segment and electrically connected respectively to the at least two wires and the second awl-shaped prongs are pushed into the insulation body of the other segment and electrically connected respectively to the at least two wires. 8. The cable light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the LEDs are surface-mounted technology (SMT) packaged LEDs. 9. The cable light as claimed in claim 7, wherein the strings are connected in parallel to the at least two wires and the multiple notches are arranged in at least one row. 10. The cable light as claimed in claim 7, wherein: at least one longitudinal slot is defined in the insulation body, each longitudinal slot communicating with the notches in a same row, wherein each one of the at least one resistor is mounted in one of the at least one longitudinal slot; and multiple pairs of holes are defined in the insulation to expose portions of the at least two wires, wherein the multiple strips of LEDs are electrically connected to the at least two wires through the pairs of holes.
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