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fig1 a and 1b show the basic structure of an embodiment of the invention . the embodiment in fig1 may be worn by , for example , either a child or an adult . also , such a garment may be worn by both males and females . as shown in fig1 a , garment 1 is shown as a shirt or sweatshirt . as such , the garment has a central torso covering 20 and two arms denoted as 12 and 14 . in fig1 a , the neck opening is surrounded by an optional collar 10 . also shown in the figure are optional ribbed cuffs surrounding the wrist and an optional ribbed waistband surrounding the waist . it should be noted , of course , that any such suitable elements may be substituted for the collar 10 and the elements surrounding the wrists and the waist . the fabric usable in the invention may be any fabric capable of being sewn into a garment . however , the fabric may advantageously be lightweight for the comfort of the wearer . furthermore , it may be bonded with or without water repellant liners . as the fabric may be called upon to survive a spill of possibly hot temperature liquids or solids , it should generally be durable and capable of withstanding high temperatures . while shown herein in fig1 a as a sweatshirt - type top , the invention may be embodied in dresses , aprons , robes , jackets , coats , sweaters , gowns , pajamas , jumpsuits , shirts , and so on . the shirt &# 39 ; s torso portion 20 lies next to the bib portion 30 when the bib is in the folded up position . in fig1 b , the bib portion 30 is shown in its folded down position , as it may be used as a bib . in particular , both torso portion 20 and bib portion 30 may be used to protect the wearer from spills . torso portion 20 is attached to bib portion 30 at waist seam 18 . in use , bib portion 30 is folded down over the wearer &# 39 ; s lap to prevent solids or liquids from impinging on the wearer &# 39 ; s lap and possibly staining them or causing burns . to this end , torso portion 20 and bib portion 30 may be lined with a suitable liner that can withstand high temperatures and be resistant to staining . for example , vinyl would make a suitable liner , as would other fabrics such as polymer - based fabrics . however , any such fabric that is resistant to liquids and can withstand high temperatures as may be found in food or beverage products may be used . when the bib portion is in the folded down position , as shown in fig1 b , as herein discussed , the wearer would be protected from spills or the like of any substances . for example , such a garment would be useful against food or cooking spills , spills in a research or industrial environment , or even those due to painting or coloring , or in any other situation where an apron is being utilized . when the bib 30 is in the folded up position , as shown in fig1 a , front portion 40 is visible and bib portion 30 is hidden . instead of having a liner , front portion 40 may have a design similar or complementary to that present on the rest of the garment . to maintain the bib portion 30 and front portion 40 in the folded up position , fasteners are present on the torso portion 20 , as shown by elements 22 and 24 . complementary fasteners are present on the bib portion 30 , as shown by fasteners 32 and 34 . the fasteners in fig1 b are shown to be of the velcro ™ type . however , fasteners such as hooks , loop - ties , zippers , buttons , snaps , and so on , may also be used . fig2 b shows a similar garment having a torso portion 220 and arms 212 and 214 . collar 210 surrounds the neck . seam 218 holds the bib portion 230 to the torso portion 220 . fasteners 222 and 224 complementarily engage fasteners 232 and 234 on the bib portion when it is desired to put the bib in the folded up position . in the embodiment of fig2 b , the bib is in the folded down position as it would be used during eating or drinking . fig2 a shows the bib in its folded up configuration . in this figure , the front portion 240 is apparent , which may have a design or pocket such as element 200 . fig3 b shows an embodiment of the invention embodied in an adult dress . as shown in the figure , torso portion 320 is flanked on either side by arms 312 and 314 . the bib portion 330 and the torso portion 320 are preferably lined or bonded with a suitable component . for example , a liner may be sewn into the bib or a liquid - impervious component may be bonded to the same . the panel or bib 330 is attached to the torso portion along seam 318 . in this figure , therefore , it is directly sewn into the construction of the garment . as shown in fig3 b , the fold - down panel or bib is in the down position as it would be during eating , drinking , serving , or whenever desired for torso and lap protection . in this figure , one can see the fasteners 322 and 324 on the torso portion 320 , which complementarily engage fasteners 332 and 334 on the bib portion 330 when the bib is in the folded up position . the folded up position is shown in fig3 a . as shown therein , front portion 340 , which is on the opposite side of bib portion 330 , is visible to the user while bib portion 330 is hidden . at least one pocket , 300 , may also be provided as shown in fig3 a and 3b . such pockets may be provided for the convenience of the wearer . another embodiment of the invention is shown in fig4 a and 4b . in this embodiment , the invention is shown as an adult dress with ribbed collar and cuffs . the torso portion 420 is flanked by sleeves 412 and 414 . fig4 b shows the bib portion 430 in the folded down position , while fig4 a shows the bib portion in the folded up position . in fig4 b , fasteners 422 and 424 are visible which are provided on torso portion 420 . these complementarily engage fasteners 432 and 434 provided on bib portion 430 when it is desired to place the bib in the folded up position . however , in this embodiment and in all others , there is no requirement that there be two fasteners . in fact , there may be more or less . in general , however , it is found that having the same number of fasteners on the torso portion as on the bib portion is preferable . as shown in fig4 b , bib portion 430 is mounted to torso portion 420 by virtue of seam 418 . fig5 shows an embodiment of the invention with a detachable panel or bib 540 . the basic garment without a bib is shown in fig5 b . in this figure , torso portion 520 is flanked by sleeves 512 and 514 . garment 5 also has four fasteners shown , 522 , 524 , 526 , and 528 on which may be mounted bib 540 . however , there is no minimum or maximum number of fasteners which may be used . fig5 c shows the detachable bib 540 on which is mounted , in this embodiment , pockets 500 . however , the number of pockets and / or the existence of pockets may vary from garment to garment . fig5 a shows bib 540 mounted onto garment 5 . in fig5 a , buttons 522 , 524 , 526 , and 528 extend through the bib portion 540 so as to detachably mount it to garment 5 . as before , buttons may be replaced by velcro ™ strips , hooks , loop - ties , zippers , and so on . fig6 a shows a further embodiment of a garment of the present invention with another detachable panel or bib . in particular , this embodiment shows a shirt which may be worn with pants , a skirt , a dress , or a coat or jacket . shirt 6 is constructed , as shown in fig6 b , with three buttons , 622 , 624 , and 626 mounted onto torso portion 620 . shirt 6 also has two sleeve portions 612 and 614 . finally , shirt 6 has a velcro ™ portion 650 around at least a portion of the waist . bib portion 640 is shown in fig6 c . in this figure , a pocket 600 is shown as constructed and attached to bib 640 . fig6 a shows the bib portion 640 mounted to garment 6 . as such , buttons 622 , 624 , and 626 extend through buttonholes in bib 640 , and velcro ™ strip 650 is engaged to a corresponding velcro ™ strip on 640 ( not shown ). the embodiment of fig6 a may be particularly appropriate for a blouse or shirt for an adult . fig7 a and 7b show yet another embodiment of the invention . in particular , they show a bib which may be worn over the top of a dress . in this figure , garment 7 is shown with sleeves 712 and 714 . over the top of the general torso portion of the dress is shown bib 740 . bib 740 generally overlies the torso portion , and is attached behind the user or wearer in the general portion of the shoulder blades . for example , flaps 762 and 764 may overlap each other and may be provided with complementary velcro ™ strips along seam 770 , or along seam 780 , or both . if the velcro ™ strips are provided along seam 770 , then the bib is simply attached along seam 770 , and the user &# 39 ; s neck prevents the bib from falling downward in front of the wearer . alternatively , as an example , velcro ™ strips could be provided along seam 780 , in which case the flaps 762 and 764 , or equivalently a single flap ( not shown ) may attach to strip 780 to hold bib 740 onto the user in a positive fashion . of course it should be noted that in the above example the use of velcro ™ strips has been alluded to . however , other fasteners could also be used , as are known in the art , for example , hooks , loop - ties , zippers , buttons , snaps , and so on , could also be used . finally , it should be noted that one skilled in the art could envision variations of the above . the examples given herein are merely exemplary and the scope of the application is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto .	0
the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . in the following explanation of the preferred embodiments , like elements are designated with like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings , and an explanation thereof is not repeated . in regard to the term “ shape ” as used in the description of the present invention , the expression of shape , such as “ square shape ” and “ rectangular shape ”, includes the shape according to a design concept , the shape of a mask pattern according to the data , the shape on the mask and the shape of a real pattern on the patterned integrated circuit device , and this term also substantially includes a shape where corners are a little deformed from the true geographical shape , due to problems in a given process , such as lithography . an example of the placement of dummy patterns according to embodiment 1 of the present invention will be explained with reference to fig1 to fig5 . fig1 is a plan view of an example of a logic integrated circuit device . fig2 is a cross - sectional view taken along the line a - a of fig1 . fig3 ( a ) and 3 ( b ) are plan views showing a pitch and a size of the dummy patterns . fig4 is a plan view showing an example of the placement of the dummy patterns . fig5 is a process flow diagram showing an example of a method of generating the dummy patterns . as shown in fig1 , the area inside of the boundary bl , which is indicated by a broken line , represents the element forming region da where semiconductor elements are formed , while the area outside of the boundary bl represents the dummy region fa where semiconductor elements are not formed . the boundary bl between the element forming region da and dummy region fa is determined from a layout of the conductive film existing on the element isolation region is and a layout of the active regions ac . since a problem , such as increase in the capacitance load , is generated when a dummy pattern is formed beneath the conductive film , it is necessary to determine the location of the boundary bl in such a way as to ensure that the conductive film and the dummy patterns do not overlap . in the embodiment 1 of the present invention , the boundary bl is determined , in consideration of the allowable size required for reduction of such a capacitance load and the aligning accuracy available in the lithography process , on the basis of the layout of the conductive film and the layout of the active regions ac extending on the element isolation region is . as shown in fig1 and fig2 , the cmosfets ( complementary metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors ) c 1 , c 2 , c 3 are formed in the element forming region da . an active region ac is specified with respect to the element isolation region is where the silicon oxide film 3 is embedded in the isolation grooves 2 a formed on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 . on the main surface of semiconductor substrate 1 , a p - type well 4 and an n - type well 5 are formed , and an n - channel misfet ( metal insulator semiconductor fet ) is formed in the p - type well 4 , while a p - channel misfet is formed in the n - type well 5 . on the main surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , a gate electrode 7 is formed via a gate insulation film 6 of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet . the gate insulation film 6 may be formed of a silicon oxide film , for example , using the thermal oxidation method , and the gate electrode 7 may be formed of a polycrystalline silicon film , for example , using the cvd ( chemical vapor deposition ) method . at the surface of the polycrystalline silicon film , a silicide layer for reduction of electric resistance may be formed . moreover , the gate electrode 7 is formed to extend on the element isolation region is from the active region ac . a side wall spacer 8 is formed at the side walls of the gate electrode 7 of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet . this side wall spacer 8 may be formed , for example , of a silicon oxide film or a silicon nitride film . moreover , the source and drain expanding regions 9 a are formed to sandwich a channel region in the p - type wells 4 on both sides of the gate electrode 7 of the n - channel misfet ; and , moreover , the source and drain expanding regions 9 b are formed at the external side of the source and drain expanding regions 9 a . in the same manner , although not shown particularly , the source and drain expanding regions are formed to sandwich the channel region in the n - type wells 5 on both sides of the gate electrode 7 of the p - channel misfet ; and , moreover , the source and drain diffusing regions are formed at the outside of the source and drain expanding regions . the source and drain of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet are formed to have a so - called ldd ( lightly doped drain ) structure . the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 formed in the element forming region da are covered with an interlayer insulation film 10 , which is provided with the p - type well and n - type well of the active region ac and a contact hole 11 reaching the gate electrode . the interlayer insulation film 10 is formed , for example , of a silicon oxide film , and the surface thereof is preferably flattened using the etch back method or cmp method . on the interlayer insulation film 10 , wirings are formed , but these wirings are not shown . in the dummy region fa , a plurality of the first dummy patterns dp 1 of relatively large area ( indicated as the stippled areas in fig1 ) and a plurality of the second dummy patterns dp 2 of relatively narrow area ( indicated as the hatched areas in fig1 ) are regularly placed . as shown in fig3 ( a ), the first dummy pattern dp 1 has a side size of la in both row and column directions and is structured as a square semiconductor island corresponding to the active region ac , occupying a relatively wide region in the dummy region fa . on the other hand , the second dummy pattern dp 2 has a side size of lb in both row and column directions and is structured as a square semiconductor island corresponding to the active region ac and is placed in a relatively narrow region in the dummy region fa . here , the size la of one side of the first dummy pattern dp 1 is set to be larger than the size lb of one side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 , but the size of the space between adjacent first dummy patterns dp 1 and the size of the space between adjacent second dummy patterns dp 2 are set to be equal to the size of the space sa , and the first dummy patterns dp 1 and the second dummy patterns dp 2 are respectively isolated with an identical spacing . moreover , as shown in fig4 , the pattern size , which is equal to the size la of a side of the first dummy pattern dp 1 + the space size sa , is equal in both row and column directions to an integer times the pattern size which is equal to the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 + the space size sa , satisfying the relationship of la + sa = n ×( lb + sa ) ( n is an integer 1 or larger , n ≧ 1 ). thereby , since the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 , which have different sizes , can be regularly placed in a plural number in the dummy region fa , an increase in the arithmetic processing time of a computer can be controlled even when the coordinate data for generating a mask increases . moreover , the sizes la of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , lb of the second dummy patterns dp 2 and the space size sa are set to the minimum allowable size ( minimum size allowable for pattern design ) or more . if these sizes become smaller than the minimum allowable size , various problems , such as peeling of the resist pattern , manufacturing failure of isolation grooves in the dry - etching process or embedding failure of the silicon oxide film into the isolation grooves are generated at the time of forming the element isolation region is . for example , the size la of a side of the first dummy pattern dp 1 is set to 2 . 0 μm , while the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is set to 0 . 8 μm and the space size sa is set to 0 . 4 μm . next , the dummy pattern placement method will be explained with reference to fig5 . the placement data for the dummy pattern is generated using an automatic program installed in a computer . next , a dummy pattern is drawn on the mask substrate on the basis of this placement data , and the dummy pattern is then transferred to a semiconductor substrate via the mask . here , the method of generating the placement data of the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 using the automatic program will be explained . first , the placement prohibiting region of the first and second dummy patterns dp 1 and dp 2 ( element forming region da ) is obtained ( process 100 of fig5 ). as explained above , the placement prohibiting region is determined , in consideration of the allowable size required for reduction of capacitance load and aligning accuracy in the lithography technique , based on the layout of the conductive film extending on the element isolation region is and the layout of the active region ac . namely , the specified size data is respectively added to the coordinate data of the conductive film extending on the element isolation region is and the coordinate data of the active region ac , and the coordinate data of the placement prohibiting region can be obtained by obtaining the or logic of all data obtained . for example , the region isolated by 2 μm from the active region ac , where the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 are formed , is designated as the first placement prohibiting region , the region isolated by 1 μm from the gate electrodes of the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 is designated as the second placement prohibiting region and the or region between the first and second placement prohibiting regions is designated as the placement prohibiting region of the first and second dummy patterns dp 1 and dp 2 . next , the first dummy patterns dp 1 of relatively large area are placed in the greater part of the dummy region fa ( process 101 of fig5 ). for example , after a mesh is formed in the first pitch on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh of the placement prohibiting region of the first and second dummy patterns dp 1 and dp 2 is removed . otherwise , after the mesh is formed in the first pitch on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh of the placement prohibiting region of the first and second dummy patterns dp 1 and dp 2 is removed , and , moreover , the mesh of the minimum allowable size or less is removed . thereafter , the first dummy pattern dp 1 is placed in the mesh . here , the first pitch is a pattern size ( la + sa ) which is equal to the size la of a side of the first dummy pattern dp 1 + the space size sa . next , the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 of relatively smaller area is obtained ( process 102 of fig5 ). the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is designated by adding the region where the first dummy patterns dp 1 are placed extensively in the process 101 to the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 . next , the second dummy patterns dp 2 of relatively smaller area are placed in the dummy region fa ( process 103 of fig5 ). for example , after the mesh is generated in the second pitch on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh of the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is removed . or , after the mesh is generated in the second pitch over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh in the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is removed , and , moreover , the mesh of the minimum allowable size or less is removed . thereafter , the second dummy pattern dp 2 is placed in the mesh . here , the second pitch is a pattern size ( lb + sa ) which is equal to the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 + the space size sa , and , moreover , the second pitch of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is equal to 1 / integer ( n ) of the first pitch of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , namely equal to ½ . also , from the point of view of easier placement of the second dummy pattern dp 2 , it is preferable to set the second pitch of the second dummy pattern dp 2 to 1 /( an integer of the first pitch of the first dummy pattern dp 1 ). in this embodiment 1 , a plurality of first dummy patterns dp 1 are placed in the dummy region fa , which is isolated from the element forming region da , and a plurality of dummy patterns dp 2 are placed in the dummy region fa near the element forming region da , but the present invention is , of course , not limited to this embodiment 1 . for example , a plurality of first dummy patterns dp 1 may be placed in the dummy region fa near the element forming region da and a plurality of second dummy patterns dp 2 may be placed in the dummy region fa far from the element forming region da . otherwise , a plurality of dummy patterns dp 1 may be placed almost over the entire surface of the dummy region fa and a plurality of second dummy patterns dp 2 may also be placed among the adjacent first dummy patterns dp 1 where the second pitch is generated . moreover , in the embodiment 1 , examples of the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 are shown as semiconductor elements formed in the element forming region da , but these semiconductor elements may be replaced by other semiconductor elements , for example , a bi - cmos transistor . as explained above , according to the embodiment 1 , since the first dummy patterns dp 1 and second dummy patterns dp 2 can be placed in the region up to the boundary bl between the element forming region da and dummy region fa , the flatness of the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 embedded within the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a can be improved over the entire region of the dummy region fa . moreover , the number of second dummy patterns dp 2 of relatively smaller area can be reduced by occupying a relatively wider region of the dummy region fa with the first dummy patterns dp 1 of relatively wider area , and , thereby , increase of the data amount of the mask can also be controlled . moreover , the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 can be expressed with the least data of the origin coordinate and xy coordinate by setting the shape of the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 . accordingly , an increase of the coordinate amount for generating a mask can be controlled , and , thereby , an increase of the arithmetic processing time of the computer and time for drawing a pattern on the mask substrate can also be controlled . next , an example of the method of manufacturing a logic integrated circuit device of the embodiment 1 will be explained , following the process sequence with reference to fig6 to fig1 . first , as shown in fig6 , a semiconductor substrate 1 , for example , consisting of a p - type single crystal silicon , is prepared . next , this semiconductor substrate 1 is thermally oxidized , and a thin silicon oxide film 12 is formed on the surface thereof to a thickness as thin as about 10 nm . thereafter , a silicon nitride film 13 is deposited to a thickness of about 120 to 200 nm using the cvd method on the upper layer , and the silicon nitride film 13 , silicon oxide film 12 and semiconductor substrate 1 are sequentially dry - etched using a resist pattern as a mask in order to form the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a to a depth of about 0 . 3 to 0 . 4 μm on the semiconductor substrate 1 . in the dummy region fa , the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 are provided to avoid the possibility that the entire region becomes an isolation groove . next , with a view toward cleaning the interface condition of the internal wall of the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a , the semiconductor substrate 1 is subjected to a thermal oxidation process to form , although not shown , a silicon oxide film as thin as about 10 to 30 nm on the exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 . subsequently , as shown in fig7 , a silicon oxide film 3 is deposited using the cvd method or plasma cvd method on the semiconductor substrate 1 . the film thickness of this silicon oxide film 3 is , for example , about 600 to 700 nm , and this silicon oxide film 3 is formed to have a profile such that the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 , embedded in the relatively large isolation groove 2 a so as to be easily formed at the boundary bl or in the element forming region da , becomes higher than the surface of the silicon nitride film 13 next , a mask in the form of an inverted mask of the isolation groove 2 is prepared . on this mask , only the pattern of the relative large isolation grooves 2 a , which is to be easily formed in the boundary bl or element forming region da in the inverted pattern , is depicted , and the pattern smaller than the particular size , for example , of 0 . 6 μm is removed . using this mask , a resist pattern 14 is formed on the silicon oxide film 3 , and the silicon oxide film 3 is removed by an etching process in the amount of about ½ ( for example , about 300 nm ) of the film thickness using the resist pattern 14 as a mask , as shown in fig8 . thereby , in the subsequent cmp process , the flatness of the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 embedded in the relatively large isolation grooves 2 a to be formed easily at the boundary bl or element forming region da can be improved . here , a horn - shaped projection is formed from what remains of the silicon oxide film 3 under the resist pattern 14 , but this projection is polished in the subsequent cmp process . next , after the resist pattern 14 is removed , as shown in fig9 , the silicon oxide film 3 is polished using the cmp method , as shown in fig1 , leaving the silicon oxide film 3 within the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a . in this case , the silicon oxide film 12 functions as a stopper layer for the polishing to protect this film from the scraping by utilizing the polishing rates of the silicon nitride film 13 and silicon oxide film 3 . scraping of the silicon nitride film 13 is controlled , for example , to about 60 nm . thereafter , the silicon oxide film 3 embedded in the isolation grooves 2 is densified ( tightened using a burning process ) by conducting heat treatment at a temperature of about 1000 ec . next , as shown in fig1 , the silicon nitride film 13 is removed using a wet etching process with hot phosphoric acid , and thereafter the silicon oxide film 12 , as the underlayer , is then removed . next , as shown in fig1 , a p - type impurity , for example , boron ( b ), is ion - injected to form the p - type well 4 in the n - channel misfet forming region of the semiconductor substrate 1 , and an n - type impurity , for example , phosphorus ( p ), is ion - injected to form the n - type well 5 in the p - channel misfet forming region . in addition , although not shown in the figure , an impurity is ion - injected to the channel region . thereafter , the semiconductor substrate 1 is thermally oxidized to form a gate insulation film 6 on the surface of semiconductor substrate 1 to a thickness , for example , of about 2 nm . next , as shown in fig1 , a polycrystalline silicon film is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 1 using the cvd method , and , thereafter , the polycrystalline silicon film is etched using a resist pattern as a mask to form the gate electrodes 7 of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet . subsequently , the semiconductor substrate 1 is subjected to a dry oxidation process at about 800 c . next , after the n - type well 5 is covered with a resist film , an n - type impurity , for example , arsenic ( as ), is ion - injected to the p - type well 4 using the gate electrode 7 of the n - channel misfet as a mask to form the source and drain expanding regions 9 a of the n - channel misfet . similarly , after the p - type well 4 is covered with a resist film , a p - type impurity , for example , boron fluoride ( bf 2 ), is ion - injected to the n - type well 5 using the gate electrode 7 of the p - channel misfet as a mask to form the source and drain expanding regions 15 a of the p - channel misfet . next , as shown in fig1 , after an insulation film , for example , a silicon oxide film or silicon nitride film , is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 1 , this insulation film is anisotropically etched using rie ( reactive ion etching ) and a side wall spacer 8 consisting of an insulation film is formed to the respective side walls of the gate electrodes 7 of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet . next , after the n - type well 5 is covered with a resist film , an n - type impurity , for example , arsenic , is ion - injected to the p - type well 4 using the gate electrode 7 of the n - channel misfet and the side wall spacer 8 as a mask in order to form the source and drain expanding regions 9 b of the n - channel misfet . in the same manner , after the p - type well 4 is covered with a resist film , a p - type impurity , for example , boron fluoride , is ion - injected to the n - type well 5 using the gate electrode 7 of p - channel misfet as a mask in order to form the source and drain expanding region 15 b of the p - channel misfet . subsequently , as shown in fig1 , an interlayer insulation film 10 , structured , for example , of a silicon oxide film , is formed on the semiconductor substrate 1 . thereafter , the surface of this interlayer insulation film 10 is flattened using the etch back method or cmp method . then , the interlayer insulation film 10 is etched using a resist pattern as a mask to form a contact hole 11 reaching the source and drain expanding regions 9 b of the n - channel misfet and the source and drain expanding regions 15 b of the p - channel misfet . although not shown in the figure , contact holes reaching the gate electrodes 7 of the n - channel misfet and p - channel misfet are also formed simultaneously . next , as shown in fig1 , a metal film , for example , a tungsten ( w ) film , is deposited on an upper layer of the interlayer insulation film 10 , and a plug 16 is formed by embedding a metal film at the internal side of the contact hole 11 by flattening the surface of above metal film , for example , using the cmp method . thereafter , the first layer wiring 17 is formed by etching the metal film deposited on the upper layer of the interlayer insulation film 10 . thereafter , a wiring is formed as the upper layer of the first layer wiring 17 , and , moreover , a surface protection film is formed to complete the logic integrated circuit device . the embodiment 2 of the present invention is directed to another manufacturing method that can be used to form the structure of fig1 . fig1 and fig1 , which illustrate the embodiment 2 , are cross - sectional views of a portion of a semiconductor substrate after completion of the manufacturing processes explained with reference to fig6 and 7 . in this embodiment , the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a are formed first to a depth of about 0 . 3 to 0 . 4 μm on the semiconductor substrate 1 , and then the silicon oxide film 3 is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 1 using the cvd method or plasma cvd method . next , as shown in fig1 , a coated insulation film 18 , for example , an sog ( spin on glass ) film , is formed as the upper layer of the silicon oxide film 3 . this coated insulation film 18 can be flattened at its surface even when a fine level - difference exists due to the fluidity of the film . therefore , even if a recess is generated at the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 , the surface of the coated insulation film 18 will be flat . subsequently , the semiconductor substrate 1 is subjected to heat treatment to remove the solvent in the coated insulation film 18 and to form a dense substrate . this heat treatment temperature is ranged , in the case of annealing in a furnace , for example , from about 400 to 500 ° c . or ranged , in the case of rta ( rapid thermal annealing ), for example , from about 700 to 800 ° c . next , as shown in fig1 , the coated insulation film 18 is etched using the etch back method . in this case , etching is performed until the coated insulation film 18 is removed almost completely , under the condition that the etching rate of the silicon oxide film 3 and the etching rate of the coated insulation film 18 are almost equal , with a view toward flattening the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 . thereafter , as shown in fig1 , the silicon oxide film 3 is left within the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a by polishing the silicon oxide film 3 on the silicon nitride film 2 using the cmp method . subsequently , the processes are identical to that explained with reference to fig1 and subsequent figures relating to the embodiment 1 of the present invention . as explained above , according to the embodiment 2 , the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 , that is embedded in the relatively large isolation groove 2 a , which may easily be formed at the boundary bl or in the element forming region da , can be flattened . moreover , since the mask to which a resist pattern 14 used for flattening the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 in the embodiment 1 is no longer required , the manufacturing cost can be lowered in comparison with that of the embodiment 1 . the embodiment 3 is directed to another manufacturing method that can be used to form the structure of fig1 , and this embodiment will be explained with reference to fig1 to fig2 . first , as shown in fig1 , a semiconductor substrate 1 , consisting , for example , of a p - type single crystal silicon , is subjected to the thermal oxidation to form on the surface thereof a gate insulation film 19 consisting of a thin silicon oxide film having a thickness of about 2 to 3 nm . next , a first silicon film 20 having a thickness of about 50 nm and a silicon nitride film having a thickness of about 120 to 200 nm are deposited sequentially as upper layers using the cvd method . thereafter , the silicon nitride film 21 , first silicon film 20 and gate insulation film 19 are sequentially dry - etched using a resist pattern as a mask . the first silicon film 20 is composed of a non - crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon . subsequently , after the resist pattern is removed , the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a are formed to a depth of about 0 . 3 to 0 . 4 μm on the semiconductor substrate 1 by dry - etching the semiconductor substrate 1 using the silicon nitride film 21 as a mask . in the dummy region fa , the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 are provided so that the total region does not become an isolation groove . next , although not shown in the figure , after a thinner silicon oxide film is formed to a thickness of about 10 to 30 nm on the exposed surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the silicon oxide film 3 is deposited to a thickness of about 600 to 700 nm on the semiconductor substrate 1 using the cvd method or plasma cvd method , as shown in fig2 . thereafter , as shown in fig2 , the silicon oxide film 3 is left in the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a in the same manner as explained with reference to fig8 to fig1 in the embodiment 1 explained above . next , as shown in fig2 , the silicon nitride film 21 is removed using wet - etching with hot phosphoric acid . in this case , the first silicon film 20 is not removed , but is used as a part of the gate electrodes of the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 . thereafter , a p - type impurity is ion - implanted in order to form the p - type well 4 in the n - channel misfet forming region of the semiconductor substrate 1 , and an n - type impurity is also ion - implanted in order to form the n - type well 5 in the p - channel misfet forming region . moreover , although not shown in the figure , an impurity is ion - implanted to the channel region . thereafter , a second silicon film 22 is formed on the semiconductor substrate 1 and the gate electrodes of the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , with the laminated layer consisting of the first silicon film 20 and second silicon film 22 . the subsequent processes are identical to those explained with reference to fig1 and successive figures relating to the embodiment 1 , and , therefore , a repeated explanation thereof is omitted here . as explained above , according to the embodiment 3 , a kink generated in the drain current - gate voltage characteristic resulting from the roundness at the end portion of the isolation groove due to a fall of the silicon oxide film 3 embedded in the element isolation region is can be prevented by using the first silicon film to form the element isolating region is as a part of the gate electrodes of the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 . an example of the placement of other dummy patterns , representing an embodiment 4 , will be explained with reference to fig2 , fig2 ( a ) and fig2 ( b ). fig2 is a plan view of a portion of a logic integrated circuit device , and fig2 ( a ) and 24 ( b ) a are illustrating a pitch and a size of the dummy pattern . as shown in fig2 , like the embodiment 1 , the area inside of the boundary bl , which is indicated in the figure with a broken line , is the element forming region da where semiconductor elements are formed , and the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 are formed in this region . moreover , the area outside of the boundary bl is the dummy region fa where the semiconductor elements are not formed . in the dummy region fa , rectangular third dummy patterns dp 3 , which are larger than the first and second dummy patterns pd 1 , pd 2 , are also provided in addition to the first and second dummy patterns . namely , three kinds of dummy patterns of different shapes and areas ( first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 , third dummy pattern dp 3 ) are regularly placed in the dummy region fa . the third dummy pattern dp 3 is formed of a rectangular semiconductor island ( indicated as stippled areas in fig2 ) corresponding to the active region ac . as shown in fig2 ( a ) and fig2 ( b ), the size laa of the longer side and the size la of the short side of the third dummy pattern dp 3 are set larger than the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 , but the size of the space between adjacent third dummy patterns dp 3 is identical to the size sa of the space between adjacent second dummy patterns dp 2 . moreover , the size of a side of the third dummy pattern dp 3 is equal to an integer times the pattern size obtained by adding the space size sa to the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 both in the row and column directions and satisfies the relationships of laa + sa = n1 ( lb + sa ), la + sa = n2 ×( lb + sa ) ( n1 , n2 is respectively integer 1 or larger ( n1 , n2 1 )). thereby , since it is possible to regularly locate a plurality of first dummy patterns dp 1 , second dummy patterns dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 having different sizes in the dummy region fa , if the coordinate data at the time of generating a mask increases , an increase in the arithmetic processing time of the computer can be controlled . placement data of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 is generated in the same manner as the method of generating the placement data of the first dummy pattern dp 1 and second dummy pattern dp 2 explained with reference to the process diagram of fig5 for the embodiment 1 . first , the placement prohibiting region ( element forming region da ) of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 is obtained . next , the third dummy pattern dp 3 is provided extensively to the greater part of the dummy region fa . for example , after the mesh is generated in the third pitch over the entire part of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh over the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 is removed . thereafter , the third dummy pattern dp 3 is placed to the mesh . here , the third pitch has one side in the pattern size ( laa + sa ) obtained by adding the space size sa to the size laa of a longer side of the third dummy pattern dp 3 and also has the other side in the pattern size ( la + sa ) obtained by adding the space size sa to the size la of the shorter side of the third dummy pattern dp 3 . next , the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 is obtained . the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 is obtained by adding the region where the third dummy patterns dp 3 are extensively provided to the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 . next , the first dummy pattern dp 1 is provided extensively over the entire part of the dummy region fa . for example , after the mesh is generated in the first pitch over the entire part of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh over the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 is removed . thereafter , the first dummy pattern dp 1 is placed in the mesh . here , the first pitch is identical to the pattern size ( la + sa ) obtained by adding the space size sa to the size la of a side of the first dummy pattern dp 1 . next , the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is obtained . the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is defined by adding the region where the first dummy pattern dp 1 and third dummy pattern dp 3 are provided extensively to the placement prohibiting region of the first dummy pattern dp 1 , second dummy pattern dp 2 and third dummy pattern dp 3 . next , the second dummy patterns dp 2 are provided extensively . for example , after the mesh is generated at the second pitch over the entire part of the semiconductor substrate 1 , the mesh over the placement prohibiting region of the second dummy pattern dp 2 is removed . thereafter , the second dummy patterns dp 2 are placed in the mesh . here , the second pitch is identical to the pattern size ( lb + sa ) obtained by adding the space size sa to the size lb of a side of the second dummy pattern dp 2 . as explained above , according to the embodiment 1 , the dummy pattern is capable of selecting the desired shape without relation to the size of the area thereof , and it is also possible to combine three kinds or more of dummy patterns . therefore , the degree of freedom for placement of dummy patterns can be increased , and the flatness at the surface of the silicon oxide film 3 embedded into the isolation grooves 2 , 2 a can also be improved . moreover , an increase of mask data can be controlled by increasing the number of placements of the dummy patterns dp 3 of relatively large area . an example of the placement of dummy pattern of wiring will be explained with reference to fig2 to fig2 as an embodiment 5 . fig2 is a plan view of a portion of the dummy pattern of wiring . fig2 ( a ) and 26 ( b ) are diagrams illustrating a pitch and a size of the dummy patterns of wiring . fig2 is a cross - sectional view showing an example of a logic integrated circuit device using a dummy pattern of wiring . a dummy wiring system is one of the methods for overcoming disadvantages resulting from a level difference at the surface in the wiring process . this system is a method for extensively providing dummy patterns ( conductive islands ) consisting of the same material as that of the other wirings . this method is very effective for flattening the insulation film covering the wirings , and , moreover , for alleviation of a level difference at the surface . the embodiment 5 in which the present invention is adapted to this dummy wiring system will be explained hereunder . as shown in fig2 , the area inside of the boundaries bl , which are indicated by broken lines is the element forming region da , where wirings ml are formed , and the areas outside of the boundaries bl are dummy regions fa , where wirings ml are not formed . in the dummy region fa , a plurality of first dummy wirings dml 1 of relatively wider area consisting of the same conductive layer as the wiring ml and a plurality of second dummy wirings dml 2 of relatively smaller area are placed regularly . as shown in fig2 ( a ) and fig2 ( b ), the first dummy wiring dml 1 , occupying a relatively wider region of the dummy region fa , is formed of a rectangular conductive island ( indicated as relatively thinner stippled region in fig2 ) having a size lca of the longer side and a size lc of the shorter side , and the second dummy wiring dml 2 is formed of a square conductive island ( indicated as relatively thicker hatched region in fig2 ) having a size ld in a side in both row and column directions . moreover , the row - to - row space size among the adjacent first dummy wiring dml 1 and the row - to - row space size among the adjacent second dummy wiring dml 2 are set to the identical space size sc , while the column - to - column space size among the adjacent first dummy wiring dml 1 and the column - to - column space size among the adjacent second dummy wiring dml 2 are set to the identical space size sd . the widths lca , lc of the first dummy wiring dml 1 and the width ld of the second dummy wiring dml 2 are set to the minimum line width or larger as required for the lithography technique and dry - etching technique , and the spaces sc , sd are set to the minimum space width or larger as required for the lithography technique and dry - etching technique . here , the pattern size identical to the size lca of the longer side of the first dummy wiring dml 1 + space size sc is an integer times the pattern size identical to the size ld of a side of the second dummy wiring dml 2 + space size sc and satisfies the relationship of lca + sc = n ( ld + sc ) ( n is integer 1 or larger ( n 1 )). in the same manner , the pattern size identical to the size the lc of shorter side of the first dummy wiring dml 1 + space size sd is an integer times the pattern size identical to the size lc of the shorter side of the first dummy wiring dml 1 + space size sd and satisfies the relationship of lc + sd = n ( ld + sd ) ( n is integer 1 or larger ( n 1 )). fig2 is a cross - sectional view of a portion of the semiconductor substrate showing an example of a logic integrated circuit device to which the dummy wiring system of the embodiment 5 is adapted . for example , an interlayer insulation film 10 is formed to cover the cmosfets c 1 , c 2 , c 3 shown in fig2 of the embodiment 1 , and the first layer wiring 17 is formed on the interlayer insulation film 10 . the surface of the interlayer insulation film 10 is flattened using the cmp method or etch - back method . moreover , the first layer wiring 17 is covered with the interlayer insulation film 23 . the surface of the interlayer insulation film 23 is flattened using the etch - back method or the like . at the upper layer of the interlayer insulation film 23 , the second layer wiring 24 and a dummy wiring 25 are formed . here , as the dummy wiring 25 , for example , the first dummy wiring dml 1 and second dummy wiring dml 2 are used . the second layer wiring 24 and dummy wiring 25 are composed of the same material and are formed in the same process . as a material thereof , for example , a metal material , such as aluminum ( al ) or copper ( cu ), may be used . the second layer wiring 24 and dummy wiring 25 are covered with the interlayer insulation film 26 . the interlayer insulation film 26 is , for example , a silicon oxide film , sog ( spin on glass ) and lamination layer film consisting of a silicon oxide film , and the silicon oxide film described above may be a teos oxide film that is deposited using the plasma cvd method with teos ( tetra ethyl ortho silicate : si ( oc 2 h 5 ) 4 ) and ozone ( o 3 ) as the source gas . the surface of the interlayer insulation film 26 is polished using the cmp method , and this surface is also flattened by utilizing the dummy wiring 25 ( first dummy wiring dml 1 , second dummy wiring dml 2 ). moreover , the third layer wiring 27 is also formed as the upper layer of the interlayer insulation film 26 to form , although not shown in the figure , a passivation film as the upper - most insulation film . here , in this embodiment 5 , the dummy wiring 25 is laid in the process to form the second layer wiring 24 , but the dummy wiring may also be provided in the process to form the first layer wiring 17 or the third layer wiring 27 . moreover , even when the upper layer wiring is laid on the third layer wiring 27 , the dummy wiring can also be provided in the process to form these wirings . as explained above , according to the embodiment 5 , since the dummy wiring 25 can be placed over the entire region of the dummy region fa by utilizing the first dummy wiring dml 1 of relatively large area and the second dummy wiring dml 2 of relatively small area , the flatness of the surface of the interlayer insulation film 26 formed as the upper layer of the second layer wiring 24 can be improved . moreover , since the first dummy wiring dml 1 of relatively large area occupies a relatively wider region of the dummy region fa , the number of placements of the second dummy wiring dml 2 of relatively small area can be relatively reduced , and , thereby , an increase in the mask data amount can be controlled . the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained above , but the present invention is not restricted to these embodiments , and so various changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the claims thereof . for example , in above embodiments , square and rectangular shapes are selected as the shapes of a dummy pattern , but the shape of a dummy pattern is not restricted thereto , and a triangular shape , trapezoidal shape , circular shape or other polygonal shape may also be selected for the dummy pattern . the effects of the typical aspects and features of the present invention will be briefly explained as follows . according to the present invention , the flatness of a member surface embedded to a plurality of recesses can be improved by placing at least two dummy pattern groups therein . moreover , since a dummy pattern of relatively large area occupies a relative wider area of the dummy region , an increase in the time required for generation of a mask can be controlled by suppressing an increase in the coordinate data amount required for generation of a mask . accordingly , the flatness of a member surface embedded in a plurality of recesses can be improved without increasing the time required for manufacturing the semiconductor device .	7
a preferred embodiment of the invention is now described in detail . referring to the drawings , like numbers indicate like parts throughout the views . as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow , the meaning of “ a ,” “ an ,” and “ the ” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise . also , as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow , the meaning of “ in ” includes “ in ” and “ on ” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise . in no time , end users will have to log into a large number of different web sites , each with separate passwords , security , rules , software and “ look and feel ”— just to get the information currently obtained by checking one place — the mailbox at the end of the driveway . the internet will fundamentally change the way in which end users will access personal information ( pi ) and will make e - commerce as familiar as using an atm . “ personal information ” is all of the data that companies , information providers , have that is specific or unique to each person such as monthly bills , bank account balances , investments information , health care benefits , email , voice and fax messages , 401 ( k ) holdings or potentially any other information pertinent to a particular end user . the present invention alleviates several of the problems with the current pi acquisition methods by automatically aggregating pi , not only generic pi as aggregated by portals but also pi specific to the end user requiring identity verification for access . in one embodiment , the invention automates the pi acquisition and delivery process . fig2 provides a block diagram of components that could be used to implement the present invention . the end user 210 accesses a client computer 220 running client software 270 which in a particular embodiment could be a general web browser such as navigator or communicator ( netscape ). the client computer 220 utilizes the internet 230 to access a pi engine 240 running on a pi host 290 . the pi engine 240 examines stored pi 280 for freshness . any stale pi items are refreshed by directly reacquiring the pi from the particular information provider &# 39 ; s web site 250 running on the provider &# 39 ; s computer system 260 accessed across the internet 230 . the pi engine 240 stores the fresh pi in its store 280 and delivers the pi to a selected destination , in this instance across the internet 230 to the client computer 220 which displays the information to the end user 210 using the client software 270 . the pi engine 240 refreshes all stale pi in a like manner prior to forwarding the aggregated pi to both the store 280 and the delivery destination , the client computer 220 in this instance . the pi engine 240 may refresh the pi sequentially or in parallel . for example , the end user &# 39 ; s checking account balance would be updated through his bank &# 39 ; s web site , his email from his particular email site , his portfolio information from his broker &# 39 ; s site and his electricity bill from his electricity company &# 39 ; s site . fig3 displays a block diagram of the components of the pi engine 240 . the pi engine 240 is composed of both storage and processing components . the three primary storage components are the pi store 280 , the pi provider store 310 and the user store 360 . the first storage component of the pi engine 240 is the pi store 280 . the pi store 280 contains each individual &# 39 ; s pi record 375 ; the pi associated with a particular end user is segregated from the pi of all other end users . the pi engine also utilizes a provider store 310 that maintains general parameters associated with particular pi providers . the general parameters of a pi provider define the types of verification data necessary and the procedures to be followed to gain access to the particular pi provider . each pi provider record also contains the types of pi provided by the pi provider and the types of transactions supported by the provider . along with the type of pi or transaction , the record also contains the additional types of data and procedures necessary to access the pi or execute the transaction . a user store 360 is also necessary to maintain configuration and verification information concerning particular end users . for each end user , the user selected pi providers , pi and transactions are registered along with the verification data necessary to acquire the pi or execute the transaction from the pi provider . the pi store 280 may be implemented in a variety of ways . referring to fig2 the pi store 280 may comprise a database residing on the pi host 290 . under this approach , the pi for each individual end user 210 is stored as a separate record or object 375 in the database . in yet another embodiment , the pi for each end user 210 could be stored in a separate file 375 , thus performing the task of segregating pi of different users at the file level . in addition , or as an alternative , the pi associated with each end user 210 may reside on his / her client computer 220 using cookie technology as specified in d . kristol and l . montulli , “ http state management mechanism ”, request for comments ( rfc ) 2109 , february , 1997 ( available at http :// www . ietf . org / rfc / rfc2109 . txt ), which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety . the pi associate with the end user 210 would be stored as pi cookies 375 . this implementation mechanism provides inherent support for segregating pi associated with one end user 375 from pi associated with all other end users . utilizing this method as a substitute for a centralized store provides a layer of security against unauthorized access . as a further measure , pi data stored in cookies could be stored in an encrypted format . fig6 provides a diagram of a typical implementation of the pi store 280 using cookie technology ; references in the foregoing description are also made to fig3 with respect to the internal workings of the pi engine 240 . when an attempt is made to access pi by an end user 210 directly , or through an intermediary web server , the pi access / transact component 340 of the pi engine 240 would retrieve stored pi 375 from the pi store 280 . under this approach , this stored pi 375 would be received directly from cookies sent by the client computer 220 of the end user 210 . the pi access / transact component 340 would perform any decryption if necessary . any updates required would be obtained by direct access of pi providers 250 . the pi deliver component 350 would provide the mechanism for both updating the pi store 280 as well as transmitting the requested pi to the end user 210 , directly or through an intermediary web site . the pi deliver component 350 would place the updated pi in the pi store 280 by replacing the outdated pi cookies 375 stored on the client computer 220 . the pi deliver component 350 would also handle any encryption if necessary . the pi deliver component 350 would also be responsible for transmitting requested pi . in a preferred embodiment , the pi store 280 would be implemented using this cookie - based architecture . the user store 360 may be implemented in a variety of ways . referring to fig2 the user store 360 may comprise a database residing on the pi host 290 . under this approach , the personal configuration data for each individual end user 210 is stored as a separate record or object in the database . in addition , or as an alternative , the end user data could be distributed in a manner similar to the cookie / cache architecture describe above with respect to the pi store 280 . in a preferred embodiment , the user store 360 could be implemented through personal information configuration ( pic ) files . pic files store a personal profile such as name , address , and social security number in secure , encrypted fashion for each end user . pic files facilitate automatic registration of end users with information providers via the end user configuration component 330 . this component will read the pic file and , using retrieved personal information , pre - populate registration templates for selected providers . then , it will prompt the user to enter required information that is missing from profile , if necessary . if the information is complete , the registration is automatically completed . next , the end user configure component 330 completes any provider registration forms , gets responses and updates the end user &# 39 ; s pic . the four primary processing components access and manipulate the data in the three stores . the processing components may execute on a single processor , such as a file server computer system based on a pentium class ( mmx , pro , ii , iii , etc .) central processing unit or an equivalent , or multiple processors . these four processing components are the baseline configure component 320 , the end user configure component 330 , the pi access / transact component 340 and the pi delivery component 350 as seen in fig3 . the baseline configure component 320 provides the interface by which new user selectable pi providers are added to the system . this component 320 might be implemented in a variety of ways including trial and error followed by manual entry of configuration information , semi - automated trial and error ( automated location of hypertext markup language ( html ) & lt ; form & gt ; elements , javascript functions and java applets ) followed by manual entry of configuration information or , preferably , configuration by example ( executing the protocol in a simulated web client where the simulated web client automatically generates a list of required data and a list of steps in the access process ). these processes would be utilized at two levels : the first level being the set of data and steps required for general access to the particular pi provider and the second level being the set of additional data and steps required for accessing each particular piece of pi on the pi provider &# 39 ; s site . the baseline configuration component 320 may be triggered independently when a new pi provider is added to the system , or it might be triggered as a result of a failure of the pi access / transact component 340 potentially indicating a change in access requirements for the failed access . this latter warning would more likely result where the pi access / transact component 340 has made a comparison between requirements supplied by the provider store 310 , both general to the pi provider and specific to the pi or transaction , and the end user data supplied by the user store 360 after seeking end user verification via a request of the end user to confirm the previously entered required access data via the end user configure component 330 and found an inconsistency . when an inconsistency is determined , updates to the provider store 320 are made to bring the provider data into conformance with current access / transaction requirements . the end user configure component 330 allows an end user to select and configure pi and transactions of interest to the specific user . this configuration information is maintained in the user store 360 . when an end user initially subscribes to the system according to the present invention , the system allows the user to select the types and sources of pi and / or transactions desired . first , the system requests permission from the end user to act on his behalf to obtain any selected pi and to execute any authorized transactions . next , the system provides the user with a list of known information suppliers and the types of pi supplied from and transactions supported by the particular pi provider from the provider store 320 . the system requests the verification data necessary for accessing each selected pi provider and the additional data required by the particular pis and / or transactions desired from that pi provider . assuming the end user is already a registered user with the selected pi provider or the particular pi provider does not require prior registration , the data supplied by the end user is placed in the user store 360 . one method of obtaining any cookie data would be for the end user to access each previously accessed pi utilizing the pi engine 240 as a proxy server . the pi engine 240 would pass the cookie data to the pi provider site with the appropriate web page requests to obtain the pi or execute the transaction and with the end user &# 39 ; s permission retain a copy of the cookie data in the his record in the user store 360 . an alternate means of obtaining the cookie data would be a direct upload of the cookie information from the end user &# 39 ; s computer . in a preferred embodiment , no cookie data is necessary where a user is already registered with a provider . all that is necessary is the verification data for login . if the end user does not have the requisite information because he is not a registered user of a selected pi provider , the user configure component 330 prompts the user for the information necessary to register the end user with the pi provider and performs the registration procedure required by the pi provider . a simulated web client could perform this process automatically supplying the access data as required and sending any necessary cookie data . the manner in which such a simulated client registers the end user depends significantly upon the interaction method used on the pi provider web site . if the web site uses html forms and common gateway interface ( cgi ) applications , the end user configure component 330 can formulate a uniform resource locator ( url ) to replicate the effect of actual form usage and submit this url to the simulated web client . the use of a url to mimic an html form is equivalent to manually entering the data into the web & lt ; form & gt ; element . see kerven , foust , zakour , html 3 . 2 plus how - to , waite group press , 1997 , pp . 559 - 569 . if the web site uses a mixture of html forms and javascript functions , a simulated web client with a modified javascript interpreter could effectively register the user by following the end user registration process for the particular pi provider . the registration process to follow would be obtained from the record of the particular pi provider in the provider store 320 . the javascript interpreter in the simulated web client would follow this procedure and supply the data supplied by the end user . a similar process could be used if the registration process on the pi provider web site utilizes a java applet . a web client with a modified java bytecode interpreter could effectively register the user by following the end user registration process stored for the particular pi provider in the provider store 320 . the bytecode interpreter would supply the data previously entered by the end user rather than requiring interactive input from the end user . if the pi provider web site utilizes a combination of forms , scripts and applets , the individual procedures above could be used in combination to accomplish the desired registration . with reference to fig2 and fig3 a modification of the java virtual machine ( vm ) could allow for automated interaction between the various functional components of the pi engine 240 and java applet available through provider web servers 250 . templates for interacting with particular applets could reside in the provider store 310 . the specific input data utilized by such templates could be stored in the user store 360 . when a functional component such as the end user configure 330 or the access / transact 340 components requires automated communication with a java applet on a provider web server 250 , the modified java vm would facilitate this interaction . fig1 illustrates one process utilizing such a modified java vm to achieve such automated interaction . the functional component requiring interaction identifies the provider and the particular applet on that provider with which the component needs to interact in step 1010 . in step 1020 , the component accesses the necessary template for interacting with the applet from the provider store 310 . proceeding to step 1030 , the component accesses the user store 360 to obtain the data required by the template . the modified java vm interprets the applet in step 1040 and , rather than requiring interactive input from a user as in a normal java applet execution , awaits input from or output to the interacting functional component of the pi engine . in step 1050 , the functional component supplies input data to the modified java vm according to the accessed template and retrieved data and receives output data according to the accessed template . steps 1040 and 1050 repeat so long as additional input to or output from the applet continues . upon termination of the applet , the functional component continues with its own processing in step 1060 . a successful registration could result in displaying the registration information to the end user for future reference . further , the end user configure component 330 stores the requisite access verification data for the pi provider and the additional data required to access the selected pi or transaction in the user store 360 . in a preferred embodiment of such automated registration , any necessary cookie data would be accepted and stored as needed by the end user configure component 330 . in many cases , cookie data is session specific and , therefore , of little long term utility . cookies generated during the registration process are used solely during the registration process then discarded once registration is complete . a failed registration could result from several situations . first , the end user attempting to register with the pi provider does not qualify for registration ; for example , an end user attempting to register with a bank with whom the end user does not maintain an account and where the bank only allows access to account holders . next , the end user may have supplied improper or incorrect information . for example , a bank registration process might require a social security number , a password , a bank account number and the maiden name of the end user &# 39 ; s mother ; if the user entered an incorrect social security number , the registration process would fail . finally , the pi provider may have altered the registration procedure for its web site . in this situation , following the process supplied from the provider store 320 would yield a failed registration . in the instance of any registration failure , the end user could be presented with the data initially supplied to the system for registration . the system could then ask the end user to double check the correctness of the information provided and to correct and resubmit the data if an error is found . a second failure resulting from the submission of identical requisite data might generate an error message presented to the end user stating that either the end user is ineligible to access the selected pi from the selected pi provider or that alteration by the pi provider may have caused an error in registration . this second failure could also trigger a warning suggesting the need to potentially reconfigure the record for the pi provider in the provider store 320 . ultimately , the user store 360 would contain a record for each end user . this record as previous described could be a database entry , one or more cookies or a file such as a pic file . each record would identify the selected pi providers along with the general access verification data needed and also under each pi provider would be a list of pi supplied and transactions supported by the particular pi provider of interest to the end user along with the additional data , if any , necessary to access that pi or execute that transaction . specifically , duplicative information such as an end user &# 39 ; s name would be centrally stored in the record once . the end user configure component 330 also allows the end user to select one or more delivery destinations . one destination might be the end user &# 39 ; s computer as exemplified by the client computer 220 running client software 270 in fig2 ; however , a computer is not the only destination contemplated by the present invention . the destination for pi delivery could include facsimile , electronic mail , telephone , conventional mail , pager , other wireless device such as a palm pilot ( 3 com ), web page or channel , web browser or other delivery mechanism . the present invention also contemplates indirect access of pi by the end user utilizing a web site as an intermediary ; however , such indirect access would not require the end user to specify a delivery destination unless additional delivery options were desired . further , access to the end user configure component 330 may occur through direct access to the pi engine via the internet as contemplated by the client computer 220 running client software 270 in fig2 ; however , alternative methods of access are equally feasible . for example , the user might indirectly access the pi engine through the use of an intermediary web site . a telephone interface to allow access to the end user configure component is another alternative . with reference to fig3 the pi access / transact component 340 supports the update , acquisition and transaction functionality of the pi engine 240 . the pi access / transact component 340 is responsible for accessing and storing user pi and executing transactions authorized by the end user . when access or update is needed for a selected end user , the pi access / transact component 340 combines information from the provider store 320 and the user store 360 to update end user pi in the pi store 280 . for each piece of pi requiring access or update , the pi access / transact component 340 looks up the access procedure and information needed for the particular pi in the provider store 320 . the verification and access data is found in the user store 360 . the pi access / transact component 340 utilizes this information to connect to the pi provider &# 39 ; s web site across the internet and to access the pi . where multiple pieces of pi require updating or access , the accesses may occur in series or parallel . requested transactions would be similarly supported . for each transaction , the pi access / transact component 340 combines information from the provider store 320 and the user store 360 to perform the requested transaction . the pi access / transact component 340 looks up the transaction procedure and information needed for the particular transaction in the provider store 320 . the verification and access data is found in the user store 360 . the pi access / transact component 340 utilizes this information to perform the transaction across the internet from the pi provider &# 39 ; s web site a simulated web client could perform access or transaction processes automatically supplying access and verification data as necessary . the manner in which such a simulated client access pi or execute transactions depends significantly upon the interaction method used on the pi provider web site . if the web site uses html forms and common gateway interface ( cgi ) applications , the pi access / transact component 340 can formulate a uniform resource locator ( url ) to replicate the effect of actual form usage and submit this url to the simulated web client . the use of a url to mimic an html form is equivalent to manually entering the data into the web & lt ; form & gt ; element . see kerven , foust , zakour , html 3 . 2 plus how - to , waite group press , 1997 , pp . 559 - 569 . if the web site uses a mixture of html forms and javascript functions , a simulated web client with a modified javascript interpreter could effectively access the pi or perform the transaction by following the pi access / transact process for the particular pi or transaction respectively . the access or transaction process to follow would be obtained from the record of the particular pi or transaction in the provider store 320 . the javascript interpreter in the simulated web client would follow this procedure and supply the data found in the user store 360 . a similar process could be used if the pi provider web site utilizes a java applet . a web client with a modified java bytecode interpreter could effectively access pi or perform transactions by following process stored for the particular pi or transaction in the provider store 320 . the bytecode interpreter would supply the data from the user store 360 rather than requiring interactive input from the end user . if the pi provider web site utilizes a combination of forms , scripts and applets , the individual procedures above could be used in combination to accomplish the desired access . in a preferred embodiment of such automated accesses or transactions , any necessary cookie data would be accepted and stored as needed by the pi access / transact component 340 . in many cases , cookie data is session specific and , therefore , of little long term utility . cookies generated are used solely during these functions then discarded once the mining or transaction operation is complete . in order to provide personal information to an end - user quickly after login , it is necessary for the pi access / transact component 340 to select an end user for data harvesting prior to the login of the end user . one approach to this solution is to update all of an end user &# 39 ; s pi whenever the end user , directly or through an intermediary web site , requests access to his / her pi . another approach would be to update all of an end user &# 39 ; s pi supplied by a particular provider whenever pi from that supplier is requested . thus , the act of logging into the system by an end user effectively selects that end user for immediate pi update . however , this approach may result in the inefficient use of the pi engine 240 resources . given the large number of potential users and providers , and the goal of providing the freshest data possible , another embodiment includes an algorithm developed to optimize the schedule in which end users are selected for data harvesting from a provider . this algorithm factors in the provider &# 39 ; s update policy , the user &# 39 ; s login habits , and the user - provider account characteristics . the proper application of the algorithm should ensure that pi is harvested as infrequently as possible for a given user , thus minimizing system resource consumption . if the next provider update time and the next expected user login can be accurately predicted , a model can be created that will allow for smarter harvesting . rather than harvesting data for all users of a provider at once when the provider updates its site , the harvesting can be spread out over time based on expected login times of users and network activity profiles . for example , if provider a updates its site on friday night and a large number of users of that provider are not expected to login again until monday morning , the harvesting load can be distributed across multiple days . this has the advantage of minimizing both the peak loading of the pi engine 240 as well as consumption of the provider &# 39 ; s bandwidth by the pi engine 240 . to gain this optimization , the pi engine 240 must maintain and refine models of each provider and user . such data can be maintained in the provider store 310 and the user store 360 respectively . each time a user utilizes the pi engine 240 , the time and date may be captured . once a sufficient number of login times are accumulated , they may be analyzed with respect to day of month , day of week , and time of day . these are used in a model to predict the next expected user login . the model is then tested and refined with subsequent logins until a measurable degree of confidence is established . once high confidence is determined , the user model is incorporated into the adaptive harvesting scheduler . until a high confidence level is reached for a particular end user one of the aforementioned harvesting approaches may be used . each provider updates its site based on policy driven by their unique resources and business model . for any adaptive scheduler to work , the policy for each provider must be modeled . in some cases , the policy is self - evident . in others , it must be determined empirically . a provider &# 39 ; s policy will most likely fall into one of the following categories : the following three approaches may be used based upon provider type . 1 . assume users with a “ no confidence ” model have an immediate login time . 2 . order the users chronologically based on their predicted login time . 3 . shift the expected login time for all users back one hour . 4 . perform a density curve fit along temporal boundaries to get a polynomial function that can be used to determine the number of user accounts to harvest for a given epoch . 5 . perform an integral matching algorithm with the inverse of the network activity curve for the time period in question to adjust the distribution curve . 6 . if possible , re - distribute peak harvesting time toward time zero to flatten the distribution curve . 7 . assign harvesting times to the sorted users according to the distribution curve . for each provider that falls into this category , an attribute of the user must be identified that determines when the personal information is updated . in some cases , the user may need to be queried for the information . in others , it can be determined from the harvested information . if the attribute cannot be established for a user via either of these means , the provider site may be monitored daily for changes in personal information until a pattern is established . since there is a natural , even distribution of accounts updated by a provider for a given day , a user &# 39 ; s account can be harvested an hour before his expected login time . as in the type i algorithm , users with a “ no confidence ” model should be immediately harvested . this type of policy is the most difficult of all . since the provider updates a user &# 39 ; s account in a non - deterministic manner , a decision must be made for each provider as to the criticality of the information relative to the user . for those highly critical providers , each user account should be harvested daily , perhaps even more frequently . for those less critical providers , user accounts should be harvested less frequently and possible when overall system activity is low . the pi deliver component 350 is responsible for formatting and delivering the pi to the end user . usually delivery will only occur subsequent to updating all stale pi . the pi will be delivered to one or more destinations ( e . g . facsimile , telephone , pager , web browser , e - mail , etc .) as specified in the user store 360 except where the pi is accessed via an intermediary web site . where the destination is not an intermediary web site , the pi deliver component 350 performs all formatting necessary to deliver the pi to the appropriate destinations . for example , where the destination is a web browser , the pi would be formatted as an html document , or where the destination is a telephone , the pi would be submitted for voice synthesis and transmission . in the case of an intermediary web site , the pi is delivered in a format configurable by the intermediary web site . fig5 pictorial illustrates a possible embodiment of the current invention utilizing an intermediary web site . an end user 210 utilizes a client computer 220 to access an intermediary web site 510 across the internet 230 . the end user 210 logs into the intermediary web site 510 . the intermediary web site 510 contacts the pi engine 240 across the internet 230 and directly receives the end user &# 39 ; s pi updated as required from the pi provider web sites 250 . the intermediary web site 510 receives the pi , incorporates it into pages according to its particular formatting style and graphical user interface and delivers these pages to the end user 210 . the use of the pi engine 240 is transparent to the end user 210 . further , an intermediary web site 510 serving aggregate pi to an end user 210 may , and most likely will , simultaneously serve as a pi provider . in another embodiment , this formatting occurs via a dynamic html generation system combining stylistic and layout information from a variety of sources . the pi deliver component 350 generates custom html pages dynamically . these pages are customized based on a number of stylistic factors ( such as background color , foreground color , font size , color and style , page layout , etc .) from a variety of sources and content from a variety of sources . information providers , distributors , the end user , the pi deliver component 350 or any combination of these sources , or other relevant sources , may provide customization factors used in the page generation . finally , each html page must be filled in with data . the data used in such pages may originate from such sources as information providers , distributors , the end user , the pi deliver component 350 or any combination of these sources , or other relevant sources . the required solution is a system representing a generic algorithm for performing such html generation at run - time . the style and content may be provided in any suitable format such as the extensible stylesheet language ( xsl ), as specified by w3c in http :// www . w3 . org / tr / wd - xsl /, which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety , and / or the extensible markup language ( xml ) as specified by w3c in http :// www . w3 . org / tr / rec - xml , which is expressly incorporated herein by reference in its entirety , or other suitable formatting standard . the key requirements for such a system are complete encapsulation of the problem domain and run - time efficiency . in preferred embodiments , the solution is based on the following basic model as depicted in fig8 : 1 . six sets of customization factors are identified : distributor content 810 , provider content 820 , distributor style specification 830 , provider style specification 840 , user - specific content 850 and user - specific style 860 . 2 . each set of customization factors 810 - 860 is considered a separate , independent and required input to the run - time system 870 that performs dynamic page generation . 3 . each input 810 - 860 will be in form of an xml stream . 4 . output 880 will be in form of an html stream . 5 . the dynamic page generation system 870 will produce valid output 880 for each set of six valid inputs 810 - 860 . fig9 illustrates an actual run - time sequence of input processing by such a system 870 : 1 . distributor content 810 is combined with provider content 820 and with userspecific content 850 to produce a complete content specification 930 by the content merger unit 910 . 2 . distributor style 830 is combined with provider style 840 and with user - specific style 860 to produce a complete style specification 940 by the style merger unit 920 . 3 . the style specification 940 is applied by the style applicator 950 to content specification 930 in order to produce the resulting page 880 . in order to completely encapsulate the problem domain , the following requirements must be placed on the system 870 : 1 . each xml input 810 - 860 is a valid xml stream . 2 . all content specifications 810 , 820 and 850 are valid with respect to the same document type definition . 3 . all style specifications 830 , 840 and 860 are valid with respect to the same document type definition ( such as the xsl dtd standard ). 4 . the merging units 910 and 920 whose task is to take two or more xml streams and produce a combined xml output must be able to produce such output for any set of valid xml inputs . another method of performing this task would be to format pi as html elements with predefined class attributes . the intermediary web site receiving these elements could dynamically include them in page forwarded to the end user of the pi . the pages incorporating such elements could include different style information associated with the predefined class set . level 1 cascading style sheet convention could be used to implement such configurability . see kerven , foust , zakour , html 3 . 2 plus how - to , waite group press , 1997 , pp . 651 - 693 ; walsh , “ an introduction to cascading style sheets ,” world wide web journal , winter 1997 , pp . 147 - 156 . this option requires minimal programmatic support by the intermediary web site but restricts to some degree the intermediary web sites flexibility in presenting the pi to the end user . alternatively , an intermediary web site could develop an application utilizing a standardized application programming interface ( api ) to directly access the pi data . in this instance , the pi deliver component 350 could either be bypassed or potentially used as the component responsible for servicing api requests for data . under this model , the intermediary web site would be responsible for all formatting decisions with respect to the raw pi data . this implementation option requires additional programmatic support by the intermediary web site but allows for greater flexibility in the use of the raw pi . the ability to utilize an intermediate web site to deliver pi is of significant utility . this capability allows an end user already familiar with an existing pi provider to access not only the pi associated with the particular pi provider but also all pi from other pi providers in the comfort of a familiar user interface , namely the existing pi provider web site . in this situation , the request for pi would directly originate with the intermediary pi provider web site and indirectly from the end user . security measures would restrict access to authorized intermediate web site access . these measure might include verification of the end user and the intermediate web site . further , verification of the association between the end user and the particular intermediate web site might also be required for additional security . in addition , the use of an intermediary web site also supports a novel transaction model . in this transaction model , the intermediary site subsidizes , or fully compensates , the pi engine administrator for services provided to the end user . these transactions are facilitated via the auditing and tracking capabilities of the pi engine . these capabilities allow the calculation of per user fees , per transaction fees , per access fees or some combination thereof to be assessed . the assessed values could be directly charged to the intermediary web site . alternatively , such values could be debited from a minimum monthly fee charged to the intermediary web site with any fees beyond the minimum charged directly to the intermediary web site . fig1 depicts a flowchart of a typical process according to the described model . the intermediary web site pays a minimum monthly fee in step 1110 . in step 1120 , the pi engine audits and tracks end user usage via the intermediary web site . the audited usage is used to assess a fee on a per user , per access , per transaction or combination basis . in step 1130 , this audited amount is debited from the fee paid in step 1110 . in step 1140 , the intermediary web site is charged for any fees in excess of the minimum fee paid . often an end user may require access to the underlying web page generated by the provider of a particular piece of pi . the delivery component may deliver not only the pi but also an access point directly to the provider &# 39 ; s page supplying that pi . the access point may take the form of a link , a form button or some other interactive access mechanism . such an access point significantly improves the efficiency of accessing the underlying page by the end user as exhibited by fig7 . in the traditional process 100 for accessing pi , the end user must proceed through numerous intermediary pages requiring a variety of often tedious interactions before reaching the desired page . the end user must first identify the provider 110 . next , the end user must locate the provider &# 39 ; s web address 120 . then , the user the requests the provider &# 39 ; s login page 130 . if the end user does not remember the requisite information , this information must be found , or the desired information will remain inaccessible via the web . the end user then navigates the provider &# 39 ; s web site 140 . this often entails visiting the provider &# 39 ; s main page 710 followed by viewing a variety of intermediate pages on the provider &# 39 ; s site 720 . the end user may have to backtrack several times to the main page 710 or accidentally leave the system entirely forcing a second login 140 before finally locating the desired information 150 . utilizing springboard technology , the entire process 750 is streamlined into the single click of an access point . the delivery component of the pi engine delivers an access point to the provider &# 39 ; s underlying page along with the pi . as a consequence , the end user need only perform a single interaction with the pi presentation page 760 . this interaction immediately performs the requisite interactions with the provider &# 39 ; s web site to bring the user to the desired underlying web page 150 . in one embodiment , this springboard technology could be implemented utilizing a java applet . with respect to fig2 the applet would be downloaded from the pi host 290 by the end user &# 39 ; s client software 270 , usually a web browser , and executed locally by the end user &# 39 ; s computer 220 . the applet would drive the client software 270 to the desired page . such an applet could retrieve procedures and data for driving the client software from the provider store 310 and the user store 360 . in a further embodiment , the pi engine 240 could act as a proxy server directly accessing the provider store 310 and the user store 360 as required . when the pi engine 240 receives the request to jump to the source of a particular piece of pi , the engine performs the necessary actions to navigate to the desire page and forwards the desired page to the end user &# 39 ; s computer 220 . further interactions with the page might require additional proxying by the pi engine 240 as accumulated cookie data may reside on the pi host 290 . this embodiment is limited to use in handling standard http traffic rather than secure http traffic . in a preferred embodiment , the springboard provides the end user with automated login into the pi provider site 250 and allows the end user 210 to navigate via the client software 270 . this automated login could be accomplished through the utilization of a hypertext transfer protocol ( http ) redirect . upon receiving the a springboard access request from the end user 210 via the client software 270 , the pi host 290 requests the login page from the pi provider site 250 targeted by the springboard access . the pi engine 240 running on the pi host 290 receives this login page and constructs a login request by accessing the proper data in the provider store 310 and the user store 360 . the login request is embedded in the http redirect which is forward to the client software 270 . the client software 270 is redirected to the targeted pi provider site 250 , and the end user 210 is automatically logged into this site . alternatively , this functionality could be implemented via a java applet as described above . in addition , the pi engine 240 could generate a javascript page containing the pertinent login request rather than an http redirect . the javascript page could be returned to the client software 270 . this page would then be executed by the client software 270 to accomplish the automated login . the pi engine 240 of fig3 may also include a site monitor 370 processing component . this component would systematically monitor supported pi provider web sites for changes . this component enhances the ability of the system to identify alterations in pi provider web site procedures , data requirements and cookies requirements . this component increases system efficiency by supplementing or supplanting alteration identification via feedback from the pi access / transact component 340 . a further embodiment of the present invention might support the localize manipulation of pi . this could be accomplished where the client software 270 running on the client computer 220 in fig2 is a specialized web client rather than a general web client such as netscape . this specialized client might utilize web channel technology to automate the local pi download and update processes . where the pi store is implemented via the aforementioned cookie architecture , this specialized client may provide direct local access to stored pi . in another embodiment , the pi engine 240 of fig3 might support both system supported pi providers as well as pi providers specific to particular end users . in this embodiment , an end user is not limited to pi available from pi providers present in the provider store 310 . for an end user to add pi provided by a non - supported pi provider , the end user would access the baseline configure component 320 and create a configuration for the non - supported pi provider . the pi provider and pi configuration along with the verification and access data would be stored along with the user &# 39 ; s record in the user store 360 . a further embodiment of the present invention supports the inclusion of pi transaction procedures and access requirements in the provider store 310 of fig3 . the end user specific information necessary to realize such a transaction would reside with the user record in the user store 360 . the functionality of the pi access / transact component 340 would expand to support the performance of transactions . this additional functionality could be supported in a manner similar to the procedure described above with respect to performance of access utilizing a simulated web client . a further feature of this embodiment would include automated or semi - automated account management by providing trigger events to automatically initiate a transaction . for instance , with reference to fig2 an end user 210 would be able to maintain his / her accounts online through the pi engine 240 . if an information provider has the capability of receiving payments online , the pi engine 240 could support complete or partial automation of such transactions . if there is a billing due date for a certain information provider , pi engine 240 could flag that information and send email to the end user 210 notifying him / her of the bill due . thus , the user will not have to check each of his / her providers individually for due date information . the pi engine 240 could also automated payments on a limited range of billing amount for providers who allow payments over their web servers 260 , then send an email to the user with the notification of payment . due date acquisition could be accomplished utilizing the pi access / transact component 340 seen in fig3 . the due date information would be available to the end user via any delivery means supported by the pi deliver component 350 . the pi access / transact component 340 would use standard e - commerce bill - paying methods to pay the user &# 39 ; s bill / s to the provider if he / she chooses . once the bill is paid , then an email notification will be sent to the user with the provider information and payment information . the user can specify the range of amount stored in the user store 360 that will be paid automatically . if the bill exceeds the amount specified by the user , then pi engine will simply send out an email notification to the user instead of paying the bill automatically . the embodiments described above are given as illustrative examples only . it will be readily appreciated that many deviations may be made from the specific embodiment disclosed in this specification without departing from the invention . accordingly , the scope of the invention is to be determined by the claims below rather than being limited to the specifically described embodiments above .	7
referring now to the figures , a tractor / trailer combination 10 is illustrated on which a tire pressure monitoring system 30 has been installed . tractor / trailer combination 10 comprises a tractor 12 and a trailer 14 . tractor 12 is equipped with tires 18 installed on wheels 15 . trailer 14 is equipped with tires 20 installed on wheels 17 . the internal pressure of tires 18 , 20 is monitored by externally mounted sensor / transmitters 38 . a low pressure warning light 16 may be installed on the forward exterior wall of trailer 14 from where it can be seen from the cab of tractor 12 . antennae 22 , 26 are strategically located on trailer 14 and tractor 12 for enabling radio frequency data links between the tractor and trailer to extend the tractor control system to the trailer . a tire pressure monitoring system ( tpms ) 30 includes components installed on both the trailer 14 as well as on the tractor 12 and is topologically illustrated in fig1 . the tpms 30 illustrated is a preferred embodiment suited for an oem installation where tractor 12 is equipped with an sae j1939 compliant controller area network ( can ) 56 . simplified systems for aftermarket installation on vehicles not equipped with a can are certainly possible as will be clear to those skilled in the art . trailer 14 components are a subset 29 of the tpms 30 and are capable of limited , stand - alone operation . a trailer 14 may be attached to a tractor 12 which does not have components required to complete tpms system . thus , a trailer warning light 16 is installed on the exterior of the forward wall of trailer 14 to afford subset 29 limited stand alone functionality . trailer warning light 16 should be installed so as to be readily visible in a rear view mirror from the cab of tractor 12 and the trailer based subset 29 of tpms 30 should be configured so as to support activation of the warning light 16 even in the absence of additional functionality of tractor - based portion 31 when low pressure is detected in any of tires 20 . trailer base portion 29 is also configured to switch automatically from battery to vehicle power if tractor power is available . as illustrated , trailer warning light 16 is used only to indicate that a tire is low on pressure , but does not indicate which tire . tire pressure information is made available in the cab of tractor 12 on a display 60 . a receiver having the service functionality of tpms receiver 44 , less ( or not using ) its can interface , could serve as such a receiver . where a vehicle is equipped with a controller area network 56 tpms receiver 44 is connected to can 56 for transfer of data to drive display 60 . a body computer 58 is programmed to compensate pressure readings for temperature - based changes in pressure notwithstanding the lack of direct temperature measurements from inside the tires if required . data from an ambient temperature sensor 36 and a vehicle speed sensor 35 are connected to the body computer 58 to implement tire pressure management using alternatives to direct tire temperature data in implementing temperature compensation of pressure readings . a representative tpms 30 includes a valve pressure sensor 38 for all of tires 18 , 20 on both tractor 12 and trailer 14 . the valve pressure sensors 38 are typically installed on the valve stem for each wheel . the considerations involved in such installations are the usual ones of weight , balance , stem vibration , visual appeal , environmental resistance , ease of installation , clearance from the wheel and theft deterrence . integral batteries are used to supply power to valve pressure sensors 38 . the batteries are generally not replaceable and efforts are taken to maximize battery life to avoid the need for frequent replacement of the valve pressure sensors 38 . this may be achieved in part using a sleep mode when the vehicle is off . transmission frequency may be varied depending upon circumstances , for example , it may be reduced when pressure levels are acceptable . transmission frequency can be increased in response to a variance of pressure from desired norms and upon request of the host system . typically the transmission rate is elevated when the vehicle is moving . a full tpms 30 may require two or more antennae per vehicle . provided are a tractor antenna 26 and a trailer antenna 22 for establishing a data link 43 between the vehicle sections . trailer antenna 22 serves for repeater station 42 . tractor 12 is preferably equipped with a controller area network ( can ) 56 conforming to the sae j1939 standard for transferring data to computers implementing higher level functions of the tpms 30 . can 56 will include a body computer 58 which executes management programs , including the routines described below , and which passes data to a cab display 60 where warnings and indications of tire condition are imaged . referring to fig2 a block diagram schematic of a tpms receiver 44 is illustrated . tpms receiver 44 includes pressure monitoring and fault detection functionality through a programmed microprocessor 76 for use in case of installation on a vehicle not having a can . tpms receiver 44 typically receives wireless reports of data from valve pressure sensors 38 , 46 over an antenna connected to a radio frequency transceiver 74 , and reports the data to microprocessor 76 . microprocessor 76 can receive data over other channels as well including can 56 through j1939 interface 70 and , optionally , j1587 / j1708 interface 86 . a reprogramming interface may be connected to can 56 . all interfaces are connected to supply data directly to microprocessor 76 . the network interfaces 70 , 86 are further connected to exchange data with diagnostics block 78 . memory 80 is available to microprocessor 76 and diagnostics block 78 . microprocessor 76 also receives inputs over a digital input / output port 82 . inputs potentially relate to axle positions specifically identified with tires . outputs including a drive led warning light output can be generated over digital i / o 82 . referring to fig3 , functional block diagrams for valve pressure sensors 38 and trailer repeater 42 are provided . valve pressure sensor 38 includes a battery 86 , a low frequency transceiver 88 for communication with tpms receiver 44 or trailer repeater 42 , a microprocessor 90 , an rfid tag reader 92 ( though rfid tags are assumed not present here ), a sensor package transceiver 94 and a sensor package 96 including a stem pressure sensor 98 , a temperature sensor 100 providing ambient temperature at start up and a motion sensor 102 . start up ambient temperature readings may be used for temperature compensation instead of a tractor mounted , ambient temperature sensor . trailer repeater 42 includes a local processor 106 and memory 108 and , in case no tractor tpms is available , can function as a stand alone system performing low pressure detection . trailer repeater 42 further includes a rechargeable battery 110 , recharge circuit 112 and an led driver 114 . in order to save power repeater 42 has a power down or sleep mode and a wake up circuit 118 is provided . an rfid interrogator 116 is provided as well as a tpms transceiver 120 for the exchange of data with transceiver 44 . valve sensors 38 transmit data to a tpms receiver 44 directly or by trailer repeater 42 . microcontroller 90 is programmed with a pressure threshold . in response to detection of pressure falling below the threshold , the pressure reading transmission rate increases . normally the pressure transmission rate is quite slow to prolong battery life . a motion sensor 102 enables sensor transmission rate increases if the vehicle is moving . this allows tpms 30 to determine fast leakage rates and other warning conditions . the programmable threshold can be reprogrammed by tpms 30 if the system determines that operational parameters for the truck have changed . the parameters can include average climate , average load and other factors . default parameters are selected to be universally applicable , but are preferably optimized for specific vehicles in order to improve fuel economy and prolong battery life . lf receiver 88 allows sensor 38 to be awakened and communicated with by a hand tool 24 or by repeater 42 . repeater 42 is used as a bridge from tire pressure sensors 38 to tpms receiver 44 which is mounted on tractor 12 . rf retransmission is provided . in order to extend battery service life , repeater 42 is not always in a listening mode . an embedded rfid transceiver 116 detects when a tractor 12 has backed to the trailer 14 and a handshake signal is transmitted to tpms receiver 44 . the handshake provides the unique tire id numbers for tires installed on the trailer 14 , along with axle locations and may be used to activate repeater 42 . wheel valve sensors 38 transmit at a slow rate when the vehicle is not moving . repeater 42 includes a rechargeable battery 86 , which provides power allowing the repeater to receive these signals and to store the most recent data . if a leak is detected , an led , which is mounted on trailer 14 where easily seen , is set to flashing . this serves to alert yard mechanics to attend to the tires when a tractor is not present . if a tire pressure problem exists when the tractor comes into position to connect to the trailer 14 , repeater 42 alerts the tpms 30 upon activation . when a tractor 12 connects to a trailer 14 the repeater &# 39 ; s battery 86 goes into recharge mode and the repeater begins to use the tractor &# 39 ; s power supply . tractor 12 is also equipped with an rfid interrogator 25 , which maybe uhf or lf - based depending upon the required transmission range . rfid interrogator 25 is located in an area where it will activate a trailer mounted rfid tag 116 when the tractor comes within five feet of the trailer which can in turn supply a wake up signal to repeater 42 . interrogator 25 may be triggered by the driver , automatically or when a particular state is true , for example , if the tractor is in reverse . tractor rfid interrogator 25 listens for a response identifying the trailer 14 and for trailer conditions requiring attention . again the present invention assumes that the response to interrogator 25 inquiries directed to determine if rfid tags 116 are present is negative . such rfid tags would provide tire temperature measurements and their absence could be one , among several , causes for the absence of tire temperature readings . the present invention provides some of the attributes of temperature compensation for detected pressure measurements absent availability of temperature readings from the tires . readings from an ambient temperature sensor , such as may be located in a vehicle &# 39 ; s air intake or on the valve stems are available to on board vehicle computer , as are tire pressure readings . as is well know , tire pressure and temperature are positively correlated . if a pressure drop occurs due to a leak then temperature will also decrease , provided all other factors remaining unchanged . however , if a vehicle is in motion a pressure drop will result in more sidewall flexing of the tire , resulting in the generation of heat and a rise in the temperature inside the tire ( with a consequent increase in pressure and , often , the leak rate ). leaks may be difficult to detect quickly when the only variable monitored is pressure . programming for the vehicle computer is adapted to determine initially whether tire temperature readings are available . referring to fig4 , a routine 400 executed on vehicle start sets flags indicating whether tire temperature is available . step 402 indicates whether use of a hand tool has been requested . if so a tool mode flag is set at step 404 following the yes branch from step 402 and the program ends . the pertinent path here is the no path from step 402 and a determination if tire temperature is available at step 406 . if not , following the no branch advances processing to step 408 where the temp_no flag is set . otherwise processing advances along the yes branch to step 410 where the temp_yes flag is set . after flags are set in any of steps 404 , 408 , or 410 the process ends . as should be clear from the character of tests employed , the subsequent series of routines are executed repeatedly after the vehicle has been turned on . the balance of the discussion assumes that the temp_no flag was set in routine 400 . referring to fig5 , an initialization routine 500 executed upon determination that tire temperature signals are not available is illustrated . step 502 indicates the report of pressure signals from the valve pressure sensors 38 . the next decision step 504 reflects that when tires are filled to a recommended pressure , a temperature at which that pressure occurs is implicit . if done casually , the temperature will be the prevailing temperature at the time the tire is filled . commercial operators are however more likely to be explicit about a temperature choice , depending upon time of year and the prevailing geographic location of operation of a vehicle . consider an operator of vehicles which are usually located in texas confronted with transfer of a vehicle for sustained operations in manitoba in january . absent adjustment of the quantity of air in the tires of a vehicle the measured pressure in the tires can be expected to drop substantially , even though no leak has occurred . while an operator may not change inflation of the tires it may be necessary to adjust warning levels to avoid generating false leak indications . accordingly a shift in ambient temperature shift levels may be indicated at step 504 . this may occur automatically , if the vehicle records temperature readings and notes a sustained change over a period of days , as would occur upon relocations of a vehicle from a warm to a cold climate . or , an operator , anticipating a shift in operations , may program a change in the shift level . it is even possible that a vehicle equipped with a global positioning sensor could use its position and date information to access meteorological data bases or weather forecasts and generate an anticipated or expected ambient temperature for the purposes of setting shift levels . in any event , an indication that the shift level requires change results in revision of pressure warning levels at step 506 following the yes branch from step 504 . absent a change in expected ambient temperature the no branch is taken . the balance of routine 500 is directed to determining if the tires may be considered to be cold , that is , at ambient temperature and setting appropriate flags indicative of this state or for use in determining if this state holds . following step 506 or the no branch from step 504 processing leads to a decision step 508 to determine if the vehicle is moving from the vehicle speed sensor 35 . if the vehicle is moving the yes branch is followed to step 510 which sets , or confirms , that the running_notemp flag is set , which in effect indicates that the tires are not at ambient temperature , and the process ends . if the vehicle speed sensor 35 indicates that the vehicle is stopped additional tests are required before it can be assumed that the tires are at or have returned to ambient temperature . first an inquiry ( step 512 ) is made to see if the vehicle has been started for the first time that day . if not , step 514 is executed to determine if the vehicle has been halted for a minimum of three hours , the time period required to allow cooling of the tires to ambient . if the vehicle has been stopped for three hours step 518 is executed to set the “ cold_notemp ” flag indicating that the tires may be assumed to be at ambient temperature and processing ends . if the vehicle has not been stopped for a minimum of three hours as determined at step 514 , the no branch is taken to step 510 and the “ running_notemp ” flag is confirmed . returning to step 512 , if it is determined that the vehicle start if the first of the day , then the yes branch is followed to step 516 where a “ first power_on ” flag is set followed by execution of step 518 where the “ cold_notemp ” flag is set . referring to fig6 a routine 600 provides for estimating temperature compensated tire pressure is illustrated . it is assumed that a fleet operator has supplied a target fleet air pressure at a predetermined temperature t , here assumed to be about 70 ° f . ( 294 kelvins ). at step 602 tire pressure readings are taken from the tire pressure management system . next , for each tire , the pressure reading p is normalized to the first measured temperature t base for the day . normalization requires a pressure adjustment : p norm = 105 psi ( or as set by operator ) p slope = 0 . 35 ( δp / δt over t ) p , p norm are measured pressure . next , at step 606 the variable t ambient is initialized to the first measured temperature t base . next , at step 608 an expected cold pressure for each tire is calculated ; next , at step 610 , the expected pressure p norm for each tire is displayed . next , at step 612 , the cold average pressure ( p avgcold ) for each group of tires is determined . typically one group of tires is taken to be the tires 18 installed on the tractor 12 and the second group of tires is taken to be the tires 20 installed on the trailer 14 . next , at step 614 , a new ambient temperature average is calculated , if actual readings are used for updating whether a change in shift level is required . the routine must , of course , provide basic warnings of pressurization problems with the tires . at step 616 it is determined if one or more compensated pressures violate one of the pressure thresholds warnlow or warnhigh : if one of the pressure thresholds was found violated at step 616 processing advances along the yes branch to step 620 where the appropriate warning flags are stored , the required fill pressure determined ( fillpress = p cold − p norm ), and the positions of the tires determined to be over or under filled stored . step 622 indicates display of the low pressure tire positions before processing returns to step 618 . where no violation has occurred then the no branch from decision step 616 advances processing directly to decision step 618 . at step 618 it is determined whether p norm is more than 3 psi lower than that determined at the time of the last cold read . if so , a possible leak is present and a cold leak check 624 is done to determine whether a slow or fast leak is present . successive tests 626 and 628 are used for locating slow and fast leaks , respectively , which are equated to the speed of pressure loss . positive results of the tests lead to suspect wheel positions being displayed and storage of warning flags for the tires suspected of leaking ( steps 627 , 629 ). if the pressure loss is determined not to be leak related , and after storage of results when a leak is found , processing returns to the main path following the no result from step 618 to a step 630 where the values coldthreshlow and coldthreshhigh are set before the process is terminated : for a running vehicle it is not strictly necessary to know the pressure for a tire , but rather the problem sometimes is determining whether a leak is occurring or if a tire has become under inflated . the routine 700 described with reference to fig7 provides : determination of whether a warning threshold has been crossed during operation ; leakage detection by comparing tire pressure among the tires of the vehicle ; and display of warnings , but does not provide actual pressure readings after the first five minutes of vehicle movement . when measured pressure for a tire falls below a low pressure warming threshold , we can compare that tire &# 39 ; s pressure against pressure measurements for the vehicle &# 39 ; s other tires , or those for the axle on which the first tire is installed . an algorithm may be designed a number of ways to determine if the pressure drop stems from temperature change , rather than a leak , since we would expect all the tires on an axle to behave essentially the same , unless a leak has occurred . at step 702 it is determined if the “ first power_on ” flag is set . if it is , step 704 is executed to determine if vehicle has been in motion for at least five minutes , and , if so , steps 706 and 708 are executed to discontinue display of tire pressures and to clear the “ first power_on ” flag . following the no branches from steps 702 or 704 , or following execution of step 708 , step 710 is executed by interrogating the tire pressure management system for current pressure readings . then , at step 714 , a running leak check is executed . this involves a comparison of each individual pressure reading against the average for all the tires on the vehicle , a variable termed p avghot . alternatively , a comparison may be made among the tires of a given axle . next , step 714 is executed to determine if the threshold flags were set from step 620 indicating threshold violations during cold pressure measurements . if so , following the yes branch from decision step 714 to step 716 , a low tire warning indicating the position of the tire or tires in violation executed . after step 716 or following the no branch from step 714 decision step 718 is executed to determine if a slow leak flag was previously set at step 627 . if yes , a slow leak caution warning is provided at step 720 . if no slow leak flag was set , step 722 is executed to determine if the fast leak flag has been set . if so a fast leak warning is displayed per step 724 . actual compensated pressure is known when tires are at ambient ( i . e . “ cold ”). these values serve as a baseline pressure when the tires heat up during use . the complication is to determine if a tire is leaking even whilst its pressure increases due to temperature increases . the routine 800 of fig8 tracks group average pressure from which an average expected temperature is calculated . from this a threshold is found , normalized to cold pressure and base temperature . then it is determined if a particular tire has crossed below the newly established lower limit threshold indicating a leak . any indicated leak is characterized as being fast or slow . beginning at step 802 , the average running pressures p avgh are updated for each of the two groups of tires . at step 804 it is determined if these values have increased since the last determination . if yes , then execution is advanced to steps 810 and 812 where boyle &# 39 ; s law is used to determine an expected temperature ( normalized to p base and t base ) assuming that the quantity of air and volume of the tires has remained unchanged . from this determination the values runthreshhigh and runthreshlow may be equated at step 812 to calculate thresholds for the expected ( i . e . estimated ) temperature of the tires . then all tire pressures are compared ( step 809 ) to the new runthresh values and the positions of tires noted to be at low pressures are displayed , stored and flagged ( step 816 ). two other routes lead to step 809 , each initially following a determination at step 804 that average tire pressure has not increased . at step 806 it is determined if the average tire pressure has decreased in three of the last pressure reading evaluations . if not , then the comparison of the step 814 is executed as before . if yes , then all tires &# 39 ; pressures are compared to cold threshold values and processing skips step 814 directly to step 809 and 816 , as already described . from step 816 processing is advanced to step 818 where it is determined if the pressure readings from one or more tires are more than 3 psi lower than that from its last reading . if not , process execution is completed and the program temporarily exited . if yes , than all of the tires pressures are compared to normative values to see if the drop is unique , confined to a few tires , or if it is widespread . if the drops are not widespread then leaks are indicated and the leaking tires are flagged by position ( step 822 ) and the leaks are characterized as slow or fast ( steps 824 , 825 ) depending upon how quickly pressure is changing in the tires . once the characterizations have been made , the appropriate flags are set at steps 826 , 828 . accordingly , the invention provides a back up for temperature compensation when direct indication of tire temperature is unavailable . while the invention is shown in only one of its forms , it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .	1
in one aspect , the present invention is a method for detoxifying the corrosion inhibitors and their degradation products in a subterranean site adjacent to a water injection well of an oil well site . applicants have found that oil recovery processing aids — such as corrosion inhibitors , for example — can accumulate in the area adjacent to the water injection well and build to concentrations that are toxic to microorganisms used in meor or bioremediation . as the term is used herein , “ detoxifying ” or “ detoxification of ” a water injection site means removing or reducing the toxicity caused by corrosion inhibitors and their degradation products to microorganisms to allow their growth and activity of said microorganisms , used in meor or bioremediation . for the purposes of the present invention , the term “ toxic zone ” refers to a subterranean site adjacent to the water injection well comprising toxic concentrations of agents such as corrosion inhibitors or their degraded products which have adverse effects on growth and metabolic activities of microorganisms used in meor and / or bioremediation . a toxic agent , as the term is used herein , is any chemical or biological agent that adversely affects growth and metabolic functions of microorganisms used in meor and / or bioremediation . fig1 is a schematic of a subterranean site adjacent to a water injection well . the injection water ( 1 ) flows into the well casing ( 7 ) which is inside the well bore ( 5 ) drilled through rock layers ( 2 and 3 ). a gap exists between the well casing ( 7 ) and the face ( 6 ) of the rock layer made by the well bore ( 5 ). rock layer ( 2 ) represents impermeable rock above and below a permeable rock ( 3 ) that holds or traps the oil . the injection water ( 1 ) flows down the well casing ( 7 ) and passes through perforations in the casing ( 5 ) and into fractures ( 4 ) in the permeable rock ( 3 ). this injection water then flows through the permeable rock layer ( 3 ) and displaces oil from a watered zone ( 8 ) adjacent to the well bore . this zone extends radially out from the well bore ( 5 ) in all directions in the permeable rock layer ( 3 ). while the volume of permeable rock ( 3 ) encompassed by the dash line ( 8 ) is illustrated only on one side of the well bore it actually exists on all sides of the well bore . this watered zone represents the subterranean site adjacent to the water injection well . corrosion inhibitors that can accumulate to levels that are toxic to microorganisms used in meor are , for example : inorganic corrosion inhibitors such as chlorine , hypochlorite , bromine , hypobromide and chlorine dioxide . those used to combat corrosion caused by srb microorganisms include , but are not limited to : nitrates ( e . g ., calcium or sodium salts ), nitrite , molybdate , ( or a combination of nitrate , nitrite and molybdate ), anthraquinone , phosphates , salts containing chrome and zinc and other inorganics , including hydrazine and sodium sulfite ( sanders and sturman , chapter 9 , page 191 , in : “ petroleum microbiology ” page 191 , supra and schwermer , c . u ., et al ., appl . environ . microbiol ., 74 : 2841 - 2851 , 2008 ). organic compounds used as corrosion inhibitors include : acetylenic alcohols , organic azoles , gluteraldehyde , tetrahydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate ( thps ), bisthiocyanate acrolein , dodecylguanine hydrochloride , formaldehyde , chlorophenols , organic oxygen scavengers and various nonionic surfactants . other organic corrosion inhibitors include , but are not limited to : organic phosphonates , organic nitrogen compounds including primary , secondary , tertiary or quaternary ammonium compounds ( hereinafter referred to generically as “ amines ”), organic acids and their salts and esters , carboxylic acids and their salts and esters , sulfonic acids and their salts . applicants have determined that corrosion inhibitors can accumulate by adsorption into or on the subterranean site ( e . g ., sand stone , unconsolidated sand or limestone ) or into the oil that has been trapped in the oil reservoir subterranean site . long - term addition of these chemicals results in their accumulation and formation of a toxic zone in subterranean sites adjacent to the water well with adverse effects on microbial inocula intended for meor and / or bioremediation applications . a model system to simulate formation of a toxic zone can be used to study its effects on the survival of microorganisms . for example , a model system called a slim tube can be set up and packed with core sand from an oil well site . the model system as described herein can be set up using tubing , valves and fittings compatible with the crude oil or the hydraulic solution used that can withstand the range of applied pressure during the process . an absolute pressure transducer , differential pressure transducer and back pressure regulator for example made by ( cole plamer , vernon hill , il and serta , boxborough , mass .) are required and are commercially available to those skilled in the art . the model toxic zone can be established using solutions of amines and / or amine mixtures and flushing them through a tube packed with core sand from an oil reservoir . other corrosion inhibitors suitable for use in constructing a model can comprise organic phosphonates or anthraquinone or phosphates . the concentration of the corrosion inhibitors used to create the model toxic zone may be from 0 . 01 to 100 parts per million . detoxification of the toxic zone involves degradation , desorption or dispersion of the accumulated toxic chemicals or agents using detoxifying agents . the term “ detoxifying agent ” therefore refers to any chemical that either disperses or destroys the toxic chemicals and agents described herein and renders them non - toxic to microorganisms . detoxification of the chemicals accumulated in the toxic zone may be achieved using a degradation agent . a degradation agent , as the term is used herein , is an agent that destroys or assists in the destruction of toxic agents found in the toxic zone . degradation agents can include , for example , strong oxidizers that chemically react with corrosion inhibitors when added to the injection water and degrade them into less toxic or non - toxic products . degradation agents include strong oxidizing agents such as , for example , nitrates , nitrites , chlorates , perchlorates and chlorites . detoxification of the chemicals accumulated at the toxic zone may also be achieved using a dispersing agent . a “ dispersing agent ” as the term is used herein includes any chemical that lowers the ph of the solution , ionizes the amines and solubilizes them into the water during water flooding and allows for natural dispersion and diffusion to lower the concentration where it is no longer toxic to meor or bioremediation microorganisms . for example , amines are fairly non - reactive under mild conditions , however , they become ionized at lower ph . thus treatment of the amines with an acid increases their solubility and releases them from oil and / or from rocks and disperses them from the toxic zone . the solubilized amines may therefore enter into the water flowing through the well . a combination of radial flow , dispersion and desorption may allow the solubilized amines to be diluted and dispersed over a large area ( from at least 10 to about 200 feet ( from at least 3 meters to about 7 meters )) of the oil well . following dilution and dispersion of the amines over a much larger area , their concentrations within the subterranean site of the well would have been consequently reduced to non - toxic levels for meor or bioremediation microorganisms . however , even if the amines concentrations were still at toxic levels , the toxic zone in the subterranean site adjacent to the injector well will have become non - toxic to microorganisms . thus , the microbial inoculum may pass through the subterranean site adjacent to the water injection well without encountering toxic levels of the amines . in another embodiment , hydrogen peroxide may be added to the toxic zone , as both a degradation and a dispersing agent , from about 1 , 000 parts per million to 70 , 000 parts per million by volume of water . in another embodiment , perchlorates may be added , as both a degradation and a dispersing agent , from about 1 parts per million to about 10 , 000 parts per million . in another embodiment , any acid capable of lowering the ph at least 1 unit less than the equivalence point of the amine ( as measured in the examples below ) may be used . the acid used to ionize the amines may include , but is not limited to , nitric acid , acetic acid , oxalic acid , hydrofluoric acid , and hydrochloric acid . acid may be added from about 0 . 1 weight % to about 20 weight % to the water that is being pumped into the toxic zone . in a meor process , viable microorganisms are added to the water being injected into the water injection well . the term “ inoculum of microorganisms ” refers to the concentration of viable microorganisms added . these microorganisms colonize , that is to grow and propagate , at the subterranean sites adjacent to the water injection well to perform their meor . microorganisms useful for this application may comprise classes of facultative aerobes , obligate anaerobes and denitrifiers . the inoculum may comprise of only one particular species or may comprise two or more species of the same genera or a combination of different genera of microorganisms . the inoculum may be produced under aerobic or anaerobic conditions depending on the particular microorganism ( s ) used . techniques and various suitable growth media for growth and maintenance of aerobic and anaerobic cultures are well known in the art and have been described in “ manual of industrial microbiology and biotechnology ” ( a . l . demain and n . a . solomon , asm press , washington , d . c ., 1986 ) and “ isolation of biotechnological organisms from nature ”, ( labeda , d . p . ed . p 117 - 140 , mcgraw - hill publishers , 1990 ). examples of microorganisms useful in meor in this application include , but are not limited to : comamonas terrigena , fusibacter paucivorans , marinobacterium georgiense , petrotoga miotherma , shewanella putrefaciens , pseudomonas stutzeri , vibrio alginolyticus , thauera aromatics , thauera chlorobenzoica and microbulbifer hydrolyticus . in one embodiment an inoculum of shewanella putrefaciens ( atcc pta - 8822 ) may be used to inoculate the slim tube test . in another embodiment pseudomonas stutzeri ( atcc pta8823 ) may be used to inoculate the slim tube . in another embodiment thauera aromatica ( atcc9497 ) may be used to inoculate the slim tube . the inoculum of microorganisms useful for bioremediation may comprise , but are not limited to , various species of : corynebacteria , pseudomonas , achromobacter , acinetobacter , arthrobacter , bacillus , nocardia , vibrio , etc . additional useful microorganisms for bioremediation are known and have been cited , for example , in table 1 of u . s . pat . no . 5 , 756 , 304 , columns 30 and 31 . the inoculum for injecting into the water well injection site may comprise one or more of the microorganisms listed above . the present invention is further defined in the following examples . it should be understood that these examples , while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention , are given by way of illustration only . from the above discussion and these examples , one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention , and make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various uses and conditions . all reagents , and materials used for the growth and maintenance of microbial cells were obtained from aldrich chemicals ( milwaukee , wis . ), difco laboratories ( detroit , mich . ), gibco / brl ( gaithersburg , md . ), or sigma chemical company ( st . louis , mo . ), unless otherwise specified . concentration of amines , in media and water , were analyzed by gas chromatography ( gc ). an agilent model 5890 ( agilent , wilmington , del . ), gc equipped with a flame photoionization detector and a split / splitless injector , a db - ffap column ( 30 meter length × 0 . 32 millimeter ( mm ) depth × 0 . 25 micrometer particle size ). the equipment had an agilent als autoinjector , 6890 model series with a 10 milliliter ( ml ) syringe . the system was calibrated using a sample of n , n - dimethyl - 1 - dodecaneamine ( aldrich ). helium was used as the carrier gas . a temperature gradient of 50 degrees celsius (° c .) to 250 ° c . at 30 ° c . increase per minute ( min ) was used . retention times ( in minutes , min ) for various chemicals of interest included : n , n - dimethyl - 1 - dodecaneamine ( 8 . 08 min ); n , n - dimethyl - 1 - tetradecaneamine ( 8 . 85 min ); n , n - dimethyl - 1 - hexadecane - amine ( 9 . 90 min ); n , n - dimethyl - 1 - octadecaneamine ( 10 . 26 min ) and n - methyl , n - benzyl - 1 - tetradecaneamine ( 11 . 40 min ). establishing a toxic zone in core sand from an oil well using a mixture of amines in a model system a sample of the sand obtained from the schrader bluff formation at the milne point unit of the alaska north slope was cleaned by washing with a solvent made up of a 50 / 50 ( volume / volume ) mixture of methanol and toluene . the solvent was subsequently drained and then evaporated off the core sand to produce clean , dry , flow able core sand . this core sand was sieved to remove particles with less than one micrometer in size and was then packed tightly into a four foot ( 121 . 92 cm ) long flexible slim tube ( 9 ) and compacted by vibration using a laboratory engraver . both ends of the slim tubes were capped to keep the core sand in it . the complete apparatus is shown in fig2 . tubing that can sustain the amount of pressures used in the slim tube , was connected to the end caps . the slim tube ( 9 ) was mounted into the pressure vessel ( 10 ) with tubing passing through the ends ( 11 and 12 ) of the pressure vessel using pressure fittings ( 18 and 21 ). additional fittings and tubing were used to connect the inlet of the slim tube ( 11 ) to a pressure pump ( 13 ) and a feed reservoir ( 14 ). additional fittings and tubing connected the inlet of the slim tube to an absolute pressure transducer ( 20 ) and the high pressure side of a differential pressure transducer ( 19 ). fittings and tubing connected the outlet of the slim tube ( 12 ) to the low pressure side of a differential pressure transducer ( 19 ) and to a back pressure regulator ( 16 ). the signals from the differential pressure and the absolute pressure transducer were ported to a computer and the pressure readings were monitored and periodically recorded . the pressure vessel ( 10 ) around the slim tube was filled with water through a water port ( 15 ). this water was then slowly pressurized with air ( 17 ) to a pressure of about 105 per square inch ( psi ) ( 0 . 72 mega pascal ) while brine # 1 from the feed reservoir ( 14 ) ( table 1 ) flowed through the slim tube and left the slim tube through the back pressure regulator ( 16 ). this operation was performed such that the pressure in the slim tube was always 5 to 20 psi ( 0 . 034 - 0 . 137 mega pascal ) below the pressure in the pressure vessel ( 10 ). once the pressure inside and outside the slim tube was established , one pore volume of the crude oil from an oil reservoir of the milne point unit of the alaskan north slope was pumped into the slim tube . this process was performed in several hours ( h ). once the crude oil had saturated the core sand in the slim tube and was observed in the effluent , the flow was stopped and the oil was allowed to age in the core sand for 3 weeks . at the end of this time , brine # 1 was pumped through the slim tube at a rate of ˜ 1 . 5 - 3 . 5 milliliter per hour ( ml / h ) (˜ 1 pore volume every 20 h ). samples were taken from the effluent and the concentration of natural microflora in them was determined . after 51 pore volumes of flow through the slim tube the concentration of natural microflora in the system was about 1 × 10 7 colony forming units per milliliter ( cfu / ml ). at this point , a mixture of amines ( hereafter amines / brine mixture ) was added at 150 ppm concentration to brine # 1 . the approximate composition of the mixture of amines ( table 2 ) consisted of 7 different amine components that were identified . five were identified by mass spectrometry ( agilent technologies , inc . santa clara , calif .) as n - n - dimethyl - 1 - dodecaneamine , n - n - dimethyl - 1 - tetradecane - amine , n - n - dimethyl - methane - thioamide , caprolactam and n - methyl - n - benzyl - 1 - tetradecaneamine . two of the components were identified as amines but specific chemical formulas could not be assigned to them because the mass spectral fragmentation patterns could not be deciphered . these are labeled in table 2 as “ minor amine ” and “ other amine ”. analysis of the effluent from the slim tube did not indicate presence of any amines in it . the experiment was continued by pumping 150 ppm of the mixture of amines in brine # 1 through the slim tube . after 77 pore volumes of the mixture of brine # 1 with 150 ppm of mixture of amines was pumped into the slim tube no amines were observed in the effluent . after 80 pore volumes of the mixture of brine # 1 with 150 ppm of mixture of amines was pumped into the slim tube a total of about 1 gr of the mixture of amines had flowed through the slim tube . at this point , 80 ppm of amines was finally observed in the effluent of the slim tube . this very long delay in seeing the amines in the effluent means that virtually all the amines had been trapped in the slim tube . in addition , at this time , no natural microflora could be seen in the effluent indicating that the slim tube had become toxic enough to kill all existing microflora . at this point , pumping the amines - free brine # 1 was started in an attempt to flush the amines out of the slim tube and to make it less toxic . after 24 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube , 51 ppm of amines was detected in the effluent . the slim tube was then inoculated with one pore volume of shewanella putrefaciens ( atcc pta - 8822 ) at a concentration of approximately 1 × 10 9 cfu / ml . this inoculation was not allowed to remain in the slim tube . instead , amines - free brine # 1 was flushed through the slim tube immediately after the inoculation . consequently the microbes resided in the slim tube for only a few hours during the transit through it . thus , it was anticipated that the microorganisms &# 39 ; concentration in the effluent could be measured in the effluent eluting the slim tube . however , remarkably no microorganisms ( representing about a 9 log kill ) were detected in the slim tube effluent despite the short residence time of the inoculum in the slim tube . this experiment confirmed that a toxic zone had been established in the slim tube . in a continued attempt to detoxify the slim tube , brine # 1 alone was continuously pumped through it . after 79 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube , the amines concentration in the effluent of the slim tube was measured at 30 ppm . the slim tube was inoculated with another pore volume of shewanella putrefaciens ( at 1 × 10 9 cfu / ml ). the cfu / ml in an effluent sample was about 1 × 10 4 showing more than a 5 log kill of this microorganism had occurred immediately following inoculation . this experiment underlined the continued toxic effect of the amines despite extended washing of the tube with the amines - free brine # 1 solution . after 108 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube , the amine concentration in the effluent was measured at 5 ppm . the slim tube was inoculated with an additional one pore volume of shewanella putrefaciens containing 1 × 10 9 cfu / ml . the cfu / ml in the effluent sample of the slim tube immediately following inoculation indicated a 4 - 5 log kill of this microorganism despite the extended washing with the amines - free brine # 1 and the decrease in the amines concentration in the effluent . these results further confirmed the continued toxic effect of the mixture of amines accumulated in the slim tube . after 143 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube one pore volume of an inexpensive odorless mineral spirits ( oms )( parks oms , zinsser co ., inc ., somerset jew jersey # 2035 cas # 8052 - 41 - 3 ) was pumped through the slim tube in an attempt to remove the remaining mixture of amines . after this flush of oms , pumping of amines - free brine # 1 through the slim tube was continued . after 149 pore volumes of amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube , the amines concentration in the effluent was measured at 4 ppm and the slim tube was inoculated with an additional one pore volume of shewanella putrefaciens ( 1 × 10 9 cfu / ml ). a count of microorganisms in the sample of the slim tube &# 39 ; s effluent showed a 2 - 3 log kill ( 99 to 99 . 9 %) despite the oms flush and the extended washing with the amines - free brine # 1 . these results confirmed that the toxic zone in the slim tube was still killing virtually all the microorganisms added to the tube . after 168 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 had been pumped through the slim tube , one pore volume of a solution of 10 % hcl in water was pumped through the slim tube to remove the amines . after this acid wash , the amines - free brine # 1 was continuously pumped through the slim tube . following the acid wash treatment , an additional 2 pore volumes of the amines - free brine # 1 was pumped through the slim tube and the amines concentration in the effluent was measured at 0 . 5 ppm . the slim tube was then inoculated with an additional one pore volume of shewanella putrefaciens ( 1 × 10 9 cfu / ml ). the cfu / ml in the effluent showed about a 0 . 4 log kill of this microorganism . these results underlined survival of more microorganisms following the acid wash of the slim tube and the effectiveness of using an acid to detoxify the toxic zone in the slim tube . table 3 below summarizes results of the various tests described above . 38 milligrams ( mg ) of n n - dimethyl - 1 - dodecanamine ( hereafter referred to as “ the amine ”) was added to 10 . 210 gr of pentane . this solution was added to 10 . 1845 gr of specific sand layers ( oa and ob ) obtained from the schrader bluff formation of the milne point unit of the alaskan north slope . the oil content of the sand was first removed using a mixture of methanol and toluene ( 50 / 50 , volume / volume ) as solvent washes . the solvent mixture was subsequently evaporated off the core sand to produce clean , dry , flowable core sand . this sand was mixed with the amine and pentane solution to produce a slurry . this slurry was thoroughly mixed and the pentane was evaporated off leaving the amine on the sand ( hereafter referred to as sand / amine mixture ). 100 ml of brine # 2 ( table 3 ) was added to the sand / amine mixture to create the sand / amine / brine mixture . the initial ph of the sand / amine / brine mixture was 8 . 4 . the concentration of the amine in the water should have been 380 ppm if all the amine were dissolved in brine # 2 . analysis of a sample of sand / amine / brine mixture by gc did not reveal the presence of any amines in the test sample ( i . e ., the amine conc . was ˜& lt ; 1 ppm ). the fact that the amine was not detected underlined its strong binding to the sand particles . 0 . 1 ml of 1 normal ( n ) hcl was added to this solution , and the ph and the amine concentration was measured again . this step was repeated several times and the analyses results are shown in both table 4 and in fig3 . complete ionization and solubilization of the amine in the water was observed at ph below ˜ 6 . 0 . this is a surprising finding since the pka of hcl is − 6 . 2 ( langes handbook of chemistry , 14 th edition , page 8 . 14 , 1992 , mcgraw - hill , inc ., new york ). therefore , the concentration of the hcl required for this step to completely ionize the amine and removed it from the toxic core sand may be further reduced several orders of magnitude from the 10 % concentration used in this example . the data underlines the remarkable efficiency of an acid at ionizing and removing the amine from the sand . the intent of this experiment was to determine the capacity of the core sand described in example 2 to neutralize the hcl intended to ionize the amine accumulated in the sand . to set up a control test , 100 ml of brine # 2 was titrated with 1 n hcl to initial ph of 8 . 1 . an aliquot ( 0 . 1 ml ) of 1n hcl was added to the brine # 2 and the ph was measured . the hcl addition was repeated several times and the ph was measured after each addition . results of these analyses are shown in both table 5 and in fig4 . the data indicated that about 2 . 25 milliequivalents of hcl were needed to achieve the equivalence point of about ph 4 corresponding to about 100 % recovery of the carbonate present in brine # 2 . 100 ml of brine # 2 plus 10 gr of the same core sand ( brine / sand mixture ) used in example 2 , was titrated with 1n hcl . the initial ph of the brine / sand mixture was 7 . 88 . 0 . 1 ml aliquots of 1n hcl were added to this mixture repeatedly , and the ph was measured after each hcl addition . the results shown in both table 6 and in fig4 indicated that addition of 0 . 3 milliequivalents of hcl was needed to achieve the equivalence point with 10 gr of sand present . the data obtained in this experiment underlines the slight capacity of the core sand to neutralize the added hcl . consequently a small concentration of an acid , such as hcl , ionized the amine associated with the core sand without getting neutralized by reaction with the sand . the procedure outlined in example 2 was used to produce the sand / amine mixture except that 519 mg of the amine , 10 gr of pentane . and 60 . 062 gr of sand from the oa and ob layers were used . 29 . 065 gr of this sand / amine mixture was added to 100 ml of brine # 2 ( table 3 ) to create the sand / amine / brine mixture . the initial ph of the sand / amine / brine mixture was 8 . 28 . the concentration of the amine in the water should have been about 2000 ppm if all the amine was dissolved in brine # 2 . instead , analysis of a sample of brine # 2 in contact with the sand / amine / brine mixture as described above showed that the amine concentration was ˜ 85 ppm , i . e ., far less than what was expected . the fact that only a small amount of the amine was detected in brine # 2 underlined the strong binding of the amine to the sand particles . 0 . 1 ml of 10 weight percent ( wt %) nitric acid in water was added to this solution , and the ph and the amine concentration were measured again . this step was repeated several times and the analyses results are shown in both table 7 and in fig5 . complete ionization and solubilization in the water of the amine was observed at a ph below ˜ 6 . 7 . this is a surprising finding since the pka of nitric acid is − 1 . 37 ( langes handbook of chemistry , 14 th edition , page 8 . 15 , 1992 , mcgraw - hill , inc ., new york ), the concentration of the nitric acid required for this step may be further reduced several orders of magnitude from the 10 wt % used in this experiment without any negative impact on removal of the amines from the core sand . the same procedure outlined in example 4 was repeated here to produce the sand / amine mixture . 30 . 85 grams ( gr ) of the sand / amine mixture was added to 100 ml of brine # 2 ( table 3 ) to create the sand / amine / brine mixture . the initial ph of the sand / amine / brine mixture was 8 . 52 . the concentration of the amine in the water should have been about 2000 ppm if all the amine were dissolved in brine # 2 . instead , analysis of brine # 2 in contact with the sand / amine / brine mixture , as described above , showed that the amine concentration was ˜ 67 ppm , i . e ., far less than what was expected . the fact that only a small amount of the amine was detected in the brine # 2 underlined the strong binding of the amine to the sand particles . 0 . 1 ml of 10 wt % acetic acid was added to this solution , and the ph and the amine concentration were measured again . this step was repeated several times and the analyses results are shown in both table 8 and in fig6 . complete ionization and solubilization in the water of the amine was observed at ph below ˜ 6 . 7 . this is a surprising finding since the pka of acetic acid is 4 . 756 ( langes handbook of chemistry , 14 th edition , page 8 . 19 , 1992 , mcgraw - hill , inc ., new york ). consequently , the concentration of the acetic acid required for this step may be further reduced significantly from what was used in this example without any negative impact on removal of the amine from the core sand . the observations described above illustrate that a weak organic acid , like acetic acid can be as effective as a strong inorganic acid , like hydrochloric acid , at ionizing and separating the amines from the toxic core sand . it can therefore be concluded that to remove the toxic zone from a subterranean site , any acid that decreases the ph of a solution below about 6 . 7 can be used .	2
the invention provides a urea - based scr process that can advantageously utilize the enthalpy of the flue gas , which can be supplemented if need be , to convert urea to ammonia . this new process makes use of the easy handling feature of urea reagent and provides complete gasification and good mixing employing a bypass stream gas mass to provide thorough mixing required for high levels of no x reduction . in particularly advantageous embodiments , heat necessary for gasification is derived solely from the enthalpy of the combustion gases . the process is effective with urea , but can utilize other no x - reducing reagents capable of generating a reactant gas containing ammonia upon heating . as will be clear from the following , when certain of these reagents are gasified , the reactant gas will also contain hnco which can react with water from combustion and the aqueous reagent solution to convert to ammonia and carbon dioxide . it is an advantage of the invention that this can be easily achieved without prehydrolysis of the no x - reducing reagent which has the attendant risk of plugging nozzles and other equipment . by the term “ gasification ” we mean that substantially all of the urea is converted into a gas , leaving no significant dissolved or free solids or liquid to contact with and foul scr catalysts . the term “ urea ” is meant to include the reagents that are equivalent to urea in the sense that they form ammonia and hnco when heated , whether or not they contain large amounts of the pure chemical urea in the form introduced into the combustion gases ; however , the reagents that are equivalent to urea typically contain measurable quantities of urea in their commercial forms and thus comprise urea . among the no x - reducing reagents that can be gasified are those that comprise a member selected from the group consisting of : ammelide ; ammeline ; ammonium carbonate ; ammonium bicarbonate ; ammonium carbamate ; ammonium cyanate ; ammonium salts of inorganic acids , including sulfuric acid and phosphoric acid ; ammonium salts of organic acids , including formic and acetic acid ; biuret ; triuret , cyanuric acid ; isocyanic acid ; urea formaldehyde ; melamine ; tricyanourea and mixtures of any number of these . yet other no x - reducing reagents are available that do not form hnco , but decompose to a mixture of gases including hydrocarbons . among this group are various amines and their salts ( especially their carbonates ), including guanidine , guanidine carbonate , methyl amine carbonate , ethyl amine carbonate , dimethyl amine carbonate , hexamethylamine ; hexamethylamine carbonate ; and byproduct wastes containing urea from a chemical process . amines with higher alkyls can be employed to the extent that the hydrocarbon components released do not interfere with the no x - reduction reaction . the term “ urea ” is thus meant to encompass urea in all of its commercial and equivalent forms . typically , commercial forms of urea will consist essentially of urea , containing 95 % or more urea by weight . this relatively pure form of urea is preferred and has several advantages in the process of the invention . the urea solution is introduced at a rate relative to the no x concentration in said combined stream prior to passage through said no x - reducing catalyst effective to provide an nsr of at least about 0 . 1 , depending on a number of factors , but more typically is within the range of from 0 . 1 to about 1 . 0 . the term “ nsr ” refers to the relative equivalents of nitrogen in the urea or other no x - reducing agent to the equivalents of nitrogen in the no x in the combustion gases to be treated . the term “ combustor ” is meant in the broad sense to include all combustors which combust carbonaceous fuels to provide heat , e . g ., for direct or indirect conversion to mechanical or electrical energy . these carbonaceous fuels can include the hydrocarbons normally used as fuels as well as combustible waste materials such as municipal solid waste , industrial process waste and the like . burners and furnaces , as well as other combustor types , are included within the definition of the term combustor and can benefit from the invention . however , since the problems and advantages of successful achievement of reliable no x reduction on combustors utilizing ammonia as a reducing agent are so pronounced , the large - scale combustor is used throughout this description for purposes of example . stationary and mobile combustors of all types are , however , contemplated . fig1 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the invention wherein a side stream is separated from the main effluent stream from a combustor and urea is injected into it at a temperature sufficient to fully decompose or otherwise gasify the urea to active gas species . a large - scale combustor 20 burns fuel with the resulting production of nitrogen oxides ( no x ) that must be at least partially removed . the combustion gases are used to heat water in heat exchanger arrays 22 , 22 ′ and 22 ″ before the combustion gases are exhausted to the atmosphere by stack 23 and apparatus downstream . the heat exchange array 22 ′ is referred to generally as a superheater . a superheater is a device that again heats steam generated by the earlier heat exchanger arrays , increasing its thermal energy . steam which has been superheated can be referred to as superheated steam . following the superheater 22 ′, there is shown another heat exchange section , here in the form of an economizer 22 ″. an economizer is effective for recovering heat from the flue gas and using it to heat incoming water . economizers increase the efficiency of the combustor at high loads , but provide reduced benefit at low loads . thus , economizers have two effects , heating the water and cooling the flue gas . according to the invention , a bypass channel 25 is provided to circumvent the economizer 22 ″ and supply heated combustion gases to gasify an aqueous urea solution to provide active no x - reduction gaseous species to reduce the no x in the combustion gases with the aid of no x - reduction catalysts , 26 , 26 ′ and 26 ″. the invention applies to heat exchangers of different description and function . the amount of combustion gases permitted to flow through the bypass is controlled by damper 28 based on flue gas temperature , which relates to load . at high load , only a small amount of gas is permitted to enter the bypass , e . g ., less than 5 %, typically from about 0 . 5 to about 4 %. temperature sensors ( e . g ., 29 , 29 ′) can be provided at key points , e . g ., at the entrance to the economizer 22 ″, the exit of the economizer 22 ″, and the entrance to the scr unit 26 , 26 ′ and 26 ″ to provide data for a controller ( not shown ) to determine the degree to which the damper 28 should be opened , and signals generated by these temperature sensors are sent to a controller , which in turn sends operational signals to a damper actuator ( not shown ) to open or close the damper , e . g ., by rotation about shaft 28 ′, to the desired degree as determined by feed - forward control , preferably with feed back adjustment . the bidirectional arrow indicates a possible back and forth path for the damper 28 . at low loads , the amount of gases bypassed through channel 25 can be any amount as needed and can comprise all of the gases . within the channel 25 , a urea solution is sprayed into the hot gases via a suitable nozzle 30 supplied from a supply source 32 , typically at gas temperatures effective for gasification prior to contact with the scr catalyst . to achieve the goal of gasification for a urea or a urea - related no x - reducing reagent , temperatures above about 300 ° c . are typically employed . a preferred temperature range for the gasification and for transfer of the gases produced by the noted group of reagents , is from about 300 ° to about 650 ° c . the spray nozzle 30 ( preferably an array of nozzles giving a pattern of sprays , such as sprays 31 as illustrated schematically in fig2 ) will be selected from among those capable of forming droplets that will be evaporated in or carried out of the channel 25 without impacting on the sides . among the suitable nozzles are single - fluid and air - assisted types . urea can be distributed into the bypass duct with several to many injectors depending on scr ammonia requirement and duct dimensions , typically in a row perpendicular to the flue gas path . by controlling the urea flows to each injector , ammonia distribution entering scr can be optimized . droplet sizes can be selected from over a wide range . droplet sizes less than 500 microns , but typically less than 100 , and preferably below 50 microns , are desirable to rapidly evaporate and decompose urea droplets . also in consideration of vessel size , small and slow droplets generated from , e . g ., ultrasonic nozzles can be more desirable than large and fast droplets . the feed of aqueous solution of urea is preferably controlled ( by means not shown ) based on computational fluid dynamics calculation or cold flow modeling to balance reagent distribution entering the no x - reducing catalyst . upon contact with the hot bypass gases , the droplets are evaporated and the urea is decomposed into active gaseous species . the combined stream of combustion gases and gaseous no x reducing species are preferably further mixed , such as by in - line static mixer 34 and / or turning vanes 36 , 36 ′, which are positioned in passage 42 to assure good distribution when the gases reach the catalysts 26 , 26 ′ and 26 ″. fig2 is a partial sectional view taken along line 2 - 2 in fig1 , and shows a preferred arrangement of mechanical mixers 40 , 40 ′ and 40 ″, which take the gases from the bypass channel 25 , having sufficient mass for good mixing , and facilitate mixing it with the bulk of the flue gas in passage 42 . the nozzles 30 are shown to provide an array of spray patterns 31 and the flow of gasses past 28 and through bypass 25 will sweep the gasifying urea into an array of flow - mixing devices 40 , 40 ′ and 40 ″, which terminate in openings 44 , 44 ′ and 44 ″ that can be aimed to provide turbulent mixing of the gases from bypass 25 with the bulk of the gases in passage 42 . the bypass stream laden with no x - reducing species can in this manner be reintroduced to the flue gas with multiple large and angled pipes 40 , 40 ′ and 40 ″ or other structures that extend beyond the wall of channel 25 to provide improved distribution . the design of these pipes , static mixers , baffles , turning vanes , etc ., is preferably guided by computational fluid dynamics ( cfd ) and cold flow modeling . catalysts 26 , 26 ′ and 26 ″ are employed in an array forming a reactor and are scr catalysts as known in the art for reducing no x utilizing ammonia or urea in various hydrolyzed , gasified , pyrolyzed and like forms . among the suitable scr catalysts are those capable of reducing the effluent nitrogen oxides concentration in the presence of ammonia . these include , for instance , activated carbon , charcoal or coke , zeolites , vanadium oxide , tungsten oxide , titanium oxide , iron oxide , copper oxide , manganese oxide , chromium oxide , noble metals such as platinum group metals like platinum , palladium , rhodium , and iridium , or mixtures of these . other scr catalyst materials conventional in the art and familiar to the skilled artisan can also be utilized . these scr catalyst materials are typically mounted on a support such as a metal , ceramic , zeolite , or homogeneous monolith , although other art - known supports can also be used . among the useful scr catalysts are those representative prior art processes described below . selective catalytic reduction processes for reducing no x are well known and utilize a variety of catalytic agents . for instance , in european patent application wo 210 , 392 , eichholtz and weiler discuss the catalytic removal of nitrogen oxides using activated charcoal or activated coke , with the addition of ammonia , as a catalyst . kato , et al ., in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 138 , 469 and henke in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 393 , 031 disclose the catalytic reduction of no x using platinum group metals and / or other metals such as titanium , copper , molybdenum , vanadium , tungsten , or oxides thereof with the addition of ammonia to achieve the desired catalytic reduction . see also ep 487 , 886 , which specifies a v 2 o 5 / wo 3 / tio 2 catalyst with a working range of 220 ° to 280 ° c . other catalysts based on platinum can have operating temperatures even lower , e . g ., down to about 180 ° c . see also those catalysts identified in the noted prior u . s . patent application ser . no . 11 / 275 , 989 filed feb . 8 , 2006 , and the references cited therein . the effluent containing the reactant gas is most preferably passed over the scr catalyst while the combustion gases including the gasified urea or other reagent are at a temperature of at least about 150 ° c . and typically between about 180 ° and about 650 ° c ., preferably above at least about 250 ° c . in this manner , the active species present in the effluent due to gasification of the reagent solution most effectively facilitate the catalytic reduction of nitrogen oxides and condensation of water or other compounds , e . g ., ammonium sulfates , and the like , is controlled . the effluent will typically contain an excess of oxygen , e . g ., up to about 15 % of that required to fully oxidize the carbonaceous fuel . use of the present invention with any of the above scr catalysts ( the disclosure of which are specifically incorporated by reference ) reduces or eliminates the requirement for the transport , storage and handling of large amounts of ammonia or ammonium water , the need for a blower to carry the reagent to and ammonia injection grid ( aig ), or a vaporizer to evaporate liquid ammonia or ammonia water . the urea solution is desirably maintained at a concentration suitable for storage and handling without precipitation or other problem . concentrations of from about 5 to 70 % can be employed with some degree of practicality , but concentrations of from about 15 to about 60 % are more typical . it is an advantage of the invention that the amount of water in the urea solution can be varied to suitably control the temperature of the gases in the side stream . after injection of the urea solution into the bypass channel 25 , a residence time of up to about 10 seconds , e . g ., from about 1 to about 5 seconds , is typically provided to completely decompose urea and promote the reaction between hnco and water vapor to form ammonia . a bypass stream gas velocity of at least 1 to 20 feet per second is maintained through bypass channel 25 to optimize channel dimensions , achieve plug flow , enhance the urea droplet dispersion , evaporation , and decomposition into the side stream , and minimize droplet impingement on channel walls . internal channels and multi - walls may be preferred to achieve the optimum gas velocity and to minimize heat loss to outside environment . the optimum duct design can be derived by using , among others , well - established design tools such as computational fluid - dynamics model . the resulting mixture of gases and urea decomposition products can be directed to an injection grid or pipes 40 , 40 ′ and 40 ″ or other such device ahead of scr reactor containing catalysts , e . g ., 26 , 26 ′ and 26 ″, as needed . it will be advantageous in many cases , especially where there is a high degree of fluctuation in gas volumes , to provide means for mixing the gases at one or more stages . among the suitable mixing means are static mixers , cyclones , blowers and other process equipment that by design or effect mixes the gases . it is another advantage of this embodiment of the invention that by utilizing the side stream comprised of combustion gases prior to full heat exchange , the enthalpy of the gases is utilized for gasification by direct heat exchange with the aqueous urea solution . surprisingly , calculations will show that direct heat exchange in this manner using supplementary heat only as needed under low - load conditions — when the need for no x reduction is also low — will be much more efficient than employing supplementary heat in a cold stream to gasify urea . advantageously , also , the addition of supplemental heat to the side stream can be an effective means to control the temperature in the side stream for consistent urea decomposition and scr catalyst and maintain both temperatures within its effective temperature range . the above description is intended to enable the person skilled in the art to practice the invention . it is not intended to detail all of the possible modifications and variations that will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description . it is intended , however , that all such modifications and variations be included within the scope of the invention that is seen in the above description and otherwise defined by the following claims . the claims are meant to cover the indicated elements and steps in any arrangement or sequence which is effective to meet the objectives intended for the invention , unless the context specifically indicates the contrary .	1
referring now to the drawing , there is shown a door alarm toy according to the present invention generally designated by the reference numeral 10 . as is most easily seen in fig5 and 6 , the door alarm toy 10 when assembled comprises a whistle portion or whistle 12 having a flange 14 around an air inlet opening or flue 16 ( fig2 and 7 ) over which flange 14 is stretched the neck 18 of a resilient elastic rubber balloon 20 . also included is a resilient clip portion or clip 22 attached to the whistle 12 which provides means adapted to be inserted and compressed in the space between a door 24 and a frame 26 around the door 24 to position one side of the flange 14 along the outer surface of the door 24 or frame 26 . when the balloon 20 is sequentially inflated and twisted adjacent the flange 14 in the area designated 28 in fig5 and 6 , and the clip portion 22 is then inserted in the space between the door 24 and frame 26 with a portion of the side surface of the balloon 20 spaced from the flange 14 pressed against and in frictional engagement with the outer surface of the door 24 or frame 26 , friction between the balloon 20 outer surface of and the door 24 and / or frame 26 will prevent the balloon 20 from rotating to untwist the area 28 , and said friction and the twisted portion 28 will provide the only means for keeping the balloon 20 inflated . subsequently , when the door 24 is opened , the toy 10 will drop . the twisted portion 28 of the balloon 20 will straighten , allowing the balloon 20 to deflate through and sound the whistle 12 ( fig7 ) as a signal to persons in the area that the door 24 has been opened . as is best seen in fig1 through 3 , the whistle portion 12 and clip portion 22 are an integral molding of a stiff flexible resilient polymeric material ( e . g . polypropylene ). the molding comprises a first cylindrically tubular portion 30 having a central axis , an open end part 32 , and an end wall 34 providing a closed end ; and a second stepped cylindrically tubular portion 36 including the flange 14 at one end , a collar 38 at its end opposite the flange 14 the outer surface of which is adapted for telescoping frictional engagement with the inner surface of the end part 32 , and a transverse wall 40 within and adjacent the proximal end of the flange 14 having the air inlet flue 16 adjacent one edge . also included is a radially outwardly projecting plate - like portion 42 between the flange 14 and the collar 38 which serves as a stop for the open end part 32 of the first tubular portion 30 when it engages the collar 38 , and to which is fixed the clip portion 22 , and a thinned flexible hinge portion 44 attached at its other end to the first tubular portion 30 . the hinge portion 44 joins the tubular portions 30 and 36 for movement between a molded or spaced position ( fig1 and 3 ) with the tubular portions 30 and 36 spaced from each other and their axes parallel ; and an assembled position with the collar 38 engaging the first tubular portion 30 ( fig4 through 7 ). when the tubular portions 30 and 36 are in their engaged position , the first tubular portion 30 , the collar 38 and the transverse wall 40 define a resonant whistle chamber 48 therebetween into which air enters through the air inlet flue 16 . the collar 38 and the first tubular portion 30 both have an opening 50 with straight , normally disposed sides , which openings 50 are aligned when the tubular portions 30 and 36 are engaged ( due to the locating influence of the hinge portion 44 ) to provide an air outlet opening for air in the whistle chamber . the air inlet flue 16 , the air outlet opening , and a lip 52 for the whistle ( which lip 52 is provided by a novel flat rectangular surface at the end of the opening 50 in the first tubular portion 30 adjacent its end wall 34 ) are disposed in a conventional relationship for a whistle and are sized and shaped to produce a desired pitch . the clip portion 22 of the molding comprises two elongate members 56 having joined ends 58 to provide a general v - shape for the clip 22 , with the end of one of the members 56 opposite the joined ends 58 being fixed to the whistle 12 via the plate - like portion 42 . the combined thickness of the members 56 and the spread between their unjoined ends is adapted so that the clip portion 22 can be inserted , joined end 58 first , in the space that exists between most doors and their frames , with one of the elongate members 56 adjacent the door and the other adjacent the frame , and with the door and frame pressing the resilient members together so that they will engage the door and frame with sufficient force to hang the toy 10 . as is best seen in fig1 through 4 , the walls of the molding are aligned either normal or parallel to the axes of the tubular portions 30 and 36 which facilitates molding since its mold may be easily separated in a direction parallel to the axes of the tubular portions 30 and 36 .	0
before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention , it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a filter for cleaning a fluid , in particular a gaseous fluid possibly having particulate contaminants as disclosed herein . accordingly , the apparatus components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings , showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein . in this document , relational terms such as first and second , top and bottom , and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions . the terms “ comprises ,” “ comprising ,” or any other variation thereof , are intended to cover a non - exclusive inclusion , such that a process , method , article , or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process , method , article , or apparatus . an element preceded by “ comprises . . . a ” does not , without more constraints , preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process , method , article , or apparatus that comprises the element . the filter 1 illustrated in fig1 is in particular a gas filter , preferably an air filter that is arranged in the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine . the filter 1 comprises a two - part filter housing 2 whose housing parts 2 a and 2 b are connected to one another by a releasable closure device 3 . in the area of the intake side 4 a cyclone preseparator 5 is integrated into the filter housing 4 and is comprised of several cyclone cells 6 and 7 through which the fluid to be supplied is passed upon intake into the filter housing 2 . the individual cyclones or cyclones cells 6 , 7 each are provided with vanes through which the axially incoming fluid is imparted with an angular momentum so that dirt particles contained in the fluid as a result of centrifugal force are transported outwardly in the interior of the filter housing 2 . by means of a discharge opening 8 located in the front end section of the filter housing 2 that is correlated with the cyclone preseparator 5 , the separated dirt particles can be removed from the housing . in the interior of the filter housing 2 , downstream of the cyclone preseparator 5 , the filter element is arranged through which the fluid , pre - cleaned in the preseparator , passes axially . by means of outlet opening 9 ( fig2 ) at the end face of the filter housing 2 that is opposite the cyclone preseparator the purified fluid is discharged from the filter 1 . as can be seen in fig4 and 5 in connection with fig3 , each cyclone cell 6 , 7 is comprised of an inlet section 6 a and 7 a , respectively , a flow passage 6 b and 7 b , respectively , and an outlet section 6 c and 7 c . in the flow passage 6 b or 7 b the heavy dirt particles can be separated and subsequently discharged by means of discharge opening 8 in the filter housing . the pre - filtered fluid is then axially supplied by outlet sections 6 c and 7 c that widen in the form of a diffuser to the filter element 10 that is located in the central part of the filter 1 . a secondary element 11 is downstream of the filter element 10 and is passed by the fluid coming from the filter element 10 . the secondary element 11 has the task to protect the internal combustion engine upon exchange or damage of the filter element 10 . subsequently , the fluid is guided through the outlet opening 9 out of the filter 1 . in the foregoing specification , specific embodiments of the present invention have been described . however , one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below . accordingly , the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense , and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention . the benefits , advantages , solutions to problems , and any element ( s ) that may cause any benefit , advantage , or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical , required , or essential features or elements of any or all the claims the invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued .	1
an adduct of polyglycerin with an alkylene oxide which is used in a composition of the present invention is an adduct in which 1 to 60 mols of an alkylene oxide are added to polyglycerin having the degree of polymerization of 2 ˜ 4 , such as diglycerin and triglycerin . for example , such an adduct can be obtained by adding 1 to 60 mols of ethylene oxide , propylene oxide or a mixture thereof to a polymer containing 1 mol of polyglycerin having the degree of polymerization of 2 ˜ 4 , and the content of the adduct of the polyglycerin with the alkylene oxide is preferably from 0 . 5 to 40 % by weight , more preferably from 1 to 30 % by weight based on the total weight of the composition . when the content of the adduct is less than 0 . 5 % by weight , sufficient lubricating properties cannot be obtained and so the improvement of a writing performance cannot be expected . conversely , when it is more than 40 % by weight , the viscosity of the ink increases and the flow of the ink is poor and improper . the adduct of glycerin with the alkylene oxide which is used in the ink composition of the present invention is an adduct in which 1 to 150 mols of the alkylene oxide are added to glycerin . for example , such an adduct can be obtained by adding 1 to 150 mols of ethylene oxide , propylene oxide or a mixture thereof to glycerin . the content of the adduct of glycerin with the alkylene oxide is preferably from 0 . 5 to 40 % by weight , more preferably from 1 to 30 % by weight based on the weight of the composition . when the content of the adduct is less than 0 . 5 % by weight , sufficient lubricating properties cannot be obtained and so the improvement effect of a writing performance cannot be expected . conversely , when it is more than 40 % by weight , the viscosity of the ink increases and the flow of the ink is poor and improper . the adduct of trimethylolpropane with the alkylene oxide which is used in the ink composition of the present invention is an adduct in which 1 to 60 mols of the alkylene oxide are added to trimethylolpropane . for example , such an adduct can be obtained by adding 1 to 60 mols of ethylene oxide , propylene oxide or a mixture thereof to trimethylolpropane . the content of the adduct of trimethylolpropane with the alkylene oxide is preferably from 0 . 5 to 40 % by weight , more preferably from 1 to 30 % by weight based on the weight of the composition . when the content of the adduct is less than 0 . 5 % by weight , sufficient lubricating properties and the improvement effect of a writing performance cannot be expected . conversely , when it is more than 40 % by weight , the viscosity of the ink increases and the flow of the ink is poor and improper . the adduct of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide in the ink composition of the present invention is prepared from alkylene oxide and the specific polyhydric alcohol in an alkali - catalyzed reaction in the presence of excess alkylene oxide . this reaction proceeds such that firstly the alkylene oxide reacts with the specific polyhydric alcohol and then further polymerization of alkylene oxide proceeds . that is , in a pressure vessel , the inner atmosphere of which is previously replaced with nitrogen , is placed the specific polyhydric alcohol and alkali and then the alkylene oxide is added thereto dropwise at a pressure of about 10 kg / cm 2 and a temperature of 100 ˜ 140 ° c . in the ink composition of the present invention , the adduct of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide may be mixed with a water - soluble organic solvent . examples of this solvent include water - soluble polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol , propylene glycol , diethylene glycol and glycerin ; cellosolves such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether ( methyl cellosolve ) and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether ( ethyl cellosolve ); carbitols such as diethylene glycol monomethyl ether ( methyl carbitol ) and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether ( ethyl carbitol ); and glycol ether esters such as ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate . these compounds can improve the non - drying properties . the amount of the solvent to be blended is usually 40 % by weight or less , preferably from 5 to 40 % by weight based on the total weight of the composition . no particular restriction is put on the kind of pigment which can be used in the ink composition of the present invention , and optional inorganic and organic pigments can be used which have been conventionally employed in the aqueous pigment ink composition . examples of this inorganic pigment include titanium oxide , carbon black and metal powders ; and examples of the above - mentioned organic pigment include azo lakes , insoluble azo pigments , chelate azo pigments , phthalocyanine pigments , perylenes , perylene pigments , anthraquinone pigments , quinacridone pigments , dye lakes , nitro pigments and nitroso pigments . typical usable examples of the pigment include phthalocyanine blue ( c . i . 74260 ), phthalocyanine green ( c . i . 74260 ), hansa yellow 3g ( c . i . 11670 ), disazo yellow gr ( c . i . 21100 ), permanent red 4r ( c . i . 12335 ), brilliant carmine 6b ( c . i . 15850 ) and quinacridone red ( c . i . 46500 ). these pigments may be used singly or in a combination of two or more , and the amount of the pigment to be used is usually from 2 to 30 % by weight , preferably from 5 to 15 % by weight based on the total weight of the composition . the dispersant in the composition of the present invention adheres to the surfaces of pigment particles and permits the pigment to be dispersed in water . examples of the usable dispersant include nonionic and anionic surface active agents and water - soluble polymers , and the latter water - soluble polymers are preferably used . examples of the nonionic surface active agents include polyoxyalkylene higher fatty esters , higher fatty acid partial esters of polyhydric alcohols and higher fatty esters of saccharide . typical examples of the nonionic surface active agents include fatty esters of glycerin , polyglycerin fatty esters , propylene glycol fatty esters , pentaerythritol fatty esters , polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters , polyoxyethylene sorbit fatty esters , polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty esters , polyethylene glycol fatty esters , polyoxyethylene alkylene ethers , polyoxyethylene phytosterols , polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylenealkyl ethers , polyoxyethylenealkylphenyl ethers , polyoxyethylenecastor oil , polyoxyethylenelanolin , polyoxyethylenelanolin alcohol , polyoxyethylenealkylamine , polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides and polyoxyethylenealkylphenyl formaldehyde condensates . examples of the anionic surface active agent include alkylated sulfonates of higher fatty acid amides and alkylallyl sulfonates , and typical examples thereof include alkyl sulfates , polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates , salts of n - acyl amino acid , salts of n - acylmethyltaurine , polyoxyethylene alkyl ether acetates , alkyl phosphates and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether phosphates . examples of the water - soluble polymers include polyacrylic acid , acrylic copolymers and maleic resins . typical examples of the water - soluble polymers include water - soluble salts of resins such as an acrylic resin , a styrene - acrylic resin and a styrene - maleic resin . typical examples of alkaline metals for the formation of the salts are sodium and potassium . examples of the amine include aliphatic primary , secondary and tertiary amines such as mono -, di - and trimethylamines ; alcoholamines such as mono -, di - and tripropanolamines , methyl ethanolamine , methyl propanolamine and dimethyl ethanolamine ; ammonia , morpholine and n - methylpholine . the amount of the dispersant to be blended is from 0 . 1 to 10 % by weight based on the weight of the composition . no particular restriction is put on the amount of water which is used in the composition of the present invention , but it is suitably from 40 to 90 % by weight based on the weight of the composition . in addition , if necessary , there may be blended a lubricant such as potassium linoleate or sodium ricinoleate , potassium oleate or sodium oleate ; an antiseptic agent such as phenol or sodium benzoate ; a rust preventive such as benzotriazole , dicyclohexyl ammonium nitrite or diisopropyl ammonium nitrite ; and a ph adjustor such as triethanolamine , monoethanolamine , diethanolamine or ammonia . the ink composition of the present invention is excellent in lubricating properties and can improve a writing performance . its functional mechanism is not clearly definite but can be presumed as follows : the oxygen atoms in the hydroxyl group and the ether bond portion in the structure of the adduct of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide used in the present invention adhere to the surface of the metal , and hydrocarbon chains are arranged on the side opposite to the metal surface . then , the adduct itself of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide is viscous , and so a lubricating film is formed between a ball and a ball seat , whereby the lubricating properties are given . it can be also supposed that the ink composition of the present invention provides the good lubricating properties with less blur owing to the suitable viscosity of glycerin or the polymeric chain of ethylene oxide in the adduct of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide and owing to the function of the dispersant . additionally , in the ink in which the adduct of the specific polyhydric alcohol with the alkylene oxide is used , the dye easily blurs but the pigment scarcely blurs , and this reason is not apparent but can be presumed to be due to different solubilities of the dye and the pigment in the solvent . the aqueous pigment ink composition for ball - point pens of the present invention , when used in a ball - point pen , scarcely blurs and gives good lubricating properties , so that the friction on a ball seat attributable to the rotation of a ball is controlled . thus , the proper flow of the ink can be maintained and smooth writing feeling can be given . furthermore , the ink is inhibited from drying at the tip of the ball - point pen , and so the effect of less scratch can be exerted . moreover , when the aqueous pigment ink composition of the present invention is used , the drying up of the ink at a pen tip and an orifice tip can be inhibited , and clogging can be prevented and the blur of written letters can be also controlled . in consequence , the aqueous pigment ink composition of the present invention is also very desirable as an ink for ink jet . now , the present invention will be described in more detail in reference to examples , but the present invention should not be limited to these examples . inks of examples 1 to 6 and comparative examples 1 to 6 were obtained by stirring and mixing components in a stirring machine for 3 hours , dispersing the mixture by a sand mill for 5 hours , and then removing coarse particles therefrom by a centrifugal separator . dye inks of comparative examples 7 and 8 were obtained by stirring components at a temperature of 40 to 60 ° c . for 1 hour , cooling and then filtering the mixture . the inks obtained in the examples and comparative examples were evaluated by the following writing test . the results are set forth in table 1 . in the writing test , the measurement of a ball dent as well as the evaluation of a writing performance and the blur state of the written letters were carried out as follows . after writing was made as much as 500 m under conditions of a writing angle of 60 °, a writing rate of 5 . 5 m / minute and a load of 100 g by a helical writing tester , the deep of the worn portion of a ball seat , i . e ., the decreased length of the ball projecting from a holder was measured . x : scraggy and hard writing performance , and presence of line cut and directional property a black aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was prepared from the following components . ______________________________________carbon black ma 100 8 . 0 wt %[ particle size 22 μm , oil absorption100 ml / 100 g ( dbp ), specific surfacearea 134 m . sup . 2 / g ( bet ), made bymitsubishi kasei co ., ltd .] ethylene glycol 10 . 0 wt % adduct of 1 mol of diglycerin with 5 . 0 wt % 30 mols of ethylene oxide ( viscosity 348 cps , hydroxylvalue 15 mg . sub . koh / g ) ammonium salt of styrene acrylic 3 . 0 wt % acid resinpotassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 73 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ above - mentioned ammonium salt was prepared by neutralizing styrene - acrylic acid copolymer having weight - average molecular weight of 10000 , acid value of 195 , softening point of 143 ° c ., and glass transition point of 70 ° c ., with ammonia . a blue aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was prepared from the following components . ______________________________________phthalocyanine blue 8 . 0 wt %( chromofine blue 4965 , made bydainichiseika co ., ltd .) glycerin 5 . 0 wt % adduct of 1 mol of triglycerin 10 . 0 wt % with 20 mols of propylene oxideammonium salt of styrene maleate resin 3 . 0 wt % sodium ricinoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 73 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ the same procedure as in example 1 was repeated except that 5 . 0 wt % of an adduct of glycerin with 30 mols of ethylene oxide and 10 . 0 wt % of ethylene glycol were replaced with 15 % of ethylene glycol , to obtain a black aqueous pigment ink . the same procedure as in example 2 was repeated except that 10 . 0 % of an adduct of 1 mol of triglycerin with 20 mols of propylene oxide and 5 . 0 % of glycerin were replaced with 15 % of glycerin and that 0 . 5 % of sodium ricinoleate and 72 . 8 % of purified water were used , to obtain a blue aqueous pigment ink . a blue aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was obtained by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table1 . ______________________________________phthalocyanine blue 7 . 0 wt %( chromofine blue 4965 , made bydainichiseika co ., ltd .) ethylene glycol 17 . 0 wt % adduct of l mol of glycerin with 40 mols 3 . 0 wt % of ethylene oxideammonium salt of styrene acrylate resin 3 . 0 wt %( used in example 1 ) potassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 69 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ a black aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was obtained by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________carbon black ma 100 8 . 0 wt %( made by mitsubishi kasei co ., ltd .) glycerin 5 . 0 wt % adduct of l mol of glycerin with 10 mols 5 . 0 wt % of propylene oxideammonium salt of styrene maleate resin 3 . 0 wt % sodium ricinoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 78 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ the same procedure as in example 3 was repeated except that an adduct of 1 mol of glycerin with 40 mols of ethylene oxide was replaced with ethylene glycol , to obtain a blue aqueous pigment ink . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . the same procedure as in example 4 was repeated except that 5 . 0 % of an adduct of glycerin with 10 mols of propylene oxide and 5 . 0 % of glycerin were replaced with 10 % by weight of glycerin and that 0 . 5 % of sodium ricinoleate and 77 . 8 % of purified water were used , to obtain a black aqueous pigment ink . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . a blue aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was obtained by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________phthalocyanine blue 7 . 0 wt %( chromofine blue 4965 , made bydainichiseika co ., ltd .) ethylene glycol 17 . 0 wt % adduct of 1 mol of glycerin with 40 mols 3 . 0 wt % of ethylene oxidepolyoxyethylene ( degree of polymerization 3 . 0 wt % of 10 ) nonyl phenylether , ( nicol np - 10made by nikko chemicals co ., ltd . ; having hydrophile - lipophile balanceof 16 . 5 ) potassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 69 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ a red aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was prepared by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________red pigment 8 . 0 wt %( red k represented by the followingformula , made by fuji dyestuff co ., ltd .) ## str1 ## ethylene glycol 30 . 0 wt % ammonium salt of styrene acrylate resin 3 . 0 wt %( used in example 1 ) potassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % adduct of 1 mol of trimethylolpropane 2 . 0 wt % with 5 mols of ethylene oxidetriethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 56 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ a black aqueous pigment ink for ball - point pens was prepared by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________carbon black ma 100 8 . 0 wt %( made by mitsubishi kasei co ., ltd .) glycerin 10 . 0 wt % ammonium salt of styrene maleate resin 3 . 0 wt % sodium ricinoleate 0 . 3 wt % adduct of trimethylolpropane 1 . 5 wt % with 10 mols of propylene oxidetriethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 76 . 5 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ the same procedure as in example 6 was repeated except that an adduct of 1 mol trimethylolpropane with 5 mols of ethylene oxide was omitted and 58 % of purified water was used , to obtain a red aqueous pigment ink . the same procedure as in example 7 was repeated except that an adduct of 1 mol of trimethylolpropane with 10 mols of propylene oxide was omitted and that 0 . 5 % of sodium ricinoleate and 77 . 8 % of purified water were used , to obtain a black aqueous pigment ink . a black aqueous pigment ink was obtained by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________c . i . direct black # 19 5 . 0 wt % ethylene glycol 10 . 0 wt % adduct of 1 mol of diglycerin with 5 . 0 wt % 30 mols of ethylene oxidepotassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % purified water 79 . 0 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ above - mentioned direct black 19 is represented by the following formula . ## str2 ## a blue aqueous dye ink was obtained by the use of the following components . the results of a writing test are set forth in table 1 . ______________________________________blue no . 1 for food 6 . 0 wt %( c . i . acid blue 9 ) ethylene glycol 17 . 0 wt % adduct of glycerin with 3 . 0 wt % 40 mols of ethylene oxidepotassium linoleate 0 . 3 wt % triethanolamine 0 . 5 wt % phenol 0 . 1 wt % benzotriazole 0 . 1 wt % anionic fluorine - based surface 0 . 01 wt % active agentpurified water 72 . 99 wt % total 100 . 0 wt % ______________________________________ next , inks obtained in examples 1 to 7 and comparative examples 1 to 8 were used in ball - point pens , and a writing test was then carried out by the use of these ball - point pens to inspect a ball dent , a writing performance and a writing blur . the results of the test are set forth in table 1 . table 1______________________________________ ball dent writing blur of ( μm ) performance written letters______________________________________example 1 6 o ocomp . ex . 1 30 x oexample 2 8 o ocomp . ex . 2 16 δ xexample 3 8 o ocomp . ex . 3 25 x oexample 4 5 o ocomp . ex . 4 20 δ δexample 5 6 o δexample 6 6 o ocomp . ex . 5 45 x oexample 7 8 o ocomp . ex . 6 22 δ xcomp . ex . 7 6 o xcomp . ex . 8 8 o x______________________________________ as is apparent from the above - mentioned results , the aqueous pigment inks of the present invention have the considerably less ball dent , the smooth writing performance , and the less writing blur .	2
referring to the drawings , preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail . an essential factor for increasing the detection ability of pattern matching comprises registration of pattern images . the shape of a pattern image as well as the density distribution of the foreground and background thereof is the key for increasing conformity of pattern matching between a pattern image and a corresponding input image . according to the equation of definition of the normalized correlation coefficient cr , achievement of high conformity ( cr = i ) requires that the shape and area or size of the foreground of a pattern image , i . e . a reference image for pattern matching are substantially equal to those of the foreground of a corresponding input image , i . e . an image to be recognized or detected . in this connection , refer to the relation between images as shown in fig8 a and 9a . with regard to the density distribution , only similarity is needed between the foreground and the background of a pattern image and those of a corresponding input image . in this connection , refer to the relation between graphical forms as shown in fig8 b and 9 b . if density noise occurs due to diffused reflection on a solder leveler , for example two images patterns with different nonuniform densities of a pattern image and a corresponding input image may cause lowered similarity of the density distribution therebetween , resulting in unsuccessful pattern matching . then , in order to smooth noise of the foreground and background of the pattern image , average densities of the foreground and background of the pattern image are set in connection with the density distribution , respectively . a density distribution function using the average densities takes a higher constant value in the domain of the foreground , and a lower constant value in the domain of the background , providing a function of plateau - like or rectangular section form as shown in 8 b . this function is suitable for models of fiducial marks and lands having regular shape , constant surface properties , and uniform density in nature . alternatively , the density distribution function may take a lower constant value in the domain of the foreground , and a higher constant value in the domain of the background to provide inverted density distribution form . with the use of the plateau - like function , product sum calculation of pixel values of a pattern image and a corresponding input image upon calculation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr can be reduced to summation of pixel values of the input image , achieving also smoothed and averaged noise of the input image . that is , implementation of pattern matching with noise smoothed contributes to a great improvement in the detection ability of pattern matching with high noise resistance . referring to fig1 , in illustrative embodiments of the present invention , a system comprises a lighting unit 1 for lighting an object to be recognized or detected , an image capture device 2 , such as camera , for taking images such as pattern image and object to be recognized such as fiducial mark , a first storage unit or image memory 3 for taking in the images , a second storage unit or hard disk 31 for storing the images held in the first storage unit 3 , a central processing unit ( cpu ) 4 for carrying out pattern matching processing with the images in accordance with a computer program , and a display 5 for displaying the images . referring to fig2 – 4 , there are shown registration processing for a pattern image of an object of regular pattern , registration processing for a pattern image of an object of arbitrary shape pattern , and pattern matching processing between a pattern image and a corresponding input image , respectively . referring to fig2 , when an object to be recognized is of the regular pattern , an original image of the object is displayed ( s 1 ). a corresponding regular pattern is selected from a previously stored list of regular patterns comprising square , rectangle , circle , oval , rhombus , polygon , etc . and the size of which is designated ( s 2 ). designation of the size is carried out by designating a representative point of the regular pattern or by setting a size parameter . for example , when the regular pattern is a circle , the center and a circumferential point may be designated , while when the regular pattern is of the complex shape , a polygon may be used . then , an image of the selected regular pattern is overlaid on the original image of the object to confirm shape conformity therebetween ( s 3 ), and the foreground and background of the pattern image are separated from each other ( s 4 ). for the density of the foreground and background , there is a need to set an average density of each ( s 5 , s 6 ). the average density of the foreground is obtained , as a default , by averaging the density of the inside of the pattern image overlaid on the original image . the average density of the background is obtained by averaging the density of the outside of the pattern image . optionally , the density of the foreground and background of the pattern image may be changed . subsequently , an autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image is calculated to use in calculation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr ( s 7 ). referring to fig3 , when an object to be recognized is of the arbitrary shape pattern , i . e . of the shape which is not given on the previously stored list , registration processing is fundamentally the same as that shown in fig2 except processing carried out at steps s 12 and s 13 . specifically , at the step s 12 , a histogram of an original image of the object is displayed . the histogram provides a distribution of brightness ( 1 – 256 ) of pixels of the original image . on the original image , the foreground has a peak in a lighter area of the distribution of brightness , whereas the background has a peak in a darker area of the distribution of brightness . and at the step s 13 , the outline of the original image is obtained by separating the foreground from the background according to a binarization method resulting from setting of a threshold of the brightness of the original image , or by extracting the outline in accordance with first - order and second - order differentiations . referring to fig4 , after calculating the autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image ( s 7 ; s 18 ), a search frame is set for the input image ( s 22 ), and the input image enclosed in the search frame is scanned by the pattern image to detect the foreground ( s 23 ). in the process of scanning , calculation is made to obtain an autocorrelation coefficient of the input image corresponding to the pattern image ( s 24 ). and calculation is made to obtain a sum of density values of the input image corresponding to the foreground area of the pattern image ( s 25 ), and to obtain a sum of density values of the input image corresponding to the background area of the pattern image ( s 26 ). then , calculation is made to obtain a cross - correlation coefficient between the pattern image and the input image ( s 27 ). the normalized correlation coefficient cr is calculated by dividing the cross - correlation coefficient by the product of the autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image and that of the input image . generally , the cross - correlation coefficient is obtained by product sum calculation of pixel values of the pattern image and the input image . in this case , because of being given by the rectangular - section function , the density distribution of the pattern image has constant values in the domains of the foreground and the background , only need is summation of pixel values of the input image . a reduction of product sum calculation of pixel values of the pattern image and the input image to summation of pixel values of the input image contributes to not only smoothed noise as described above , but largely shortened calculation time . particularly , a reduction in time for calculation of the cross - correlation coefficient which is repeatedly carried out in the process of scanning results in a large reduction in processing time for pattern matching . when scanning is finished ( s 29 ), selection is made to obtain a maximum value of the normalized correlation coefficient cr and a position of the pattern image ( s 30 ). it is noted that the position of the pattern image corresponds to a pattern detected position . generally , calculation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr is depicted in “ digital picture processing ” by azriel rosenfeld & amp ; avinash c . kak , pages 306 – 312 , published by kindai kagaku sha in 1992 , the teachings of which are incorporated hereby by reference . the following is an example of a movement normalized correlation with no average values subtracted . the normalized correlation coefficient cr is expressed by an equation ( 1 ): cr =∫ sp f · tds /(∫ sp f 2 ds ·∫ sp t 2 ds ) 1 / 2 ( 1 ) where s is a domain of definition of the integral , f is a density distribution function of an input image , and t is a density distribution function of the pattern image , and where ∫ sp f · tds is a cross - correlation coefficient between the input image and the pattern image , ∫ sp f 2 ds is an autocorrelation coefficient of the input image , and ∫ sp t 2 ds is an autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image and is constant . as for a domain of definition sp in the pattern image given in the equation ( 1 ), refer to fig8 b . using equations ( 2 )–( 4 ), the normalized correlation coefficient cr can be expressed by an equation ( 5 ): ∥ fz − t ∥ 2 =∫ s ( fz − t ) 2 ds =(∫ s f 2 ds ) z 2 − 2 (∫ s f − tds ) z +∫ s t 2 ds ≧ 0 ( 2 ) discrimination function d =( f · tds ) 2 −∫ f 2 ds ·∫ t 2 ds ≦ 1 ( 3 ) where equality is obtained when t = fz ( t f , i . e . t is similar to f ). as seen from the equation ( 5 ) when equality is obtained , if the density distribution function t of a pattern image is similar to that f of an input image , i . e . t f , the normalized correlation coefficient cr is equal to 1 ( maximum ). it is thus desirable that the density distribution function t of a pattern image is similar to average values of density distribution of the foreground and background of an input image . therefore , referring to fig8 b , the density distribution function t of a pattern image is set to average values tf , tb of density distribution of the foreground and background of an original image of the pattern image . thus , the cross - correlation coefficient between the input image and the pattern image in the equation ( 1 ) can be transformed into an equation ( 6 ): ∫ sp f − tds =∫ sf f − tds +∫ sb f − tds ={ overscore ( t )} f ∫ sf fds +{ overscore ( t )} b ∫ sb fds ( 6 ) as seen from the equation ( 6 ), the cross - correlation coefficient discretized to product sum calculation becomes the integral of the density distribution function f of the input image discretized to summation , achieving smoothed noise , allowing pattern matching without being affected by noise . as seen from the equation ( 7 ), product sum calculation of the density distribution functions f , t of the input image and the pattern image can be reduced to summation thereof , resulting in high - speed calculation . likewise , product sum calculation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr with average values subtracted can be reduced to summation , obtaining the same effect . as described above , an essential factor for increasing the detection ability of pattern matching comprises registration of pattern images . the shape of a pattern image as well as the density distribution of the foreground and background thereof is the key for increasing conformity of pattern matching between a pattern image and a corresponding input image . according to the equation of definition of the normalized correlation coefficient cr , achievement of high conformity ( cr = i ) requires that the shape of the foreground of a pattern image is substantially equal to that of the foreground of a corresponding input image , and that the density distribution of the pattern image is similar to that of the input image . the background of printed circuit boards may have various disturbances such as wiring layout pattern , silk - white circuit sign , partial dirt , resist , flux , etc ., so that during pattern matching of regular lands , solders , mounted parts and lot numbers , non - matching occurs in the background of a pattern image and a corresponding input image . thus , conformity is lowered as a whole to reduce a normalized correlation coefficient value , resulting in unsuccessful pattern matching . in order to reduce a bad influence of disturbances , with the foreground and background of a pattern image being separated to remove the background , pattern matching is carried out , preferably , with regard to the foreground only . for this purpose , the density distributions of the foreground and background of the pattern image are separated at a stage of registration thereof . in other illustrative embodiments of the present invention , recognition is carried out using the system as shown in fig1 . referring to fig5 – 7 , there are shown registration processing for a pattern image of an object of regular pattern such as regular land , solder , mounted part or the like , registration processing for a pattern image of an object of arbitrary shape pattern or characters , and pattern - matching processing between a pattern image and a corresponding input image , respectively . referring to fig5 – 6 , registration processing is substantially the same as that as shown in fig2 – 3 . first , an original image of an object to be recognized is displayed ( s 41 ; s 51 ). when the object is of the regular pattern , a corresponding regular pattern is selected from a previously stored list of regular patterns comprising square , rectangle , circle , oval , rhombus , polygon , etc . by designating the size of the regular pattern and the density of the inside and outside thereof ( s 42 ), the foreground and background of a pattern image are separated from each other ( s 44 ). when the object is of the arbitrary shape pattern , by means of outline separation ( s 53 ), the foreground and background of a pattern image are separated from each other ( s 55 ). in order to obtain smoothed noise and high - speed calculation of a correlation coefficient , an average density of an original image is designated with regard to the foreground and background thereof ( s 46 , s 46 ; s 56 , s 57 ). alternatively , due to background information excluded , the density may be designated such that the foreground is 1 , and the background is 0 . optionally , it is possible to use the density distribution of an original image or the density distribution defined by a user . subsequently , an autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image is calculated to use in calculation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr ( s 47 ; s 58 ). since pattern matching is carried out with regard to only the foreground of the pattern image with the background excluded , an autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image is calculated with regard to the foreground only , i . e . the foreground area of the pattern image ( s 47 ; s 58 ). this forms a mask for the background of the pattern image . unlike a fixed mask for a particular portion of an input image , this mask is a kind of automatic mask which allows pattern matching with regard to only the foreground with the background masked during scanning of an input image enclosed in a search frame by a pattern image . referring to fig7 , after calculating the autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image ( s 47 ; s 58 ), a search frame is set for the input image ( s 62 ), and the input image enclosed in the search frame is scanned by the pattern image to detect the foreground ( s 63 ). in the process of scanning , calculation is made to obtain an autocorrelation coefficient of the input image corresponding to the foreground area of the pattern image ( s 64 ). and calculation is made to obtain a sum of density values of the input image corresponding to the foreground area of the pattern image ( s 65 ). then , calculation is made to obtain a cross - correlation coefficient between the foreground area of the pattern image and the input image ( s 66 ). the normalized correlation coefficient cr is calculated by dividing the cross - correlation coefficient by the product of the autocorrelation coefficient of the pattern image and that of the input image . due to the background removed from the pattern image , pattern matching is ensured with bad influence of disturbances on the background minimized , resulting in shortened calculation time . when scanning is finished ( s 68 ), selection is made to obtain a maximum value of the normalized correlation coefficient cr and a position of the pattern image ( s 69 ). it is noted that the position of the pattern image corresponds to a pattern detected position . referring to fig1 – 11 , in the embodiments , as being carried out with regard to a pattern image with the background excluded or masked as shown in fig1 , pattern matching is less influenced by shading placed on the background of the input image as shown in fig1 . the normalized correlation coefficient cr is expressed by the above equation ( 1 ). since the density distributions of the foreground and background of the pattern image have constant average values , respectively , the cross - correlation coefficient is expressed by an equation ( 8 ): ∫ sp f − tds ={ overscore ( t )} f ∫ sf fds +{ overscore ( t )} b ∫ sb fds ( 8 ) due to the background removed from a pattern image , a term of the background is ignored in the equation ( 8 ). the autocorrelation coefficients are expressed by equations ( 9 ) and ( 10 ), respectively : ∫ sp f 2 ds =∫ sf f 2 ds +∫ sb f 2 ds ( 9 ) ∫ sp t 2 ds ={ overscore ( t )} f 2 sf +{ overscore ( t )} b 2 sb = const ( 10 ) thus , the normalized correlation coefficient cr can be expressed by an equation ( 11 ) including only a term of the foreground with a term of the background excluded , allowing restrained bad influence of disturbances on the background and fast pattern - matching processing . cr ={ overscore ( t )} f ∫ sf fds /(∫ sf f 2 ds −{ overscore ( t )} f 2 sf ) 1 / 2 =∫ sf f 2 ds − sf ) 1 / 2 → max ( 11 ) likewise , the equation of the normalized correlation coefficient cr with average values subtracted can be reduced to the equation including only a term of the foreground with a term of the background excluded , obtaining the same effect . the inventive method allows real time pattern matching by means of processing in the cpu in a software way without using an exclusive fast image processing board , contributing to simplified apparatus structure and reduced manufacturing cost . of course , the inventive method can be recorded as a computer program on readable recording media such as floppy disk and cd - rom for various applications . having described the present invention in connection with the preferred embodiments , it is noted that the present invention is not limited thereto , and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention . the entire contents of japanese patent application p9 - 354322 are incorporated hereby by reference .	6
in the following description , for the purposes of explanation , numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of exemplary embodiments . it should be apparent , however , that exemplary embodiments may be practiced without these specific details or with an equivalent arrangement . in other instances , well - known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring exemplary embodiments . in addition , unless otherwise indicated , all numbers expressing quantities , ratios , and numerical properties of ingredients , reaction conditions , and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “ about .” the present disclosure addresses and solves the current problem of srafs being printed and etched , thereby contributing to random defect generation for some levels , attendant upon aggressively employing assist features with photolithography . such defects , when stacked in integrated levels , can form an actual electric path to signals that can alter ( and even destroy ) the circuit behavior . methodology in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure includes performing mask to resist simulations for a mask having both a plurality of features to be formed on a substrate and a plurality of srafs . srafs of the plurality that will print through to a resist are detected . dimensions of the detected srafs are checked to determine whether one or more of the srafs will etch through to the substrate . the one or more of the srafs are modified . the mask is formed after the one or more of the srafs have been modified . still other aspects , features , and technical effects will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description , wherein preferred embodiments are shown and described , simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated . the disclosure is capable of other and different embodiments , and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects . accordingly , the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature , and not as restrictive . fig2 illustrates a process flow for forming a photolithographic mask using a ssp methodology including a dimension checking etch - aware spa engine , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure . adverting to step 201 , mask to resist simulations for a mask having both a plurality of features to be formed on a substrate and a plurality of srafs are performed . more specifically , the simulations performed in sequential order include an optical simulation to evaluate all diffraction and imagining effects from the mask into a resist or resist stack ; a resist chemistry simulation to evaluate how the imaging inside of the resist occurs ; and an etch process simulation to evaluate the final printing on the substrate . in step 203 , srafs from the mask that will print through to the resist are detected . in particular , the detection process includes creating a calibrated printing sraf model , e . g ., a calibrated constant threshold resist ( ctr ) model that is capable of predicting the srafs that will print through to the resist , prior to running the simulations . specifically , the calibrated printing sraf model is created by collecting different sem images of other srafs that will print through to a resist and other srafs that will not print through to the resist . adverting to step 205 , the dimensions of the detected srafs , i . e ., the srafs that will print through to the resist , are checked to determine whether one or more of the srafs will etch through to the substrate . in particular , this step occurs during an opc step . in step 207 , if the srafs are smaller than one or more dimension controls , and , therefore , will not etch through to the substrate , then the srafs are maintained in step 209 . the one or more dimension controls may include , for example , a circle or an ellipse having dimensions less than what will etch through to the substrate and / or a line having a maximum line width less than what will etch through to the substrate . however , if the detected srafs are not smaller than the one or more dimension controls in step 207 , then those srafs are modified in step 211 either by reducing their size to be less than a dimension that will etch through to the substrate or by removing them from the mask . more specifically , the dimensions of the srafs are decreased until a maximum size is reached that will print through to the resist , but will not etch through to the substrate . once the srafs have been modified in step 211 , the mask may be formed in step 213 . fig3 illustrates a process flow for forming a photolithographic mask using a ssp methodology including a sraf etch simulation etch - aware spa engine , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure . adverting to step 301 , lithographic processes are simulated on a mask having both a plurality of features to - be - formed on a substrate and a plurality of srafs . as with fig2 , the lithographic processes include an optical simulation , a resist chemistry simulation , and a second etch process , and the simulations are performed sequentially on the mask . in step 303 , the srafs that will print through to a resist are detected . similar to step 203 of fig2 , the detection process of fig3 includes creating a calibrated printing sraf model , e . g ., a ctr model that is capable of predicting the srafs that will print through to the resist , prior to running the simulations . thereafter , in step 305 , a first etch process is simulated on the srafs that will print through to the resist to determine whether one or more the srafs will etch through to the substrate . adverting to step 307 , the first etch process is simulated by placing an etch simulation point only on a resist contour of each of the srafs . consequently , a third etch process is simulated for the plurality of to - be - formed features to determine only density calculations of the features , which will make the first etch process considerably faster . similar to the dimensions checking process of step 205 of fig2 , the first etch process of step 307 is simulated during an opc step . more specifically , applying an etch simulation point only on each of the srafs is compatible with currently available commercial etch simulations and may be efficient due to the size of the srafs , because etch simulations are usually contour based , and lithographic printing srafs are supposed to have a minimum contour size . alternatively , the first etch process can be simulated by placing an etch simulation point on a respective resist contour of each of the plurality of features and each of the plurality of srafs ( not shown for illustrative convenience ). however , applying an etch simulation point everywhere is computationally expensive . in step 309 , if the first etch process simulation determines that the srafs are smaller than a dimension that will etch through to the substrate , then , in step 311 , the srafs are maintained on the mask . however , if the first etch process simulation determines that the srafs are larger than a dimension that will etch through to the substrate , then , in step 313 , the srafs are modified either by reducing their size to be less than a dimension that will etch through to the substrate or by removing the srafs from the mask . again , similar to the process described in fig2 , the dimensions of the plurality of srafs are iteratively decreased until a maximum size is reached that will print through to the resist , but that will not etch through to the substrate . once the srafs have been modified in step 313 , the mask may be formed in step 315 . the embodiments of the present disclosure can achieve several technical effects , including a noticeable improvement of the process window ( pw ). more specifically , both the process variation ( pv ) band width and the depth of focus ( dof ) are improved . by way of example , in an example use case where the pv band is generally 6 . 5 nm , and the dof is generally 106 mm , the methodologies discussed in fig2 and 3 can reduce the pv band to 5 . 69 nm , representing approximately a 12 . 5 % improvement , and can increase the dof to 138 mm , representing approximately a 30 % improvement . embodiments of the present disclosure enjoy utility in various industrial applications as , for example , microprocessors , smart phones , mobile phones , cellular handsets , set - top boxes , dvd recorders and players , automotive navigation , printers and peripherals , networking and telecom equipment , gaming systems , and digital cameras . the present disclosure enjoys industrial applicability for duv technologies for 32 nm technologies and beyond , and will also be applicable to euv technologies as they begin to employ srafs in processing . in the preceding description , the present disclosure is described with reference to specifically exemplary embodiments thereof . it will , however , be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the present disclosure , as set forth in the claims . the specification and drawings are , accordingly , to be regarded as illustrative and not as restrictive . it is understood that the present disclosure is capable of using various other combinations and embodiments and is capable of any changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein .	8
the thin panel liquid crystal display system of the present invention decreases the thickness and the weight of a liquid crystal display by utilizing thin panel active glass substrates which are incorporated into a monitor of a portable computer that is light weight , small in size , and energy efficient while providing suitably sized images that are easy on the eyes of the user . in fig1 a thin panel liquid crystal display system incorporated into a notebook computer is generally designated 10 . notebook computer 12 has a keyboard 14 and a pointing device 16 . even though fig1 depicts keyboard 14 and pointing device 16 as input devices , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of input devices are equally well - suited for the present invention including , but not limited to , a mouse , a trackball , or a microphone for voice - activated software such as voice assist by creative labs or listen by vertex . monitor housing 18 of notebook computer 12 contains the thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 of the present invention . monitor housing 18 of notebook computer 12 further contains backlight system 22 which includes reflector 24 , light pipe 26 , diffuser 28 , and a ccfl tube ( not pictured ). even though fig1 depicts backlight system 22 as the liquid crystal display illumination system , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of liquid crystal display illumination systems are equally well - suited for the present invention so long as the system provides sufficient illumination so that images created by thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 are easily viewable by the user on screen 30 . referring to fig2 a mother glass 32 including a plurality of active glass substrates 34 is depicted . mother glass 32 , which includes the plurality of active glass substrates 34 , is adhered to handle substrate 38 such that handle substrate 38 provides strength and rigidity to mother glass 32 . optimally , mother glass 32 will have a thickness between about 0 . 7 millimeters and 0 . 1 millimeters . by way of example , if mother glass 32 is less than 0 . 5 millimeters in thickness , mother glass 32 may be adhered to a glass panel handle substrate 38 which has a thickness of at least 0 . 7 millimeters during the manufacturing processes . even though handle substrate 38 has been described as a glass panel , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of materials are equally well - suited for the present invention including , but not limited to , plastic or other suitably rigid materials . the plurality of active glass substrates 34 of mother glass 32 includes active glass substrates 40 , 42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , and 56 . each of the active glass substrates of the plurality of active glass substrates 34 of mother glass 32 is individually printed during the manufacturing process to add grid lines and other materials required for liquid crystal display processing . in one embodiment of the present invention , after all the liquid crystal display processing on each mother glass 32 is completed , mother glass 32 is cut along lines 58 , 60 , 62 and 64 so that each active glass substrate along with the corresponding portion of handle substrate 38 can be separated for further processing . in another embodiment of the present invention , after all the liquid crystal display processing on each mother glass 32 is completed , mother glass 32 is cut along lines 58 , 60 , 62 and 64 so that each active glass substrate is separated from one another and from handle substrate 38 . in this embodiment , handle substrate 38 remains unaltered such that after remnants of mother glass 32 are removed from handle substrate 38 , handle substrate 38 may be reused . referring to fig3 a cross - sectional diagram of mother glass 32 and handle substrate 38 taken along line 3 -- 3 of fig2 is depicted . mother glass 32 includes active glass substrates 52 , 54 and 56 and is adhered to handle substrate 38 . handle substrate 38 and mother glass 32 are adhered together by glue 66 . even though fig3 has glue 66 as an adhesive , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of adhesives are equally well - suited for the present invention including , but not limited to , silicon based adhesives or polymer based adhesives . glue 66 is placed along the periphery between handle substrate 38 and mother glass 32 as well as along lines 58 , 60 , 62 , and 64 as seen in fig2 to create a high - strength , rigid composite structure in which mother glass 32 derives strength from the thicker handle substrate 38 . after cutting mother glass 32 along lines 54 , 56 , 58 and 60 , glue 66 is present around the periphery of each active glass substrate 52 , 54 , 56 and handle substrate 38 combination . fig4 depicts an exploded view of a thin panel liquid crystal display system generally designated 68 . two handle substrates 38 are adhered to top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 which are active glass substrates as described in reference to fig2 . top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 have thin film transistor layer 74 therebetween . even though fig4 depicts thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 as having thin film transistor layer 74 for use in an active matrix display , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of display systems are equally well - suited for the present invention , including but not limited to a passive matrix liquid crystal display system . in one embodiment of the present invention , a plurality of glass beads ( not pictured ) is disbursed on either top panel 70 or bottom panel 72 before top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are attached to one another . the glass beads provide a separation between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 such that liquid crystal display material ( not pictured ) may be injected between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 . once liquid crystal display material is injected between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 , top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are sealed together and electrically connected to the thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 drivers . in fig5 a cross - sectional view of the thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 taken along line 5 -- 5 of fig4 after top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 have been sealed together is depicted . handle substrate 38 is adhered to top panel 70 by glue 66 . handle substrate 38 is adhered to bottom panel 72 by glue 66 . between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are glass beads 73 , thin film transistor layer 74 and liquid crystal display material ( not pictured ). even though fig5 depicts thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 as having thin film transistor layer 74 for use in an active matrix display , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of display systems are equally well - suited for the present invention , including but not limited to a passive matrix liquid crystal display system . in one embodiment of the present invention , handle substrate 38 which is adhered to bottom panel 72 is a thin panel , two dimensional array of ccfls as described in the copending united states patent application filed on nov . 20 , 1995 entitled &# 34 ; integrated liquid crystal display and backlight system &# 34 ; by anthony b . wood and jeffrey e . faris which is incorporated by reference hereinto . in this embodiment , handle substrate 38 remains adhered to bottom panel 72 after top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are sealed together . handle substrate 38 is removed from top panel 70 . in another embodiment of the present invention , handle substrate 38 which is adhered to bottom panel 72 is a light guide which spreads light evenly from a ccfl ( not pictured ) to thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 . in this embodiment , handle substrate 38 remains adhered to bottom panel 72 after top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are sealed together . handle substrate 38 is removed from top panel 70 . in another embodiment , after top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are sealed together , each corresponding handle substrate 38 is removed from top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 . in fig6 a cross - sectional view of the thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 of the present invention is depicted . top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are sealed together . between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are glass beads 73 , thin film transistor layer 74 and liquid crystal display material ( not pictured ). even though fig6 depicts thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 as having thin film transistor layer 74 for use in an active matrix display , it should be understood by one skilled in the art that a variety of display systems are equally well - suited for the present invention , including but not limited to a passive matrix liquid crystal display system . together , top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 result in a thin panel liquid crystal display system 20 having a thickness between about 1 . 4 millimeters and 0 . 2 millimeters . in one embodiment of the present invention , each corresponding handle substrate 38 is separated from top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 prior to placing top panel 70 in parallel with bottom panel 72 . in this embodiment , once handle substrate 38 is removed from top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 , top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are oriented such that the respective printed grid lines are adjacent and liquid crystal display material is injected between top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 . top panel 70 and bottom panel 72 are then sealed together . while this invention has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments , this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense . various modifications and combinations of the illustrative embodiments , as well as other embodiments of the invention , will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description . it is , therefore , intended that the appended claims encompass any such modifications or embodiments .	6
hand - operable piston plunger 20 , illustrated in various stages of operation in fig1 - 3 , represents a first embodiment of the plunger of the present invention . hand - operable piston plunger 20 is configured for freeing a clog 22 within the piping / drain 24 associated with a particular plumbing unit 26 ( e . g ., a toilet or sink ) using clog / back - up fluid 28 already collected within plumbing unit 26 . hand - operable piston plunger 20 includes a vessel member 30 , a plunger piston 32 , a piston actuator 34 , a vessel handle 38 , and an actuator handle 40 . vessel member 30 has a vessel interior 42 , and through operation of the combination of the plunger piston and piston actuator , it is configured for selectively receiving clog / back - up fluid therewithin . the vessel interior 42 must be large enough to hold a suitable amount of fluid ( as best seen in fig2 ) for the plunging of difficult clogs 22 . the vessel member 30 is advantageously made of a plastic material as such materials generally are relatively inexpensive , chemically and mechanically durable , and generally easy to clean . alternatively , vessel member 30 could be made of a durable , corrosion / rust resistant metal or other material . it is very useful for a vessel member 30 to be made of rust and corrosion resistant material so as to thereby retain , long - term , a smooth surface on the vessel interior 42 to allow for easy piston movement therewithin . vessel member 30 further includes a first vessel end 44 and a second vessel end 46 . associated with first vessel end 44 is a first end stop 48 , while second vessel end 46 has a second end stop 50 associated therewith . first end stop 48 and second end stop 50 together provide the travel limits for piston 32 within vessel interior 42 . first end stop 48 must be supplied with at least one first stop opening 52 to allow fluid communication between drain adaptor 36 and vessel member 30 . in this first embodiment , the first end stop 48 is integrally attached to drain adaptor 36 and as such may further be one of integrally or separably attached to first vessel end 44 . it is to be understood that first end stop 48 could take the form of a ledge , a pin , a set of pins , or some sort of spider web arrangement connected to first vessel end 44 to provide for the necessary stop feature for end stop 48 . as such , first end stop 48 need not necessarily be a part of drain adaptor 36 . second end stop 50 , as shown , is in the form of an end cap which is mechanically releasably attached to second vessel end 46 . it is to be understood that other possible configurations for second end stop 50 may be chosen , although not shown as part of this particular embodiment . specifically , vessel member 30 can be an essentially open container without a lid as long as the function of the second end stop 50 is provided for ( i . e ., plunger piston 32 is not able to escape from second vessel end 46 during upward operation of piston plunger 32 .). at minimum this limit stop requirement for second end stop 50 could be provided for simply by the presence of an inwardly extending ledge or pin ( s ) ( not shown ) at second vessel end 46 . however , it is advantageous that second end stop 50 also be able to provide lateral support for piston actuator ( plunger shaft ) 34 during operation thereof . one means of providing for this feature is for second end stop 50 to have a “ spider ” arrangement which leaves an appropriate size opening for receiving the plunger shaft / piston actuator therewithin . it is to be understood that the cap version for second end stop 50 , as shown in fig1 - 3 , satisfies this desired support / stability function for second end stop 50 . the plunger piston 32 of the first embodiment , as shown in fig1 - 3 , is slidably mounted against vessel interior 42 . it is important in such an embodiment for plunger piston 32 to retain a seal against vessel interior 42 as well as maintaining a seal therewith during operation . this is such that unwanted leaking of the clog fluid 28 to regions above plunger piston 32 can be avoided , and so that the pressure associated with the operation of piston 32 can be most effectively maintained . it is useful that plunger piston 32 be made of a plastic or polytetrafluoroethalene ( ptfe , sold under the trade name teflon ™) or potentially of a corrosion resistant metal . the material chosen must be able to allow for easy motion of the piston 32 yet maintain an appropriate seal with vessel interior 42 . additionally , such a material must be rust and corrosion resistant since active drying of the vessel interior after use thereof is not always feasible . as such , the vessel interior 42 and plunger piston 32 can be expected to be subjected to exposure to moisture for generally long periods of time after use of the plunger 20 . additionally , the plunger piston 32 should be chemically resistant to most household cleaners , drain opening solutions , and / or disinfectants to which plunger 20 may be exposed , either during use or cleaning thereof . to provide for a better seal between plunger piston 32 and vessel interior 42 , an additional seal member such as an o - ring seal 54 ( fig4 ) may be supplied . such a seal would better ensure the integrity of the seal between piston 32 and vessel member 30 . this is especially true if a metal piston 32 is being employed , since the coefficient of friction associated with a metal piston can be expected to decrease with the formation of any sort of corrosion or any mechanical wear on the surface thereof . plunger piston 32 , along with vessel interior 42 and first vessel end 44 , define a variable fluid volume v within vessel member 30 . this volume v will of course be dependent upon the positioning of piston 32 . the expansion of volume v via movement of plunger piston 32 toward the second vessel end 46 , will draw fluid into the vessel interior 42 via drain adaptor 36 . conversely , the movement of plunger piston 32 toward first vessel end 44 will serve to contract volume v and expel fluid from piston plunger 20 . the faster plunger piston 32 is moved , the more force with which fluid ( e . g ., air , liquid , suspension , etc .) is able to be drawn or expelled . by having plunger piston 32 positioned adjacent first vessel end 44 prior to insertion of piston plunger 20 into plumbing unit 26 and into clog fluid 28 , clog fluid 28 can then be drawn into the vessel interior 42 upon insertion of drain adaptor 36 into clog fluid 28 . the volume v of clog fluid 28 within vessel interior 42 can be then increased to its maximum by movement of plunger piston 32 towards second vessel end 46 , thereby providing the fluid for use by the piston plunger 20 to free the clog and creating volume space for the insertion of piston plunger 20 into position proximate the piping / drain 24 . once drain adaptor 36 is appropriately positioned relative to drain 24 , piston actuator 34 is pressed forcefully downward . this downward motion causes plunger piston 32 to rapidly expel the clog fluid 28 out of the vessel interior 42 and through drain adaptor 36 and into drain 24 . this expelled fluid 28 acts upon the clog 22 and , when successful , provides enough force to cause the clog to free from the piping / drain 24 and thereby allow the entirety of clog fluid 28 to proceed down through drain 24 . drain adaptor 36 is releasably attached or molded to first vessel end 44 . drain adaptor 36 is configured such that it creates a fluid connection of the vessel interior 42 with the exterior of the piston plunger 20 and allows for a fluid connection to be made with the drain fluid in the plumbing unit 26 and / or drain 24 . drain adaptor 36 is advantageously removably attached for periodic , more vigorous cleaning and to permit replacement thereof is necessary due to air . there are certain advantages gained by having drain adaptor 36 having a conical or frusto - conical shape . first of all , such a conical shape allows drain adaptor 36 to fit into various diameter drains 24 . thus , it eliminates the need to change adaptors 36 to accommodate different drain sizes . additionally , the conical shape helps create a venturi nozzle effect during expulsion of clog fluid 28 through the drain adaptor 36 , thereby increasing the effective ejection speed which may be achieved . drain adaptor 36 is preferably made of rubber or another elastomeric material . by being made of such a material , it aids in the insertion of drain adaptor 36 into a given drain opening . the highly elastic nature of such a material helps to accommodate the forces applied to the adaptor 36 due to the suction and ejection processes . finally , elastomeric materials are generally reasonably inert and thereby can withstand exposure to a variety of household chemicals , including drain opener chemicals , which may have been added to the clog fluid 28 . piston actuator 34 connects to plunger piston 32 within vessel interior 42 and extends through second vessel end 46 so as to provide a portion thereof available for actuation by hand . such a piston actuator 34 is an elongate member that can be made of any of a variety of materials including wood , metal , or plastic . the variety of materials available for use of the piston actuator are more varied than those available for the other portions as the exposure of the piston actuator to clog fluid 28 , including any drain cleaner added thereto , is limited since it is placed on the dry side of piston 32 . it is important that the material chosen for piston actuator 34 be mechanically durable and strong to obtain an appropriate transfer of mechanical power to piston 32 for effective plunging . piston actuator 34 has some significant functional differences when compared to the prior art handle associated with a standard plunger . the standard prior art plunger is affixed on top of a suction member and is arranged so that the first plunging step , once the suction device is entered into the water , is to move the drain - adapting suction device downwardly toward and into contact with drain 24 . this first step is different from that for the piston actuator of the 34 of the present invention . specifically , actuator 34 is intended first to be moved upwardly away from first vessel end 44 in order to draw water into the vessel interior 42 . it is not until an appropriate amount of fluid 28 has been drawn into vessel interior 42 that the piston actuator 34 is then forced downwardly toward first vessel end 44 to cause fluid expulsion via the use of plunger piston 32 . additionally in the present invention , the function of piston actuator 34 is solely to move piston 32 relative to vessel interior 42 . it is not the function of piston actuator 34 to move drain adaptor 36 into its appropriate location . instead , drain adaptor 36 is moved using vessel handle 38 . fig4 and 5 help to illustrate two different embodiments for the vessel handle , the first embodiment vessel handle 38 , as shown with the embodiment shown in fig1 - 3 , and the second embodiment vessel handle 56 , as illustrated in fig5 . vessel handle 56 , shown in fig5 , is configured to allow more vertical pressure to be applied to the seal contact area between drain 24 and drain adaptor 36 . the longer version for the first embodied handle , vessel handle 38 , may prove useful in allowing any of a range gripping positions relative to the length of vessel member 30 to be grabbed by a user , potentially allowing for greater control of the placement of drain adaptor 38 relative to a particular drain 24 . this extra length can especially prove useful when using the piston plunger 20 relative to a sink where the clog fluid 28 may not raise such a concern with respect to potential contact therewith . in any event , it is this handle 38 , 56 which is used to appropriately locate drain adaptor 36 relative to a drain 24 and to create a sufficient seal between adaptor 36 and that drain 24 to promote an effective plunging operation . a second embodiment of the piston plunger is illustrated in fig6 - 8 in the form of piston plunger 60 . only those portions thereof which differ from the parts presented with respect to piston plunger 20 are labeled differently than the corresponding parts associated with piston plunger 20 . further , it is only those differing parts which are described in detail with respect to piston plunger 60 . additionally , the general method of operation of plunger 60 , as indicated in fig6 - 8 , is essentially the same as that presented for the first embodiment in fig1 - 3 . the two primary structural differences related with respect to piston plunger 60 are drain adaptor 62 and actuator handle 64 . drain adaptor 62 is bell shaped in nature and generally provides a wider opening for a positioning proximate drain 24 . as such , it is possible for a larger amount of fluid to be taken in or expelled via adaptor 62 at any given time . additionally , the bell shaped nature of the adaptor 62 provides for a more significant amount of sealing area adjacent drain 24 and plumbing unit 26 than is possible using conical drain adaptor 36 of the first embodiment . the size and shape of actuator handle 64 offers certain advantages over the simpler actuator handle 40 of the first embodiment . for one , it provides a larger and potentially more ergonomic gripping zone , while still providing a similar grip end that is similar to that associated with actuator handle 40 , in the instance that a user may be more comfortable with that style of a grip . additionally , the handle bar style grip with the wide ends helps to ensure that the handle will be held outside of second vessel end 46 and stopped from entry into vessel interior 42 due to the interaction of handle 64 with second end stop 50 . fig9 and 10 generally illustrate the two stages of use for the third embodiment of the present invention , generally labeled as piston plunger 70 . piston plunger 70 includes a vessel member 72 with a vessel handle 74 affixed thereto and an accordion / bellow structure 76 . accordion / bellow structure 76 has first and second structure ends 80 and 82 and an intermediate folding interconnect portion 84 therebetween . first and second structure ends 80 , 82 and folding interconnect 84 thereby define a variable interior volume v ′ 78 within the accordion / bellow structure 76 . first structure end 80 has a first end opening 85 associated therewith to allow fluid connection between accordion / bellow structure 76 and an appropriate drain adaptor ( not shown ). accordion / bellow structure 76 is an integral structure such that all of the parts associated therewith are integral with one another . accordion / bellow structure 76 is ideally formed of an elastomeric material or at least a highly elastic polymeric material to thereby accommodate the compression and extension of the folding interconnect 84 . the second structural end of accordion / bellows structure 76 includes portions which serve the same functional purposes as plunger piston 32 , piston actuator 34 , and actuator handle 40 . specifically , second structure end 82 effectively includes a piston surface 86 , a bellows actuator 88 , and a bellows handle 90 . the inner surface of second structural end 82 can be considered to be a piston surface 86 as it is this surface which is able to act in a similar manner as the fluid side of plunger piston 32 of the other embodiments , in both the suctioning and the expulsion of a fluid relative to interior volume v ′. the accordion / bellow structure 76 of piston plunger 70 , as indicated in fig9 and 10 , is configured such that the expansion of folding interconnect 84 from its compressed version shown in fig9 to its fully expanded version shown in fig1 allows for a change in volume of approximately 0 . 56 gallons . this volume change thereby represents the approximate potential intake that can be achieved during expansion of interior volume v . it is to be understood that folding interconnect 84 provides for a built - in piston travel stop for the expansion of the accordion / bellow structure . this is true as folding interconnect 84 is integrally attached to each of first and second structure ends 80 , 82 . thus , folding interconnect 84 can be considered to be another appropriate travel stop means relative to the second vessel end . fig1 shows a sectional schematic view of an illustrative embodiment of pump 100 . pump 100 includes piston plunger assembly 102 and valve assembly 104 . plunger assembly 102 includes various components similar to that of hand - operable piston plunger 20 shown in fig1 - 3 . some of these include vessel 106 , which has vessel interior 108 , piston 110 , piston actuator 112 , and actuator handle 114 . vessel handle 116 is coupled to vessel 106 . piston 110 is actuated within vessel 106 by actuator 112 and actuator handle 114 . end stops 118 , 120 prevent piston 110 from traveling out of vessel 106 during actuation . plunger assembly 102 also includes adaptor 122 , which is similar to drain adaptor 36 shown in fig1 through 3 . plunger assembly 102 functions in a manner similar to that of plunger 20 . valve assembly 104 can be coupled to plunger assembly 102 so that assemblies 102 , 104 function together as pump 100 . the illustrative embodiment of fig1 through 14 show plunger assembly 102 and valve assembly 104 coupled to one another through an interference fit . as shown in fig1 , valve assembly 104 includes cylindrically - shaped body 124 . body 124 includes hollow interior 126 . valve assembly 104 also includes openings 128 , 130 . in this embodiment , opening 128 is shown to be disposed in bottom 132 of body 124 and opening 130 is disposed through wall member 134 of body 124 . adjacent each opening 128 , 130 is disposed a valve 136 , 138 , respectively . valves 136 , 138 are configured to allow pump 100 to draw in a fluid , such as fluid 139 , through opening 128 and into body 124 and vessel 106 then be expelled through opening 130 . as shown in fig1 , extension member 137 can be coupled to opening 128 allowing fluid 139 to be drawn therein from receptacle 141 . in this illustrative embodiment , extension member 137 is shown to be rigid and tubular in shape , but other types of extension members can be used , such as flexible hoses of various lengths . opening 130 can be similarly coupled to various types of extension members , such as extension member 137 , for example , with the length of the extension member determining how far from body 124 fluid is to be displaced . fig1 shows pump 100 with plunger assembly 102 and valve assembly 104 coupled to one another and in position to draw in fluid . fig1 shows a sectional schematic view of pump 100 being used to draw fluid therein . extension member 137 is shown extending into fluid 139 . fig1 also shows piston 110 , actuator 112 , and handle 114 being actuated in direction 140 . piston 110 includes a seal 142 disposed thereon , allowing suction to be created when piston 110 is actuated in direction 140 . the suction causes valve 136 to open in direction 145 and fluid 139 is drawn up through extension member 137 and into pump 100 as illustrated by path 141 . fluid 139 moves into body interior 126 continues through adaptor opening 146 into vessel interior 108 while suction is present . valve 138 is prevented from opening by stop member 147 when fluid is being drawn into pump 100 . whenever piston 110 is stopped by end stop 118 , or a desired amount of fluid is drawn into pump 100 , handle 114 may be used to actuate actuator 112 and piston 110 in direction 150 as shown in fig1 . when piston 110 is actuated in direction 150 , the drawn - in fluid in vessel interior 108 is expelled through adaptor opening 146 . stop member 149 prevents valve 136 from being actuated in a direction opposite direction 145 . valve 138 can only be actuated in direction 153 , causing fluid 139 to be expelled through opening 130 along path 153 . after expulsion , pump 100 can again draw fluid in through opening 128 through actuation of piston 110 in direction 140 and expel it through opening 130 through actuation of piston 110 in direction 150 . although the present invention has been described with reference to particular means , materials and embodiments , from the foregoing description , one skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of the present disclosure and various changes and modifications may be made to adapt the various uses and characteristics without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims .	4
a description will now be given , with reference to the embodiments and drawings according to the present invention . first , in order to achieve a seed formation with an unfertilized flower , a treatment with auxin is done . it is appropriate to treat with auxin within 30 days after a bloom day . as a treated part , column or a part including column is treated by auxin solution by spraying , coating or dropping . fig1 is views showing general form of orchid flowers ( kazuhito uchida , 1982 , “ tropical orchid the orchid ”, kodansha , 99 ). in order to prevent the solution falling by gravity because of facing downward of flowers depending on kind of varieties and blooming situation of orchid , it is also effective in the treating part to stagnate auxin by mixing agar , starch , etc . in the solution and improving viscosity by heating or by making lanolin suspension and forming a paste . indoleacetic acid ( iaa ), 4 - chloro - indoleacetic acid , phenylacetic acid , 2 , 4 - dichloro - phenoxyacetic acid ( 2 , 4 - d ), α - naphthaleneacetic acid ( naa ), 2 , 6 - dichloro - benzoic acid , indolebutyric acid ( iba ), 4 - chloro - phenoxyacetic acid , 5 - chloro - indazole ethyl acetate , 2 , 4 , 5 - trichloro - phenylacetic acid can be used as auxin . a withering of perianth is observed immediately after the treatment , and hypertrophy of ovary will be found in about one week . although the growth of ovary and the seed formation differ from depending on kind of varieties of orchid , set of seeds is observed from two to six months after treatment . in the meantime , it fully needs to be cautious of fall off seeds . also , compared with the usual mating and fruition , seeds may ripen a little early about one to two months . the ripen seeds are obtained and these seeds are planted by the germfree condition . the planting is performed according to the conventional method . the rate of germination of seeds becomes low compared with the usual mating of seeds . if germination is observed and these buds grow in regular sizes , it will affirm promptly whether they are haploid plants . the check of being haploid plants takes out some tissues of root tips , measures the number of chromosomes or amounts of dna contents , and is performed by comparing these values with plants originating in self - pollination . because the number of the chromosomes of haploid plants may have doubled naturally after passing a regular period after germination , it is necessary to perform the check of haploid plants within one to five months after germination . hereafter , one embodiment is explained as a preferred embodiment of the invention . in the first embodiment , bletilla . brigantes “ h5 - 11 ” was used . the supplied testing plants were grown in the conventional method . the blooming was affirmed , pollens were removed and a treatment of dropping of 10 micro liter was performed with the warmed lanolin paste which contains 2 % of α - naphthaleneacetic acid at column using the syringe . since two or more flowers might exist in the same inflorescence , the above - mentioned treatment was performed about for each one repeatedly five or more times . after individuals in which its ovary got fat are ripened completely ( 6 to 7 months after the treatment ), then they were obtained , they were sterilized their surface for 5 minutes with 0 . 5 % of sodium hydrochlorite solution , planted them on a medium in germfree container , and the germination was forced . after planting , when the number of planted seeds and the number of seed with embryo were observed , 11 seeds with embryo were observed out of 7000 of the planted total number of seeds . the composition of a culture medium used for planting of seeds is shown in table 1 . after plants originating in auxin treatment grew in the suitable size for sampling ( 1 to 2 months after germination ), dna contents of these plants originating in auxin treatment were measured by flow cytometry , then chromosomes were observed simultaneously and the number of chromosomes was investigated . the investigation was done by obtaining new leaf of seedling , plants treated with α - naphthaleneacetic acid ( naa ) of the present invention were investigated and also plants originating in self - pollination were investigated as a comparison . fig2 is views showing results of analysis based on flow cytometry . fig3 is views showing observation results of chromosomes under a microscope . as can be seen in fig2 , in the investigation for dna amounts using flow cytometry equipment , a peak of the plant originating in auxin treatment was observed at position of half ploidy level of a peak seen with the plant originating in self - pollination . in the observation of chromosomes , as can be seen in fig3 , it was observed that the number of chromosomes of the plant originating in auxin treatment was 16 , and it was found that this is half of the number of chromosomes , 32 chromosomes for bletilla bringantes . 5 to 6 months after germination , when dna contents of plants originating in auxin treatment was measured again with flow cytometry equipment , its peak is observed at the almost same position of a peak of plants originating in self - pollination . thus , it should be recognized that the number of chromosomes of plants originating in auxin treatment was doubled naturally 2 to 5 months after germination . from these results of observations , it is recognized that plants originating in auxin treatment are haploid . it is also recognized that the number of chromosomes of plants originating in auxin treatment becomes doubled naturally as time goes by after auxin treatment , and that it is required to affirm the number of chromosomes within two months after germination . as already mentioned above , the growing orchid haploid of the present invention is able to provide a pure line plant which is required in constructing a seed propagation variety of orchid , thereby , a supply of stable superior breed with low risks like mutations becomes possible for a long period of time . the present invention is not limited to the specifically disclosed embodiments , and variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention . the present application is based on japanese priority application no . 2002 - 213746 filed on jul . 23 , 2002 , the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference .	0
hereafter , the description will be oriented to a multivalued subtracter according to an embodiment of the present invention as referring to the drawings . fig1 a and 1b are a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a ternary subtracter according to an embodiment of the present invention . the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 a and 1b is arranged to have i / o elements 10 to 19 , logical and circuit elements ( referred to as and elements ) 20 to 35 , multivalued functional elements 36 to 75 , i / o elements 76 and 77 , and elements 78 to 83 , logical or circuit elements ( referred to as or elements ) 84 to 88 , i / o elements 89 and 90 , and a one - bit delay circuit 91 . the i / o element 10 inputs a ternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 0 . the i / o element 11 inputs a ternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 1 / 2 . the i / o element 12 inputs a ternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 1 . the i / o element 18 inputs a ternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 0 . the i / o element 14 inputs a ternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 1 / 2 . the i / o element 15 inputs a ternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 1 . the i / o element 16 inputs a binary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 0 . the i / o element 17 inputs a binary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 1 . the i / o element 18 inputs a binary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 0 . the i / o element 19 inputs a binary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 1 . the and element 20 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 21 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 1 / 2 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 22 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 1 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs the logical product of them . the and element 28 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 24 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 0 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 25 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 1 / 2 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs the logical product of them . the and element 28 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 1 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 27 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 0 , x 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 28 inputs the binary signals x 1 , y 0 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs the logical product of them . the and element 29 inputs the binary signals x 1 , y 1 / 2 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 30 inputs the binary signals x 1 , y 1 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 31 inputs the binary signals x 1 , y 0 , x 0 and y 1 and outputs the logical product of them . the and element 32 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 1 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 33 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 1 / 2 , x 1 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 34 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 1 , x 1 and y 0 and outputs the logical product of them . the and element 35 inputs the binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 1 and y 1 and outputs the logical product of them . the multivalued functional element 36 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 20 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 37 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 20 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 38 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 21 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 39 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 21 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 40 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 21 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 41 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 21 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 42 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 22 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 43 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 22 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 44 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 22 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 45 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 22 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 46 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 23 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 47 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 28 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 48 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 23 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 49 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 24 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 50 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 25 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 51 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 25 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 52 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 26 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 53 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 26 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 54 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 26 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 55 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 26 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 56 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 27 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 57 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 27 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 58 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 27 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 59 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 27 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 60 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 28 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 61 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 28 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 62 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 29 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 63 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 30 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 64 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 30 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 65 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 31 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 66 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 31 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 67 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 31 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 68 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 31 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 69 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 32 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 70 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 32 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 71 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 33 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 72 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 33 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 73 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 34 and outputs a ternary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 74 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 35 and outputs a binary threshold value . the multivalued functional element 79 inputs an output signal sent from the and element 35 and outputs a binary threshold value . the i / o element 76 inputs a borrow signal c and outputs a binary borrow signal c 0 . the i / o element 77 inputs a borrow signal c and outputs a binary borrow signal c 1 . the and element 78 inputs an output signal from any one of the multivalued functional elements 38 , 42 , 46 , 52 , 56 and 65 and a binary borrow signal c 0 from the i / o element 76 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 79 inputs an output signal from any one of the multivalued functional elements 36 , 39 , 43 , 47 , 50 , 53 , 57 , 63 , 66 and 74 and a binary borrow signal c 1 from the i / o element 77 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 84 inputs the logical product from the and element 78 and the logical product from the and element 79 and outputs a logical sum of them . the delay circuit 91 inputs the logical sum from the or element 84 and outputs a binary borrow signal c &# 39 ;. the binary borrow signal c &# 39 ; is further divided into two borrow signals c &# 39 ; 1 and c &# 39 ; 2 before outputting . the and element 80 inputs an output from any one of the multivalued functional elements 44 , 48 , 49 , 58 , 60 , 62 , 71 and 73 and a binary borrow signal c 0 from the i / 0 element 76 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 81 inputs an output from any one of the multivalued functional elements 40 , 45 , 54 , 59 , 61 , 67 , 69 and 72 and a binary borrow signal c 1 from the i / o element 77 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 85 inputs the logical products from the and elements 80 and 81 and outputs a subtracted output z , that is , the logical sum of these logical products . the subtracted output z is applied to the i / o elements 89 and 90 . the and element 82 inputs an output from any one of the multivalued functional elements 41 , 55 , 88 and 70 and a binary borrow signal c 0 from the i / 0 element 76 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 83 inputs an output from any one of the multivalued functional elements 37 , 51 , 64 and 75 and a binary borrow signal c 1 from the i / o element 77 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 86 inputs the logical products from the and elements 82 and 83 and outputs a subtracted output z &# 39 ;, that is , the logical sum of these logical products . the i / o element 89 inputs the subtracted output z and outputs the subtracted output z 1 . the i / o element 90 inputs the subtracted output z and outputs the subtracted output z 1 / 2 . the or element 87 inputs the subtracted output z 1 from the i / o element 89 and the subtracted output z &# 39 ; from the or element 88 and outputs the logical sum of them , that is , a subtracted output z 2 . the or element 88 inputs the subtracted output z 1 / 2 from the i / o element 90 and the subtracted output z &# 39 ; from the or element 86 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a subtracted output z 1 . the multivalued functional element may be a quantizing functional element . the quantizing functional element uses as an operating principle the wave theory of electrons and the quantum - mechanical quality that electrons hold energy merely at scattered spots . this element has a multivalued logic and is often referred to as a micro - structural element , a quantumlevel element , or a quantum - wave element . two - bit parallel binary input signals x and x shown in fig1 are obtained by the binary input circuit shown in fig2 . the binary input circuit shown in fig2 is composed of not circuit elements ( referred to as not elements ) 92 and 93 , and elements 94 to 97 , and an or element 98 . next , the description will be oriented to the operation of the binary input circuit shown in fig2 . the not element 92 inputs the binary signal x 2 and outputs a not signal of the signal x 2 . the not element 93 inputs the binary signal x 1 and outputs a not signal of the signal x 1 . the and element 94 inputs an output signal from the not element 92 and the binary signal x 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 95 inputs an output signal from the not element 98 and the binary signal x 2 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 96 inputs the binary signals x 2 and x 1 and outputs a logical product of them , that is , a binary signal x . the and element 97 inputs the logical product from the and element 94 and a ternary threshold value 1 / 2 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 98 inputs the logical products from the and elements 97 and 95 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a ternary signal x . the binary input signals y and y shown in fig1 are obtained from the binary input circuit shown in fig3 . the binary input circuit shown in fig3 is composed of not elements 99 and 100 , and elements 101 to 104 and an or element 105 . next , the description will be oriented to the operation of the binary input circuit shown in fig3 . the not element 99 inputs the binary signal y 2 and outputs the not signal of the signal y 2 . the not element 100 inputs the binary signal y 1 and outputs the not signal of the signal y 1 . the and element 101 inputs an output signal from the not element 99 and the binary signal y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 102 inputs an output signal from the not element 100 and the binary signal y 2 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 103 inputs the binary signals y 2 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them , that is , a binary signal y . the and element 104 inputs the logical product from the and element 101 and a ternary threshold value 1 / 2 and outputs a logical sum of them . the or element 105 inputs the logical products from the and elements 104 and 102 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a ternary signal y . table 1 lists codes allocated to two - bit parallel binary input signals x 2 , x 1 , y 2 and y 1 , ternary output signals x , x , y and y , and borrow signals c 2 , c 1 and c . table 1______________________________________x . sub . 2x . sub . 1 y . sub . 2 y . sub . 1 x x y y c . sub . 2 c . sub . 1 c______________________________________0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 1 0 1 0 1 / 2 0 1 / 2 -- -- 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 ( 1 / 2 0 ) ( 1 / 2 0 ) ______________________________________ the expressions ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) indicate logical expressions corresponding to the table 1 . chart 1 lists logics provided in the ternary subtracter . chart 2 lists borrow outputs used in the ternary subtracter . ______________________________________chart 1c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0______________________________________y . sub . 0y . sub . 0 1 2 3 3 1 2 & lt ; z &# 39 ;, z & gt ; y . sub . 1 / 2 3 1 2 2 3 1y . sub . 1 2 3 1 1 2 3y . sub . 1y . sub . 0 1 2 3 1 2 3______________________________________ ______________________________________chart 2c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0______________________________________y . sub . 0y . sub . 0 3 & lt ; c &# 39 ;& gt ; y . sub . 1 / 2 3 3 3y . sub . 1 3 3 3 3 3y . sub . 1y . sub . 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 3______________________________________ symbols added to the multivalued functional elements shown in fig1 indicate physical functions listed in table 2 . several kinds of logical elements may apply to these multivalued functional elements . these logical elements may apply to the binary input circuit shown in fig2 and 3 as well as a ternary logical circuit ( equivalent circuit , or circuit , and circuit and so forth ) composing the ternary subtraction shown in fig1 . table 3 lists re . mary subtracted outputs & lt ; z &# 39 ;, z & gt ; and binary subtracted outputs & lt ; z 2 , z 1 & gt ; and codes allocated for them . table 3______________________________________z &# 39 ; z z . sub . 2 z . sub . 1______________________________________0 0 0 00 1 / 2 0 10 1 1 01 0 1 1______________________________________ in fig1 a , x 0 and x 1 are indicated by the equivalent circuits . in this case , since x 0 and x 1 are binary signals , they may be output signals of the x bar and the x . this holds true to y 0 and y 1 in fig1 a . as indicated in the table 1 , in place of ( 1 , 0 ) for ( x , x ), ( 1 / 2 , 0 ) may be allocated and in place of ( 1 , 0 ) for ( y , y ), ( 1 / 2 , 0 ) may be allocated . in this embodiment , for ( 1 / 2 , 0 ), the similar synthesis may be executed . hence , the description about this case is not herein . in the chart 1 , a blank portion is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; is 1 / 2 , &# 34 ; 2 &# 34 ; is 1 , and &# 34 ; 3 &# 34 ; is ( 10 ). based on these values , the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 a and 1b is arranged . in the borrow outputs listed in the chart 2 , a blank is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;. the value of &# 34 ; 3 &# 34 ; is &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ;. on these values , the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 a and 1b is arranged . fig4 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a ternary subtracter according to a second embodiment of the present invention . the essential arrangement of the ternary subtracter shown in fig4 is the same as that of the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 except the input arrangements of and elements 220 to 235 . later , the description will be oriented to the inputs of the and elements 220 to 235 shown in fig4 . the other part is the same as that shown in fig1 . hence , the description about the part is left out . the and element 220 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 221 inputs binary signals x 0 , y1 / 2 , and x 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 222 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 1 and x 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 223 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 224 inputs binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 225 inputs binary signals x 1 / 2 and y 1 / 2 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 226 inputs binary signals x 1 / 2 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 227 inputs binary signals x 1 / 2 , y 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 228 inputs binary signals x 1 , y 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 229 inputs binary signals x 1 and y 1 / 2 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 280 inputs binary signals x 1 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 281 inputs binary signals x 1 , y 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 282 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 1 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 238 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 1 / 2 and x 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 284 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 1 and x 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the and element 235 inputs binary signals x 0 , y 0 , x 1 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of these signals . the ternary subtracter shown in fig4 may use a binary input and a binary output circuits shown in fig5 to 7 . in fig2 and 3 , the binary input signal is converted into a ternary output signal . in fig5 to 7 , the input is binary . thus , the binary output can be obtained . the logics listed in charts 3 and 4 are the substantially same as the logics of the above - mentioned subtracter , except that the used signals are x 0 x 0 , x 1 / 2 , x 1 , x 1 x 0 and the used signals are y 0 y 0 , y 1 / 2 , y 1 , y 1 y 0 . ______________________________________chart 3c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0______________________________________y . sub . 0y . sub . 0 1 2 3 3 1 2 & lt ; z &# 39 ;, y . sub . 1 / 2 3 1 2 2 3 1 z & gt ; y . sub . 1 2 3 1 1 2 3y . sub . 1y . sub . 0 1 2 3 1 2 3______________________________________ ______________________________________chart 4c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 2 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0______________________________________y . sub . 0 y . sub . 0 3 & lt ; c &# 39 ;& gt ; y . sub . 1 / 2 3 3 3 y . sub . 1 3 3 3 3 3y . sub . 1 y . sub . 0 3 3 3 3 3 3 3______________________________________ the charts 3 and 4 lists logical expressions , on which the ternary subtracter shown in fig4 may be arranged . the output signals x 0 , x 1 , x 1 / 2 , x 1 and x 0 shown in fig5 are used as the binary input signals x 0 , x 1 , x 1 / 2 , x 1 and x 0 of the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 or 4 . likewise , the output signals y 0 , y 1 , y 1 / 2 , y 1 and y 0 shown in fig6 may be used as the binary input signals y 0 , y 1 , y 1 / 2 , y 1 and y 0 . in fig7 c 1 and c 0 may be replaced with the output signals of the equivalent circuits c o and c 1 . the binary signal and the ternary signal are not used at one time . however , both of these signals may be used in combination . fig8 a and 8b are a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of a quaternary subtracter according to a third embodiment of the present invention . in the following description about the quaternary subtracter , the quantizing functional elements ( referred to as quantizing elements ) will be used as its multivalued functional elements . the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 a and 8b is arranged to have i / o elements 210 to 217 , and elements 220 to 235 , quantizing elements 236 to 275 , i / o element 276 and 277 , and elements 278 to 281 , or elements 282 and 283 , i / o elements 284 to 286 , or elements 287 and 288 , and a one - bit delay circuit 289 . the i / o element 210 inputs a quaternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 0 . the i / o element 211 inputs a quaternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 1 / 3 . the i / o element 212 inputs a quaternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 2 / 3 . the i / o element 213 inputs a quaternary signal x and outputs a binary signal x 1 . the i / o element 214 inputs a quaternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 0 . the i / o element 215 inputs a quaternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 1 / 3 . the i / o element 216 inputs a quaternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 2 / 3 . the i / o element 217 inputs a quaternary signal y and outputs a binary signal y 1 . the and element 220 inputs the binary signals x 0 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 221 inputs the binary signals x 0 and y 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 222 inputs the binary signals x 0 and y 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 223 inputs the binary signals x 0 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 224 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 3 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 225 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 3 and y 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 226 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 3 and y 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 227 inputs the binary signals x 1 / 3 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 228 inputs the binary signals x 2 / 3 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 229 inputs the binary signals x 2 / 3 and y 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 230 inputs the binary signals x 2 / 3 and y 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 281 inputs the binary signals x 2 / 3 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 232 inputs the binary signals x 1 and y 0 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 233 inputs the binary signals x 1 and y 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 234 inputs the binary signals x 1 and y 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 235 inputs the binary signals x 1 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the quantizing element 236 inputs an output signal from the and element 220 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 237 inputs an output signal from the and element 220 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 238 inputs an output signal from the and element 221 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 289 inputs an output signal from the and element 221 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 240 inputs an output signal from the and element 221 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 241 inputs an output signal from the and element 221 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 242 inputs an output signal from the and element 222 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 243 inputs an output signal from the and element 222 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 244 inputs an output signal from the and element 222 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 245 inputs an output signal from the and element 222 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 246 inputs an output signal from the and element 228 and outbuts a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 247 inputs an output signal from the and element 223 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 248 inputs an output signal from the and element 228 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 249 inputs an output signal from the and element 224 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 250 inputs an output signal from the and element 225 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 251 inputs an output signal from the and element 225 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 252 inputs an output signal from the and element 228 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 258 inputs an output signal from the and element 226 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 254 inputs an output signal from the and element 226 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 255 inputs an output signal from the and element 226 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 256 inputs an output signal from the and element 22 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 25 inputs an output signal from the and element 22 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 258 inputs an output signal from the and element 22 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 259 inputs an output signal from the and element 227 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 260 inputs an output signal from the and element 228 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 261 inputs an output signal from the and element 228 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 262 inputs an output signal from the and element 229 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 263 inputs an output signal from the and element 230 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 264 inputs an output signal from the and element 230 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 265 inputs an output signal from the and element 231 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 266 inputs an output signal from the and element 231 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 267 inputs an output signal from the and element 231 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 268 inputs an output signal from the and element 231 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 269 inputs an output signal from the and element 232 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 270 inputs an output signal from the and element 232 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 271 inputs an output signal from the and element 233 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 272 inputs an output signal from the and element 233 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 273 inputs an output signal from the and element 234 and outputs a quaternary threshold value . the quantizing element 274 inputs an output signal from the and element 235 and outputs a binary threshold value . the quantizing element 275 inputs an output signal from the and element 235 and outputs a binary threshold value . the i / o element 276 inputs a borrow signal c and outputs a binary borrow signal c o . the i / o element 277 inputs the borrow signal c and outputs a binary borrow signal c 1 . the and element 278 inputs an output signal from any one of the quantizing elements 288 , 242 , 246 , 252 , 256 and 265 and the binary borrow signal c o from the i / o element 276 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 279 inputs an output signal from any one of the quantizing elements 286 , 289 , 248 , 247 , 250 , 258 , 257 , 268 , 266 and 274 and the binary borrow signal c 1 from the i / o element 277 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 282 inputs the logical products from the and elements 278 and 279 and outputs a logical sum of them . the delay circuit 289 inputs the logical sum from the or element 282 and outputs a binary borrow signal c &# 39 ;. the binary borrow signal c &# 39 ; is divided into two borrow signals c &# 39 ; 1 and c &# 39 ; 2 before outputting . the and element 280 inputs an output signal from any one of the quantizing elements 240 , 244 , 248 , 249 , 254 , 258 , 260 , 262 , 267 , 269 , 271 and 278 and the binary borrow signal c o from the i / 0 element 276 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 281 inputs an output signal from any one of the quantizing elements 287 , 241 , 245 , 251 , 255 , 259 , 261 , 264 , 268 , 270 , 272 and 275 and the binary borrow signal c 1 from the i / o element 277 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 288 inputs the logical products from the and elements 280 and 281 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a subtracted output z . the subtracted output z is applied to the i / o elements 284 , 285 and 286 . the i / o element 284 inputs the subtracted output z and outputs a subtracted output z 2 / 3 . the i / o element 285 inputs the subtracted output z and outputs a subtracted output z 1 . the i / o element 286 inputs the subtracted output z and outputs a subtracted output z 1 / 3 . the or element 287 inputs the subtracted output z 2 / 3 from the i / o element 284 and the subtracted output z 1 from the i / o element 285 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a subtracted output z 2 . the or element 288 inputs the subtracted output z 1 from the i / o element 285 and the subtracted output z 1 / 3 from the i / o element 286 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , the subtracted output z 1 . the quaternary signal x shown in fig8 a can be obtained by the binary input circuit shown in fig9 . the binary input circuit is composed of not elements 290 , 291 , and elements 292 to 296 and an or element 297 . next , the description will be oriented to the operation of the binary input circuit shown in fig9 . the not element 290 inputs the binary signal x 2 and outputs the not signal . the not element 291 inputs the binary signal x 1 and outputs the not signal . the and element 292 inputs the output signal from the not element 290 and the binary signal x 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 29 inputs the output signal from the not element 291 and the binary signal x 2 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 294 inputs the binary signals x 2 and x 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 295 inputs the logical product from the and element 292 and a quaternary threshold value 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 296 inputs the logical product from the and element 292 and a quaternary threshold value 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 297 inputs the logical product from the and element 295 and the logical product from the and element 296 , and the logical product from and element 294 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , the quaternary signal x . the quaternary signal y shown in fig8 a can be obtained by the binary input circuit shown in fig1 . the binary input circuit is composed of not elements 298 , 299 , and elements 300 to 304 and an or element 305 . next , the description will be oriented to the operation of the binary input circuit shown in fig1 . the not element 298 inputs the binary signal y 2 and outputs the not signal . the not element 299 inputs the binary signal y 1 and outputs the not signal . the and element 300 inputs the output signal from the not element 298 and the binary signal y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 301 inputs the output signal from the not element 299 and the binary signal y 2 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 302 inputs the binary signals y 2 and y 1 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 303 inputs the logical product from the and element 300 and a quaternary threshold value 1 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the and element 304 inputs the logical product from the and element 301 and a quaternary threshold value 2 / 3 and outputs a logical product of them . the or element 305 inputs the logical product from the and element 303 , the logical product from the and element 304 and the logical product from the and element 302 and outputs a logical sum of them , that is , a quaternary signal y . table 4 lists codes allocated for two - bit parallel binary input signals x 2 , x 1 , y 2 and y 1 , quaternary output signals x and y , and borrow signals c 2 , c 1 and c . table 4______________________________________x . sub . 2 x . sub . 1 y . sub . 2 y . sub . 1 x y c . sub . 2 c . sub . 1 c______________________________________0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 00 1 0 1 1 / 3 1 / 3 -- -- 1 0 1 0 2 / 3 2 / 3 -- -- 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1______________________________________ expressions ( 3 ) and ( 4 ) indicate logical expressions corresponding to the table 4 . chart 5 lists logics provided in the quaternary subtracter . chart 6 lists borrow outputs . ______________________________________chart 5c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 3 x . sub . 2 / 3 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 3 x . sub . 2 / 3 x . sub . 1______________________________________y . sub . 0 1 2 3 3 1 2 & lt ; z & gt ; y . sub . 1 / 33 1 2 2 3 1y . sub . 2 / 32 3 1 1 2 3y . sub . 11 2 3 1 2 3______________________________________ ______________________________________chart 6c . sub . 0 c . sub . 1x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 3 x . sub . 2 / 3 x . sub . 1 x . sub . 0 x . sub . 1 / 3 x . sub . 2 / 3 x . sub . 1______________________________________y . sub . 0 3 & lt ; c &# 39 ;& gt ; y . sub . 1 / 33 3 3y . sub . 2 / 33 3 3 3 3y . sub . 13 3 3 3 3 3 3______________________________________ the symbols added to the quantizing elements shown in fig8 stand for physical functions listed in table 5 . several kinds of logical elements may apply to the quantizing elements shown in fig8 . these logical elements may apply to the binary input circuit shown in fig9 and 10 as well as the quaternary logic circuit ( equivalent circuit , or circuit , and circuit and so forth ) composing the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 . table 6 lists the quaternary subtracted output & lt ; z & gt ; and the binary subtracted output & lt ; z 2 , z 1 & gt ; and a relation among codes . table 6______________________________________z z . sub . 2 z . sub . 1______________________________________0 0 01 / 3 0 12 / 3 1 01 1 1______________________________________ in fig4 x 0 and x 1 are denoted by the equivalent circuits . since the binary signal is used in this case , x and a bar x may be used as an output signal . this holds true to y 0 and y 1 . in the logics listed in the chart 5 , the blank is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ; the value of &# 34 ; 1 &# 34 ; is 1 / 3 . the value of &# 34 ; 2 &# 34 ; is 2 / 3 . the value of &# 34 ; 3 &# 34 ; is 1 . on these values , the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 is arranged . in the borrow output listed in the chart 6 , the blank is &# 34 ; 0 &# 34 ;. the value of &# 34 ; 3 &# 34 ; is 1 . on these values , the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 is arranged . the circuits shown in fig1 and 12 use binary inputs and binary outputs . the output signals x 0 , x 1 / 3 , x 2 / 3 , and x 1 shown in fig1 may be used as binary input signals x 0 , x 1 / 3 , x 2 / 3 and x 1 used in the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 . this holds true to the output signals y 0 , y 1 / 3 , y 2 / 3 and y 1 shown in fig1 . the binary signal arid the quaternary signal cannot be used at one time . however , these signals may be used in combination . fig1 is a circuit diagram showing an arrangement of an operator arranged to have a multivalued converter 318 , a multivalued operating unit 319 , a binary converter 320 , a multivalued signal input unit 321 , and a multivalued signal output unit 322 . to use only the ternary input signal , what is required is only to input the ternary signal from the multivalued input unit 321 . for the multivalued operator 319 , the ternary subtracter shown in fig1 or 4 may be used . to use only the quaternary input signal , what is required is only to input the quaternary signal from the multivalued signal input unit 321 . for the multivalued operator 319 , the quaternary subtracter shown in fig8 may be used . in addition to a way of use described above , it is possible to combine the i / 0 signals with the binary signal and the multivalued signal in a various manner as shown in fig1 . according to the above - mentioned embodiment , the subtracting speed is allowed to be doubled . though the clock frequency is reduced in half , the subtracting speed may be kept . this means the power consumption of the subtracter is lowered . further , keeping the circuit in scale means reduction of logical elements or circuit elements composing the subtracter in number , thereby making it possible to lower the power consumption . if the processing amount of bit signals to be executed at a time is increased , the multivalued logics and the multivalued functional elements allow a rapid subtracting speed to be realized without having to increase the subtracter circuit in scale . many widely different embodiments of the present invention may be constructed without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention .	6
according to a preferred embodiment of this invention , there is provided a mechanically connected mandrel for the rolling or drawing of metal products . referring to fig1 and 2 , the mandrel assembly 10 comprises a work bar 11 and dummy bar 12 releasably secured together . the work bar 11 comprises a bar having a longitudinal axis and having a tapered end 13 most preferably defined by a conical surface , the conical axis of which is aligned with longitudinal axis of the work bar 11 . the dummy bar 12 comprises a bar for supporting the work bar in position . the work bar has a longitudinal axis and a tapered bore 14 , most preferably defined by a conical surface , the conical axis of which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the dummy bar . the tapered end 13 of the work bar 11 is configured to seat in the tapered bore 14 of the dummy bar 12 . the work bar is provided with a slot 15 therethrough that extends transversely through the tapered or conical end . the slot has a flat bearing surface 16 which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the tapered or conical end surface . surface 16 faces toward the large end of the tapered or conical end surface . the dummy bar 12 is provided with a slot 17 therethrough that extends transversely through the bore 14 . the slot has flat bearing faces 18a and 18b which are substantially perpendicular to the axis of the bore surface . surfaces 18a and 18b face toward the small end of the bore 14 . the slots 15 , 17 in the work bar and the dummy bar are overlapped and offset when the end surface of the work bar is seated in the bore of the dummy bar to form slot 38 . a locking wedge assembly 19 fits within the slot 38 . referring to fig3 locking wedge assembly 19 comprising two long wedges 21 , 22 each having two wedge surfaces 31 , 32 , 35 , 36 inclined at an obtuse angle . the wedge surfaces of each long wedge face each other . the locking wedge assembly further comprises two short wedges 23 , 24 each having two wedge surfaces inclined at an acute angle complementary to the obtuse angle of the long wedge faces . one long wedge 21 has a flat base surface 33 for abutting the bearing surface 16 defined by the slot in the work bar . the other long wedge 22 has flat base surfaces 37a , 37b for abutting the bearing surfaces 18a and 18b defined by the slot in the dummy bar . a bolt 25 or other fastener is arranged to draw the short wedges 23 , 24 together to cause the respective bearing surfaces of the long wedges 21 , 22 to be forced apart thus forcing the seated surfaces on the work bar and the dummy bar together . the compressive fit thus provided insures transmission of torque and other forces between the dummy bar and the work bar . the locking wedge assembly 19 includes the two long wedge segments 21 and 22 , the two short wedge segments 23 and 24 , the bolt 25 and a lock washer 26 . the short wedge segments 23 and 24 each have a bore therein for receiving the fastener , one bore may be threaded , for example , or both may be threaded if one bore has left turn threads and the other bore has right turn threads , as with a turn buckle . the collapsed wedge assembly 19 fits within a three - dimensionally rectangular slot 38 formed when slots in the dummy bar 12 and the work bar 11 are overlapped . the long wedge 21 has an indentation central to its base and the indentation mates with the bearing surface 16 of the slot in the work bar . the long wedge 22 has a protrusion central to its base which fits within a corresponding space on the dummy bar 12 , while the bearing surfaces 37a , 37b on each side of the protrusion mate with the bearing surfaces 18a and 18b of the slot in the dummy bar . as shown in fig1 the two long wedges 21 and 22 have a peaked shape and are disposed within the slot 38 in a position so that the peaks of the long wedges face each other . the short wedges 23 and 24 are interposed between the long wedges 21 and 22 so that the narrow ends of the short wedges 23 and 24 face each other and so that the short wedges are positioned equidistant from the facing peaks . the bolt 25 and its associated lock washer 26 adjustably connect the short wedges . in operation , as the bolt 25 is tightened , the long wedges 21 and 22 and the short wedges 23 and 24 compress into the locked , expanded configuration which holds the work bar 11 securely to the dummy bar 12 . this fastening is actually a tight compression of the locking wedge assembly 19 within the slot 38 . the nature of this compression fit provides the mated surface area required to withstand and to transmit the forces incurred during normal operation of the two - piece mechanically connected mandrel assembly 10 . whereas a two - piece wedge assembly can guarantee only one zone of contact , the locking wedge assembly 19 assures , both by its design and together with accurate machining , four zones of contact among the locking wedge assembly 19 , the dummy bar 12 and the work bar 11 . when the work bar 11 becomes worn , the work bar 11 may be disengaged from the dummy bar 12 by loosening the bolt 25 . it should be noted that all wedge and tapered surfaces of the present two - piece , mechanically connected mandrel assembly should be coated with high temperature / high pressure anti - seize compound to preserve removability of the work bar 11 from the dummy bar 12 . access to the bolt 25 and the lock washer 26 may be gained through slot 38 . an access aperture 39 is provided in the dummy bar 12 ; this access aperture 39 permits a tool ( usually hydraulic , although possibly a pneumatic or a hand tool ) to be inserted to pry the tapered end 13 of the work bar 11 in a direction away from the dummy bar 12 , as an auxiliary disengagement mechanism should the standard anti - seize compound alone prove insufficient . although the dummy bar 12 and the work bar 11 may be fabricated of alloys and materials typical to such constructs , the long wedges 21 and 22 and the short wedge segments 23 and 24 of the present invention , together with the bolt 25 , are constructed of heat - treated alloy steel so as to render them able to withstand the forces of normal operation during repeated , protracted use of the work bar . although the lengths of the work bar 11 and / or dummy bar 12 are peripheral to the present invention , the secure locking connection afforded by the locking wedge assembly 19 is especially advantageous when the work bar 11 is of considerable length . torque and other rotational forces exerted by long work bars such as the work bar 11 can be difficult to contain within a simple mechanical connection . the complex mechanical connection of the present locking wedge assembly 19 provides a connection which can withstand even the high torque associated with long work bars . although dimensions are not critical to the practice of the present invention , typical dimensions are exemplified as follows . it must be stressed that the following dimensions are typical , because there are no required dimensions and final size is dependent upon many factors depending upon the final dimensions of the metal product to be milled or drawn . in a two - piece mechanically connected mandrel in which the work bar ( not the tapered end ) is 3 to 10 inches in diameter , the work bar will typically be 48 inches in length ( not illustrated ) and the engaged tapered segment will have a length on the order of two bar diameters for a total work bar length of 54 . 10 inches . the dummy bar has the same diameter as the work bar , namely , 3 to 10 inches , and the slot 38 extending through the work bar and the tapered end of the work bar is in appropriate portion to the bar diameter . a typical dummy bar is 288 inches or greater in length for a total length of the assembled two - piece mechanically connected mandrel of 342 inches or greater . as shown in fig4 the two long wedges 180 and 200 have an oblated rhombic prismoid shape and are disposed within the slot 320 in a position so that the oblated flats of the long wedges face each other . although the invention has been described with particularity above , with reference to specified dimensions and particular materials , the invention is to be limited only insofar as is set forth in the accompany claims .	8
more particularly according to the present invention , the diorganopolysiloxane oils ( a ) comprise a series of osi ( ch 3 ) r recurring units and optionally of osi ( ch 3 ) 2 recurring units and the ends of the polymer chains are blocked or terminated by g ( ch 3 ) 2 sio 0 . 5 moieties . a small amount of other units originating , for example , from the by - products formed during the preparation of the oils ( a ) is not precluded ; thus , units of the formulae sio 2 , ch 3 ( h ) sio and ch 3 sio 1 . 5 may be present , in a proportion not exceeding 2 % of the total of the units which constitute the oils ( a ). the alkyl radicals which are included in the definition of the symbol r and which contain from 7 to 15 carbon atoms , may be linear or branched . n - heptyl , n - octyl , n - decyl , n - dodecyl , n - tetradecyl and n - pentadecyl radicals are representative of the linear radicals . 2 - ethylhexyl , 3 - methyloctyl , 3 - methyldodecyl and 4 - n - butyldecyl radicals are representative of the branched radicals . exemplary phenylalkyl radicals , also included within the definition of the symbol r , are 2 - phenylethyl , 2 - phenyl - n - propyl , 2 - phenylisopropyl , 4 - phenyl - n - butyl and 6 - phenyl - n - hexyl radicals . the symbol x denotes a whole or fractional number ≧ 6 , preferably ≧ 8 . the symbol y denotes zero or a whole or fractional number which does not exceed 3 / 4 , preferably 2 / 3 , of the value of x ; and the sum of x + y is a value such that the viscosity of the oil ranges from 50 to 5 , 000 mpa . s at 25 ° c ., preferably 100 to 4 , 500 mpa . s at 25 ° c . oils having the following formulae are representative of the oils ( a ) which are included in the above - mentioned general formula : p2 : ( ch 3 ) 3 si [ osi ( ch 3 ) ch 2 ch 2 c 6 h 5 ] x2 osi ( ch 3 ) 3 p4 : ( ch 3 ) 3 si [ osi ( ch 3 ) n - decyl ] x4 [ osi ( ch 3 ) n - tetradecyl ] x5 [ osi ( ch 3 ) ch 2 ch ( ch 3 ) c 6 h 5 ] x6 osi ( ch 3 ) 3 p5 : ( ch 3 ) 2 n - octyl si [ osi ( ch 3 ) n - octyl ] x7 [ osi ( ch 3 ) 2 ] yl osi n - octyl ( ch 3 ) 2 each of the symbols x1 to x7 and y1 reflects a value such that the polymers p1 to p5 have the following viscosities , in mpa . s at 25 ° c . : ______________________________________p1 : 400 to 900 ; p2 : 500 to 950 ; p3 : 300 to 800 ; p4 : 600 to 1 , 200 ; p5 : 450 to 1 , 000 . ______________________________________ the preparation of the oils ( a ) is well known to this art . in the majority of cases it consists of reacting an organohydropolysiloxane with the olefin compound ( s ) selected , in the presence of a platinum - based catalyst . in these formulae , the symbols x and y have the same meaning as that given above in the description of the general formula of the oils ( a ). the conditions for such addition reaction are noted , in particular , in french pat . nos . 1 , 448 , 165 , 1 , 461 , 931 , 1 , 499 , 845 and 1 , 570 , 170 . a method other than that entailing use of an addition reaction is preferably employed to prepare the oils ( a ) which are blocked at each end of the polymer chain by a hydroxy radical bonded to the silicon atom . it is possible to begin with organochlorosilanes of the formula r ( ch 3 ) sicl 2 , optionally mixed with ( ch 3 ) 2 sicl 2 ; these are hydrolyzed and the hydrolysates are rearranged in the presence of an acid catalyst such as trifluoromethanesulfonic acid , or a basic catalyst such as potassium hydroxide . the preparation of organochlorosilanes of the formula r ( ch 3 ) sicl 2 may be carried out by the addition of a silane of formula h ( ch 3 ) sicl 2 to an olefin providing the radical r , in the presence of a platinum derivative . the symbol r in the formula r ( ch 3 ) sicl 2 is the same as that given above in the general formula of the oils ( a ). the organopolysiloxane copolymers ( b ), which are generally referred to as mq resins , are introduced into the compositions according to the invention in a proportion of 15 to 80 parts , preferably 17 to 75 parts , per 100 parts of the oils ( a ); they comprise ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 0 . 5 and sio 2 units , whose molar ratio ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 0 . 5 / sio 2 ranges from 0 . 4 / 1 to 1 . 2 / 1 , preferably 0 . 45 / 1 to 1 . 1 / 1 . they are commercially available from silicone producers and may easily be manufactured by methods well known to this art . ( i ) from trimethylchlorosilane and / or hexamethyl - disiloxane , and sodium silicate , according to the process described in french pat . no . 1 , 046 , 736 , ( ii ) or from trimethylchlorosilane and ethyl silicate , according to the process described in french pat . no . 1 , 134 , 005 . the preparative procedure is carried out in inert diluents and the copolymers are maintained in these diluents . it is possible , nevertheless , to replace all or a portion of the diluents employed during their preparation , by other diluents having higher boiling points . ( i ) halogenated or unhalogenated aromatic hydrocarbons , such as toluene , xylene , cumene , chlorobenzene and orthodichlorobenzene ; ( ii ) halogenated or unhalogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons , such as heptane , cyclohexane , methylcyclohexane , trichloroethylene , perchloroethylene , trichloroethane and tetrachloroethane ; ( iii ) petroleum cuts consisting of aliphatic and / or aromatic hydrocarbons boiling , for example , between 90 ° c . and 280 ° c . at atmospheric pressure ; the copolymers ( b ) may be present in the diluents in any proportion , but it is recommended that solutions containing from 30 to 75 % by weight of the copolymers are used . these copolymers have a variable concentration of hydroxy radicals bonded to silicon atoms ; in general , this concentration ranges from 0 . 1 to 6 %; copolymers with concentrations of 0 . 5 to 5 % are preferably employed . a portion of the copolymers ( b ) may be modified by the introduction of vinyl - containing units of the formula ## equ1 ## the symbol a being 1 or 2 . the amount of vinyl - containing units which is introduced is such that it represents 0 . 2 to 8 %, preferably 0 . 3 to 7 %, of the weight of the copolymers ( b ) which are modified and which thus include the units ## equ2 ## the molar ratio ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 0 . 5 / sio 2 always having the above - mentioned value , that is to say , ranging from 0 . 4 to 1 . 2 . these modified copolymers ( b ), referred to as copolymers ( b1 ) hereinafter , may be prepared by the processes heretofore described for the preparation of the copolymers ( b ); it is essential , however , to add the chlorosilane of the formula ch 2 ═ ch ( ch 3 ) 2 sicl , or that of the formula ch 2 ═ ch ( ch 3 ) sicl 2 to the various reactants . the copolymers ( b1 ) are stored in inert diluents at a concentration which is identical to that recommended for the copolymers ( b ), that is to say , from 30 to 75 % by weight ; they may also contain hydroxy radicals which are bonded to silicon atoms , in a concentration on the order of 0 . 1 to 6 %. the diluents ( c ) are employed in a proportion of 200 to 2 , 000 parts , preferably 250 to 1 , 950 parts , per 100 parts of the oils ( a ); they are well - known organic compounds , of low toxicity or nontoxic and inert towards the oils ( a ) and the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ); they may be identical to the diluents which have already been mentioned and which are used for the preparation and dilution of the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ). the organopolysiloxane compositions according to the invention are prepared by merely mixing , in any order , the oils ( a ), the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ) and the diluents ( c ). the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ) are preferably incorporated in their dilute form . in this case , the diluents ( c ) are supplemented such as to provide the required quantities , that is to say , 200 to 1 , 000 parts of diluents ( c ) per 100 parts of the oils ( a ) and 15 to 80 parts of the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ). the diluents may be removed from the dilute solutions of the copolymers ( b ) and / or ( b1 ) by first mixing the oils ( a ) with these dilute solutions and then removing the diluents by heating at a pressure below atmospheric pressure ; the operation must be carried out with care , however , to avoid the formation of gel particles . the compositions according to the invention are stable in storage for at least 1 year in closed containers . these compositions , which are , in fact , solutions of the polymers ( a ) and ( b ) and / or ( b1 ) in the diluents ( c ), may be employed as such . they may also be used in a more dilute state , produced by adding further amounts of diluents . in this case , the concentration of the polymers ( a ) and ( b ) and / or ( b1 ) at the time when the solutions are applied to the mold walls can vary , as a result , over a wide range of values , for example , from 0 . 1 % to 80 % by weight . the application to mold wall members is carried out by means of the usual methods , such as spraying , impregnation by brushing , or with a pad , etc . the amount of the polymers ( a ) and ( b ) which is deposited after the diluents have evaporated should be sufficient to ensure the formation of a uniform coating having a thickness on the order of 0 . 1 to 10 μm , preferably 0 . 2 to 8 μm . mold walls coated in this manner ( which are fabricated from relatively nondeformable materials such as metals and reinforced resins ) may be employed for molding a very wide variety of materials , such as epoxy resins , polyesters , silicones , polyamides , polycarbonates , polyurethanes , melamine / formaldehyde resins , polyurethane foams and phenolic foams . the final products which are molded in the above molds can be easily painted or varnished ; the deposited coatings spread uniformly and continuously on the surfaces of the molded products . furthermore , assembly of the molded products by gluing , to each other or to other organic materials , may be carried out without difficulty ; thus , synthetic or natural rubber plates can be glued to plates molded from polyurethane resins . in order to further illustrate the present invention and the advantages thereof , the following specific example is given , it being understood that same is intended only as illustrative and in nowise limitative . ( i ) 20 parts by weight of a xylene solution containing 60 % of a resinous organopolysiloxane copolymer comprising recurring units of the formulae ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 0 . 5 and sio 2 , whose molar ratio ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 0 . 5 / sio 2 is about 0 . 6 and which contained 2 . 5 % by weight of hydroxy radicals bonded to silicon atoms ; ( ii ) 20 parts by weight of a methyl ( n - octyl ) polysiloxane oil blocked at each end of its polymer chain by a trimethylsiloxy group , having a viscosity of 750 mpa . s at 25 ° c . ; and the entire mass was stirred for 10 minutes at ambient temperature . the solution obtained was clear and it remained in this state after being permitted to stand for 12 months in a closed container . this solution , which contained approximately 32 % of organopolysiloxane polymers , was diluted with 1 , 1 , 1 - trichloroethane , such as to provide a solution containing 16 % of polymers . the dilute solution was sprayed onto the walls of a mold made of tinned steel , 300 ml in capacity . it was permitted to dry in the open air for 10 minutes ; a thin coating , approximately 8 to 10 μm in thickness remained . a composition consisting of a mixture of 71 g of a technical grade p , p &# 39 ;- diisocyanatodiphenylmethane containing 30 % by weight of n -- c ═ o groups and 51 . 6 g of a premix containing hydroxy radicals was cast into the mold . the premix was prepared from : ( 1 ) 100 g of a sucrose - derived polyol having a hydroxyl index of 400 ; ( 3 ) 1 . 1 g of a 33 % strength solution of triethylenediamine in dipropylene glycol ; ( 5 ) 1 g of a stabilizer of the polydimethylsiloxanepolyalkylene glycol block copolymer type . the composition expanded freely in the mold and was converted into a rigid foam having a density of 0 . 35 g / ml . the demolding was carried out 30 minutes after pouring of the composition began . the same molding / demolding operation was repeated and it was determined that 6 molded rigid foam articles were produced before sticking to the mold walls began to take place . a layer of a glyptal paint , approximately 20 μm in thickness , was deposited , by spraying , onto the surfaces of the molded articles ; no paint spreading fault was observed and the paint covered the surface of the molded articles completely and uniformly . while the invention has been described in terms of various preferred embodiments , the skilled artisan will appreciate that various modifications , substitutions , omissions , and changes may be made without departing from the spirit thereof . accordingly , it is intended that the scope of the present invention be limited solely by the scope of the following claims , including equivalents thereof .	2
this invention relates to a method for producing non - thrombogenic materials which involves a reaction between heparin and an aldehyde group - containing polymer . this invention differs from the prior art , which has been directed to linking heparin and a polymer by the function of a dialdehyde , in that the present invention does not involve undesirable side reactions such as heparin - heparin bonding or polymer - polymer bonding . therefore , there are no unfavorable gelled materials formed as by - products and probably because of the minimum chemical modification of the heparin , non - thrombogenic properties of the composition of this invention are outstanding . this is surprising from the fact that it has been observed that the anti - coagulant function of heparin is appreciably decreased by any sort of chemical modification . in practice of the present invention , the &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ; can be prepared by the polymerization or copolymerization of the monomer which has an aldehyde or aldehyde group - forming group , namely , acetal or hemiacetal group . thus , the &# 34 ; aldehyde group containing polymer &# 34 ; means the polymer containing aldehyde group or aldehyde group - forming group such as acetal or hemiacetal along the polymer chain . examples of these monomers are acrolein , methacrolein , p - formyl styrene , n - formyl amino ethyl acrylamide , n - formyl ethyl acrylamide , formyl ethyl acrylamide , formyl ethyl methacrylate , ketene dimethyl acetal , ketene diethyl acetal , acrolein acetal , methacrolein acetal and so forth . the polymerization or copolymerization of this kind of the monomer with other copolymerizable vinyl compounds can be performed in the usual manner by using a common radical initiator . an example of the copolymerization is given below to form &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ;. allylidene diacetate ( ch 2 ═ ch -- ch ( oac ) 2 ) prepared by the reaction between acrolein and acetic anhydride can be copolymerized with another vinyl compound like vinyl acetate , which is subsequently hydrolyzed to an &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ; as follows : ## str1 ## other monomer such as vinyl chloride , acrylonitrile , methacrylonitrile , methyl methacrylate , isopropyl methacrylate , isopropenyl acetate , ethyl methacrylate , methyl acrylate , ethyl acrylate , methacrylic acid , acrylic acid , styrene , or α - methyl styrene may be used for copolymerization with &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing monomer &# 34 ;. the &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ; may be prepared , in turn , by periodic acid ( or its salt ) or lead tetraacetate cleavage of carbon - carbon bonds , which is a characteristic reaction of carbon - carbon bonds , where adjacent carbon atoms possess oh groups , i . e ., vic - glycol . the typical polymers having vicinal hydroxyl groups can be natural polymers having glucose units . the natural polymers may be cellulose , cellulose derivatives such as oxycellulose , benzyl cellulose , cyanoethyl cellulose , cellulose acetate , polysaccharide , starch , gum arabic , chitin , chitosan , galactane , araban , galactomannane , xylane , alginic acid ( or its salt ), heparin and so forth . these natural polymers have repeating glucose units in the chain molecule . the glucose unit has a vic - glycol moiety which can be cleaved by the action of periodic acid ( or its salt ), or lead tetraacetate as follows : ## str2 ## therefore , by treating with periodic acid , the polymer having glucose units can be easily converted to &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ; (&# 34 ; p - cho &# 34 ; will be used short for &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ;.) by the simple treatment with periodic acid or lead tetraacetate . in the case of cellulose , the reaction can be visualized as follows : ## str3 ## hereafter , we use ## str4 ## for the above reaction product ## str5 ## for generalization ; p means polymer chain ). on the other hand , the chemical structure of heparin has a repeating unit described below : ## str6 ## heparin also has vic - glycol moieties in the chain . hereafter we use simplified formula ## str7 ## for heparin . the vic - glycol moiety in the heparin molecule reacts with an aldehyde in an acidic medium . thus , the reaction between the vic - glycol moiety of the heparin and the aldehyde groups in the polymer forms a 5 - membered ring , i . e ., dioxolane ring which is very stable by nature , in accordance with the following reaction : ## str8 ## the hemiacetal structure is likely to be converted to more stable acetal by elimination of one water molecule . the aldehyde group in the polymer may be converted to acetal or hemiacetal in the presence of an alcohol as follows : ## str9 ## the chemical reactivity of acetal or hemiacetal shown above does not make any difference from &# 34 ; free &# 34 ; aldehyde , and these react with heparin in the same way as &# 34 ; free &# 34 ; aldehyde . ## str10 ## when the reaction ( 1 ) is carried out in an acidic medium in the presence of alcohol , hemiacetal structure may be formed . ## str11 ## but this structure is liable to react further to form stabler 1 , 2 - dioxolane ring by liberating ethanol . ## str12 ## thus , the reaction in this invention can be summarized as follows : ## str13 ## by the above reaction , heparin and the &# 34 ; aldehyde group - containing polymer &# 34 ; can be covalently bonded , which means that the linked heparin does not dissociate , thus , the heparin can not be leach out when exposed in the blood stream . in this reaction , there is neither a heparin - heparin side reaction , nor a polymer - polymer reaction as occurs to a great extent in the prior art . in the present invention , from the principle of the above reaction , one can understand that any polymer which has aldehyde or acetal group can be obviously used . the polymer may be a homopolymer , copolymer , block copolymer or a graft copolymer and blends of the above polymers . the aldehyde group - containing polymer contains preferably aldehyde group ranging from 1 . 0 to 20 . 0 % by weight of the polymer , and heparin solution preferably has 50 to 100 , 000 usp unit heparin when applied to the reaction . the above reaction can be carried out in a homogeneous phase or in a heterogeneous phase . for example , a water soluble starch is dissolved in water to form a homogeneous solution , treated with sodium metaperiodate and then allowed to react with heparin in an acidic medium . on the other hand , the surface of medical device which is exposed to blood can be coated with the above reaction product which can be rendered insoluble by the cross - linking with a dialdehyde such as glyoxal or glutaraldehyde . the invention may also be applied to any shaped article made from cellulose . for example , the interior of a cellulose hollow fiber , or cellulose tube may be treated with periodic acid to form aldehyde groups , followed by the above - described treatment with heparin . cellulose film may also be treated in the same way . the polymer treated is not always limited to a sole polymer , but may be a composite material or a blend material . this invention may be applied on the surface of a shaped article which is exposed to blood when in use . thus , the coating material having aldehyde groups which can cover foreign surface may be utilized . in the case of cellulose hollow fiber , the present invention may be applied in a hollow fiber manufacturing process . the inventor has already disclosed a novel method for producing cellulosic hollow fiber . according to his above - mentioned disclosure , cellulose ester , preferably cellulose acetate is dissolved in an organic solvent , for example , acetone . the hollow fiber can be spun through a &# 34 ; tube in orifice &# 34 ; spinnerete . the key to the success for forming the hollow fiber at a high speed ( 200 m / min ) lies in the fact that a core solution which contains an effective amount of a salt which plays an important role in developing phase separation between the core solution and the spinning dope is used . examples of said water soluble salt are sodium chloride , potassium chloride , calcium chloride , sodium phosphate , ammonium chloride , sodium acetate , sodium oxylate and so forth . when this technique is applied in the dry - jet wet spinning method , and spun - dope filament from the orifice is not gelled during the dry passage because the phase separation prevents the diffusing of the core solution into the sheath dope filament . therefore , the spun dope - filament can be easily stretched during the air gap before being introduced into the coagulation bath . the present invention may also be applied to the above hollow fiber producing process . when the core solution contains sodium metaperiodate , for example , in the form of a mixture with another water soluble salt such as sodium chloride , calcium chloride or sodium acetate , the inner surface or the hollow surface of the filament is contacted with sodium metaperiodate which selectively attacks vic - glycol of the cellulose ester to develop aldehyde groups . the core solution can contain an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide . in this case , the inner surface or the hollow surface can be simultaneously hydrolyzed so as to regenerate cellulose , which is attacked simultaneously by the periodate to give rise to aldehyde groups . preferable concentration of periodic acid or its salt in the core solution is 0 . 01 to 3 mol / l and more preferably 0 . 05 to 1 . 0 mole / l . when the concentration is lower than 0 . 01 mole / l , reaction will not proceed satisfactorily , and , when the concentration is more than 3 . 00 mole / l , degradation due to cleaverage of cellulose molecule may take place . the core solution may be acidic , for example , the core solution can contain periodic acid . this acidic core solution , can contain other inorganic or organic acids , such as hydrochloric acid , nitric acid , sulfuric acid or acetic acid . the solution also may contain neutral salts or acidic salts such as sodium chloride , potassium chloride , ammonium chloride , ammonium bromide and so on . the hollow fiber thus formed can be successively treated with heparin in an acidic medium . thus , heparin can be linked co - valently on the inner surface of the hollow fiber . the follow fiber thus obtained has a long - term , almost permanent non - thrombogenicity , which has long been needed . the core solution may be an organic liquid containing periodic acid which does not gel the spinning solution , namely , a liquid having a swelling effect for the dope - polymer , or a solvent for the dope polymer . in this case , the core solution does not coagulate the spinning dope during the dry - passage ( or in the air gap ) when applied to dry - wet jet spinning method . the spun dope can be stretched before being introduced into the coagulation bath , where gellation take place instantaneously . this makes the spinning speed extremely high ( 180 m / min ), compared to the known process . the example of this type of core solution may be formamide , dimethyl sulfoxide , dimethyl acetamide , dimethyl formamide , γ - butyrolactone , tetromethylene sulfone , 2 - pyrrolidone , or mixtures of the above compounds , for cellulose acetate as dope polymer . these core solution can contain heparin to react based on the same principle . the principle presented in the present invention can also be applied in a different mode . heparin , which also contains vic - glycol , is first treated to form aldehyde groups in its molecule as follows : ## str14 ## the product can react with a polymer having vicinal hydroxyl groups such as cellulose or polyvinyl alcohol as follows : ## str15 ## when the hydroxy polymer is cellulose , the heparin is linked through a 5 - membered substituted dioxolane ring : ## str16 ## when the hydroxy polymer is polyvinyl alcohol , the acetal linkage is in the form of a 5 - membered substituted 1 , 3 - dioxane ring : ## str17 ## the both 5 - and 6 - membered acetal rings are very stable by nature , thus , the heparin molecules are bonded firmly by the covalent bonds . this is the reason why the above reaction products have long - term thrombogenicities . the procedure presented in this invention can be applied in any form of the shaped articles . the invention also is applied as a coating material which has previously been subjected to this invention to link heparin . also the present invention can be applied after being coated with the polymer having vic - glycol or aldehyde ( or acetal ) groups , through said functional groups . the heparin can be bonded as described in detail supra . this invention is further illustrated in and by the following examples which are given merely as illustration and are not intended to restrict in any way the scope of the invention nor the manner in which it can be practiced . sodium metaperiodate was dissolved in 100 ml of water and the solution thus obtained was maintained at 5 ° c . into this solution , a commercial cuprophane film prepared from cuproammonium solution was immersed for 30 minutes , the solution was then washed with distilled water and dried at ambient temperature . the film was next immersed in 50 ml of an aqueous solution containing 25 , 000 unit / ml heparin for 30 minutes at 40 ° c . the heparin solution was adjusted at ph 4 with sulfuric acid . after being treated in the heparin solution , the film was washed with water again , and dried at ambient temperature . a 100 ml aqueous solution having 0 . 01 mole of sodium metaperiodate was adjusted to ph 8 with h 2 so 4 . the solution was placed in a dark place at 10 ° c . into this solution , a commercial cellophane film was immersed and allowed to react for 20 minutes . then , the film was thoroughly washed with distilled water . the film was then allowed to react with heparin by being immersed in an aqueous solution having 5 , 000 unit / ml of heparin at ph of 3 . temperature was maintained at 50 ° c . during the reaction . after ten minutes , the film was taken up from the solution , washed with a sufficient amount of distilled water and then dried at ambient temperature . 50 g of water soluble starch was dissolved in 300 ml of water and the solution obtained was maintained at 30 ° c . to this solution , an aqueous solution ( 50 ml ) containing 1 g of sodium metaperiodate was added , and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes . the reaction product was precipitated by pouring the reaction mixture into large excess of methanol . the precipitant was filtered , and then the residual material was dissolved in water again . after the aqueous solution thus obtained had been adjusted to ph 3 . 5 with h 2 so 4 , 5 ml of a solution having 25 , 000 unit / ml of heparin was added , and the solution was allowed to react at 40 ° c . for 30 minutes . the reaction mixture was again precipitated in a large excess of methanol under agitation . the precipitant was sufficiently washed with methanol . purification of the reaction product was performed by reprecipitation using a water - methanol system . thus , heparinized starch was obtained . using a tube made from polyvinyl chloride ( 100 mm long and 10 mm in inner diameter ), a test tube was prepared by closing one end of the tube . the heparinized starch obtained above was dissolved in water to form a 25 % solution ; the ph thereof was adjusted to 1 . 0 with h 2 so 4 and an amount of glutaraldehyde calculated to form a 3 % solution was added thereto . immediately after the addition of the glutaraldehyde , the solution was poured into the polyvinyl chloride test tube , then the tube was rotated so that the inner surface was covered uniformly with the solution . after this operation , excess solution was decanted , then the tube was dried at 50 ° c . as the result , the inner surface was uniformly coated with cross - linked , heparinized starch . another experiment was conducted as follows , using soft - polyvinyl chloride film containing dioctyl phthalate ( dop ) as a plasticizer : immediately after the addition of glutaraldehyde to the acidic aqueous solution of the heparinized starch , the aqueous solution was coated on the surface of the film described in example 2 , then the coated film was heat - treated at 60 ° c . to evaporate water therefrom . as a result , glutaraldehyde - cross - linked heparinized starch , which is no longer soluble in water , was uniformly coated on the surface of the film . after being washed with a sufficient amount of water to eliminate the soluble portion , the film was dried at ambient temperature . using a tube made from cellulose butyrate acetate by eastman kodak co ., the following experiment was carried out . first , the inner surface of the tube was treated with 3 normal aqueous solution . by this procedure ( koh treatment ), the inner surface of the tube was partially hydrolyzed to regenerate cellulose . after being washed thoroughly with water , the inner surface of the tube was contacted with the aqueous solution of sodium metaperiodate as in example 1 at 5 ° c . in dark place . after this , the periodate solution was removed from the tube , which was then washed with water . the water - washed tube was then immersed in an aqueous solution containing 10 , 000 unit / ml of heparin at ph 3 for 30 minutes at 40 ° c . the tube was then washed with water and dried . anti - coagulant tests were carried out using surface - heparinized film obtained in the examples 1 to 3 . the following tests were employed . for comparison , un - heparinized films of the same materials were tested as controls . the test for non - thrombogenetic properties was made by two methods described below : the film was first thoroughly washed with the saline solution , then placed on a watch glass . on this film , 1 ml of the fresh human blood was placed , then the test was made in such a manner that a silicon - coated needle was tipped into blood and pulled up , and checked if any fibrous material may be pulled up with the needle or not . the time that the fibrous material was first observed was defined as the initial coagulating time . the complete coagulation time was defined as the time that the blood was no longer flow down when the watch glass was tilted and tipped over . this test was carried out using dog &# 39 ; s acd blood . for one sample , 5 pieces of films were prepared and placed in watch glasses independently . these are kept at 37 ° c ., then the fresh dog &# 39 ; s acd blood ( 0 . 25 ml each ) was placed on every pieces of the films . immediately after this , the addition of 0 . 025 ml of aqueous cacl 2 solution , the concentration of which was 0 . 1 mole / l , was followed . this will start coagulation of the blood . after appropriate time intervals , coagulated blood mass was fixed with formation . this was again washed with water . after removing the water , the blood mass was weighed . the weight percent of the blood mass based on the control means which was prepared in the same condition on the glass plate . ______________________________________ test itest sample coagulation time test iikind heparinized initial complete blood mass______________________________________example 1 yes 300 min & gt ; 10 hrs 3 % no 11 min 16 min 81 % example 2 yes 240 min & gt ; 10 hrs 6 % no 10 min 19 min 89 % example 3 yes 240 min & gt ; 10 hrs 8 % no 8 min 14 min 72 % glass plate ( control ) no 6 min 12 min 100 % ______________________________________ from the above results , it is obvious that the heparinization in the present invention shows outstanding effect . in this example , the tests of coagulation of the blood were examined using lee - white method . specimens used in this example were polyvinyl chloride tube coated with the heparinized starch obtained in the example 3 , and the partially hydrolyzed and heparinized cellulose acetate butyrate tube obtained in example 4 . for comparison , unheparinized tube specimens of the same kind , and glass test tubes with and without the treatment with silicone were tested in the same condition . the results are summarized in the following table . ______________________________________tube specimen coagulationkind heparinized start time______________________________________example 3 yes & gt ; 5 hrs no 16 minexample 4 yes & gt ; 5 hrs no 10 minglass tube * -- 8 min glass tube ** -- 32 min______________________________________ * without treatment with silicone ** treated with silicone 215 . 2 mg of sodium heparin was dissolved in 100 ml of distilled water . to this , 0 . 0624 mole of sodium metaperiodate was added , and the mixture was kept for 28 hours at 5 ° c . by this procedure , one glycol per 16 glucose units of heparin was cleaved on an average . this solution was used as solution ( i ). after this solution was maintained for an additional 20 hrs in the dark , two glycols per 16 glucose units of heparin were cleaved . this solution was used as the solution ( ii ). the commercial cuprophan ® and cellophan ® film were cut to square ( 5 × 5 cm ). the films were treated with solutions ( i ) and ( ii ) at ph 3 adjusted with h 2 so 4 for 60 min . temperature was maintained at 60 ° c . the films were then washed with water and dried . a polyvinyl alcohol aqueous solution was prepared using a commercial polyvinyl alcohol . from the solution , a polyvinyl alcohol film was prepared by usual casting method . after heat - treatment of the film at 80 ° c . for 4 hours , the film became insolube in water because of the crystallization . this film was treated at ph 1 . 0 for 4 hours at 50 ° c . with solution ( i ). a film made from a copolymer of vinyl acetate - ethylene copolymer was treated in a kcl saturated aqueous solution with 1 n of potassium hydroxide for 1 hour at 40 ° c . the surface of the film was hydrolyzed , which was confirmed by ir spectrum , showing the presence of -- oh group . this surface - hydrolyzed film was treated with solution ( ii ) at ph 1 . 0 for 1 hour at 40 ° c . the film was then washed with water and dried . a commercial vinyl chloride - ethylene - vinyl acetate graft copolymer ( graftmer ® from the nippon zeon co .) was shaped into a tube . the interior of the tube was hydrolyzed by contact with 2 normal potassium hydroxide aqueous solution . thus interior surface of the tube became vinyl chloride - ethylene - vinyl alcohol copolymer . after being washed sufficiently , the tube was treated with solution ( i ) at ph 3 for 1 hour . temperature was maintained at 30 ° c . after being washed with h 2 o , the tube was cut to 10 cm length , and one end of the tube was heat - closed to form a test tube . a tube from cellulose butyrate acetate was surface - hydrolyzed in the same manner as in example 10 . after being washed thoroughly with water , the tube was treated with solution ( ii ) at 30 ° c . for 1 hour at ph 4 . 0 . using the specimens obtained from examples 7 to 11 , non - thrombogenic properties were examined by the method proposed in example 5 . the results obtained are summerized in the following table . ______________________________________ test itest specimen coagulation time test iikind heparinized initial complete blood mass______________________________________example 7 yes 230 min & gt ; 10 hrs 3 % no 8 min 12 min 82 % example 8 yes 300 min & gt ; 10 hrs 6 % no 6 min 17 min 91 % example 9 yes 120 min & gt ; 10 hrs 8 % no 5 min 14 min 88 % glass -- 8 min 14 min 100 % ______________________________________ the tubes obtained by examples 10 and 11 were tested by lee - white method . for comparison , glass tubes were tested with and without silicone treatment . the results are summarized in the following table . ______________________________________tube specimen coagulationkind heparinized start time______________________________________example 10 yes & gt ; 10 hours no 13 minexample 11 yes & gt ; 10 hours no 18 minglass tube * -- 12 min glass tube ** -- 43 min______________________________________ * without treatment with silicone ** treated with silicone a film was prepared from the hydrolyzed product of the allylidene diacetate - vinyl acetate copolymer . the hydrolyzed product has acrolein unit ( 6 . 9 mole %) and vinyl alcohol unit in the polymer . by heat - treatment , the film became insoluble in water because of the crystallization . the film was immersed in the heparin solution containing 10 , 000 units of heparin for 30 min , which was adjusted at ph 3 . 0 with h 2 so 4 . after being washed , the film was dried at ambient temperature . a copolymer comprising methyl methacrylate and methacrolein ( 6 . 1 mole %) was dissolved in acetone . using this solution , a film was casted by the usual method . the film was immersed in the solution containing 50 , 000 units of heparin for 40 minutes , adjusted at ph 2 with h 2 so 4 . the dried film was presented for non - thrombogenetic test . the powdered copolymer of methylmethacrylate and methacrolein was suspended in the aqueous solution containing 50 , 000 units of heparin at 50 ° c . for one hour at ph 3 . 2 adjusted with h 2 so 4 . the polymer was filtered and dried . this was dissolved in acetone , and after the insoluble part had been removed , the solution was casted to form a film . the film obtained was presented for non - thrombogenicity test . a copolymer of acrylonitrile - methyl acrylate - methacrolein acetal ( 86 : 9 : 5 by weight ) was dissolved in dimethyl formamide . from the solution thus obtained , a film was prepared by casting the solution . the film was treated in boiled water to remove traces of dimethyl formamide retained in the film . this film was treated in the acidic aqueous solution having 10 , 000 units of heparin and the film was presented for non - thrombogenic test . a copolymer of acrylonitrile - vinyl acetate - p - formyl styrene ( 91 : 3 : 6 ) was dissolved in dimethyl formamide . from this solution , a film was prepared in the same manner as in example 17 . heparinization process was the same as in example 17 . from homogeneous blend of 30 parts of methyl methacrylate - methacrolein copolymer ( 84 : 16 ) and 70 parts of soft - polyvinyl chloride plasticized with dop ( dioctyl phthalate ) a tube having inner diameter of 8 mm was shaped . the tube was transparent and flexible . one end of the tube was heat - sealed to form a test tube . the test tube was filled with the heparin solution used in example 17 . after being stood over night at 30 ° c ., the heparin solution was removed by decantation , and the tube was dried . the non - thrombogenic tests were performed according to the method described in example 5 using the film specimens obtained in examples 14 to 18 . the results are summarized in the below . ______________________________________ test itest specimen coagulation time test iikind heparinized initial complete blood mass______________________________________example 14 yes 300 min & gt ; 10 hrs 3 % no 12 min 16 min 82 % example 15 yes 260 min & gt ; 10 hrs 2 % no 8 min 19 min 89 % example 16 yes 120 min & gt ; 10 hrs 8 % no 5 min 14 min 81 % example 17 yes 280 min & gt ; 10 hrs 4 % no 6 min 12 min 86 % example 18 yes 245 min & gt ; 10 hrs 2 % no 7 min 12 min 86 % glass -- 6 min 12 min 100 % ______________________________________ the non - thrombogenic test was performed by lee - white method using the tube obtained in example 19 . the result is shown with control data for comparison . ______________________________________specimen coagulationkind heparinized start time______________________________________example 19 yes & gt ; 10 hrs no 14 minglass tube * -- 8 min glass tube ** -- 32 min______________________________________ * without treatment with silicone ** treated with silicone cellulose acetate ( eastman kodak co ., e - 400 - 25 ) was dissolved in acetone - formamide mixture to form a spinning solution . the hollow fiber was produced using a &# 34 ; tube - in - orifice &# 34 ; spinneret , namely , the spinning solution was extruded through an annular slit , and simultaneously from a tube which was placed at the center of the annular orifice , core solution was introduced . the core solution ( a ) was a 20 % aqueous solution of cacl 2 , while core solution ( b ) has 0 . 5 mole / l sodium metaperiodate in addition to 20 % of cacl 2 . the spinning method employed was the so - called dry - jet wet spinning . the spun filament was introduced into a water coagulation bath after passing through an air gap of 30 cm . the filament was washed with water , and then wound up on a reel . this was immersed in water overnight , during that period , gradients in the core solution were dialyzed . in the inner surface of the hollow fiber prepared by using the core solution ( b ), the presence of aldehyde group was confirmed by infra - red spectrum . interior surface of this hollow fiber was then treated with acidic ( ph 2 ) heparin solution and then dried . hemodialyzers were assembled using the fibers obtained in this example and , using each , blood dialysis was performed on a dog . there was observed non - thrombogenecity for the dialyzer assembled by use of the heparinized hollow fibers , while the hollow fiber without heparinization ( using the core solution ( a )) shows considerable blood clotting . the same spinning solution in example 22 was used . ammonium chloride was dissolved in 1 n hcl aqueous solution to form core solution ( c ). to this , 0 . 1 mole percent of periodic acid was added ( core solution ( d )). as in example 22 , the hollow fiber was prepared using the core solutions ( c ) and ( d ). the spinning was performed using usual dry - jet wet spinning ( air gap : 30 cm ) as in example 22 . the hollow fiber obtained on the reel was cut to be 30 cm long , then the core solution was removed from the hollow portion . the fiber was washed with water , followed by the treatment with acidic ( ph 2 ) heparin solution . using the hollow fibers thus obtained , a hemodialyzer was assembled . the non - thrombogenenic properties of the dialyzer were tested using a dog . the hollow fiber dialyzer using the heparinized hollow fibers obtained in this example shows no blood clotting . except for the use of the core solution having 0 . 1 mole of periodic salt ( potassium periodate ) in propylene glycol - water mixture ( 55 : 45 ), all the procedure was the same as in example 22 . the hollow fibers wound up on the reel was cut to be 30 cm long , then the core liquid was removed . the fiber was then treated with dilute acetic acid , then washed with h 2 o , followed by the treatment with the heparin solution acidified with hcl . the hemodialyzer using this hollow fibers shows a minimum clotting of the blood , and outstanding effect of the present invention was confirmed .	8
the invention is a digital data acquisition method and apparatus that collects data at high rate and in real - time preprocesses large volumes of data into directly useable forms . to explain the invention , an exemplary neutron detector system is provided for making measurements on samples that contain fissile material . as shown in the neutron counting requirements matrix of fig1 , the system operates in two different modes and performs several classes of measurements . fig1 is a flow chart of an embodiment the present method of event counting comprising : inputting edge triggered input signals into parallel input circuits observing each event to be counted ; creating a clock to control a minimum summing interval wherein data is collected ( counted ), for use by a parallel set of means for adding , wherein each input circuit is operatively connected to multiple private ( independent ) means for adding of said parallel set ; reading a sum in each said means for adding during said minimum summing interval to produce a sum read ; zeroing each said means for adding at the end of the minimum summing interval ; storing said sum read into multiple arrays ; and constructing summed sections from said array to build data structures comprising multiple superset interval sizes , interval sizing after an external trigger , event totals in a fixed interval , event totals in a fixed interval after an external trigger , time intervals between events , time intervals between events after an external trigger , and arrival time of certain clump sizes after an external trigger . a second embodiment of the present method of event counting comprises : inputting input signals into parallel input circuits observing each event to be counted ; controlling a minimum summing interval in which data is counted for use by a parallel set of means for adding ; producing a sum read ; zeroing each said means for adding ; storing said sum read ; and building data structures . in this second method , wherein said input signals may be edge triggered . the minimum summing interval is controlled with a clock . each input circuit is operatively connected to multiple independent means for adding of said parallel set . the sum read is produced by reading a sum in each said means for adding during said minimum summing interval . the means for adding are zeroed at the end of a minimum summing interval . the sum read may be stored into multiple arrays . data structures are built by constructing summed sections from said array and may comprise data selected from the group consisting of multiple superset interval sizes , interval sizing after an external trigger , event totals in a fixed interval , event totals in a fixed interval after an external trigger , time intervals between events , time intervals between events after an external trigger , and arrival time of certain clump sizes after an external trigger . the data structures may comprise multiple superset interval sizes , interval sizing after an external trigger , event totals in a fixed interval , event totals in a fixed interval after an external trigger , time intervals between events , time intervals between events after an external trigger , and arrival time of certain clump sizes after an external trigger . an apparatus for event counting according to the present invention comprises : means for inputting input signals into parallel input circuits observing each event to be counted ; means for controlling a minimum summing interval in which data is counted for use by a parallel set of means for adding ; means for producing a sum read ; means for zeroing each said means for adding ; means for storing said sum read ; and means for building data structures . one may also describe the two modes as three modes : self triggered mode i , self triggered mode ii and externally triggered mode ii . mode ii counting when self - triggered is internally triggered like mode i . mode ii external trigger is typically called the neutron generator triggered counting . mode i will be used for making measurements of neutrons generated by the natural radioactivity of the sample material . in this mode the detector system will employ internally generated , periodic triggers to detect neutrons in data acquisition gates ( dags ). dag nomenclature is defined in fig2 . in this mode , the dags are uncorrelated with the neutron emission times . see fig1 and 2 . mode ii will be required for measurements on samples with very low natural neutron activity ; it may also be useful for measurements on some samples with higher natural activity . most of the neutrons detected in this mode will be generated by interactions ( mainly induced fission ) initiated by pulses of 14 - mev neutrons injected into the sample material by an ion - tube ( d , t ) neutron generator . the periodic triggers for the detector , in this mode , are provided by the neutron generator , at a fixed time relative to the 14 - mev neutron pulses . the dags and the induced - fission neutrons emitted by the sample are thus highly correlated in time . see fig1 and 3 . in both mode i and mode ii , two classes of measurements ( class a and class b ) are required , and a third class ( class c ) can provide valuable information in mode ii , but is not applicable to mode i . for each class of measurement the neutrons detected within the dags must be sorted in different ways . in order to minimize overall data collection time , it is necessary to carry out the various classes of measurements ( i . e ., implement the different data sorting algorithms ) simultaneously . ( there may be cases , in mode ii , in which different beam delays are required for different measurement classes , which would require separate measurements .) class a : in this class of measurement data will be sorted to record statistics on neutron multiplicities detected within temporal sub - gates with different widths . a feynman variance type of analysis can be carried out with these data . although the same data sorting algorithm ( the “ inefficient implementation ”) can be used for both mode i and mode ii measurements , other sorting algorithms can greatly improve data collection efficiency in mode i . it is feasible to implement at least one of these ( the “ efficient implementation ”). fig4 and 5 are an example of the mode 1a . fig1 and 11 are examples of mode 2a . class b : in this class of measurement data will be sorted to record statistics on the time intervals between successive neutrons detected within the dags . a rossi - alpha type of analysis can be carried out with these data . the same data sorting algorithm applies for both mode i and mode ii . fig1 and 13 are examples of mode 2b counting . fig6 , 7 , 8 and 9 are examples of mode 1b type of counting . class c : in this class of measurement data are sorted according to the number of multiplets in each time bin within the data acquisition gate . these data allow one to measure the neutron die - away following the injection of the e . g ., 14 - mev neutron pulse into the sample . fig1 and 15 are examples of mode 2c counting . in summary , four different data sorting algorithms ( depending on how you choose to categorize the counting modes ) must be implemented in order to carry out all of the classes of analysis that are necessary for both mode i and mode ii measurements , although only two are applicable in mode i and only three are applicable in mode ii . it is desirable to implement simultaneous sorting of data by all four algorithms for all measurements , in order to simplify field operation of the detector system . analyses will be carried out , of course , only on the data sets applicable for a particular mode . the current neutron detectors consist of several ( typically 14 ) 3 he proportional - counter tubes embedded in a polyethylene moderator . the tubes may be in a single pod or in a pair of pods . the output pulses from the tubes are fed to an electronic module containing amplifiers and pulse - sorting circuitry . the electronics module has four principal functions : 1 ) it supplies the high - voltage to the 3 he tubes and power for the electronic counting circuitry from a self - contained battery pack . 2 ) it permits user selection of a ) one of the two triggering modes , internal ( mode i ) or external ( mode ii ), b ) a “ start delay ,” δ 1 , for mode ii ( set to the minimum value , 1 - μs , for mode i ), c ) the width , τ o , of the fundamental data - sorting time bins ( minimum value currently restricted to i μs ), and d ) the number of data acquisition cycles ( dacs ) for the measurement ( typically 10 5 - 10 8 ). 3 ) it amplifies and shapes the analog output signals from each tube ( separate amplifier and discriminator for each tube ) and feeds the signals to a data collection and sorting system . 4 ) it sorts the data collected on each dac into the four data matrices required for the different modes and analysis types , and appropriately increments the cumulative data matrices at the end of each dac . it outputs the cumulative data matrices at the end of each measurement . the electronics module will also display and / or print the average total counting rate in units of neutrons / dag to allow the operator to adjust the length of the dag and / or the sample - to - detector distance to achieve good data collection efficiency . it may also print a reminder to the operator that the number of neutrons / dag needs to be large . ( since the number of counting bins will be fixed at 256 , the length of the dag is determined by the value of τ o that is set ). the schematic representations of the neutron beam and the beam delay ( δ o ) shown in fig3 apply only to mode ii . when wanting data from mode l the 14 - mev neutron generator ( i . e ., external trigger input ) is not used . the start pulse for the dac is generated internally . the delay , δ 2 , is essentially zero , and δ 1 is kept at the minimum value consistent with the triggering and data sorting requirements for the cycle ( approximately 1 - μs ). the user - selected value , τ o , of the fundamental counting bin width , therefore , determines l g ( the number of bins is fixed at 256 ), and ( together with the fixed value of δ 1 ) the length of the dac ( l c ) and , of course , its inverse , the pulse repetition frequency ( prf ). in mode ii , the user selects the values of τ o . δ 1 , and the prf of the neutron generator ( within the operational limits of approximately 500 - 5000 hz ). the neutron generator control module provides a ttl output pulse that serves as the dac start pulse . the neutron output from the generator occurs at a delay , δ 0 , approximately 20 - 40 us after the start of the ttl pulse . the duration of the neutron beam pulse is determined by the selected prf and the neutron generator duty factor ( nominally fixed by the manufacturer at some value in the 5 - 10 % range , but , in practice , somewhat prf dependent ). fig3 , 10 , 12 and 14 show timing marks . the number of time bins in the dag will be fixed at 256 . each bin has the same width , τ o , which can be selected by the user to adjust the length of the dag as required by the measurement to be made . the minimum value of τ o is fixed at one microsecond by the current electronics in the system . the sum of neutron counts from all of the 3 he tubes in the detector is recorded in each time bin . see fig2 and 3 . δ 1 is kept to its minimum value and δ 2 is set to zero in mode i , in order to maximize data acquisition efficiency . in mode ii , l g , δ 1 , and l c can all be set by the user . if these choices are not made judiciously [ i . e ., if l c & lt ;( l g + δ 1 )], one could get a negative value of δ 2 ! see fig3 . in mode ii , the measurement requirements may require the neutron “ beam ” to be positioned entirely prior to the start of the dag , more or less coincident with the dag , or overlapping part of the dag . variability of the prf , δ 1 , and τ o allows such flexibility in beam position . note that the beginning and end of the neutron “ beam ” is not well defined in time . also , the term “ beam ” is used loosely , here ; the 14 - mev neutrons are emitted isotropically by generator , and do not form a spatial beam in the usual sense of the word . see fig3 . fig4 and 10 show examples of subgate detail . fig1 illustrates another type of subgate counting . the level - 1 subgates shown are equivalent to the fundamental time bins . in principle , each level - 1 subgate could comprise 2 or more bins . if longer level - 1 subgates are required , this can be achieved , in the implementation shown , by increasing the size of τ o . it is possible , in principle , to implement a data - sorting algorithm that contains more subgates of level - 2 and higher . there are possible modifications of the current implementation ( containing the same numbers of subgates of each level ) in which some of the longer subgates could comprise different groupings of time bins than the ones indicated in the figure . on any given dac , the neutron multiplicities in some of those subgates would generally differ from the multiplicities in the illustrated set of subgates . the total multiplicity count in all subgates of a given length would , over a measurement of many dacs , be statistically equivalent for all such variations of the implementation shown . referring now to fig6 , 8 , 12 and 14 : ( a ) the average number of neutrons per dag needs to be large . any data acquisition cycles on which only zero or one neutron is detected provide no useful data for the rossi - alpha analysis . in order to collect data efficiently , it is necessary that an average of several ( say ≧ 10 ) neutrons be detected on each cycle . ( b ) if two neutrons are counted in a single bin , we consider the earlier of the two to be the second member of a neutron pair with the nearest preceding neutron ; the later neutron is the first member of a pair with the next succeeding neutron ; and the two neutrons , themselves , constitute a pair separated by a time interval smaller than τ o . we arbitrarily define this to be a time interval of “ zero ” width . if three neutrons occur in a single bin , we have two intervals of zero width , etc . the foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed . many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching . the embodiments disclosed were meant only to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications suited to the particular use contemplated . the scope of the invention is to be defined by the following claims .	7
the present invention will now be described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof , and with reference to the figures . fig1 is a schematic diagram showing major physical components of said preferred embodiment of the vehicle height adjustment system of the present invention , and fig2 is a block diagrammatical view showing the internal construction of an electrical control device incorporating a micro computer , incorporated in said preferred embodiment . referring first to fig1 which shows the gross mechanical components incorporated in the preferred embodiment of the vehicle height adjustment system of the present invention that are utilized for vehicle height and ride adjustment in this figure the reference numeral 1 denotes a suspension working fluid reservoir or sump , while 2fl , 2fr , 2rl , and 2rr are actuator assemblies which are provided to , respectively the front left vehicle wheel , the front right vehicle wheel , the rear left vehicle wheel , and the rear right vehicle wheel ; one of these vehicle wheels is schematically shown in fig3 . and , in and for each of said actuators assemblies 2fl , 2fr , 2rl , and 2rr , the reference numeral 3 denotes a cylinder and the reference numeral 4 denotes a piston sliding in said cylinder and cooperating with a closed end thereof to define an actuating pressure chamber 5 . each of said vehicle wheels is rotationally mounted about a substantially horizontal axis to a member such as a suspension arm ( shown schematically in fig3 and denoted therein by the reference numeral 129 ) or the like which is suspended from the body ( not shown ) of the vehicle by means of a flexible linkage of some per se known sort , and each of said actuator assemblies 2fl , 2fr , 2rl , and 2rr is arranged to have one of its cylinder 3 and its piston 4 ( its piston 4 , in the exemplary schematic illustration of fig3 ) drivingly coupled to one of said vehicle body and said suspension arm ( exemplarily to the suspension arm 129 , via the piston rod 128 ), while the other of its said cylinder 3 and said piston 4 is drivingly coupled to the other of said vehicle body and said suspension arm . thus , by pressurization by suspension working fluid ( abbreviated hereinafter merely as &# 34 ; fluid &# 34 ;) of the pressure chamber 5 defined by said cylinder 3 and said piston 4 , each of said actuator assemblies 2fl , 2fr , 2rl , and 2rr serves for maintaining and adjusting the sprung height from the road surface of the portion of the vehicle body above its associated vehicle wheel , and for determining the characteristics of the springing of said vehicle body with respect to said associated vehicle wheel . in other possible embodiments of the vehicle height adjustment system of the present invention , other constructions ( such as hydraulic ram type devices ) would be possible for these actuator assemblies 2fl , 2fr , 2rl , and 2rr , as long as each said actuator assembly was capable of increasing and decreasing the sprung height of the portion of the vehicle body above its associated vehicle wheel , corresponding to the supply and the discharge of fluid to a working fluid chamber of said actuator assembly or corresponding to some other control function exerted from a controller , and as long as the pressure in the working fluid chamber increased and decreased in response respectively to bound and rebound of said associated vehicle wheel ( or the functional like ). working fluid for the operation of this suspension system , such as specialized type of oil or the like , is sucked up from the reservoir 1 by a fluid pump 6 rotationally driven by the engine 12 of the vehicle to which this suspension system is fitted , and a pressurized supply thereof is fed via a conduit 10 through , in order , a flow rate control valve 7 , a load mitigating valve 8 , and a one way check valve 9 to a conduit junction point 11 , and from this junction point 11 via another conduit 22 said pressurized fluid is fed to another conduit junction point 23 . this flow rate control valve 7 is constructed so as to control the flow rate of fluid in the conduit 10 according to a signal which it receives . the load mitigating valve 8 is constructed so as to be responsive to the pressure in the conduit 10 downstream of the one way check valve 9 and so as to vent a certain amount of the pressurized fluid in said conduit 10 via a conduit 13 back to a point in the conduit 10 upstream of the pump 6 , so as to maintain said pressure in the conduit 10 downstream of the one way check valve 9 at no more than a determinate pressure value . and the check valve 9 prevents the fluid from flowing backwards through the conduit 10 from the conduit junction points 11 and 23 towards the load mitigating valve 8 . the conduit junction point 11 is connected to the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2fr for the front right vehicle wheel via a conduit 20 at intermediate points along which there are provided , in order , a one way check valve 14 , an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 16 , and an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 18 . similarly , said conduit junction point 11 is connected to the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2fl for the front left vehicle wheel via a conduit 21 at intermediate points along which there are provided , in order , a one way check valve 15 , an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 17 , and an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 19 . the other conduit junction point 23 is connected to the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2rr for the rear right vehicle wheel via a conduit 30 at intermediate points along which there are provided , in order , a one way check valve 24 , an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 26 , and an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 28 . similarly , said other conduit junction point 23 is connected to the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2rl for the rear left vehicle wheel via a conduit 31 at intermediate points along which there are provided , in order , a one way check valve 25 , an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 27 , and an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 29 . thus , the cylinder chambers 5 for the actuators 2fr , 2fl , 2rr , and 2rl are selectively supplied with working fluid from the reservoir 1 , as pressurizied by the pump 6 , via the conduits 10 , 20 and 21 , 22 , and 30 and 31 , with , as will be described in detail hereinbelow , such supply of pressurized fluid and the flow rate thereof being appropriately and properly controlled by the supply of actuating electrical energy to the electrically controlled on / off switching valves 16 , 17 , 26 , and 27 and to the electrically controlled flow rate control valves 18 , 19 , 28 , and 29 . to a point of the conduit 20 between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 18 and the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2fr for the front right vehicle wheel there is communicated one end of a conduit 36 , the other end of which is connected to a drain conduit 38 . at intermediate points on said conduit 36 there are provided an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 32 and an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 34 . similarly , to a point of the conduit 21 between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 19 and the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2fl for the front left vehicle wheel there is communicated one end of a conduit 37 , the other end of which is connected to said drain conduit 38 , and at intermediate points on said conduit 37 there are provided an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 33 and an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 35 . and to a point of the conduit 30 between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 28 and the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2rr for the rear right vehicle wheel there is communicated one end of a conduit 43 , the other end of which is connected to the drain conduit 38 , and at intermediate points on said conduit 43 there are provided an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 39 and an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 41 , while also to a point of the conduit 31 between the electrically controlled flow rate valve 29 and the cylinder chamber 5 of the actuator 2rl for the rear left vehicle wheel there is communicated one end of a conduit 44 , the other end of which is connected to said drain conduit 38 , and at intermediate points on said conduit 44 there are provided an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 40 and an electrically controlled on / off switching valve 42 . thus , the cylinder chambers 5 for the actuators 2fr , 2fl , 2rr , and 2rl are selectively exhausted of presurized fluid to the reservoir 1 via the conduits 36 , 37 , 43 , 44 , and 38 , with , as will be described in detail hereinbelow , such exhausting of pressurized fluid and the flow rate thereof being appropriately and properly controlled by the supply of actuating electrical energy to the electrically controlled on / off switching valves 34 , 35 , 41 , and 42 and to the electrically controlled flow rate control valves 32 , 33 , 39 , and 40 . in this shown construction , although such constructional details should be understood as not limitative of the present invention , the electrically controlled on / off switching valves 16 , 17 , 26 , 27 , 34 , 35 , 41 , and 42 are constructed as normally closed switching valves incorporating such devices as solenoids ( not particularly shown ), and , when no actuating electrical energy is supplied to the coil ( not shown either ) of any one of said solenoids , the respective one of said switching valves 16 , 17 , 26 , 27 , 34 , 35 , 41 , and 42 is closed as schematically shown in the figure so as to intercept and so as to prevent flow of fluid in the conduit to which said switching valve is fitted , while on the other hand , when actuating electrical energy is supplied to said coil of said one of said solenoids , said respective one of said switching valves 16 , 17 , 26 , 27 , 34 , 35 , 41 , and 42 is opened as also schematically shown in the figure so as to allow flow of fluid in said conduit to which said switching valve is fitted . also , the electrically controlled flow rate control valves 18 , 19 , 28 , 29 , 32 , 33 , 39 , and 40 are constructed so as to vary the degree of restriction which they apply according to the duty ratio of the current or the voltage of actuating electrical pulse signals which they receive , so as to thereby control the flow rate of fluid flowing through the conduits 20 , 21 , 30 , 31 , 36 , 37 , 43 , and 44 respectively associated with said flow rate control valves and draining them . to a point on the conduit 20 intermediate between the junction point 11 and the one way check valve 14 , i . e . upstream of said one way check valve 14 , there is connected an accumulator 45 which has a fluid chamber 49 and an air chamber 50 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . this accumulator 45 serves to absorb fluctuations in pressure set up in the conduit 10 due to pulsations in the fluid provided by the pump 6 and due to the action of the load mitigating valve 8 , and to accumulate pressure for the fluid in the conduit 20 . similarly , to a point on the conduit 21 intermediate between the junction point 11 and the one way check valve 15 , i . e . upstream of said one way check valve 15 , there is connected an accumulator 46 which has a fluid chamber 49 and an air chamber 50 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . this accumulator 46 similarly serves to absorb fluctuations in pressure set up in the conduit 10 due to pulsations in the fluid supply provided by the pump 6 and due to the action of the load mitigating valve 8 , and to accumulate pressure for the fluid in the conduit 21 . and , likewise , to a point on the conduit 30 intermediate between the junction point 11 and the one way check valve 24 , i . e . upstream of said one way check valve 24 , there is connected an accumulator 47 which has a fluid chamber 49 and an air chamber 50 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm , and this accumulator 47 serves to absorb fluctuations in pressure set up in the conduit 22 due to pulsations in the fluid supply provided by the pump 6 and due to the action of the load mitigating valve 8 , and to accumulate pressure for the fluid in the conduit 30 ; while , similarly , to a point on the conduit 31 intermediate between the junction point 11 and the one way check valve 25 , i . e . upstream of said one way check valve 25 , there is connected an accumulator 48 which has a fluid chamber 49 and an air chamber 50 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm ; and this accumulator 48 similarly serves to absorb fluctutions in pressure set up in the conduit 22 due to pulsations in the fluid supply provided by the pump 6 and due to the action of the load mitigating valve 8 , and to accumulate pressure for the fluid in the conduit 31 . to another point on the conduit 20 intermediate between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 18 and the actuator 2fr for the front right vehicle wheel there is connected one end of a conduit 55 , to the other end of which there is connected a main spring 59 which has a fluid chamber 75 and an air chamber 76 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . at an intermediate point of said conduit 55 there is fitted a flow rate control valve 51 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 79 . and to a point on said conduit 55 between said flow rate control valve 51 and said main spring 59 there is connected one end of a conduit 67 , to the other end of which there is connected a subspring 71 which has a fluid chamber 77 and an air chamber 78 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . at an intermediate point of said conduit 67 there is fitted a normally open type on / off switching valve 63 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 83 . thus , as the volume of the cylinder chamber 5 of this actuator 2 fr for the front right vehicle wheel varies in response to the bound and the rebound of said front right vehicle wheel and air compressed therein is squeezed and unsqueezed , the fluid in said cylinder chamber 5 and in the fluid chambers 75 and 77 of this main spring 59 and this subspring 71 flows to and fro therebetween through the flow rate control valve 51 , and the flow resistance caused thereby produces a vibratory damping effect . similarly , to a point on the conduit 21 intermediate between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 19 and the actuator 2fl for the front left vehicle wheel there is connected one end of a conduit 56 , to the other end of which there is connected a main spring 60 which has a fluid chamber 75 and an air chamber 76 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm , and at an intermediate point of said conduit 56 there is fitted a flow rate control valve 52 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 80 . and to a point on said conduit 56 between said flow rate control valve 52 and said main spring 60 there is connected one end of a conduit 68 , to the other end of which there is connected a subspring 72 which has a fluid chamber 77 and an air chamber 78 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . at an intermediate point of said conduit 68 there is fitted a normally open type on / off switching valve 64 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 84 . thus , as the volume of the cylinder chamber 5 of this actuator 2fl for the front left vehicle wheel varies in response to the bound and the rebound of said front left vehicle wheel and air compressed therein is squeezed and unsqueezed , the fluid in said cylinder chamber 5 and in the fluid chambers 75 and 77 of this main spring 60 and this subspring 72 similarly flows to and fro therebetween through the flow rate control valve 52 , and the flow resistance caused thereby similarly produces a vibratory damping effect . and , with relation to the rear suspension for the vehicle , to a point on the conduit 30 intermediate between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 28 and the actuator 3fr for the rear right vehicle wheel there is similarly connected one end of a conduit 57 , to the other end of which there is connected a main spring 61 which likewise has a fluid chamber 75 and an air chamber 76 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . at an intermediate point of said conduit 57 there is fitted a flow rate control valve 53 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 81 , and to a point on said conduit 57 between said flow rate control valve 53 and said main spring 61 there is connected one end of a conduit 69 , to the other end of which there is connected a subspring 73 which also has a fluid chamber 77 and an air chamber 78 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . and at an intermediate point of said conduit 69 there is likewise fitted a normally open type on / off switching valve 65 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 85 . thus , as the volume of the cylinder chamber 5 of this actuator 2fr for the rear right vehicle wheel varies in response to the bound and the rebound of said rear right vehicle wheel and air compressed therein is squeezed and unsqueezed , the fluid in said cylinder chamber 5 and in the fluid chambers 75 and 77 of this main spring 61 and this subspring 73 flows to and fro therebetween through the flow rate control valve 53 , and the flow resistance caused thereby likewise produces a vibratory damping effect . similarly , to a point of the conduit 31 intermediate between the electrically controlled flow rate control valve 29 and the actuator 2fl for the rear left vehicle wheel there is connected one end of a conduit 58 , to the other end of which there is connected a main spring 62 which likewise has a fluid chamber 75 and an air chamber 76 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm , and at an intermediate point of said conduit 58 there is fitted a flow rate control valve 54 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 82 . and to a point on said conduit 58 between said flow rate control valve 54 and said main spring 62 there is connected one end of a conduit 70 , to the other end of which there is connected a subspring 74 which has a fluid chamber 77 and an air chamber 78 which are separated from one another by a diaphragm . at an intermediate point of said conduit 70 there is fitted a similar normally open type on / off switching valve 66 which is controlled by an electrically operated motor 86 . thus , as the volume of the cylinder chamber 5 of this actuator 2fl for the rear left vehicle wheel varies in response to the bound and the rebound of said rear left vehicle wheel and air compressed therein is squeezed and unsqueezed , the fluid in said cylinder chamber 5 and in the fluid chambers 75 and 77 of this main spring 62 and this subspring 74 similarly flows to and fro therebetween through the flow rate control valve 54 , and the flow resistance caused thereby similarly produces a vibratory damping effect . as will be particularly explained hereinafter , in the preferred embodiment of the vehicle height adjustment system of the present invention which will be described , the damping effect c for each of the four vehicle wheels is arranged to be switched between various levels according to control of the flow resistance of the flow rate control valves 51 , 52 , 53 , and 54 by the associated repsective electric motors 79 , 80 , 81 , and 82 . also , the springing effect or spring rate , i . e . the modulus of elasticity of springing , of each of the four vehicle wheels is arranged to be switched between two levels -- high and low -- according to control of the opening and closing of the on / off switching valves 63 , 64 , 65 , and 66 by the associated respective electric motors 83 , 84 , 85 , and 86 . and , as will be described shortly , the electric motors 79 , 80 , 81 , and 82 and the electric motors 83 , 84 , 85 , and 86 are selectively drivingly energized and controlled by an electrical control device 102 , according to signals which said electrical control device 102 receives from a vehicle road speed sensor 115 , a steering angle sensor , a throttle position sensor , a braking sensor , and a shift position sensor if the vehicle is equipped with an automatic type transmission , so as to minimize nose dive , squat , and roll of the vehicle . furthermore , vehicle height sensors 87 , 88 , 89 , and 90 ( each schematically illustrated as a variable resistor although other constructions therefor are possible ) are provided respectivley to the actuator 2fr for the front right vehicle wheel , the actuator 2fl for the front left vehicle wheel , the actuator 2rr for the rear right vehicle wheel , and the actuator 2rl for the rear left vehicle wheel , each functioning so as to sense the displacement of the piston 4 of its associated actuator ( or of the suspension arm associated therewith ) relative to its cylinder 3 , so as to produce an electrical output signal representative thereof , i . e . representative of the height of the generally corresponding portion of the vehicle body from the road surface ; these electrical output signals are fed to the electrical control device 102 . further , for each of the pressure chambers 5 of the actuators 2fr , 2fl , 2rr , and 2rl for the vehicle wheels , there is provided a corresponding pressure sensor , respectively designated by the reference numerals 91 through 94 , each of which senses the pressure of the working fluid within its corresponding pressure chamber 5 and produces an electrical output signal representative thereof , said electrical output signal being fed to the electrical control device 102 . accordingly , in this preferred embodiment , information representative of the individual pressures in all of the four pressure chambers 5 is available to the electrical control device 102 . referring now particularly to fig2 the construction of the electrical control device 102 of the preferred embodiment of the vehicle height adjustment system of the present invention , and of the micro computer designated at 103 incorporated therein , will be explained , insofar as it is relevant to the present invention . this micro computer 103 may , as suggested in fig2 be of per se conventional construction , and in such an exemplary case incorporates a cpu ( central processing unit ) 104 , a rom ( read only memory ) 105 , a ram ( random access memory ) 106 , an input port device 107 , and an output port device 108 , all of these elements being linked together by way of a two way common bus 109 . a vehicle height selection switch 110 is provided in the passenger compartment of the vehicle , capable of being accessed by the vehicle driver . this vehicle height selection switch 110 is settable to any one of three positions , said three positions indicating that the driver desires the vehicle height to be either high ( h ), normal ( n ), or low ( l ), and outputs a signal representative of its setting to the input port device 107 and thus to the micro computer 103 . the input port device 107 is also supplied , via a multiplexer 111 and an a / d converter 112 , with signals representative of the actual current heights , designated hereinafter as hfr , hfl , hrr , and hrl , of the vehicle body over the four vehicle wheels outputted by the aforementioned four vehicle height sensors 87 , 88 , 89 , and 90 respectively therefor and amplified by respective amplifiers 87a , 88a , 89a , and 90a , with signals representative of the current pressures present in the pressure chambers 5 of the actuators 2fr , 2fl , 2rr , and 2rl respectively for the four vehicle wheels outputted by the aforementioned four pressure sensors 91 , 92 , 93 , and 94 respectively therefor , with a signal representative of the vehicle road speed v outputted from the vehicle road speed sensor 115 and amplified by an amplifier 115a , with a signal representative of the steering angle α ( considering turning to the right as positive ) outputted from the aforementioned steering angle sensor not particularly shown and amplified by an amplifier also not shown , and with a signal representative of the rate of change ω of the steering angle outputted by the steering angle change rate sensor 114 and amplified by an amplifier 114a . in the rom 105 there are stored reference vehicle heights hhf and hhr , hnf and hnr , and hlf and hlr . hhf and hhr are respectively the desired or target vehicle body heights over the front wheels and over the rear wheels when the vehicle height selection switch 110 is set to high ( h ); hnf and hnr are respectively the desired or target vehicle body heights over the front wheels and over the rear wheels when the vehicle height selection switch 110 is set to normal ( n ); and hlf and hlr are respectively the desired or target vehicle body heights over the front wheels and over the rear wheels when the vehicle height selection switch 110 is set to low ( l ). thus hhf & gt ; hnf & gt ; hlf and also hhr & gt ; hnr & gt ; hlr . also in the rom 105 there are stored values representing maps and values of various types which will be described hereinafter , as well as other constant values . the cpu 104 performs various calculations as will be described shortly , and based upon the results thereof selectively outputs control signals through the output port device 108 for controlling the drive motors 79 through 82 for the respective flow rate control valves 51 through 54 via d / a converters and amplifiers not particularly shown , for controlling the flow rate control valves 18 , 32 , 19 , 33 , 28 , 39 , 29 , and 40 via respective d / a converters 117a through 117d and via respective amplifiers 119a through 119d , for controlling the on / off switching valves 16 , 34 , 17 , 35 , 26 , 41 , 27 , and 42 via respective d / a converters 118a through 118d and via respective amplifiers 120a through 120d , and for controlling the drive motors 83 through 86 for the respective on / off switching valves 63 through 66 via d / a converters and amplifiers not particularly shown . further , to the output port device 108 there is connected a display unit 116 which indicates to the vehicle driver whether or not the desired vehicle height set by said driver on the vehicle height selection switch 110 is currently high ( h ), normal ( n ), or low ( l ). generally in a vehicle equipped with a wheel height adjustment device , when the vehicle is travelling around a curve , if feedback control is simply applied to the actual wheel heights hj , then , because of response delays in the hydraulic systems and the like , there will arise transient temporary variations in wheel height , and as a result the body of the vehicle will undergo rolling . in order positively to prevent this vehicle body rolling , it is considered to be preferable to predict the changes in the wheel heights from the rate of change of the steering angle and the vehicle speed , and , based upon the results of such prediction and on the deviations of the actual wheel heights hj from the standard wheel heights hbj , to set the voltage ( or the duty ratio or the like ) of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied for controlling the supply and draining of working fluid to and from said cylinder chambers 5 of the actuators , so that the vehicle roll amount is brought to be substantially zero . therefore , if this is expressed algebraically , the result is the equation ( a ) below : where kj is a positive constant , epj is the drive current voltage correction based upon the vehicle body rolling prediction , and the expression &# 34 ;+ or -&# 34 ; is &# 34 ;+&# 34 ; and &# 34 ;-&# 34 ; for &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; being &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front right wheel or &# 34 ; rr &# 34 ; for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel or &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel , respectively . if g ( v ) is a gain variable having the vehicle speed as a parameter , and ω is the rate of change of the steering angle , then : where ω in the clockwise sense is taken as positive , and the expression &# 34 ;+ or -&# 34 ; is &# 34 ;+&# 34 ; and &# 34 ;-&# 34 ; for &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; being &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front right wheel or &# 34 ; rr &# 34 ; for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel or &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel , respectively . here , if the voltages of the supplies of actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the supply side and to the drain side electrically controlled flow rate control valves are denoted respectively as einj and eoutj , these are then expessed as follows : if ej is greater than or equal to zero , then einj = ej and eoutj = 0 ; if ej is less than or equal to zero , then einj = 0 and eoutj =- ej . next , the characteristics required for the gain variable g ( v ) and for the filter f ( v ) will be described . first a single wheel model as shown in fig3 will be considered . in fig3 indicates an actuator ( one of the actuators 2 , in the concrete realization provided by the preferred embodiment of fig1 and 2 ) provided for the corresponding vehicle wheel 122 , and this actuator 121 comprises a cylinder 123 and a piston 124 of the general types described above , which together define a cylinder chamber 125 . this cylinder chamber 125 of the cylinder 123 is connected to an working fluid supply source not shown in the drawing by a conduit 127 having intermediate therealong an electrically controlled flow rate control valve 126 ; a piston rod 128 of the piston 124 is pivoted to a suspension arm 129 to which the vehicle wheel 122 is rotatably mounted . also connected to the conduit 127 between the cylinder 123 and the flow control valve 126 , by means of a branching conduit 130 , there is provided a spring device 131 . for the purposes of explanation this spring device 131 , which actually of course is a hydraulic or pneumatic spring device , is shown as comprising a cylinder 132 and a piston 133 disposed so as to be reciprocally movable within the cylinder 132 , and on one side of the piston 133 a spring chamber 134 is shown as being defined and as being connected with the conduit 130 , whereas on the other side of the piston 133 there is shown disposed a compression coil spring 135 . at an intermediate point in the conduit 130 is provided a throttle or flow restriction device 136 . in the model shown in fig3 when the equations of motion are taken to a linear approximation the result is as follows : here x represents the relative mutual displacement between the cylinder 123 and the piston 124 , a represents the cross sectional area of the cylinder chamber 125 , y represents the relative displacement ( virtual ) between the cylinder 132 and the piston 133 , a represents the cross - sectional area ( virtual ) of the spring chamber 134 , q2 represents the flow rate of working fluid into the spring chamber 134 , q3 represents the flow rate of working fluid into the cylinder chamber 125 , p2 represents the pressure within the spring chamber 134 , p3 represents the pressure within the cylinder chamber 125 , k represents the spring constant ( virtual ) of the spring 135 , c represents the flow passage coefficient of the throttle 136 , e represents the voltage ( or duty ratio , if such be the control method ) of the actuating electrical energy supplied to the flow control valve 126 ( when positive the supply side flow control valve is open , when negative the drain side flow control valve is open ), gv represents the gain of said flow control valve 126 , f is the external force acting on the piston , and m is the equivalent mass on the cylinder . by eliminating y from the equations ( 1 ) to ( 6 ), and then further eliminating q2 and q3 , the following equation is obtained , with s as the lapiacian : ## equ1 ## if in the above we replace a 2 / c by o and ( a 2 / a 2 ) k by , then the above equation is reduced to the following equation ( 7 ): ## equ2 ## in order that the vehicle body rolling should be zero , x should be equal to 0 , in other words the right hand side of the equation ( 6 ) above should be 0 . the transmission coefficient of the lateral acceleration y c when the steering angle is α is per se well known , and is given by the equation ( 9 ) following ( the steering angle α is considered as being positive for clockwise rotation and negative for anticlockwise rotation , and y c is considered as being positive in the leftward direction ): ## equ4 ## here p2 , p1 , p0 , q2 , q1 and q0 are coefficients given by the above expression , m is the mass of the vehicle , iz is the moment of inertia of the vehicle , lf is the horizontal distance from the center of gravity of the vehicle to the axis of rotation of the front wheels , lr is the horizontal distance from the center of gravity to the axis of rotation of the rear wheels , lt is the wheelbase ( and is equal to lf × lr ). kcff is the front wheel cornering power , kcrf is the rear wheel cornering power , and v is the vehicle speed . there is an approximately proportional relationship between the lateral acceleration y c and the force f acting on the piston of the actuator , and therefore if g is the acceleration due to gravity , and mg is the static weight acting on the actuator , and m0 is a positive constant of proportionality , then the following relation ( 10 ) holds : in this equation , since y c is positive in the leftward direction , the plus or minus sign is &# 34 ;+&# 34 ; for the force acting on the left piston and &# 34 ;-&# 34 ; for the force acting on the right piston . from the equation ( 8 ), ( 9 ) and ( 10 ), the relation between the steering angle α and the correction value ep for the voltage of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the flow control valve is sought . first , from ( 8 ) and ( 10 ): ## equ5 ## and f ( v ), the filter having the vehicle speed as a parameter : ## equ7 ## an example of the charateristic variation in the gain g ( v ) with the vehicle speed is shown in fig4 and , for vehicle speeds of 25 km / h , 50 km / h , 75 km / h , 100 km / h and 150 km / h , examples of the frequency response characteristic of the filter f ( v ) are shown in , respectively , fig5 through 9 . from fig5 through 9 it will be seen that the frequency response characteristic varies greatly with the vehicle speed . as it stands , the degree of f ( v ) is too high , so an approximation is made by the following expression ( 12 ) with t ( v ) as a time constant having the vehicle speed as a parameter : ## equ8 ## this expression is a low band pass filter . the more the degree of the filter increases , the better the approximation becomes . for each of the above vehicle speeds the filter frequency response characteristics for the case in which the frequency response characteristics are most closely approximated are shown by broken lines in fig5 to 9 . also for that case the variation in the value of the time constant t ( v ) according to the vehicle speed is shown in fig1 . although it is possible to derive the values of the gain g ( v ) and the time constant t ( v ) by calculation , the computation process in that case is extremely complex , and therefore the values of g ( v ) and t ( v ) are stored in a lookup table as functions of the vehicle speed v in the rom 105 of the micro computer 103 of the electronic control device 102 shown in fig2 . therefore , the correction value ep of the voltage of the actuating electrical energy supplied to the flow control valves according to the equations ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) above is obtained by the following procedure . first the values ξ and τ for the gain g ( v ) and t ( v ) according to the vehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 115 are read in from the r0m 105 , and based on these values and the steering angle rate of change ω detected by the steering angle rate of change sensor 114 , the correction value ep of the voltage is calculated in the cpu 104 following the following equation ( 13 ): ## equ9 ## referring next to the flow chart shown in fig1 , the operation of the micro computer 103 incorporated in the preferred embodiment of the system for vehicle roll control of the present invention as shown in gross detail in fig1 and 2 will be explained . first , in the step 1 , a signal for the switch function s input from the wheel height selection switch 110 is read in , and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 2 . in the step 2 , a test is made as to whether the switch function s for indicating the ride height for the vehicle is set to high , and if s is not set to high then the flow of control passes next to the step 3 , whereas if s is set to high then the flow of control passes next to the step 4 . in the step 3 , a test is made as to whether the switch function s is set to low , and when a decision is made that s is not set to low then the flow of control passes next to the step 5 , whereas , when a decision that s is set to low is made then the flow of control passes next to the step 6 . in the step 4 , the standard wheel heights hfr , hfl , hrr and hrl for the front right wheel , the front left wheel , the rear right wheel and the rear left wheel are set respectively to the values hhf , hhf , hhr and hhr , and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 7 . in the step 5 , said standard wheel heights hfr , hfl , hrr and hrl are set respectively to the values hnf , hnf , hnr and hnr ( as remarked before , hnr is less than hhr and hnr is less than hhr ), and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 7 . in the step 6 , said standard wheel heights hfr , hfl , hrr and hrl are set respectively to the values hlf , hlf , hlr and hlr ( as remarked before , hlf is less than hnf and a fortiori less than hhf , and hlf is less than hnr and a fortiori less than hhr ), and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 7 . in the step 7 to which the flows of control thus all coverage , signals representing the actual wheel heights hj ( where &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; is &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front right wheel , &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel , &# 34 ; rr &# 34 ; for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel ) input from the wheel height sensors 87 to 90 , and a signal representing the steering angle rate of change ω and a signal representing the vehicle speed v , input respectively from the steering angle rate of change sensor 114 and the vehicle speed sensor 115 , and read in to the micro computer 103 ; and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 8 . next in the step 8 , the deviations between the standard wheel heights set in one or the other of the steps 4 through 6 and the actual wheel heights as read in in the step 7 are calculated according to the following equations , and then the flow of control passes next to the step 9 . in the step 9 , if the absolute values of the wheel height deviations δhj ( where &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; is &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front wheel , &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel , &# 34 ; rr &# 34 ; for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel ) obtained in the step 8 are less than control threshold values δj ( which are positive constants close to zero ), then δhj is regarded as zero , and also if the absolute value for the steering angle rate of change ω read in in the step 7 is less than a control threshold value δω ( which is also a positive constant close to zero ), then ω is regarded as zero , and then the flow of control passes next to the step 10 . in the step 10 , as the gain g ( v ) and the time constant t ( v ) in the equations ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) above , the gain ξj and the time constant τj ( where &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; is &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front right wheel , &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel , &# 34 ; rr for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel ) are read in from the corresponding look up tables stored in rom 105 of the micro computer 103 , and then the flow of control passes next to the step 11 . in the step 11 , the correction values ebj for the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to each of the flow control values are computed according to the following expressions , and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 12 . ## equ10 ## in the step 12 , the voltage ej of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to each of the flow control valves ( or the duty ratio , in other implementations ) is computed according to the following expression , and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 13 . ( where &# 34 ; j &# 34 ; is &# 34 ; fr &# 34 ; for the front right wheel , &# 34 ; fl &# 34 ; for the front left wheel , &# 34 ; rr &# 34 ; for the rear right wheel , and &# 34 ; rl &# 34 ; for the rear left wheel ) in the step 13 , if the voltage ej of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to each of the flow control valves is zero or is positive , then the voltage einj of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the respective one of the supply side flow control valves 18 , 19 , 28 and 29 is set to said appropriate ej , and the voltage eoutj of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the respective one of the drain side flow control valves 32 , 33 , 39 and 49 is set to zero ; whereas , if on the other hand the voltage ej is negative , then the voltage einj of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the respective one of the supply side flow control valves is set to zero and the voltage eoutj of the actuating electrical energy to be supplied to the respective one of the drain side flow control valves is set to minus said appropriate ej ( so as to be positive ), and thereafter the flow of control passes next to the step 14 . in the step 14 , an actuating electrical signal with a voltage of einj or eoutj is sent to the solenoids of those of the flow control valves only which are to be supplied with actuating electrical signals of which the voltage is positive , and by , after a short time has elasped , energizing the corresponding electrically controlled on / off switching valves for a certain time , a certain amount of working fluid is supplied to the cylinder chamber 5 of the corresponding actuator 2 or alternatively a certain amount of working fluid is drained from said cylinder chamber 5 , whereby the wheel height adjustment is carried out . after the step 14 is completed , the flow of control returns to the step 2 , and thereafter the steps 2 to 14 are repeatedly executed in a closed loop until the ignition switch of the vehicle is turned off . thus , according to this preferred embodiment of the present invention , at the same time as controlling the supply of working fluid to or the draining of working fluid from the cylinder chamber 5 of each actuator 2 based on the deviations between the actual wheel heights and the standard wheel heights as set according to the setting of the wheel height selection switch 110 , a predictive calculation is made of the wheel height fluctuation due to rolling of the vehicle from the steering angle rate of change and the vehicle speed as detected by the seering angle rate of change sensor 114 and the vehicle speed sensor 115 , and based on this calculation result a correction is made to the flow of working fluid being supplied to each cylinder chamber 5 or being drained from each cylinder chamber 5 so that wheel height fluctuations substantially do not occur , as a result of which , not only can the vehicle wheel height be adjusted to the standard wheel height , but in such a case that the vehicle is travelling around a curve , for example , the wheel heights can thus be maintained at the standard wheel heights while positively preventing vehicle rolling . in the routine whose flow chart was shown in fig1 , the step 9 may be omitted . since , however , in the control routine thus shown in the drawings , in the cases that the wheel height deviation δhj and the steering angle rate of change ω are less than the respective values δhj and δω , because these values are regarded as zero , the supply and draining of working fluid to and from the cylinder chambers 5 of the actuators 2 is thus not carried out , and as a result the actuating electrical energy necessary for driving the opening and closing of the flow control valves and the on / off switching valves is conserved , and the danger of the occurrence of the so called hunting phenomenon in which the wheel heights are subject to repeated increase and decrease adjustment within a relatively fine range is reduced , and thereby the stability of operation of the wheel height adjustment device can be improved . moreover , the steering angle rate of change ω may be obtained , rather than by the use of a special sensor such as the sensor 114 of the shown preferred embodiment , by instead detecting the steering angle α , and by setting ω equal to α ( n )- α ( n - 1 ), where α ( n - 1 ) is the steering angle detected a certain short time interval before α ( n ), i . e . typically on the previous iteration of the fig1 routine before the current one . other modifications of the shown preferred embodiment are also possible . thus , although the present invention has been shown and described in terms of the preferred embodiment thereof , and with reference to the appended drawings , it should not be considered as being particularly limited thereby , since the details of any particular embodiment , or of the drawings , could be varied without , in many cases , departing from the ambit of the present invention . accordingly , the scope of the present invention is to be considered as being delimited , not by any particular perhaps entirely fortuitous details of the disclosed preferred embodiment , or of the drawings , but solely by the scope of the accompanying claims , which follow .	1
fig1 illustrates one embodiment of a monitoring apparatus / system 10 for monitoring a subject 100 . a monitoring apparatus / system normally acquires a plurality of physiological signals 101 from the subject , where one physiological signal corresponds to one measurement channel . the physiological signals may typically comprise several types of signals , such as ecg , eeg , blood pressure , respiration , and plethysmographic signals . based on the raw real - time physiological signal data obtained from the subject , a plurality of physiological parameters may be determined . a physiological parameter here refers to a variable calculated from the waveform data of one or more channel signals acquired from the subject . the physiological parameter may also represent a waveform signal value determined over a predefined period of time , although the physiological parameter is typically a distinct parameter derived from one or more measurement channels . each signal parameter may be assigned one or more alarm limits to alert the nursing staff when the parameter reaches or crosses the alarm limit . the monitoring apparatus / system of fig1 utilizes a standard non - invasive blood pressure ( nibp ) measurement setup in the sense that the apparatus / system comprises a standard blood pressure determination unit 102 provided with a pressurizable cuff 103 . the cuff 103 is placed in a normal manner around the arm of a subject 100 and the blood pressure determination unit controls the pressure of the cuff to obtain blood pressure data . since the blood pressure determination unit is logically a separate unit in the monitoring apparatus / system , it is shown as a separate entity in fig1 . however , the unit may also be embedded into the apparatus / system . apart from the blood pressure signals , which may be processed in unit 102 , the physiological channel signals acquired from the subject are supplied to a control and processing unit 105 through a pre - processing stage 104 comprising typically an input amplifier and a filter . the control and processing unit ( or the pre - processing stage ) converts the signals into digitized format for each measurement channel . the digitized signal data may then be stored in the memory 106 of the control and processing unit . the control and processing unit also receives blood pressure data from the blood pressure determination unit and sends trigger messages to the blood pressure determination unit to trigger blood pressure determination in the blood pressure determination unit . for monitoring the subject , the control and processing unit is provided with one or more parameter algorithm ( s ) 107 configured to determine one or more physiological parameters , such as spo 2 or pulse rate , from the subject . the control and processing unit is further provided with an index determination algorithm 108 and with an index monitoring algorithm 109 . the index determination algorithm is configured to determine a physiological index indicative of the sympathetic activation of the autonomous nervous system ( ans ) of the subject 100 . the index monitoring algorithm is configured to monitor the behavior of the index and to initiate a blood pressure measurement if a significant change ( rise ) is detected in the index . the index is here termed sympathetic activation index since it is indicative of the sympathetical activation in the ans , which also controls the blood pressure . in the determination of the index , the algorithm 108 may utilize normalization transforms 110 that may be stored in memory 106 . the monitoring apparatus / system of fig1 further includes a user interface 111 including one or more user input devices 112 , such as a keyboard , and one or more display units 113 . fig2 illustrates one embodiment of the index determination algorithm , in which the index is determined based on two normalized signals . in this embodiment , the normalized signals are determined based on a photoplethysmographic ( ppg ) signal and an ecg signal . the measurement of the ppg and ecg signal waveform data may be implemented in a conventional manner , i . e . while the patient is connected to the patient monitoring system , the signal waveform data is recorded and stored in the memory of the apparatus / system . the ppg data may be obtained from a pulse oximeter sensor , while the ecg data may be obtained from ecg sensors . the recorded ppg and ecg waveform data may then be pre - processed in steps 21 and 22 , respectively , for filtering out some of the frequency components of the respective signal or for rejecting artifacts , for example . these steps are not necessary , but may be performed to improve the quality of the signal data . as to the ppg signal , the pulse amplitude of the waveform signal is extracted for each pulse beat in step 23 , thereby to obtain a time series of the amplitude of the pulsative component of the peripheral blood circulation . as to the ecg signal , the r - r interval is derived from the ecg waveform for each pulse beat in step 24 , thereby to obtain a time series of the r - r interval . each time series is then subjected to a normalization transform ( steps 25 and 26 ) to obtain a time series of normalized ppg amplitude ( ppga ) and a time series of a normalized r - r interval ( rri ). the normalization transform here refers to a process that converts the input signal values to a predetermined output value range , such as 0 to 100 . fig3 illustrates typical input - output characteristics of the normalization transform . the curve of a typical function transform corresponds to a so - called sigmoid function , i . e . the output value y depends on the input value x according to equation ( 1 ): where a and b are parameters . parameter a is typically a positive constant determining the scale of the index values , while b may be a patient - specific parameter , which determines the distribution of the output index values within the scale from zero to a . as can be seen from fig3 , the transform forces the input signal to a predetermined output value range between a minimum value min and a maximum value max . for eq . ( 1 ), min equals to 0 , while max equals to a . each normalization transform may be a non - adaptive , partially adaptive , or fully adaptive normalization transform , which may be implemented as a parameterized transform or as a histogram transform . adaptability here refers to the ability of the transform to adapt to the incoming data , i . e . to the data measured from the subject . in full or partial adaptation the transform is made dependent on signal data measured earlier from the subject in question , while in a non - adaptive transform the transform is implemented without adaptation to the incoming data . as the transform applied to the input signal is a normalization transform that typically depends on subject - specific history data , the input signal may be transformed to an index signal that provides a fixed diagnostic scale whose readings are independent of the subject in question . therefore , the blood pressure measurement control is automatically ready for any subject without a calibration process . with reference to fig2 again , the normalized ppg amplitude and the normalized r - r interval are then combined in step 27 to form an aggregate indicator that forms the sympathetic activation index . this may be performed , for example , by calculating a weighted average of the two normalized values for each data point pair ( ppga / rri ) obtained from the two time series . to give an example of preferred values of the two weights , the weighted average wa may be calculated for example as follows : where rri ( norm ) refers to the normalized r - r interval and ppga ( norm ) to the normalized ppg amplitude . step 27 thus outputs a time series of the weighted average . the weighted average serves as the sympathetic activation index which is indicative of autonomic reaction , particularly of the sympathetical activation in the ans . this type of an index is often available in a patient monitor since it is also indicative of surgical stress , i . e . balance between nociception and antinociception during surgery . pain , discomfort , and surgical stress may activate the sympathetical branch of the ans and cause an increase in blood pressure , heart rate and adrenal secretions , and the index indicates the balance between nociception ( pain , discomfort , stress ) and antinociception ( blocking or suppression of nociception in the pain pathways at the subcortical level ). as the index is indicative of the sympathetical activation , there is also a strong correlation between the index and the blood pressure , which means that changes in the index may be used to assess when a blood pressure determination should be initiated to check possible changes in the blood pressure . fig4 illustrates two embodiments of the index monitoring algorithm 109 . the time series of the sympathetic activation index obtained from step 27 of algorithm 108 is supplied as input data to algorithm 109 , which first determines the rate of change of the sympathetic activation index in step 41 . the rate of change , i . e . the time derivative of the index , indicates the amount of change in a time unit . the obtained rate of change is compared with a predetermined gradient threshold in step 42 to check whether the rate of change has reached or exceeded the predetermined threshold value . if this is the case , the index monitoring algorithm initiates blood pressure determination by supplying a start command to the blood pressure determination unit 102 ( step 43 ). in response to this , the blood pressure determination unit activates the cuff 103 , performs a blood pressure measurement , and informs the control and processing unit of the result . when the index monitoring algorithm detects that the blood pressure determination is completed ( step 44 / yes ), it may wait ( step 45 ) for a predetermined time period before returning to step 41 to re - start the above process . this wait time may be used to prevent the blood pressure determinations from occurring too frequently . alternatively , the index monitoring algorithm may introduce a temporary gradient threshold for a predetermined time period in step 45 , so that there will be monitoring data available continuously . the temporary gradient threshold may be substantially greater than the normal threshold , such as two times the normal gradient threshold . thus , in this embodiment the index monitoring algorithm replaces the gradient threshold by a temporary threshold and returns to step 41 without any waiting period . both alternatives are shown in step 45 of fig4 . in a combined embodiment , re - initiating of the blood determination may be inhibited during the wait time , although the determination of the rate of change , and possibly also the comparison of step 42 , may be continued . in terms of the determination of the blood pressure , the apparatus / system may be seen as an entity of three operational modules or units , as is illustrated in fig5 . a blood pressure determination unit 51 is configured to measure blood pressure non - invasively and an index determination unit 52 is configured to determine the time series of the sympathetic activation index . further , an index monitoring unit 53 is configured to monitor variations in the index and to supply a start command to the blood pressure determination unit if the variations fulfill a predetermined condition . there may further be a feedback connection 54 from unit 51 to unit 53 , which enables implementation of steps 44 and 45 to prevent too frequent cuff pressurizations . as discussed above , the index monitoring unit may utilize one or more gradient thresholds for preventing frequent cuff pressurizations . it is to be noted that fig5 illustrates the division of the functionalities of the apparatus / system in logic sense and in view of the automatic blood pressure determination . in a real apparatus , the functionalities may be distributed in different ways between the elements or units of the apparatus / system . as may be deduced from the description of fig1 and 5 , a conventional monitoring apparatus / system 10 may be upgraded to enable the apparatus / system to determine blood related parameters in the above - described manner . such an upgrade may be implemented , for example , by delivering to the apparatus / system a software module that enables the device to control the blood pressure determination in the above - described manner . the content of the software module may vary depending on the existing capabilities of the apparatus / system . if both the time series of the sympathetic activation index and the blood pressure determination unit are available in the apparatus / system , the software module may include the monitoring algorithm 109 only . the software module may be delivered , for example , on a data carrier , such as a cd or a memory card , or the through a telecommunications network . in the above examples , the apparatus measures at least ecg and plethysmographic signals from the subject . however , the configuration of the monitoring apparatus / system 10 may vary depending on the type of the apparatus / system . that is , the above automatic blood pressure determination may be introduced into different types of patient monitors . for example , the apparatus of fig1 may be a pulse oximeter , in which case only plethysmographic data is acquired from the subject . in a pulse oximeter , both the ppg amplitude and the r - r interval may be derived from the plethysmographic data . furthermore , the index may be calculated based on different features or parameters indicative of activity in the sympathetic branch of the ans , thereby to obtain the sympathetic activation index that controls the blood pressure determination . such features / parameters include sympathovagal ratio , heart rate acceleration , and skin conductivity , for example . the number of parameters / features defining the index may also vary and a normalization transform may be applied to each parameter of the index . the blood pressure determination unit may also be a separate unit or integrated with the monitoring apparatus or with the control and processing unit thereof . instead of a separate blood pressure determination unit , the control and processing unit of fig1 may thus be provided with a blood pressure determination algorithm adapted to control the cuff and to determine the blood pressure of the subject . this written description uses examples to disclose the invention , including the best mode , and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention . the patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims , and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art . such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural or operational elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims , or if they have structural or operational elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims .	0
serum samples from individuals were analyzed using surface enhanced laser desorption ionization ( seldi ) using the ciphergen proteinchip system . the chip surfaces included , but were not limited to imac - 3 - ni , sax2 surface chemistries , gold chips , and the like . preparatory to the conduction of the seldi ms procedure , various preparatory steps were carried out in order to maximize the diversity of discernible moities educable from the sample . utilizing a type of micro - chromatographic column called a c18 - ziptip available from the millipore company , the following preparatory steps were conducted . illustrative of the various buffering compositions useful in the present invention are : sample buffers ( various low ph &# 39 ; s ): hydrochloric acid ( hcl ), formic acid , trifluoroacetic acid ( tfa ), elution solutions ( various low ph &# 39 ; s and % solvents ) : hcl , formic acid , tfa ; spotting was then performed , for example upon a gold chip in the following manner : 2 . add hiq resin to column and remove any air bubbles ; 6 . collect all the flow through fraction in eppendorf tubes until level is at resin ; illustrative of the various buffering compositions useful in this technique are : sample / running buffers : including but not limited to bicine buffers of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , bis - tris buffers of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , diethanolamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , diethylamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , imidazole of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tricine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , triethanolamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tris of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content . elution buffer : acetic acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , citric acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , hepes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , mes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , mops of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , pipes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , lactic acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , phosphate of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tricine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content . 4 . add charging buffer once water is at the level of the resin surface ; 5 . add uf water to wash through non bound metal ions once charge buffer washes through ; illustrative of the various buffering compositions useful in this technique are : sample / running buffers including but not limited to sodium phosphate buffers at various molarities and ph &# 39 ; s ; charging buffers including but not limited to nickel chloride , nickel sulphate , copper ii chloride , zinc chloride or any suitable metal ion solution ; elution buffers including but not limited to sodium phosphate buffers at various molarities and ph &# 39 ; s containing various molarities of edta and / or imidazole . 2 . add his resin to column and remove any air bubbles ; 6 . collect all flow through fractions in eppendorf tubes until level is at resin . illustrative of the various buffering compositions useful in this technique are : sample / running buffers : including but not limited to bicine buffers of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , bis - tris buffers of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , diethanolamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , diethylamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , imidazole of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tricine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , triethanolamine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tris of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content . buffer : acetic acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , citric acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , hepes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , mes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , mops of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , pipes of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , lactic acid of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , phosphate of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content , tricine of various molarities , ph &# 39 ; s , nacl content . following the preparatory steps illustrated above , various methods for use of the proteinchip arrays , available for purchase from ciphergen biosystems ( palo alto , calif . ), may be practiced . illustrative of one such method is as follows . the first step involved treatment of each spot with 20 ml of a solution of 0 . 5 m edta for 5 minutes at room temperature in order to remove any contaminating divalent metal ions from the surface . this was followed by rinsing under a stream of ultra - filtered , deionized water to remove the edta . the rinsed surfaces were treated with 20 ml of 100 mm nickel sulfate solution for 5 minutes at room temperature after which the surface was rinsed under a stream of ultra - filtered , deionized water and allowed to air dry . serum samples ( 2 ml ) were applied to each spot ( now “ charged ” with the metal - nickel ) and the proteinchip was returned to the plastic container in which it was supplied . a piece of moist kimwipe was placed at the bottom of the container to generate a humid atmosphere . the cap on the plastic tube was replaced and the chip allowed to incubate at room temperature for one hour . at the end of the incubation period , the chip was removed from the humid container and washed under a stream of ultra - filtered , deionized water and allowed to air dry . the chip surfaces ( spots ) were now treated with an energy - absorbing molecule that helps in the ionization of the proteins adhering to the spots for analysis by mass spectrometry . the energy - absorbing molecule in this case was sinapinic acid and a saturated solution prepared in 50 % acetonitrile and 0 . 05 % tfa was applied ( 1 ml ) to each spot . the solution was allowed to air dry and the chip analyzed immediately using ms ( seldi ). serum samples from patients suffering from a variety of disease states were analyzed using one or more protein chip surfaces , e . g . a gold chip or an imac nickel chip surface as described above and the profiles were analyzed to discern notable sequences which were deemed in some way evidentiary of at least one disease state . in order to purify the disease specific marker and further characterize the sequence thereof , additional processing was performed . for example , serum ( 20 ml ) was ( diluted 5 - fold with phosphate buffered saline ) concentrated by centrifugation through a ym3 microcon spin filter ( amicon ) for 20 min at 10 , 000 rpm at 4 ° c . in a beckman microcentrifuge r model bench top centrifuge . the filtrate was discarded and the retained solution , which contained the two peptides of interest , was analyzed further by tandem mass spectrometry to deduce their amino acid sequences . tandem mass spectrometry was performed at the university of manitoba &# 39 ; s ( winnipeg , manitoba , canada ) mass spectrometry laboratory using the procedures that are well known to practitioners of the art . as a result of these procedures , the disease specific marker identified by the sequence thrihwesasll was found . this marker is characterized as a c3f fragment from the complement system having a molecular weight of about 1449 daltons . the characteristic profile of the marker is set forth in fig2 . as easily deduced from the data set forth in fig1 this marker is indicative of an individual suffering from myocardial infarction , intracerebral hemorrhage , or congestive heart failure . in accordance with various stated objectives of the invention , the skilled artisan , in possession of the specific disease specific marker as instantly disclosed , would readily carry out known techniques in order to raise purified biochemical materials , e . g . monoclonal and / or polyclonal antibodies , which are useful in the production of methods and devices useful as point - of - care rapid assay diagnostic or risk assessment devices as are known in the art . the specific disease markers which are analyzed according to the method of the invention are released into the circulation and may be present in the blood or in any blood product , for example plasma , serum , cytolyzed blood , e . g . by treatment with hypotonic buffer or detergents and dilutions and preparations thereof , and other body fluids , e . g . csf , saliva , urine , lymph , and the like . the presence of each marker is determined using antibodies specific for each of the markers and detecting specific binding of each antibody to its respective marker . any suitable direct or indirect assay method may be used to determine the level of each of the specific markers measured according to the invention . the assays may be competitive assays , sandwich assays , and the label may be selected from the group of well - known labels such as radioimmunoassay , fluorescent or chemiluminescence immunoassay , or immunopcr technology . extensive discussion of the known immunoassay techniques is not required here since these are known to those of skilled in the art . see takahashi et al . ( clin chem 1999 ; 45 ( 8 ): 1307 ) for s100b assay . a monoclonal antibody specific against the disease marker sequence isolated by the present invention may be produced , for example , by the polyethylene glycol ( peg ) mediated cell fusion method , in a manner well - known in the art . traditionally , monoclonal antibodies have been made according to fundamental principles laid down by kohler and milstein . mice are immunized with antigens , with or without , adjuvants . the splenocytes are harvested from the spleen for fusion with immortalized hybridoma partners . these are seeded into microtitre plates where they can secrete antibodies into the supernatant that is used for cell culture . to select from the hybridomas that have been plated for the ones that produce antibodies of interest the hybridoma supernatants are usually tested for antibody binding to antigens in an elisa ( enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ) assay . the idea is that the wells that contain the hybridoma of interest will contain antibodies that will bind most avidly to the test antigen , usually the immunizing antigen . these wells are then subcloned in limiting dilution fashion to produce monoclonal hybridomas . the selection for the clones of interest is repeated using an elisa assay to test for antibody binding . therefore , the principle that has been propagated is that in the production of monoclonal antibodies the hybridomas that produce the most avidly binding antibodies are the ones that are selected from among all the hybridomas that were initially produced . that is to say , the preferred antibody is the one with highest affinity for the antigen of interest . there have been many modifications of this procedure such as using whole cells for immunization . in this method , instead of using purified antigens , entire cells are used for immunization . another modification is the use of cellular elisa for screening . in this method instead of using purified antigens as the target in the elisa , fixed cells are used . in addition to elisa tests , complement mediated cytotoxicity assays have also been used in the screening process . however , antibody - binding assays were used in conjunction with cytotoxicity tests . thus , despite many modifications , the process of producing monoclonal antibodies relies on antibody binding to the test antigen as an endpoint . polyclonal antibody production and purification utilizing one or more animal hosts in a manner well - known in the art can be performed by a skilled artisan . another objective of the present invention is to provide reagents for use in diagnostic assays for the detection of the particularly isolated disease specific marker sequences of the present invention . in one mode of this embodiment , the marker sequences of the present invention may be used as antigens in immunoassays for the detection of those individuals suffering from the disease known to be evidenced by said marker sequence . such assays may include but are not limited to : radioimmunoassay , enzyme - linked immunosorbent assay ( elisa ), “ sandwich ” assays , precipitin reactions , gel diffusion immunodiffusion assay , agglutination assay , fluorescent immunoassays , protein a or g immunoassays and immunoelectrophoresis assays . according to the present invention , monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies produced against the disease specific marker sequence of the instant invention are useful in an immunoassay on samples of blood or blood products such as serum , plasma or the like , spinal fluid or other body fluid , e . g . saliva , urine , lymph , and the like , to diagnose patients with the characteristic disease state linked to said marker sequence . the antibodies can be used in any type of immunoassay . this includes both the two - site sandwich assay and the single site immunoassay of the non - competitive type , as well as in traditional competitive binding assays . particularly preferred , for ease and simplicity of detection , and its quantitative nature , is the sandwich or double antibody assay of which a number of variations exist , all of which are contemplated by the present invention . for example , in a typical sandwich assay , unlabeled antibody is immobilized on a solid phase , e . g . microtiter plate , and the sample to be tested is added . after a certain period of incubation to allow formation of an antibody - antigen complex , a second antibody , labeled with a reporter molecule capable of inducing a detectable signal , is added and incubation is continued to allow sufficient time for binding with the antigen at a different site , resulting with a formation of a complex of antibody - antigen - labeled antibody . the presence of the antigen is determined by observation of a signal which may be quantitated by comparison with control samples containing known amounts of antigen . all patents and publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains . all patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference . it is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated , it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings / figures . one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned , as well as those inherent therein . the oligonucleotides , peptides , polypeptides , biologically related compounds , methods , procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments , are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope . changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims . although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments , it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments . indeed , various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims .	6
the invention enables those skilled in the art to prepare ethene and other lower - order olefins from their correspondingly - ordered aliphatic alcohols in the presence of conventional and other dehydration catalysts . this process may result in production of the desired olefin while reducing capital and energy expenditures , as well as byproduct formation and fouling . the process is generally carried out using at least two reactors , under either adiabatic or isothermal conditions . such reactors may be in series or in parallel series assemblies . this set - up enables the termination or start - up of the operation of one or more reactors , during normal processing of industrial units , without causing interruption of olefin production . while multitubular reactors may be employed in the invention , such are not necessary and , because of their relatively higher initial capital costs , are not preferred . the reactors are desirably fitted with fixed catalyst beds , which ensure contact between the feed and the desired catalyst ( s ). suitable catalysts for these beds include any known to those skilled in the art to be effective for the dehydration of the aliphatic alcohol to form the corresponding , that is , same carbon number , olefin . in certain non - limiting embodiments the catalyst may be selected from alumina ; silica - alumina ; silica ; refractory metal oxides such as , for example , those of titanium , hafnium , zirconium , and tungsten ; zeolites ; phosphoric acids supported on carbon ; calcium phosphates ; calcium molybdates ; and combinations thereof . in some embodiments preferred catalysts may include alumina and silica - alumina , which are readily available and relatively inexpensive . the starting material employed in this process includes at least the selected aliphatic alcohol . in non - limiting example , where the desired final product is ethene , the selected aliphatic alcohol is ethyl alcohol . however , in additional and non - limiting embodiments , propanol and butanol , or a combination thereof , may alternatively be selected for conversion to their corresponding olefins . it may also be useful and , in some embodiments , desirable and / or convenient to include water or steam . the purpose of the water or steam is as a diluent , and as used herein , the term “ diluent water ” includes both liquid and vapor ( that is , steam ) forms . the water or steam may be used in any amount up to 50 percent by weight , based on the weight of the aliphatic alcohol . however , in general it is often desirable to reduce the amount of diluent water as much as possible , and therefore in certain alternative embodiments the amount of diluent water is up to 40 percent by weight , while in other embodiments it is up to 20 percent by weight ; all based on the weight of the aliphatic alcohol . in still other embodiments the amount of water is at its azeotropic value with the aliphatic alcohol . for purposes herein the aliphatic alcohol , if used alone or together with diluent water , is referred to as the “ feed ” for the process . operation of the process of the invention requires contact between the feed and the catalyst bed , which contains the selected dehydration catalyst . a key to the invention is that at least two reactors are used , and that the conditions encountered by the feed for the initial reaction include a first temperature ranging from 200 ° c . to 450 ° c . and a first pressure ranging from 0 . 04 to 4 megapascals ( mpa ) absolute . it is important to note that in some embodiments it is most convenient to first heat the feed , in a furnace and with or without a prior evaporation step , to the desired temperature range as given herein , and then to subsequently introduce the heated feed into the first adiabatic reactor . the temperatures referenced herein therefore , for the sake of convenience , refer to the temperature of the reactant ( s ) as it / they are being fed into a reactor , which may be therefore also referred to as the “ reactor inlet temperature .” this avoids any misunderstanding that might result if the exothermic nature of the initial reaction were taken into account . pressures and residence times , however , refer to those maintained within the reactor , and may be independently selected for each reactor to ensure the appropriate reaction , and degree of reaction , occurs . thus , in certain particular embodiments the “ first temperature ” may range from 250 ° c . to 425 ° c ., while in other embodiments the first temperature may range from 350 ° c . to 425 ° c . pressure in the first reactor may , in some embodiments , range from 0 . 1 to 2 mpa absolute ; in other embodiments from 0 . 1 to 1 . 5 mpa absolute ; and in still other embodiments from 0 . 1 to 1 mpa absolute . times of contact between the feed and the catalyst , alternatively termed as a “ residence time ” within the first reactor and in contact with the catalyst , may range from 0 . 5 second to 1 minute , but in certain preferred embodiments may range from 0 . 5 second to 30 seconds , and in other preferred embodiments may range from 0 . 5 second to 10 seconds . the purpose of the relatively low temperature range in the first reactor is to instigate dehydration of the aliphatic alcohol to primarily its corresponding dialkyl ether , which dehydration also serves to increase the water content of the first reaction product as compared with non - inventive processes that start with relatively larger amounts of water than the present process . for example , where ethyl alcohol is the feed , it is dehydrated in this first reaction to form primarily the diethyl ether and to generate water . it is a goal that only a relatively small amount of the ethyl alcohol will be likely to complete dehydration to form ethene in this first step . the product of the conversion occurring in the first reactor is then flowed to at least one second reactor , still under adiabatic conditions . this product is termed the “ first reaction product ,” and it is then further reacted to progress dehydration , of at least a portion of the dialkyl ether , to form the olefin . in some embodiments this progression may be to essentially complete such dehydration for maximum olefin production in just two steps , that is , two reactors , while in other embodiments the progression may be extended over more than two reactors , provided that the described steps occur in or at two contiguous reactors in the reactor train . again , the temperature used for the second step ( the “ second temperature ”) may be interpreted as the “ reactor inlet temperature ,” which avoids misunderstanding that might occur if the endothermic nature of this second reaction were taken into account . the second reaction desirably includes additional reaction conditions , including pressure and residence time , which continues the process by the dehydration of at least some of the dialkyl ether to form the corresponding olefin . regardless of whether a pre - heating of this type is carried out , and regardless of the actual temperature of the first reaction product upon exiting the first adiabatic reactor , the reaction that will occur primarily within the second adiabatic reactor is at a reactor inlet temperature , termed the “ second temperature ,” that is specifically higher than that of the first reactor by at least 10 ° c . accordingly , the temperature of the first reaction product during this second - stage reaction is desirably from 250 ° c . to 500 ° c . ; more desirably from 275 ° c . to 475 ° c . ; and most desirably from 400 ° c . to 450 ° c . where there is a train of reactors following the first reactor , the temperatures in the reactors may each be based upon only the first reactor , or may continue to increase in a stepwise manner . in another embodiment , the two reactions defined by the invention may occur in reactors located in the middle or at the end of a reactor train . whether two or many reactors are employed , it is in some embodiments desirable to increase the temperature from reactor to reactor by at least 10 ° c . ; in other embodiments larger steps , such as increases of at least 20 ° c ., may be desirable ; and in still other embodiments increases of at least 50 ° c . may be desirable . those skilled in the art will be able to discern optimal temperature gradients with , at most , routine experimentation . the effect of the temperature increase , whether over just two reactors or of multiple increases over many reactors , is that the amount of dialkyl ether may be progressively reduced as dehydration is carried to or toward completion , to form the final desired olefin , and the reduction in starting diluent water means that there is a minimum of corresponding aldehyde formed . since such aldehyde is both itself an undesirable byproduct and also a contributor to coke formation , reduction in the amount of aldehyde formed is important to obtaining some of the benefits of the invention . other conditions for this second , and endothermic , reaction include pressures ranging from 0 . 04 to 4 mpa absolute , with the same selection of encompassed embodiments as for the first adiabatic reactor . it is generally understood , however , that due to flow across a furnace or heat exchanger to reheat the reactant ( s ), and where means are not employed to compress the flow between the reactors , the pressure in the second adiabatic reactor would generally be expected to be slightly less than the pressure in the first adiabatic reactor ( and the third reactor &# 39 ; s pressure will be slightly less than the second reactor &# 39 ; s ). similarly , residence time in the second adiabatic reactor may vary over the same ranges , that is , from 0 . 5 second to 1 minute , with the same selection of encompassed embodiments as for the first adiabatic reactor . nonetheless , pressures and residence times for the two reactors , as well as for any additional reactors employed in the inventive process , are selected independently of one another . it will thus be seen by those skilled in the art that the inventive process essentially generates water and performs dehydration to an intermediate , the dialkyl ether , using the chemistry of the process under conditions that are generally milder than those conventionally used in the art , then completes the conversion of the dialkyl ether to the corresponding olefin by means of subsequent reactions under the higher second ( or additional subsequent ) temperature ( s ). the relatively milder conditions for the first reaction avoid or reduce later problems such as the need to handle high volumes of water , production of coke , and costs incurred in light of these problems . thus , the invention offers a simple , economical , and surprising solution . while in many embodiments some amount of the desired olefin is co - created in the first reactor , because some portion of the dialkyl ether may complete dehydration therein , the yield of olefin may be significantly augmented in the second and , if employed , any subsequent reactors as the dehydration reaction runs to its completion . it will be noted that , in order to further improve process economics or to mitigate environmental concerns , a recycle stream may be used to augment the initial feed or added at any intermediate point , such as between any two reactors . where this is done the combination of initial feed and recycle stream , or of reaction product and recycle stream , may be more conveniently referred to as a “ process feed ,” as in examples 3 and 4 hereinbelow . this comparative example describes adiabatic reactor art that is currently used on a commercial scale . an ethyl alcohol / water feed ( 92 weight percent ethyl alcohol ) is combined with diluent water to form a steam - to - alcohol ratio of 3 : 1 by weight . the feed is then heated via a furnace to 465 - 470 ° c . and fed to an adiabatic reactor . the effluent ( first reaction product ) is then reheated in a furnace to 465 - 470 ° c . and fed to a second adiabatic reactor in series . the pressure at the reactor inlet is measured as 1 . 14 mpa , while the reactor outlet pressure is found to be 1 . 05 mpa . overall catalyst liquid hourly space velocity ( lhsv ) of 0 . 5 ( on a water - free basis ) is used . overall conversion of ethyl alcohol is determined to be 99 . 9 mole percent , and overall selectivity to ethene is 99 . 4 mole percent . the overall volume of gas through the reactor system is approximately six times the volume of gas of the original ethyl alcohol / water feed . in addition , significant energy and capital expense is required to process the diluent water . this cost would be anticipated to become higher at greater scale of operation . an ethyl alcohol / water feed ( 92 weight percent ethyl alcohol ) is heated in a furnace and fed to an initial adiabatic reactor containing alumina catalyst at 300 ° c . and at 0 . 3 mpa pressure absolute . this generates a first reaction product containing unreacted ethyl alcohol , water ( both generated and diluent ), diethyl ether , and some ethene . the first reaction product exits the first reactor at a temperature close to the temperature at which it entered the first reactor . the mass fraction of water is increased from 8 weight percent , in the initial feed , to greater than 20 weight percent in the first reaction product . this first reaction product is then fed to three subsequent adiabatic reactors operating in series , each at reactor inlet temperatures of 450 ° c . and at pressures ranging from 0 . 1 and 0 . 2 mpa absolute . total lhsv of the reactors is approximately 0 . 5 ( on a water - free basis ), resulting in a greater than 98 percent conversion of ethyl alcohol to ethene . the total vapor volume is reduced by a factor of six and the amount of total water requiring separation and post treatment is also reduced , when compared with amounts shown in example 1 ( comparative ). an ethyl alcohol / water feed ( 92 weight percent ethyl alcohol ) is combined with a recycle stream to form a 25 weight percent water process feed , which is then heated to 400 ° c . the heated process feed is fed to an initial adiabatic reactor containing alumina catalyst . the reactor is maintained at 0 . 6 mpa pressure absolute . the resulting first reaction product contains ethyl alcohol , water ( both generated and diluent ), diethyl ether , and some ethene . the mass fraction of water in the process stream is increased from 25 weight percent to 40 weight percent due to the formation of diethyl ether and ethene , while the initial process stream is exposed to significantly reduced process temperatures ( 65 ° c . lower ) when compared with example 1 ( comparative ). the first reaction product is then fed to a second and then a third adiabatic reactor operating at reactor inlet temperatures from 450 ° c . to 470 ° c ., respectively , and at reactor inlet pressures of 0 . 5 and 0 . 4 mpa absolute , respectively , resulting in a second reaction product exhibiting a conversion of ethyl alcohol to ethene that is 95 percent or greater . an azeotropic ethyl alcohol / water feed is combined with a recycle stream to form a 50 weight percent water process feed , then heated in a reactor to 425 ° c . this is then fed to an initial adiabatic reactor containing alumina catalyst at 0 . 6 mpa pressure absolute . the resulting first reaction product contains ethyl alcohol , water ( both generated and diluent ), diethyl ether , and some ethene . the mass fraction of water in the first reaction product is increased from 50 weight percent to greater than 55 weight percent , while the initial reactor process feed is exposed to significantly reduced process temperatures ( 40 ° c . lower ) when compared with example 1 ( comparative ). the conditions in this example 4 allow for at least a 40 ° c . reduction in temperature of the initial process feed temperature . the first reaction product is then heated in a second reactor to 475 ° c . and fed to a second adiabatic reactor operating at 0 . 5 mpa pressure absolute , resulting in a second reaction product exhibiting a conversion of the initial ethyl alcohol to ethene that is 95 percent or greater .	2
referring to the drawings wherein identical reference numerals denote the same elements throughout the various views , fig1 - 4 illustrate an exemplary portable testing apparatus 10 . the apparatus 10 includes a housing 12 , a chassis 14 configured to support electronics 16 and a battery pack 18 ( may be rechargeable ), and one or more electrodes 20 . the housing 12 includes a handle 22 to allow an individual to carry the apparatus 10 into the field and / or on to a jobsite , a toggle switch 24 is configured to turn the apparatus 10 on / off and to toggle the apparatus 10 between a dry testing mode and a wet testing mode , and a visual display 26 ( as shown , the display is a digital display of known types ) configured to display data and operational modes to a user . as illustrated in fig1 , the display 26 shows an example “ wet ” mode display . by toggling the switch 24 from a right position to a left position , the display 26 can be changed to a “ dry ” mode display . it should be appreciated that the left and right positions may be reversed . it should also be appreciated that the microamperes scale changes when toggled between wet mode and dry mode and is calibrated accordingly to provide a user with an accurate reading when testing a device under test ( dut ). by toggling the switch 24 to a center position , the apparatus 10 may be turned off . switch 24 automatically causes the apparatus 10 to “ zero ” when switching between wet and dry modes . as shown , the housing includes a front wall 28 ( the handle 22 , switch 24 , and display 26 are located on the front wall 28 ), sidewalls 30 , a first end wall 32 , and a second end wall 34 that collectively define an interior volume and / or cavity 42 configured to receive the electronics 16 , battery pack 18 , and a portion of the chassis 14 therein . as illustrated in fig5 - 7 , the chassis 14 includes a tunnel and / or channel 36 extending a length of a bottom 38 of the chassis 14 . the tunnel 36 is configured to receive a dut such as a utility line pole 40 therein for testing ( see fig6 and 7 ). one or more electrodes 20 are positioned in the tunnel 36 to test the utility line pole 40 by imparting a voltage of 1 . 2 kv ac into the utility line pole 40 . as shown , the electrodes 20 are formed of v - shaped conductive plates . alternatively , fig8 - 9 , one or more electrodes 20 ′ may be used instead of or in combination with electrodes 20 . as illustrated , electrodes 20 ′ are in the form of a flexible conductive device such as a spring . it should be appreciated that other suitable flexible conductive devices may be used . electrodes 20 ′ permit the utility line pole 40 to be contacted by the electrodes 20 ′ in more than two locations — as shown , the electrodes 20 ′ provide a continuous contact to approximately half of the circumference of the utility line pole 40 . additionally , by using flexible electrode 20 ′, a safety switch 44 may be employed . safety switch 44 prevents the apparatus 10 from running a test without a dut securely placed within the tunnel 36 . more specifically , placing the apparatus 10 into a test mode using switch 24 will not automatically impart a voltage onto the electrodes 20 ′. instead , after the apparatus has been placed into a test mode using switch 24 , the user places the utility line pole 40 into the tunnel 36 and in contact with the electrodes 20 ′. the user then presses the apparatus 10 against the utility line pole 40 causing the electrodes 20 ′ to flex until they reach a test position . as illustrated , the test position occurs when the electrodes 20 ′ rest against a top wall 46 of the tunnel 36 ; however , it should be appreciated that the test position may occur prior to the electrodes 20 ′ making contact with the top wall 46 . once the electrodes 20 ′ reach the testing position , the safety switch 44 turns on the electronics 16 to activate testing of the utility line pole 40 . this operation not only provides safety against inadvertent contact with “ hot ” electrodes , but it also preserves the battery pack 18 since the battery pack 18 will not be providing any power until the safety switch 44 turns on the apparatus 10 . referring now to fig1 - 11 , the electronics 16 include a control module 50 and a high voltage generator 52 . the generator 52 is powered by the battery pack 18 and generates 1 . 2 kv at 1 . 2 khz alternating current ( ac ) from 12v direct current ( dc ) supplied by the battery pack 18 . the 1 . 2 kv generated by the generator 52 is supplied directly to the electrodes 20 and / or 20 ′ to impart the 1 . 2 kv directly onto the dut . ac must be used to detect subsurface defects in the utility line pole 40 . the control module 50 interfaces with the display 26 ( hd1 . 1 , hd1 . 2 , etc . ), switches such as switches 24 and 44 , battery pack 18 , and the high voltage generator 52 to control the operation of the apparatus 10 . as illustrated , the module 50 includes a pair of voltage regulators ( u 1 and u 2 ), a plurality of resistors ( rx ), a plurality of diodes ( dx ), and a pair of zener diodes ( d 3 and d 4 ). the zener diodes d 3 , d 4 are of particular significance because they are used to dump current to ground when excessive leakage current is created by a dead short and / or defects in the utility line pole 40 or when there is too much voltage . further , the apparatus 10 automatically stops oscillating if it experiences a dead short to protect the generator 52 . the control module 50 is programmed to provide scaling for the apparatus 10 . the control module 50 may be programmed using digital and / or analog inputs . astm standards require a dry test using 100 kv per foot with no heat or flashover permitted and a wet test using 75 kv per foot with not heat or flashover permitted and a conduction limit around 75 microamps . such high testing voltages require a stationary power source capable of testing a 35 foot long dut and a cage for safety . in order for the apparatus 10 to be portable , the apparatus 10 must be able to mimic a full scale test device . since the apparatus 10 is using 1 . 2 kv to test the utility line pole 40 , the control module 50 must be capable of converting measured test values into corresponding values associated with full scale testing to provide accurate results consistent with a full scale test device . as a result , the control module 50 displays a microampere scale on the display 26 that mimics a full scale testing device . the microampere scale changes when switched between dry testing and wet testing which is done by toggling switch 24 . when a test is being performed by the apparatus 10 , the control module 50 converts the values measured during testing to full scale values and displays them on the display 26 . scaling may be done through algorithms and / or look - up tables programmed into the control module 50 . in use , a user toggles switch 24 to a first test mode , either a dry test mode or a wet test mode , and allows the apparatus 10 to automatically “ zero ” itself . the zero function of the apparatus is performed five times per second . because the housing 12 and chassis 14 are grounded , the apparatus 10 is not frequency sensitive and any variation in zero is eliminated . with the mode selected and the apparatus 10 zeroed , the apparatus 10 is positioned over a section of a dut such that the dut is positioned in the tunnel 36 and in contact with the electrodes 20 and / or 20 ′. the apparatus 10 may be moved along the dut after each test to test the entire length of the dut . once the apparatus 10 is positioned over the dut , the apparatus 10 is pressed down onto the dut until a test position is reached . with the test position reached , the apparatus 10 begins conducting a test by imparting 1 . 2 kv at 1 . 2 khz onto the dut . measurements are then conducted , i . e ., voltage is measured across a known value resistor and current is computed using e = ir relationship . the voltage is measured every 200 microseconds and software of the apparatus 10 reports a digital “ counts ” or “ steps ” value ( 0 - 4096 counts over the full range ). the control module 50 uses algorithms and / or a look - up table using an amps v . volts relationship for the known resistance to scale the output value to a full scale testing output value and displays that output value on the display 26 . when a “ flashover ” occurs the meter displayed on the display 26 will “ peg out ” to a maximum value . additionally , when a dead short occurs , the apparatus 10 will stop oscillating . once the user conducts testing in the first test mode , the user then toggles switch 24 into a second test mode ( mode not selected in first test mode ) and conducts testing in the same manner as described above . it should be appreciated that dry testing and wet testing are performed using different testing parameters , for example , wet testing requires the dut to be sprayed with water to look for beads . the foregoing has described a utility line pole testing apparatus and method . all of the features disclosed in this specification ( including any accompanying claims , abstract and drawings ), and / or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed , may be combined in any combination , except combinations where at least some of such features and / or steps are mutually exclusive . each feature disclosed in this specification ( including any accompanying claims , abstract and drawings ) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same , equivalent or similar purpose , unless expressly stated otherwise . thus , unless expressly stated otherwise , each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features . the invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment ( s ). the invention extends any novel one , or any novel combination , of the features disclosed in this specification ( including any accompanying claims , abstract and drawings ), or to any novel one , or any novel combination , of the steps of any method or process so disclosed .	7
referring to fig1 fig2 fig3 and fig4 the tape rule marking implement of the invention herein is comprised of a tape rule 1 , a support member 2 , a marking implement 3 , and a carrier bracket 4 , wherein the tape rule 1 has a threaded hole 11 in one side at the lower edge of the front end and an extendible measuring ruler blade 12 disposed in the front end ; the said support member 2 is of one - piece plastic construction and has an axial hole 21 formed horizontally through the upper edge of the posterior extremity , a marking implement holding recess 22 formed transversely through the center , an arcuate slot 23 formed along the bottom edge , and a cylinder - shaped marking implement locating mount 24 on the corner at one side of the anterior extremity , the said marking implement locating mount 24 having a containment passage 25 formed vertically through the center and , furthermore , a plurality of horizontal slots 26 formed along the circumferential center of the locating mount 24 , and the said support member 2 has a plurality of bumper cushions 27 attached to the lower edge of the anterior extremity . the marking implement of the 3 of the invention herein consists of a top cover 31 and a bottom seat 32 ; the said bottom seat 32 is of a cylindrical shape and has a containment passage 33 and a marking medium 34 is fitted into the underside of the said containment passage 33 and , furthermore , ink 35 is filled into the bottom seat 32 containment passage 33 such that the marking medium 34 absorbs the ink 35 ; additionally , the said marking medium 34 protrudes out slightly from the bottom seat 32 . a bearing shaft 41 is horizontally disposed at the upper edge of the carrier bracket 4 and , furthermore , the carrier bracket 4 has an elongated hole 42 formed in one side of the rear end that accommodates a mounting screw 44 inserted through a fixing button 43 that is fastened to the threaded hole 11 in one side of the lower edge at the front end of the tape rule 1 . the said marking implement 3 is inserted into the locating mount 24 containment passage 25 on the corner at one side of the anterior extremity of the marking implement 3 , the arcuate slot 23 formed along the bottom edge of the said support member 2 is slipped over the tape rule 1 ruler blade 12 , and the axial hole 21 formed horizontally through the upper edge at the posterior extremity of the support member 2 and the bearing shaft 41 horizontally disposed at the upper edge of the carrier bracket 4 are sleeved together , following which the mounting screw 45 and the bearing shaft 41 are fastened in place , enabling the assembly of the entire tape rule marking implement structure . the marking implement support member 2 and carrier bracket 4 of the invention herein provide for assembly to the tape rule 1 by means of the threaded hole 11 in the lower edge at the front end of the tape rule 1 ; during the taking of measurements , when the user pulls out the ruler blade 12 to measure length and wants to designate a position , it is only necessary to press the marking implement to leave an indicatory spot ; since the support member 2 is of one - piece plastic construction and , furthermore , has a cylinder - shaped marking implement locating mount 24 on the corner at the anterior extremity as well as a plurality of horizontal slots 26 formed along the circumferential center of the locating mount 24 , when the user applies downward force to press the marking implement , the said marking implement moves downward such that the marking medium 34 at the underside delivers a dot . when the user releases the marking implement , the marking implement automatically returns to its original position , resulting in enhanced user measuring and marking convenience as well as higher product practical value . in summation of the foregoing section , since the spatial arrangement of the invention herein is original , capable of greater utility , and possesses exceptionally practical value and , furthermore , an identical or similar product has not been observed on the market , the present invention is submitted to the examination committee for review and the granting of the commensurate patent rights .	1
fig1 shows an electronic postage meter system 2 which includes a removable printhead module 4 within a housing 5 , a base module 6 including a secure internal smart card accounting module 8 and a secure external smart card accounting module 10 . the postage meter 2 accounts for each individual postage transaction via the internal accounting module 8 or via the external smart card accounting module 10 if the external smart card accounting module 10 is connected to the base module 6 via a conventional connector 70 . that is , upon insertion of the external smart card accounting module 10 into the connector 70 , a card sensor ( such as a mechanical switch ) 72 is tripped in a conventional manner sending a signal to the base module 6 indicating that accounting should be accomplished via the external smart card accounting module 10 versus the internal smart card accounting module 8 . the print module 4 includes a printhead 12 , such as an ink jet printhead . a printhead driver 14 provides the necessary signals and voltages to the printhead 12 to energize the printhead 12 to emit drops of ink on the mailpiece to form the postal indicia image . a temperature sensor 16 is used to sense ambient temperature . since the ambient temperature changes the viscosity of the printhead ink , the temperature information enables changing of the signals and voltages of the printhead to maintain a constant drop size . the print module 4 also includes a smart card chip 18 which receives encrypted command and control signals from base module 6 and provides information to an application specific integrated circuit ( asic ) 20 to operate the printhead driver 14 . the asic , may be of the type described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 08 / 554 , 179 filed nov . 6 , 1995 entitled mail handling apparatus and process for printing an image column - by - column in real time and assigned to pitney bowes inc ., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference . the asic , which is connected to a crystal clock 22 , obtains the necessary printing operating program information from a rom or flash memory 24 to appropriately control the sequence of the printing data being provided to the printhead driver 14 such that the printhead 12 produces a valid and properly imprinted postal indicia . base module 6 includes a microcontroller 26 which is electronically connected to various motors associated with the movement and maintenance of printhead 12 , and is furthermore electronically connected to a display 64 as well as to both the internal smart card accounting module 8 , the external smart card accounting module 10 , and the smart card chip 18 . the microcontroller 26 thus serves as the communication center through which all communications between the accounting modules 8 , 10 and the print module 4 take place . the microcontroller 26 is also connected to a modem 28 which includes a modem chip 30 connected to a crystal clock 32 and a data access arrangement 34 for enabling modem communications between the metering system 2 and external systems . an rs232 port 27 is provided . the rs232 port 27 is connected to the microcontroller 26 via a switch 29 which is operated under the control of the microcontroller 26 such that either the rs232 port 27 is enabled or the modem 28 is enabled . the microcontroller 26 is operated under the control of two separate crystal clocks 36 and 38 . the higher frequency 9 . 8 megahertz crystal clock 38 is used when the electronic meter system 2 is in active operation and the lower speed 32 kilohertz crystal clock 36 is used when the meter is in a &# 34 ; sleep mode &# 34 ; whereby the display 64 is blanked and the system is in a quiescent state . various power is provided to the electronic postage meter system 2 including a 5 volt regulated power supply 40 , a 30 volt adjustable power supply 42 , and a 24 volt regulated power supply 44 . additionally , a battery 46 is connected via a battery back - up circuit 48 to the microcontroller 26 to provide operating power to the microcontroller 26 when the external source of ac operating power 50 is disconnected . microcontroller 26 is also connected to a keypad 62 which enables a user to enter data into the electronic metering system 2 . the information entered by the user via keypad 62 or conveyed to the user by the electronic postage metering system 2 is displayed via a display 64 . as previously mentioned , the electronic postage metering system 2 employs the use of two separate smart card accounting modules 8 and 10 . the internal smart card accounting module 8 is connected to the microcontroller 26 via a plug connector 66 . a 3 . 57 megahertz crystal clock 68 is connected to both the internal smart card 8 accounting module and the external smart card accounting module 10 with the connection to the external smart card accounting module being through the connector 70 . thus , when the external smart card accounting module 10 is inserted into the connector 70 , the card sensor 72 detects the presence of the external smart card accounting module 10 such that a signal is sent from the card sensor 72 to the microcontroller 26 . upon receipt of this signal , microprocessor 26 enables the external smart card power control circuitry 74 to apply power to the external smart card accounting module 10 and engages the crystal clock 68 to provide clock signals to the external smart card accounting module 10 all via the smart card connector 70 . microcontroller 26 includes a plurality of registers ( counters ) 90 which are used to identify the current day , time , month and year . each of these registers are incremented periodically via program means stored in a nonvolatile memory 92 to ensure that the actual real time is known by microcontroller 26 . program that is , the program means stored in nonvolatile memory 92 causes the microcontroller 26 to interrupt whatever function it is performing on a periodic basis to update the appropriate day , time , month and year registers 90 based on the number of pulses generated by either crystal clock 36 or 38 . therefore , depending on which of crystal clocks 36 , 38 is currently being utilized by microcontroller 26 , the programming in memory 92 associates , for example , a specific number of pulses for the specified clock 36 , 38 with a particular unit of time elapsed ( i . e ., second , minute , day , month , year , etc .) and when the requisite number of pulses associated with the particular unit of time has been generated by the crystal clock 36 , 38 , the corresponding register 90 is automatically incremented by one . moreover , while the discussion above sets forth that a predetermined number of clock pulses can be associated with each register increment , it is also readily apparent to one possessing ordinary skill in the art that the smallest time unit can be incremented by a count of one based on the number of pulses of the crystal clock while the other time registers can then be incremented based on a predetermined number stored in the smallest unit time register ( i . e ., seconds ) or upon each other ( i . e . hour register at 24 then day register is incremented by one ). thus , with the software architecture stored in memory 92 , the microprocessor 26 makes use of the crystal clocks 36 , 38 to ensure that an accurate real time is always maintained by the microprocessor 26 . the time registers 90 can be read by the microcontroller 26 at any point in time to 1 ) display the real time on the display 64 , 2 ) provide an input via the smart card chip 18 to the asic 20 so that the appropriate time and date can be printed in a postal indicia for each transaction , 3 ) provide the time and date to the accounting modules 8 , 10 to be included as part of the encrypted information generated by those modules , 4 ) permit the microprocessor 26 to timely implement various meter functions such as printhead maintenance , and 5 ) require connection of the electronic postage meter system to a remote database to permit a remote inspection to occur . thus , the real time clock mechanism ( 92 , 90 , 36 , 38 ) set forth above is very critical to the operation of the electronic postage meter . microprocessor 26 also includes memory 94 having programming therein which permits the user to set the real time ( for example , time , day , month , year ) via the keyboard 62 . the user can hit a designated key 62a which identifies to the microprocessor 26 that the user wishes to enter the set up routine for resetting one of a plurality of meter parameters including resetting of the real time clock mechanism . the programming in memory 94 will then query the user , via display 64 , as to which parameter the user desires to change . the user responds , via keyboard 62 , and if a resetting of the clock mechanism is selected , the programming in memory 94 queries the user as to what the new time , day , month and year should be . the user then enters the new day , time , month and year via the keyboard 62 . this information is then accepted by microprocessor 26 which in turn updates the registers 90 accordingly . the real time is then maintained starting from the entered time and date in accordance with the program means 92 discussed above . the real time clock structure ( 90 , 92 , 94 , 36 , 38 ) set forth above permits the user to change the real time . moreover , the battery 46 and battery back - up circuitry 48 provide power to the microcontroller 26 when the ac power has been removed so that the real time clock mechanism ( 90 , 92 , 36 , 38 ) continues to keep accurate time even though the electronic postage meter system 2 is not in its operational mode . however , as previously discussed , this type of clock system ( non - secure ) also permits any user of the postage meter to change the real time with no restrictions whatsoever . the unrestricted access to the real time clock set up feature can lead to potential fraudulent activity on behalf of the user or , alternately , can result in required maintenance activities and inspection routines , which are based on the real time , being completely avoided . one alternative to solving the above discussed problems associated with a non - secure clock is to provide a secure clock module in the base module 6 as described in united states patent application entitled &# 34 ; electronic postage meter system having plural clock system providing enhanced security &# 34 ; ser . no . 08 / 846 , 646 which was filed on apr . 30 , 1997 and which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention and which is incorporated herein by reference . the solution presented in the aforementioned application , however , requires the added secure clock module to interface with the microprocessor 26 in order to update the registers 90 based on the newly added secure clock module . the secure clock module has its own operating clock which is sealed and inaccessible to a user and includes its own battery back - up which would , for example , have a guaranteed life of ten years in order to exceed the operating life of the postage metering system 2 . thus , at least theoretically , the newly added secure clock module would never require a timing reset based on a failure of the back - up battery . while this system would provide the required clock security , assuming that the capability of the user to reset the clock is eliminated , it is also a very expensive solution especially for retrofitting existing meters which operate using the clock system ( 90 , 92 , 94 , 36 , 38 ). that is , the new secure clock module must be added to existing postage metering systems which represents a hardware cost , and the microcontroller 26 must be reprogrammed to utilize the input from the newly added secure clock module for the purpose of ensuring that the registers 90 reflect the real time of the added secure clock module and are not based upon the clocks 36 , 38 . moreover , in order to provide the user with some real time clock reset capability to , for example , account for time changes because the meter is transported between various time zones , the aforementioned copending application provides a further complex synchronizing mechanism to control the extent to which the user can adjust the real time . once again , this solution is effective but costly particularly with respect to retrofitting existing postage meter systems which do not have a secure clock module . in lieu of adding a secure clock module to the postage metering system as thus far described , the applicants of the instant invention have invented an alternate solution which 1 ) only requires a software change to be made to the electronic postage metering system as thus far described , 2 ) is easy to implement in the field , and 3 ) provides for the desired enhanced clock security . that is , the microcontroller 26 includes programming installed in memory 96 which only permits the clock set - up routine of memory 94 to be executed subsequent to a secure clock smart card 98 being inserted into the connector 70 as will be discussed in more detail below with reference to fig2 . in fig2 at step s1 the electronic postage meter system 2 is powered up in its operational mode and is in an idle state awaiting a postage transaction request to be entered by the user via the keyboard 62 . at step s3 , microprocessor 26 determines if a smart card has been inserted into the connector 70 based on whether or not microprocessor 26 receives a signal from card sensor 72 . in the event that an external smart card is not currently inserted into connector 70 , microprocessor 26 does not receive a signal from sensor 72 such that the inquiry at step s3 is &# 34 ; no &# 34 ;. in step s4 , microprocessor 26 is then programmed to utilize the internal smart card accounting module 8 to account for any postage transaction requested by the user and the programming returns to the idle state of step s1 to await the user request . alternatively , if microprocessor 26 receives a signal from card sensor 72 , the answer to inquiry at step s3 is &# 34 ; yes &# 34 ; and the program proceeds to step s5 where an inquiry is made by microprocessor 26 as to whether the inserted smart card is a real time clock security card 98 . that is , both the real time clock security card 98 and the external smart card accounting module 10 each contain a numeral identifier stored in a respective memory thereof , which numeral identifier is peculiar to the specific type of smart card . thus , at step s5 the microprocessor 26 queries the inserted external smart card for its numeral identifier . upon receipt of the numeral identifier from the external smart card , the microprocessor 26 determines if a real time clock security card 98 has been inserted into connector 70 . if the numeral identifier does not match that of a real time clock security card 98 or if after a predetermined period of time ( for example , one second ) from the query for the numeral identifier made by microprocessor 26 no response is received from the inserted external smart card , the answer to the query at step s5 is &# 34 ; no &# 34 ;. the program then proceeds to step s7 where a determination is made by microprocessor 26 as to whether the inserted external smart card is an external smart card accounting module 10 . if a numeral identifier has been received by microprocessor 26 which identifiers the inserted external smart card as an external smart card accounting module 10 , the answer to the query at step s7 is ` yes ` and the program proceeds to step s9 where microprocessor 26 is programmed to utilize the external smart card accounting module 10 in lieu of the internal smart card accounting module 8 for all postage transactions . returning to step s7 , if it is determined that the inserted external smart card is not an external smart card accounting module 10 , an error message will be displayed on the display 64 indicating that an unrecognized card has been inserted into the connector 70 ( step 11 ) at this point , the program can proceed to step s4 where the microprocessor designates the internal accounting module 8 to be used for each postage transaction . however , alternatively , after step s1 , the printing and accounting functions of the electronic postage metering system could be disabled until the unrecognized card were removed . this would prevent the inadvertent use of the internal accounting module 8 for postage transactions intended to be deducted from the external accounting module 10 by a user who attempts to initiate a postage transaction despite the displayed error message . returning to step s5 , if a real time clock security card 98 is detected , the program proceeds to initiate a mutual authentication procedure between the inserted smart card and the print module ic chip 18 following a known mutual authentication procedure as set forth in u . s . patent application ser . no . 08 / 576 , 665 filed on dec . 21 , 1995 and which is hereby incorporated by reference . alternatively , other mutual authentication procedures such as the one set forth in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 864 , 618 can also be utilized . what is common to each of these known techniques is that first the print module ic verifies ( step s13 ) that the real time clock security card 98 is a valid card ( not fraudulent copy ) and then the real time clock security card 98 validates that the print module ic is valid . it is only after the inquiry at steps s13 and s15 are both affirmatively answered that a flag is set in microprocessor 26 ( step s17 ) to indicate that a valid real time clock security card 98 has been inserted into connector 70 . upon removal of the real time clock security card 98 , the flag is reset to indicate that a real time clock security card 98 is not presently inserted in connector 70 . moreover , assuming that the answer to the inquiry at either of steps s13 and s15 is &# 34 ; no &# 34 ;, an error message is displayed at step s11 as previously discussed . returning to step s1 , if the electronic postage meter system 2 is in the idle state and a user at step s18 presses key 62a to enter the parameter set up routine , the microprocessor 26 , at step s19 , determines if a real time clock security card 98 has been inserted into the connector 70 . that is , if a flag has been set at step s17 , a real time clock security card 98 has been inserted whereas the absence of the set flag indicates the opposite result . in the event no real time clock security card 98 has been inserted , at step s21 , the display 64 will show the user all of the unrestricted parameters ( such as changing a password or setting up a new account number , etc .) of the electronic postage metering system 2 which the user is free to change . the user can select the one ( s ) of the parameters they wish to change and at step s23 make the desired changes via the keyboard 62 and a set of menu driven instructions displayed on display 64 . once all of the desired changes have been made , the programming returns to step s1 to await the next user input . alternatively , if at step s19 a real time clock security card 98 is identified as having been inserted into connector 70 , the display 64 will display both the unrestricted parameters which can be changed as well as the restricted clock set up parameter ( step s25 ). the user is then free to change any of the unrestricted parameters as well as to reset the real time clock ( step s27 ). once the real time clock and or the unrestricted parameters have been changed , the program returns to step s1 to await further instructions from the user . in view of the above description of fig2 it is very clear that access to the real time clock parameter reset routine is restricted to only those users possessing a valid authenticated real time clock security card 98 . if an organization closely controls access to the real time clock security card 98 to only a limited number of authorized personnel , the potential intentional or inadvertent resetting of the real time clock is effectively eliminated via an easily implemented secure clock system in the postage meter . moreover , because of the two security requirements built into the real time clock security card concerning the secure card numeral identifier and the mutual authentication requirement , the ability for unauthorized cards to be produced which would facilitate unauthorized resetting of the real time clock is essentially precluded . while the above program description of fig2 provides the mechanism for restricting the resetting of a real time clock in an electronic postage metering system 2 to only those users possessing an authenticated real time clock security card 98 , fig3 is directed toward the programming incorporated in memory 100 which ensures that the real time clock registers 90 are automatically required to be reset in the event that the batteries 46 fail to provide the required back - up power for the real time clock of microprocessor 26 when the ac power is removed from the electronic metering system 2 . with reference to fig3 at step s31 , a determination is made as to whether the ac power is on . if the ac power is not on the back - up battery 46 together with the battery back - up circuit 48 provide the required power to microprocessor 26 to ensure continued operation of the real time clock mechanism . thus , at step 33 , as long as the power being provided by the battery 46 / battery back - up circuit 48 to microprocessor 26 remains greater than or equal to a predetermined level , a signature which has been written into a volatile memory 102 of microprocessor 26 is retained in memory 102 . this signature is indicative that the real time clock has previously been set in a secure manner utilizing an authenticated real time clock security card 98 in the manner described in fig2 . however , in the event that the batteries fail to provide the required voltage level to microprocessor 26 , the necessary power to maintain the signature in volatile memory 102 is not present such that the signature is lost . returning to step s31 , once the electronic metering system 2 is powered up with ac power , the programming in memory 100 automatically goes through an initialization routine where at step s39 the microprocessor 26 checks to see if the secure clock setting signature is written into volatile memory 102 . if the signature is present , printing is enabled and the meter is in its operational state and ready to perform a postage transaction ( step s40 ). alternatively , if the signature is not written in memory 102 , which would indicate the loss of the required battery back up power , printing by the electronic metering system 2 is disabled as shown in step s41 . in step s43 a message is displayed on display 64 advising the user that the real time clock must be reset . at this point in time , the only way the real time clock can be reset is by inserting a real time clock security card 98 into the connector 70 which card is then verified as an authenticated real time clock security card in accordance with the programming flow of fig2 . thus , at step s45 an inquiry is made by microprocessor 26 to determine whether there has been a mutual authentication of a real time clock security card 98 and the print module 4 . if the answer is &# 34 ; no &# 34 ;, this means that the flag at step s17 of fig2 has not been set in which case printing remains disabled and the display 64 continues to request the user to reset the clock . moreover , in the event that an external smart card accounting module 10 has been inserted in lieu of a real time clock security card 98 , the electronic metering system 2 will recognize the external smart card accounting module and will designate it to be utilized for accounting purposes as discussed in connection with steps s7 and s9 of fig2 . however , until the real time clock has been reset , no accounting and printing can take place . in the event , at step s45 , the mutual authentication has properly taken place , the user is free to reset the real time clock ( step s47 ). until the user does so , however , the display will continue to display the message requiring the user to reset the clock . once however the user resets the clock utilizing the set up procedures stored in memory 94 , the microprocessor 26 then writes the secure clock setting signature to the memory 102 ( step s49 ) and subsequently enables printing and operation of the electronic metering system 2 ( step s40 ). it is readily apparent that the programming set forth in memory 100 requires the electronic metering system 2 to have its real time clock reset whenever there is a failure of the battery back up system 46 / 48 . that is , each time the ac power is turned on an initialization routine checks to see if the secure clock signature is in memory 102 . if it is , the electronic postage metering system 2 is enabled . however , if the secure clock setting signature is not present in memory 102 the resetting of the real time clock is required and this resetting can only be accomplished by a user possessing the necessary real time clock security card 98 . this routine therefore accomplishes two things : 1 ) it ensures that only the user possessing the real time clock security card 98 can reset the postage meter and 2 ) it ensures that the real time clock is set whenever the back up battery power is lost . if such was not the case , the meter would operate under the ac power even though the back up battery power had failed and therefore the registers 90 would have the wrong time since the time period during which the meter did not have ac power applied thereto and during which the batteries failed would not be accounted for in the registers 90 . in view of the above , it is very clear that the instant invention provides a real time clock security mechanism which can be retrofitted into existing postage metering systems in an easy manner and for a minimum cost . that is , only software needs to be downloaded into the microprocessor 26 to perform the functions identified in fig2 and 3 and no hardware needs to be added . thus , the cost associated with sending out a serviceman to incorporate hardware changes ( or having the unit shipped back to the factory or service center ) is precluded and the software changes can be downloaded without a service call via the modem 30 or via a special smart card which can be inserted into the connector 70 . additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art . therefore , the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details , and representative devices , shown and described herein . accordingly , various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended claims . for example , while the preferred embodiment describes an external smart card , it could also be a card with a magnetic stripe or any equivalent type of structure .	6
hereinafter , exemplary embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings . each drawing shows an exemplary embodiment of the invention . fig1 shows a conceptual module block diagram of the exemplary embodiment . in addition , the term “ module ” generally means logically separable software , and components such as hardware . accordingly , the module in the exemplary embodiment means not only a module in a program but a module in a hardware configuration . therefore , the exemplary embodiment also serves to describe a program , an apparatus , a system , and a method . further , the module corresponds to its function substantially one to one . however , in implementation , one module may be made up of one program , and plural modules may be made up of one program , or conversely , one module may be made up of plural programs . further , plural modules may be executed by one computer , and one module may be executed by plural computers in a dispersed or parallel environment . further , in the following description , the term “ connection ” includes logical connection in addition to physical connection . further , the term “ system ” also includes a case where it is realized by one computer besides a configuration in which plural computers , hardware , apparatuses , etc . are connected together over a network , etc . the exemplary embodiment has a plural - image input module 110 , a character extracting module 120 , a difference detecting module 130 , a dividing module 140 and a synthesizing module 150 . the plural - image input module 110 inputs plural images . here , the plural images are time - seriously continuous images , and specifically , a moving image . however , the plural images maybe plural time - serially continuously shot still images like panoramic images . in the case of a moving image , each image corresponds to a frame image of the moving image . here , the time - serially continuous images are plural images between which there is a temporal context . characters in the time - serially continuous image are at least continuous semantically . for example , in the case of a moving image , the interval between the time - serially continuous images may be a regular time interval . a frame image whose contents change severely ( for example , if the moving image is compressed , an image whose compressed volume is large is detected as a frame image ) may be selected as a target . further , the term “ frame image ” means an image for one screen in the case of displaying a moving image , and means an image among plural images in the case of displaying a still image . further , it is assumed herein that characters , such as subtitles and telops , are present within an image to be input . further , the characters are not limited to the subtitles , but may be characters captured in an image . also , the characters are not necessarily limited to ones that can be read well . for example , there is also the case where a color of characters is the same as the color of a background , and thus the characters cannot be read . the character extracting module 120 extracts characters from an image input by the plural - image input module 110 . here , as a technique of character extraction , a text / image separating technique , an mrc ( mixed raster content ) technique , etc . may be used . in the case where an image input by the plural - image input module 110 is a moving image , images to be processed by the character extracting module 120 are frame images . the character extracting module 120 may extract characters from every frame image . further , in the case of a moving image , there may be almost no change between frames . thus , a frame image to be processed may be selected at certain intervals . in addition , among the images to be processed by the character extracting module 120 , a time - serially previous image may be referred to as an ““ a ” image ,” and an image that is time - serially subsequent to the “ a ” image may also be referred to as a ““ b ” image .” it is not necessary that the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image are temporarily adjacent to each other so long as the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image have a temporal context . also , there may be plural images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image . here , the expression “ extracts a character ” may include the case where a character is recognized from an image of the extracted character and obtained as text data , in addition to the case where the character is extracted as an image . further , there is also the case where the character extracting module 120 cannot extract characters . as mentioned above , this is , for example , a color of a character is the same as a color of a background , and thus the character cannot be read . the difference detecting module 130 detects a difference between a character extracted from the “ a ” image by the character extracting module 120 and a character extracted from the “ b ” image by the character extracting module . when characters are extracted as images by the character extracting module 120 , the difference detecting module 130 compares the images ( pattern matching ) to detect a difference as an image . also , when characters extracted by the character extracting module 120 are text data after recognition of the characters , a difference is detected as text data . the dividing module 140 divides the difference detected by the difference detecting module 130 in accordance with number of images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image that are target images of the character extracting module 120 . here , the case where there is an image between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image includes not only the case where a frame image to be processed is selected at certain intervals as described , but also the case where characters cannot be extracted by the character extracting module 120 . here , the expression “ divides the difference in accordance with the number of images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image “ means that the difference is divided by number obtained by adding 1 to the number of images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image because the difference includes the “ b ” image . the dividing module 140 may not operate in some cases . this is because when a difference cannot be detected by the difference detecting module 130 , it is not necessary to divide a difference ( when characters of the “ a ” image and characters of the “ b ” image are the same ). in other cases , that is , when characters cannot be extracted from images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image by the character extracting module 120 but a difference is detected by the difference detecting module 130 , this difference is divided in accordance with the number of images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image . the synthesizing module 150 synthesizes portions obtained by dividing the difference characters by the dividing module 140 , with the respective images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image . further , when characters cannot be extracted from the images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image by the character extracting module 120 and a difference character between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image is not detected by the difference detecting module 130 , the character extracted from the “ a ” image or the character extracted from the “ b ” image is synthesized with the images ( images from which characters cannot be extracted ) between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image . further , when a difference is detected by the difference detecting module 130 , a character string is generated and this character string is synthesized with the “ b ” image on the basis of the character extracted from the “ a ” image by the character extracting module 120 and the character extracted from the “ b ” image by the character extracting module 120 . further , the synthesizing module 150 also synthesizes a character string according to the character extracted from the “ a ” image and the character extracted from the “ b ” image , in addition to generating the character string . the character extracting process according to the exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig2 . in step s 201 , the plural - image input module 110 inputs a moving image . frame images are input . instep s 202 , the character extracting module 120 extracts a character from each frame image . in step s 203 , it is determined as to whether or not the character extracting module 120 extracted a character successfully . at this time , if a character is extracted successfully , the process proceeds to step s 204 . if a character is failed to be extracted , the process returns to step s 202 . that is , step s 202 will be repeated until a character is extracted successfully . as a result , if there is no character in a frame image or a character is failed to be extracted due to a relationship between a color of a character and a color of a background in the frame image , the process is looped . in steps 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image and a character extraction result of a frame image from which a character is extracted successfully prior to the current frame image . in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 divides the difference acquired in step s 204 by number of frame images between the current frame image and the frame image from which the character is extracted successfully prior to the current frame image . in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 re - synthesizes a character string in a frame image with no character that should be extracted , using a character region into which the difference has been divided and a character extraction result of a frame image just previous to the frame image in question . the expression “ a frame image with no character that should be extracted ” is a frame image for which the answer is set to “ no ” in step s 203 . then , the process is repeated for all the frame images in the moving image input by the plural - image input module 110 till the completion thereof . that is , the process returns to step s 202 , and the process from step s 202 to step s 206 is performed up to the last frame image . a specific example of the character extracting process according to the exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig3 to 6 and fig1 . although the japanese characters are illustrated in the figures , one skilled in the art would appreciate that the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures can apply to the case where time - seriously continuous images include english characters ( e . g ., alphabet ) or characters in any other language . fig3 shows the case where there is a frame image from which a character is extracted successfully , then there are plural continuous frame images from which a character is failed to be extracted , and thereafter there is a frame image from which a character is extracted successfully . fig3 ( a ) shows ( six ) frame images of a moving image input by the plural - image input module 110 , along temporal axis ( t 1 to t 6 ). as shown in fig3 ( a ) , a frame image at time t 1 is an image from which white a character “ o ha yo u ” can be read in a black background color . it is noted that japanese word “ o ha yo u ” means good morning . although the frame images from a time t 2 to a time t 5 have white characters “ o ha yo u ”, these characters cannot be read due to the relationship between the white characters and the background color . a frame image at a time t 6 is an image from which the white characters “ o ha yo u ” can be read in the black background color like the frame image at the time t 1 . fig3 ( b ) shows results when the character extracting module 120 has extracted characters from the frame images on the temporal axis . in this case , a character image “ o ha yo u ” ( 301 and 306 in fig3 ) can be extracted from the frame images at the time t 1 and t 6 . no character image is be extracted from the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 ( 302 , 303 , 304 and 305 in fig3 ). that is , in the flowchart of fig2 , results of processes for the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 become “ no ” in step s 203 . process from step s 204 to step s 206 is performed for the frame image at the time t 6 . the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . an example of a method for extracting the difference is pattern matching . the character extraction result at the time t 6 is “ o ha yo u ” ( 306 of fig3 ). also , the character extraction result at the time t 1 is “ o ha yo u ” ( 301 of fig3 ). accordingly , it is determined that there is no difference therebetween in this case . the dividing module 140 divides the difference in accordance with the number of frame images between the current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and the frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . in this case , the difference will be divided by 5 ( 5 obtained by adding 1 to the number “ 4 ” of frames between the time t 1 and the time t 6 ). however , since no difference is detected , the process of dividing by the dividing module 140 is not performed . the synthesizing module 150 synthesizes the result at the time t 1 with a result obtained by dividing the difference , as a character extraction result of the frame image at the time t 2 . in this case , since there is no divided image , the character extraction result of the frame image at the time t 2 is the same as the character extraction result at the time t 1 . of course , this is the same if the character extraction result at the time t 6 is used . the same is true in the cases of the time t 3 to the time t 5 . in this case , the character extraction result at the time t 1 or the time t 6 becomes character extraction results at the time t 3 to the time t 5 , as it is . that is , as shown in fig3 ( a ), “ o ha yo u ” which is an image of the extracted characters is associated with the frame images at the time bases t 2 to t 5 ( 312 , 313 , 314 , and 315 of fig3 ), and is synthesized with each frame image . fig4 shows the case where there is a frame image from which a character is extracted , then there are plural continuous frame images from which a character is not extracted , and thereafter , there is a frame image from which a character is extracted . this example is different from the example of fig3 in that the character extracting module 120 not only extracts a character as an image , but also performs character recognition to handle text data , which is a result of the character recognition , as extracted characters . further , although there is no difference in fig3 , fig4 shows the case where there is some difference . fig4 ( a ) shows ( six ) frame images of a moving image input by the plural - image input module 110 according to times bases ( t 1 to t 6 ). as shown in this figure , a frame image at a time t 1 is an image from which a black character “ o ” can be read in a white background color . although frame images from a time t 2 to a time t 5 have black characters “ o ha ”, “ o ha yo ”, “ o ha yo u ”, and “ o ha yo u go ”, respectively , these characters cannot be read due to the relationship between the black characters and the background color . a frame image at a time t 6 is an image from which black characters “ o ha yo u go za ” can be read in a white background color . it is noted that the japanese word “ o ha yo u go za i ma su ” is a respectful form of “ o ha yo u ” and means good morning . fig4 ( b ) shows results when the character extracting module 120 has recognized characters from the frame images on the temporal axis . in this case , the character “ o ” ( 401 of fig4 ) is recognized from the frame image at the time t 1 . no character is recognized from the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 ( 402 , 403 , 404 , and 405 of fig4 ). that is , in the flowchart of fig2 , results of process for the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 become “ no ” in step s 203 . the characters “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 406 of fig4 ) is recognized from the frame image at the time t 6 . process from step s 204 to step s 206 is performed for the frame image at the time t 6 . the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character recognition result of a current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and a character recognition result of a frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which characters are recognized prior to the current frame image . as a method of extracting the difference , for example , comparison between texts is performed . the character recognition result at the time t 6 is “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 406 of fig4 ), and the character recognition result at the time t 1 is “ o ” ( 401 of fig4 ). accordingly , the difference in this case is “ ha yo u go za ” ( 407 of fig4 ). the dividing module 140 divides the difference in accordance with the number of frame images between the current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and the frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which a character is recognized prior to the current frame image . in this case , the difference is divided by 5 ( 5 obtained by adding 1 to the number “ 4 ” of frames between the time t 1 and the time t 6 ). the result of equally dividing the difference into five portions becomes “ ha ” ( 408 of fig4 ), “ yo ” ( 409 of fig4 ), and “ u ” ( 410 of fig4 ), “ go ” ( 411 of fig4 ), and “ za ” ( 412 of fig4 ). the synthesizing module 150 synthesizes the result at the time t 1 (“ n ”, 421 of fig4 ) with a result (“ ha ”, 408 of fig4 ) obtained by dividing the difference , as a character recognition result of the frame image at the time t 2 . that is , as shown in fig4 ( c ) , the synthesized result becomes “ o ha ” ( 422 of fig4 ). the same is true in the cases of the time t 3 to the time t 5 . that is , as shown in fig4 ( c ) , the synthesized results become “ o ha yo ” ( 423 of fig4 ) at the time t 3 , “ o ha yo u ” ( 424 of fig4 ) at the time t 4 , “ o ha yo u go ” ( 425 of fig4 ) at the time t 5 , and “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 426 of fig4 ) at the time t 6 . then , each of the above characters is synthesized with the frame image . fig5 shows the case where there is a frame image from which a character is could be extracted , then there are plural continuous frame images from which characters are be extracted , and thereafter , there is a frame image from which a character is extracted . this example is different from the example of fig4 in that the character extracting module 120 does not perform character recognition , and extracts characters as an image . fig5 ( a ) shows ( six ) frame images of a moving image input by the plural - image input module 110 according to time bases ( t 1 to t 6 ). as shown in this figure , a frame image at a time t 1 is an image from which a black character “ o ” can be read in a white background color . although frame images from a time t 2 to a time t 5 have black characters “ o ha ,” and “ o ha yo ”, these characters cannot be read due to the relationship between the black characters and the background color . a frame image at a time t 6 is an image from which black characters “ o ha yo u ” can be read in a white background color . fig5 ( b ) shows results when the character extracting module 120 extracts characters from the frame images on the temporal axis . in this case , the character “ o ” ( 501 of fig5 ) is extracted from the frame image at the time t 1 . no character is extracted from the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 ( 502 , 503 , 504 , and 505 of fig5 ). that is , in the flowchart of fig2 , results of the process for the frame images at the time t 2 to t 5 are “ no ” in step s 203 . the characters “ o ha yo u ” ( 506 of fig6 ) is extracted from the frame image at the time t 6 . process from step s 204 to step s 206 is performed for the frame image at the time t 6 . the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which a character is extracted prior to the current frame image . an example of extraction of the difference is a method by pattern matching . the character extraction result at the time t 6 is “ o ha yo u ” ( 506 of fig5 ), and the character extraction result at the time t 1 is “ o ” ( 501 of fig5 ). accordingly , the difference in this case becomes “ ha yo u ” ( 507 of fig5 ). the dividing module 140 divides the difference in accordance with the number of frame images between the current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and the frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which the character is extracted prior to the current frame image . in this case , the difference is divided by 5 ( 5 obtained by adding 1 to the number “ 4 ” of frames between the time t 1 and the time t 6 ). the result of equally dividing the difference into five parts is the left side of “ ha ” ( 512 of fig5 ), the right side of “ ha ” ( 514 of fig5 ), the left side of “ yo ” ( 516 of fig5 ), the right side of “ yo ” and the left side of “ u ” ( 518 of fig5 ), and the right side of “ u ” ( 520 of fig5 ). the synthesizing module 150 synthesizes the result at the time t 1 (“ a ”, 511 of fig5 ) with a result ( the left side of “ ha ”, 512 of fig4 ) obtained by dividing the difference , as a character recognition result of the frame image at the time t 2 . that is , as shown in fig5 ( c ) , the synthesized result at the time 2 includes “ o ” and the left side of “ ha ” ( 513 of fig5 ). the same is true in the cases of the time t 3 to the time t 5 . that is , as shown in fig5 ( c ) , the synthesized results is “ o ha ” ( 515 of fig5 ) at the time t 3 , “ o ha ” and the left side of “ yo ” ( 517 of fig4 ) at the time t 4 , “ o ha yo ” and the left side of “ u ” ( 519 of fig5 ) at the time t 5 , and “ o ha yo u ” ( 521 of fig5 ) at the time t 6 . then , each of the above character images is synthesized with the frame image . fig6 shows the case where characters could be extracted from any frame image , but some of the extracted characters are missing . fig6 ( a ) shows ( six ) frame images of a moving image input by the plural - image input module 110 according to times bases ( t 1 to t 6 ). as shown in this figure , a frame image at a time t 1 is an image from which a black character “ o ” is read in a white background color . in frame images from a time t 2 to a time t 5 , some of characters are missing due to the black background . that is , in the frame image at the time t 2 , a character “ ha ” is read , but a character “ o ” is missing . in the frame image at the time t 3 , characters “ o ha ” is read , but a character “ yo ” is missing . in the frame image at the time t 4 , the characters “ ha yo u ” is read , but the character “ o ” is missing . in the frame image at the time t 5 , characters “ o ha ” and “ u go ” is read , but the character “ yo ” is missing . a frame image at a time t 6 is an image from which black characters “ o ha yo u go za ” is read in a white background color . fig6 ( b ) shows results when the character extracting module 120 extracts characters from the frame images on the temporal axis . in this case , the character “ o ” ( 601 of fig6 ) is extracted from the frame image at the time t 1 . the character “ ha ” ( 602 of fig6 ) is extracted from the frame image at the time t 2 . the characters “ o ha ” ( 603 of fig6 ) are extracted from the frame image at the time t 3 . the characters “ h yo u ” ( 604 of fig6 ) are extracted from the frame image at the time t 4 . the characters “ o ha u go ” ( 605 of fig6 ) are extracted from the frame image at the time t 5 . the characters “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 606 of fig6 ) are extracted from the frame image at the time t 6 . that is , in the flowchart of fig2 , the process from step s 204 to step 206 is performed for the frame images at the time bases t 2 to t 6 . in step 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 2 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 1 ) from which the character is be extracted prior to the current frame image . for example , as a result of pattern matching , it is detected that there is a difference between “ o ” ( 611 of fig6 ) and “ ha ” ( 602 of fig6 ). in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 has a division number “ 1 ,” and divides the difference by 1 . further , it is not necessary to perform this process since the number of divisions is “ 1 . ” in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 generates a character string according to time points when the characters appear , and appearance locations where the characters appear in the frame images . that is , in this case , although the both characters “ o ” and “ ha ” have the same appearance location , the time point of appearance of “ o ” is earlier than that of “ ha .” the generated character image is an image obtained by adding “ ha ” behind “ o .” in addition , “ o ha ” ( 612 of fig6 ) is stored as a character extraction result of the current frame image ( at the time t 2 ). the generation positional information is recalculated in consideration of positional information on the following frame image , and the size of a character region of the preceding frame image . in this case , the positional information shifts by “ o ” of the previous frame image from the position of “ ha ” of the following frame image . next , process at the time t 3 will be described . in step 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 3 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 2 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . for example , as a result of pattern matching , it is detected that there is no difference between “ o ha ” ( 612 of fig6 ) and “ o ha ” ( 603 of fig6 ). in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 has a division number “ 1 ,” and divides the difference by 1 . it is not necessary to perform any process since the number of divisions is “ 1 .” in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 stores a character extraction result of the current frame image ( at the time t 3 ). a stored character string is “ o ha ” ( 613 of fig6 ). further , the stored positional information is the positional information of the current frame image ( at the time t 3 ). next , process at the time t 4 will be described . in step 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 4 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 3 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . for example , as a result of pattern matching , it is detected that there is a difference between “ o ha ” ( 613 of fig6 ) and “ ha yo u ” ( 604 of fig6 ). in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 has a division number “ 1 ,” and divides the difference by 1 . it is not necessary to perform any process since the number of divisions is “ 1 .” in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 calculates a logical sum of “ o ha ” and “ ha yo u ” with using the pattern - matched character (“ o ” in this case ) as a core . this generates “ o ha yo u ” ( 614 of fig6 ). in addition , “ o ha yo u ” ( 614 of fig6 ) is stored as a character extraction result of the current frame image ( at the time t 4 ). further , the positional information is recalculated in consideration of the size of a character region of the previous frame image ( at the time t 3 ) with a character pattern - matched with using the positional information on the current frame image ( at the time t 4 ) as a core . in this case , the positional information shifts by “ o ” with using “ ha ” ( pattern - matched character ) of the following frame image as a center . then , the generated character string is synthesized with a position indicated by the positional information acquired prior to the frame image at the time t 4 . next , process at the time t 5 will be described . in step 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 5 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 4 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . for example , as a result of pattern matching , it is detected that there is a difference between “ o ha yo u ” ( 614 of fig6 ) and “ o ha u go ” ( 605 of fig6 ). in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 has a division number “ 1 ,” and divides the difference by 1 . it is not necessary to perform any process since the number of divisions is “ 1 .” in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 calculates a logical sum of “ o ha yo u ” and “ o ha u go ” with using the pattern - matched character ( s ) (“ o ha ” or “ u ” in this case ) as a core . this generates “ o ha yo u go ” ( 615 of fig6 ). in addition , “ o ha you go ” ( 615 of fig6 ) is stored as a character extraction result of the current frame image ( at the time t 5 ). further , the positional information is recalculated in consideration of the size of a character region of the previous frame image ( at the time t 4 ) with a character pattern - matched with using the positional information on the current frame image ( at the time t 5 ) as a core . in this case , since “ o ha ” ( matched characters ) of the current frame image is at the utmost ends of all the current frames , they are used as positional information as they are . then , the generated character string is synthesized with a position indicated by the positional information acquired prior to the frame image at the time t 5 . next , processing at the time t 6 will be described . in step 204 , the difference detecting module 130 acquires a difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image ( at the time t 6 ) and a character extraction result of a frame image ( at the time t 5 ) from which characters are extracted prior to the current frame image . for example , as a result of pattern matching , it is detected that there is a difference between “ o ha yo u go ” ( 615 of fig6 ) and “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 606 of fig6 ). in step s 205 , the dividing module 140 has a division number “ 1 ,” and divides the difference by 1 . it is not necessary to perform any process since the number of divisions is “ 1 .” in step s 206 , the synthesizing module 150 does not need to perform synthesizing since the character extraction result at the time t 6 includes the character extraction result at the time t 5 , and the character position of the difference is a right end . in addition , “ o ha yo u go za ” ( 616 of fig6 ) is stored as a character extraction result of the current frame image ( at the time t 6 ). the stored positional information is also the positional information in the current frame image . it is also possible to perform a portion of the process ( flowchart shown in fig2 ) in this exemplary embodiment as follows . that is , the process shown in a flowchart of fig7 may be added after step s 207 of fig2 . in step s 701 , the difference between a character extraction result of a current frame image and a character extraction result of the previous frame image is acquired . in step s 702 , the difference in step s 701 is added to generate a character string . these steps are repeated until any target frame image is not left . specific examples of the process will be given below . fig8 shows the case where a character string is displayed in units of row . an example of such a case includes the case where a character string is displayed in units of row from the bottom of a screen . the character extraction results , as shown in fig8 ( a ) are “ good morning .” at the time t 1 , “ good morning .” at the time t 2 , “ good morning .” at the time t 3 , “ it &# 39 ; s fine today .” at the time t 4 , “ it &# 39 ; s fine today .” at the time t 5 , and “ it &# 39 ; s fine today .” at the time t 6 . it is determined in step s 701 of the time t 2 that there is no difference between the time t 1 and the time t 2 , and there is no character to be added in step s 702 . accordingly , the extracted character string is “ good morning .” as shown in fig8 ( b ) . the same is true in the case of the time t 3 . that is , the extracted character string at this time point is “ good morning ” as shown in fig8 ( b ) . a difference is detected in step s 701 of the time t 4 . the difference is added in step s 702 . that is , the generated character string , as shown in fig8 ( c ), is “ good morning . it &# 39 ; s fine today .” since no difference is detected at the time t 5 and t 6 , the generated character string is “ good morning . it &# 39 ; s fine today .” fig9 shows the case where characters are displayed with another character being added one by one . an example of such a case includes the case where characters are displayed one by one from the right of a screen , and the previous characters move to the left . the character extraction results , as shown in fig9 ( a ) , “ o ” at the time t 1 , “ o ha ” at the time t 2 , “ o ha yo ” at the time t 3 , “ o ha yo u ” at the time t 4 , “ o ha yo u go ” at the time t 5 , “ ha yo u go za ” at the time t 6 , “ yo u go za i ” at the time t 7 . that is , since the maximum number of characters which can be extracted at every time point is five , “ o ha yo u go za i ” cannot be extracted from one frame image . in step s 701 , a difference is detected at each time point . in step s 702 , the rightmost character that is a difference is added on the basis of the positional relationship within a frame image . specifically , at the time t 2 , a difference between the time t 1 and the time 2 is detected in step s 701 . thus , the difference “ ha ” is added to the last of a character string , to thereby generate “ o ha ”. at the following time points , the same process is performed , to thereby generate a character string “ o ha yo u go za i .” in particular , after extracted character strings are compared with each other , only a difference therebetween may be added . for example , “ o ha yo u ” and “ o ha yo u go ” are extracted at the time t 4 and the time t 5 , respectively . in this case , only the difference “ go ” is added to the last of “ o ha yo u ” extracted at the time t 4 , to thereby generate “ o ha yo u go ”. also , in the case where a character is added to an image from the right end thereof and one character is added and displayed in one frame , a simpler method may be adopted . the simple method will be described with reference to fig1 ( f ) fig1 also shows the case where the same characters as those of fig9 are displayed with another character being added one by one . character extraction results shown in fig1 ( a ) are the same as those of fig9 ( a ) . by adding only one character at the right end that is the last character of the extracted characters , a character string is generated . specifically , the character at the right end of the time t 2 is “ ha .” this character is added to the end of a character string “ o ” ( fig1 ( b ) ) generated at the previous time t 1 , to thereby generate “ o ha ” ( fig1 ( c ) ). by repeating this process , as shown in fig1 ( h ) , the character string “ o ha yo u go za i ” is finally generated . the case where characters are in a captured image will be described with reference to fig1 . an image which is to be processed by this exemplary embodiment does not necessarily need to be synthesized with characters , such as subtitles or telops , which are moving in a moving image . when a video camera is moved to capture characters on a signboard , etc ., this situation is the same as the case where characters are moving . characters extracted from a moving image may be adopted when photographing conditions are good , like the case where all characters are captured in one frame image . however , this exemplary embodiment is useful even in the cases where characters become invisible as follows . the case where characters are moved and displayed in an electrical bulletin board , and missing of a character occurs without emitting light only in some portion of the electrical bulletin board . the case where missing of a character occurs due to obstructions ( a person , an automobile , etc .) during photographing . the case where characters are hardly seen due to automatic backlight correction by a video camera , etc . the case where missing of a character occurs due to the performance of character extraction and character recognition . for example , it is assumed that a video camera captures images of a signboard displaying “ 7th oxδ kindergarten show - and - tell ” while being moved to the right ( see fig1 ( a ) and 11 ( b ) ). in this case , it is assumed that images from a frame 1 to a frame 5 are captured as shown in fig1 ( c ) . then , a character string “ 7th oxδ ” is extracted in the frame 1 , a character string “ ox kindarga ” is extracted in a frame 2 , a character string “ dargarten sho ” is extracted in a frame 3 , a character string “ en show - and -” is extracted in a frame 4 , a character string “- and - tell ” is extracted in the frame 5 . however , since a person stands in front of the signboard in the frame 2 , a character “ δ ” which should be extracted is hidden . even in such a case , the character string “ 7th oxδ kindergarten show - and - tell ” can be generated by the aforementioned processing of the exemplary embodiment . with reference to fig1 , an exemplary hardware configuration of an image processing system according to the embodiment will be described . a configuration shown in fig1 is an image processing system constituted by , for example , a personal computer ( pc ), etc . a cpu ( central processing unit ) 401 is a control unit which executes processing according to computer programs which describe execution sequences of various kinds of modules described in the above - mentioned embodiment , i . e ., the character extracting module 120 , the difference detecting module 130 , the dividing module 140 , and the synthesizing module 150 . a rom ( read - only memory ) 402 stores programs , operation parameters , etc . to be used by the cpu 401 . a ram ( random access memory ) 403 stores a program to be used during execution of the cpu 401 , parameters ( for example , results during character extraction ) that appropriately vary during execution of the program , etc . these are connected with one another by a host bus 404 constituted by cpu paths , etc . the host bus 404 is connected to an external bus 406 , such as a pci ( peripheral component interconnect / interface ) bus via a bridge 405 . a keyboard 408 , and a pointing device 409 , such as a mouse , are input devices operated by an operator . a display 410 is composed of a liquid crystal display or crt ( cathode ray tube ), and displays a moving image or various kinds of information ( text , image information , etc .) that are targets to be processed in the exemplary embodiment . a hdd ( hard disk drive ) 411 , which has a hard disk built therein , drives the hard disk , and records or reproduces programs to be executed by the cpu 401 , moving images , various kinds of information . images input by the plural - image input module 110 , result data by the character extracting module 120 , etc . are stored in the hard disk . moreover , other various computer programs , such as various data processing programs , are stored in the hard disk . a drive 412 reads data or programs recorded on a mounted removable recording medium 413 , such as a magnetic disc , an optical disk , a magneto - optic disk , or semiconductor memory , and supplies the data or program to the ram 403 connected via the interface 407 , the external bus 406 , the bridge 405 , and the host bus 404 . the removable recording medium 413 can also be used as the same data storage area as the hard disk . a connection port 414 , which is a port which connects with an external connecting apparatus 415 , has connections , such as usb and ieee 1394 . the connection port 414 is connected to the cpu 401 , etc via the interface 407 , the external bus 406 , the bridge 405 , the host path 404 , etc . a communication unit 416 is executed to a network to execute data communication processing with the outside . in addition , the hardware configuration of the image processing system shown in fig1 is an exemplary configuration , and the image processing system of the exemplary embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in fig1 . any configurations may be adopted if only they can execute the modules described in the exemplary embodiment . for example , some modules may be constituted by dedicated hardware ( for example , asic etc . ), and some modules may be located within an external system and be connected by a communication line . moreover , a plurality of the systems shown in fig1 may be connected with one another by a communication line so that they may cooperate with one another . further , the system may be assembled into video cassette recorders , video cameras , digital cameras , information appliances , cellular phones , game machines , gps , etc . although the exemplary embodiment shows that characters are synthesized with an image by the synthesizing module 150 , characters may be given as an index of the image . that is , differences characters divided by the dividing module 140 may be associated with images between the “ a ” image and the “ b ” image as indexes . here , the indexes are ones that are used when a moving image is edited or retrieved . indexes may be given to all frames , respectively , and / or an index may be given to every scene . further , in the case where extracted characters are text data , whenever the characters become a character string that forms one block semantically through morphological analysis thereof , they may be given to a frame image as an index . by doing so , convenience , such as editing and retrieval , is further enhanced . that is , the indexes can be utilized for fast forwarding or scene skipping . further , other methods of utilizing extracted character strings include the following ones . ( 1 ) the character strings are utilized for the titles of videotapes . ( 2 ) the character strings are used as keywords when a desired moving image is retrieved from a moving image database . ( 3 ) the character strings are used as keywords when a plurality of moving images are sorted by category . ( 4 ) the character strings can also be utilized for cellular phones , gps , etc . if targets are restaurants , ground names , etc . in the embodiment , only one character string has appeared in one frame image . however , for example , even when a row of upper character string and a row of lower character string exist simultaneously , it is possible to synthesize the character strings independently from each other from the positional relationship thereof , pattern matching of extracted character strings , etc . in addition , the above - described programs can be stored in a recording medium , or the programs can be provided by communication means . in that case , for example , the above - described programs can also be grasped as inventions of “ computer - readable recording media on which programs are recorded .” the expression “ computer - readable recording media on which programs are recorded ” means recording media on which programs that can be read by a computer are recorded , and which are used for installation or execution of programs , distribution of programs , etc . in addition , the recording media includes , for example , digital versatile disks ( dvds ), such as dvd - rs , dvd - rws , and dvdlrams , which are standards formulated in a dvd forum , and such as dvd + rs and dvd + rw , which are standards formulated in a dvd + rw party , compact disks ( cd ), such as read - only memories ( cd - roms ), cd - recordables ( cd - rs ), and cd - rewritables ( cd - rws ), magneto - optic disks ( mos ), flexible disks ( fds ), magnetic tapes , hard disks , read - only memories ( roms ), electrically erasable programmable read - only memories ( eeproms ), flash memories , random access memories ( rams ), etc . also , the above programs or some of the programs can be saved or distributed in a state where they are recorded on the above recording media . further , the above programs can be transmitted by communication , for example , using transmission media , such as local area networks ( lans ), metropolitan area networks ( mans ), wide area networks ( wans ), and wired networks , wireless communication networks , or combined networks thereof which are used for the internet , intranets , extranets , etc . moreover , the above programs can also be delivered on a carrier . furthermore , the above programs may be portions of other programs , or may be recorded on recording mediums along with a separate program .	6
according to the subject matter described herein , an energy harvesting shock absorber and a method for controlling such a shock absorber is provided . fig1 a is a sectional view of an energy harvesting shock absorber according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein . referring to fig1 a , a shock absorber 100 includes a first body portion 102 that is mechanically coupled to a second body portion 104 . in particular , first body portion 102 is coupled to second body portion 104 through a piston 106 and a rod 108 . second body portion 104 forms an internal fluid chamber 109 that piston 106 divides into an upper region 110 and a lower region 112 . a coil 114 surrounds at least portion of the fluid chamber . a force sensor 116 may be located on rod 108 to sense forces exerted on to shock absorber by the system in which it is installed . force sensor 116 may provide force feedback to a control system to allow precise control of the level of energy harvesting from shock absorber 100 and the amount of damping force applied by shock absorber 100 . in one example , shock absorber may be mounted to an automobile . at 55 mph , force is applied to shock absorber 100 at a frequency of 15 hz , harvested power is about 120 w , and power lost due to damping is between 100 w and 150 w . according to an aspect of the subject matter described herein , fluid chamber 109 may be at least partially filled with a ferromagnetic fluid 118 . ferromagnetic fluid 118 may be a synthetic oil with ferromagnetic nanoparticles suspended in the oil . an example of a ferromagnetic fluid suitable for use with embodiments of the subject matter described herein is the efh series available from ferrotech corporation of new castle , pa . ferromagnetic fluid 118 may function as a mechanism for generating a change in magnetic flux , as a lubricant , and as a kinetic energy damping agent . for example , when piston 106 moves within fluid chamber 109 , ferromagnetic fluid 118 may be forced through holes in piston 106 between regions 110 and 112 of fluid chamber 109 . the movement of ferromagnetic fluid 118 within fluid chamber 109 changes the magnetic flux in the volume surrounded by coil 114 and induces a current in coil 114 . the induced current may be harvested by an energy harvesting control system , as will be described in detail below . the friction of fluid flowing through the holes in piston 106 may damp the kinetic energy generated by shock absorber 100 when shock absorber is coupled to a mechanical system . ferromagnetic fluid 118 may also lubricate there interior walls of fluid chamber 109 to reduce frictional wear caused by movement of piston 106 within fluid chamber 109 . shock absorber 100 may further include permanent magnets 119 and 120 at opposing ends of fluid chamber 109 . permanent magnets 119 and 120 may provide a bias flux that changes when fluid 118 moves within fluid chamber 109 . fluid chamber 109 may also include a seal 121 that seals around rod 108 to prevent leakage of ferromagnetic fluid 118 . piston 106 may also include an electromagnetic valve 122 and holes to prevent movement of ferromagnetic fluid 118 between upper and lower regions of fluid chamber 109 . energy harvesting shock absorber 100 may also include attachment members 123 and 124 for connecting to a system whose vibration is being damped . for example , attachment members 123 and 124 may be eyelets that are configured to receive through bolts or pins connected to a mechanical system . in an automobile , eyelet 123 may connect to the frame and eyelet 124 may connect to the suspension . other applications of energy harvesting shock absorber 100 include motorcycles , trucks , railroad coaches , engine suspensions , and stationary objects , such as buildings , bridges , or other structures . the energy harvested by shock absorber 100 may be used to power diagnostic systems or any other suitable application . as stated above , movement of ferromagnetic fluid 118 within the volume surrounded by coil 114 causes a change in magnetic flux . to allow such movement , piston 106 may include one or more holes or apertures located in its main body to allow fluid to pass through piston 106 . fig1 is a top view of piston 106 illustrating holes 125 through which ferromagnetic fluid 118 may pass . in the illustrated example , two holes 125 are illustrated . however , any number of holes 125 may be included without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein . electromagnetic valve 122 may also be opened or closed to increase or decrease fluid flow between upper and lower regions of fluid chamber 109 . in fig1 , the symbol u represents a damping dc voltage applied to the coil and the symbol u represents the harvested ac voltage generated by the change in magnetic flux , which induces a current and a corresponding voltage in coil 114 . fig2 is a schematic diagram of an energy harvesting shock absorber according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein . referring to fig2 , coil 114 , permanent magnet 120 , and fluid drop 118 are shown . the remaining components of shock absorber 100 are omitted for simplicity . drop of ferromagnetic fluid 118 travels a distance , represented by the variable d , to a new position , represented by fluid drop 118 ′. u represents the damping dc voltage applied to the coil . as ferromagnetic fluid drop 118 moves to the position of fluid drop 118 ′, the current induced in coil 114 is proportional to the change in magnetic flux caused by the motion , which is in turn proportional to the velocity of movement of ferromagnetic fluid drop 118 . changes in direction of fluid drop 118 causes a change in direction of induced current in coil 114 . thus , the voltage produced across terminals of coil 114 and supplied to an external system is an ac voltage . fig3 is a block diagram of a control system for controlling damping and energy harvesting by shock absorber 100 . the control system may be coupled to force sensor 116 and to coil 114 . in fig3 , an input module 126 receives input from force sensor 116 and a coil input module 128 receives input from coil 114 in the form of induced current and / or voltage . a damping calculator 130 receives the input from the coil and the force sensor and determines how much damping to apply to the system . for example , damping calculator may measure the frequency , amplitude , or phase of the damping and determine how much the actual damping level differs from a desired level . damping calculator 130 may adjust the damping by changing the dc voltage u , changing the amount of energy harvesting , opening or closing valve 122 , or any combination thereof . harvested energy may be stored in harvested energy store 132 . the signal to change the dc voltage applied to the coil , open or close the valve , or change the energy harvesting may be provided to input module 126 via feedback mechanism 134 . input module 126 may change the appropriate parameter based on the signal . fig4 is a flow chart illustrating exemplary steps for controlling an energy harvesting and shock absorber according to an embodiment of the subject matter described herein . referring to fig4 , the method includes receiving coil current or voltage induced by an energy harvesting shock absorber . for example , in fig1 a , current or voltage induced in coil 114 may be received by the control system illustrated in fig3 . in step 202 , the damping of the shock absorber is measured , for example , by force sensor 116 illustrated in fig1 a . the frequency , amplitude , phase , or any other parameter of the damping may be measured . combinations of parameters may also be measured . in step 204 , it is determined whether the damping currently being performed is desired . for example , it may be desirable to maintain the frequency or amplitude of travel by piston 106 within a desired range . if the damping is at the desired level , control proceeds to step 206 where energy is continued to be harvested at the current level and then to step 200 where the process is repeated . if the damping is not being performed at the desired level , control proceeds to step 208 where energy harvesting , bias voltage , and / or fluid flow are adjusted to achieve the desired damping . for example , extra dc may be applied to the coil to increase the damping , dc voltage applied to the coil may be reduced to reduce the damping , valve 122 may be opened or closed to change the fluid flow between the chambers , or energy harvesting may be increased or decreased to reduce or increase the damping . shock absorber 100 may be coupled to any suitable mechanical system where damping is desired . examples of mechanical system to which shock absorber 100 may be coupled include automobiles , trains , motorcycles , engine suspensions — used both in engines for transport and stationary systems . power harvested from shock absorber 100 may be used to power an external system . for example , power harvested from shock absorber 100 may be used to power one or more lights in an automobile or to power diagnostic systems on a train . it will be understood that various details of the subject matter described herein may be changed without departing from the scope of the subject matter described herein . furthermore , the foregoing description is for the purpose of illustration only , and not for the purpose of limitation , as the subject matter described herein is defined by the claims as set forth hereinafter .	1
fig1 shows a humidifier 1 , with a housing 2 in which fibres constructed as steam - permeable hollow fibre membranes are arranged . housing 2 is rectangular and of flattened construction . housing 2 has a first collector 7 on both frontal faces 6 , 14 , through each of which a first air stream 4 may flow into and out of housing 2 . first air stream 4 passes inside fibres 3 . in addition , a second collector 8 is positioned on each of the two frontal faces 6 , 14 , wherein second collector 8 partially surrounds first collector 7 , in this embodiment in the manner of a rucksack . in this way , in this embodiment the first collector 7 is configured as the inner collector and second collector 8 as the outer collector . second collector 8 also partially encloses housing 2 at the top 10 and bottom 11 . second air stream 5 may be fed into and out of the housing through second collector 8 . a slit - like aperture 12 , 13 that extends the entire width of housing 2 is provided in areas on both the top 10 and bottom 11 of the housing that are enclosed by a second collector 8 . both second collectors 8 communicate conductively with one another via a bypass 15 . bypass 15 may have , for example , a throttle valve to adjust the volume flow . in this embodiment , first air stream 4 , which flows inside fibre 3 , serves as supply air for a downstream unit , which in this embodiment is a pem fuel cell . second air stream 5 , which flows outside of fibre 3 , forms a steam - containing humidifying air stream that may be created with the exhaust air from a pem fuel cell enriched with steam . in this embodiment , the first and second air streams 4 , 5 flow in opposite directions , and the flow of the second air stream 5 may be laminar . fig2 shows a humidifier 1 in accordance with fig1 in longitudinal section . the two frontal faces 6 , 14 of housing 2 are completely open in this embodiment and form a free flow cross - section for the first air stream . first air stream 4 is thus evenly distributed in first collector 7 and passes into or out of fibres 3 over the entire cross - section of frontal faces 6 , 14 . fibres 3 are combined and arranged in housing 2 in bundles . the flow of second air stream 5 is guided into housing 2 via second collector 8 and via two slit - like apertures 12 , 13 . in this way , air flows around fibres 3 . fig3 shows a humidifier 1 in accordance with fig1 , wherein second collector 8 surrounds housing 2 in the area of the two frontal faces 6 , 14 , in this embodiment in the manner of a clamp . in this embodiment , collectors 7 , 8 are arranged at a distance from one another on housing 2 . inlet openings in the form of slits ( not shown ) are arranged in the area of housing 2 that is covered by second collector 8 . fig4 shows the humidifier 1 in accordance with fig3 in cross - section . housing 2 has a toric flow guide 18 in the area covered by second collector 8 , in order to smooth out the flow . fig5 shows a humidifier 1 in accordance with fig1 , wherein second collector 8 surrounds housing 2 in the area of the two frontal faces 6 , 14 , in this embodiment in a ring shape . collectors 7 , 8 are arranged at a distance from one another on the housing 2 . in this embodiment , slit - like inlet openings 12 , 13 are provided on all four sides of housing 2 in the area covered by second collector 8 . fig6 shows humidifier 1 in accordance with fig5 in cross - section . housing 2 has a toric flow guide 18 at the edges of the area covered by second collector 8 in order to smooth the flow . fig7 shows a housing 2 for a humidifier 1 in an embodiment in accordance with the previous figures . housing 2 is rectangular and flattened . the two frontal faces 6 , 14 are completely open . four bundles 16 are arranged in housing 2 , a large number of fibres 3 being arranged in each of the bundles 16 . first air stream 4 , which flows inside fibres 3 , may be guided via frontal faces 6 , 14 . slit - like apertures 12 and 13 are provided on both the top 10 and bottom 11 thereof . second air stream 5 may be guided via slit - like apertures 12 , 13 . fig8 shows a bundle 16 in which a multiplicity of fibres 3 are combined . bundle 16 has a ring 17 on its frontal faces , via which the fibres are stabilised . ring 17 is made from a resin and the fibres are stuck together thereby , the spaces between the fibres are penetrated by the resin and thus sealed airtight . the outer circumference of ring 17 forms a circumferential seal . in this way , bundles 16 are arranged in the housing in such manner that first air stream 4 and second air stream 5 are unable to mix .	5
in the description that follows , the term &# 34 ; aqueous medium &# 34 ; means water containing a volatile component , or a mixture of volatile components . the term &# 34 ; volatile components ,&# 34 ; as used herein , means compounds having a relative volatility to water greater than 1 . 0 when they are dissolved in water . examples of these components include hydrocarbons , such as gasoline , benzene , toluene , or xylene , and chlorinated solvents , such as trichloroethylene , trichloroethane , perchloroethylene , or methylene chloride , and mixtures thereof . referring to the drawing , the steam - stripping system illustrated therein includes a stripper column 10 . in the practice of this invention , it is preferred to use a conventional packed tower , or tray tower of the type used for distillation or rectification . water contaminated with the organic impurities described above is carried into column 10 through the inlet line 11 at the top of the column . a reboiler 12 is connected into the column by a steam line 13 , that enters the column near the bottom . at the bottom of reboiler 12 is a water inlet line 14 that joins into a discharge line 15 from column 10 . a vapor compressor 17 is installed in line 16 between the column and the reboiler . the reboiler 12 is a conventional shell and tube heat exchanger , or plate and frame heat exchanger ; and the vapor compressor 17 is a rotary lobe compressor . adjacent to reboiler 12 is a receiver vessel 18 , which connects into the reboiler through inlet line 19 . an outlet line 20 connects the receiver vessel 18 into the suction side of a vacuum pump 21 . the discharge side of pump 21 is connected into a condenser 22 by a discharge line 23 . for the vacuum pump 21 it is preferred to use a single pass oil lubricated pump , and the condenser 22 is a conventional shell and tube heat exchanger , or a plate and frame heat exchanger . in the drawing , condenser 22 is illustrated as being a shell and tube heat exchanger , in which cooling water enters the shell side of the heat exchanger through an inlet line 24 , and is discharged through a discharge line 25 . condenser 22 is connected into a decanter vessel 26 by line 27 . receiver 18 is connected into the inlet side of a pump 28 by line 29 , and the outlet side of the pump is connected by line 30 into the decanter vessel 26 . condenser 22 also includes a vent line 31 , for venting waste products to the atmosphere , or to a use point . a discharge line 32 and vent line 33 , from decanter 26 , are joined into the vent line 31 , to equalize the pressure in decanter 26 with that in condenser 22 . discharge line 32 is also connected into the inlet line 11 ( for column 10 ) by a recycle line 34 . the decanter 26 also includes an outlet fitting 35 , which is installed near the top of the vessel . to illustrate the practice of this invention , a typical operation of the steam - stripping system will now be described . the operation involves removing toluene from a supply of groundwater , to make the water suitable for human consumption . in the operation of this system , the water contaminated with toluene is fed into the stripper column 10 through inlet line 11 at about 150 , 000 lb / hr . the temperature of the incoming water is about 50 ° f . and the concentration of toluene dissolved in the water is about 10 ppm . the water flows downwardly in the column , as indicated by the downwardly directed arrows . at the same time , steam from the reboiler 12 flows upwardly ( countercurrent ) to the water , in the column . when the upwardly moving steam makes contact with the downwardly moving water , the steam vaporizes the more volatile toluene and the vapor phase is carried overhead through outlet line 16 into the vapor compressor 17 . during the stripping operation , the vacuum pump 21 creates a negative pressure condition , of about 10 mm hg absolute , in the stripper column 10 and that part of the system between the column and the compressor 17 . as the vapor phase enters the compressor 17 , it is compressed to raise the pressure to about 25 to 50 mm hg absolute . increasing the pressure on the vapor phase allows the steam to condense at about 78 ° f . to 100 ° f . when it enters the reboiler 12 . when the vapor phase is condensed in reboiler 12 , the resulting mixture contains inert materials , which are nondendensable , and it also contains toluene and water vapor . the noncondensable components consist mostly of air that is dissolved in the feed water , or that the steam picks up as it moves through the stripper system . the condensate ( liquid phase ) formed in the reboiler is also saturated with the toluene impurities . from reboiler 12 the condensate and the vapor phase are carried into receiver 18 . inside the receiver vessel the two phases separate and the vapor phase is drawn into the suction side of vacuum pump 21 . the pressure condition in the system between the column and the vacuum pump is controlled by a pressure indicator controller 36 ( pic ), which includes an automatically - operated valve 37 ( pneumatic or electrical operation ). in the vacuum pump 21 , the pressure of the vapor phase is boosted up to 760 mm hg absolute , i . e ., atmospheric pressure . from pump 21 the vapor phase is discharged into condenser 22 , on the tube side , and cooling water enters the condenser on the shell side , through inlet line 24 and leaves the condenser through discharge line 25 . when the vapor phase contacts the cooler tubes , part of the vapor phase condenses to a liquid mixture of water and toluene , which is passed into decanter vessel 26 through line 27 . the condensate also contains some of the oil lubricant which passes through the vacuum pump 21 . that part of the vapor phase containing the noncondensable components is discharged from condenser 22 into the atmosphere , or to a use point , through vent line 31 . pump 28 draws the condensate phase out of the receiver vessel 18 through line 29 and pumps it into decanter 26 through line 30 . the liquid level in receiver 18 is controlled by a liquid indicator control 38 ( lic ), which includes an automatically - operated valve 39 . inside the decanter 26 the toluene and the oil lubricant are separated from the water in the condensate phase and the toluene and oil are disposed of through the outlet fitting 35 . the water , which is saturated with toluene , is discharged into recycle line 34 and returned to the stripper column 10 through the inlet line 11 . after the contaminated water passes down through the stripper column 10 , the concentration of dissolved toluene is reduced to about 4 ppb , so that the water is essentially clean . pump 40 withdraws part of the clean water from column 10 through discharge line 15 and pumps it through line 41 to a use point or a storage point . the liquid level in column 10 is regulated by a liquid indicator control 42 ( lic ), which includes an automatically - operated valve 43 . some of the clean water in line 15 passes into reboiler 12 through line 14 , where it is vaporized to provide the steam used in the stripping operation . the water that doesn &# 39 ; t vaporize drops into line 15 and is pumped out of the column by pump 40 .	8
the following discussion of the preferred embodiments concerning a gym shoe and associated shoelace cover and fashion panel is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or its applications or uses . turning to fig1 and 2 , a top view and side view of a shoe 10 of the athletic or gym shoe type , is shown . the shoe 10 includes a sole portion 12 , generally comprised of a rugged rubber material , and an upper portion 14 generally comprised of a durable and pliable leather or canvas material . at a back location of the upper portion 14 is an opening 16 for accepting a wearer &# 39 ; s foot . a cushion 18 is visible through the opening 16 on which the wearer &# 39 ; s foot is supported . at a front end of the upper portion 14 is a toe area 20 . extending from the toe area 20 to the opening 16 is a shoelace area 22 . the shoelace area 22 is generally split such that a shoelace 24 is threaded through eyelets ( see fig3 ) associated with the shoelace area 22 in order to bind together the shoelace area 22 and secure the shoe 10 to the wearer &# 39 ; s foot . a tongue 26 , also extending from the toe area 20 to the opening 16 , is positioned beneath the shoelace 24 such that the tongue 26 contacts the wearer &# 39 ; s foot , and thus provides comfort against the shoelace 24 to the wearer . the basic components and operation of a gym shoe , such as shoe 10 , is well understood to a person of normal sensibilities , and thus , a detailed discussion of the parts of the shoe 10 and their specific operation need not be elaborated on here . secured to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 covering the shoelace area 22 is a shoelace cover 28 . in a preferred embodiment , the shoelace cover 28 is a semi - rigid panel that is curved to be shaped to conform to the shoelace area 22 such that an upper portion of the shoelace cover 28 extends a certain distance along the sides of the upper portion 14 adjacent the opening 16 . the shoelace cover 28 narrows slightly as it extends towards the toe area 20 . the specifics concerning the shape , dimensions , material , rigidity , etc . of the shoelace cover 28 will be discussed in greater detail below with respect to fig4 . additionally , the preferred method of securing the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10 will also be discussed below . in a preferred embodiment , affixed to a top surface of the shoelace cover 28 is a fashion panel 30 . the fashion panel 30 is secured to the shoelace cover 28 by an applicable securing mechanism , such as a loop and hook and / or velcro ® type fastener device , so that the fashion panel 30 can be readily removed from the shoelace cover 28 and replaced with an alternate fashion panel having a different design . the fashion panel 30 extends from a location proximate to the opening 16 to a location proximate to the flex area of the shoe 10 adjacent the toe area 20 . the removable fashion panel 30 allows a wearer of the shoe 10 to selectively choose from any number of different fashion panels such that the shoe 10 can be transformed from one aesthetic design to another in accordance with the desires of the wearer . in this regard , the wearer can express himself or herself and make a &# 34 ; fashion statement &# 34 ; using the shoe 10 as an accent . additionally , the shoe 10 can be allowed to conform with a particular outfit the wearer is wearing without having to retain a wide range of different shoes . of course , shoes come in pairs , and therefore , the fashion panel 30 would probably be changed on both shoes . the specifics concerning the shape , dimensions , material , rigidity , etc . of the fashion panel 30 will be discussed below with reference to fig5 . while the fashion panel is a preferred embodiment , it is to be appreciated that the underlying cover 28 could be readily removable and replaceable with other like covers having fashion patterns to provide the desirable fashion result . this could be accomplished either separate from fashion panel 30 or in combination with the use of fashion panel 30 . in order to secure the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10 , the shoelace cover 28 includes a first slot 32 , a second slot 34 ( see fig4 ) and a third slot 36 cut into the shoelace cover 28 at an upper left location , a lower front location and an upper right location , respectively , as shown . a series of straps are attached to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 , and threaded through the slots 32 , 34 and 36 in order to secure the shoelace cover 28 to the shoe 10 . specifically , a first strap 38 is threaded through the slot 32 , a second strap 40 is threaded through the slot 34 and a third strap 42 is threaded through the slot 36 . since the shoelace cover 28 covers the shoelace 24 of the shoe 10 , the design of the shoelace cover 28 must allow access of the wearer to the shoelace 24 such that the wearer can secure the shoe 10 to his foot . fig3 shows the manner in which the shoelace cover 28 and the fashion panel 30 are removable from the shoe 10 . in this exploded perspective view , the strap 40 is shown secured to the shoelace area 22 at a lower location and still threaded through the slot 34 such that the shoelace cover 28 is pivotally engagable at this location to the shoe 10 . the strap 38 is shown detached from the slot 32 and the strap 42 is shown detached from the slot 36 . a pair of fastening devices 44 , such as rivets , rigidly secure the strap 42 to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 . similar rivets ( not shown ) secure the strap 38 to the upper portion 14 . it is to be appreciated that the straps could be removably secured to the shoe if desired , provided the straps can be attached for securement of the cover 28 to the shoe 10 . when the strap 42 is threaded through the slot 32 , a loop or hook material 46 at one end of the strap 42 is secured to an opposite hook or loop material 48 at an opposite end of the strap 42 to hold the shoelace cover 28 in place . the strap 38 releasably secures the shoelace cover 28 in a similar manner . in this manner , the shoelace 24 can be completely exposed such that the wearer can lace up the shoe 10 in an ordinary fashion . when the shoelace cover 28 is securely attached to the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 , the straps 38 and 42 will be threaded through the slots 32 and 36 , respectively , and be tightened against themselves . it may be possible to secure the shoe 10 to the wearer &# 39 ; s foot by tightening the straps 38 and 42 in the manner as just discussed , thus eliminating the need for the shoelace 24 . attached to the top surface of the shoelace cover 28 by means of glue or the like are two sections of loop hook fastener material 50 and 52 . likewise , attached to the fashion panel 30 by means of glue or the like are two sections of loop or hook material ( see fig5 ) such that when the fashion panel 30 is appropriately aligned with the shoelace cover 28 , the sections 50 and 52 align with the sections on the fashion panel 30 , and the panel 30 will be adequately secured in place . however , upon removal of the fashion panel 30 from the shoelace cover 28 , a replacement fashion panel can be connected to the shoelace cover 28 in a similar manner to provide an alternate fashion statement . of course , other adequate securing mechanisms can be used as alternates to the loop and hook devices . now turning to fig4 a top view of the shoelace cover 28 is shown . as is apparent , the shoelace cover 28 has a predetermined shape which is designed to conform with the shoelace area 22 of the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 . a first winged portion 56 and a second winged portion 58 are included to extend a distance down the sides of the upper portion 14 in order to more adequately conform to the shape of the upper portion 14 . the slots 32 and 36 are cut into the winged portions 56 and 58 , respectively . the shoelace cover 28 is intended to be of a semi - rigid material . in one preferred embodiment , a semi - rigid plastic base layer having a thickness of approximately 1 mm is conformed to the desirable shape of the shoe 10 , and an outer skin or fabric layer 60 is secured to the rigid plastic base layer by means of glue or some other adequate securing method . the layer 60 can match the material of the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 , or be of some other type or design . of course , the shoelace cover 28 can be a single member of any desirable material , such as leather , plastic , metal , or any other suitable material . further , the shape and size of the shoelace cover 28 can vary depending on different designs or different shoes . fig5 shows a bottom view of the fashion panel 30 . like the shoelace cover 28 before it , the fashion panel 30 can come in a variety of different materials and shapes . attached to the back surface of the fashion panel 30 by means of glue or the like is a pair of sections of loop or hook material 62 and 64 . the sections 62 and 64 align with the sections 52 and 50 , respectively , when the fashion panel 30 is secured to the shoelace cover 28 . in a preferred embodiment , the fashion panel 30 is of a semi - rigid material having a thickness of about 1 mm which is formed to the shape of the shoelace cover 28 on the shoe 10 . the fashion panel 30 can be of a semi - rigid plastic material having an outer coating of a fabric or leather material . further , the fashion panel 30 can be a metal piece having the appropriate shape . it is the fashion panel 30 which is intended to be interchanged with other fashion panels selected from any number of fashion panels having the above described characteristics . the fashion panel 30 can have different colors , different patterns , or different wordings such that the wearer can interchange the fashion panel 30 from one time to the next in order to provide a different fashion statement without having to have a number of different pairs of shoes . the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention . one skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion , and from the accompanying drawings and claims , that various changes , modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims .	0
referring now to fig1 there is illustrated one preferred form of an ion source of the self crossed field type embodying the present invention , in which the vaporized or gaseous metal material to be ionized is ionized by electric discharge or electron discharge or electron bombardment . a rectangular enclosure 1 of a proper material defines a discharge chamber 2 in which electron bombardment induced ionization behaviors occur due to gaseous discharge . mounted in the discharge chamber 2 is an electrode assembly consisting of a filament or cathode 3 and an anode 4 described in detail below in conjunction with fig2 ( a ) and 2 ( b ). pressure in the discharge chamber 2 should be maintained at a desired value suitable for gaseous discharge . the enclosure 1 has a communication pipe 5 leading to a metal vaporization furnace system 6 for supplying a metal material in the form of vapor . the furnace system 6 includes a source 7 of a given metal material to be ionized , a heating coil 8 available for heating and vaporizing the given metal material , and a thermocouple 9 available for maintaining the furnace temperature at a predetermined one . the metal material is , therefore , supplied in the form of vapor to the discharge chamber 2 . the enclosure 1 is further provided with one or more openings 10 at its side wall , through which the ionized metal material passes to a utilization device ( not shown ) in the form of an ion beam . closely adjacent the openings there is additional or extractor electrode 11 . fig2 ( a ) and 2 ( b ) illustrate a special configuration of the electrode assembly which plays an important role in the operation of the present ion source . the filament 3 is made of an electrically conducting wire in the form of a vortex and the anode 4 is spaced against the filament 3 in the form of a similar vortex . it should be noted that the anode 4 is of the width sufficient to permit a flow of large current therethrough . a dc voltage is impressed across both ends of the filament 3 to raise the temperature thereof up to a predetermined value suitable for electron emission . the flow of current through the filament 3 establishes a magnetic field perpendicular to a specified plane including the vortex shaped filament 3 at this instant . in addition , a desired positive dc voltage is supplied to the anode 4 relative to the filament 3 , thereby drawing out electrons from the filament 3 . since the anode 4 represents an extremely low resistance , dc current of low voltage and large current flows through the inside of the anode 4 , with a magnetic field b of a high field strength established in the same direction as that of the magnetic field originated due to the current flow through the filament 3 . in other words , the magnetic field due to the filament current serves to increase the field strength of the magnetic field . the electrons emitted from the filament 3 proceed toward the anode 4 in spiral trajectories , as schematically illustrates in fig2 b by arrows under control of a combination of the high strength magnetic field b and an electric field e which is established between the filament 3 and the anode 4 maintained at a positive high voltage relative to the filament 3 . the result is that gaseous atoms or molecules are ionized effectively and efficiently . moreover , since pursuant to the present invention metal materials of high melting points and low resistances may be employed to constitute the anode 4 thereby to permit a flow of a considerably large current through the anode 4 , any restrictions will not be placed on the operating temperature unless the melting point of the material constituting the anode is exceeded . thus , a requirement for providing a thermal shield between the discharge chamber and the external magnetic coil as discussed in the description of the prior art is avoided . another embodiment is illustrated in fig3 wherein the filament 3 and the anode 4 are in a parallel spaced relationship and are designed and constructed in a spiral configuration , with the outer diameter depicting a centrally constricted tapered shape . this facilitates power supply from outside of the vacuum vessel chamber 2 . still another embodiment is illustrated in fig4 . anode constituting segments 4 &# 39 ; and filament constituting segments 3 &# 39 ; are arranged in an alternate fashion within the chamber 2 . external lead wires are provided in a spiral configuration outside the envelope 1 , keeping in electrical engagements with the respective segments 3 &# 39 ; and 4 &# 39 ;. another embodiment as illustrated in fig5 comprises a stack of units 20 each having the combined spiral filament 3 and spiral anode 4 as illustrated in fig2 . if the potential differences among the adjacent units are stepped down as suggested in fig5 the ions will be accelarated toward the units 20 held at lower potentials due to these potential differences and finally arrive at the opening 10 . in this instance all the magnetic fields formed by the respective units 20 are added incrementally to provide a magnetic field of the high strength . these units 20 may be placed in the horizontal direction rather than the vertical one . in the meantime , in extracting ions within the vacuum discharge chamber , ion current through a single opening will be restricted by space charges ( pursuant to the so - called 3 / 2 power principle ). thus , large current ions cannot be obtained in the illustrative embodiments previously described . in other words , the opening formed on the vacuum vessel enclosure has no active capability of generating ions . fig6 suggests one powerful ion source capable of overcoming the shorcomings set forth above . a plurality of the ion source units 20 are mounted within the enclosure 1 in a manner to describe an arc and define an opened wall of the enclosure 1 . the curved surface defined by the ion source units 20 and , in other words , an ion extracting region forms a portion of a beam - focusing lens , thereby attaining a much higher degree of beam focalization . l designates equipotential lines of the ion extracting electric field . each of the ion source units comprises a spirally wound anode 4 &# 34 ; having a given width suitable for allowing the flow of large current , and a loop - shaped filament 3 &# 34 ; placed at the center of the spiral anode 4 &# 34 ; as shown in fig7 ( a ) and 7 ( b ). as discussed above , while voltage is supplied across the filament 3 &# 34 ; to generate electrons therefrom , voltage effective to accelerate these electrons is supplied to the anode 4 &# 34 ; together with large current supply thereto . the electric field e between the anode 4 &# 34 ; and the filament 3 &# 34 ; and the perpendicular magnetic field b of high strength induced by large current flow through the anode 4 &# 34 ;, serve to control the motions of charged electrons or ions . fig8 depicts as improvement in an ion extractor electrode with functions of electrostatically focusing and electromagnetically focusing an ion beam . a ribbon - like wire or strip 31 is wound in a spiral configuration to form an improved extractor electrode 32 of a tapered cone shape . the top portion of the extractor 32 is opened and spaced against the opening 10 ( fig1 ). for example , when it is desired to extract positive ions , the extractor electrode 32 is held at a positive high voltage potential relative to the vacuum vessel enclosure 1 to provide it with electrostatic focalization . if the opposite situation is encountered , the electrode 32 is held at a negative potential . current flow through the extractor electrode 32 enables electromagnetic focalization in the axial direction of the electrode 32 . finally , with reference to fig9 ( a ) and 9 ( b ) there is described and illustrated one practical form of self crossed field type ion source constructed in accordance with the present invention for creating a negative ion beam . on a supporting disc 41 is mounted an electrode assembly consisting of a rod - like cold cathode 42 and a spiral shaped anode 43 positioned around the cathode 42 . the cathode 42 and the anode 43 may be made of a proper ionizable metal material , for example , such as cu and al to serve as a source of ionizable metal which is equivalent of the metal vaporization system 6 of fig1 . the both electrodes 42 , 43 are supported by a dielectric plate 44 such as ceramics in a manner to define a discharge chamber 2 . the inner pressure of the discharge chamber 2 should be held at a desired value suitable for gaseous discharge . the cathode 42 has a gas introduction opening 45 formed therein to introduce discharge sustaining gas such as he and ar or negative ion formation facilitating gas such as cs , whereas the anode 43 has ion beam extracting slits 46 in a position to correspond to an extractor electrode 47 and a pair of current supply terminals 48 provided for the purpose of supplying current flow through the anode 43 thereby establishing a magnetic field . furthermore , a desired potential difference is developed between the cathode 42 and the anode 43 to establish an electric field which is oriented at right angles to the magnetic field . the extractor electrode 47 may be made of stainless steel . it will be noted that the ion beam is derived from the discharge chamber in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the magnetic field , differing from the embodiments shown by fig1 through 7 . such extracting procedure takes maximum advantage of the characteristic of the present invention that an external magnetic field formation means is avoided between the discharge chamber and the extractor scheme . in the embodiment illustrated in fig9 ( a ) and 9 ( b ), the following conditions were used and found to give satisfactory results ; cathode material : cu , anode material : cu , extractor material : stainless steel , anode thickness : 1 mm , anode width : 60 mm , anode inner diameter : 20 mm , anode outer diameter : 30 mm , anode slot size : 0 . 5 mm × 10 mm , degree of vacuum : 10 - 1 - 10 - 3 torr ., discharge voltage : 200 - 1000 volts , discharge current : 10 - 10 2 ma , anode current : 1000 a , magnetic field strength : 1 . 6 kg ( kilo gauss ). although the foregoing description sets forth the formation of the direct current magnetic field by virtue of the direct current flow through the anode 4 , an alternating current voltage may be superimposed thereon to change the direct current magnetic field into any desired alternating magnetic field . the leading wires extending from the filament 3 and the anode 4 may be wound outside the discharge chamber in a manner to increase the field strength of the magnetic field . some typical application examples of the present ion source will be now described . in theory , the charged particles under the influences of the elecric field and the magnetic field perpendicular to the first named field make the so - called cyclotron movements . as is well known in the art , the electron cyclotron frequency fec is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field , for example , 1 kg at about 3 ghz . under the condition that magnetic field of the strength of 10 - 100 kg ( kilo gauss ) is obtainable through the use of the ion source of the present invention , the electron cyclotron frequency fec will assume the values of 30 - 300 ghz ( the wavelength ; 1 mm ). if such electrons having the cyclotron frequency fec are subject to additional or external electric and magnetic fields , they will be permitted to absorb energy by means of the so - called cyclotron resonance phenomena and therefore to become &# 34 ; hot electrons .&# 34 ; this provides a remarkable increase in ionization efficiency . for example , fec is 3 - 30 ghz under the magnetic field of 1 - 10 kg . therefore , if microwaves of the substantially same frequencies ( that is , several ghz -- ten and several ghz ) are operatively coupled with the present ion source , the microwave energy will be given to the electrons accompanying their cyclotron movements . thus , a high efficiency ion source may be accomplished by utilization of such microwave radiation . as an alternate , fec is 3000 ghz ( the wavelength ; 10 μm ) under the magnetic field in the order of 10 4 kg and the corresponding wavelength is substantially equal to the wavelength 10 . 6 μm of the conventional co 2 gas laser . similary , this enables an increase in ionization efficiency by utilization of laser irradiation . introduction of external microwave energy or laser beam irradiation in this manner requires no expenditure on implementations . in the prior art ion sources , the strength of the magnetic field established by the magnetic coil is determinative as a function of products of the amplitude of current and the number of turns , that is , the so - called ampereturns . for example , the field strengths have the values of 200 - 300 g at 2000 at and 1 - 1 . 5 kg at 10000 at . an increase in the ampere - turns , of course , requires increase in the current amplitude or the number of turns . nevertheless , as previously described , pursuant to the present invention , the exothermic problem due to utilization of the magnet coil is avoided . the ion sources of the present invention operate satisfactorily at strong magnetic fields and at high temperatures . it is obvious that the principle of the present invention is applicable to not only the ion sources of the above described type but also many other devices . by way of example , the system illustrated in fig4 of which the anode is made of suitable materials showing a great faculty of gas absorption , may be adapted to a high capacity getter pump . while only certain embodiments of the present invention have been described , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed .	7
referring now to the drawings , there is illustrated a first embodiment of our invention in fig1 and 2 , and a second or modified embodiment of our invention in fig3 . for convenience of illustration , like parts are identified by the same reference numerals . as best illustrated in fig1 , our plant container hanger 100 includes an elongated support bar 10 comprising a straight length of a rigid material , such as 3 / 16 ″ steel although a plastic material of suitable strength may be used so long as the material would be sufficient to support a predetermined size container , potting material and growing plants . one end of the support bar 10 is formed with a hook portion 15 , formed at one end , with the opposed end terminating in a straight or tapered guide portion 17 . the curve of the hook portion 15 of the support bar 10 is sufficient to partially enclose a support rail from which the plant container hanger 100 is to be suspended , which in the preferred embodiment illustrated in fig1 is a top rail 5 of a conventional chain - link fence 1 . the opposed guide portion end 17 of the support bar 10 is sized to pass through diamond - shaped openings 2 of the chain - link fence 1 , which are formed by intersecting fence wires 3 which create such a pattern . in this manner , the support bar 10 is supported by the hook portion 15 from the support rail 5 and stabilized by the guide portion 17 engaging the openings 2 formed in the fence 1 . while the preferred embodiment illustrated in fig1 and 2 is used with a chain - link fence 1 , other support rails may be utilized for engaging the hook portion 15 to suspend the plant container hanger 10 such as a porch rail or the like , as well as other forms of stabilization for the free end 17 may be used , such as spaced wooden slats or the like . positioned approximately midway along the support bar 10 is a plant retaining collar 20 , which is secured to the support bar 10 for receiving and supporting therein a plant container 25 . the collar 20 is sized a predetermined diameter based upon the size of the plant container 25 which is to be received therein . for purposes of illustration , the preferred embodiment of the collar 20 which is illustrated in fig1 and 2 is formed from 3 / 16 ″ steel in a diameter of approximately 11½ ″ for use with a conventional 5 gallon container in which plants , such as vegetables , may be planted and grown . as best illustrated in fig2 , the collar 20 is secured to the support bar 10 at an angle such that the collar 20 extends outwardly and upwardly there from at an angle of approximately 5 degrees above the horizontal . in this manner when the hook portion 15 of the support bar 10 is positioned about the rail 5 , and the free end 17 forming the guide portion is positioned through the diamond - shaped openings 2 of the chain - link fence 1 , when the full plant container 25 is placed in the collar 20 the weight thereof will rotate the support bar 10 about the rail 5 a limited amount , and the slight angle at which the collar 20 is joined to the support bar 10 will result in the container 25 being carried in a substantially horizontal position . in addition to the collar 20 , the plant container hanger 10 can be constructed to incorporate a different type of container support . as best illustrated in fig3 , the plant container hanger 100 a utilizes a suspension type hanger 30 wherein a substantially horizontal container support bar 35 is formed with a hook portion 36 , to which a carrying handle 24 of a plant container 25 can be attached to suspend the container 25 from the suspension hanger 30 . to provide additional support for the container support bar 35 , an angle support 38 is secured between the support bar 10 and the horizontal container support bar 35 . such suspension type hangers 30 can be used alone on the support bar 10 or in combination with the container receiving collar 20 . while this invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to preferred embodiments , the structures of which have been disclosed herein , it will be understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements of the invention without departing from the scope of the claims . this application was prepared without reference to any particular dictionary . accordingly , the definition of the terms used herein conforms to the meaning intended by the inventors acting as their own lexicographer , in accordance with the teaching of the application , rather that any dictionary meaning which is contrary to or different from the inventors &# 39 ; meaning regardless of the authoritativeness of such dictionary . therefore , it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments described in the specification and shown in the drawings as the best mode presently known by the inventors for carrying out this invention , nor confined to the details set forth , but that the invention will include all embodiments , modifications and changes as may come within the scope of the following claims .	0
now with reference to fig1 there is depicted a bottom view on the pin face of a low noise idc ( insulation displacement crimp ) terminal arrangement 100 in accordance with the present invention . the terminal arrangement 100 is connected to a flat ribbon cable ( not shown ) containing a plurality of conductors ( not shown ) and comprises a plurality of electrical contacts numbered 1 to 20 . a housing 101 is provided for holding the electrical contacts arranged in a first row as indicated by arrow 102 and a second row as indicated by arrow 104 , whereby the arrangement of the electrical contacts are forming an orthogonal grid . assuming that the plurality of conductors are consecutively numbered 1 to n , the electrical contacts 1 to 20 being arranged in a way that each of the electrical contacts 1 to 20 are configured to establish an electrical connection the particular conductor having the same number associated . that is , in the drawing of fig1 the first conductor of the flat ribbon cable connects to the left most electrical contact in the first row ( arrow 102 ) also marked by number 1 . whereas the second conductor of the flat ribbon cable connects to the left most electrical contact in the second row ( arrow 104 ) also marked by number 2 . now , in order to arrange the electrical contacts in a way that each conductor is spaced further apart to its next but one neighboring conductor so that cross talk is reduced when having every other conductor assigned to a signal line and the remaining conductors to ground lines , the third conductor of the flat ribbon cable connects to the second electrical contact from the left in the second row ( arrow 104 ) also marked by number 3 . whereas the fourth conductor of the flat ribbon cable connects to the second electrical contact from the left in the first row ( arrow 102 ) also marked by number 4 and so on . thus , the increasing numbers of the respective conductors are meandering from left to right alternating between the first and the second row . with reference now to fig2 there is depicted a perspective view of a set of electrical contacts 201 to 216 in an arrangement according to a first embodiment of the present invention . the electrical contacts 201 to 216 are part of a multiconductor electrical cable connector . the cable connector include a multiple conductor electrical cable 220 , a plurality of electrical contacts 201 to 216 for connection at terminal portions 221 to 236 to the respective conductors 241 to 256 of the cable , and a housing ( not shown ), whereby the terminal portions 221 to 236 belong to the electrical contacts 201 to 216 and are electrically connected to the conductors 241 to 256 , respectively . the terminal portions 221 to 236 of each electrical contact 201 to 216 preferably include a pair of elongate prong - like arms 260 commonly supported from a base portion 262 and defining a relatively narrow slot there between . the ends of the arms 260 remote from the base portion 262 preferably are tapered or chamfered to define an entranceway into the narrow slot and to form generally pointed tips to pierce easily through the cable insulation 264 . the width of the narrow slot is preferably narrower than the normal diameter of one of the conductors 241 to 256 . therefore , as a typical electrical contact 201 is joined with the cable 220 by urging the two toward each other , the pointed tips pierce through the insulation 264 while the wide chamfered entranceway guides the conductor 241 into the narrow slot . as the conductor 241 enters the slot , it is somewhat flattened squeezed to provide a relatively enlarged surface area of a gas tight engagement or connection with the two arms 260 . the terminal portions 260 of each the electrical contacts 201 , 205 , 209 and 213 are in the same plane . the same applies to the terminal portions of electrical contacts 202 , 206 , 210 and 214 , as well as to electrical contacts 203 , 207 , 211 and 215 as well as to electrical contacts 204 , 208 , 212 and 216 . preferably , the conductors 242 , 244 , 246 , 248 , 250 , 252 , 254 and 256 being connected to electrical contacts 202 , 204 , 206 , 208 , 210 , 212 , 214 and 216 , respectively , are tight to ground . hence , the arrangement of the terminal portions of such electrical contacts form a shielding separating the terminal portions of electrical contacts 201 , 205 , 209 and 213 from the terminal portions of electrical contacts 203 , 207 , 211 and 215 , which reduces the cross talk and allows to use the cable connector for higher frequencies . from the illustration of fig2 it can be seen that the electrical contacts 201 to 216 are arranged in a way that an electrical contact associated to an odd numbered conductor 241 to 256 has got adjacent electrical contacts in the same row and an electrical contact at the same position in the other row that each are associated to even numbered conductors . for example , electrical contact 203 is associated to odd numbered conductor 243 . it has got adjacent electrical contacts 202 and 206 in the same row and an electrical contact 204 at the same position in the other row that each are associated to even numbered conductors . in other words , the electrical contact 203 associated to conductor 243 is arranged to be spaced further apart to the electrical contact 201 ( or 205 ) associated to the respective next but one neighboring conductor 241 ( or 245 ). therefore , cross talk is reduced in the cable connector according to the present invention , when every other conductor is assigned to a signal line and the remaining conductors to ground lines . to abstract , the electrical contacts are arranged in a first row ( arrow 271 ) and a second row ( arrow 272 ). furthermore , they are formed so that such terminal portions 260 being associated with odd - numbered conductors 241 , 243 , 245 , . . . , 255 being respectively connected with every other electrical contact of said first row ( cf . 201 , 205 , 209 and 213 ) and every other contacting means of the second row ( cf . 203 , 207 , 211 and 215 ), being offset by one . moreover , while the invention is illustrated and described above with reference to multiconductor electrical cable connector located at an end of the multiconductor electrical conductor , it will be apparent that such a connector also may be provided in accordance with the invention at a location on a multiconductor electrical cable intermediate the ends thereof . now with reference to fig3 there is shown a perspective view of the set of electrical contacts 301 to 316 as shown in fig2 without depicting the flat ribbon cable , whereby the electrical contacts 301 to 316 of fig3 correspond to the electrical contacts 201 to 216 of fig2 . each electrical contact 301 to 316 is provided with a terminal portions 320 . the terminal portion 320 of each electrical contact 301 to 316 preferably include a pair of elongate prong - like arms 322 , 324 commonly supported from a base portion 326 and defining a relatively narrow slot 328 there between . the ends of the arms 322 , 324 remote from the base portion 326 preferably are tapered or chamfered to define an entranceway into the narrow slot 328 and to form generally pointed tips 330 , 332 to pierce easily through a cable insulation . the electrical contacts 301 to 316 are arranged in a first row ( arrow 341 ) and a second row ( arrow 342 ). as it can be seen in particularly in fig3 the electrical contacts 301 , 305 , 309 and 313 in the first row ( arrow 341 ) have their terminal portions offset away from the second row ( arrow 342 ) with respect to their contacting portions , i . e ., the portion aligned in the two rows . whereas the electrical contacts 304 , 308 , 312 and 316 in the first row ( arrow 341 ) have their terminal portions offset towards the second row ( arrow 342 ) with respect to their contacting portions . correspondingly , the electrical contacts 303 , 307 , 311 and 315 in the second row ( arrow 342 ) have their terminal portions offset away from the first row ( arrow 341 ) with respect to their contacting portions , whereas the electrical contacts 302 , 306 , 310 and 314 in the second row ( arrow 342 ) have their terminal portions offset towards the first row ( arrow 341 ) with respect to their contacting portions . each of the contact terminal arms 322 , 324 is preferably sufficiently long to extend fully through the cable ( cf . fig2 ) with a portion , for example , including the pointed ends 330 , 332 , being exposed beyond the plane of the cable ( cf . fig2 ). finally , with reference to fig4 there is depicted a perspective view of a set of electrical contacts connected to conductors of a flat ribbon cable according to a second embodiment of the present invention . the electrical contacts 401 to 416 are part of a multiconductor electrical cable connector . as in the previous embodiment , the electrical contacts 401 to 416 are arranged in a first row ( arrow 471 ) and a second row ( arrow 472 ). the cable connector include a multiple conductor electrical cable 420 , a plurality of electrical contacts 401 to 416 for connection at terminal portions 421 to 436 to the respective conductors 441 to 456 of the cable , and a housing ( not shown ), whereby the terminal portions 421 to 436 belong to the electrical contacts 401 to 416 and are electrically connected to the conductors 441 to 456 , respectively . the terminal portions 421 to 436 of each electrical contact 401 to 416 preferably include a pair of elongate prong - like arms as known from the first embodiment described above . the terminal portions 421 to 436 of each the electrical contacts 401 , 405 , 409 and 413 are in the same plane approaching the flat ribbon cable 420 from the top . the same applies to the terminal portions of electrical contacts 404 , 408 , 412 and 416 . in contrary , the electrical contacts 402 , 406 , 410 and 414 as well as the electrical contacts 403 , 407 , 411 and 415 approach the flat ribbon cable from below , whereby each set of electrical contacts are again arranged that the respective terminal portions are placed in the same plane . thus , the electrical contacts shown in fig4 differ only in such a way from the electrical contacts according to the first embodiment that the depicted arrangement is suitable for a connector having the electrical contacts pointing in the same direction as the conductors of the flat ribbon cable . however , from the illustration of fig4 it can be seen that the electrical contacts 401 to 416 itself are arranged in a the same way as explained for the first embodiment with regard to fig2 and 3 . thus , electrical contact 403 associated to odd numbered conductor 443 has got adjacent electrical contacts 402 and 406 in the same row and an electrical contact 404 at the same position in the other row that each are associated to even numbered conductors . in other words , the electrical contact 403 associated to conductor 443 is arranged to be spaced further apart to the electrical contact 401 ( or 405 ) associated to the respective next but one neighboring conductor 441 ( or 445 ). therefore , cross talk is reduced in the cable connector according to the present invention , when every other conductor is assigned to a signal line and the remaining conductors to ground lines . while the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described herein , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction herein disclosed , and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims .	8
please refer to fig1 ( a ), which is an embodiment of packaging two memory chips into a package according to the present invention . according to the diagram , two memory chips 2 a , 2 b are encapsulated within a package 1 , and , by placing the memory chips 2 a , 2 b in parallel , the memory capacity doubles without enlarging the volume of the package 1 . please refer to fig1 ( b ), which is an a — a cross - sectional view of fig1 ( a ). this diagram shows the embodiment structure of the instant invention , wherein the memory chip 2 a is embedded in the groove 31 formed by the upper circuit board 3 and the lower circuit board 4 . the welding pad 21 on the memory chip 2 a and the welding pad 42 on the lower circuit board 4 can be connected by the bonding technique . applying a colloidal protection layer ( such as epoxy ) may protect the inner connecting wire 6 and memory chip 2 a . punching 7 processes between the upper and lower circuit boards 3 , 4 can make help connecting the circuits on the upper and lower circuit boards 3 , 4 , which is convenient for the s . m . t . process . the invention can effectively double the memory capacity via this structure . please refer to fig2 which is a circuit of packaging two memory chips into a package according to the present invention . the diagram shows that the memory chip 2 a and memory chip 2 b are encapsulated within the package 1 , wherein the data bus ( dq 0 ˜ dq 7 ) on the package 1 is composed by the data bus ( dq 0 ˜ dq 3 ) on the memory chip 2 a and the data bus ( dq 0 ˜ dq 3 ) on the memory chip 2 b independently ; while the address bus ( a 0 ˜ a 11 , ba 0 , ba 1 ) and control bus ({ overscore ( cs )}, { overscore ( we )}, { overscore ( cas )}, { overscore ( ras )}, clk , cke , dqm ) on the package 1 are implemented by combining the address bus ( a 0 ˜ a 11 , ba 0 , ba 1 ) and control bus ({ overscore ( cs )}, { overscore ( we )}, { overscore ( cas )}, { overscore ( ras )}, clk , cke , dqm ) in parallel . applying this circuit to the packaging structure described in fig1 ( b ) can make a memory ic with doubled memory capacity . please refer to fig3 ( a ), which is an embodiment of packaging four memory chips into a package according to the present invention . the most difference between this diagram and fig1 ( a ) is to encapsulate four memory chips 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d into a package 1 a , and , by putting the memory chips 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d in parallel and in stack , the memory capacity can be increased by a factor of four without enlarging the volume of the package 1 a . please refer to fig3 ( b ), which is an a — a cross - sectional view of fig3 ( a ). according to the diagram , the backs of the upper and lower memory chips 2 e , 2 c are glued together by the double - sided tape 8 , and are , stacked as double layers , embedded into the groove 31 a formed by the upper circuit board 3 a and the lower circuit board 4 a . the welding pad 21 a on the upper memory chip 2 e and the welding pad 32 on the upper circuit board 3 a are connected via the bonding technique , while the welding pad 21 b on the lower memory chip 2 c may be exposed in the aperture 41 a on the lower circuit board 4 a , and the welding pad 21 b on the lower memory chip 2 c and the welding pad 42 a on the lower circuit board 4 a may be connected via the bonding technique too . applying colloidal protection layers 5 a , 5 b ( such as epoxy ) on both ends of the bonded elements can protect the inner connecting wire 6 a and the memory chips 2 e , 2 c . punching 7 a processes between the upper and lower circuit boards 4 a , 4 b help connecting the circuits on the upper and lower circuit boards 4 a , 4 b , which in turn is convenient for the s . m . t . process . this invention can effectively increase the memory capacity by a factor of four with the help of this structure . please refer to fig4 which is a circuit of packaging four memory chips into a package according to the present invention . the diagram demonstrates that the memory chips 2 c , 2 d , 2 e , and 2 f are encapsulated into a package 1 a with 54 pins , wherein the data bus ( dq 0 ˜ dq 15 ) on the package 1 a are composed by the data bus ( dq )˜ dq 3 ) on each of the memory chips 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d independently , while the address bus ( a 0 ˜ a 11 , ba 0 , ba 1 ) and control bus ({ overscore ( cs )}, { overscore ( we )}, { overscore ( cas )}, { overscore ( ras )}, clk , cke , ldqm , udqm ) on the package 1 a are implemented by putting the address bus ( a 0 ˜ a 11 , ba 0 , ba 1 ) and control bus ({ overscore ( cs )}, { overscore ( we )}, { overscore ( cas )}, { overscore ( ras )}, clk , cke , dqm ) on each of the memory chips 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , and 2 d in parallel . applying this circuit feature to the packaging structure described in fig3 ( b ) can produce a memory ic with four times of memory capacity . the integrated circuit packaging structure provided by the instant invention , when compared with the prior art , has the following merits : 1 . the integrated circuit packaging structure according to the invention can encapsulate two memory chips into a single package and thus enlarges the memory capacity by a factor of two or four without increasing the size of the package and the number of pins ; 2 . the integrated circuit packaging structure according to the invention can effectively promote the efficiency of a memory ic , and can make good use of the inner space of the package ; and 3 . the integrated circuit packaging structure according to the invention can effectively double and modularize the memory , which can stimulate rapid development in memory industry . many changes and modifications in the above described embodiment of the invention can , of course , be carried out without departing from the scope thereof . accordingly , to promote the progress in science and the useful arts , the invention is disclosed and is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims .	7
reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments . wherever possible , the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts . in one embodiment , fig1 illustrates the relational position of a first database 110 , the parallelizing scheduler 120 , and a second database 130 . other embodiments , however , are consistent with the operation of the parallelizing scheduler 120 . for example , database 1 110 may be replaced with an instruction aggregator , a database transaction file , a sql script , or any source that may present a sequence of database instructions . the instruction aggregator may be used to parse database instructions from a running web script and submit them to the parallelizing scheduler 120 for optimization . the parallelizing scheduler 120 may take a database transaction file or sql script file and optimize them . note that , as used in this application , “ optimization ” does not require an ultimately optimized solution , but rather just the parallelization of a set or subset of database instructions , or , in other words , any reduction in the number of cycles required to execute sequential database instructions . in one embodiment , the parallelized instructions resulting from the parallelizing scheduler 120 are applied to database 2 130 . database 2 130 , however , may be replaced by a simple file , as when the user desires to save the output of the parallelizing scheduler 120 . it may be even that the output of the parallelizing scheduler 120 stores the results in database 2 130 without applying them to the database . database 2 130 should also be understood to include the logical relationships of the database as well as the database program itself , but in another embodiment , the parallelizing scheduler may also be included within the database program found in database 2 130 . although possible , none of the entities of fig1 need be found on one set of hardware . in particular , besides each one being represented on its own device , each one may be represented in multiple devices . also , database 1 110 and database 2 130 may be the same database . fig2 illustrates two exemplary databases 110 and 130 and one table defined in each 210 and 230 , labeled phonebook 1 and phonebook 2 , respectively . these tables and the data entries therein will be referred to from time to time in this application to provide examples of the processes of the embodiments described herein . these are meant to be exemplary only . in particular , although the structure of each of these tables is exactly the same , they need not be . nor do the tables need to reside in different databases . phonebook 1 and phonebook 2 each have two columns , name and phonenum , expressed herein as { name , phonenum }. phonebook 1 has three records , { dallas jones , 555 - 555 - 0001 }, { sam smith , 555 - 555 - 0002 }, and { eddy white , 555 - 555 - 0003 }. phonebook 2 has two records , { peter pete , 555 - 555 - 0011 } and { sally sales , 555 - 555 - 0012 }. for the sake of convenience , the application will refer to each of these as record 1 , 2 , and 3 with regard to the records found in phonebook 1 , and record 1 and 2 , with regard to the records found in phonebook 2 . fig3 illustrates five common sql statements , create , insert , update , select , and delete , and connects each one to write , write , write , read , and write , respectively . this is done to demonstrate that a create command is a type of write command , that an insert command is a type of write command , and so forth . also illustrated in fig3 are the types of data dependencies possible when looking at any two instructions out of a given sequence of instructions . when a read instruction comes after a write instruction on the same table or column , this is considered a true data dependency . the dependency exists because the write operation may alter the values returned in the read operation . for example , suppose the two instructions are ( 1 ) write phonebook 1 { joy davis , 555 - 555 - 0004 } and ( 2 ) read all of phonebook 2 . if ( 2 ) were to take place before ( 1 ), then only three records would be returned , whereas with the order preserved , four records are returned . when a write instruction comes after a read instruction , then anti - dependency exists . for example , renumbering ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) above to ( 2 ) and ( 1 ), respectively , now , the preserved sequential operation of the instructions would return three records , but if the order were reversed , then four records would be returned . when a write instruction comes after a read instruction then output dependency exists . for example , suppose the two instructions are ( 1 ) write phonebook 1 { 0 , 555 - 555 - 0004 } where name is like ‘ dallas ,’ and ( 2 ) write phonebook 1 { 0 , 555 - 555 - 0005 } where name is like ‘ dallas ,’ where the “ 0 ” in “{ 0 , 555 - 55 . . . }” indicates that the name is not written . if performed in order , record 1 of phonebook 1 would contain the values { dallas jones , 555 - 555 - 0005 }, but if performed in reverse order , record 1 of phonebook 1 would contain the values { dallas jones , 555 - 555 - 0004 }. fig4 illustrates one embodiment of the parallelizing scheduler process 400 . the sequence of instructions is parsed and represented in bit vector form ( step 405 ). the process determines the predecessor and successor dependencies ( step 410 ). a directed acyclic graph is built by mapping the predecessor and successor dependencies ( step 415 ). the process 400 performs a topological sort ( or reverse topological sort based on the successor ( or predecessor ) dependencies ( step 420 ). walk the sort and assign a level number to each instruction ( step 425 ). starting at the first level , a thread is started for each instruction and submitted ( step 430 ). the threads are joined ( step 435 ). if there are more levels to execute then the next level is evaluated at step 430 again until all the instructions have been executed ( step 435 ). these steps will be put in context and explained more clearly below . fig5 illustrates in more detail the step of parsing the sequential instructions and expressing them in bit vector form . note that the set of sequential instructions parsed need not be the entire available set of instructions , but may be processed in subsets . initially , a table order and column order are defined ( step 505 ). doing so ensures that representation of the database instructions is consistent . with respect to the example tables of fig2 , the table order is { phonebook 1 , phonebook 2 } and within each , { name , phonenum }. each instruction is put into bit vector form . the purpose is to more easily express and find the dependencies . it is not necessary to use bit vector form , but the principles of operation on the instructions in the parallelizing scheduler process remains the same . beginning with the first instruction , determine if it is a read or write operation ( step 510 ). next determine the affected tables and columns by the operation ( step 515 ). if the instruction is a read operation , the affected columns would be found in the “ where ” clause of standard sql . if the instruction is a write operation , then the affected column or columns would be those whose values are changed by the operation . if the column is affected by the operation , a “ 1 ” is placed in its vector space , and if the column is not affected by the operation a “ 0 ” is placed ( step 520 ). the same operation is done for the table vector space ( step 525 ). consider the following transition from instruction to bit vector notation . fig7 illustrates an exemplary process 700 for determining the predecessor and successor dependencies among the list of bit vector instructions . note that it is not necessary to perform both predecessor and successor dependencies , but if both are done , one can be used to check against the other . also , building the directed acyclic graph from one method may result in fewer levels than the other method . because two instructions are going to be compared at a time , set x = 1 and y = 2 ( step 705 ). perform a logical and vertically between instruction x and instruction y ( step 710 ). then determine if there is a dependency based on the outcome of the and operation ( step 715 ). for example , suppose the database operations and outcome of the and looked like this : 1 . write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 0 } 2 . read { 1 , 0 }. { 0 , 1 } and { 1 , 0 }. { 0 , 0 } in this case , there is a read after write ( true dependency ) on the table , but there is no dependency in the columns . if the target database , database 2 130 , is capable of locking individual columns , rather than entire rows , then these two operations can be run in parallel , reducing operation levels to one . if , however , the target database locks the entire row , then they would still be executed sequentially . in this case , there are both table and column dependencies . these may be noted as follows : operation predecessor successor 1 . write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 0 } none 2 ( t ) 2 . read { 1 , 0 }. { 0 , 1 } 1 ( t ) none the predecessor notes any operations that must come before the current operation , and the successor notes any operations that must come after the current operation . if x is equal to the next to last numbered instruction , then the dependency determination is complete ( step 730 ). otherwise , if y is equal to the last numbered instruction ( step 735 ), then x is incremented by 1 and y is set to the instruction after x , or x + 1 ( step 736 ). if y is not equal to the last numbered instruction , then y is incremented by 1 ( step 737 ). in this way , every operation is compared to every other operation one time . note that in the above example , the notation for “( t )” indicates a “ true data dependency .” a more comprehensive illustration will be explained below . fig8 illustrates further examples and will be discussed below . in one embodiment , to build a directed acyclic graph , the parallelizing scheduler may use either the predecessor information as in process 900 or successor information as in process 1000 . in fig9 , the process 900 begins with the last unrepresented instruction and represents it as a node ( steps 905 and 910 ). all of the predecessors of that node are then examined and also represented as nodes ( step 915 ). and again with these nodes , all of the predecessors are examined and represented as nodes . this way one chain of dependent database instructions are identified and examined at a time . starting at the last identified operation that does not have an edge ( or reverse arrow ) drawn to it ( step 920 ), draw an edge between the x node and the highest represented unconnected predecessor ( step 925 ). determine whether the now connected highest indexed predecessor has any unconnected predecessors ( step 930 ). if so , then starting at that node repeat the steps of 925 and 930 until the newest connected node has no more predecessors . then , going back to the original indexed operation , or in the first time through the process , the highest indexed ( last ) operation , determine whether there are any more unconnected nodes in the current chain ( step 935 ). repeat the above steps starting at 920 if so . otherwise determine if there are any other unrepresented operations , or in other words , whether there are any more dependency chains ( step 940 ). if so , then repeat the process starting at step 905 for the new chain . otherwise , all of the operations should now be mapped into a directed acyclic graph . note that the parallelizing scheduler does not require that a directed acyclic graph be physically “ drawn .” rather , this explanation is to give an understanding of how the dependencies are determined and ultimately collapsed into fewer levels of parallel operations . in particular , the same results can be found by performing a reverse topological sort based on analyzing the predecessor information directly without drawing a graph . therefore , one should understand that the term “ graph level ” represents a particular level in the order of parallelized operations regardless of whether a graph was drawn . in contrast to the predecessor examination of 900 , the successor examination of 1000 found in fig1 , applies the same principles starting at the first operation . starting at the leaf nodes as in 900 may result in a fewer number of graph levels than starting at the base node as in 1000 . in fig1 , the process 1000 begins with the first unrepresented instruction and represents it as a node ( steps 1005 and 1010 ). all of the successors of that node are then examined and also represented as nodes ( step 1015 ). and again with these nodes , all of the successors are examined and represented as nodes . this way one chain of dependent database instructions are identified and examined at a time . starting at the first identified operation that does not have an edge ( or arrow ) drawn to it , the x node ( step 1020 ), draw an edge between the x node and the lowest represented unconnected successor , the y node ( step 1025 ). determine whether the y node has any unconnected successors ( step 1030 ). if so , then starting at that node ( assign it as the new x node ) repeat the steps of 1025 and 1030 until the newest connected node has no more successors . then , going back to the original indexed operation , or in the first time through the process , the first operation , determine whether there are any more unconnected nodes in the current chain ( step 1035 ). if so , repeat the above steps starting at step 1020 . otherwise , determine if there are any other unrepresented operations , or in other words , whether there are any more dependency chains ( step 1040 ). if so , then repeat the process starting at step 1005 for the new chain . otherwise , all of the operations should now be mapped into a directed acyclic graph . note that the parallelizing scheduler does not require that these graphs be “ drawn .” rather , this explanation is to give an understanding of how the dependencies are determined and ultimately collapsed into fewer levels of parallel operations . in particular , the same results can be found by performing a topological sort based on analyzing the successor information directly without drawing a graph . therefore , one should understand that the term “ graph level ” should be understood to represent a particular level in the order of parallelized operations regardless of whether a graph was drawn . using the principles found in the process of 900 and 1000 , the predecessor lists or successor lists may be evaluated directly using known programming techniques . a visual representation of the directed acyclic graph is not required . moreover , in one embodiment , calculation of the dependencies may be reduced at the expense of additional database instruction levels . for example , in the process of 1000 , the parallelizing scheduler may perform steps 1005 , 1010 , and 1015 , then instead of continuing to 1020 , organize the represented nodes in ascending order and return operation to 1005 to find any additional dependency chains . in other words , identifying dependency chains and relying on the original sequential order of the commands will result in minimal parallelization at a reduced calculation cost . if at least two dependency chains exist , then some parallelization can be achieved this way instead . in one embodiment , the parallelizing scheduler may also make a decision whether to apply basic parallelization or more complex parallelization depending on the number of dependency chains and length of dependency chains . for example , suppose the parallelizing scheduler examines 100 instructions and finds 5 dependency chains of instructions each with 20 instructions . rather than examine each of these dependency chains for further optimization , it may just accept the results of parallelization of dependency chains , and preserve the original order of instructions within each dependency chain . now suppose that the parallelizing scheduler examines 100 instructions and finds 5 dependency chains of instructions , 1 with 80 instructions and the others 4 with 5 instructions each . the parallelizing scheduler may apply the processes here to further optimize the dependency chain of 80 instructions while leaving the other dependency chains to execute in sequential order . fig1 illustrates representative directed acyclic graphs based on the following instructions as found in fig8 ( note that the number of the instruction simply refers to its position in the sequential list ): 1 ) create table phonebook1 ( name varchar ( 100 ), phonenum varchar ( 10 ), primary key ( name , phonenum ) ); 2 ) create table phonebook2 ( name varchar ( 100 ), phonenum varchar ( 10 ), primary key ( name , phonenum ) ); 3 ) insert into phonebook1 ( name , phonenum ) values (‘ john rodriguez ’, ‘ 555 - 555 - 1212 ’); 4 ) select * from phonebook1 ; 5 ) select * from phonebook2 ; 6 ) insert into phonebook2 ( name , phonenum ) values (‘ maria rodriguez ’, ‘ 555 - 555 - 1212 ’); 7 ) update phonebook1 set phone_number = ‘ 555 - 555 - 1213 ’; 8 ) select name from phonebook1 ; these instructions can be simplified into partial bit vector form as : 1 ) write phonebook1 . { 1 , 1 } 2 ) write phonebook2 . { 1 , 1 } 3 ) write phonebook1 . { 1 , 1 } 4 ) read phonebook1 . { 1 , 1 } 5 ) read phonebook2 . { 1 , 1 } 6 ) write phonebook2 . { 1 , 1 } 7 ) write phonebook1 . { 0 , 1 } 8 ) read phonebook1 . { 1 , 0 } 1 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } 2 ) write { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } 3 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } 4 ) read { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } 5 ) read { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } 6 ) write { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } 7 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 0 , 1 } 8 ) read { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 0 } using the techniques above , the predecessor and successor lists are determined as : operation predecessor successor 1 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } none 3 ( o ) 2 ) write { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } none 5 ( t ), 6 ( a ) 3 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } 1 ( o ) 4 ( t ), 7 ( a ), 8 ( t ) 4 ) read { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 1 } 3 ( t ) 7 ( a ) 5 ) read { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } 2 ( t ) 6 ( a ) 6 ) write { 0 , 1 }. { 1 , 1 } 2 ( a ), 5 ( a ) none 7 ) write { 1 , 0 }. { 0 , 1 } 4 ( a ) none 8 ) read { 1 , 0 }. { 1 , 0 } 3 ( t ) none the corresponding directed acyclic graph for these is illustrated in fig1 . the “( o ),”, “( a ),” and “( t )” stand for output dependency , anti - dependency , and true dependency , as explained above . these labels are not essential for the operation to work , but are included to illustrate the types of dependencies identified . the process 1200 illustrated in fig1 , is an exemplary process that organizes the operations into graphlevel numbers . the operations at each level will all be executed in parallel . in one embodiment the graphlevel is determined by starting at a node of the directed acyclic graph and walking the graph . if the node does not have a parent node , then the level is equal to one ( steps 1210 and 1220 ). if the node does have a parent then the level is equal to the parent node plus one ( step 1215 ). although it is not necessary to start at a particular node , starting at the lowest numbered node will make level calculations easier to understand ( step 1205 ). turning back to exemplary process 400 found in fig4 , the parallelizing scheduler starts a thread for each database operation found at the first level ( step 425 ). the threads are joined upon completion ( step 430 ) and a single database commit is executed by the database to finalize the transactions . if there are more levels ( step 435 ), then the database operations at the next level are each begun in its own thread ( step 440 and 425 ). this continues until all levels have been executed . note that in this example , the parallelizing scheduler reduced eight database instruction cycles down to four , a reduction in the number of cycles by half . in one embodiment , the parallelizing scheduler can limit the number of threads run on the target database to a set limit by moving dependency chain executions vertically . it may be desired for the target database to only execute a certain number of threads at any given time . for example , perhaps the hardware and software are determined to support a total of ten threads at a time , with no more than five write threads and ten read threads operating at a time . if the cycle levels would indicate six write operations in a single cycle , one of the dependency chains could simply be moved vertically down by one level . preference could be given to moving shorter dependency chains and preserving the levels of longer dependency chains . in this way , dependency chains can also be stacked . for example , suppose the parallelizing scheduler analyzes 1000 operations and determines 21 dependency chains , optimizing one chain to 100 levels , and the rest to 20 levels each . the parallelizing scheduler may stack five of the dependency chains without increasing the number of levels by moving them vertically , enabling five threads to be run in every execution level . as a further example , applying these principles to the graph illustrated in fig1 , suppose that the target database is limited to executing two threads at a time . when the parallelizing scheduler reaches level 3 , too many threads would be executed , so either the instruction represented by node 8 or node 6 may be moved to the next level . if the instruction represented by node 4 were moved , the number of levels would be increased . as mentioned above , preference may be given to moving the operation found in the shorter dependency chain , resulting in the operation represented by node 6 being moved . preference may also be given to moving the database operation with the highest numbered operation index , resulting in the operation represented by node 8 being moved . other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the embodiments disclosed herein . it is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only , with a true scope and spirit of the embodiments being indicated by the following claims .	6
in particular , the present invention relates to methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - l - arabino - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime 5 ( fig1 ) as an intermediate for the synthesis of d - dideoxy galacto nojirimycins 7 . the present invention provides a method for the preparation of 1 , 5 - imino - 1 , 5 - dideoxy and 1 , 5 , 6 - triteoxy alditols with the d - galacto configurations starting from β - glactosides via hexulosonic acid oximes which have not been reported before now . the procedure is especially valuable because of its high stereoselectivity and straightforwardness . the key steps are the reduction of the oxime derivatives to the lactams which is then further reduced to the target compounds . the c6 position can be deoxygenated during the reduction if it bears an acetoxy group . the trideoxy imino sugars are then produced . deacetylation prior to oxime reduction gives the dideoxy compounds . the present invention provides a simple access to d - galactonojirimycins from the new oxime intermediate methyl 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - l - arabino - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime 5 . the method also allows access to the 5 - amino - 5 - deoxy - d - galacturonic acid δ - lactams . this also is not known before now although the gluco - isomer has been made by the oxidation of nojirimycin ( kajimoto , t ., et al ., j . am . chem . soc . 113 6187 - 6196 ( 1991 )). in this method , the ketoaldonic acid methyl ester is converted to the previously unreported oxime which is then reduced to the amine which cyclizes to give the lactam . the lactam is reduced to the imino sugar by borane or a metal hydride reagent . ( scheme 1 ). despite the formation of both the cis - and trans oximes , no l - derivatives are formed reduction of the peracetylated oxime leads to deoxygenation of the 6 position to give the tri - deoxydiiminoalditol ( dideoxy - d - galacto - nojirimycin 4 ). methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - l - arabino - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime . 5 the ketoaldonic acid 4 ( 7 g , 18 . 61 mmol ) was dissolved in pyridine ( 16 ml ) and the solution cooled to 0 ° c . hydroxylamine hydrochloride ( 2 g , 28 . 77 mmol ) was then added and the solution stirred at 0 ° c . for 15 minutes and then for another 2 hours at room temperature . the mixture was poured onto ice and water and then extracted three times with chloroform . the combined chloroform layers were subsequently washed with water , dried with na 2 so 4 and then evaporated . crystallization from hot ethanol gave white crystals of the oxime ( 85 %) as a mixture of cis - trans isomers : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ isomer 1 : 1 . 98 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 01 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 08 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 15 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 70 ( s , 3h , och 3 ), 4 . 82 ( d , 1h , j 6a , 6b 14 . 6 hz , h6 - a ), 5 . 11 ( d , 1h , h6 - b ), 5 . 35 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 4 1 . 9 hz , h - 4 ), 5 . 68 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 2 9 . 0 , hz , h - 2 ), 5 . 84 ( dd , 1h , h - 3 ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) 20 . 2 , 20 . 3 , 20 . 4 , 20 . 5 , 52 . 6 , 56 . 4 , 68 . 7 , 69 . 2 , 69 . 6 , 149 . 9 , 167 . 5 , 168 . 9 , 169 . 3 , 170 . 0 , 170 . 3 . 1 , 5 - imino - 1 , 5 , 6 - trideoxy - d - galactito ( dideoxy - d - galacto ) nojirimycin . 7 this was prepared from the oxime 5 ( 7 . 4 g , 18 . 92 mmol ) by reduction with hydrogen on palladium in acetic acid . the intermediate amino ester was cyclized to form a lactam 6 that was then reduced by borane . flash column chromatography using a chloroform - methanol ( 6 : 1 ) mixture gave ( dideoxy - d - galacto ) nojirimycin 7 ( 1 . 5 g , 30 %): [ α ] 23 d + 27 . 0 ° © 1 . 3 , chcl 3 ), lit . + 49 . 00 ° © 1 , chcl 3 ) [ 20 ]; 1 h nmr ( d 2 o ) δ 1 . 21 ( d , 3h , j 5 , 6 6 . 6 hz , h - 6 ), 2 . 73 ( t , 1h , j 1a , 1e = j 1a , 2 11 . 9 hz , h - 1a ), 3 . 30 ( dd , 1h , j 1e , 2 5 . 4 hz , h - 1e ), 3 . 37 ( m , 1h , h - 5 ), 3 . 50 ( dd , 1h , j 2 , 3 9 . 6 hz , j 3 . 4 3 . 1 hz , h - 3 ), 3 . 90 ( d , 1h , j 4 . 5 3 . 1 hz , h - 4 ), 3 . 91 ( ddd , 1h , h - 2 ); 13 c nmr ( d 2 o ) δ 14 . 2 , 46 . 1 , 55 . 0 , 64 . 4 , 69 . 9 , 73 . 1 . methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 - 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - d - xylo - 5 - hexulosonic acid oximes are intermediates for the preparation of di and tri - deoxynojirimycins . the present invention provides a general method for the preparation of 1 , 5 - imino - 1 , 5 - 6 , trideoxy alditols with the d - gluco configurations starting from the previously unreported methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - d - xylo - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime 9 ( fig2 ). the key steps are the selective reduction of the oxime derivatives to lactams which are further reduced to the target compounds . the c6 position can be deoxygenated during the reduction if it bears an acetoxy group . the trideoxy imino sugars are then produced . deacetylation prior to oxime reduction gives the dideoxy compounds . the present invention provides a simple access to d - gluco nojirimycins from the new oxime intermediate methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - l - arabino - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime . the method also allows access to the 5 - amino - 5 - deoxy - d - glucuronic acid δ - lactams . this also is known from the oxidation of nojirimycin ( kajimoto , t ., et al ., j . am . chem . soc . 113 6187 - 6196 ( 1991 )). it is an excellent glycosidase inhibitor at concentrations 100 times lower than most of the other inhibitors tested ( kajimoto , t ., et al ., j . am . chem . soc . 113 6187 - 6196 ( 1991 )). in the method we describe here the ketoaldonic acid methyl ester is converted to the previously unreported oxime which is then reduced to the amine which cyclizes to give the lactam . the lactam is reduced to the imino sugar by borane or a metal hydride reagent . ( pathway 1 ). despite the formation of both the cis - and trans oximes , no l - derivatives are formed . reduction of the peracetylated oxime leads to deoxygenation of the 6 position to give the tri - deoxydiiminoalditol ( dideoxy - d - gluco - nojirimycin ) 14 . access to the 6 - hydroxy derivatives was readily achieved by deacetylating the oxime with hydrazine prior to reduction . the deacetylation yielded the acyl hydrazide in quantitative yield ( pathway 2 ). methyl - 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 - tetra - o - acetyl - d - xylo - 5 - hexulosonic acid oxime . 9 the ketone 8 ( 7 g , 18 . 61 mmol ) was dissolved in pyridine ( 16 ml ) and the solution cooled to 0 ° c . hydroxylamine hydrochloride ( 2 g , 28 . 77 mmol ) was then added and the solution stirred at 0 ° c . for 15 minutes and then for another 2 hours at room temperature . the mixture was poured onto ice and water and then extracted three times with chloroform . the combined chloroform layers were subsequently washed with water , dried with na 2 so 4 and then evaporated . crystallization from hot ethanol gave white crystals of the oxime 9 ( 6 . 9 g , 95 %) as a 3 : 2 mixture of cis - trans isomers : isomer 1 : 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 93 ( s , 3h , oac ), 1 . 94 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 00 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 01 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 56 ( s , 3h , och 3 ), 4 . 36 ( d , 1h , j 6a , 6b 12 . 4 hz , h6 - a ), 4 . 72 ( d , 1h , h6 - b ), 4 . 99 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 4 2 . 6 hz , h - 4 ), 5 . 72 ( dd , 1h , j 3 , 2 7 . 8 hz , h - 3 ), 6 . 28 ( d , 1h , h - 2 ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 20 . 5 , 20 . 4 , 52 . 8 , 61 . 3 , 66 . 1 , 69 . 5 , 69 . 8 , 149 . 9 , 167 . 3 , 169 . 4 , 169 . 5 , 170 . 1 ; hrms ( m + h + ) calcd . 392 . 1193 , found 392 . 1198 . isomer 2 : mp = 121 - 122 ° c . ; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 88 ( s , 3h , oac ), 1 . 89 ( s , 3h , oac ), 1 . 98 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 00 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 56 ( s , 3h , och 3 ), 4 . 82 ( s , 2h , h - 6 ), 5 . 16 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 4 2 . 6 hz , h - 4 ), 5 . 62 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 2 8 . 5 , h - 2 ), 5 . 78 ( dd , 1h , h - 3 ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 20 . 5 , 20 . 4 , 52 . 8 , 61 . 3 , 66 . 1 , 69 . 5 , 69 . 8 , 149 . 9 , 167 . 3 , 169 . 4 , 169 . 5 , 170 . 1 . tri - o - acetyl - 5 - amino - 5 , 6 - dideoxy - d - gluconic acid lactam . 10 a solution of oxime 9 ( 6 . 9 , g , 17 . 64 mmol ) in glacial acetic acid ( 275 ml ), containing 10 % pd / c ( 2 . 76 g ) was hydrogenated in a parr reactor under a h 2 pressure of 300 - 400 psi for 40 hours at 55 ° c . the reaction mixture was filtered through celite and washed with ethanol . the solvent was rotary - evaporated and the lactam 10 ( 5 g , 100 %) was obtained as a light yellow syrup : [ α ] 23 d + 70 . 0 ° © 1 . 56 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 1 . 11 ( d , 3h , j 5 , 6 6 . 3 hz , h - 6 ), 1 . 94 ( s , 3h , oac ), 1 . 98 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 00 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 51 ( m , 1h , j 4 , 5 9 . 7 , hz , h - 5 ), 4 . 94 ( t , 1h , j 3 , 4 9 . 7 hz , h - 3 ), 4 . 96 ( d , 1h , h - 2 ), 5 . 40 ( t , 1h , h - 4 ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 18 . 0 , 20 . 3 , 20 . 3 , 48 . 7 , 70 . 6 , 70 . 9 , 71 . 4 , 166 . 7 , 169 . 4 , 169 . 6 , 169 . 8 ; hrms ( m + h + ) calcd . 288 . 1083 , found 288 . 1089 . 1 , 5 - imino - 1 , 5 , 6 - trideoxy - d - glucitol 11 1m bh 3 / thf ( 50 ml , 50 mmol ) was added under n 2 to a solution of lactam 10 ( 5 g , 17 . 41 mmol ) in thf ( 33 ml ). the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 . 5 hours and then refluxed for another 1 . 5 hour . after cooling to room temperature 9 % methanolic hcl ( 40 ml ) was carefully added and the resulting solution was refluxed for 30 minutes . the thf was removed by rotary evaporation and the reaction mixture was dissolved repeatedly in methanol , followed by evaporation to remove borates . water was added to the dry crude product 10 and the solution was passed through an anion exchange resin ( amberlite ir - 45 oh - form ) and then dried on the rotary evaporator . to remove the last traces of borates , a solution of 1m naoh ( 15 mol ) and methanol ( 6 ml ) were added to the crude product and the mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature . the methanol was evaporated and the aqueous solution was lyophilized . a methanolic hcl solution was added , which precipitated nacl while the methanolic solution was dried , to give the product 10 ( 2 . 43 g , 95 %): [ α ] 23 d + 15 . 5 ° © 1 . 88 , h 2 o ), lit . + 13 .° © 1 . 0 , h 2 o ) [ 18 ]; 1 h nmr ( d 2 o ) δ 1 . 25 ( d , 3h , j 5 , 6 6 . 3 hz , h - 6 ), 2 . 77 ( dd , 1h , j 1a , 1e 12 . 4 hz , j 1a , 2 11 . 7 hz , h - 1a ), 3 . 02 ( dd , 1h , j 4 , 5 10 . 0 hz , h - 5 ), 3 . 23 ( dd , 1h , j 3 , 4 ( dd , 1h , j 3 , 4 9 . 0 hz , h - 4 ), 3 . 33 ( dd , 1h , j 1e , 2 5 . 1 hz , h - 1e ), 3 . 31 ( dd , 1h , j 2 , 3 9 . 2 hz , h - 3 ), 3 . 63 ( ddd , 1h , h - 2 ); 13 c nmr ( d 2 o ) δ 17 . 5 , 49 . 5 , 55 . 2 , 71 . 4 , 76 . 7 , 79 . 0 . tetra - o - acetyl - 5 - amino - 5 - deoxy - gluconic acid lactam . 13 the acetylated oxime 9 ( 1 . 5 g , 3 . 84 mmol ) was deacetylated with concomitant conversion to the acyl hydrazide by treatment with anhydrous hydrazine ( 0 . 75 ml , 23 . 89 mmol ) in methanol ( 15 ml ) at room temperature for 2 hours . evaporation of the solvent gave the crude acid hydrazide 12 : 1 h nmr ( d 2 o ) δ 4 . 18 ( 1h , dd , j = 4 . 6 hz , j = 7 . 0 hz ) 4 . 51 ( 1h , d , j = 6 . 5 hz ), 4 . 43 ( 1h , d , j = 14 . 9 hz ), 4 . 53 ( 1h , d , j = 14 . 8 hz ), 5 . 18 ( 1h , d , j = 4 . 6 hz ); 13 c nmr ( d 2 o ) δ61 . 1 , 69 . 1 , 73 . 4 , 73 . 5 , 160 . 7 , 173 . 4 . this hydrazide 12 was hydrogenated in glacial acetic acid with 10 %, pd / c ( 0 . 4 g ) at 50 ° c . and 300 psi pressure of h 2 for 2 days . after filtration through celite , the solution was dried on the rotary evaporator and the crude product acetylated with acetic anhydride ( 15 ml ) and pyridine ( 15 ml ) for 5 hours at room temperature . the mixture was poured into cold water and extracted with chloroform . the chloroform layer was dried with na 2 so 4 . evaporation of the solvent gave crude product 13 ( 1 . 47 g ), which was subjected to flash chromatography on silica ( eluent hexane - acetone = 2 : 1 ) to give the perahydroxy lactam 13 ( 0 . 5 g ) c - 5 epimer : mp = 177 - 178 ° c . ; [ α ] 23 d + 88 . 6 ° © 1 . 11 , chcl 3 ), lit .+ 104 ° © 1 . 73 , chcl 3 )[ 17 ]; 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 2 . 03 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 06 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 08 ( s , 3h , oac ), 2 . 10 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 75 ( ddd , 1h , j 4 , 5 9 . 7 hz , j 5 , 6a 2 . 9 hz , j 5 , 6b 6 - 5 hz , h - 5 ), 3 . 96 ( dd , 1h , j 6a , 6b 11 . 7 hz , h6 - b ), 4 . 22 ( dd , 1h , h - 6a ), 5 . 06 ( d , 1h , j 3 , 2 9 . 5 hz , h - 2 ), 5 . 20 ( t , 1h , j 3 , 4 9 . 5 hz , h - 3 ), 5 . 53 ( dd , 1h , h - 4 ), 6 . 48 ( s , 1h , s , nh ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 20 . 5 , 20 . 5 , 20 . 5 , 20 . 6 , 52 . 4 , 62 . 7 , 67 . 2 , 70 . 4 , 70 . 5 , 166 . 2 , 169 . 4 , 169 . 6 , 170 . 0 , 170 . 4 hrms ( m + h + ) calcd . 346 . 1060 , found 346 . 1143 . epimer : [ α ] 23 d + 3 . 1 ° © 1 . 81 , chcl 3 ); 1 h nmr ( cdcl 3 ) 1 . 98 ( s , 3h , oac ), 1 . 99 ( s , 3h , ( oac ), 2 . 00 ( 2 , 3h , oac ), 2 . 02 ( s , 3h , oac ), 3 . 88 ( 1h , m , h - 5 ), 4 . 04 ( dd , 1h , j 6a , 6b 11 . 4 hz , j 5 , 6b 6 . 3 hz , h6 - b ), 4 . 18 ( dd , 1h , j 5 , 6a 3 . 9 hz , h - 6a ), 5 . 15 ( dd , 1h , j 4 , 5 9 . 5 hz , j 3 , 4 7 . 5 hz , h - 4 ), 5 . 15 ( d , 1h , j 2 , 3 7 . 5 hz , h - 2 ), 5 . 39 ( t , 1h , h - 3 ), 7 . 27 ( 1h , s , broad , nh ); 13 c nmr ( cdcl 3 ) δ 20 . 2 , 20 . 3 , 20 . 4 , 50 . 0 , 62 . 0 , 68 . 0 , 69 . 8 , 70 . 0 , 166 . 7 , 169 . 3 , 169 . 7 , 170 . 3 , 170 . 6 . the lactam 13 was converted to the 1 , 5 - diamino - 1 , 5 - dideoxy - d - glucitol ( dideoxy - d - gluco ) nojuirmycin 14 as in example 5 . it will be appreciated that the imino group can contain a lower alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms rather than hydrogen . the oxime group in compound 5 would then be an imino alkyl group , preferably where alkyl contains 1 to 8 carbon atoms . the reactions are shown in fig3 . the hydrogen on the hexitol can be replaced with an alkyl group by reaction with an alkyl aldehyde and a reducing agent as shown in fig4 . it is intended that the foregoing description be only illustrative of the present invention and that the present invention be limited only by the hereinafter appended claims .	2
due to the fact that both the pmr and ptr methods are based on the absorption of an intensity - modulated pump excitation beam , a system implementing both of these methods can share the same pump light source and the same illumination path . thus , a combined pmr / ptr system can be obtained by modifying an existing pmr system . besides providing pmr data , and a valuable set of independent data ( ptr amplitude and phase or in - phase and quadrature components ), in the case of a semiconductor sample , a combined pmr / ptr system can provide much higher sensitivity to the implantation dose , especially in a low dose region , and can have other application - specific advantages as compared with a standard pmr or ptr system . an embodiment of a combined pmr / ptr system 10 is shown in fig1 . a first energy source 12 , which can be 790 nm pump diode laser , operates as an intensity modulated energy source , where the modulation frequency can be selected , and the intensity modulated energy is focused onto the sample 14 . a second energy source 16 , which can be a probe diode laser at 670 nm , is also focused onto the sample and its reflection from the sample is used to detect the sample &# 39 ; s ac response . the focused spots from the two energy sources 12 and 16 are precisely overlapped onto the sample 14 by use of a tracker 18 . by precisely overlapping the beams from the two energy sources a maximum pmr signal can be achieved . the tracker 18 is used to align the intensity modulated energy from the pump laser 12 on the dichroic mirror 20 . the mirror 20 reflects the intensity modulated energy from the pump laser 12 and transmits the beam from the probe laser 16 , as a combined beam 22 . the tracker 18 aligns the intensity modulated beam with the probe beam on the dichroic mirror 20 to produce the overlapping beams on the sample . the combined beam 22 is then transmitted through polarizing beam splitter 24 . after the combined beam is transmitted through the polarizing beam splitter 24 it passes through a ¼ waveplate 26 , and is then reflected off a mirror 28 . the combined beam 22 is then reflected off a window 29 to a reflecting objective 30 . the window 29 can be a germanium window , which operates as a dichroic mirror such that energy in one frequency range is transmitted through the window 29 and energy at another frequency range is reflected by the window 29 . in one embodiment the window 29 is a ge window which operates to transmit radiation at 900 nm and above , but radiation below 900 nm is reflected off the window 29 . the reflecting objective 30 is used to focus the combined beam on a diffraction limit spot on the sample of ˜ 1 μm . the reflecting objective 30 can provide tight focusing of the combined beam on the sample 14 . further the reflecting objective 30 can also provide for efficiently collecting infrared blackbody radiation , which is emitted from the diffraction spot on the sample in response to the combined beam . a portion of the combined beam is reflected off the sample 14 . the reflected combined beam is then reflected off the window 29 and then reflected off the mirror 28 , and then transmitted through the ¼ waveplate 26 a second time , which rotates the polarization of the reflected combined beam by 90 degrees . after the reflected combined beam has passed through the ¼ waveplate 26 it is incident upon the polarizing beam splitter 24 where it directed onto the photodetector 32 . in response to the combined beam incident upon the sample 14 , the sample 14 emits blackbody radiation ( ir radiation ). this blackbody radiation is collected by the reflecting objective 30 and is transmitted through the window 29 and it is then focused by a second reflecting objective 34 onto an infrared detector 36 . in one embodiment the infrared detector 36 has its peak sensitivity in the 2 - 12 micron wavelength range . in one embodiment of a combined system a filter 38 is provided in front of the photodetector 32 . the filter 38 operates to block the intensity modulated energy from the combined beam which is reflected from the sample , but transmits the probe beam of the combined beam to the photodetector 32 . additionally , the filter 38 can operate to block stray light so that it does not reach the photodetector . optionally , a filter could also be included in from of the infrared detector 36 . in response to receiving the combined beam which is reflected off the sample 14 , the photodector 32 generates signals 40 . these signals 40 generated by the photodetector 32 are transmitted to the coherent demodulator 42 . the signals 40 are pre - amplified and demodulated by the coherent demodulator 42 . as shown in fig1 the infrared detector generates signals 44 which are transmitted to the coherent demodulator 42 . the coherent demodulator 42 operates to pre - amplify and demodulate the signal 44 output by the infrared detector 36 in response to blackbody radiation output by the sample 14 . as shown , the system 10 has a single coherent demodulator 42 , but it should be recognized that the system could be implemented with a separate coherent demodulator for the signals 40 output by the photodetector 32 , and a separate coherent demodulator 42 for the signals 44 output by the infrared detector 36 . signals 46 are output by the coherent demodulator 42 which correspond to the signals generated by either the photodetector 32 or the infrared detector 36 . the signals 46 are processed and analyzed as ptr and pmr signals depending on the mode of operation ( modes of operation discussed in more detail below ). as shown in fig1 the signals 46 are analyzed and processed by the processor system 48 . the processor system 48 operates to determine properties of a sample based on the signals 46 which correspond to the signals generated by the photodetector 32 and the infrared detector 36 . this information regarding the properties of a sample wafer can then be outputted to a user . this output could be done , for example , via a monitor , or a printer , coupled to the processor . the analysis of the signals 46 can be done in manner similar to the analysis used in conjunction with prior systems , but instead of providing only ptr or pmr data , the processor 48 operates to utilize both reflectivity and infrared radiation information generated by the photodetector 32 and the infrared detector 36 . in one embodiment the processor system 48 operates to compare changes in the reflected probe beam with measured , or modeled , changes of probe beam associated with known reference samples . by comparing the measured reflectivity data of the sample 14 with the reflectivity data for samples having known characteristics , the properties of the sample 14 being measured can be determined . similarly , monitored changes in the infrared radiation emitted from the sample 14 can be compared with infrared radiation data for samples with known characteristics . by comparing the measured infrared radiation emitted from the sample 14 with the data for known samples , properties of the sample 14 can be determined . in one embodiment , the reflectivity data and the infrared data for the samples having known characteristics is stored in a memory device ( not shown ) which is coupled to the processor . in one embodiment the system 10 will operate in two different modes . in a first mode the signal generator 50 will send a signal 52 to the pump laser 12 causing the pump laser to operate at a modulated frequency in a pmr operation range . in one embodiment , the pmr operation range can extend from approximately 0 . 1 khz to well into the megahertz range ( typically up to about 100 mhz ). when the pump laser 12 is operating in the pmr operation range the system 10 will operate to generate pmr measurements and data . during the pmr operation the combined beam reflected off the sample 12 will be detected by the photodetector 32 , and the signals 40 generated by the photodetector 32 will demodulated by coherent demodulator 42 . during the demodulation of the signals 40 , the coherent demodulator 42 receives a signal 54 from the signal generator 50 , which corresponds to the pump laser 12 being operated in the pmr operation range , and uses this signal in conjunction with demodulating the signals 40 . the signals 46 output by the coherent demodulator 42 are then analyzed to determine changes in the reflectivity of the sample 14 . this reflectivity data is then used to determine other properties of the sample . in a second mode of operation the system 10 will operate to generate infrared radiation information . in the second mode of operation the modulation frequency of the pump laser will be in a ptr operation range . due to infrared detector limitations , the ptr operation range is typically be in the 1 khz - 1 mhz range , depending on the speed and sensitivity of the infrared detector . higher frequencies are possible but the ptr signal in this case would be dominated by noise . while in the ptr mode the signal generator 50 generates a signal 52 which causes the pump laser 12 to operate in the ptr operation range . in this mode the signal generator 50 also operates to output a signal 54 to the coherent demodulator 42 which corresponds to the pump laser 12 operating in the ptr operation range . in some application the system 10 can operate such that the modulation frequency for the intensity modulated energy is the same for the both the ptr mode of operation and the pmr mode of operation . the pump laser 12 could be implemented in a number of different ways . for example the pump laser 12 could be a diode laser and the modulation frequency of diode lasers can be varied electronically by the signal 52 from the signal generator 50 . however , it may also be desirable to utilize a solid state laser for the pump laser 12 and to modulate its intensity using an acousto - optic modulator . the combination of detecting systems described herein is desirable because it provides two complementary measurements ( i . e . the pmr measurement and the ptr measurement ). it should be understood that additional information can be also derived by combining ptr measurements with one or more other optical metrology measurements systems , including spectroscopy , spectroscopic ellipsometry , beam profile reflectometry , beam profile ellipsometry and x - ray reflection measurements . such technologies and combinations thereof are described in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 297 , 880 and wo 01 / 69215 , both incorporated herein by reference . the two independent measurements ( ptr and pmr ) can be used in a variety of ways to aid in the analysis of the sample . some aspects of this analysis are discussed in examples below . it should be understood that these are only examples and that those skilled in the art could make use of the ptr and pmr measurements in a variety of different ways . in one example , the two independent measurements could be used to improve the accuracy of the analysis of a single variable , such as ion implantation dose in the ion - implanted semiconductor sample . it is known that the pmr approach is very accurate for low and mid dose levels . however , the pmr signal becomes non - monotonic at higher doses . the availability of a second independent measurement ( ptr ) would allow ambiguities arising from the pmr measurement to be reduced . such an approach could be implemented in a conventional fashion , where a series of reference wafers are fabricated with various dose levels . each of the wafers is then measured with both . techniques . the actual dose levels are then measured with a different technology ( such as a four point probe ). calibration curves are developed for both sets of measurements . when subsequent test measurements of a sample are made , the results can be compared to the calibration curves to determine the best solution for dose . the most basic approach for combining the two measurements is to average the two results for dosage . the averaging could be weighted based on the dose region or other factors . another possibility would be to use the ptr signal to select the appropriate cycle in the pmr response and use the pmr response to define the dose . the multiple independent measurements could be used in more sophisticated analyses . pmr measurements made at multiple different modulation frequencies , spots sizes and / or power levels can be used to analyze the sample as a function of depth . these measurements can be fit to a model to determine variations in composition , damage , etc . in this invention , an expanded model including one or more ptr measurements could be derived . the data from both types of measurements can be combined in iterative regressive analysis to determine sample parameters . in another example , a combination of the pmr and ptr measurements could be used to improve the accuracy of the analysis of ultrashallow junctions ( i . e . junctions formed by implantation with ultra low energies followed by the activation of dopants ) both prior to and after annealing . the high sensitivity of the ptr measurements to photoinduced plasma can provide additional information about the implantation dose , junction depth , and electronic parameters of the doped region , such as the carrier mobility . for this purpose , both the ptr and pmr measurement modes could be used separately as well as in combination . in yet another example , a combined pmr and ptr system could be used for characterization of metal layers on semiconductors . both the ptr and pmr measurements are sensitive to the thickness and composition of metal layers and the combination of the two measurements could provide accurate data regarding the thickness , thermal and structural properties of metal layers . a proper calibration procedure could establish a correlation between the ptr and pmr signal characteristics ( amplitude and phase ) and the parameters of interest . while the method and apparatus of the present invention has been described in terms of its presently preferred and alternate embodiments , those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims . the specifications and drawings are , accordingly , to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense . further , even though only certain embodiments have been described in detail , those having ordinary skill in the art will certainly understand that many modifications are possible without departing from the teachings thereof . all such modifications are intended to be encompassed within the claims set forth below .	6
recently , the soluble antigens shed , excreted and secreted by leishmania parasites in a protein - free medium have been described . the soluble antigens of l . donovani promastigotes , are primarily lipophosphoglycan ( lpg ), and comprise an albumin binding site , a hydrophylic lpg component , and a repeating phosphorylated saccharide linked with secreted acid phosphatase ( s - acp ). see greis , k . d ., et al ., ( 1992 ) j . biol . chem . 267 : 5876 – 5881 . s - acp is presumably the most immunogenic of all the glycoproteins and is a major component in l . donovani promastigote conditioned medium . see bates , p . a ., et al ., ( 1988 ) exper . parasitol . 67 : 199 – 209 . monoclonal antibody ( mab ) studies show no cross reactivity between s - acp and parasite surface membrane or host acid phosphatases . see bates , p . a ., et al ., ( 1987 ) exper . parasitol . 64 : 157 – 164 . s - acp from l . donovani promastigote conditioned medium has been used to immunoprecipitate specific antibody from pooled sera of patients acutely ill with vl ( kala - azar ). see ellis , s . l ., et al ., ( 1998 ) exp . parasitol . 89 : 161 – 168 . the use of a soluble antigen preparation from leishmania donovani to capture specific igg antibodies in the sera of kala - azar patients indicates that the soluble antigens found in conditioned medium can act as the foundation for leishmaniasis immunoassays . see martin et al . ( 1998 ) an . trop . med . & amp ; parasit . 92 : 571 – 577 . thus , the present invention generally relates to leishmaniasis immunoassays , which are highly sensitive and specific and allow the detection of specific igg and igm antibodies in subjects affected with visceral , cutaneous , or canine leishmaniasis . the present invention also relates to antigen - capture immunoassays which allow the detection of the soluble leishmania antigens . the present invention relates to an immunoassay that allows the detection of igm and igg antibodies in subjects affected with visceral , cutaneous , or canine leishmaniasis . the assay is based on soluble antigens from promastigotes cultivated in a protein - free and serum - free medium and takes less than four hours to perform . prior research attempts employing non - recombinant antigens in the design of serologic tests for leishmaniasis have been limited by problems with sensitivity , specificity and test reproducibility . reasons for these limitations remain elusive , but are most likely attributable to physical and chemical techniques used in antigen preparation . therefore , the present invention relates to sensitizing plates with soluble antigens from conditioned media . plate sensitization ameliorates the prior art problems associated with physical and chemical techniques used in antigen preparation . in order to obtain soluble antigens from conditioned media , cells must be maintained within defined physiological ranges to thrive in vitro . these conditions include temperature , ph , osmotic pressure , o 2 and co 2 gas tension , and nutrients . it has been shown that cells fail to thrive in culture media unless 10 to 20 % serum albumin is added and the viability and growth rates are compromised where serum albumin concentrations vary substantially from 10 %. it is believed that the primary role of serum albumin in in vivo and in vitro cell culture systems is to balance oncotic pressure across the semi - permeable membrane of cells and to provide free water homeostasis . it is also believed that the critical component of serum for in vitro cell survival is albumin . therefore , one aspect of the present invention is the propagation of the promastigotes in serum - free and protein - free medium comprising an agent that balances the oncotic pressure across the semi - permeable membrane of the cells . an example of this agent is xylose . thus , the uncharacterized soluble factors in conditioned medium from the cultivation of promastigotes in protein - free and serum - free medium can be used as a foundation for an immunoassay for visceral , cutaneous , or canine leishmaniasis . the use of a defined protein - free and serum - free culture medium reduces antigen production to a simple and inexpensive centrifugation step and greatly increases the sensitivity , specificity , reproducibility and practicability of the assay . additionally , gram quantities of the soluble antigens may be inexpensively and reproducibly generated by methods standard in the art . furthermore , reactivity to the soluble antigens appears to be genus specific . since sensitivity to oncotic imbalance varies with cell type , one may wish to conduct experiments to determine the optimum concentration range of the agent which balances the oncotic pressure across the semi - permeable membrane of a given cell type . for example , parasites may be cultured in a serum - free and protein - free medium , wherein a colloidal agent balances the oncotic pressure . the growth index may be determined by comparing the growth of the parasites in the serum - free and protein - free medium with the growth of the parasites in serum supplemented media . based on the comparison , one may then choose the optimum concentration range of the colloidal agent . when attempting to detect specific igm , normally one must consider the effect of igg in the sample and compensate for its presence or eliminate it altogether . thus , a fraction of samples tested ( n = 100 ) were subjected to a rapi - sep spin column ( indx ), which binds the igg in the samples to the membranes , before testing for specific igm . there was no significant change in the igm values derived for any sample . in preliminary studies , 129 visceral ( brazil , italy , north africa , nepal ) and 143 cutaneous ( brazil ) leishmaniasis patients with controls were tested . these studies show an overall sensitivity of 95 . 1 % when leishmania - specific igg was measured against that of healthy , north american negative controls . no cross - reactivity was noted when this assay was used to look for cross - reacting antibodies in patient samples from other parasitic diseases ( malaria , echinococcosis , africa trypanosomiasis , and filariasis ). see martin et al . in additional studies , the assay of the present invention correctly identified 42 sera from brazilian dogs with canine leishmaniasis and 10 healthy controls . as shown in fig1 – 6 , the difference between negative and positive was greater in the case of dog sera than of human sera . the negative control sera subset gave a negative cutoff score of about 0 . 225 for the igg assay . fig1 is a boxplot to illustrate specific igg antibody levels measured in vl patient sera samples . with respect to specific igg , all 129 clinically confirmed positive vl patient sera gave od readings above the negative cutoff ( 100 % sensitivity ). fig2 is a boxplot showing specific igm antibody levels measured in the same samples . when measuring igm , the negative control sera tested gave a negative cutoff score of about 0 . 310 . the sensitivity for this assay was 94 . 57 % ( 122 / 129 positive ). currently , the assay is able to detect specific igg and igm antibodies with varying degrees of success in patient serum samples from known - positive cases of visceral leishmaniasis ( vl ) and cutaneous leishmaniasis ( cl ). the assay may be improved by modifying serum sample and conjugate dilution , substrate , incubation times , temperatures , and other assay conditions , such as described in example 8 , and is well within the skill and knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art . for example , the serum may be diluted by 1 : 1000 instead of 1 : 200 and all incubations may be at room temperature instead of a 37 ° c . humidity chamber . serum samples may be diluted from about 1 : 250 to about 1 : 1 , 000 . preferably , for cl assays , the serum sample is diluted to 1 : 250 and for vl assays , the serum sample is diluted to 1 : 1 , 000 . the wide range of conjugates that may be produced from polyclonal antibodies against these antigens vary in their affinity and avidity . as such , their working dilutions range from 1 : 5 , 000 to about 1 : 32 , 000 . however , one of ordinary skill in the art may readily determine the optimum dilutions for a given sample and assay by methods standard in the art such as checkerboard titrations . initially , all categories of patient samples were tested with the wr0130e l . donovani antigen ( atcc strain 30503 ). however , the assay was not sensitive to cl patient sera samples . thus , these cl samples were retested with the l . mexicana ( atcc strain 50157 ) antigen . the immunoassay of the present invention may detect igm and igg antibodies in human patients with visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis , and dogs with canine leishmaniasis . when using leishmania - specific igg antibodies as a marker for active disease the test showed an overall sensitivity of 95 . 9 % ( 261 / 272 ) and a specificity of 100 %. the following examples are intended to illustrate but not to limit the invention . serum was collected from human patients who were admitted to clinics in brazil , italy , north africa , nepal and walter reed army medical center and who had either splenic aspirates or skin biopsies from lesions that tested positive for leishmania parasites by culture and microscopy . in total , 129 visceral ( italy , brazil , north africa , and nepal ) and 143 cutaneous ( brazil ) leishmaniasis patients ( 136 - l . braziliensis - infected , and 7 l . panamensis - infected ) with controls were tested . human negative controls were from 12 non - endemic area normal patients with no documented infection or exposure to leishmania parasites . in addition to the human manifestations assayed , sera from 42 brazilian dogs with a clinical diagnosis for canine leishmaniasis were tested against positive control sera from a commercial source ( bordier affinity products , s . a ., crissier , switzerland ) and 10 negative controls from a pathogen - free , canine research colony ( college of veterinary medicine , north carolina state university , raleigh , n . c ., usa ). the leishmania soluble antigen ( exo - antigen ) preparation was made by cultivating leishmania promastigotes in normal supplemented media ( rpmi , mem plus fbs ) at 26 ° c . until the culture reached mid - log phase at a density of about 10 9 cells / ml . then the cells were pelleted and washed 6 times in a defined , protein - free medium such as xom available from gibco brl , formula number 96 – 0051dj , rpmi medium 1640 comprising d , xylose at 0 . 076 mm , hepes buffer at 25 mm , l - glutamine , and sodium bicarbonate at 30 mm without phenol red . the cells were then resuspended in protein - free medium such as xom to a final density of 10 8 promastigotes / ml and incubated at 26 ° c . in a roller bottle with 0 . 01 % tween 80 ( sigma chemical co ., st . louis , mo .) for 72 hours . the cells were pelleted by centrifugation at 9 , 000 × g for 30 minutes and the supernatant was collected . the relative protein concentration of the soluble antigens was estimated by measuring the optical density at 280 nm . the antigen may be stored at 4 ° c . the leishmania soluble antigen preparation produced by the method explained in example 2 was used without an adjuvant to immunize rabbits . the antiserum was pooled and affinity - purified on a protein a column containing the antigen preparation of example 2 above . fractions of the polyclonal antibody ( pab ) were conjugated with an appropriate reporter system such as horseradish peroxidase , fluorescein and colloidal gold . these tagged antibodies may then be used in antigen - detection immunoassays such as elisa , histochemical stain and dipstick test formats . these test formats may be used to detect parasite antigens in tissues and body fluids of mammalian hosts and vectors . the rabbit anti - leishmania polyclonal antibody preparation demonstrated high affinity and avidity for the immunogens used to immunize the rabbits . the pab produced a very striking western blot pattern similar to that of kala azar patients . see fig7 . it is appreciated that the present invention also encompasses monoclonal antibodies against leishmania soluble antigens , hybridomas producing such , and methods of making and using thereof . thus , monoclonal antibodies against leishmania soluble antigens may be used in the assays described herein . the monoclonal antibodies may be made by standard methods known in the art . generally , in the solid phase enzyme immunoassay for leishmania , soluble antigens of the leishmania promastigotes were coated on the inner surface of a test well which serve to bind specific antibody from a sample . peroxidase conjugated antibody to anti - human igg was added and reacted with bound antibody . a chromogenic substrate , such as horseradish peroxidase , for peroxidase was added . if antibody to leishmania was present , there was a reaction that resulted in the development of color . other fluorescent , chemiluminescent and chromogenic agents may be used with appropriate enzymes and substrates . plate sensitization was affected by coating a polystyrene , 96 - well microtitre plates ( immulon 4 , dynatech laboratories , chantilly , va .) with 100 μl of the respective exo - antigen solution ( 5 μg protein per well ). l . donovani ( walter reed reference strain 130 , clone e ) exo - antigen was used to sensitize plates for visceral and canine leishmaniasis samples , and l . mexicana ( atcc strain 50157 ) exo - antigen was used to sensitize plates for cutaneous leishmaniasis samples . positive and negative controls were diluted at the same ratio as the sample . the dilutions were then placed in the wells of the microtitre plate . the samples were covered and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature in a humid environment . each plate was then blocked with 1 . 0 % casein ( sigma chemical co ., st . louis , mo .) in pbs for one hour at room temperature . the blocking buffer was removed by aspiration and the serum samples ( 100 μl of 1 : 1000 dilution ) and appropriate controls were added to the microtiter plate and the plate was incubated at 26 ° c . for 40 minutes . the plate was washed with 0 . 05 % pbs - tween - 20 ( pbs - tween ) buffer four times . preferably , an automatic plate / strip washer is used . the well contents were shaken out at the end of the final wash . then goat anti - human igg ( whole molecule ) conjugated with horseradish peroxidase ( kirkegaard & amp ; perry laboratories inc ., gaithersburg , md .) was added at 1 : 5000 dilution and then the plate was incubated at 26 ° c . for an hour in a humid environment . the plate was then washed four times with pbs - tween buffer and 100 μl of tmb substrate ( kpl . inc ., gaithersburg , md .) was added to each well . the plate was incubated for about 15 minutes in the dark . the optical density ( od ) was periodically read at 650 nm wavelength in an elisa plate reader ( molecular devices , menlo park , calif .) until the od value of a reference positive control ( s5 , kala azar patient , nepal ) reached 0 . 8 . at this point 100 μl of a stop solution ( 0 . 1m phosphoric acid ) was applied to each well and the final od reading was taken immediately at 450 nm . preferably , a dual beam elisa reader is used . a reference positive serum was used in all plates , and only interassay variation of less than 10 % was accepted . the lower limit of positivity ( cut off ) was determined by the mean of the negative controls subset + 3 standard deviations . generally , for the test results to be accepted for visceral leishmania , the negative control must have an od reading under 0 . 15 and the positive control must be over 0 . 8 at 650 nm . if the controls do not satisfy this criteria , the test should be repeated . samples yielding absorbance values under 0 . 2 are negative and samples above 0 . 2 but below 0 . 3 may contain antibody but the amount is lower than the generally accepted significant level . it is noted that one may designate a more stringent or less stringent range for determining the absorbance levels that are indicative of exposure to leishmaniasis antigen . samples giving absorbency values above 0 . 3 contain higher levels of antibody that are generally considered to be at or above the significant level . l . donovani wr0130e ( atcc strain 30503 ) exo - antigen was used as the material to coat the microtitre plate . the negative control sera subset gave a negative cutoff score of about 0 . 225 for the igg assay . with respect to specific igg , all 129 clinically confirmed positive vl patient sera gave od readings above the negative cutoff ( 100 % sensitivity ). when measuring igm , the negative control sera tested gave a negative cutoff score of about 0 . 310 . the sensitivity for this assay was 94 . 57 % ( 122 / 129 positive ). generally , for the test results to be accepted for cutaneous leishmaniasis , the negative control must have an od reading under 0 . 3 and the positive control must be over 0 . 8 at 650 nm . if the controls do not satisfy these criteria , the test should be repeated . samples yielding absorbance values under 0 . 3 are negative and samples above 0 . 3 but below 0 . 3 may contain antibody but the amount is lower than the generally accepted significant level . again it is noted that one may designate a more stringent or less stringent range for determining the absorbance levels that are indicative of exposure to leishmaniasis antigen . samples giving absorbance values above 0 . 3 contain higher levels of antibody that are generally considered to be at or above the significant level . l . mexicana exo - antigen ( atcc strain 50157 ) was used as the material to coat the microtitre plate . the negative control sera subset gave a negative cutoff score of approximately 0 . 3 for the igg assay . the boxplot in fig3 illustrates specific igg antibody levels measured in cl patient sera samples . with respect to specific igg , 1321143 clinically confirmed positive cl patient sera gave od readings above the negative cutoff ( 92 . 31 % sensitivity ). fig4 is a boxplot depicting specific igm antibody levels measured in the same samples . when measuring igm , the negative control sera tested gave a negative cutoff score of approximately 0 . 15 . only a few samples ( n = 6 ) were dramatically above the negative cutoff score , the majority of values for positive samples at or near the median value of the negative control subset . this assay failed to consistently detect specific igm in cl patient sera samples ( 37 . 9 %; 22 / 58 positive ). l . donovani wr0130e ( atcc strain 30503 ) exo - antigen was the material used to coat the microtitre plate . the negative control sera subset gave a negative cutoff score of an od reading of about 0 . 1 at 650 nm for the igg assay . fig5 shows specific igg antibody levels measured in canine leishmaniasis sera samples . with respect to specific igg , all 41 clinically confirmed positive canine leishmaniasis sera samples gave od readings above the negative cutoff ( 100 % sensitivity ). note the relatively large degree of separation between the positive and negative control subsets . the boxplot in fig6 displays specific igm antibody levels measured in the same samples . when measuring igm , the negative control sera tested gave a negative cutoff score of approximately 0 . 25 . the sensitivity for this assay was 97 . 56 % ( 40 / 41 ). sds - page and western blot analysis confirmed the elisa results for both vl and cl patients , canine and all negative controls . mini - protean 11 ( bio - rad , hercules , calif .) was used for sds - page . each antigen preparation was boiled for 5 minutes in sample buffer without a reducing agent and was immediately subjected to electrophoresis on 4 % stacking , 12 . 5 % separating bis - acrylamide gels . a wide - range molecular mass marker ( bio - rad , hercules , calif .) was used . an antigen load of 120 μg of protein was used in each mini - gel . the gels were run at 100 v of constant voltage for 1 . 5 hours in tris - glycine - sds buffer ( ph 8 . 3 ). protein bands from the gel were transferred to nitrocellulose . antigens from the sds - polyacrylamide gels were electroblotted onto 0 . 45 μm pore size nitrocellulose membranes ( bio - rad , hercules , calif .) with standard transfer buffer ( 0 . 02 m tris , 0 . 15 m glycine , 0 . 1 % sds , 20 % methanol ) and 250 ma of constant current for 1 hour at 4 ° c . following the blotting , portions of the membranes containing the protein markers were stained with 0 . 5 % amido black for 5 minutes and were destained in distilled water — glacial acetic acid solution . the membranes were immediately blocked with a 2 % skim milk ttbs ( 100 mm tris , 0 . 9 % nacl , 0 . 1 % tween 20 ) solution and kept refrigerated until use . detection of antibodies from subject sera bound to the antigens of the western blot was done with an avidin - biotin - alkaline phosphatase system by methods standard in the art . strips 4 mm wide were cut from previously blotted and blocked membranes . these strips were incubated with diluted sera ( 1 : 3 , 200 in ttbs ) for 30 minutes at room temperature with constant agitation . after incubation with the primary antibody , the strips were washed 4 times for 10 minutes each time with ttbs . after the last wash , biotinylated , anti - human immunoglobulin g was added and the mixture was incubated for 30 minutes under the same conditions as described above . preformed avidin - biotin - alkaline phosphatase complex was added . the mixture was then incubated under the same conditions as above . the membranes were developed with a bcip / nbt substrate ( kirkegaard & amp ; perry laboratories , gaithersburg , md .) for 5 minutes . the reaction was stopped by rinsing the strips with distilled water and then adding pbs - edta ( 20 mm ). an antigen - capture elisa (“ sandwich ” elisa ) format based on the same soluble antigens and their complementary antibodies was developed to detect active infection in vertebrate hosts and sand fly vectors . the capture polyclonal antibody was adsorbed to the wells of a microtiter plate . after the capture polyclonal antibodies were bound to the plate , the well contents were aspirated and the remaining active binding sites on the plates were blocked with blocking buffer . a sample such as patient sera , urine , or ground sand flies was then tested . test samples were appropriately diluted with blocking buffer and an aliquot was tested . sand flies to be tested were ground in blocking buffer with nonidet p - 40 ( elisa grade sigma casein , bovine milk ) and an aliquot was tested . positive and negative controls were also added . if parasite antigen was present it formed antigen - antibody complexes with the polyclonal sera used to coat the plate . after a 2 - hour incubation , the sample was aspirated and the wells were washed . the peroxidase - linked polyclonal sera were then added to the wells , thereby completing the formation of the sandwich . other chromogenic agents such as colloidal gold and fitc may be used with their corresponding substrates . after 1 hour , the well contents were aspirated , the plate was washed and a clear peroxidase substrate solution from kirkegaard & amp ; perry laboratories ( gaithersburg , md .) was added . as the peroxidase enzyme reacted with the substrate a dark product was formed , which the intensity of its color was relative to the amount of circulating antigen present in the test sample . quantitative results were obtained by making an endpoint determination a few minutes after the substrate has been added by measuring the optical density of the well contents at 450 nm with an elsia plate reader . however , qualitative results may be read visually in the field . elisa positive samples may be retested to confirm positives and to estimate the amount of circulating antigen per sample . recently , the antigen - specific , conjugated polyclonal antibodies were used in combination with unconjugated pab and monoclonal antibodies ( mab ) specific for leishmanial secretory acid phosphatases ( s - cacp ) to develop a simple antigen - capture assay . the sensitivity of this assay was tested with serial dilutions of the antigen preparation prepared from the method explained above . specific activity was recorded with the use of an hrp conjugate at a 1 : 32 , 000 dilution . the level of sensitivity in measuring these antigens with pab was 400 ng / ml . a rapid wicking assay , based on the dual “ sandwich ” elisa , was developed . the assay is conducted by placing a dipstick impregnated with immobilized polyclonal antibodies from rabbits immunized with the soluble antigen ( cellabs pty , ltd . sydney , australia ) into a test solution . when soluble leishmanial antigen is present in the solution , it binds to a specific antibody with a gold sol particle label . as the antigen - antibody - gold complexes migrate through a test zone on the dipstick comprising immobilized polyclonal antibodies from rabbits immunized with the soluble antigen ( cellabs pty , ltd . sydney , australia ), they bind to the corresponding immobilized antibodies to form a “ sandwich ”. the unbound dye complexes migrate out of the test zone and can be captured later in a control zone . a reddish - purple line develops in the specific area of the test zone when antigen is present . a control line in the control zone should develop provided that the test was conducted correctly . the test zone comprises immobilized polyclonal antibodies from rabbits immunized with the soluble antigen ( cellabs pty , ltd . sydney , australia ). the control zone comprises antibodies to immobilized polyclonal antibodies from rabbits immunized with the soluble antigen ( cellabs pty , ltd . sydney , australia ). monoclonal antibodies against the soluble antigen may be used . the test samples may be sand flies or other organisms comprising leishmania parasites ground up in a solution such as pbs with 0 . 5 % casein . alternatively the test samples may be blood , serum , urine , mucus , tears , stool or the like , obtained from a subject . when the test sample is urine , it is preferably undiluted . fluorescein - labeled polyclonal antibodies raised against specific antigens of leishmania parasites may be used in an in vitro direct immunofluorescence assay . the labeled antibody binds specifically to the antigens present on the surface of the parasite which can be detected in a variety of smears such as vector specimen , in vitro culture material and patient biopsy smears . smears were prepared on glass slides and fixed with methanol . unbound antibodies were removed by washing . when viewed under a fluorescence microscope , leishmania parasites were seen as bright apple - green organisms characteristic to their life cycle stages contrasted with the reddish brown color of counterstained material . promastigotes in the vectors or in culture were detected by their characteristic long and slender body ( about 20 μm in length ) with an anterior flagellum . amastigotes present in clinical samples were detected by their characteristic round or oval shape measuring about 2 – 5 μm in diameter . generally , sample smears were prepared on slides marked with wells or on plain glass slides . suitable smears had adequate specimen and were moderately thin . for sample smears prepared on a single well slide , an adequate amount of fluorescein - labeled purified polyclonal antibody diluted in a protein stabilized buffer solution ( ph 7 . 4 ) with evans blue as a counter stain and 0 . 1 % w / v sodium azide was added to the fixed sample smear and positive control . for smears prepared on plain glass slides , after drying , the smear was pretreated by dipping the slide in a coplin jar containing 0 . 1 % sodium deoxycholate prepared in 0 . 85 % nacl for 5 – 10 minutes . the smear was air - dried . then an adequate amount of fluorescein - labeled purified polyclonal antibody diluted in a protein stabilized buffer solution ( ph 7 . 4 ) with evans blue as a counter stain and 0 . 1 % w / v sodium azide was added to the fixed sample smear and positive control . the slides were incubated at 37 ° c . in a moist chamber for 30 minutes in the dark . then the slides were rinsed in a saline bath for about 2 – 5 minutes . the slides were allowed to air dry and then mounted with coverslips . with a fluorescence microscope under oil immersion , the slides were read . this test format was found to be very sensitive to detecting amastigotes in infected patient tissues from subjects with cutaneous leishmaniasis infected with l . brasiliensis and splenic aspirates from subject with visceral leishmaniasis infected with l . donovani . it may be used to highlight surface antigens and cellular structure in cultured promastigotes . preliminary results from gene cloning experiments with the l . donovani clone used to produce the exo - antigen indicate that one of the major immunogens in the sensitization of the rabbits used to generate the pab is a major surface antigen . microtiter plates were coated with the anti - leishmania pab and blocked with 1 % yeast extract . the exo - antigen was labeled with hrp . the resulting exo - antigen conjugate was mixed 1 : 1 with samples and applied to the plate and incubated overnight at 4 ° c . the plate was washed 3 times with pbs and a substrate , abts , was applied . the optical density of the samples were read at 405 nm . the competitive elisa format worked to indirectly detect free antigen in samples . there was a correlation between increasing amounts of antigen in the samples and reduced optical density values . further experiments were conducted to demonstrate that this relationship remained intact when varying the amount of the labeled or unlabeled antigen in the test sample and to demonstrate the importance of coating and blocking wells prior to sample incubations . see fig8 and 9 . the antibody detection elisa may be optimized for diagnosis of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis . for example , for assay optimization for vl , the antigens released by l . donovani promastigotes ( who reference strain 065 ) in vitro at 26 ° c . for 72 hours into serum - free and protein - free medium were obtained as described in martin et al ., ( 1998 ) and used . the soluble antigens were separated by sds - page using 4 – 15 % novex gradient gels ( novex , san diego , calif .). the proteins were visualized by colloidal coomassie blue g - 250 and silverstaining . the molecular weights of the secreted antigens were estimated with the reference to a prestained standard ( novex , san diego , calif .). titration and checker - board analyses were performed to optimize the assay protocol . optimal results were obtained when antigen ( 50 μg / ml ) was coated with pbs - methyl glyoxal buffer and the wells were blocked with 0 . 5 % casein . it was found that a serum dilution of 1 : 500 in antigen - coated wells blocked with 0 . 5 % casein generated lowest absorbance with negative control sera and higher absorbance with positive sera , sera from well - characterized , culture positive case subjects ( used as reference positives ). an equal number of sera from north american naives with no travel history to leishmania endemic areas were used as reference negatives , negative controls or negative sera . these sera samples were used as reference samples to optimize the assay . the reference sera were not pooled and were used as individual data points . after optimizing the assay , individual sera samples obtained from endemic areas of n . africa were screened and used to show assay performance in terms of specificity and sensitivity . two elisa plates , greiner ( greiner labortecnik elisa plate cat # 705071 ) and labsystem ( labsystem combiplate breakable 8 cat # 95029400 ), were evaluated . the following four different coating buffers ( a ) 0 . 2m carbonate / bicarbonate buffer ph 9 . 6 , ( b ) 0 . 01m phosphate buffer ( po 4 ) ph 7 . 2 , ( c ) blank culture medium ( serum - free ) ph 7 . 2 , and ( d ) 0 . 1m phosphate buffered saline ( ph 7 . 2 )+ 1 % methyl glyoxal were tested for their ability to immobilize the antigen onto the solid phase elisa wells . gelatin ranging in concentration from 0 . 1 to 0 . 4 % solution and 0 . 5 % casein were tested . bsa and other routinely employed blocking agents were not tested because of non - specific binding noted in previous experiments . pbs / t and pbs / t + 0 . 2m nacl were used as the washing buffers . an automatic plate washer ( denley well wash 04 ) with 4 cycle wash in each step was used to wash the elisa wells . in most of the assays the wash buffer was used as the diluent for sera as well as the conjugated detector antibody . two anti - human igg conjugated to hrp ( hrp conjugate ) were tested . a goat anti - human igg - hrp ( kirkegaard & amp ; perry laboratories , gaithersburg , md . ), a polyclonal conjugate ( pab conjugate ), and a mouse anti - human igg - hrp ( cellabs , brookvale , australia ), ( mab conjugate ). all steps of the elisa were performed at room temperature . the s / n ratio , the differential absorbance between the negative sample versus the test or positive sera sample , was used to quantify the specific antigen and antibody reactions . an anti - human monoclonal antibody conjugated with hrp ( mab conjugate ) outperformed a commercially available anti - human polyclonal antibody conjugate ( pab conjugate ) ( cellabs pty , ltd . sidney , australia ). the mab conjugate gave minimal background reactions with endemic sera . generally , the wells of an elisa plate were coated with 50 μg / ml of the soluble antigens released by l . donovani promastigotes in serum - free and protein - free medium mixed in pbs - methyl - glyoxal overnight . after removing the antigen , the wells were blocked with 0 . 5 % casein for 1 hour at room temperature . test sera along with positive and negative control sera diluted 1 : 500 in pbs / t , were reacted for 1 hour at room temperature . after washing the plate with pbs / t , the wells were reacted with an hrp - conjugated anti - human antibody , the detector antibody , for 40 minutes at room temperature . the plates were washed and specific binding of antigens on the solid phase and the specific antibodies present in the test sera were measured indirectly by the binding of hrp labeled detector antibody which was further detected by using tmb + h 2 o 2 as a chromogenic substrate . tmb solution a and b ( kpl , gaithersburg , md .) were mixed in equal parts 5 – 10 minutes before and transferred an aliquot of 100 μl to each well as per the guidelines provided by the manufacturer . during the developmental phase of the assay , the color intensity of positive sera wells was monitored ( absorbance od of 620 nm ) and stop solution was added when those wells reached an od of 0 . 450 . in the final optimized assay , the incubation time with substrate was fixed at 25 minutes . after adding the stop solution ( 1m phosphoric acid prepared in distilled water ) the contents were mixed and the plate was read at dual filter ( 450 / 620 nm ) using a plate reader ( anthos labtec instruments 2001 ). the raw data from the plate , i . e ., absorbance at 450 / 620 nm , were plotted into histograms and graphs . the relative specific binding was quantified by the signal to noise ( s / n ) ratio which was calculated by dividing the mean absorbance , i . e ., absorbance at 450 / 620 nm , of test sera with the mean absorbance of negative sera , and plotted . the s / n ratio was directly proportional to the specific antibody reactivity in elisa . a batch of n = 22 endemic sera from north africa were evaluated and resulted with 100 % specificity and sensitivity , 99 . 99 % ppv ( positive predictive values ) and 95 . 45 % npv ( negative predictive values ). the labsystem plate did not perform well in this study . there was no discrimination between the positive and negative sera . there was a clear distinction between sera in the greiner plate . it was found that the pbs + methyl glyoxal , phosphate buffer and culture medium respectively showed higher reactivity with positive sera and relatively less reactivity with negative sera . a higher s / n ratio was seen using sera at a 1 : 500 sera dilution . phosphate buffer , culture medium and pbs - glyoxal gave higher sin ratios . therefore , the greiner plate and pbs + methyl glyoxal were selected as elisa plate and coating buffer respectively . using the greiner elisa plate and pbs + methyl glyoxal as the coating buffer for the test , positive and negative sera were used at 1 : 500 dilution . two anti - human igg - hrp conjugates were evaluated at 4 different dilutions . the pab conjugate was found to be highly reactive with the negative sera indicating a high level of nonspecific reaction . on the other hand , the same level of reactivity was observed in the blank and negative sera sample wells with the mab conjugate . the reactivity with mab conjugate appeared to be more specific with positive sera as evidenced by higher s / n ratios . negative and positive sera were reacted at 1 : 500 dilution and washed with two different wash solutions . mab conjugate was used at 1 : 8000 dilution . plates were read at 450 / 620 nm . reactivity of blanks and negative sera were lower in wells washed with pbs / t + 0 . 2m nacl . the data indicated that pbs / t + 0 . 2m nacl was more effective in removing non - specific binding ( nearly 45 % reduction of nonspecific signal 0 . 283 v . 0 . 114 ) and increasing the sin ratio from 3 . 7 to 7 . 2 . despite its higher s / n ratio , 0 . 2m nacl was left out of the final wash buffer because it formed a precipitate on standing . having selected the greiner plate and pbs + glyoxal as the coating buffer , optimum levels of antigen and appropriate blocking reagents were investigated . wells were coated with a series of antigen concentration from 1 . 25 μg / ml to 40 μg / ml . two blocking reagents , 0 . 4 % gelatin and 0 . 5 % casein prepared in distilled water were evaluated . positive and negative sera , diluted 1 : 500 in pbs / t , reacted in the ag - coated and blocked wells for 1 hour at room temperature . two conjugates , pab and mab - conjugates , diluted 1 : 4000 in pbs / t were added to wells and incubated for 30 minutes at room temperature . the color was developed for 25 minutes by adding the substrate and immediately read after addition of stopping solution . the reactivity was higher in blank and negative sera wells with pab conjugate thereby reducing the differences between samples that resulted with a low s / n ratio . with the mab conjugate , the absorbance of blank and negative sera wells was almost equal . there was a pattern in the reactivity relative to the antigen concentration . wells reacted with the positive sera showed a gradual rise in absorbance dependent upon the antigen concentration . on the whole , mab conjugate reactivity was relatively lower in control sample wells . the sin ratios were higher with mab conjugate when casein used for blocking . mab conjugate with casein blocking generated excellent sin ratios , at 20 and 40 μg / ml antigen levels . experiments involving the relative kinetics of antibody reactivity at different sera dilutions provided a good discrimination at 1 : 500 dilution . this formed the basis for future assays . after optimizing assay steps , the following protocol was followed for evaluating test sera samples of subjects from endemic areas . in short , the wells were coated with 50 μg / ml soluble antigen mixed in pbs - methyl - glyoxal buffer overnight and after removing the antigen , the wells were blocked with 0 . 5 % casein for 1 hour at room temperature . test serum along with control sera diluted 1 : 500 in pbs / t , was reacted for 1 hour at room temperature . after washing the plate in pbs / t , the wells were reacted with mab conjugate at 1 : 8000 dilution for 40 minutes at room temperature and after washing , the tmb substrate was added and color development was allowed to proceed for 25 min and then stopped with the stop solution . absorbance was read at dual filter ( 4501620 nm ) and the results were analyzed . a total of n = 22 test clinical sera obtained from the endemic areas of north africa were evaluated along with n = 5 reference control negative sera . sds - page analysis was conducted coomassie staining showed several major bands with approximate molecular weights of 11 , 30 , 42 , 50 and 161 kda . in addition to these abundant bands , silver staining revealed more distinct protein bands of approximately 6 , 15 ; 17 , 22 , 58 , and 107 kda . this illustrates that the test contained a variety of protein antigens . the cut - off value in the current assay was mean + 3 sd of negative ( n = 5 ) sera ( mean 0 . 1304 , sd = 0 . 042 ), i . e ., 0 . 278 which is rounded off to 0 . 300 . using an absorbance od450 / 620 nm of 0 . 300 as the cut off , n = 22 test sera from field were categorized as either positive or negative . with the exception of one sample , all were positive . the sensitivity , specificity , ppv and npv were calculated . thus , the sensitivity and specificity were both 100 %, the ppv was 99 . 9 % and npv was 95 . 45 %. the resultant s / n ratio of these samples suggests that the assay is highly sensitive and specific . clearly , one of ordinary skill in the art may further optimize the assays of the invention by changing various assay conditions by methods standard in the art . to the extent necessary to understand or complete the disclosure of the present invention , all publications , patents , and patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference therein to the same extent as though each were individually so incorporated .	2
fig1 illustrates the system architecture for a computer system 100 such as a server , work station or other processor on which the invention may be implemented . the exemplary computer system of fig1 is for descriptive purposes only . although the description may refer to terms commonly used in describing particular computer systems , the description and concepts equally apply to other systems , including systems having architectures dissimilar to fig1 . computer system 100 includes at least one central processing unit ( cpu ) 105 , or server , which may be implemented with a conventional microprocessor , a random access memory ( ram ) 110 for temporary storage of information , and a read only memory ( rom ) 115 for permanent storage of information . a memory controller 120 is provided for controlling ram 110 . a bus 130 interconnects the components of computer system 100 . a bus controller 125 is provided for controlling bus 130 . an interrupt controller 135 is used for receiving and processing various interrupt signals from the system components . mass storage may be provided by diskette 142 , cd rom 147 , or hard drive 152 . data and software may be exchanged with computer system 100 via removable media such as diskette 142 and cd rom 147 . diskette 142 is insertable into diskette drive 141 which is , in turn , connected to bus 30 by a controller 140 . similarly , cd rom 147 is insertable into cd rom drive 146 which is , in turn , connected to bus 130 by controller 145 . hard disk 152 is part of a fixed disk drive 151 which is connected to bus 130 by controller 150 . user input to computer system 100 may be provided by a number of devices . for example , a keyboard 156 and mouse 157 are connected to bus 130 by controller 155 . an audio transducer 196 , which may act as both a microphone and a speaker , is connected to bus 130 by audio controller 197 , as illustrated . it will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art that other input devices , such as a pen and / or tablet , personal digital assistant ( pda ), mobile / cellular phone and other devices , may be connected to bus 130 and an appropriate controller and software , as required . dma controller 160 is provided for performing direct memory access to ram 110 . a visual display is generated by video controller 165 which controls video display 170 . computer system 100 also includes a communications adapter 190 which allows the system to be interconnected to a local area network ( lan ) or a wide area network ( wan ), schematically illustrated by bus 191 and network 195 . operation of computer system 100 is generally controlled and coordinated by operating system software , such as a windows system , commercially available from microsoft corp ., redmond , wash . the operating system controls allocation of system resources and performs tasks such as processing scheduling , memory management , networking , and 1 / 0 services , among other things . in particular , an operating system resident in system memory and running on cpu 105 coordinates the operation of the other elements of computer system 100 . the present invention may be implemented with any number of commercially available operating systems . one or more applications such as a web browser , for example , netscape navigator , internet explorer , or other commercially available browsers may execute under the control of the operating system . fig2 illustrates a telecommunications environment in which the invention may be practiced , such environment being for exemplary purposes only and not to be considered limited . network 200 of fig2 illustrates a hybrid telecommunication environment including both a traditional circuit switched network such as a public switched telephone network , and packet - switched data networks , such as the internet and private intranets , as well as apparatus bridging between the two . other means of communication , such as a voice over internet protocol ( v . o . i . p . ), can also be used . not every element illustrated in fig2 or described herein is necessary for the implementation of the operation of the invention . as illustrated in fig2 , a global remote connection network topology , illustrated as the internet 205 , preferably including the world wide web , interconnects various other computers in the network environment to the inventive c - commence system 250 . as will be understood by those skilled in the art , the internet is essentially a network of networks which collectively form a global wide area network enabling processes at different network addresses , and typically in geographically disparate locations , to establish communication connections and to exchange data in a variety of formats . in the illustrative embodiment , any number of different transport protocols may be utilized between and among the various processes connectable across the internet and private intranets , e . g . local area networks . as illustrated in fig2 , in addition to inventive system 250 , at least one user computer , or as shown a plurality of other computer systems 210 , 220 a - b , 230 , and 240 are coupled to the internet 205 . each of these computer or internet enabled pda systems may be implemented with a computer architecture similar or equivalent to that described with reference to fig1 . computer systems 210 - 270 may utilize any of a number of technologies known in the arts to connect to internet 205 . for example , computer system 220 a , which represents a network user , may be connected to the internet through a dial - up connection to an internet service provider , not shown , such as america online or compuserve . computer system 220 b , representing another network user , may alternatively be coupled to the internet through a cable modem and broadband cable network infrastructure , also not shown . computer system 210 , representing a vendor having a web server to which network users may connect an purchase products , may be connected to the internet utilizing frame relay technology and a high bandwidth connection , such as a t1 , t2 or t3 line . computer system 230 , representing a credit processing server , and computer system 240 , representing a shipping company computer , may be similarly connected to internet 205 using any of the previously described techniques or any other technique known in the arts . the system 250 comprises a web server 260 , a database server 270 and database 280 operatively couple , in the illustrative embodiment , through a private network 290 , e . g ., a packet - switching network , such as a local area network executing the tcp / ip protocol . web server 260 is also coupled to internet 205 , for example , via a t1 line . alternatively , one or more of computer 210 - 270 , may be connected to the system 250 over a broadband access network and cable provider ( not shown ). in such embodiment , a cable modem ( cm ) connects the computer to a cable node via a high frequency connection . typically , as many as 1 , 000 cable modems may be connected to a cable node through appropriate cable modems and high frequency connections . each cable node is , in turn , connected through a cable modem termination system ( cmts ). a plurality of cable modem termination systems are coupled to a termination headend . a plurality of interconnected headends comprise the backbone of the broadband access network . the cable headends are typically located at the cable company facilities and may include a host data terminal connected to an internet protocol ( ip ) network through at t1 lie or other connection . the t1 line , may be , in turn , connected to the internet through an internet service provider ( isp ). the cable modem termination system converts high frequency data from a cable infrastructure into internet protocol format typically using the published data over cable service industry standard ( docsis ). alternatively , a network user computer may be connected to system 250 via a digital subscriber line ( dsl ) service ( not shown ). in such configuration , a user computer is coupled to a telephone company switch via a dsl modem and existing public switch telephone network infrastructure . the construction of dst , subscriber networks and broadband access networks are known in the art and are currently used by cable companies and telephone companies extensively and will not be described in further detail here for the sake of brevity . the above - described communication environment is for illustrative purposes only and is not meant to be limiting . the elements described herein may be operatively coupled through any combination of network configurations including , but not limited to , wide area networks , local area networks , intranets , extranets , the internet , broadband cable networks , or any combination thereof . further , as used in this specification , the term t “ shopper ”, “ user ,” and “ viewer ” may be either a personal consumer , a business or other entity purchasing goods or services . in addition , the terms “ good ( s )”, “ product ( s )” or “ item ( s )” are used interchangeably . referring in fig3 , a conceptual block diagram of the e - commerce system 250 in accordance with the present invention is illustrated . system 250 comprises a web server 260 , a database server 270 and database 280 interconnected through a private network 290 . in the illustrative embodiment , web server 260 performs the functions of a traditional web server enabling other processes connected to internet 205 access to one or more web pages on the server , serving content including web pages , video containing audio , or audio data streams . in addition , web server 260 contains a media engine which utilizes streamed video and audio data files retrieved from database 280 to present the panoramic presentations , as described hereinafter . web server 260 comprises a hardware platform 262 which may be implemented using a computer architecture similar to that illustrated with reference to fig1 . hardware platform 262 includes a network interface for interfacing server 260 with the internet , for example , through a t1 line . hardware platform 262 may include an optional second interface or connecting server 260 to private network 290 . such an optional second interface may be implemented with an ethernet lan card or other lan - based tcp / ip network connector . the hardware construction of such connectors and cards , as well as their appropriate drivers and protocols which implement the various transport protocol layers are well known within the art and will not be described herein in detail . hardware platform 262 executes a computer operating system , such as a window based system , available from microsoft corporation , redmond , wash . such an operating system is a multi - tasking operating system capable of executing multiple simultaneous threads of execution . execution under the control of operating system 264 is web server application 263 which comprises one or more applications necessary for web server 260 to perform its appropriate functions . specifically , application 263 comprises a media engine 265 , a web page interface 266 , database interface 268 and graphic user interface ( gui ) 261 modules . media engine 265 interfaces with a web page interface 266 , and database interface 268 and graphic user interface 261 . in the illustrative embodiment , the functions performed by media engine 265 may be implemented either with object - oriented programming techniques using the appropriate class definitions and objects for values within the database , or alternatively , using a non - object oriented language such as may be found in a unix environment . web page interface 266 functions to render , or serve , pages to users connecting to the web server 260 and to pass dials and commands received from a user to media engine 265 through the appropriate application program interfaces ( apis ). in the illustrative embodiment , the web page interface 266 may utilize a plurality of visual basic script files to create active web pages . in the illustrative embodiment , such an implementation may be achieved using microsoft &# 39 ; s internet information services version 4 . 0 , commercially available from microsoft corporation , redmond , wash . as will be explained herein after , media engine 265 interacts with media engine 265 and web page interface 266 to create a web server interface which presents both streamed data and / or web paged data . database interface 268 functions as the interface between media engine 265 , and database server 270 . database interface 268 may be implemented with the appropriate remote procedure call library which enables the interface to make remote procedural calls to database server 270 and to service calls received from database server 270 . database server application 270 and database 280 comprise the system by which the database information and data files of the present invention are retrieved and stored . specifically , database server 270 comprises a database hardware platform 272 , an operating system 274 and a database query application 276 . in the illustrative embodiment , hardware platform 272 is implemented with a computer system similar to that described with reference to fig1 . operating system 274 may be implemented with windows . the database query application 276 may be implemented with any number of commercially available database search query language engines , such as microsoft sql server , also commercially available from microsoft corporation . the structure of information , including the data structure , records and various data use to access records as described hereinafter may also be designed and implemented using microsoft sql server , the actual data files containing streamed video and or audio are formatted in accordance with the compression / decompression ( codee ) and protocols used by the media engine , as described hereinafter . as described previously , web server 260 and database server 270 are operatively coupled through a private network , such as a transmission control protocol / internet protocol ( tcp / ip ) based network . query engine 276 receives information from web server 260 in the form of a query and supplies the query to database 280 . the structure and organization of data files within database 280 is set forth in greater detail with reference to fig4 . database server 270 and database 280 may communicate using sql standard database query language . the sql standard is published by the american national standards institute ( ansi ). the database engine application 276 comprises a set of objects and or code that filter the queries received from web server 260 , such filters useful in focusing or customizing the scope of a database query . the information retrieved from database 280 is forwarded by database server 270 to web server 260 using remote procedural call libraries such as that previously described . referring to fig4 , the arrangement of data within database 280 is illustrated conceptually . specifically , fig4 a illustrates the arrangement of files 405 - 490 as well as the interrelationship between the various files . to further a better understanding of the architecture of database 280 , the files 405 - 490 are described in greater detail below . in the illustrative embodiment , files 415 and 425 represent the video and audio stream data files for a particular location , such as the plaza real in boca raton , fla ., as well as linking data to other files within database 280 or elsewhere . files 405 - 490 represent specific the video and audio stream data files merchant establishments which offer goods or services through the inventive system . like files 415 and 425 , files 405 - 490 represent the video and audio stream data as well as linking data to other files within database 280 or elsewhere , except such data relates to the store interior . files 490 a - e represent specific goods or services offered by the merchant establishment . files 490 a - e may represent the video and audio stream data of products , for example , 360 degree images a particular product such as a vase or sculpture . in addition , files 490 a - e may include data about a product such as price , dimensions , product descriptions , etc . in an alternative embodiment , files 490 a - e may represent the video and audio stream data of department store areas or other subject matter about the store . in such embodiment , another layer of files , not shown in fig4 , would be included in the file system hierarchy of database 280 and may include the previously described product information . fig3 illustrates a high level block diagram of system 250 of the present invention including media engine 265 . the media engine 265 uses the player / data file model similar to many other multimedia programs available . media engine 265 may use an industry standard data streaming utility , such as quicktime commercially available from apple computer corp ., cupertino , calif . media engine 265 may use quicklime for all the file input / output and for the actual display of the video and audio information to a user interface 261 , in conjunction with operating system 264 . in the illustrative embodiment , media engine 265 may be implemented as an application using object oriented technology and is intended to execute in a multitasking , multi - threaded environment , such as that provided by windows . media engine 265 may rely upon the quicktime codec from apple computer , cupertino , calif . as its media streaming utility , to present the audio and video data using standard functionality which is already fully documented in the quicktime api documentation . if media engine 265 utilizes the quicktime codec the data files may have a format similar to a quicktime data file format . it will be obvious to those skilled in the relevant arts that other players may be used in place of the quicktime utility . for example , the microsoft media player engine , commercially available from microsoft corp ., redmond , wash . alternatively , any media engine that complies with any of mpeg , mpeg - 2 , quicktime , avi and similar standard may also be used in media engine 265 . commercially available applications suitable for use as media engine 265 are total view , commercially available from be here corporation , fremont , calif . and the discourse player , commercially available from ideal conditions , inc ., boca raton , fla . the format of the data within video and audio data files in database 280 is compatible with the respective media engine . such data files contain the sound , video , still graphics , transcript , annotations , and other media types that can be included in a presentation . if the media engine 265 is implemented with the discourse player , commercially available from ideal conditions , inc , the presented data stream may include selectable hot buttons ( regions ) within the video presentation , as well as relevant links through which a viewer can navigate to / from other data stream or data types and pages . the gui 261 presents a main window to the user . other windows may be dynamically generated as requested by user commands . each of these windows can be hidden or displayed , enabled or disabled , and moved around the screen at the discretion of either the user or the creator . fig5 a - d illustrate an exemplary main presentation windows of a user interface presented by system 260 . the user interface may be designed to obey the standard user interface guidelines of the native operating systems and one or more browser window framing capabilities . the main window shows the presentation itself the size of this window is variable , depending on capabilities of the network user &# 39 ; s playback hardware . by using a pointing device , such as a mouse or a joy stick , the user is able to direct the presentation to anywhere within a wide angle perspective of the subject matter . alternatively , a toolbar ( not shown ) containing control buttons may be provided enable the user to direct playback of the presentation . in some embodiments , where panoramic footage of a location was taken the streamed video may have complete 360 degree perspective . in other embodiments , where wide angle footage of a location was taken the streamed video may have 180 degree perspective . to achieve this technique panoramic analog video of street scenes are digitized and merged seamlessly through overlapping frames . the position of the cursor within the viewing field is passed to the server , which detects the user &# 39 ; s navigation and , preferably , cooperative with the user &# 39 ; s computer , automatically causes the current stream to be adjusted within the frame boundaries of the main presentation window or to link from the current video stream to another video stream of adjacent view , changing the video with no apparent interruption to the viewer . users can also click on ‘ hotspots ’ within the video area itself , where the clicked selection is detected by the server . these hotspots can be linked to the next adjacent level in the presentation , i . e . changing a store area , selecting a store to enter or leave , from a street scene , including navigating through the material , selecting one or more items within the store , controlling visibility of windows , or launching external resources , such as an internet telephone application . in some embodiments the main window may provide a map or position indicator indicating where a user has progressed within a given location . a control on gui 261 enables the viewer to accelerate the speed with which the streamed video data are presented to the viewer in relation to the default speed . in the contemplated embodiment some video stream will be presented at walking speed while other are presented at driving speed . fig5 a - d are screen captures of the graphic user interface of the inventive server in accordance with the present invention . fig6 a - b collectively form a flowchart illustrating the processes of delivering a presentation and completing an c - commerce transaction in accordance with the present invention . first , a network user connects from his or her computer 220 a or 220 b through the internet 205 to the inventive system 250 , specifically web server 260 , and provides identification or other log - on information , as illustrated by step 600 . a user may interact with system 250 using any currently known user interface , including pointing devices , voice recognition input , etc ., which the user &# 39 ; s system supports . the user will be greeted with a home page which offers a selection of specific shopping areas to tour , as illustrated by step 602 . once the viewer has selected a specific shopping area tour presentation , he or she will activate the link to this specific shopping area to begin the virtual shopping tour , as illustrated by step 604 . the file containing the selected video stream and its related linking data , ate then retrieved from database 280 and supplied to media engine 265 for presentation through gui 261 , as illustrated by step 606 . for illustrative purposes only , assume the viewer has selected mizner park in boca raton , fla . the first page delivered to the viewer will include video of the plaza real at mizner park in boca raton , fla ., as illustrated in fig5 a . by using a mouse or other command input device , the viewer can control the direction ( video stream content ) and advance along the plaza real at his or her own pace , enjoying the sights and sounds along the way . for example , from the image shown in fig5 a , moving the cursor right , beyond a predefined threshold , will automatically active a new selection link , causing the current video stream file to link to a second video stream file , as shown in fig5 b . the linking of the video stream is preferably done in a seamless manner which will create the perspective of turning one &# 39 ; s head . such an illusion may be achieved using wide angle video footage which had been digitized and , for example , overlapping frames of the previous and currently selected video stream during the transition from a first stream to a second . the process of linking from the current video stream to a new video stream is designated in fig6 , by process step 608 and decisional step 610 . the file containing the new video stream and its related linking data , are then retrieved from database 280 and supplied to media engine 265 for presentation through gui 261 , similar to steps 606 and 608 . note that a link may also be activated by selection of a “ hot spot ”, i . e . a designated region within the main presentation window , as explained hereinafter . note that a link may be resolved into web page data , in the case of a static menu , a uri , to another address , or other data types which are not necessarily streamed . the video stream may be accompanied by an audio data stream , as well . the audio data stream may include , for example , ambient sounds recorded simultaneously with the video from which the video stream was derived . alternatively , other audio data , such as music , a narrative monologue or any combination thereof , may be synchronized to accompany the video stream . the synchronization of the audio data stream to the video data stream may be achieved using techniques well known in the art . preferably , when the speed of the video changes or pauses , the audio stream will remain without apparent shifts in frequency , as shown in fig5 b , the viewer may advance along the plaza real experiencing the sites and sounds of the street scene from a first person perspective . because the original video footage from which the video data stream was derived was made with either a wide angle or panoramic camera , not all of the data stream may be viewable within the framed window of the user &# 39 ; s browser . accordingly , slight movement of the cursor to the right or the left will first cause a shift in the viewing boundaries of the current stream , as illustrated in fig5 c , which illustrates a portion of the same video stream as fig5 b , before linking to another video stream is triggered , such as by movement of the cursor to the extreme window border . preferably , sequentially linked or selected videos contain content which is spatially related , for a more continuous and realistic visual experience during the transition from one video to the next . the process of linking from one stream to another may occur in any pattern and for any duration , the only limitations being the amount of data which can be streamed within a given period . in a preferred embodiment , a data stream can be automatically linked with another stream by default , such as when the viewer reaches a dead end street or the end of a particular shopping area . when a store or other establishment of particular interest catches the viewer interest , the visitor activates a region of the video , i . e . a “ hot spot ” which links the current video stream of the street and store front to a video stream representing the store interior , as illustrated by fig5 d , enabling the viewer to see images of the store &# 39 ; s wares , possibly accompanied by a list of particular products for sale . in one embodiment of the invention , the interior of the store may be one or more still images , especially for a small store with a limited product selection . for larger business establishments , the interior of the store may have numerous departments and / or floors . in such instances the interior of the store may be viewable via one or more streamed audio and video files in a manner similar to that previously described with reference to the street scenes . when the visitor begins to examine a selected store &# 39 ; s product line , he or she will be able to click on a visual image of products for sale with supporting text . the viewer will be able in many cases to manipulate the image of a chosen product to examine the item thoroughly ( e . g ., zoom in , side view , etc .). in order to properly inform its viewers , affiliated vendors will provide full descriptions or each of their products in data base 280 , including available sizes and colors , as well as pricing and delivery information , and return policy . in an alternate embodiment , a viewer may be able to link from web server 260 to vendor web server 210 of fig2 . the process of linking and retrieving data related to products , regardless of the type of data , is also represented in fig6 , by steps 606 - 610 . as explained hereinafter , if a viewer / user wishes to speak to a sales representative or other person to render assistance with product selection , the user may establish a real - time , point - to - point communication link with an actual sales assistant at the store or an on - line sales operator associated with an automatic call center linked to either system 250 or to a vendor web site , as illustrated by decisional step 612 and process step 614 . when the viewer wants to purchase an item from a particular store , a “ shopping cart ” utility within web server 260 allows customers to designate a selected item as one they wish to purchase , as represented by steps 616 . the implementation of a “ shopping cart ” utility is within the scope of those skilled in the arts . thereafter the user may continue shopping , either in the same store , or other stores in the same neighborhood , or even stores in other cities , as represented by decisional step 618 , and the whole or part of the process may be repeated in accordance with steps 602 - 616 . a “ checkout feature ” within web server 260 will then calculate the total amount due and receive credit card or payment information which can be processed and cleared through any number of commercially available on - line credit processing services , shown as credit processing server 230 of fig . 2 , and step 620 . in the event that the purchaser and the seller are in different countries , web server 260 may connect to a shipping company offering on - line quotation and shipping services , in order to provide a quote to the viewer which includes shipping , duties , and tariffs for the consumer , as illustrated by step 622 . such services are commercially available from from2 . com , inc . of miami , fla . and enable a purchaser to pay for and set up international shipment of purchased goods . in the contemplated embodiment , web server 260 also calculates amounts owed to the given vendors , as well as the transaction fees owed for facilitating store purchases via system 250 . finally , following completion of the users shopping tour , receipts and confirmation of purchase and / or shipping arrangements may be sent to the user via email or regular postal service , as illustrated by step 624 . in an alternative embodiment of the invention , viewers may establish a real - time point - to - point communication link with an actual sales assistant at the store or an on - line sales operator associated with an automatic call center linked to either system 250 or the vendor . in such an embodiment live online communication between site viewers and sales associates at affiliated vendors &# 39 ; stores equipped with laptop computers , microphones and small hand held digital cameras may take place . using this service , viewers would be able to interact more directly with merchants , having their questions about particular products answered immediately , as if they were in the store themselves . such comprehensive support would ensure that questions about specific items are answered properly by store or company personnel and that all items ordered are delivered as promised in satisfactory condition . such on - line communications would also give viewers a shop - by - appointment option . internet telephony applications suitable for use with system 250 include v . o . i . p . and the webphone or the mini webphone client software application commercially available from netspeak corporation , boca raton , fla ., referred to hereafter as the webphone client or webphone process . the webphone and mini webphone applications can be launched from an icon on the viewer &# 39 ; s browser and are capable of transmitting both packetized audio and video data over packet - switched networks such as the internet . the webphone client process , upon instruction from the user or automatically upon receipt of the address information from browser process , attempts to establish a direct , point - to - point communication with a destination specified by the address information . if the address information is an internet protocol address , having the form xxx . xxx . xxx , the webphone client process will attempt to establish a call directly to webphone client process at the vendor &# 39 ; s establishment or a call center . once established , the parties to the call can use any of the features of the webphone application , such as call conferencing , video displays , white boarding , etc . alternatively , rather that calling a store directly , the viewer &# 39 ; s call may be directed to an on - line automatic call center ( acd ), such as that described in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 999 , 965 , entitled automatic call distribution server for computer telephony communications . alternatively , the viewer &# 39 ; s call may be directed to an interactive voice response ( ivr ) system which may be used to answer the viewer &# 39 ; s questions while in queue for a sales representative . the webphone application allows parties to - exchange urt .&# 39 ; s with the packetized voice and video data , thereby allowing a sales representative and potential shopper to view web pages of web server 260 or another web site in synchronization . in addition , the user could connect to the internet using an apple iphone , available from apple , inc ., cupertino , calif ., or other internet enabled pda or pda cell phone , such as the palm treo , manufactured by palm , inc ., sunnyvale , calif . once an internet connection is established , the user may use the invention as further described herein . upon connecting to the home page of web server 260 viewer will be prompted as to which natural language he or she wishes for the presentation . accordingly , all legend prompts , instructions and spoken words in the audio stream will be adjusted according to the user &# 39 ; s selection . the implementation of such multilingual web pages is currently in common use and is within the scope of those skilled in the art . in addition it is also contemplated that the real - time voice communications established between a viewer and a vendor &# 39 ; s sales representative be translated as necessary , in a voice to voice manner . a number of variations to the basic process and configuration of system 250 may be implemented to provide additional functionality , as set forth herein . visitors to web site 260 can request direct shopping assistance from a “ company personal shopper .” if assistance is requested by a user , a “ company personal shopper ” can take limited control of the viewers internet connection and with the viewers consent , lead the viewer to specific sites around the us or the world . as an example , if a viewer requests assistance in locating a particular type of clothing ;, or accessory or special gift item , or painting or antique , a “ company personal shopper ”, with knowledge of retailers or boutiques on the web site 260 , sitting in a remote call center , can physically take the viewer on a trip to various web sites that would carry the desired items . because this service is offered by request only this would obviate privacy issues and would be an added convenience to the shopper and would enhance the personalized experience for the shopper . this is a desirable convenience for the viewer that can bring many more visitors to the company &# 39 ; s website , especially if the viewer is new to the web and is unsure of web navigation or wants to save time or has a definite and specific item in mind and doesn &# 39 ; t want to &# 39 ; shop ” or use a search engine . once personal relationships are developed , the store or the personal shopper can e - mail particular or targeted customers messages of when items of special interest will be available or when the store will be having its next sale . the e - mail message can either be in the form of the traditional text message or in the form of a personalized audio or audio / video e - mail message . for example , for frequent shoppers via system 250 , special services such as express checkout service , discounts based on purchase levels , and exclusive previews of new fashions and products , may be offered . such frequent users may be updated regularly via e - mail , based on their customized shopping profiles , of important sales occurring at stores of its affiliated vendors . if after having taken the virtual tour of a particular street several times the viewer may want to visit only one or two locations on that street . using a site search engine , the user can either click on a map of the street , or enter the name or address of the location in the web sites search engine to go directly to the most relevant files . as part of system 250 , a secure server may record credit card information one time only , allowing the viewer to shop all over the world without ever having to enter the credit card member again . once the viewer stores credit card information or is a “ member ” the credit card information ( and other personal information ) would be in database 280 and would never be necessary again to complete a sale . if the viewer uses the voice recognition option to access the website , the speech authentication and voice recognition software will identify and authenticate the visitor based on their voice print . it may no longer be necessary to use passwords and pins . street scenes will change regularly to reflect both seasonal and inventory / changes and to keep the experience “ fresh ”. the experience can further be changed to be more reflective of the location . as an example , in the south beach area and other miami shopping destinations the flavor of the experience could have an international flair . viewers will be able to speak in english , spanish , french , german , italian , portuguese , chinese and japanese to communicate with sales associates for merchandise description and other things of interest . sales associates , speaking their own language , will be understood by the viewer in their own native language . language translation software will eventually enable viewers to communicate with boutiques and personal shoppers whose languages may be different than their own . the above - described invention may be implemented in either all software , all hardware , or a combination of hardware and software , including program code stored in firmware format to support dedicated hardware . a software implementation of the above described embodiment ( s ) may comprise a series of computer instructions either fixed on a tangible medium , such as a computer readable media , e . g . diskette 142 , cd - rom 147 , rom 115 , or fixed disk 152 of fig1 , or transmittable to a computer system in a carrier wave , via a modem or other interface device , such as communications adapter 190 connected to the network 195 over a medium 191 . medium 191 can be either a tangible medium , including but not limited to optical or analog communications lines , or may be implemented with wireless techniques , including but not limited to microwave , infrared or other transmission techniques . the series of computer instructions whether contained in a tangible medium or a carrier wave embodies all or part of the functionality previously described herein with respect to the invention . those skilled in the art will appreciate that such computer instructions can be written in a number of programming languages for use with many computer architectures or operating systems and may exist in machine executable format . further , such instructions may be stored using any memory technology , present or future , including , but not limited to , semiconductor , magnetic , optical or other memory devices , or transmitted using any communications technology , present or future , including but not limited to optical , infrared , microwave , or other transmission technologies . it is contemplated that such a computer program product may be distributed as removable media with accompanying printed or electronic documentation , e . g ., shrink wrapped software , preloaded with a computer system , e . g ., on system rom or fixed disk , or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over a network , e . g ., the internet or world wide web . although various exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . it will be obvious to those reasonably skilled in the art that other components performing the same functions may be suitably substituted . further , the methods of the invention may be achieved in either all software implementations , using the appropriate processor instructions , or in hybrid implementations which utilize a combination of hardware logic and software logic to achieve the same results . the specific configuration of components or processes to achieve a particular function , as well as other modifications to the implementations of the inventive are intended to be covered by the appended claims .	7
as the crude polyether sulfone in the invention usually employed are polymers obtained by polycondensing a dihalogenophenyl compound with a bivalent phenol compound in an organic solvent and in the presence of an alkali metal compound or by polycondensing a dihalogenophenyl compound with a previously prepared salt of a bivalent phenol compound and an alkali metal compound . examples of the organic solvent used in the production of the crude polyether sulfone include sulfoxide solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide , hexamethylenesulfoxide and the like ; amide solvents such as n , n - dimethylformamide , n , n - dimethylacetamide and the like ; pyrrolidone solvents such as n - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidone , n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone and the like ; piperidone solvents such as n - methyl - 2 - piperidone and the like ; 2 - imidazolinone solvents such as 1 , 3 - dimethyl - 2 - imidazolinone and the like ; diphenyl compounds such as diphenyl ether , diphenyl sulfone and the like ; halogenated compound solvents such as methylene chloride , chloroform , dichloroethane , tetrachloroethane , trichloroethylene and the like ; lactone solvents such as γ - butyrolactone and the like ; sulfolane solvents such as sulfolane and the like ; and a mixture of two or more of them . examples of the alkali metal compound include alkali metal carbonates , alkali metal hydroxides , alkali metal hydrides , alkali metal alkoxides and the like . amongst preferred are alkali metal carbonates such as potassium carbonate , sodium carbonate and the like and , in particular , preferred are anhydrous alkali metal carbonates such as anhydrous potassium carbonate , anhydrous sodium carbonate and the like . examples of the dihalogenodiphenyl compounds include dihalogenodiphenyl compounds having a sulfone group , for example , dihalogenodiphenyl sulfones such as 4 , 4 ′- dichlorodiphenyl sulfone , 4 , 4 ′- difluorodiphenyl sulfone and the like ; bis ( halogenophenylsulfonyl ) benzenes such as 1 , 4 - bis ( 4 - chlorophenylsulfonyl ) benzene , 1 , 4 - bis ( 4 - fluorophenylsulfonyl ) benzene and the like ; bis ( halogenophenylsulfonyl ) biphenyls such as 1 , 4 - bis ( 4 - chlorophenylsulfonyl ) biphenyl , 1 , 4 - bis ( 4 - fluorophenylsulfonyl ) biphenyl and the like ; a mixture of two or more of them and the like . amongst preferred are dihalogenodiphenyl sulfones such as 4 , 4 ′- dichlorodiphenyl sulfone , 4 , 4 ′- difluorodiphenyl sulfone and the like because of easier availability . examples of the bivalent phenol compound include , in addition to hydroquinone , catechol , resorcinol and 4 , 4 ′- biphenol , bis ( 4 - hydroxyphenyl ) alkanes such as 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - hydroxyphenylpropane ), 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - hydroxyphenylmethane ), 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - hydroxyphenylethane ) and the like ; dihydroxydiphenyl sulfones such as 4 , 4 ′- dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone and the like ; dihydroxydiphenyl ethers such as 4 , 4 ′- dihydroxydiphenyl ether and the like ; compounds in which at least one hydrogen atom on the benzene ring in these compounds is substituted with lower alkyl such as methyl , ethyl , propyl and the like , lower alkoxy such as methoxy , ethoxy , propyloxy and the like , or halogen such as chlorine , bromine , fluorine and the like ; a mixture of two or more of them , and the like . particularly preferred are hydroquinone , 4 , 4 ′- biphenol , 2 , 2 - bis ( 4 - hydroxyphenylpropane ), 4 , 4 ′- dihydroxydiphenyl ether , 4 , 4 ′- dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone and the like , because of costs and easier availability . the dihalogenodiphenyl compound is usually used in equimolar amount based on the bivalent phenol compound . in order to accommodate to the molecular weight , the bivalent phenol compound can be used in a somewhat greater or smaller amount than the equimolar amount . likewise , in order to accommodate to the molecular weight , a small amount of a monohalogenodiphenyl compound or a monovalent phenol compound can be added to a polymerization solution . the reaction temperature for the polycondensation is preferably 140 to 340 ° c . when the polycondensation is carried out at a temperature higher than 340 ° c ., there is a tendency that a polyether sulfone with a high purity may not be obtained because of decomposition of the polymer as the product . when the polycondensation is carried out at a temperature lower than 140 ° c ., there is a tendency that a polymer having a high molecular weight may not be obtained . a reaction mass containing a polyether sulfone and a large amount of inorganic substances such as alkali metal halides and others is produced in this manner . in the invention , a product formed by removing a large amount of inorganic substances and the organic solvent from the reaction mass is usually used as the crude polyether sulfone . specifically , for example , usually used crude polyether sulfone is a product obtainable by removing inorganic substances from the reaction solution through filtration , centrifugation , decantation , washing with water or the like and then adding a poor solvent to precipitate the polyether sulfone , a product obtainable by adding a poor solvent to the reaction mass to precipitate the polyether sulfone and then removing inorganic substances by washing with water or others , or the like . when a polyether sulfone is substantially dissolved in the reaction mass , the mass itself may be used as a solution of a crude polyether sulfone in an organic solvent , but preferably a product formed by removing inorganic substances as above is used . the invention is characterized in that a solution of a crude polyether sulfone in an organic solvent is brought in contact with an adsorbent . the organic solvent is preferably an organic polar solvent . specific examples of the organic polar solvent include sulfoxide solvents such as dimethylsulfoxide , hexamethylenesulfoxide and the like ; amide solvents such as n , n - dimethylformamide , n , n - dimethylacetamide and the like ; pyrrolidone solvents such as n - methyl - 2 - pyrrolidone , n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone and the like ; piperidone solvents such as n - methyl - 2 - piperidone and the like ; 2 - imidazolinone solvents such as 1 , 3 - dimethyl - 2 - imidazolinone and the like ; diphenyl compounds such as diphenyl ether , diphenyl sulfone and the like ; lactone solvents such as γ - butyrolactone and the like ; sulfolane solvents such as sulfolane ; a mixture of two or more of them ; and the like . amongst them , the amide solvents are preferred . the adsorbent is not particularly limited . examples include activated carbon , silica gel , silica - alumina complex , activated clay , activated alumina , diatomaceous earth , pearlite , cellulose , asbestos , carbon , a mixture of them and the like . amongst them , diatomaceous earth and pearlite are preferred . two or more of the adsorbent maybe used . preferred specific surface area of the adsorbent is about 100 to 100 , 000 cm 2 / g . the amount of the adsorbent is not particularly limited and usually it is about 0 . 01 to 30 times , preferably 0 . 1 to 10 times the weight of crude polyether sulfone . when the amount is less than 0 . 01 time by weight , there is a tendency that the purity of a purified polyether sulfone may become lowered . when the amount exceeds 30 times by weight , the effect on purification may not be high corresponding to the amount . the temperature at which a solution of a crude polyether sulfone in an organic solvent is brought in contact with an adsorbent is not particularly limited and usually it is about 10 to 200 ° c ., preferably about 30 to 150 ° c . the period of contact is not particularly limited and usually it is about 0 . 5 to 30 hours . after a treatment for contact , the adsorbent is removed by , for example , filtration , centrifugation , decantation or the like , and the solvent is removed by , for example , distillation or the like to give a purified polyether sulfone which is desired in the invention . since , in the present invention , the product becomes a purified polyether sulfone with a high purity by the treatment for contact , a product after the step for removing the adsorbent is also useful as a solution containing a purified polyether sulfone with a high purity in an organic solvent . in addition , not only a simple crude polyether sulfone but also a mixture thereof with another resin can be used in the invention and a resin mixture containing significantly lowered amount of impurities such as inorganic substances or the like can be produced therefrom by a similar treatment for contact . examples of another resin include thermoplastic resins such as polyamides , polyesters , polyphenylene sulfides , polyether ketones , polycarbonates , polyether sulfones , polyphenyl ethers and their modification products , polyetherimides and the like , thermosetting resins such as phenol resins , epoxy resins , polyimide resins , cyanate resins and the like , as well as a mixture of two or more of them . into 900 g of n , n - dimethylacetamide was dissolved 100 g of a polyether sulfone ( sumikaexcel 5003p , manufactured by sumitomo chemical co ., ltd ., a polycondensation product of 4 , 4 ′- dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone with 4 , 4 ′- dihalodiphenyl sulfone ; reduced viscosity : 0 . 5 ( in dmf , 1 g / dl , 25 ° c .)) at 100 ° c . with stirring . then , 5 g of kyowaad # 700 ( a diatomaceous earth adsorbent , manufactured by kyowa chemical ind ., ltd .) was added and the mixture was stirred at the same temperature for 30 minutes . the obtained solution was filtered through a filter paper precoated with 22 g of radiolite # 100 ( a diatomaceous earth adsorbent , manufactured by showa chemical ind ., ltd .) to give a filtrate . the obtained filtrate was quantified for the alkali metal content and the result of content in solution and that converted to content in resin were expressed by values converted to potassium . the quantification was carried out by icp - aes method after ashing and dissolution in an acid . the results are shown in table 1 . into 190 g of γ - butyrolactone was dissolved 10 g of the same polyether sulfone as that used in example 1 at 100 ° c . with stirring . the obtained solution was cooled to 50 ° c . after adding 5 g of dry ice , the solution was stirred at 50 ° c . for 2 hours . then , 2 g of kyowaad # 700 was added and the mixture was stirred for additional 30 minutes . the obtained solution was filtered through a filter paper precoated with 10 g of radiolite # 100 to give a filtrate . the quantification was carried out in the same manner as that in example 1 . the results are shown in table 1 . into 190 g of γ - butyrolactone was dissolved 10 g of the same polyether sulfone as that used in example 1 at 100 ° c . with stirring . then , 2 g of kyowaad # 700 was added and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes . the obtained solution was filtered through a filter paper precoated with 10 g of radiolite # 100 to give a filtrate . the quantification was carried out in the same manner as that in example 1 . the results are shown in table 1 . example 3 was substantially repeated except that kyowaad # 700 was not used to give a filtrate . the quantification was carried out in the same manner as that in example 1 . the results are shown in table 1 . after extracting 10 g of the same polyether sulfone as that used in example 1 with 200 g of water in soxhlet apparatus for 24 hours , the obtained powders were dried under reduced pressure at 50 ° c . for 24 hours to give powders of the polyether sulfone . the quantification was carried out in the same manner as that in example 1 . the results are shown in table 1 . the quantification was carried out in the same manner as that in example 1 using the same polyether sulfone as that used in example 1 . the results are shown in table 1 . according to the invention , a purified polyether sulfones having a significantly lowered content of impurities such as inorganic substances and the like can easily be produced by a simple treatment that a solution of a crude polyether sulfone in an organic solvent is brought in contact with an adsorbent . since the purified polyether sulfone obtained in the invention has a significantly lowered content of impurities such as inorganic substances and the like , the purified polyether sulfone is useful in the field of electric and electronic parts or the like , particularly in an application field in which a high level insulating ability in very thin films are required , including insulating films for multilayer boards and interlaminer insulating films for integrated circuits and the like .	2
according to the invention , a composition 1 for the formation of the joint sheet comprising inorganic fibers or organic fibers or a mixture thereof , a rubber material , rubber chemicals and a filler , which is kneaded , for example , in an agitator ( see fig1 ), is inserted between a pair of a hot roll 2 and a cold roll 3 , whereupon the composition 1 is heated and rolled to laminate the composition 1 on the hot roll 2 in the form of a sheet 4 . the laminated sheet 4 is peeled off from the hot roll and punched out into a shape to be used as a packing . then , the punched pieces of the joint sheet are finely pulverized into particles having a particle size of not more than 1 . 4 mm by means of a grinder and added to a composition for the formation of the joint sheet as mentioned above in an amount of not more than 50 weight % to produce a reclaimed joint sheet . in fig1 numeral 5 is a hood for recovering a solvent such as toluene or the like disposed above the cold roll 3 , and numeral 6 a solvent recovering vessel . fig2 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the conventional sheet laminate 4 laminated on the hot roll 2 , in which numeral 4a is a first layer of the sheet laminate and numeral 4b a second layer thereof . fig3 is a partially enlarged sectional view of a reclaimed joint sheet 7 of three layer construction according to the invention laminated on the hot roll 3 , in which numeral 7a is a first layer , numeral 7b a second layer and numeral 7c a third layer . as the inorganic fiber , use may be made of glass fiber , rock wool , various ceramic fibers , carbon fiber and metal fiber . as the organic fiber , use may be made of aromatic polyamide fiber , fibrillated aromatic polyamide fiber , polyamide fiber , polyolefin fiber and the like . these inorganic fibers and organic fibers may be used alone or in admixture thereof . in case of the mixture of the inorganic fiber and organic fiber , the mixing ratio of the inorganic fiber to the organic fiber is generally about 1 : 1 - 4 : 1 in weight ratio . furthermore , these fibers are compounded into the joint sheet in an amount of about 10 - 60 weight %. as the rubber material , use may be made of nitrile rubber ( nbr ), styrene - butadiene rubber ( sbr ), isoprene rubber ( ir ), chloroprene rubber ( cr ), ethylene - propylene rubber ( epm ), fluororubber ( fpm ), silicone rubber ( si ) and the like . the rubber material is compounded into the joint sheet in an amount of about 10 - 30 weight %. as the rubber chemicals , there are used a vulcanizing agent such as sulfur , zinc oxide , magnesium oxide or the like , and a vulcanization accelerator such as thiazole compound , polyamine compound , sulfenamide compound , guanidine compound or the like . the rubber chemicals are compounded into the joint sheet in an amount of about 0 . 5 - 10 weight %. as the filler , use may be made of clay , talc , barium sulfate , sodium bicarbonate , graphite , calcium carbonate , carbon black , diatomaceous earth , mica , aluminum sulfate , alumina hydrate , magnesium carbonate and the like . the filler is compounded into the joint sheet in an amount of about 10 - 70 weight %. an example of a first composition for the first layer 4a shown in fig2 is shown as follows . ______________________________________fibrillated aromatic polyamide fiber 15 weight % nbr 12 weight % rubber chemicals 3 weight % filler 70 weight % toluene 0 . 4 l per 1 kg of the above mentioned mixture______________________________________ an example of a second composition for the second layer 4b shown in fig2 is shown as follows . ______________________________________fibrillated aromatic polyamide fiber 10 weight % glass fiber 10 weight % nbr 18 weight % rubber chemicals 2 weight % filler 60 weight % toluene 0 . 4 l per 1 kg of the above mentioned mixture______________________________________ the above first and second compositions are used to produce a joint sheet as follows . at first , the first composition is inserted between a hot roll 2 heated to 120 °- 150 ° c . and a cold roll 3 maintained at 30 °- 50 ° c . when a thickness of the first composition reaches to 10 - 20 % of a thickness of a desired sheet , the second composition is added onto the first composition to form a sheet laminate shown in fig2 . in this case , a pressure between the rolls 2 , 3 is maintained at about 20 - 40 bar . thereafter , the sheet laminate is subjected to a vulcanization treatment at a temperature of 100 °- 150 ° c . in a drying furnace for 30 - 60 minutes . the thus obtained joint sheet is subjected to a punching and used as a packing . according to the invention , the punched pieces of the above joint sheet are charged into a grinder , where they are finely pulverized at 5000 rpm into particles having a particle size of not more than 1 . 4 mm and added to the a composition as mentioned above for reuse . in the reclaimed joint sheet according to the invention , the amount of the punched pieces added is practically suitable to be not more than 50 weight %. an example of a composition for the formation of the reclaimed joint sheet containing 10 weight %, 30 weight % or 50 weight % of the punched pieces is shown as follows . ______________________________________punched pieces 10 weight % 30 weight % 50 weight % fibrillated aromatic 18 weight % 6 . 5 weight % 4 weight % polyamide fiberglass fiber 18 weight % 6 . 5 weight % 4 weight % nbr 18 weight % 18 weight % 18 weight % rubber chemicals 2 weight % 2 weight % 2 weight % filler 52 weight % 37 weight % 22 weight % toluene 0 . 4 l per 1 kg of the above mentioned mixture______________________________________ moreover , an embodiment of the reclaimed joint sheet 7 shown in fig3 is shown as follows . ______________________________________ first layer second layer third layerlayer ( 7a ) ( 7b ) ( 7c ) ______________________________________fibrillated 15 weight % 4 . 5 weight % 10 weight % aromaticpolyamide fiberglass fiber -- 4 . 5 weight % -- nbr 12 weight % 10 . 5 weight % 18 weight % rubber chemicals 3 weight % 1 . 4 weight % 2 weight % filler 70 weight % 49 . 1 weight % 70 weight % punched pieces -- 30 weight % -- toluene 0 . 4 l per 1 kg of the above mentioned mixture______________________________________ the above compositions are used to produce a reclaimed joint sheet as follows . at first , the composition for the first layer 7a is inserted between the hot roll 2 heated to 120 °- 150 ° c . and the cold roll 3 maintained at 30 °- 50 ° c . when a thickness of the composition reaches to 10 - 20 % of a thickness of a desired sheet , the composition for the second layer 7b is inserted between the hot roll and the cold roll . when a thickness of the composition on the first layer reaches to 70 - 80 % of the thickness of the desired sheet , the composition for the third layer 7c is inserted between the hot roll and the cold roll to form a reclaimed joint sheet . in this case , a pressure between the rolls 2 , 3 is maintained at about 20 - 40 bar . thereafter , the sheet laminate is subjected to a vulcanization treatment at a temperature of 100 °- 150 ° c . in a drying furnace for 30 - 60 minutes . in the present invention , the reason why the particle size in the fine pulverization of the punched pieces is limited to not more than 1 . 4 mm is due to the fact that when the particle size exceeds 1 . 4 mm , the particle size as an additive becomes too coarse and lower the quality of the reclaimed joint sheet . further , the reason why the amount of the punched pieces added is limited to not more than 50 weight % is due to the fact that when the amount exceeds 50 weight %, the quality of the reclaimed joint sheet is degraded . that is , when the punched pieces are added in an amount of more than 50 weight %, as shown in fig4 the adhesion of the composition to the cold roll is caused in the formation of the sheet and the quality of the resulting reclaimed joint sheet is frequently degraded . as mentioned above , according to the invention , the punched pieces of the joint sheet after the punching of the joint sheet as a packing can be reused , so that not only is the material yield improved and the cost decreased , but also industrial wastes are reduced . further , each of the first and third layers in the reclaimed joint sheet according to the invention is made from a joint sheet containing no punched pieces of the joint sheet , so that the sealing surface of the joint sheet becomes smooth and even , and hence a sufficient sealing performance can be developed .	1
the method of recycling waste plastic materials and using these recycled plastic materials in composite material production which is performed in order to achieve the object of the invention is illustrated in appended figure , wherein ; first , a number of types of thermoplastic waste plastic material are fed into a bale opening machine and the compressed waste plastic material is released . ( 110 ) the waste plastic materials is fed into a separation unit and in there separated from rocks , earth , sand and other coarse foreign materials . ( 120 ) the waste plastic material is fed into the cutting machine , the waste plastic material is cut into small pieces through high speed blades and at the same time washed by injecting water into the machine . ( 130 ) the waste plastic materials cut into small pieces are fed to a muddy water separation machine and the slimed material is separated from the muddy water by centrifugal forces . ( 140 ) then the material is transferred into a pool filled with water , rinsed in there and at the same time sand and other heavy materials that may have left on it is precipitated . ( 150 ) the material is transferred into the organic contamination separation machine and here the oil and other organic foreign materials on the material that can not be removed in the previous processes are cleaned off by centrifugal forces . ( 160 ) the material is transferred to the water separation machine and there the water and moisture on the material is separated by centrifugal forces . ( 170 ) then the material is stored by transferring to storage silos . ( 180 ) the material is transferred into the drying machine and here the material is dried by heating and at the same time powdered by crinkling for easy feeding to machines in the future processes . ( 190 ) the dried and crinkled material is stored by transferring to storage silos . ( 200 ) the material is transferred to the horizontal reactor . ( 210 ) the material is heated in the horizontal reactor under pressure up to 350 ° c . temperature . ( 220 ) the painter and the compatibilizer chemical materials are injected to the material heated in the horizontal reactor through a side feeding unit . ( 230 ) the mineral materials are injected to the system through another side feeding unit . ( 240 ) the mixture is continuously mixed and heated until the linear links of the plastic material is broken and branched , cross links form and materials are relinked to each other at molecular level and the reaction is waited to end . ( 250 ) the melted composite material exiting from the horizontal reactor is immediately poured into the molds before it cools down and cooled under pressure by compression inside the molds . ( 260 ) in the method according to the invention , a high amount of additives can be added to the thermoplastics since there is no compression after the filler material is added and no large counter torques are generated . in the system according to the invention , the loss of energy for heating is prevented by adding the filler material in the reaction stage after the plastic materials are melted and unnecessary energy consumption for the filler materials is prevented . in the system according to the invention , the wearing on the machines is minimized since the filler materials and the minerals are fed into the reactor after the plastic materials are melted . the method according to the invention provides a huge amount of energy saving . in the plastic processing machines that are currently in use that work by systems such as injection and extrusion , the filler material is initially fed into the machines with the thermoplastic materials and the mixture is required to be heated up to the melting temperature of the thermoplastics . here energy must be consumed for heating both the thermoplastics and the filler materials . in the system according to the invention , no energy must be consumed for heating the filler materials since the filler materials are fed into the system at a later stage . in the method according to the invention , the melted composite material exiting from the horizontal reactor is immediately poured into the molds and cooled under pressure by compression . a multiple - mold system is employed depending on the capacity of the horizontal reactor and the cooling time of the melted composite material in the mold . the molds are placed sequentially , one mold is filled and left to cool and the next molds is processed . the compression in the molds is performed by hydraulic presses . non flooding compression molding method is used in the system . by this method , the plastic material that has a large volume with a certain weight is compressed in the mold by pressure into the molding cavity with a smaller volume . in the non flooding compression molds , the driving punch is matched to the mold cavity as in a cylinder - piston system . in the method according to the invention , the molds are simple and produced very cheaply since the non flooding compression molding method is used . in the method according to the invention , since the pressure required for compressing the molds is provided by the hydraulic presses which are separate parts of the system , the machines in the system are not required to be very complicated and thus the investment costs are low . in the method according to the invention , since the molds that are used are not attached to the machine and a multiple mold system is employed , the other machines continue to run while the material is cooling in the mold . as a result , the method according to the invention runs by continuous working principle and the production capacity is high .	8
commercially available graphite hydrogen sulfate ss3 ( sumikin chemical co ., ltd ; tokyo , japan ) was shock - heated to 1000 ° c . the expanded product obtained in this way had a bulk density of 3 to 4 g / l . some of this expanded product was compacted to form a graphite foil with a density of 1 . 0 g / cm 3 . the graphite foil was comminuted using a cutting mill , and the chopped product obtained was comminuted more finely in a further step using a jet mill . a screen analysis of the expanded graphite powder produced in this way showed that 50 % of the particles of the powder were smaller than 180 μm and 95 % of the particles were smaller than 600 μm . the bulk density of the powder was in the range from 100 to 120 g / l . then , mixtures of the phase change material sodium acetate trihydrate ( merck , darmstadt , melting point 58 ° c ., in powder form ) with 10 % by volume of expanded graphite product or 10 % by volume of the powder obtained by milling graphite foil were produced . expanded graphite and the phase change material in powder form were mixed using an anchor agitator until no inhomogeneities were visible without the use of technical equipment . the mixtures obtained in this way were preheated to 50 ° c . and pressed under a pressure of 25 mpa to form cylindrical shaped bodies with a diameter of 90 mm and a height of 10 mm . the thermal conductivity of the latent heat storage materials obtained in this way was measured parallel and perpendicular to the direction of pressing . the phase change material was in the solid state during the measurement of the thermal conductivity . the measurement results are compiled in table 1 . the process from example 1 was repeated , but the synthetic graphites ks6 and ks150 ( timcal , switzerland ) were used instead of the expanded graphite product or the powder formed from comminuted graphite foil . according to manufacturer details , the mean particle size is 3 to 4 μm in the case of ks6 and approx . 50 μm in the case of ks150 . mixtures of the phase change material sodium acetate trihydrate with 10 % by volume of ks6 or 10 % by volume of ks150 were produced and pressed into shaped bodies in the same way as in example 1 . for further comparison with the latent heat storage material according to the invention , a shaped body was likewise produced from the pure phase change material sodium acetate trihydrate . the thermal conductivities of these comparison materials were measured parallel and perpendicular to the direction of pressing , in the same way as in example 1 . the phase change material was in the solid state during the measurement of the thermal conductivity . the measurement results can be seen in table 1 . analogously to example 1 , a mixture of sodium acetate trihydrate , milled graphite foil and tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate was produced and pressed . the individual substances formed 89 , 10 and 1 % by volume of the mixture . a sample of the pressed , homogenous mixture was heated to 70 ° c . in a dsc apparatus ( ta instruments ) and then cooled again to room temperature . during this temperature cycle , the heat flow was measured . this operation was repeated a number of times . the heating and cooling rate was 0 . 25 k / min . for comparison purposes , a specimen of pure sodium acetate trihydrate was analyzed using the same temperature program . the peak temperatures from the dsc curves are given in table 2 . as shown in table 2 , the specimen of pure sodium acetate trihydrate did not solidify during cooling . therefore , no peak which can be assigned to the melting operation was found during the heating segment of the subsequent temperature cycle . this was not the case with the mixture of sodium acetate trihydrate , milled graphite foil and tetrasodium diphosphate decahydrate . in this case , the dsc curve had a peak caused by the melting operation in the heating segment and a peak caused by the solidification operation in the cooling segment . the measurable supercooling in this specimen was in the range from 5 to 7 k , while with the pure phase change material supercooling of more than 30 k was recorded . the phase change material paraffin rt50 ( rubitherm , hamburg ) with a melting point of 54 . 5 ° c . and an addition of milled graphite foil chopped products were mixed in a twin - screw extruder zsk 50 ( werner und pfleiderer ) in the molten state and then granulated . the graphite formed 10 % by volume of the granules . mixing was carried out in accordance with the following parameters : screw rotational speed : 97 min − 1 resistance : 17 % outlet temperature : 66 ° c . material pressure : 42 bar delivery worm supply : 400 min − 1 temperature zones : ( tc2 to 10 ): 40 / 41 / 61 / 61 / 61 / 50 / 47 / 40 / 40 ° c . specimen bodies in plate form with dimensions of 90 × 54 × 3 mm 3 were produced from the granular material obtained in this way by means of injection molding . the gate was in the center of the shorter edge faces of the plate . an injection - molding machine km65 produced by krauss - maffei with a standard screw was used . the following parameters were used in the injection molding of the plates : injection rate : 100 mm / s injection time : 0 . 52 s injection pressure : 500 bar holding pressure : 130 bar holding pressure time : 2 s platen cooling temperature : 24 to 30 ° c . feed section temperature : 25 ° c . temperature zones ( 1 to 5 ): 40 / 45 / 50 / 50 / 50 ° c . the thermal conductivity of the specimen body in the plate plane was 4 . 4 ± 0 . 2 w /( m · k ). in the plate plane , the thermal conductivity is independent of the orientation ( longitudinal or transverse ) with respect to the injection direction . perpendicular to the plate plane , the thermal conductivity was 1 . 7 ± 0 . 1 w /( m · k ). the thermal conductivity of the pure phase change material paraffin rt 50 in the solid state without the addition of heat - conducting auxiliaries was 0 . 2 w /( m · k ) in accordance with the manufacturer &# 39 ; s details . this example shows that even 10 % by volume of expanded graphite makes it possible to increase the thermal conductivity by a factor of 10 to 25 , depending on direction , compared to the pure phase change material . [ 0051 ] table 2 melting and solidification temperatures peak temperatures in ° c . heating segment of cooling segment of specimen composition temperature cycle temperature cycle sodium acetate 57 . 85 no peak trihydrate sodium acetate 57 . 84 50 . 69 trihydrate / milled graphite foil / tetrasodium - diphosphate decahydrate	5
a process for multicolor crossdyeing of partly or fully crosslinked cellulosic fabrics is disclosed . this process is based upon sequential immersion dyeing of cellulosic fabrics in which certain fabric segments ( either by yarn or fabric treatments are : ( 1 ) crosslinked with a grafted cationic group ; ( 2 ) crosslinked with a grafted anionic group and ( 3 ) unmodified or base treated . the specific combinations employed 1 & amp ; 3 , 1 & amp ; 2 and 1 , 2 , and 3 . in the case of fabric containing cationic and unmodified cotton ( 1 & amp ; 3 ) the fabric is dyed with a dyestuff containing an anionic group such as a reactive , direct or acid dye under mildly acidic conditions . under these conditions , the untreated cotton is nearly dye resist while these cationic cotton area dyes deeply . then , the fabric is dyed with reactive dye ( second color ) under alkaline conditions . under these conditions both the cationic and unmodified cotton are dyed with the second color . as such , the cationic fabric segments are dyed with both colors ( but usually more so in first dyeing ) and the unmodified cotton is dyed only in the second dyeing . in another variation of this process , certain yarns or segments of the cellulosic fabric are crosslinked with a grafted cationic group and others crosslinked with a grafted anionic group ( case 1 & amp ; 2 ). when the fabric is dyed with an anionic dyestuff such as reactive , direct or acid dyes under acidic conditions ; the cationic cellulose is deeply dyed while the anionic segment is dye resist . if the fabric is then dyed with a different color using a cationic dye ( which has both cationic and anionic groups ) then this dyestuff dyes both the cationic and anionic cellulosic areas of the fabric . the result therefore is that the cationic fabric areas are dyed with both colors whereas the anionic fabric areas are dyed only with the second color . it is possible to utilize a three color approach if one employs yarns or segment treatments in one fabric involving the three types of treatment described heretofore namely ( 1 ) crosslinked cellulose with a grafted quaternary group ; ( 2 ) crosslinked cellulose with a grafted anionic group ; and ( 3 ) unmodified cellulose . with a fabric such as this , dyeing with anionic dyestuff under acidic conditions dyes primarily the cationic cellulose segments or yarns ; dyeing with a cationic dyestuff ( contains both cationic and anionic groups ) dyes both the cationic and anionic segments , while the untreated cellulose is nearly dye resist and finally , dyeing with a reactive dye under conventional ( alkaline conditions ) dyes both the unmodified cellulose and cationic cellulose . thus by proper selection dyestuffs and colors , a three color combination can be achieved . or conversely , one might dye with two colors and leave the crosslinked fabric with the grafted anionic groups undyed by eliminating dyeing with the cationic dyestuff . in the preferred embodiments , the specific approach of making cotton yarns or fabric segments cationic would be to treat said yarns or fabric areas with a formulation containing crosslinking agent , acid catalyst and a reactive additive , choline chloride . once this formulation is cured on the fabric the fabric yarns or areas so treated are crosslinked with a grafted cationic group . almost all crosslinking agents can be used for this purpose but particularly effective agents are those that have more than two reactive sites , such as dimethylol dihydroxyethyleneurea ( dmdheu ), its methoxylated counterparts , trimethylol acetylenediureine ( 3 acd ), tetramethylol acetylenediureine ( 4 acd ), methylol melamines ( tmm ) and methoxylated melamines and methylol dicarbamates derived from pentaerythritol . if proper adjustments are made in reaction concentrations , difunctional agents such as dimethyol propylcarbamate ( dmpc ) can also be used . the acid catalysts used for these formulations include all such catalysts as might be employed by one skilled in the art of crosslinking cellulose . examples of such catalysts are zinc nitrate hexahytdrate , magnesium chloride hexahydrate , and mixed catatysts derived from magnesium chloride and strong acids such as citric acid or aluminum chlorhydroxide . choline chloride is used as a reactive additive to make the treated cellulosic areas cationic . the presence of the choline chloride serves to make the finished fabric both accessible and attractive to anionic cellulose dyestuffs . choline chloride contains both a reactive primary alcohol group as well as positively charged quaternary group . with respect to preparing fabric areas which are crosslinked with grafted anionic groups , the treating formulation consists of crosslinking agent , a hydroxycarboxylic acid and an added metal salt catalyst ( optional ). crosslinking agents used for this purpose can be the same as those listed supra for cationic treatment . examples of hydroxy carboxylic acids include citric acid , glycolic acid , malic acid and gluconic acid . small amounts of metal salt catalyst may be added to augment the catalystic activity of the hydroxy carboxylic acids . the function of this type treatment is twofold . first , the grafted anionic groups will permit dyeing with cationic dyes during the dye sequence . secondly , it will impart a resistivity to anionic dyes ( except for those which also have a cationic group .) the third component is the unmodified cotton component . this may be unmodified or in some instances such fabric areas or yarns may be treated with a light basic treatment . the function of this treatment such as with sodium acetate or sodium carbonate is to prevent crosslinking in undesired areas should migration occur in pressing or steaming or other operations prior to curing of the crosslinking agent . various approaches may be used to place differently treated cotton yarn into the fabric . first , one could utilize yarns that are cationic ( 1 ), anionic ( 2 ) or unmodified ( 3 ) in woven or knit fabrics . for example , one could knit two inches of a tubular knit with cationic yarn ( 1 ) then knit two inches with unmodified cotton yarn ( 2 ) or any combination of the three yarns . one might also consider weaving a filling faced sateen , in which two inches of filling are cationic yarn ( 1 ), then two inches of anionic yarn ( 2 ) and then repeated each type yarn in sequence . obviously , one might combine any combination of the three yarn types mentioned in desired sequence . one could also print areas of the fabric with treatments containing crosslinking agent acid catalyst and choline chloride . once these treatments are cured and laundered , multicolored cotton fabrics are produce by piece dyeing . in this instance , the cationic areas of the fabric are then dyed under mildly acidic conditions with a reactive , direct or other dye containing an anionic group . then , the fabric is dyed with a reactive dye of a second color under alkaline conditions . this second dyeing would dye both the cationic and unmodified cotton whereas the dyeing under acid conditions would deep dye the cationic areas and only shade at most the untreated areas . by proper selection of dye colors and concentrations , one skilled in the art of dyeing could produce fabric of numerous color combinations from one type of fabric via piece dyeing . it should also be noted that the order of dyeing could be reversed and a bicolored fabric would be obtained . similarly , in instances in which the cellulosic fabrics contains crosslinked areas with anionic groups one could use a combination of dyeing with an anionic dye under acid conditions and dyeing with a cationic dye under acid conditions to produce a bicolored durable press fabric . for example , one might dye first with the anionic dye , then dye with the cationic dye . one might also immerse dye a crosslinked fabric with separate cationic and anionic areas . in this instance a stable dye bath containing anionic and cationic dyes of different colors is necessary . dyeing with a reactive dye under alkaline conditions and a cationic dye under acid conditions could also be employed to achieve a bicolored fabric . using a fabric containing three types of cotton areas : ( 1 ) cationic ; ( 2 ) anionic ; ( 3 ) unmodified ; one can produce a three colored fabric by the following procedure : ( 1 ) dyeing with an anionic dye under acidic conditions ; ( 2 ) dyeing with a reactive dye under alkaline conditions ; and ( 3 ) dyeing with a cationic dye under adidic conditions . the three following dye procedures were utilized in the examples of the preferred embodiments . dye procedure a wherein a mildly acidic wool dye bath in which up to 4 grams of dye per 100 grams fabric is used with a maximum bath temperature of 75 ° c . dye procedure b is used in dyeing with reactive dyes under alkaline conditions . up to 4 grams of dye per 100 grams of fabric is used , a maximum bath temperature is 60 ° c . and sodium carbonate is used as a catalyst . dye procedure b is used when dyeing with reactive dyes using alkaline conditions and from 0 . 2 to 4 grams of dye per 100 grams of fabric being dyed . dye procedure c is used in dyeing fabric with a cationic dye under acidic conditions . up to 10 grams of dye per 100 grams of fabric is used and a maximum bath temperature of 85 ° c . cellulosic fabric or yarn can be either greige or prepared fabric ( desized , scoured and bleached ), mercerized or fabric or yarns which have been treated with liquid ammonia . caustic mercerized yarn are preferable to achieve depth of shade in dyeing . a pad dry - cure treatment is applied to the selected cellulosic yarns or fabric . the finish comprises a crosslinking agent , catalyst , appropriate reactive additive and any selected auxiliaries such as wetting agents , softeners or thickeners . the amount of crosslinking agent and additive can be varied over a wide range depending upon the level of dye uptake and smooth - dry performance desired . this process differs from other crossdyed cotton systems based on cationic groups in that some or all of the fibres in the final fabric are crosslinked and that a level of improved smooth dry performance is achieved . other versions of this development might be noted . for example , if the crosslinking agent , acid catalyst and choline are applied to fabric in stripe form , the fabric is cured , washed and dyed with reactive dyes ( two colors ) under both acidic and alkaline conditions , a bicolored seersucker - like fabric is achieved . similarly , if the treatment is applied to one side of the fabric , then cured and washed a smooth - dry fabric is achieved . then , the fabric can be dyed with reactive dyes ( two colors ) under both acidic and alkaline conditions , a bicolored smooth dry fabric results . another approach is to apply the treating solution by injection in a cone of yarn , dry the yarn , use this yarn in preparing a knit or woven fabric and cure said fabric . the fabric is then dyed with reactive dyes under both acidic and alkaline conditions . there is produced a variegated two - three color fabric in which the cationically treated areas are various shades of the dye used in dyeing under acidic conditions and the remainder of the fabric primarily reflects the color of dye employed in dyeing under alkaline conditions . fabrics with a very nonuniform multicolor pattern are produced in this case . multicolored dyeing of knitted fabrics prepared from treated and untreated yarns a pad bath was prepared containing 2 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , this yarn and untreated mercerized yarn were used to knit a jersey tube . treated and untreated yarns were alternated every two inches in the fabric . the fabric was then pressed , and cured for 3 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of the fabric was then dyed with reactive red 2 using dye procedure a ( mildly acidic ) conditions . the fabric was washed . the same fabric was then dyed with reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a bicolored striped fabric , which alternated two inch segments of red and yellow . another 1 ft sample of undyed fabric was dyed with 4 % reactive blue 29 under acidic conditions using dye procedure a , washed and redyed with 2 % reactive yellow 27 under alkaline conditions . the result was a bicolored striped fabric , which alternated two inch segments of greenish blue , and yellow . another 1 ft sample of undyed fabric was dyed with reactive red 40 under acidic conditions using dye procedure a , washed and redyed with reactive blue 29 under alkaline conditions . the result was a bicolored striped fabric , with alternate two inch segments of a deep red and blue . these results show clear indication that color of the cationic areas is influenced by both dyeings , but primarily by dye procedure a . multicolored dyeing of woven fabrics prepared from treated and untreated yarns a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenedieureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 1 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , this yarn and untreated mercerized yarn were used as filling yarns in a filling faced sateen . the treated yarns and untreated yarns were alternated every two inches in the fabric . the fabric was then pressed and cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a 1 ft length ( 4 inches wide ) sample was then dyed with 4 % reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ). the fabric was washed . the same fabric was then dyed with 3 % reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a bicolored filling faced sateen in which every two inches were alternately blue and yellow stripes . the back of the fabric was predominately yellow except where the blue fill showed through because the warp yarns were dyed yellow . a similar procedure was repeated on another undyed sample of filling faced sateen using 4 % reactive red 2 with dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ) and 2 % reactive yellow 27 with dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a bicolored filling faced sateen in which every two inches were alternately red and yellow stripes . the reverse procedure was repeated with a sample of undyed sateen using first 4 % yellow 27 with dye procedure b then 4 % reactive red 2 with dye procedure a and yielded a bicolored filling faced sateen in which every two inches were alternately red and yellow stripes . another undyed sample of filling faced sateen was dyed first with 4 % reactive red 2 with dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ), washed and then dyed with 2 % reactive blue 29 with dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a bicolored filling faced sateen in which every two inches were alternately dark red and blue stripes . therefore , these results show that by the dual dye procedure a bicolored cotton fabric can be achieved by immersion dyeing . multicolored dyeing of woven fabrics prepared from treated and untreated yarns a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 1 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , this yarn was used as the filling in a plain weave fabric . the fabric was then pressed and cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of 4 inch wide fabric was then dyed using 4 % reactive red 2 with dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ), washed and then dyed using 2 % reactive yellow 27 with dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a red and yellow crossdyed fabric in which the filling yarns were dyed red and the warp yarns were dyed yellow . the same sequence was repeated with another sample of the plain weave fabric except that 4 % reactive blue 29 was used with dye procedure a and 2 % reactive yellow 27 was used with dye procedure b . the result was a blue and yellow crossdyed fabric in which the filling yarns were dyed blue and the warp yarns were yellow . the same overall procedure was used with another sample of undyed plain weave fabric except that the 4 % reactive red was used with dye procedure a and 2 % reactive blue 29 was used with dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ). the result was a bicolored plain weave fabric in which the filling yarns were dyed a deep red and the warp yarns were dyed blue . these results clearly demonstrate that a crossdyed woven fabric was achieved via two successive immersion dyeings . tricolor crossdyeing of knitted fabrics prepared from treated and untreated yarns a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 10 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . a second pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 2 % citric acid , 0 . 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a second mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this second formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , these separate yarns together with an untreated mercerized cotton were knitted into a jersey tube in which the three yarns were alternated in the knit after each two inch segments . the final knitted fabric was then pressed , cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of this fabric was then dyed with 4 % reactive red 2 using dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ). the fabric was washed , then redyed with 2 % reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions . the result was tricolored : bright red , yellow and off - white striped fabric in which the cationic segment were dyed red , the untreated cotton was dyed yellow and the segments crosslinked with an anionic graft were off - white . similarly , if an undyed sample of this 3 component knit is first dyed with 4 % reactive red 40 using dye procedure a ( mildly acidic conditions ), then dyed with 1 % reactive blue 29 using dye procedure b , laundered then dyed with 3 % basic yellow 63 using dye procedure c . the result is a tricolored fabric , red , blue and yellow , which has been produced by immersion dyeing of an all cotton fabric . if another sample of this 3 component knit is first dyed with 4 % reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a , laundered then 2 % reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b , the result is a tricolored fabric which is blue , yellow and white , reflecting the cationic , untreated and anionic areas of the fabric . conversely , if the undyed 3 - component knit is first dyed with reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a , laundered , then dyed with 3 % basic yellow 63 , the result is a tricolored knit which was dark blue , pale blue and yellow reflecting the cationic , untreated and anionic areas of the knit . similarly , if another undyed sample of the 3 - component knit is first dyed with 4 % reactive red 40 using dye procedure a , laundered , then dyed with 3 % basic yellow 63 , the result is a tricolored knit which was dark red , pale pink and yellow reflecting the cationic , untreated and anionic areas of the knit . a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hehahydrate , 0 . 10 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . a second pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 2 % citric acid , 0 . 2 % magnesium chloride hehahydrate , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a second mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this second formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , these separate yarns were knitted into a jersey tube in which the two separately treated yarns were alternated in the knit after each two inch segment . the final knitted fabric was then pressed , cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of this fabric was then dyed with reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a , laundered then dyed with 10 % basic yellow 63 using dye procedure c . the result was a green and yellow striped fabric in which the cationic areas were dyed green and the anionic areas were dyed yellow . because both areas of the fabric were crosslinked , it should be noted that this is a multicolored crossdyeable fabric in which all - segments are crosslinked and that this represents a crossdyeable cotton with easy care or wash wear performance . another undyed sample of this jersey tube was dyed in a single bath using dye procedure c . this dye bath contained both 4 % reactive blue 29 and a 4 % basic red 46 . the result was a blue and pink striped fabric in which the cationic areas were colored by the blue reactive dye and the anionic areas were colored with the red basic dye . again , this is an example of a crossdyeable smooth - dry fabric . a multicolored crossdyeable woven fabric prepared from treated and untreated yarns a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 10 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . a second pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 2 % citric acid , 0 . 2 % magnesium chloride hehahydrate , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a second mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this second formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , these separate yarns were used as filling yarns in a filling faced sateen in which the two separately treated yarns were alternated in the fabric filling after two inch segment . the final woven fabric was then pressed , cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of this fabric was then dyed with 4 % reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a . then , the fabric was laundered and redyed with 10 % basic yellow 63 using dye procedure c . the result was a fabric in which the face was green and yellow because of the dyeing of the cationic ( green ) and anionic ( yellow ) areas . on the other hand the warp yarns ( untreated cotton ) were relatively undyed . if instead , the second dyeing was performed with 3 % basic yellow 63 using dye procedure c , there was produced blue and yellow crossdyed fabric with easy care performance . a pad bath was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 10 % citric acid , 0 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . a second pad bath was prepared containing 1 % sodium acetate and 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and remainder water . a second mercerized cotton yarn was padded with this second formulation using a yarn treatment apparatus and the padded yarn was dried . then , these separate yarns were knitted into a jersey tube in which the two separately treated yarns were alternated in the knit after each two inch segment . the final knitted fabric was then pressed , cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of this fabric was then dyed with 2 % reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b ( alkaline conditions ), washing fabric , then redyeing with 4 % reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a . the result was a green and yellow crossdyed fabric in which the unmodified areas ( sodium acetate treated ) were a particularly clear and bright yellow . a print formulation was prepared that contained 4 % trimethylol acetylelediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 0 . 5 % hydroxyethylcellulose , 2 % magnesium chloride hehahydrate , 0 . 1 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . this formulation was applied to a cotton print cloth in the form of stripes , letters , numbers and words on the samples . samples were then dried , cured and laundered as in example 1 . a sample of the fabric was dyed with reactive red 2 using dye procedure a , laundered and redyed with reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b . the result was a red and yellow fabric in which the printed areas were dyed red and the untreated portions was dyed yellow . another sample of the undyed printed printcloth was dyed with reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a , laundered and redyed with reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b . the result was a blue and yellow fabric in which the printed areas were dyed blue and the untreated areas were dyed yellow . this example demonstrates that this procedure can be used to achieve crossdyed effects on printed fabrics . a solution was prepared containing 3 % trimethylol acetylenediureine , 5 % choline chloride , 2 % magnesium chloride hexahydrate , 0 . 10 % citric acid , 0 . 1 % nonionic wetting agent and the remainder water . a mercerized cotton yarn was injected with this formulation using a syringe and the yarn was dried . then , this yarn was knitted into a jersey tube . the final knitted fabric was then pressed , cured for 4 minutes at 160 ° c . and laundered . a one foot length of this fabric was then dyed with reactive red 2 using dye procedure a , laundered and redyed with reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b . the result was a variegated red and yellow fabric in which the treated yarn segments were dyed various shades of red and the untreated portions was dyed yellow . another one foot sample of the undyed knit was dyed with reactive blue 29 using dye procedure a , laundered and redyed with reactive yellow 27 using dye procedure b . the result was a variegated blue and yellow fabric in which the treated yarn segments were dyed various shades of blue and the untreated areas were dyed yellow . this example demonstrates the this procedure can be used to achieve special crossdyed effects on knit fabrics .	3
preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings . the wiring board according to the invention is characterized in that an interposer is inserted between the semiconductor elements and the substrate to relax the thermal stress occurred between and a substrate such as a printed board and a semiconductor element , and the semiconductor element is mounted on the interposer . the steps of fabricating the interposer are shown in fig1 ( a ) to 1 ( e ) and 2 ( a ) to 2 ( d ). [ 0023 ] fig1 ( a ) shows the state in which an insulating layer 12 a is formed on one surface of a copper foil 10 . the insulating layer 12 a is formed by lamination of the copper foil 10 with a resin film of a resin material having an electrical insulation characteristic such as polyimide resin . [ 0024 ] fig1 ( b ) shows the state in which a plurality of via holes 14 are formed in the insulating layer 12 a . in the case where the insulating layer 12 a is formed of a photosensitive resin , the via holes 14 can be formed by optical exposure and development while , in the case where the insulating layer 12 a is formed of a non - photosensitive resin , on the other hand , the via holes 14 can be formed by laser drilling . the via holes 14 are formed in such a manner that they are exposed to the copper foil 10 at each bottom surface thereof . [ 0025 ] fig1 ( c ) shows the state in which the via holes 14 are filled with via conductors 16 of copper , or the like material , by via plating with the copper foil 10 as a plating power feed layer . by filling the via holes 14 with the via conductors 16 , the copper foil 10 constituting a lower layer and the via conductors 16 are electrically connected to each other . [ 0026 ] fig1 ( d ) shows the state in which , in order to form the via conductors in the upper layer , an insulating layer 12 b is formed by lamination on the surface of the insulating layer 12 a constituting the first layer and the via holes 14 are formed in the insulating layer 12 b . [ 0027 ] fig1 ( e ) shows the state in which the via holes 14 constituting the second layer are filled with the via conductors 16 by via plating with the copper foil 10 as a plating power feed layer . the plurality of via conductors 16 in the second layer are formed at the same planar positions , respectively , as the via conductors 16 in the first layer . the via conductors 16 in the first layer are formed as filled vias . the via holes 14 are thus formed in the insulating layer 12 b making up the second layer , and by filling the plating material in the via holes 14 , the via conductors 16 making up the second layer are formed in superposition on the via conductors 16 constituting the first layer . by repeating the processes of fig1 ( d ) and 1 ( e ) a plurality of times , a stack unit 18 can be formed with the via conductors 16 stacked in columns . the via conductors 16 formed by being stacked in columns through the insulating layers are electrically connected with the electrodes of the semiconductor element mounted by flip chip bonding . thus , the via conductors 16 are arranged at the same planar positions , respectively , as the electrodes of the semiconductor element . fig2 ( a ) to 2 ( d ) show the processes to form connection pads of an interposer on the surface of the stack unit 18 formed with the via conductors 16 on which the semiconductor element is mounted and on the surface of the stack unit 18 coupled to the substrate 40 . [ 0032 ] fig2 ( a ) shows the state in which connection pads 17 are formed on the respective via conductors 16 of the uppermost layer 12 d , as mentioned later in detail , and resist films 20 , 22 are formed by lamination on the upper and lower surfaces of the stack unit 18 , respectively . fig2 ( b ) shows the state in which a resist pattern 22 a is formed by exposing and developing the resist film 22 on the lower surface of the stack unit 18 . the resist pattern 22 a is formed in such a manner as to cover the copper foil 10 in the same circular form as prospective pads at positions just under the corresponding via conductors 16 formed in the stack unit 18 . [ 0033 ] fig2 ( c ) shows the state in which connection pads 10 a are formed on the lower surface of the stack unit 18 by etching the copper foil 10 with the resist pattern 22 a as a mask . such a state can be obtained , after forming the connection pads 10 a , when the resist film 20 on the upper surface of the stack unit 18 and the resist pattern 22 a deposited on the lower surface of the stack unit 18 are etched off . [ 0034 ] fig2 ( d ) shows the state in which the solder paste is printed on the connection pads 17 formed on the upper surface of the stack unit 18 and solder bumps 24 are formed by reflow soldering thereby to form an interposer 30 . the interposer 30 , as shown , is constructed in such a manner that the via conductors 16 are formed in columns through the insulating layers 12 through the thickness of the interposer 30 . according to this embodiment , a pattern of the connection pads 17 is formed in advance , as shown in fig2 ( a ), on the upper surface of the stack unit 18 . to form the connection pads 17 on the upper surface of the stack unit 18 , a conducting layer is formed and etched into a predetermined pattern on the surface of the uppermost insulating layer 12 d , constituting the fourth layer , when plating the via holes 14 are formed in the insulating layer 12 d . as an alternative , with the conducting layer formed on the surface of the insulating layer 12 d , a resist film is formed by lamination on each of the upper and lower surfaces of the stack unit 18 and exposed and developed thereby to form the connection pads 10 a , 17 , respectively , on the respective surfaces of the stack unit 18 . fig3 ( a ) to 3 ( b ) show the process for forming a wiring board by coupling the substrate 40 with the interposer 30 formed according to the method described above and mounting the semiconductor element on the wiring board thereby to produce a semiconductor device . [ 0038 ] fig3 ( a ) shows the state in which the interposer 30 is coupled to the substrate 40 in position . the substrate 40 is formed with connection electrodes 42 at the same planar positions as the connection pads 10 a . according to this embodiment , the solder paste is printed on the connection electrodes 42 and solder bumps 44 are formed on the connection electrodes 42 by reflow soldering thereby to couple the interposer 30 with the substrate 40 . numeral 46 designates an underfill resin filled in the gaps of the joint between the interposer 30 and the substrate 40 . nevertheless , it is possible to omit the underfill resin 46 . [ 0039 ] fig3 ( b ) shows the state in which the semiconductor element 50 is mounted on the wiring board which has been formed by coupling the interposer 30 to the substrate 40 . the semiconductor element 50 is mounted , by flip chip bonding , on the element - mounting surface of the interposer 30 . according to this embodiment , the solder bumps 24 are formed in advance on the connection pads 17 of the interposer 30 . as an alternative , solder bumps are formed on the electrodes 52 of the semiconductor element 50 instead of forming the solder bumps 24 on the connection pads 17 . the semiconductor element 50 is coupled with the electrodes 52 thereof set in registration with the connection pads 17 formed on the upper surface of the interposer 30 . numeral 26 designates the underfill resin filled between the semiconductor element 50 and the upper surface of the interposer 30 . nevertheless , it is possible to omit the underfill resin 26 . as described above , the semiconductor element 50 is bonded to the interposer 30 in position and thus electrically connected with the respective connection pads 42 of the substrate 40 through the interposer 30 . the interposer 30 is formed , as shown , with the via conductors 16 coupled with each other in columns at positions in registry with the electrodes 52 of the semiconductor element 50 , and the insulating layer 12 of the interposer 30 is formed by stacking a plurality of layers of insulating material having the electric insulation characteristic such as polyimide . therefore , the via conductors 16 and the insulating layer 12 can be readily deformed , thereby functioning as a satisfactory buffer to reduce the thermal stress generated between the semiconductor element 50 and the substrate 40 . by mounting the semiconductor element 50 on the substrate 40 through the interposer 30 as shown in fig3 ( b ), therefore , the thermal stress acting on the semiconductor element 50 can be effectively reduced even in the case where the thermal expansion coefficient of the semiconductor element 50 is different from that of the substrate 40 . as described above , the interposer 30 is constructed of a plurality of insulating layers 12 having the via conductors 16 stacked in columns in order to make the via conductors 16 readily deformable and thereby to improve the function of the insulating layers 12 as a buffer . the number of stacked layers making up the interposer 30 is adjusted in accordance with the size , etc . of the semiconductor element 50 . it should be noted that in the above - mentioned embodiment , the interposer 30 may be coupled to the substrate 40 in such a manner that the interposer 30 is positioned up - side - down as compared with the those as shown in fig3 ( a ) and 3 ( b ). thus , fig3 ( c ) shows such a modified embodiment in which the interposer 30 is positioned up - side - down . the respective steps in the processes for forming the wiring board and the effects of the product are quite the same as the above - mentioned embodiment . to facilitate understanding , the interposer 30 is shown to have a large thickness . the thickness of the interposer 30 is actually about 200 μm . the provision of the interposer 30 , therefore , poses no problem regarding the package thickness . fig4 ( a ) to 4 ( f ) and 5 ( a ) and 5 ( b ) show another method of fabricating the interposer 30 . [ 0050 ] fig4 ( a ) shows the state in which an insulating layer 12 is formed on one surface of a copper foil 10 , and fig4 ( b ) the state in which a plurality of via holes 14 are formed in the insulating layer 12 , in the same manner as the previous embodiment shown in fig1 ( a ) and 1 ( b ). [ 0051 ] fig4 ( c ) shows the state in which the via holes 14 are filled with via conductors 16 by plating with the copper foil 10 as a plating power feed layer . [ 0052 ] fig4 ( d ) shows a step characteristic of this embodiment , in which , after filling the via holes 14 with the via conductors 16 , the respective surfaces of the insulating layer 12 are covered with resist films 27 and 28 , respectively . the resist films 27 , 28 are provided for etching the copper foil 10 . [ 0053 ] fig4 ( e ) shows the state in which the resist film 28 is patterned to form a resist pattern 28 a in order to leave the copper foil 10 as connection pads at the same positions as the via conductors 16 . [ 0054 ] fig4 ( f ) shows the state in which the copper foil 10 is etched with the resist pattern 28 a as a mask to produce a connection film 19 including the insulating layer 12 and the connection pads 10 a formed on the lower surface ( one surface ) of the insulating layer 12 . the connection film 19 has the via conductors 16 formed through the thickness of the insulating layer 12 , and each connection pad 10 a electrically connected with the corresponding one of the via conductors 16 is formed on one surface of the particular via conductor 16 . according to this embodiment , a plurality of the connection films 19 formed as described above are collectively stacked in registry with each other thereby to form a stack unit 18 constituting an interposer 30 . [ 0056 ] fig5 ( a ) shows the state in which the stack unit 18 is formed of a plurality of connection films 19 . the connection films 19 each have the via conductors 16 arranged at the same planar positions as the electrodes 52 of the semiconductor element 50 ( fig3 ( b )). the stack unit 18 as shown in fig5 ( a ) is produced by integrally stacking a predetermined number of the connection films 19 . the connection films 19 are arranged and stacked with the connection pads 10 a on the same side ( the lower side , for example ) of each connection film 19 . in this way , each layer of the connection films 19 is stacked electrically connected with the corresponding one of the via conductors 16 of adjacent layers through the connection pads 10 a . [ 0058 ] fig5 ( b ) shows the state in which bumps 24 are formed on the connection pads 17 , respectively , on the upper surface of the stack unit 18 to make an interposer 30 . the interposer 30 shown in fig5 ( b ) is formed in exactly the same shape as the interposer 30 shown in fig2 ( b ). as shown in fig3 by coupling the interposer 30 to the substrate 40 , a wiring board having the interposer 30 is formed . the method of fabricating the wiring board according to this embodiment has the advantage that the provision of the connection films in the same shape makes it possible to produce the interposer 30 with a stack of a required number of layers of the connection films 19 . the wiring board according to this invention is formed by coupling the interposer 30 to the substrate 40 . this interposer 30 has a very effective function as a buffer . even in the case where the thermal expansion coefficient of the semiconductor element 50 is considerably different from that of the substrate 40 , therefore , the thermal stress acting on the semiconductor element 50 can be effectively suppressed . as a result , a wiring board is provided on which a semiconductor , reduced in strength due to a higher operating speed and a higher degree of integration , can be suitably mounted . also , even a bulky semiconductor element which has conventionally been impossible to mount on a board due to a large effect of thermal stress can be sufficiently mounted on the wiring board according to the invention . this invention provides a wiring board in which , even in the case where the thermal expansion coefficient of the semiconductor element is greatly different from that of the substrate , the thermal stress generated between the semiconductor element and the substrate can be effectively relaxed , so that even a semiconductor element of low strength can be suitably mounted , thereby providing a highly reliable semiconductor device . also , even a large semiconductor element , which has hitherto been impossible to mount on the conventional wiring board , can be mounted on the wiring board according to the invention . therefore , the semiconductors used for various applications can be mounted on the wiring board according to this invention . further , the method of fabricating a wiring board according to the invention has the advantages that the interposer with the via conductors connected in columns can be readily formed and a wiring board having the buffer function conforming with a target product can be fabricated by appropriately adjusting the number of the via conductors stacked .	7
referring now to the drawings , in particular to fig3 a - 3 h , and fig4 a - 4 e , there are shown schematically steps of forming a phase - shifting mask and a dual damascene pattern employing a single layer photoresist process , respectively . in fig3 a , a top - view of a metal mask ( 90 ) is shown comprising a quartz substrate ( 50 ) and metal layer ( 60 ) which are better seen in the cross - sectional view in fig3 b . preferably the thickness of quartz substrate is between about 6 to 7 millimeters ( mm ) and is coated with metal layer chromium ( cr ) with a thickness between about 1000 to 1500 angstroms cr layer ( 60 ) is next covered with a photoresist , and then exposed and developed to form line pattern ( 85 ) as shown in fig3 a and 3 b . then using , preferably , a wet - etch solution comprising 9 % [ cl ( nh 4 ) 2 ( no ) 3 ], 86 % [ h 2 o ] and 5 % [ hcl ], line pattern ( 85 ) is replicated as ( 95 ) in metal layers ( 70 ) and ( 60 ). reactive ion etch ( rie ) can also be used with bcl 3 and cl 2 . after stripping photoresist layer ( 80 ), metal mask ( 90 ) containing line pattern ( 95 ) is formed as shown in fig3 d . hole pattern on mask ( 90 ) shown in fig3 e is next formed by first applying , preferably , a negative photoresist ( used for electron beam ( e - beam ) writing ) on the mask , exposing and developing ( not shown ) the photoresist to delineate hole areas in photoresist structures ( 100 ), as shown in fig3 f , and then etching quartz substrate ( 50 ). quartz etching is accomplished in a high density plasma ( hdp ) oxide etcher with a recipe comprising gases ar , chf 3 and c 4 f 8 at a flow rate between about 50 to 150 standard cubic centimeter per minute ( sccm ), 10 to 50 sccm , and 0 to 22 sccm , respectively . it is critical that the depth ( 75 ) to which the quartz is etched is between about 200 to 2000 å . in this manner , a phase - shift of between about 70 to 110 ° is achieved in regions ( 110 ) shown in fig3 g and 3 h so that the transmissivity of light passing through regions ( 110 ) are differentiated from regions ( 120 ) under the metal layer and from regions ( 130 ) not exposed to etching under the photoresist layer ( 100 ). thusly formed metal mask ( 90 ) shown in fig3 h , containing three regions , namely , opaque region ( 120 ), open hole region ( 130 ), and semi - transmitting region ( 110 ) is now advantageously used to form a dual damascene pattern with a single photoresist process as described in relation to fig4 a - 4 e . specifically , hole area ( 130 ), which has 100 % light transmittance , is used as contact ( or via ) patterns ( 100 ) on substrate or wafer in fig4 a - 4 e , while the etched quartz area ( 110 ), which has transmissivity between about 10 % to 34 % relative to hole area ( 130 ) is used as line patterns ( 95 ) on the wafer . in area ( 120 ), which has 0 % transmissivity , the resist is not exposed at all . it will be appreciated that hole pattern ( 100 ) is self - aligned with line pattern ( 95 ) as shown in fig3 e - 3 h . and metal mask ( 90 ) of fig3 h is schematically represented by ( 90 ′) in fig4 b where the opaque , semi - transmitting and open regions are represented by ( 120 ′), ( 110 ′) and ( 130 ′), respectively . in fig4 a substrate ( 150 ), preferably silicon , is provided with a composite tri - layer dielectric insulation comprising bottom and top layers ( 160 ) and ( 180 ), respectively , and a middle layer ( 170 ). a layer of photoresist ( 190 ) is next formed on the composite layer . it is preferred that top and bottom layers of insulation , that is , layers ( 160 ) and ( 180 ), are plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposited ( pecvd ) phosphosilicate glass ( psg ) in a low pressure environment at a chamber pressure between about 0 . 5 to 10 torr , temperature between about 300 ° c . to 600 ° c . with reactant gas sih 4 at a flow rate between about 100 to 500 standard cubic centimeters per minute ( sccm ) in a diluent carrier gas ph 3 at a flow rate between about 20 to 300 sccm . the thickness of bottom ( 160 ) and top ( 180 ) layers of dielectric are between about 0 . 3 to 0 . 7 micrometers ( μm ). middle layer ( 170 ) is an etch barrier film such as silicon nitride ( sin ) to prevent the upper trench ( line ) patterns of dual damascene from being etched through if the layer underlying the composite insulation layer is the device contact or via area ( not shown ). ( it will briefly be noted here that substrate ( 150 ) in fig4 a is provided with a substructure of devices formed in the substrate and / or metal layers thereof , and as they are not significant to the invention , they are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention .) other barrier films may be used , however silicon nitride is preferred because it becomes part of the composite insulation layer and has different etch characteristics than oxide regions . that is , silicon nitride allows a selective etch process with respect to different underlying materials . spin - on - glass and plasma nitride are also suitable as etch stop materials when polyimide layers are used . it is preferred that silicon nitride be deposited using plasma enhanced pevcd and that it has a thickness between about 500 to 2000 angstroms ( å ). the surface of layer ( 180 ) in fig4 a is planarized , preferably using chemical - mechanical polishing process . etching back or using capping method are also suitable for planarizing the surface of layer ( 180 ). then , a layer of photoresist ( 190 ) is formed on psg layer ( 180 ). it is preferred that photoresist ( 190 ) is a chemical amplification resist ( car ) and it is of positive ( p )- type . the car is made using a photo acid generator ( pag ) instead of the conventional photosensitive agent , and an example of ( p )- type resist is , model 4100 series made by shin - etsu corporation in japan . the preferred thickness of layer of photoresist ( 190 ) shown in fig4 a is between about 0 . 7 to 1 . 0 μm . mask ( 90 ′) is next used to expose photoresist layer ( 190 ). it will be recalled that mask ( 90 ′) contains opaque , semi - transmitting and clear regions ( 120 ′), ( 110 ′) and ( 130 ′), respectively . region ( 130 ′) corresponds to the hole pattern and region ( 110 ′) to the line pattern . thus , when photoresist layer ( 190 ) is exposed by light ( 140 ) through mask ( 90 ′), hole pattern ( 191 ) and line pattern ( 193 ) are formed in photoresist layer ( 190 ) as shown in fig4 b . however , as a main feature of this invention , because region ( 110 ′) transmits only a portion of light , line pattern is delineated only partially through the photoresist as shown in fig4 b . the depth to which the pattern is delineated into the photoresist layer is a function of the transmissivity of the mask . in other words , the photoacid generator ( pag ) in the photoresist generates acid commensurate with the amount of light received and alters the resin in the photoresist accordingly . the exposure energy is between about 20 to 60 milijoules ( mj )/ cm 2 . it is preferred that the transmissivity of region ( 140 ′) is between about 5 to 30 percent , though lower transmissivities down to 5 percent are acceptable while region ( 140 ) has 100 % transmittance . photoresist ( 190 ) is next developed with a recipe comprising developer 2 . 38 % tmah in a stream puddle for about 40 to 70 seconds thus forming the hole and line patterns to different depths in the photoresist as shown in fig4 c and then subjected to a post - exposure bake at a temperature between about 90 to 110 ° c . ( see s . wolf and r . n . tauber , “ silicon processing for the vlsi era ,” vol . 1 , lattice press , sunset beach , calif ., 1986 , p . 443 for a discussion on the use of stream puddle technique ). in accordance with a key feature of this invention , the same single layer of photoresist ( 190 ) may now be used as a mask to dry etch the top oxide layer ( 180 ) and thereby transfer the hole pattern as shown in fig4 d . it is preferred that the recipe used for dry etching the oxide layer in a high density plasma ( hdp ) etcher comprises ar , chf 3 and c 4 f 8 at a flow rate of standard cubic centimeters per minute ( sccm ) between about 50 to 150 , 10 to 50 and 0 to 22 sccm , respectively . the recipe is next changed to a recipe comprising ar , chf 3 and cf 4 at a flow rate between about 50 to 150 , 0 to 100 and 0 to 50 sccm , respectively in order to etch the sin layer ( 170 ) in a nitride etcher . it is also preferred that the etching selectivity of oxide is higher than ten so that the thickness of the photoresist is maintained while etching the oxide layer . line pattern ( 193 ) in photoresist layer ( 190 ) is next extended down to the top of oxide layer ( 180 ) in a resist hdp etcher using a resist dry etch recipe comprising o 2 , he and cf 4 at a flow rate between about 10 to 250 , 40 to 80 and 0 to 50 sccm , respectively . it will be appreciated that in this important step , any resist residue in either the hole pattern ( 191 ) or in the line pattern ( 193 ) will be anisotropically removed . subsequently , the same photoresist layer used to form hole pattern ( 191 ) is now used to transfer line pattern ( 193 ) into the top oxide layer ( 180 ). this is accomplished while simultaneously transferring hole pattern ( 191 ) into the lower oxide layer ( 160 ) by etching in a hdp oxide etcher using a recipe comprising gases ar , chf 3 and c 4 f 8 at a flow rate between about 50 to 150 sccm , 10 to 50 sccm , and 0 to 22 sccm , respectively . fig4 g shows the dual damascene structure comprising line trench ( 193 ′) and vertical hole ( 191 ′) thus formed with a single layer of photoresist which has now been removed . the dual damascene metal interconnect of fig4 h is finally formed by depositing metal 200 , 210 into the horizontal line trench and vertical hole combination , respectively , in the composite insulation layer and planarizing the same . it will be understood that the vertical hole may represent a contact hole or a via hole depending upon the nature of the underlying layer , that is , whether the underlying layer is the silicon substrate itself or a wiring layer . while the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .	7
an essential characteristic of the present process is that it is implemented in the absence of a peroxide radical initiator , the latter being replaced by a diazo initiator . this has the advantage of allowing one to incorporate the photochromic coloring agent in the resin matrix before polymerization of the matrix . polymerization in the presence of the coloring agent cannot be carried out with a peroxide initiator because the latter may generate a strong initial coloration of the resulting organic glass . the peroxide initiator may also lead to a loss of the photochromic effect . accordingly , in current processes for the production of organic glasses , when a peroxide initiator is used , a separate coloration step is required in order to re - impart photochromic properties or color back into the glass . as stated earlier , the coloration is generally done for example , by the diffusion of the coloring agent or agents into the glass matrix , usually at elevated temperatures . the preferred inventive process avoids this additional coloring step , and if desired , allows for the production of a photochromic lens in a single step by carrying out the polymerization directly in a lens mold . of course , if desired , the coloring agent can be omitted from the polymerizable mixture , and the incorporation of the photochromic coloring agent or agents in the polymerized matrix can be carried out by a conventional thermal diffusion process as described for example , in u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 130 , 353 , 5 , 185 , 390 and 5 , 180 , 254 . according to the method described in these references , a substrate impregnated with photochromic coloring agent or agents is applied to one surface ( usually the convex surface in the case of a lens ) of the polymer matrix . the impregnated substrate is then heated to 100 - 150 ° c . for one to three hours , and finally the substrate is separated from the polymer matrix . the photochromic coloring agent can be chosen from the general classes of the spirooxazines , spiropyrans and chromenes having photochromic properties . quite a large number of photochromic coloring agents are described in the literature and are commercially available and are described for example in u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 246 , 630 and 4 , 994 , 208 , both herein incorporated by reference . examples of useful spirooxazines for the invention are described in u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 562 , 172 ; 4 , 634 , 767 ; 4 , 637 , 698 ; 4 , 720 , 547 ; 4 , 756 , 973 ; 4 , 785 , 097 ; 4 , 792 , 224 ; 4 , 784 , 474 ; 4 , 851 , 471 ; 4 , 816 , 584 ; 4 , 831 , 142 ; 4 , 909 , 963 ; 4 , 931 , 219 ; 4 , 936 , 995 ; 4 , 986 , 934 ; 5 , 114 , 621 ; 5 , 139 , 707 ; 5 , 233 , 038 ; 4 , 215 , 010 ; 4 , 342 , 668 ; 4 , 699 , 473 ; 4 , 851 , 530 ; 4 , 913 , 544 ; 5 , 171 , 636 ; 5 , 180 , 524 ; and 5 , 166 , 345 , and also in ep - a 0 , 508 , 219 ; 0 , 232 , 295 ; and 0 , 171 , 909 , among others , herein incorporated by reference . examples of chromenes that can be used are described also in u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 567 , 605 ; 4 , 889 , 413 ; 4 , 931 , 221 ; 5 , 200 , 116 ; 5 , 066 , 818 ; 5 , 244 , 602 ; 5 , 238 , 981 ; 5 , 106 , 998 ; 4 , 980 , 089 ; and 5 , 130 , 058 and ep - a 0 , 562 , 915 , all herein incorporated by reference . useful spiropyrans have been described in the literature , for example , in photochromism , g . brown , ed ., techniques of chemistry , wiley interscience , vol . iii , 1971 , chapter iii , pp . 45 - 294 , r . c . bertelson ; and photochromism , molecules & amp ; systems , edited by h . dürr , h . bouas - laurent , elsevier , 1990 , chapter 8 , “ spiropyrans ,” pp . 314 - 455 , r . guglielmetti , all herein incorporated by reference . on an indicative and nonlimiting basis , the proportion of photochromic coloring agent ( s ) to be incorporated in the matrix can range from 0 . 03 to 0 . 3 wt %, and preferably from 0 . 05 to 0 . 1 wt %. preferably also , one uses a combination of photochromic coloring agents giving a gray or brown tint in the darkened state . as diazo radical initiator , it is possible to use azobisisobutyronitrile ( aibn ) and 2 , 2 ′- azobis ( 2 - methylbutyronitrile ), among others . other examples of useful diazo radical initiators are also described in “ polymer handbook ,” by bandrup and immergut , p . ii - 2 , john wiley ( 1989 ). to carry out the polymerization , it is possible , for example , to heat the polymerizable mixture slowly until the beginning of thermal degradation of the diazo compound with release of nitrogen and free radicals . this can occur at a relatively low temperature which depends on the diazo compound which is used ( approximately 65 ° c . in the case of aibn ). the polymerization is carried out for several hours , for example , 10 - 20 hours . one finally proceeds to anneal the structure by heating in successive temperature stages , which can exceed 100 ° c ., and for a duration of approximately 1 hour each . the invention finally relates to the articles consisting completely or partially of a photochromic organic material according to the invention . nonlimiting examples of such articles are lenses for ophthalmic ( corrective ) glasses or sunglasses , windows for automobiles and other vehicles , windows for buildings , etc . in the articles of the invention , the photochromic organic material of the invention can constitute the whole thickness of the article ( solid article ) or can be in the form of a film or layer stratified on a transparent organic or mineral support . lenses , especially ophthalmic lenses , are particularly preferred articles of the invention . these lenses can be produced conveniently by carrying out the polymerization in lens molds , in a conventional manner , for example , as described in u . s . pat . nos . 2 , 242 , 386 ; 3 , 136 , 000 ; and 3 , 881 , 683 which are herein incorporated by reference . the stratified articles can be produced easily by application of the polymerizable mixture ( for example , by immersion , by centrifugation , by brush , etc .) to the support and polymerization of said mixture in situ . in order to suitably understand the invention , the following nonlimiting examples are given . the parts are parts by weight . two non - photochromic organic glasses are prepared by the following mode of operation : a ) 100 parts of diacryl 121 ( tetraethoxylated bisphenol a dimethylmethacrylate ( formula i in which r 1 = ch 3 , r 2 = h and m = n = 2 ) sold by the akzo company ) is mixed with 0 . 25 part azobisisobutyronitrile ( aibn ) as initiator . the mixture is polymerized in a lens mold for 16 hours at 65 ° c . in a nitrogen atmosphere . the resulting mold is posthardened for 1 hour at 70 ° c ., for 1 hour at 80 ° c . and for 1 hour at 110 ° c . so as to obtain an organic lens after removal from the mold . b ) in this second stage , operation a is repeated except that the diacryl 121 is replaced by diacryl 101 ( diethoxylated bisphenol a dimethylmethacrylate ( formula i in which r 1 = ch 3 , r 2 = h , and m = n = 1 ) sold by the akzo company ). the physical properties of these glasses , as well as those of a reference organic glass commercially available under the registered brand cr39 ® and consisting of the homopolymer of diethylene glycol bis ( allyl carbonate ), are indicated in table i hereafter . table i compared physical properties glass derived glass derived cr39 ® from diacryl 101 from diacryl 121 shore d hardness 84 89 84 vickers hardness 215 490 230 ( n / mm 2 ) elastic modulus in gpa by dma 3 . 34 5 . 30 3 . 40 by vickers 3 . 17 5 . 10 3 . 34 glass transition 94 ° c . 156 ° c . 107 ° c . t g ( max t gδ ) refractive index 1 . 498 1 . 565 1 . 5575 n d 20 one observes that the polymer materials used in the invention at the same time have mechanical properties that are equivalent to or superior to those of cr39 ®, the reference product , and a clearly higher refractive index values . same process as examples 1a or 1b , except that a photochromic coloring agent chosen from the table below is incorporated into the polymerization mixture . the coloring agent is dissolved in the monomer with stirring and slight heating . coloring agents coloring agent no . formula nomenclature 1 1 , 3 , 3 - trimethylspiro [ 2h - indole - 2 , 3 ′-[ 3h ] phenanthra ( 9 , 10b )[ 1 , 4 ] oxazine ] 2 5 - chloro derivative of coloring agent no . 1 3 1 , 3 , 3 - trimethylspiro [ indolino - 2 , 3 ′[ 3h ]- naphtho ( 2 , 1b )( 1 , 4 ) oxazine ] 4 1 , 3 , 3 , 5 , 6 - pentamethylspiro [ indolino - 2 , 3 ′[ 3h ]- naphtho ( 2 , 1b )( 1 , 4 ) oxazine ] 5 1 , 3 , 3 - trimethylspiro [ indolino - 6 ′-( 1 - piperidyl )- 2 , 3 ′[ 3h ]- napththo ( 2 , 1b )( 1 , 4 ) oxazine ] 6 3 , 3 - diphenyl - 3h - naththo [ 2 , 1b ] pyrane in the photochromic materials or glasses obtained , the times of half - darkening and half - lightening are measured . the light source is a mercury vapor lamp , and the measurement of transmission is done at the wavelength of λ max of the coloring agent and at room temperature on a 2 - mm - thick sample . table ii below recapitulates the results various photochromic materials according to the invention . table ii t ½ t ½ darken - light - photo - color - ing ning chromic ing λ max concen - ( sec - ( sec - glass matrix tg agent ( nm ) tration onds ) onds ) 1 diacryl 156 ° c . 3 605 0 . 3 % 3 4 101 2 diacryl — 6 435 0 . 4 % 4 7 101 3 diacryl — 1 605 0 . 05 % 5 7 101 4 diacryl — 2 590 0 . 05 % 7 11 101 5 diacryl 109 ° c . 3 605 0 . 3 % 3 4 122 6 diacryl — 4 605 0 . 2 % 3 6 121 the examples above show that , regardless of the type of photochromic compound used , one observes with all the glasses of the invention rapid kinetics of darkening as well as lightening , in spite of the high t s values of the resins , particularly in the case of diacryl 101 ( t g = 156 ° c . ), with the best mode being represented by photochromic glass 1 . a photochromic lens with a gray tint is prepared according to the mode of operation of example 1a , except that one incorporates in the polymerization mixture 0 . 2 part no . 4 blue coloring agent , 0 . 025 part no . 5 red coloring agent and 0 . 20 part no . 6 yellow coloring agent . the lens obtained has rapid darkening and lightening properties . the kinetics of the three coloring agents used being similar , the lens keeps its neutral gray tint during the process of darkening , as well as that of lightening . the lens has a good photostability with time as shown by the results presented in table iii below , of transmittance measurements before and after 283 hours of exposure at a wavelength of 560 nm ( 60 , 000 - lux xenon lamp ) at 20 ° c . table iii transmittance before after t o 910 84 . 9 % 82 . 5 % t d15 ( 2 ) 26 . 5 % 28 . 1 % t f5 ( 3 ) 72 . 7 % 71 . 6 % this example illustrates the variant of the process of the invention consisting of incorporating the photochromic coloring agent by diffusion after polymerization . one prepares a lens according to the mode of operation of example 1 , and therefore not containing any photochromic coloring agents . one prepares a solution of 1 g of coloring agent no . 4 in 10 g of tetrahydrofuran . one impregnates a disk of filter paper with the solution thus prepared ; one applies the filter to the convex front surface of the lens obtained . one maintains the lens under pressure by means of a mineral glass lens with the same radius of curvature as the plastic lens , and one heats it for 2 hours at 130 ° c . one separates the components , and stoves the lens obtained for 2 hours at 110 ° c . the final lens obtained is photochromic with the following characteristics ( measured at λ max = 616 nm ). the results obtained ( kinetics ) are completely comparable to those obtained by incorporation in the matrix beforehand ( see example 2 ). it goes without saying that the embodiments described are only examples , and one could modify them , particularly by substitution of equivalent techniques , without consequently leaving the scope of the invention .	2
the present invention contemplates a surgical loupe system in which the optical design provides for enhanced brilliance in the operator &# 39 ; s view and provides a video output of the field of view of the operator . in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in fig1 a binocular viewing system comprises first and second loupes 12 and 14 . illumination is delivered through optical fibers 16 and 18 for each loupe 12 and 14 . optics within the loupes 12 and 14 direct the illumination provided by the fibers 16 and 18 along respective output axis 20 and 22 to illuminate respective fields of view 24 and 26 . the fields of view 24 and 26 will coincide at the normal operator viewing distance . an operator 28 views the fields of view 24 and 26 through respective eyes 30 and 32 aligned to view along the axes 20 and 22 through loupes 12 and 14 . illumination provided from the fibers 16 and 18 , which would otherwise be waste illumination , is captured by the loupe optics and directed towards the respective fields of view 24 and 26 by optical subassemblies 34 and 36 . the loupes 12 and 14 and associated optics illustrated in fig1 are substantially identical and are mounted for ease of operator use either on a separate headband or , as illustrated in fig1 directly in lenses 38 and 40 of a pair of eyeglasses set in a frame 42 and custom adapted to the surgeon &# 39 ; s needs . in so customizing the eyeglasses , the loupes 12 and 14 are fitted into the glass lenses 38 and 40 , typically by screwing them into apertures formed in the lenses in locations custom designed to match the viewing direction of the surgeon &# 39 ; s eyes 30 and 32 while permitting peripheral viewing by the surgeon through the lenses 38 and 40 by moving his eyes . the loupes 12 and 14 are substantially identical although they may be provided in right and left hand forms . fig2 illustrates the internal structure of each loupe 12 and 14 . as shown there a housing 50 is provided with a beam splitting optical cube 52 with a beam splitting interface 54 mounted within the housing 50 . the beam splitting interface 54 preferably provides 50 % reflection and 50 % transmission which provides optimal scene and viewing brightness . the optical fibers 16 or 18 which supply illumination from a source 56 are mounted through a support 58 to the housing 50 to direct illumination through a lens system 60 and circular polarizing filter 62 for reflection from a first surface of the beam splitting interface 54 outward through a further , objective lens system 64 to illuminate the field of view 24 or 26 . that portion of the radiation , typically 50 %, which passes through the beam splitting interface 54 extends onward through the housing 50 to a reflector 66 within the subassemblies 34 or 36 from which it is directed generally to illuminate the field of view 24 or 26 at the location where the surgeon or other operator is to view it . rays from the illuminated image returning from the field of view 24 , 26 pass back through lens 64 to optical interface 54 where it is transmitted , in part , through the first to the second surface of the interface 54 to a circular polarizing filter 68 and a pechan / schmidt roof prism 70 on through eyepiece optics 72 to an eye 30 , 32 of the viewer . the polarizing filters 62 and 68 provide circular polarization which attenuates the radiation only by 20 % while transmitting 80 %. the dimensions of the path between the polarizing filters 62 and 68 for light which causes perceivable brightness or flare at the interface 54 within the cube 52 is such that all such illumination is attenuated by the combined polarizations of the filters 62 and 68 . scattering by objects within the field of view 24 , 26 , however , causes the returning illumination to loose a defined polarization such that the filter 68 is relatively ineffective in attenuating that illumination which in turn passes through the optics 70 and 72 to the viewing eye 30 , 32 . the prism 70 , provides an erect image and further lengthens the optical path in order to achieve a desired focal length for the telescope formed by objective lens system 64 in combination with eyepiece lenses 72 . the lens system 60 is provided in order to optimize the available illumination from the optical fiber 16 , 18 so that it illuminates the same field of view 24 , 26 , or portion thereof , as seen by the viewer &# 39 ; s eye 30 , 32 . it is desirable in many applications to provide a remote image of the field of view observed by the surgeon or other operator during whatever procedure the surgeon or operator is engaged in . such viewing can be for purposes of remote monitoring by assisting personnel or for use in teaching . it may also be useful for providing video recording of procedures . for such purposes , according to the present invention , an optical camera system 80 , as illustrated in fig3 is attached to a headband 82 of the type known in the art and securely fitted about the head of the operator in such position that it typically lies between loupes 84 and 86 which are positioned , either by eyeglass supports or additionally supported by the headband 82 , to permit the operator &# 39 ; s eyes 88 and 90 to view respectively therethrough . loupes 84 , 86 may be of the design described above , other design , or may be omitted entirely . the structure of the camera system 80 is illustrated more fully below with respect to fig4 . as shown there the camera 80 includes a housing 90 having therein a charge couple device ( ccd ), video sensor chip 92 and amplifier / driver pc board 93 . chip 92 responds to the light from a field of view 94 after passing through a beam splitter 96 , zoom lens 98 and infrared filter 100 to provide a corresponding video signal that is amplified on the board 93 to drive an output cable 104 to a controller 125 and monitor 126 or other utilization device . the field of view 94 is illuminated by light from an optical fiber 106 through a lens 108 and reflector 110 which positions the illumination to pass through a zoom lens 112 to be reflected by a reflector 114 from which it is reflected off the beam splitter 96 to travel the same optical axis as viewed by the chip 92 toward the field of view 94 . polarizing filters 116 and 118 may be provided as described above with respect to fig2 in the path of illumination from the cable 106 and in the viewing path after passing through the beam splitter 96 in order to eliminate from the image processed by the chip 92 all flare from the beam splitter 96 resulting from its illumination by light from the cable 106 . an absorber 120 may additionally be provided so that all radiation passing through the beam splitter 96 from the illuminating light in cable 106 is absorbed and not permitted to reflect within the housing 90 causing further undesirable optical or flare effects . a subassembly such as described above may alternatively be provided to make use of this waste beam . the zoom lenses 98 and 112 are typically identical and are coupled either mechanically or electrically by a coupling 122 to vary their focal lengths together . a focus control 124 is provided remotely , typically at the location of viewing monitor 126 for the video image transmitted by the processor chip 92 . the use of coordinated zoom lenses 98 and 112 permits the region of illumination to track in size the region of view seen by the video sensor chip 92 . this in turn provides optimal utilization of the incident illumination . a microphone 128 is mounted on a suitable surface of the housing 80 , such as on the front as shown , and its output is coupled into the cable 104 through the amplifier / driver board 93 . the audio discussions during the operation or procedure are thus remotely transmitted to controller 125 where they are reproduced by a speaker 129 . alternatively , a video camera may be incorporated into a binocular loupe system as illustrated in fig5 and 6 . as shown in fig5 first and second loupes 130 and 132 are provided and supported by a means 134 which may include either eyeglass lenses and / or frames or a separate headband as desired . the loupes 130 and 132 are positioned , as described above , in coordination with the operator &# 39 ; s eyes 136 and 138 to permit optimal viewing of a field of view 140 . one of the loupes , shown here as loupe 132 , has associated with it a video camera 142 the design of which , and the associated loupe 132 , are more fully described below in fig6 . the other loupe 130 typically is of the design illustrated above in fig2 with or without a waste beam utilization subassembly 34 , 36 and is supplied with illumination from an optical fiber 144 . as thus shown both loupes 130 and 132 provide viewing by the operator of the field of view 140 . the loupe 130 is additionally constructed to provide illumination along the same axis as is used for viewing while the loupe 132 is constructed to provide video sensing of the image along the same axis as used for viewing . with respect to fig6 the details of the loupe 132 and associated camera 142 are more fully described . as shown there , viewing of the field of view 140 is accomplished along an optical axis which passes through an objective lens 150 , beam splitter 152 , pechan / schmidt prism 154 and objective lens 156 . the beam splitter 152 has a beam splitting interface 158 which provides an appropriate percentage of transmission and reflection depending upon the sensitivity of the video camera and the matching transmission of the companion loupe 130 . typical transmission reflection percentages would be 50 / 50 . the light reflected by the beam splitting interface 158 is directed upwards where a reflector 160 redirects it within the video camera portion 142 through an optical system 162 and infrared filter 164 to a video sensor chip 166 , also typically a charge coupled device ( ccd ), to an amplifier / driver 167 . the video sensor 166 converts the received image to a video signal which is applied as an output on a cable 168 by amplifier / driver 167 to a video monitor or otherwise as desired . a front mounted microphone 170 is also provided and its output is applied through amplifier / driver 167 to the cable 168 . in this manner the structure of fig5 and 6 provides both on axis viewing as well as video photography through a single pair of binocular loupes 130 and 132 . it is to be noted that for weight minimization in the optical designs above plastic lenses are typically utilized along with other lightweight materials . specific structures for embodying the structure and concepts illustrated above , or different combinations of them are considered to be within the scope of the invention which is solely limited in accordance with the following claims .	0
in the simplified view of an apparatus according to the invention as shown in fig1 reference 10 denotes a conductor which is connected to a switch 12 ( such as for example an igbt ) and which delivers the alternating current generated . the switch is actuated by a control circuit 14 . the current measured in the conductor 10 is detected with a measuring transducer 16 and fed to a processing unit 18 . the processing unit 18 also receives actuation information from the control 14 as a trigger event in order to be able to precisely determine the respective switching moments . in accordance with the current ascertained by the measuring transducer 16 in the conductor 10 , there is called up from a table 20 , a corresponding voltage value for the collector - emitter voltage , and then the actual dissipated power of the switch 12 can be ascertained from those values . the result can be displayed for example on a display 22 . it will be appreciated that , in addition to being displayed on display 22 , those values can also be stored in a memory ( not shown in the figure ) at the same time or prior to being shown on display 22 . using a memory then makes it possible to collect data which can be transferred to a computer for further evaluation purposes , for example , by way of an interface or by processing unit 18 . the processing unit 18 can be a standard microcomputer , microprocessor , or other cpu . it may include within it the control circuit 14 and the memory in which the value of the dissipated power value is stored . the view shown in fig2 substantially corresponds to that of fig1 . in addition this figure shows a pod of a wind power installation 24 with a control 26 provided therein . thus , depending on the result of the computation operation in the processing unit 18 , not only can the computation result be displayed on the display 22 , but simultaneously or alternatively the control 26 of the wind power installation 24 can be influenced in order , as one example , to be able to react to a limit value being exceeded . accordingly the wind power installation can be caused to reduce the power generated to reduce the heating of the switch 12 . in the case of pitch - regulated wind power installations that is possible by altering the pitch angle of the rotor blades in known manner . fig3 is supplemented in comparison with fig2 by measuring transducers and actuating arrangements . this figure shows a plurality of conductors 100 , 101 , 102 in which the current flowing is detected with measuring transducers 161 , 162 , 163 . the additional switches are not shown , for enhanced clarity of the figure . a line 169 indicates that here naturally a plurality of measuring transducers can also be connected to the processing unit 16 , as an example of detecting a physical quantity . in accordance with the number of lines , there are also provided corresponding actuating arrangements 141 , 142 , 143 . a line goes from each of those actuating arrangements to the processing unit 18 so that a respective trigger pulse can be delivered for each switch which feeds into one of the lines 100 , 101 , 102 . as described hereinbefore a corresponding value for the collector - emitter voltage of the switch can be called up from the table 20 in relation to each detected current value , and the instantaneous dissipated power can be determined therefrom . the results can then again be outputted to a display 22 or the control 26 of a wind power installation 24 . it will be appreciated that it is also possible for corresponding signals of these values to be output and delivered to other devices such as mobile telephones , remote monitoring central stations , the internet , tracking computers , and so forth in order to trigger corresponding notifications . the view in fig4 shows a flow chart for the method according to the invention . after the start the measurement value for a switch is firstly ascertained . on the basis of that measurement value , the next step involves reading the associated data value out of the table and thereafter the two values are processed , in this case therefore multiplied together to ascertain the instantaneous dissipated power of the switch . thereafter a checking operation can be effected to ascertain whether the value determined is within a predetermined limit . if not a signal can be outputted . it will be appreciated that alternatively or additionally it is also possible to implement a display . the measurement can then be repeated or not . in that respect the repetition can be effected for the same switch or also for another switch . fig5 is a simplified view showing the arrangement of two switches 12 a and 12 b with which the current for a phase can be generated . the free - wheeling diodes 12 c and 12 d also belong to the switches . the tapping for the phase is disposed in the center between the two switches 12 a and 12 b and the line 10 corresponds to the line 10 shown in fig1 - 3 . a measuring transducer 16 detects the current which flows in the line 10 and is fed to a processing unit 18 . a control unit 14 controls the switches 12 a and 12 b . at the same time it outputs corresponds trigger signals to the processing unit 18 . those trigger signals can involve the actuating clock of the switches 12 a and 12 b . the processing unit 18 reads the values associated with the current values , for the collector - emitter voltage , out of the table 20 and outputs the result at an output 19 . that output can be for example a display , a memory , a signal to a monitoring means and / or a signal which influences the inverter or the wind power installation . to understand the following description it is helpful to consider the co - operation of the switch 12 a and the free - wheeling diode 12 c or the switch 12 b and the free - wheeling diode 12 d respectively . that is shown in the left - hand part of fig5 by way of example for the switch 12 a and the free - wheeling diode 12 c . three switching patterns illustrated one above the other are shown there . the lower switching pattern which is identified at the left - hand edge by a rectangle is assumed to be the switching clock for the igbt 12 a , which is outputted by the control 14 . in that respect a falling edge leads to the igbt being switched on and a rising edge leads to the igbt being switched off and the free - wheeling diode being switched on . while the clock from the control is at a high level at the beginning , the igbt is correspondingly switched off and the free - wheeling diode is conducting . accordingly , flow losses occur there . at the moment in time t 1 the control signal has a falling edge . the igbt is switched on and the diode switched off . accordingly the flow losses now occur at the switch , as can also be seen in the middle one of the illustrations . for the sake of completeness it should also be mentioned that corresponding leakage losses also occur due to leakage currents in the diode in the off state . at the moment in time t 2 the clock signal has a rising edge . accordingly the igbt 12 a is switched off and the free - wheeling diode 12 c is in a conducting state . at the moment in time t 3 the clock signal falls , the igbt 12 a is switched on and the diode is switched off . that is also further shown up to the moment in time t 8 . fig6 shows the relationship between the clock pulses which are here once again shown as square - wave pulses , and the current in the conductor 10 . at the moment in time ta the clock signal has a falling edge . accordingly the switch is switched on and the current begins to rise within the tolerance band until the switch switches off at the moment in time tb . that switch - off of the switch 12 a leads to the switch 12 b switching on and the current falls again somewhat until a lower value is reached . the switch 12 a then switches on again , with the falling edge . it will be appreciated that the switch 12 b is then switched off and the current rises again . those switching operations continue until overall a sinusoidal current configuration is produced . as the switching times depend on the attainment of the corresponding tolerance values the situation does not involve a fixed pattern . rather those switching times arise precisely out of the attainment of the respective limit values . while the switch is switched on , at an interval of 25 μs ( that value is by way of example , it can also be longer or shorter ) the current in the conductor is measured and the corresponding value for the collector - emitter voltage is called up from the table . accordingly it is possible to precisely determine the loss for the instantaneous current flow . overall a distinction is to be drawn between three kinds of losses in respect of the igbt . at the switching - on moment , switching - on losses occur . they are detected . equally , at the switching - off moment switching - off losses occur , which are also detected . while the transistor is in the switched - on condition , flow losses occur . they are also detected , and all those values can be cumulated in order thus to arrive at the losses for the igbt . alternately with the current flow through the igbt a current flow through the diode occurs . this also involves flow losses as well as leakage losses when the diode is in the blocked condition . those values are also detected , cumulated and combined with the values obtained for the igbt overall to give the switching losses . those switching losses can be ascertained for example for a period of the mains frequency or also for another predeterminable period of time such as for example a second in order then to be able to determine the switching losses for a period or for example for greater ease of convertibility for a second . in that respect it is possible however to take account not only of the switches of a phase ( see fig5 ). rather it is also possible to detect the switches for three phases and for the switch for example in a boost converter or in a chopper in the intermediate circuit . the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments . all of the u . s . patents , u . s . patent application publications , u . s . patent applications , foreign patents , foreign patent applications and non - patent publications referred to in this specification and / or listed in the application data sheet , are incorporated herein by reference , in their entirety . aspects of the embodiments can be modified , if necessary to employ concepts of the various patents , applications and publications to provide yet further embodiments . these and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of the above - detailed description . in general , in the following claims , the terms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims , but should be construed to include all possible embodiments along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled . accordingly , the claims are not limited by the disclosure .	8
before describing the filtering element for small - scale intensity fluctuations according to the invention , a solution to the problem from the theoretical point of view will be examined . when the equations of interaction of the electromagnetic fields with an optical medium are written , infinite plane waves are usually considered -- which simplifies the problem . a laser beam has a finite section of rays r and the transverse distribution of energy has a maximum in the centre of the beam . a medium is then considered whose index of refraction , which varies with the light intensity passing therethrough , includes a term n 2 e 2 which depends on the square of electric fields e : wherein n 0 is the normal index of refraction of the medium and wherein the increase of the index n 2 e 2 proportional to the square of the electric field is due , for example , to the orientation of the molecules under the effect of this field ( induced kerr effect ). thus n 2 e 2 appears as the coefficient of the second term of an expansion of the index of refraction as a function of the electric field applied , the term e having a coefficient n 1 = 0 . thus the index of refraction is higher on the axis of the beam than on its edges . under these conditions , a ray of the beam propagated in a direction parallel to the axis at a distance r from the latter is inflected towards the axis of the beam with a radius of curvature ρ given by the expression : ## equ1 ## the second derivatives of the intensity of the laser beam being of the order of ## equ2 ## this gives an order of magnitude of the distance l f at which this ray intersects the axis ## equ3 ## a critical condition is obtained by writing that this curvature of the rays on the edges of the beam compensates the effect of the diffraction : ## equ4 ## whence the threshold power is deduced : ## equ5 ## this example is obviously very simplified , but its interest is to show that any mechanism introducing a variation in the index proportional to the energy contained in the beam on principle enables the laser light , if e is sufficient , to be self - focussed in the medium . equation ( 2 ) shows that the self - focussing length depends on the term n 2 and on the radius r of the small - scale intensity fluctuations . with reference now to the drawing , fig1 shows an element for eliminating small - scall intensity fluctuations of a laser beam according to the invention . this element comprises mainly a case which has two windows 2 , 3 of a transparent material , for example glass , at its two opposed ends , the sealing between the walls of the case 1 and the windows 2 and 3 being achieved by o - rings 4 and 5 respectively . the windows 2 and 3 are slightly inclined to the vertical so as to avoid reflections in the direction of the beam . the case 1 has a tubular inlet connector 6 in its lower part for a fluid 7 which constitutes the nonlinear filtering medium of the element and a tubular outlet connector 8 for this fluid . the nature of the fluid depends on the wavelength of the light to be filtered , on the duration of the leser pulse and on the mean intensity above which an elimination of the small - scale intensity fluctuations is desired to be obtained . the fluid 7 is made to flow by a pump ( not shown ) connected to the connectors 6 and 8 . the element for eliminating small - scale intensity fluctuations just described is placed in the path of a beam 9 of light in such manner that the windows 2 and 3 of the case constitute respectively the input window and the output window for the beam 9 emitted by a laser ( not shown ). in order to examine the operation of the intensity fluctuation eliminating element described with reference to fig1 reference will also be made to fig5 which shows the distribution of the intensities of the laser beam at the input of the eliminating element represented by the curve 10 and the distribution of this intensity at the output of said element represented by the curve 11 . the curve 10 has in its intermediate part an intensity fluctuation peak 12 which is supposed to be the sole peak in order to simplify the description and which must be eliminated . the laser beam 9 enters the filtering medium 7 through the window 2 . as the major part of the beam 9 has an intensity lower than the self - focussing threshold of the medium 7 , it traverses this medium with no deformation and issues therefrom through the window 3 . the part 13 of the beam corresponding to the peak 12 of the curve 10 is focussed by the medium 7 at 14 at a distance 1f defined by the relation ( 3 ), and the energy it contains is dispersed in a large solid angle or absorbed by the medium so that at the output of the eliminating element the laser beam 9 has a distribution devoid of small - scale intensity fluctuations . the self - focussing which occurs at 14 produces a localized disturbance of the properties of the madium 7 but , owing to the fact that this medium is flowing constantly , the parts of the medium concerned by the self - focussing are always renewed so that the properties of the eliminating element are unaffected . further , the permanent flow of the fluid 7 in the case of the element permits the obtainment of a good homogeneity of its index of refraction . as the beam of light is emitted by a neodymium glass laser and has a wavelength λ = 1 . 06 μ , there is employed as the self - focussing fluid any liquid having elongated molecules and a short orientation time , such as carbon disulphide , chloronaphthalene or nitrobenzene . the amplifying system shown in fig2 comprises an amplifying medium 15 placed in the path of a beam 16 of light emitted by a laser ( not shown ). disposed upstream of the amplifying medium 15 is an eliminating element 17 of the type shown in fig1 whose transparent medium has a low self - focussing threshold . the laser beam has its small - scale intensity fluctuations removed in the element 17 and is applied to the amplifying medium 15 in which it undergoes the desired amplification with no risk of deterioration of the medium 15 . the amplifying medium 15 may be a single medium or comprises a group of amplifying media arranged in cascade . further , in the amplifying system , a plurality of elements of the type shown in fig1 may be placed in the path of the same beam . the relative position of the elements must then be chosen in such manner as to reduce the re - injection of focussed light in the amplifying medium disposed immediately after an eliminating element . the intensity fluctuation eliminating element just described with reference to fig1 gives excellent results when it is employed for treating extremely short pulses of a duration of , for example , between 20 and 200 ps . fig3 shows an intensity fluctuation eliminating element which employs the phenomenon of retrodiffusion by a stimulated brillouin effect . as concerns this phenomenon , reference may be had to the article by denariez and bret published in the physical review , volume 171 , pages 160 - 171 , july 1968 wherein a &# 34 ; stimulated brillouin power threshold &# 34 ; is determined by the relationship on page 163 : ## equ6 ## this element is of a construction identical to that of the element shown in fig1 and consequently will not be described in detail . the difference between the element shown in fig1 and that shown in fig3 resides essentially in the duration of the pulses which must be treated and in the filtering medium employed . with a beam emitted by the same neodymium glass laser , as in the case of the embodiment shown in fig1 the element shown in fig3 is employed for pulse durations , for example between 1 and 20 ns which are longer than the time it takes to establish sound waves which are the basis of the retrodiffusion phenomenon employed . the filtering medium filling the case of the element is a fluid having a good transparency to the wavelength employed and a low attenuation in respect of high - frequency sound waves . acetone or benzene is most satisfactory for this application . the major part of the beam 9 passes through the eliminating element with no deformation . the intensity fluctuation peak 12 ( fig5 ) produces sound waves 18 which reflect it and the energy it contains is dispersed in a solid angle 19 which is as large as the small - scale intensity fluctuations is narrow . the amplifying system shown in fig4 is similar to that shown in fig2 except for the fact that the eliminating element 20 placed in the path of the laser beam 21 upstream of an amplifying medium 22 is a retrodiffusion element by a stimulated brillouin effect of the type described with reference to fig3 . as in the preceeding case , a plurality of eliminating elements may be placed in the path of the laser beam . in this case , the relative position of the elements is chosen in such manner as to diminish the reinjection of the diffused light rearwardly in the neighbouring amplifying medium . the intensity fluctuation eliminating elements just described operate , one in employing the self - focussing principle , and the other in employing retrodiffusion by a stimulated brillouin effect . however , these two effects as well as others , such as the stimulated raman effect and / or the stimulated rayleigh effect , are produced simultaneously by a small - scale intensity fluctuation so that under certain conditions it is possible to envisage the use of an eliminating element which employs a plurality of these effects in combination which would enable the efficiency of the filtering obtained to be improved . it is also possible to envisage placing in the same beam a plurality of filtering cells employing either of the aforementioned phenomena . the eliminating elements described hereinbefore are separate elements placed in the path of the laser beam to be treated , but it is also possible to incorporate them in the cavity of the laser employed as a source . for the optical wavelengths considered in the present description , liquids are employed as filtering media but gases under a suitable pressure may also be employed as the nonlinear filtering medium , in particular in the remote infrared and ultraviolet range where most liquids are opaque . the intensity fluctuation eliminating elements according to the invention enable in particular the efficiency of lasers to be improved by the use of mean intensities higher than those employed conventionally .	6
various embodiments will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . the present invention may , however , be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein . rather , these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete , and will fully convey the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art . throughout the disclosure , like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures and embodiments of the present invention . fig3 is a configuration diagram illustrating a clock generation circuit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 , the clock generation circuit may include a clock generation unit 310 and a reset control unit 320 . the clock generation unit 310 may generate a first clock ck 1 and a first inversion clock ck 3 in response to a reference clock ck , and generate a second clock ck 2 and a second inversion clock ck 4 in response to a reference inversion clock ckb having the opposite phase of the reference clock ck . each pair of the first and the second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 and the first and the second inversion clocks ck 3 and ck 4 may have a phase difference of 90 °. the first clock ck 1 may have a phase of 0 °, the second clock ck 2 may have a phase of 90 °, the first inversion clock ck 3 may have a phase of 180 °, and the second inversion clock ck 4 may have a phase of 270 °. the first clock ck 1 may be generated by dividing the reference clock ck by 2 , and the second clock ck 2 may be generated by dividing the reference inversion clock ckb by 2 . through the 2 - divisions , the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 may have half the frequency and doubled the period of the reference and reference inversion clocks ck and ckb . the reset control unit 320 may control a reset operation of the clock generation unit 310 . the reset operation may disable one or more of the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 for a given time so that the target clock ( s ) does not toggle , and then resumes toggling . the reset control unit 320 may compare the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 , and control the clock generation unit 310 so that the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 are disabled for a given time and then enabled when the second clock ck 2 leads the first clock ck 1 . the reset control unit 320 may compare the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 in several ways . for example , the reset control unit 320 may compare the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 by detecting the logic value of the second clock ck 2 at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . the second clock ck 2 may have logic low value at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 when the first clock ck 1 leads the second clock ck 2 . the second clock ck 2 may have logic high value at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 when the second clock ck 2 leads the first clock ck 1 . accordingly , in the latter case , the reset control unit 320 may perform the reset operation to the clock generation unit 310 so that the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 are disabled for a while and then enabled . for another example , the reset control unit 320 may compare the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 by detecting the logic value of the second inversion clock ck 4 at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . as described above , the second inversion clock ck 4 is inverted from the second clock ck 2 . when the first clock ck 1 leads the second clock ck 2 , the second inversion clock ck 4 has a logic high value at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . when the second clock ck 2 leads the first clock ck 1 , the logic value of the second inversion clock ck 4 may have a logic low value at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . accordingly , in the latter case , the reset control unit 320 may perform the reset operation to the clock generation unit 310 so that the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 are disabled for a given time and then enabled again . in addition , the reset control unit 320 may compare the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 through various ways , and perform the reset operation to the clock generation unit 310 according to the comparison result . when the first clock ck 1 leads the second clock ck 2 , the reset control unit 320 may control the clock generation unit 310 to keep enabling the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 . a reference reset signal rstb may stay low - enabled before an initialization operation of the clock generation circuit , and stay high - disabled during and after the initialization operation . the reference reset signal rstb may stay high - disabled during the reset operation . during the initialization operation , the clock generation circuit may be activated . during the reset operation , the clock generation circuit may disable the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 for an amount of time that is based on the comparison result and then enable them to correct the misalignment of the phase difference between the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 . when the reference reset signal rstb is disabled at activation of the clock generation circuit , the reset control unit 320 may control the clock generation unit 310 to enable the first clock ck 1 and the first inversion clock ck 3 at the rising edge of the reference clock ck and then enable the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 at the rising edge of the reference inversion clock ckb . for example , at the activation of the clock generation circuit , an integrated circuit including the clock generation circuit is powered on . at the activation of the clock generation circuit , all of the first to fourth clocks ck 1 to ck 4 of the clock generation circuit may be disabled in their initial state . in this example , the reference reset signal rstb is a high - disabled and low - enabled signal . the reset control unit 320 may detect misalignment of the phase difference between the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 , and may correct the misalignment by disabling the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clocks ck 4 for a given time based on the detection result . for reference , the first clock ck 1 may lead the second clock ck 2 by the phase of 90 ° because the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 are respectively generated through the 2 - division of the reference clock ck and the reference inversion clock ckb . accordingly , when the phases of the first clock ck 1 and the second clock ck 2 are mismatched ( i . e ., the second clock ck 2 lead the first clock ck 1 by 90 °), the reset control unit 320 may correct the misalignment of the phase difference between the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 ( i . e ., the first clock ck 1 leads the second clock ck 2 by 90 °) by disabling the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clocks ck 4 for a given time based on the detection result . a detailed configuration and operation of the clock generation circuit of fig3 are described below with reference to fig4 to 7 . fig4 is a configuration diagram illustrating the clock generation unit 310 of fig3 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig4 , the clock generation unit 310 may include a first clock generation unit 410 and a second clock generation unit 420 . the first clock generation unit 410 may disable the first clock ck 1 and the first inversion clock ck 3 when a first reset signal rst 1 b is enabled , and may enable the first clock ck 1 and the first inversion clock ck 3 when the first reset signal rst 1 b is disabled . the first reset signal rst 1 b may be a high - disabled and low - enabled signal . when the first reset signal rst 1 b is disabled , the first clock generation unit 410 may generate the first clock ck 1 through the 2 - division of the reference clock ck and generate the first inversion clock ck 3 by inverting the first clock ck 1 . when the first reset signal rst 1 b is enabled , the first clock generation unit 410 may low - disable the first clock ck 1 and high - disable the first inversion clock ck 3 . the first clock generation unit 410 may include a first d flip - flop 411 and a first inverter 412 . when the first reset signal rst 1 b is disabled , the first d flip - flop 411 may output the logic value of a first input node d 1 to a first output node q 1 at the rising edge of the clock ck . a signal of the first output node q 1 may be inverted by the first inverter 412 and input to the first input node d 1 . when the first reset signal rst 1 b is enabled , the first d flip - flop 411 may low - disable the signal of the first output node q 1 , and may high - disable the signal of the first input node d 1 . for reference , the signal of the first output node q 1 may be the first clock ck 1 , and the signal of the first input node d 1 may be the first inversion clock ck 3 . the second clock generation unit 420 may disable the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 when a second reset signal rst 2 b is enabled , and enable the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 when the second reset signal rst 2 b is disabled . similar to the first reset signal rst 1 b , the second reset signal rst 1 b may be a high - disabled and low - enabled signal . when the second reset signal rst 2 b is disabled , the second clock generation unit 420 may generate the second clock ck 2 through the 2 - division of the reference inversion clock ckb and generate the second inversion clock ck 4 by inverting the second clock ck 2 . when the second reset signal rst 2 b is enabled , the second clock generation unit 420 may high - disable the second clock ck 2 and low - disable the second inversion clock ck 4 . the second clock generation unit 420 may include a second d flip - flop 421 and a second inverter 422 . when the second reset signal rst 2 b is disabled , the second d flip - flop 421 may output the logic value of a second input node d 2 to a second output node q 2 at the rising edge of the reference inversion clock ckb . a signal output by the second output node q 2 may be inverted by the second inverter 422 and then input to the second input node d 2 . when the second reset signal rst 2 b is enabled , the second d flip - flop 421 may high - disable the signal of the second output node q 2 , and may low - disable the signal of the second input node d 2 . for reference , the signal of the second output node q 2 may be the second clock ck 2 , and the signal of the second input node d 2 may be the second inversion clock ck 4 . fig5 is a configuration diagram illustrating the reset control unit 320 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig5 , the reset control unit 320 may include a detection signal generation unit 510 and a reset signal generation unit 520 . the detection signal generation unit 510 may generate a detection signal detb based on a logic value of the second clock ck 2 detected at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . when the reference reset signal rstb is enabled , the detection signal generation unit 510 may enable the detection signal detb . the detection signal detb may be a high - disabled and low - enabled signal . when the reference reset signal rstb is disabled , the detection signal generation unit 510 may high - disable the detection signal detb in response to the high - logic - valued second inversion clock ck 4 or the low - logic - valued second clock ck 2 at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 and may low - enable the detection signal detb in response to the low - logic - valued second inversion clock ck 4 or the high - logic - valued second clock ck 2 at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . the detection signal generation unit 510 may include a third d flip - flop 511 for outputting the low - enabled detection signal detb through a third output node q 3 when the reference reset signal rstb is enabled . when the reference reset signal rstb is disabled , the detection signal generation unit 510 may output the logic value of a third input node d 3 to the third output node q 3 at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 . the signal of the third input node d 3 may be the second inversion clock ck 4 inverted from the second clock ck 2 , and the signal of the third output node q 3 may be the detection signal detb . instead of the second inversion clock ck 4 , the detection signal generation unit 510 may use the second clock ck 2 , which is the inverted version of the second inversion dock ck 4 , as the input to the third input node d 3 with slight modification thereof . the reset signal generation unit 520 may generate the first and the second reset signals rst 1 b and rst 2 b . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , the reset signal generation unit 520 may high - disable the first reset signal rst 1 b at the rising edge of the clock ck . when the reference reset signal rstb is low - enabled , the reset signal generation unit 520 may low - enable the first reset signal rst 1 b . when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the reset signal generation unit 520 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b . when the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the reset signal generation unit 520 may output the first reset signal rst 1 b as the second reset signal rst 2 b at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . that is , the reset signal generation unit 520 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b when the first reset signal rst 1 b is low - enabled at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value , and high - disable the second reset signal rst 2 b when the first reset signal rst 1 b is high - disabled at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . the reset signal generation unit 520 may include a nor gate 521 and fourth and fifth d flip - flops 522 and 523 . the nor gate 521 may generate a release signal release by performing a nor combination of the reference clock ck and the first clock ck 1 . the release signal release may toggle with the opposite phase of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value , and may have a logic low value while the first clock ck 1 has a logic high value . the release signal release may have a falling edge at the rising edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the fourth d flip - flop 522 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b of a fourth output node q 4 . when the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the fourth d flip - flop 522 may output the logic value of the first reset signal rst 1 b of a fourth input node d 4 to the fourth output node q 4 as the second reset signal rst 2 b at the rising edge of the release signal release . when the reference reset signal rstb is low - enabled , the fifth d flip - flop 523 may low - enable the first reset signal rst 1 b of a fifth output node q 5 . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , the fifth d flip - flop 523 may output a logic high value of a fifth input node d 5 to the fifth output node q 5 as the high - disabled first reset signal rst 1 b at the rising edge of the reference clock ck . fig6 is a diagram illustrating the initialization operation of the clock generation circuit of fig3 . referring to fig6 , the initialization operation may start from a time point t 1 when the reference reset signal rstb is low - disabled . before the initialization operation , the reference reset signal rstb , the first reset signal rst 1 b , and the second reset signal rst 2 b are low - enabled . the first and the second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 are low - disabled , and the first and the second inversion clocks ck 3 and ck 4 are high - disabled . the detection signal detb is low - enabled . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , at the following rising edge r 1 of the reference clock ck , the first reset signal rst 1 b may be high - disabled . when the first reset signal rst 1 b is high - disabled , the first and the second clocks ck 1 and ck 3 may start to toggle . when the first clock ck 1 starts to toggle , the detection signal detb may be high - disabled at the following rising edge r 2 of the first clock ck 1 . before enablement of the first clock ck 1 , the release signal release has an opposite waveform of the reference clock ck . after enablement of the first clock ck 1 , the release signal release has the opposite waveform of the reference clock ck only while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . when the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the first reset signal rst 1 b at the following rising edge r 3 of the release signal release may be output as the second reset signal rst 2 b . accordingly , the second reset signal rst 2 b may be high - disabled . when the second reset signal rst 2 b is high - disabled , the second and the fourth clocks ck 2 and ck 4 may start to toggle from the following rising edge r 4 of the reference inversion clock ckb . fig6 shows the rising edge r 3 of the release signal release corresponding to the falling edge f 1 of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . when the initialization operation is completed , all of the reference reset signal rstb , the first reset signal rst 1 b , and the second reset signal rst 2 b may be high - disabled , and the first to fourth clocks ck 1 to ck 4 may toggle with the phase difference of 90 °. when the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the second reset signal rst 2 b may have the value of the first reset signal rst 1 b at each rising edge of the release signal release . when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the second reset signal rst 2 b may be low - enabled . the release signal release has the opposite waveform of the reference clock ck only while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . during normal operation after the initialization operation , the clock generation circuit may continue to generate the first to fourth clocks ck 1 to ck 4 having correct phase differences . fig7 is a diagram illustrating the reset operation of the clock generation circuit of fig3 . referring to fig7 , it is assumed that the phases of the first and the second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 are distorted due to noise at a specific time point . fig7 illustrates an example in which the second clock ck 2 leads the first clock ck 1 by the phase amount of 90 ° according to the phase distortion . the detection signal detb is low - enabled at a time point t 1 because the logic value of the second clock ck 2 ( or the second inversion clock ck 4 ) is detected as high ( or low ) at the rising edge r 1 of the first clock ck 1 . when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the second reset signal rst 2 b may become low - enabled and thus the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 may become disabled respectively to have logic low and high values . during the disablement of the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 , the operation of detecting the logic value of the second clock ck 2 ( or the second inversion clock ck 4 ) at the rising edge of the first clock ck 1 continues . accordingly , when the logic value of the second clock ck 2 ( or the second inversion clock ck 4 ) is detected as low ( or high ) at the rising edge r 2 of the first clock ck 1 , the detection signal detb is high - disabled at a time point t 2 . after the detection signal detb becomes high - disabled , the high - disabled (“ h ”) first reset signal rst 1 b may be outputted as the second reset signal rst 2 b at the first rising edge r 3 of the release signal release , which corresponds to the falling edge f 1 of the reference clock ck during logic low of the first clock ck 1 . accordingly , the second reset signal rst 2 b may become high - disabled , and the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 may become enabled again . therefore , the phase relationship between the first and the second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 may be recovered through the reset operation . fig8 is a configuration diagram illustrating a clock generation circuit in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig8 , the clock generation circuit may include a clock generation unit 810 , a phase comparison unit 820 , a clock transfer unit 830 , and a reset signal generation unit 840 . the clock generation unit 810 and the phase comparison unit 820 may be the same as the clock generation unit 310 and the detection signal generation unit 510 described with reference to fig3 to 7 . the reset signal generation unit 840 may be the same as the reset signal generation unit 520 described with reference to fig5 to 7 except that the reset signal generation unit 840 receives the reference reset signal rstb instead of the detection signal detb of the phase comparison unit 820 . the reset signal generation unit 840 may generate the first and the second reset signals rst 1 b and rst 2 b . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , the reset signal generation unit 840 may high - disable the first reset signal rst 1 b at the rising edge of the clock ck . when the reference reset signal rstb is low - enabled , the reset signal generation unit 840 may low - enable the first reset signal rst 1 b . when the reference reset signal rstb is low - enabled , the reset signal generation unit 840 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , the reset signal generation unit 840 may output the first reset signal rst 1 b as the second reset signal rst 2 b at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . that is , the reset signal generation unit 840 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b when the first reset signal rst 1 b is low - enabled at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value , and high - disable the second reset signal rst 2 b when the first reset signal rst 1 b is high - disabled at the falling edge of the reference clock ck while the first clock ck 1 has a logic low value . as described above , the reference reset signal rstb may stay low - enabled before an initialization operation of the clock generation circuit , and stay high - disabled during and after the initialization operation . the reference reset signal rstb may stay high - disabled during the reset operation . during the initialization operation , the clock generation circuit may be activated . during the reset operation , the clock generation circuit may disable the second clock ck 2 and the second inversion clock ck 4 for an amount of time based on the comparison result and then enable them in order to correct the misalignment of the phase difference between the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 . the reset signal generation unit 840 may include a nor gate 841 and fourth and fifth d flip - flops 842 and 843 . the a nor gate 841 and fourth and fifth d flip - flops 842 and 843 may be the same as the nor gate 521 and fourth and fifth d flip - flops 522 and 523 described with reference to fig5 to 7 except that the fourth d flip - flop 842 receives the reference reset signal rstb instead of the detection signal detb of the phase comparison unit 820 . when the reference reset signal rstb is low - enabled , the fourth d flip - flop 842 may low - enable the second reset signal rst 2 b of the fourth output node q 4 . when the reference reset signal rstb is high - disabled , the fourth d flip - flop 842 may output the logic value of the first reset signal rst 1 b of the fourth input node d 4 to the fourth output node q 4 as the second reset signal rst 2 b at the rising edge of the release signal release . the clock transfer unit 830 may transfer the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 as first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 according to the detection signal detb of the phase comparison unit 810 . the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 may have a phase difference of 90 °. the first output clock ock 1 may have a phase of 0 °, the second output clock ock 2 may have a phase of 90 °, the third output clock ock 3 may have a phase of 180 °, and the fourth output clock ock 4 may have a phase of 270 °. the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 may respectively represent the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . when the detection signal detb is high - disabled , which means correct phase differences among the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first clock ck 1 as the first output clock ock 1 , may output the second clock ck 2 as the second output clock ock 2 , may output the first inversion clock ck 3 as the third output clock ock 3 , and may output the second inversion clock ck 4 as the fourth output clock ck 4 . when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , which means distortion of phase differences among the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 respectively representing the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . two examples will be described as follows among various ways to output the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 respectively representing the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . the examples assume that the distortion of phase differences makes the second clock ck 2 to lead the first clock ck 1 by the phase amount of 90 °. in a first example , when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first inversion clock ck 3 as the first output clock ock 1 , may output the second clock ck 2 as the second output clock ock 2 , may output the first clock ck 1 as the third output clock ock 3 , and may output the second inversion clock ck 4 as the fourth output clock ock 4 . that is , the clock transfer unit 830 may correct the phase differences among the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 by selectively reordering the phase - distorted clocks ck 1 to ck 4 . accordingly , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 respectively representing the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . in a second example , when the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first clock ck 1 as the first output clock ock 1 , may output the second inversion clock ck 4 as the second output clock ock 2 , may output the first inversion clock ck 3 as the third output clock ock 3 , and may output the second clock ck 2 as the fourth output clock ock 4 . that is , similar to the first example , the clock transfer unit 830 may correct the phase differences among the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 by selectively reordering the phase - distorted clocks ck 1 to ck 4 . accordingly , the clock transfer unit 830 may output the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 respectively representing the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . the clock transfer unit 830 may correct the phase differences among the clocks ck 1 to ck 4 by selectively reordering the phase - distorted clocks ck 1 to ck 4 based on a result of a comparison between the phases of the first and second clocks ck 1 and ck 2 so that the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 may respectively represent the first clock ck 1 , the second clock ck 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 having the correct phase differences . a detailed configuration and operation of the clock generation circuit of fig8 are described below with reference to fig9 to 12 . fig9 is a configuration diagram illustrating the first example of the clock transfer unit 830 of fig8 . referring to fig9 , the clock transfer unit 830 may include first to fourth transfer units 910 to 940 . the first transfer unit 910 may transfer the first clock ck 1 as the first output clock ock 1 when the detection signal detb is disabled and transfer the first inversion clock ck 3 as the third output clock ock 3 when the detection signal detb is enabled . the first transfer unit 910 may include an inverter iv 1 and pass gates pa 1 and pa 2 . the second transfer unit 920 may transfer the second clock ck 2 as the second output clock ock 2 regardless of the logic value of the detection signal detb . the second transfer unit 920 may include an inverter iv 2 and pass gates pa 3 and pa 4 . the third transfer unit 930 may transfer the first inversion clock ck 3 as the third output clock ock 3 when the detection signal detb is disabled and transfer the first clock ck 1 as the third output clock ock 3 when the detection signal detb is enabled . the third transfer unit 930 may include an inverter iv 3 and pass gates pa 5 and pa 6 . the second transfer unit 940 may transfer the second inversion clock ck 4 as the second output clock ock 4 regardless of the logic value of the detection signal detb . the fourth transfer unit 940 may include an inverter iv 4 and pass gates pa 7 and pa 8 . fig1 is a configuration diagram illustrating the second example of the clock transfer unit 830 of fig8 . referring to fig1 , the clock transfer unit 830 may include first to fourth transfer units 1010 to 1040 . the first transfer unit 1010 may transfer the first clock ck 1 as the first output clock ock 1 regardless of the logic value of the detection signal detb . the first transfer unit 1020 may include an inverter iv 1 and pass gates pa 1 and pa 1 . the second transfer unit 1020 may transfer the second clock ck 2 as the second output clock ock 2 when the detection signal detb is disabled and transfer the second inversion clock ck 4 as the second output clock ock 2 when the detection signal detb is enabled . the second transfer unit 1020 may include an inverter iv 2 and pass gates pa 3 and pa 4 . the third transfer unit 1030 may transfer the first inversion clock ck 3 as the third output clock ock 3 regardless of the logic value of the detection signal detb . the third transfer unit 1030 may include an inverter iv 3 and pass gates pa 5 and pa 6 . the fourth transfer unit 1040 may transfer the second inversion clock ck 4 as the fourth output clock ock 4 when the detection signal detb is disabled and transfer the second clock ck 2 as the fourth output clock ock 4 when the detection signal detb is enabled . the fourth transfer unit 1040 may include an inverter iv 4 and pass gates pa 7 and pa 8 . fig1 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the clock generation circuit including the first example of the clock transfer unit 830 of fig8 and 9 . referring to fig1 , during a section sec 1 in which the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the first to fourth clocks ck 1 to ck 4 may be respectively outputted as the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 , and the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 may maintain respective phases of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 °. when the second clocks ck 2 and ck 4 do not shift at t 1 due to noise of the clock ck and the reference inversion clock ckb , the phase relationships between the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 - ock 4 may be mismatched . in this case , when the mismatched phase relationship between the first clock ck 1 and the second clock ck 2 is detected , the detection signal detb may be low - enabled . in section sec 2 in which the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the first clock ck 1 may be outputted as the third output clock ock 3 , the second clock ck 2 may be outputted as the second output clock ock 2 , the first inversion clock ck 3 may be outputted as the first output clock ock 1 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 may be outputted as the fourth output clock ock 4 . accordingly , the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 maintain the respective phases of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 °. fig1 is a diagram illustrating an operation of the clock generation circuit including the second example of the clock transfer unit 830 of fig8 and 10 . referring to fig1 , during a section sec 1 in which the detection signal detb is high - disabled , the first to fourth clocks ck 1 to ck 4 may be respectively outputted as the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 , and the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 may maintain respective phases of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 °. when the second clocks ck 2 and ck 4 do not shift at t 1 due to noise of the reference clock ck and the reference inversion clock ckb , the phase relationships between the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 are mismatched . in this case , when the mismatched phase relationship between the first clock ck 1 and the second clock ck 2 is detected , the detection signal detb may be low - enabled . in a section sec 2 in which the detection signal detb is low - enabled , the first clock ck 1 may be outputted as the first output clock ock 1 , the second clock ck 2 may be outputted as the fourth output clock ock 4 , the first inversion clock ck 3 may be outputted as the third output clock ock 3 , and the second inversion clock ck 4 may be outputted as the second output clock ock 2 . accordingly , the first to fourth output clocks ock 1 to ock 4 maintain the respective phases of 0 °, 90 °, 180 °, and 270 °. in this technology , the clock generation circuit performs a comparison between the phases of clocks having multiple phases and initializes some of the clocks or changes the order of some of the clocks when the order of the phases is different from what it is intended . accordingly , the order of the phases of clocks having multiple phases can be maintained as intended although it has been disrupted due to noise . although various embodiments have been described for illustrative purposes , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims .	6
compounds of the present invention are represented by the general formula [ i ]: ## str3 ## in formula [ i ], x is an amino group , a substituted amino group , a hydroxy group or an alkoxy group . the term &# 34 ; alkoxy &# 34 ; group includes an alkoxy group having 1 - 4 carbon atoms , e . g ., methoxy , ethoxy , i - propoxy , n - butoxy , t - butoxy and the like . y is a hydrogen atom , a methyl group , -- cor 1 or -- ch 2 ch 2 z . in the representation -- cor 1 , r 1 is a hydrogen atom , an alkyl group , a substituted alkyl group , an aryl group or a substituted aryl group . the term &# 34 ; alkyl &# 34 ; group includes an alkyl group having 1 - 3 carbon atoms , e . g ., methyl , ethyl , i - propyl and the like ; the term &# 34 ; substituted alkyl &# 34 ; group includes chloromethyl and the like ; the term &# 34 ; aryl &# 34 ; group includes phenyl and the like ; and the term &# 34 ; substituted aryl &# 34 ; group includes p - methoxyphenyl and the like . in the representation -- ch 2 ch 2 z , z is an alkoxycarbonyl group , an acyl group or a cyano group . the alkyl group of the term &# 34 ; alkoxycarbonyl &# 34 ; group includes an alkyl group having 1 - 4 carbon atoms , e . g ., methyl , ethyl , t - butyl and the like ; and the term &# 34 ; acyl &# 34 ; group includes -- cor 4 wherein r 4 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 - 3 carbon atoms , e . g ., methyl , ethyl , i - propyl and the like . in formula [ i ], r a is a hydrogen atom and r b is -- ch 2 oh or -- ch 2 oso 2 r 2 wherein r 2 is an alkyl group , a substituted alkyl group or an aryl group , or r a and r b combine to form = ch 2 . in the representation -- ch 2 oso 2 r 2 , r 2 includes a methyl group , a trifluoromethyl group , a p - methylphenyl group and the like . notwithstanding the above definition , when r a is a hydrogen atom and r b is -- ch 2 oh , y is -- ch 2 ch 2 z ; when r a is hydrogen and r b is -- ch 2 oso 2 r 2 , y is a hydrogen atom or -- ch 2 ch 2 z ; and when y is a methyl group , x is a hydroxy group and r a and r b combine to form = ch 2 . the most preferred compounds of the present invention ( compound [ i ]) have a double bond between the 9 - and 10 - positions and are represented by the general formula [ i &# 39 ;] ## str4 ## wherein when ya is a hydrogen atom , x has the same meaning as defined before and when ya is a methyl group , x is a hydroxy group . specific examples of compound [ i ] are set forth in the following table . the physical properties of the compounds as well as processes for synthesis thereof are set forth in the examples identified . the compound numbers are also sometimes used in the description which follows to identify that particular compound . __________________________________________________________________________no . ofcom - name of structural no . ofpound compound formula example__________________________________________________________________________1 1a - nacetyl - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin ## str5 ## 12 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c ## str6 ## 2 , 6 , 8 , 113 7 - deamino - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 7 - hydroxy - mitomycin ## str7 ## 94 10 - decarba - moyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin a ## str8 ## 105 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methane - sulfonyl - mitomycin c ## str9 ## 76 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n ( 2 - formyl - ethyl )- 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c ## str10 ## 47 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n ( 2 - formyl - ethyl )- mitomycin c ## str11 ## 38 10 - decarba - moyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 1a - n ( 2 - formyl - ethyl )- mitomycin ## str12 ## 59 10 - decarba - moyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 7 - deamino - 7 - hydroxy - porfiromycin ## str13 ## 12__________________________________________________________________________ the minimum inhibitory concentration ( μg / ml ) ( agar dilution method , ph 7 . 0 ) of the foregoing compounds against various bacteria identified below is illustrated in the following tables . table 1__________________________________________________________________________test bacteriacompound a b c d e f g h i__________________________________________________________________________compound & gt ; 200 & gt ; 200 200 -- 6 . 3 200 -- & gt ; 200 50mitomycin 2 . 5 & gt ; 10 0 . 16 5 . 0 0 . 039 0 . 078 1 . 3 5 . 0 0 . 020c__________________________________________________________________________ table 2__________________________________________________________________________test bacteriacompound a b c d e f g h i__________________________________________________________________________compound & gt ; 11 & gt ; 11 2 . 6 -- 0 . 041 1 . 3 -- & gt ; 11 0 . 66compound & gt ; 8 . 6 & gt ; 8 . 6 4 . 3 -- 0 . 54 4 . 3 -- & gt ; 8 . 6 4 . 33compound & gt ; 150 & gt ; 150 9 . 4 & gt ; 150 0 . 59 9 . 4 -- & gt ; 150 4 . 74compound & gt ; 170 83 42 -- 42 170 -- & gt ; 170 425compound & gt ; 200 50 50 -- 50 100 & gt ; 200 & gt ; 200 & gt ; 2006compound 220 54 3 . 4 220 6 . 8 6 . 8 110 54 6 . 87mitomycin 5 . 6 5 . 6 0 . 087 & gt ; 11 0 . 044 0 . 087 5 . 6 5 . 6 0 . 011c__________________________________________________________________________ table 3______________________________________testcom - bacteriapound a b c d e f g h i______________________________________com - & gt ; 50 50 13 -- 0 . 39 25 -- & gt ; 50 13poundmito - 2 . 5 10 0 . 039 & gt ; 10 0 . 020 0 . 039 5 2 . 5 0 . 0098mycinc______________________________________ table 4______________________________________testcom - bacteriapound a b c d e f g h i______________________________________com - & gt ; 200 -- 100 200 & gt ; 0 . 098 25 200 50 6 . 3poundcom - & gt ; 200 -- 100 -- 0 . 195 100 & gt ; 200 -- 3 . 1pounda * ______________________________________ processes for the production of compounds [ i ] are exemplified by the following flow diagram . ## str14 ## in the above processes , xa is an amino group , a substituted amino group or an alkoxy group ( xa = x where x ≠ hydroxy ). xaa is amino or substituted amino ( xaa = xa where xa ≠ alkoxy ). xab is alkoxy ( xab = xa where xa ≠ amino or substituted amino ). r 1 , r 2 and z have the same meaning as defined before . compounds [ i - 1 ]-[ i - 8 ] are included in compound [ i ]. compounds [ i - 2 - 1 ] and [ i - 2 - 2 ] are included in compound [ i - 2 ]. compounds [ ii ]-[ v ] are known compounds . compound [ vi ] is disclosed in u . s . patent application ser . no . 58 , 670 , filed july 18 , 1979 . included in compound [ v ] are mitomycin c wherein xa is an amino group and mitomycin a wherein xa is a methoxy group . a compound included in compound [ v ] wherein xa is an alkoxy group and a process for production thereof are disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 558 , 651 . a compound included in compound [ v ] wherein xa is a substituted amino group and a process for production thereof are disclosed in j . med . chem ., 14 , 103 ( 1971 ). compound [ iv ] is also known and may be obtained by a lithium aluminum hydride method ( u . s . pat . no . 3 , 738 , 998 ); hydrolysis by alklai ( u . k . pat . no . 1 , 250 , 063 ); a sodium alcoholate method [ u . k . pat . no . 1 , 250 , 063 ; j . med . chem ., 14 , 109 ( 1971 )]; and by other like methods . a sodium alcoholate method which is illustrated in reference example 1 is briefly described below . compound [ iv ] is obtained by eliminating carbamoyl from compound [ v ] in the presence of an alcoholate in a solvent inert to the reaction . suitable alcoholates for the reaction include alcoholates of methanol , ethanol , t - butanol and the like with sodium , potassium , and the like . suitable solvents include methanol , ethanol , i - propanol , tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , dimethylformamide , benzene and the like . preferably 5 to 7 times alcoholate is used per mole of compound [ v ]. the reaction is usually carried out at room temperature and completed in several hours to several days . compound [ iii ] is obtained by reacting compound [ iv ] with a reactive derivative of a carboxylic acid represented by the general formula wherein r 1 has the same meaning as defined before , such as an acid halide , an acid anhydride and the like ( hereinafter referred to as an acylating agent ), in the presence of a base in an inert solvent . suitable acylating agents for the reaction include acetyl chloride , propionyl chloride , acetic anhydride and the like . suitable bases include sodium carbonate , sodium hydride , triethylamine , pyridine and the like . suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , chloroform and the like . certain bases , such as pyridine , may also function as the solvent . preferably 1 to 2 times acylating agent is used per mole of compound [ iv ]. preferably 1 to 100 times base is used per mole of compound [ iv ]. the reaction is usually carried out at - 78 ° to 30 ° c . compound [ ii ] is obtained by reacting compound [ iii ] with a reactive derivative of a compound represented by the general formula wherein r 2 has the same meaning as defined before ( hereinafter referred to as a sulfonylating agent ), in the presence of a base in an inert solvent . suitable sulfonylating agents for the reaction include halides , acid anhydrides and the like of the compound represented by the above general formula , such as methanesulfonyl chloride , trifluoromethanesulfonyl chloride , p - toluenesulfonyl chloride and the like . suitable bases include inorganic bases such as sodium carbonate , sodium hydride and the like and organic bases such as triethylamine , pyridine and the like . these organic bases also function as the solvent . suitable solvents include tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , chloroform and the like . typically , 1 to 2 times sulfonylating agent is used per mole of compound [ iii ]. the base is typically used in an amount of 1 to 100 times per mole of compound [ iii ]. the reaction is usually carried out at - 78 ° to 30 ° c . compound [ i - 1 ] is obtained by eliminating alkyl ( or aryl )- sulfonic acid from compound [ ii ] in the presence of a base in an inert solvent . suitable bases for the reaction include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide , sodium hydride and the like and organic bases such as potassium - t - butoxide , 1 , 5 - diazabicyclo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ] undecene - 5 , triethylamine , sodium methoxide , preferably potassium t - butoxide , 1 , 5 - diazabicyclo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ]- undecene - 5 and the like . suitable solvents include ethyl ether , tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , ethylene glycol dimethyl ether , n - hexane , petroleum ether , benzene , n , n - dimethylformamide , ethyl acetate , acetone , methylene chloride , dimethylsulfoxide and the like . the base is typically used in an amount of 1 to 20 times per mole of compound [ ii ]. the reaction is generally carried out at 0 ° to 80 ° c . and is usually completed in one hour to one week . compound [ i - 2 ] is obtained by hydrolyzing compound [ i - 1 ] in the presence of a base in water and an inert solvent . suitable bases for the reaction include sodium hydrogen carbonate , ammonia , diethylamine , hydrazine and the like . suitable inert solvents include methanol , ethanol , tetrahydrofuran , dimethylformamide , ethyl acetate , acetone , chloroform and the like . the base is typically used in an amount of 1 to 20 times per mole of compound [ i - 1 ]. the reaction is generally carried out at 0 ° to 60 ° c . and usually completed in 1 to 10 hours . compound [ i - 3 ] is obtained by reacting compound [ iv ] with a compound represented by the general formula wherein z has the same meaning as defined before ( hereinafter referred to as an alkylating agent ) in an inert solvent to alkylate the 1a - n - position of compound [ iv ]. when an alkylating agent active to the reaction ( for example , acrolein ) is used , the reaction proceeds simply by mixing the agent with compound [ iv ]. nevertheless , the reaction is usually carried out in the presence of a base such as triethylamine , sodium methoxide , potassium t - butoxide , and the like so that the reaction proceeds smoothly . suitable solvents for the reaction include ethyl ether , tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , ethylene glycol dimethyl ether , n - hexane , petroleum ether , benzene , n , n - dimethylformamide , ethyl acetate , acetone , methylene chloride , chloroform , dimethylsulfoxide and the like . the alkylating agent is typically used in an amount of 1 to 30 times per mole of compound [ iv ]. the reaction is carried out preferably at 20 ° to 80 ° c . and usually completed in one hour to one week . the alkylating method used in this process is known as a michael addition and is disclosed in &# 34 ; ethylenimine and other aziridines &# 34 ; 136 , 1969 ( academic press , u . s . a .). compound [ i - 4 ] is obtained in the same manner as described in the process of compound [ iii ]→ compound [ ii ]. compound [ i - 5 ] is obtained in the same manner as described in the process of compound [ ii ]→ compound [ i - 1 ]. compound [ i - 2 ] is obtained by subjecting compound [ i - 5 ] to retro michael reaction in the presence of an acid or a base in an inert solvent . suitable acids for the reaction include inorganic acids such as perchloric acid , and the like . suitable bases include tertiary amines such as n , n - dimethylaniline , and the like . suitable solvents include ethyl ether , tetrahydrofuran , ethylene glycol dimethyl ether , n - hexane , pertroleum ether , benzene , n , n - dimethylformamide , ethyl acetate , acetone , methylene chloride , chloroform , dimethylsulfoxide and the like . the acid or base is typically used in an amount of 1 to 100 times per mole of compound [ i - 5 ]. the reaction is preferably carried out at 0 ° to 80 ° c . and usually completed in 10 minutes to several hours . retro michael reaction is disclosed in tetrahedron letters , no . 49 , 4295 ( 1977 ), synthesis , no . 12 , 745 ( 1973 ). compound [ i - 6 ] is obtained in the same manner as described in the process of compound [ i - 5 ]→ compound [ i - 2 ]. compound [ i - 2 ] is obtained in the same manner as described in the process of compound [ ii ]→ compound [ i - 1 ]. compound [ i - 7 ] is obtained by hydrolizing compound [ i - 2 - 1 ] in an aqueous solution of a base . suitable bases include inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide , sodium carbonate and the like and organic bases such as triethylamine and the like . the base is usually used in a concentration of 0 . 01 to 1 normality . the reaction is usually carried out at room temperature and completed in 30 minutes to several hours . compound [ i - 2 - 2 ] is obtained by reacting compound [ i - 7 ] with an alkylating agent in an inert solvent . suitable alkylating agents for the reaction include diazoalkanes such as diazomethane and the like , alkyl halides such as methyl iodide and the like , dialkyl sulfates such as dimethyl sulfate and the like . suitable solvents include ethyl acetate , ethyl ether and the like . when an acid is produced by the reaction , the reaction is carried out in the presence of an acid acceptor such as potassium carbonate , triethylamine and the like . compound [ i - 2 - 1 ] is obtained by reacting compound [ i - 2 - 2 ] with ammonia or an amine in an inert solvent such as methanol and the like . the ammonia or amine is typically used in an amount of 1 to 100 times per mole of compound [ i - 2 - 2 ]. the reaction is usually carried out at 20 ° to 80 ° c . and completed in 1 to several hours . compound [ i - 8 ] is obtained in the same manner as described in the process of compound [ i - 2 - 1 ]→ compound [ i - 7 ]. although compound [ vi ] and preparation thereof are disclosed in u . s . patent application ser . no . 58 , 670 filed july 18 , 1979 , the preparation is illustrated in reference example 4 . in each of the above processes , recovery of the desired compound from the reaction mixture is carried out by conventional methods such as those described in the following examples and reference examples . certain specific embodiments of the invention are illustrated by the following representative examples . in this example , 38 mg of 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c obtained in reference example 3 is dissolved in 8 ml of ethylene glycol dimethyl ether . then , 150 mg of 1 , 5 - diazabicyclo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ] undecene - 5 is added to the solution and the mixture is refluxed with heating for 2 hours in an atmosphere of nitrogen . the reaction mixture is then poured in saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to remove the solvent . the residue is then purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 6 : 4 ) ( volume ratio , as is the same hereinafter ) as a developer to obtain 24 mg of deep green crystals having the following physical properties : 3435 ( w ), 3330 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1695 ( s ), 1594 ( vs ), 1537 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1656 ( m ) ( c ═ c stretch ) from the above properties , the substance is identified as 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c . yield 82 %. in this example , 57 mg of 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c is dissolved in 1 ml of methanol . then , 1 ml of 10 % aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to the solution and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 6 hours . after the completion of the reaction , the reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is then dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 1 : 1 ) to obtain 36 mg of deep green crystals having the following physical properties : mass spectrum : the substance exhibits molecular ion peak at m / e 273 . molecular weight obtained by high resolution mass spectrometry is 273 . 1130 ( 273 . 1113 as calculated ). 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 00 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 77 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 04 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 17 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 59 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 67 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 57 ( bs , 2h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ) ( fig1 ): 3420 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 3320 ( m ) ( n - h ) stretch ), 3285 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1651 ( m ) ( c ═ c stretch ), 1592 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1532 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c . yield 73 %. in this example , 66 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - mitomycin c obtained in reference example 1 is dissolved in 5 ml of methylene chloride . then , 0 . 3 ml of acrolein ( purity 90 %) is added to the solution . the mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 4 days and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 93 : 7 ) to obtain 76 mg of purplish black crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 00 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 39 - 2 . 96 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 40 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 91 ( d , 1h ) 3 . 22 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 61 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 83 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 34 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 49 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 75 ( dd , 1h ), 6 . 18 ( bs , 1h ), 7 . 58 ( bs , 2h ), 9 . 76 ( t , 1h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3430 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 3335 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1722 ( m ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1604 ( s ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1554 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- mitomycin c . yield 97 %. in this example , 62 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- mitomycin c obtained in example 3 is dissolved in 0 . 33 ml of anhydrous pyridine . then , 15 μof methanesulfonyl chloride is added to the solution in an atmosphere of nitrogen and the mixture is stirred under ice cooling and sodium chloride for 2 hours . the reaction mixture is then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with chloroform . the extract is then washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 6 : 4 ) to obtain 44 mg of brownish black crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ppm ): 1 . 99 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 17 - 2 . 35 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 46 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 64 ( dt , 2h ), 2 . 84 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 35 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 59 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 01 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 47 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 88 ( dd , 1h ), 5 . 37 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 66 ( bs , 2h ), 9 . 75 ( t . 1h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3440 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 3340 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1720 ( m ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1604 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1555 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1351 ( vs ) ( antisym . so 2 , stretch ), 1174 ( vs ) ( sym . so 2 , stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- 10 - methansulfonyl - mitomycin c . yield 58 %. in this example , 52 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c obtained in example 4 is dissolved in 10 ml of anhydrous ethylene glycol dimethyl ether . then , 210 mg of 1 , 5 - diazabicylo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ] undecene - 5 is added to the solution and the mixture is refluxed in an atmosphere of nitrogen for 2 hours . the reaction mixture is then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 6 : 4 ) to obtain 16 mg of deep green crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 00 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 29 - 2 . 78 ( m , 4h ), 2 . 40 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 66 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 14 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 53 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 64 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 51 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 51 ( d , 1h ), 7 . 68 ( bs , 2h ), 9 . 71 ( t , 1h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3420 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 3225 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1718 ( m ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1649 ( m ) ( c ═ c stretch ), 1592 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1535 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl ) mitomycin c . yield 40 %. in this example , 26 mg of 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- mitomycin c obtained in example 5 is dissolved in 4 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride . thereupon , first 100 mg of a salt of n , n - dimethylaniline with perchloric acid and subsequently 0 . 4 ml of n , n - dimethylaniline are added to the solution . the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 15 minutes and poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate . the mixture is then extracted with chloroform . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 1 : 1 ) to obtain 15 mg of deep green crystals . mass spectrum , 1 hnmr spectrum and ir spectrum of the substance are in accord with those of the compound obtained in example 2 . therefore , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c . yield 70 %. in this example , 33 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - 1a - n -( 2 - formylethyl )- 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c obtained in example 4 is dissolved in 5 ml of anhydrous methylene chloride . thereupon , first 120 mg of a salt of n , n - dimethylaniline with perchloric acid and subsequently 0 . 5 ml of n , n - dimethylaniline are added to the solution . the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 30 minutes . the reaction mixture is poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with chloroform . the extract is then washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 97 : 3 ) to obtain 21 mg of purplish red crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 04 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 82 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 22 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 23 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 63 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 02 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 52 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 18 ( dd , 1h ), 5 . 32 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 66 ( bs , 2h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3440 ( w ) ( n - h stretch ), 3315 ( m )( n - h stretch ), 1604 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1555 ( vs )( c ═ o stretch ), 1352 ( vs ) ( antisym . so 2 , stretch ), 1174 ( vs ) ( sym . so 2 , stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c . yield 72 %. in this example , 20 . 5 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonyl - mitomycin c obtained in example 7 is dissolved in 0 . 3 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran . then , 30 mg of 1 , 5 - diazabicyclo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ] undecene - 5 is added to the solution and the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 40 hours . the reaction mixture is then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is then purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 1 : 1 ) to obtain 1 . 2 mg of deep green crystals . mass spectrum , 1 hnmr spectrum and ir spectrum of the substance are in accord with those of the compound obtained in example 2 . therefore , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c . yield 7 . 9 %. in this example , 18 mg of 10 - carbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c obtained in example 2 is dissolved in 3 . 75 ml of 0 . 1n sodium hydroxide . the solution is stirred at room temperature for 45 minutes . the reaction solution is then adjusted to ph 4 with diluted hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is then purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 9 : 1 ) to obtain 12 mg of purplish black crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 05 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 80 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 08 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 19 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 58 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 50 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 55 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 52 ( d , 1h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ), ( fig2 ): 3285 ( w ) ( n - h stretch , 1644 ( vs ) ( c ═ c stretch ), 1630 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1548 ( c ═ o stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 7 - deamino - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 7 - hydroxy - mitomycin c . yield 66 %. in this example , 12 mg of 7 - deamino - 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 7 - hydroxy - mitomycin c obtained in example 9 is dissolved in 3 ml of ethyl acetate . an excess amount of ethyl ether solution of diazomethane is added dropwise to the solution under ice cooling and the mixture is allowed to stand for 10 minutes . the mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure and the reside is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 6 : 4 ) to obtain 8 mg of purplish black crystals having the following physical properties : the substance exhibits molecular ion peak at m / e 288 . molecular weight obtained by high resolution mass spectrometry is 288 . 1120 ( 288 . 1110 as calculated ). 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 1 . 83 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 07 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 16 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 53 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 01 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 33 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 59 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 57 ( d , 1h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ), ( fig3 ): 3305 ( vw ) ( n - h stretch ), 1650 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1554 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ). from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin a . yield 63 %. in this example , 5 . 2 mg of 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin a obtained in example 10 is dissolved in 2 ml of methanol saturated with ammonia . the solution is stirred at room temperature for 2 hours . the solution is then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 1 : 1 ) to obtain 4 . 1 mg of deep green crystals . mass spectrum , 1 hnmr spectrum and ir spectrum of the substance are in accord with those of the compound obtained in example 2 . therefore , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - mitomycin c . yield 83 %. in this example , 134 mg of 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - porfiromycin obtained in reference example 4 is dissolved in 25 ml of 0 . 1n sodium hydroxide . the solution is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours . the reaction solution is adjusted to ph 3 with diluted hydrochloric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 9 : 1 ) and crystallized from a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol to obtain 115 mg of dark green needle crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm )): 2 . 03 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 12 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 22 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 48 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 13 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 47 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 44 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 44 ( bs , 1h ), 6 . 48 ( bs , 1h ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - 7 - deamino - 7 - hydroxy - porfiromycin . yield 85 . 3 %. in this example , 230 mg of sodium is dissolved in 50 ml of isopropanol and 500 mg of mitomycin c is added to the solution . the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 8 hours . the reaction mixture is then neutralized with an excess amount of dry ice . the precipitate is filtered out and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 9 : 1 ) to obtain 270 mg of purplish black crystals . the substance is identified as the known compound 10 - decarbamoyl - mitomycin c from melting point , 1 hnmr spectrum , tlc , and similar properties . yield 62 %. in this example , 138 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - mitomycin c obtained in reference example 1 is dissolved in 1 ml of pyridine . then , 60 μl of acetic anhydride is added to the solution under ice cooling and sodium chloride and the mixture is stirred in an atmosphere of nitrogen for 1 hour . the reaction mixture is then poured into a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is then purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 95 : 5 ) to obtain 153 mg of purplish black crystals having the following physical properties : mass spectrum : the substance exhibits molecular ion peak at m / e 333 . 1 nhmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm ): 2 . 05 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 23 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 23 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 57 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 66 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 94 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 98 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 33 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 76 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 84 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 57 ( bs , 2h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3435 ( m ), 3335 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1694 ( m ), 1605 ( s ), 1555 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoyl - mitomycin c . yield 97 %. in this example , 62 mg of 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoylmitomycin c obtained in reference example 2 is dissolved in 0 . 5 ml of anhydrous pyridine . then , 15 μl of methanesulfonyl chloride is added to the solution in an atmosphere of nitrogen under ice cooling and sodium chloride and the mixture is stirred for 2 hours . the reaction mixture is poured in a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 96 : 4 ) to obtain 74 mg of purplish black crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in pyridine - d 5 , δ ( ppm ): 2 . 04 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 11 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 46 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 60 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 61 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 79 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 09 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 84 ( dd , 1h ), 5 . 58 ( dd , 1h ), 7 . 71 ( bs , 2h ) ir spectrum ( kbr tablet , cm - 1 ): 3445 ( w ), 3235 ( m ) ( n - h stretch ), 1697 ( s ), 1605 ( s ), 1563 ( vs ) ( c ═ o stretch ), 1350 ( vs ) ( antisym . so 2 stretch ), 1173 ( vs ) ( sym . so 2 stretch ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 1a - n - acetyl - 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonylmitomycin c . yield 97 %. in this example , 500 mg of porfiromycin is added to 150 ml of isopropanol containing 1 . 5 g of sodium isopropoxide . the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 6 hours . the reaction mixture is neutralized with an excess amount of dry ice and the deposit is filtered out . the filtrate is then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 94 : 6 ) to obtain 299 mg of purplish blue crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in cd 3 od , δ ( ppm )): 1 . 75 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 29 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 45 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 54 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 20 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 34 ( dd , 1h , 3 . 46 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 80 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 09 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 16 ( d , 1h ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyl - porfiromycin . yield 68 . 2 %. thereupon , 105 . 4 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - porfiromycin is dissolved in 2 ml of anhydrous pyridine . then , 0 . 05 ml of methanesulfonyl chloride is added to the solution and the mixture is stirred for 20 minutes . the reaction mixture is poured into 10 ml of a saturated aqeuous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and the mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate . the extract is washed with water , dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure . the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and methanol ( 95 : 5 ) to obtain 130 . 7 mg of purple solid having the following physical properties : mass spectrum : 1 . 74 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 33 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 45 ( dd , 1h ), 2 . 53 ( d , 1h ), 3 . 18 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 22 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 46 ( dd , 1h ), 3 . 62 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 19 ( d , 1h ), 4 . 42 ( dd , 1h ), 4 . 82 ( dd , 1h ) from the foregoing properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonyl - porfiromycin . yield 98 . 6 %. thereafter , 17 mg of 10 - decarbamoyl - 10 - methanesulfonyl - porfiromycin , as thus obtained is dissolved in 1 ml of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran . then , 54 mg of 1 , 5 - diazabicyclo [ 5 . 4 . 0 ] undecene - 5 is added to the solution and the mixture is refluxed in an atmosphere of nitrogen for 5 hours . the reaction mixture is then concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is purified by silica gel column chromatography using a mixed solvent of chloroform and acetone ( 4 : 1 ) to obtain 7 . 5 mg of purplish blue crystals having the following physical properties : 1 hnmr spectrum ( in cd 3 od , δ ( ppm )): 1 . 78 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 21 ( s , 3h ), 2 . 44 ( bs , 2h ), 3 . 06 ( s , 3h ), 3 . 42 ( dd , 1h , 4 . 26 ( d , 1h ), 5 . 34 ( d , 1h ), 6 . 08 ( d , 1h ) from the above properties , the substance is identified as 10 - decarbamoyloxy - 9 - dehydro - porfiromycin . yield 58 . 9 %.	2
the enormous potential impact on the existing therapeutic need to have novel and more selective metal - based chemotherapeutic agents , with a possible site - specific delivery in localized cancers , has prompted the inventors to design new au ( iii ) complexes trying to strongly improve their cellular uptake and to minimize unwanted side - effects typical of the metal - based chemotherapeutic agents . thus , the [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )] complexes represented by the general formula ( i ) herein previously reported were designed in the attempt to reproduce very closely the main features of the reference drug cisplatin , and to improve the celluar uptake by using peptides ( combined with the presence of a dithiocarbamato moiety as intrinsic chemoprotectant ) directly bound to the au ( iii ) metal center as carriers for an enhanced intracellular delivery of the drug . in fact , these complexes should exhibit an almost square - planar geometry and contain two cis - au ( iii )- halogen or pseudo - halogen bonds that may undergo easy hydrolysis , the remaining coordination positions being occupied by a peptide - dithiocarbamato ligand , the — ncss moiety coordinating the metal center through the sulfur donating atoms in a bidentate symmetrical mode and lying in the same plane . however , gold exhibits different oxidation states and has rich coordination chemistry . thus , as well known for this kind of metals and for gold in particular , even little changes in its complexes can result in dramatic changes in their physico - chemical properties and , therefore , in their biological properties . thus , moving from the previously reported au ( iii ) analogues containing a single amino acid dithiocarbamato ligand [ l . ronconi et al . 2005 , ref . cit .] to the compounds object of the present invention a change in their chemical and biological behavior might have been expected . in fact , prolongation of the amino acid chain of the dithiocarbamato ligand might have led ( and , for future compounds , might actually lead ) to dramatic changes in their properties , such as stability under physiological conditions , antitumor activity , nephrotoxicity and cross - resistance , whose prediction is not trivial at all . in a first embodiment of the invention the oligopeptide moiety of the ligand pdtc is a dithiocarbamato derivative of a peptide / esterified peptide consisting of 2 to 5 amino acids , either natural or synthetic showing , independently each other , s ( l ) or r ( d ) stereochemistry . preferably , the amino acids are selected in the group consisting of glycine ( gly ), alanine ( ala ), proline ( pro ), serine ( ser ) sarcosine ( sar ), α - aminoisobutyric ( aib ), phenylalanine ( phe ). in the more preferred embodiments of the au ( iii ) complexes according to the general formula ( i ): x 1 and x 2 are halogens selected from cl and br ; the oligopeptide residue of the ligand pdtc is selected from the group consisting of - sar - gly -, - sar - aib -, - sar - phe -, - sar - ser - - sar - aib 2 -, - sar - aib 3 - gly -; y is o ; r 4 is selected from the group consisting of methyl , ethyl , t - butyl . as a most preferred embodiment the pdtc ligand is selected from the group consisting of ( t - bu ) o - gly - sar - css , ( t - bu ) o - aib - sar - css , ( t - bu ) o - phe - sar - css , meo - gly - sar - css , meo - aib - sar - css , meo - ser - sar - css , meo - phe - sar - css , ( t - bu ) o - aib 2 - sar - css − , eto - gly - aib 3 - sar - css . the complexes according to the invention have shown a relevant in vitro cytotoxicity , associated to a capacity to induce apoptosis on human cancer cell lines , both effects significantly higher than the reference drug cisplatin . in addition , these complexes were capable to inhibit the proteosomal chymotrypsin - like activity on purified proteosome and on a whole tumor cell line extract , resulting two - fold more potent than the previously investigated au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato analogues . therefore , the au ( iii ) complexes of the invention can be usefully employed as antineoplastic agents for the treatment of tumor pathologies . in particular , the au ( iii ) complexes herein disclosed can be used on their own or in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents to treat neoplastic pathologies such as lymphomas , myelomas , acute and chronic leukemia , genitourinary , testicular and ovarian , small - cell lung , bladder , cervical , brain and breast cancer . for this purpose the complexes can be used for the preparation of compositions in combination with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients and / or diluents suitable for parenteral , oral , local and transdermical administration . the compositions can be fast - or slow - release compositions ready for treatment or prepared at the time of administration . the compositions comprising the au ( iii ) complexes of the general formula ( i ) can be also administered by means of suitable device for general and local administration . the general synthetic process leading to the complexes of the type [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )] ( x = halogen , pseudo - halogen ; pdtc = peptide -/ esterified peptidedithiocarbamato ) according to the invention may be summarized as follows steps by steps : 1 ) in situ template synthesis of the dithiocarbamato ligand by a 1 : 1 : 1 stoichiometric reaction between a selected peptide / esterified peptide hydrochloride ( p • hcl ), carbon disulfide ( cs 2 ) and sodium or potassium hydroxide ( moh , m = na , k ) in water at 0 ° c ., leading to the formation of the corresponding dithiocarbamic acid ( pdtch = p −( s ) sh ), according to the reaction 2 ) coordination of the dithiocarbamato ligand to the gold metal center by a 2 : 1 ligand - to metal reaction between the dithiocarbamato ligand generated in situ ( previous step 1 ) and m [ au iii x 4 ] ( m = na , k ) in water at 0 ° c ., leading to the precipitation of the complex [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )], according to the reaction 3 ) separation and optional purification of complex [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )]. the solid obtained at previous step 2 is separated by centrifugation , washed several times with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 . some au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato derivatives of oligopeptides having the general formula ( i ) have been synthesized , purified and fully characterized . non - limitative examples of the synthesis of these complexes and the in vitro antitumor activity thereof will be described herein below . the eight esterified peptides ( p1 - p9 ) below reported have been synthesized as hydrochlorides following well - established procedures previously reported in the literature [ g . m . bonora , c . toniolo , biopolymers 1974 , 13 , 2179 - 2190 ; m . k . dhaon , r . k . olsen , k . ramasamy , j . org . chem . 1982 , 47 , 1962 - 1965 ; d . s . jones , g . w . kenner , j . preston , r . c . sheppard , j . chem . soc . 1965 , 6227 - 6239 ], purified and fully characterized . when present , chiral amino acids have s ( l ) stereochemistry . then , these oligopeptides were used for the synthesis and characterization of the au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato derivatives of oligopeptides herein below reported both as chemical structures and synthesis a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - gly - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 42 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 43 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 42 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aubr 4 ] ( 0 . 70 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a reddish - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 77 . 2 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 10 h 17 aubr 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 18 . 94 ; h , 2 . 70 ; n , 4 . 42 ; s , 10 . 11 %. found : c , 19 . 20 ; h , 2 . 88 ; n , 4 . 42 ; s , 10 . 25 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3352 ( v , n — h ); 1736 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1673 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1568 ( v , amide ii + n — css ); 1253 ( v , amide iii ); 1228 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1161 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 1006 , 556 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 387 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 252 , 227 ( v a , s , br — au — br ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 45 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 3 . 53 , 3 . 57 ( nch 3 ); 3 . 95 , 3 . 96 ( ch 2 gly ); 4 . 71 , 4 . 75 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 96 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 28 . 66 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 40 . 13 , 41 . 12 ( nch 3 ); 43 . 09 ( ch 2 gly ); 55 . 12 , 58 . 98 ( ch 2 sar ); 82 . 59 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 165 . 06 , 165 . 35 ( nco ); 169 . 93 ( coo ); 196 . 74 , 200 . 48 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - gly - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 56 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 58 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 58 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aucl 4 ] ( 0 . 77 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a yellow - ochre solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 76 . 9 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 10 h 17 aucl 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 22 . 03 ; h , 3 . 14 ; n , 5 . 14 ; s , 11 . 76 %. found : c , 22 . 00 ; h , 3 . 23 ; n , 5 . 08 ; s , 11 . 96 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3349 ( v , n — h ); 1737 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1672 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1561 ( v , amide ii + n — css ); 1253 ( v , amide iii ); 1229 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1162 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 1006 , 558 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 384 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 358 , 339 ( v a , s , cl — au — cl ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 45 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 3 . 56 , 3 . 57 ( nch 3 ); 3 . 94 , 3 . 97 ( ch 2 gly ); 4 . 75 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 92 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 28 . 70 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 40 . 66 , 41 . 10 ( nch 3 ); 43 . 27 ( ch 2 gly ); 55 . 64 ( ch 2 sar ); 82 . 66 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 165 . 10 ( nco ); 169 . 82 ( coo ); 195 . 45 , 200 . 60 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - aib - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 43 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 43 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 42 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aubr 4 ] ( 0 . 71 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a reddish - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 76 . 4 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 12 h 21 aubr 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 21 . 76 ; h , 3 . 20 ; n , 4 . 23 ; s , 9 . 68 %. found : c , 22 . 03 ; h , 3 . 33 ; n , 4 . 34 ; s , 9 . 58 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3362 ( v , n — h ); 1734 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1690 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1560 ( v , n — css ); 1531 ( v , amide ii ); 1252 ( v , amide iii ); 1215 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1144 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 996 , 545 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 383 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 252 , 223 ( v a , s , br — au — br ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 44 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 1 . 45 , 1 . 46 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 3 . 51 , 3 . 54 ( nch 3 ); 4 . 62 , 4 . 66 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 90 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 25 . 61 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 28 . 60 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 40 . 21 , 41 . 20 ( nch 3 ); 55 . 26 , 56 . 15 ( ch 2 sar ); 58 . 35 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 81 . 91 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 164 . 00 ( nco ); 173 . 73 ( coo ); 196 . 57 , 200 . 26 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - aib - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 58 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 58 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 59 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aucl 4 ] ( 0 . 78 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a yellow - ochre solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 80 . 6 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 12 h 21 aucl 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 25 . 14 ; h , 3 . 69 ; n , 4 . 89 ; s , 11 . 19 %. found : c , 25 . 11 ; h , 3 . 84 ; n , 4 . 84 ; s , 11 . 37 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3365 ( v , n — h ); 1733 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1691 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1564 ( v , n — css ); 1534 ( v , amide ii ); 1252 ( v , amide iii ); 1214 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1146 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 996 , 547 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 383 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 347 ( v a , s , cl — au — cl ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 44 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 1 . 45 , 1 . 46 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 3 . 54 , 3 . 55 ( nch 3 ); 4 . 66 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 89 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 25 . 52 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 28 . 50 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 40 . 64 , 41 . 04 ( nch 3 ); 55 . 67 ( ch 2 sar ); 58 . 20 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 81 . 87 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 163 . 80 ( nco ); 173 . 62 ( coo ); 195 . 09 , 200 . 19 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - phe - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 38 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 39 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 38 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 1 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aubr 4 ] ( 0 . 69 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a reddish - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 71 . 5 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 17 h 23 aubr 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 28 . 19 ; h , 3 . 20 ; n , 3 . 87 ; s , 8 . 85 %. found : c , 28 . 34 ; h , 3 . 09 ; n , 3 . 87 ; s , 8 . 63 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3431 ( v , n — h ); 1731 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1683 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1558 ( v , n — css ); 1543 ( v , amide ii ); 1259 ( v , amide iii ); 1214 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1155 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 994 , 562 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 381 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 252 , 221 ( v a , s , br — au — br ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 43 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 2 . 98 - 3 . 20 ( ch 2 - ph ); 3 . 45 , 3 . 49 ( nch 3 ); 4 . 65 , 4 . 70 ( ch 2 sar ); 4 . 67 - 4 . 74 ( ch ); 7 . 25 - 7 . 33 ( c 6 h 5 ); 7 . 91 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 28 . 11 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 38 . 50 ( ch 2 - ph ); 39 . 74 , 40 . 74 ( nch 3 ); 54 . 65 , 55 . 56 ( ch 2 sar ); 55 . 23 ( ch ); 82 . 56 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 127 . 86 ( ph , p - ch ); 129 . 41 ( ph , m - ch ); 130 . 43 ( ph , o - ch ); 137 . 72 ( ph , ch 2 — c ); 164 . 10 , 164 . 33 ( nco ); 170 . 75 ( coo ); 196 . 11 , 199 . 33 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - phe - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 62 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 64 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 61 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 1 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aucl 4 ] ( 0 . 80 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a light - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 81 . 7 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 17 h 23 aucl 2 n 2 o 3 s 2 : c , 32 . 14 ; h , 3 . 65 ; n , 4 . 41 ; s , 10 . 09 %. found : c , 32 . 31 ; h , 3 . 54 ; n , 4 . 40 ; s , 9 . 95 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3342 ( v , n — h ); 1733 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1684 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1559 ( v , n — css ); 1542 ( v , amide ii ); 1256 ( v , amide iii ); 1213 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1155 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 994 , 563 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 383 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 359 ( v a , s , cl — au — cl ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 43 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 2 . 98 - 3 . 20 ( ch 2 - ph ); 3 . 49 ( nch 3 ); 4 . 70 ( ch 2 sar ); 4 . 67 - 4 . 74 ( ch ); 7 . 25 - 7 . 33 ( c 6 h 5 ); 7 . 92 ( nh ). 13 c nmr ( 75 . 48 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 27 . 86 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 38 . 29 ( ch 2 - ph ); 40 . 49 ( nch 3 ); 55 . 31 ( ch 2 sar ); 54 . 97 ( ch ); 82 . 33 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 127 . 50 ( ph , p - ch ); 129 . 15 ( ph , m - ch ); 130 . 40 ( ph , o - ch ); 137 . 73 ( ph , ch 2 - c ); 163 . 97 , 164 . 10 ( nco ); 170 . 93 ( coo ); 194 . 45 , 199 . 61 ( css ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - aib 3 - gly - oet ( 0 . 84 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 0 . 86 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 0 . 84 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aubr 4 ] ( 0 . 41 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a reddish - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 78 . 9 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 20 h 34 aubr 2 n 5 o 6 s 2 : c , 27 . 89 ; h , 3 . 98 ; n , 8 . 13 ; s , 7 . 44 %. found : c , 27 . 71 ; h , 4 . 10 ; n , 8 . 24 ; s , 7 . 58 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3358 ( v , n — h ); 1741 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1689 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1563 ( v , n — css ); 1533 ( v , amide ii ); 1253 ( v , amide iii ); 1240 ( v , c — oet ); 1098 ( v , et - o ); 998 , 547 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 384 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 253 , 222 ( v a , s , br — au — br ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 22 ( ch 3 et ); 1 . 38 - 1 . 51 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 3 . 54 , 3 . 58 ( nch 3 ); 3 . 86 , 3 . 90 ( ch 2 gly ); 4 . 10 ( ch 2 et ); 4 . 80 , 4 . 83 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 15 - 8 . 38 ( nh ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - aib 2 - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 58 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 58 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 60 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aubr 4 ] ( 0 . 78 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a reddish - brown solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 81 . 2 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 16 h 28 aubr 2 n 3 o 4 s 2 : c , 25 . 71 ; h , 3 . 78 ; n , 5 . 62 ; s , 8 . 58 %. found : c , 25 . 79 ; h , 3 . 75 ; n , 5 . 48 ; s , 8 . 50 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3360 ( v , n — h ); 1735 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1688 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1561 ( v , n — css ); 1538 ( v , amide ii ); 1252 ( v , amide iii ); 1216 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1145 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 995 , 545 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 383 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 252 , 222 ( v a , s , br — au — br ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 87 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 1 . 85 - 1 . 97 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 3 . 96 , 4 . 00 ( nch 3 ); 5 . 15 , 5 . 20 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 83 - 8 . 41 ( nh ). a water solution ( ca . 3 ml ) of hcl . h - sar - aib 2 - o ( t - bu ) ( 1 . 67 mmol ) cooled at 0 ° c . was drop - wise treated under continuous stirring with cool cs 2 ( 1 . 68 mmol ) and an aqueous solution ( 1 ml ) of naoh ( 1 . 67 mmol ). when ph turned from 11 to 6 after ca . 2 . 5 h , the solution was slowly added under stirring to an aqueous cool ( 0 ° c .) solution ( ca . 2 ml ) of k [ aucl 4 ] ( 0 . 83 mmol ), leading to the immediate precipitation of a dark - ochre solid that was filtered off , washed with water , and dried under reduced pressure with p 2 o 5 , the final yield being 76 . 3 %. elemental analyses calculated for c 16 h 28 aucl 2 n 3 o 4 s 2 : c , 29 . 19 ; h , 4 . 29 ; n , 6 . 38 ; s , 9 . 74 %. found : c , 29 . 02 ; h , 4 . 19 ; n , 6 . 48 ; s , 9 . 60 %. ir data ( kbr , cm − 1 ): 3365 ( v , n — h ); 1733 ( v , c ═ o ester ); 1692 ( v , c ═ o amide ); 1563 ( v , n — css ); 1535 ( v , amide ii ); 1252 ( v , amide iii ); 1213 ( v , c — o ( t - bu )); 1145 ( v , ( t - bu )— o ); 995 , 546 ( v a , s , s — c — s ); 384 ( v a , s , s — au — s ); 351 ( v a , s , cl — au — cl ). 1 h nmr ( 300 . 13 mhz , acetone - d 6 , 298 k ): δ ( ppm ) 1 . 87 ( c ( ch 3 ) 3 ); 1 . 85 - 1 . 98 ( c ( ch 3 ) 2 aib ); 4 . 00 ( nch 3 ); 5 . 18 ( ch 2 sar ); 7 . 80 - 8 . 29 ( nh ). preliminary in vitro cytotoxicity tests have been carried out for some of the example [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )] complexes according to the invention . human prostate carcinoma pc3 cells ( established from bone marrow metastasis and unresponsive to androgen treatment ) were cultured in imdm ( iscove &# 39 ; s modified dulbecco &# 39 ; s medium ) supplemented with 10 % heat - inactivated fetal bovine serum ( fbs ), penicillin ( 2 mg ml − 1 ), streptomycin ( 2 mg ml − 1 ), l - glutamine ( 0 . 1 % w / v ) at 37 ° c . in 5 % co 2 and moisture - enriched atmosphere . before use , [ au iii x 2 ( pdtc )] complexes ( aud6 , aud7 , aud8 , aud9 ) and cisplatin were dissolved in methyl sulfoxide ( dmso ) just before the experiments . calculated amounts of drug solutions were then added to the proper medium to a final concentration of 0 . 5 % ( v / v ) dmso which had no discernible effect on cell death . all the tested complexes were proved by 1h nmr studies , to be stable in dmso over 48 h . for the cytotoxicity assay , cells ( 2 . 5 × 10 3 cells ml − 1 ) were seeded in 96 - well flat - bottomed microplates in imdm supplemented with 10 % heat - inactivated fbs and incubated at 37 ° c . in a 5 % co 2 atmosphere . the medium was then removed and replaced with a fresh one containing the compounds to be studied ( previously dissolved in dmso ) at increasing concentrations ( 0 . 05 - 10 μm ), thus exposing cells to the investigated compounds for 72 h . triplicate cultures were established for each treatment . cell viability was determined by a cell proliferation elisa 5 - bromo - 2 ′- deoxyuridine colorimetric kit , according to the manufacturer &# 39 ; s protocol . the percent cell viability was calculated by dividing the average absorbance of the cells treated with the tested compounds by that of the control , and plotted against drug concentration ( logarithmic scale ) to determine the ic 50 ( drug concentration required to cause 50 % cells growth inhibition relative to the control ), the standard deviation being estimated from the average of three trials . for comparison purposes , the cytotoxicity of cisplatin was evaluated under the same experimental conditions . as reported in table 1 , exposure of pc3 cells to increasing concentrations of aud6 , aud7 , aud8 , aud9 complexes resulted in a remarkable dose - dependent growth inhibition with ic 50 ( the concentration of drug required to cause 50 % growth inhibition ) values , lower than the reference drug cisplatin , the most active being [ au iii br 2 (( t - bu ) o - aib - sar - dtc )] ( au d8 ). the ability of the investigated compounds to induce apoptosis has been also investigated . one of the earliest features of apoptosis is a morphological change in the plasma membrane as a consequence of the translocation of the phospholipid phosphatidylserine ( ps ) membrane from the internal to the external layer of the cell membrane . in the presence of calcium ions , annexin v has a high specificity and affinity for ps . thus , the binding of annexin v to cells with exposed ps provides a reliable and sensitive method to detect apoptosis . a population of apoptotic cells may contain necrotic cells binding annexin v as well , due to their damaged plasma membrane . to distinguish between apoptotic and necrotic cells , the fluorescent dye propidium iodide ( pi ) is used since can cross damaged plasma membrane of necrotic cells only . annexin - v binding and propidium iodide ( pi ) staining were detected by flow cytometry . pc3 cells in exponential growth phase were incubated in imdm supplemented with 10 % heat - inactivated fbs either in presence or without the investigated compounds ( 5 μm ) for 24 h . cells were then harvested and resuspended in 100 μl of binding buffer ( 10 mm hepes / naoh ph 7 . 4 , 140 mm nacl , 2 . 5 mm cacl 2 ), incubated with 5 μl of annexin v - fluorescein isothiocyanate ( fitc ), and 10 μl of pi ( 10 μg / ml in binding buffer ) in the dark for 15 min , and assayed after the addition of 0 . 3 μl binding buffer to each sample . viable , annexin v labeled cells were identified by flow cytometry according to their forward and right - angle scattering , electronically gated and analyzed on a facscan flow cytometer . as clearly shown in fig1 , all the tested au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato complexes are able to induce apoptosis , as evaluated by the marker of early apoptosis annexin , inducing a significant increase of annexin v binding / pi staining . the growth - inhibitory effect of aud6 and aud8 on estrogen receptor a - negative human breast cancer mda - mb - 231 cells has been also evaluated . cells were grown in rpmi 1640 medium supplemented with 10 % heat - inactivated fetal bovine serum , penicillin ( 100 units m − 1 ), streptomycin ( 100 μg ml − 1 ), l - glutamine ( 0 . 1 % w / v ) at 37 ° c . in 5 % co 2 and moisture - enriched atmosphere . for the cytotoxicity assay , cells were seeded in 96 - well microplates in rpmi 1640 medium and grown to 70 % to 80 % confluency followed by addition of the compounds to be studied ( previously dissolved in dmso ) at increasing concentrations ( 1 - 50 μm ) and incubated at 37 ° c . in a 5 % co 2 atmosphere , thus exposing cells to the investigated compounds for 22 h . triplicate cultures were established for each treatment . cell respiration , as an indicator of cell viability , was determined by the mitochondrial - dependent reduction of mtt ( 3 -( 4 , 5 - dimethylthiazol - 2 - yl )- 2 , 5 - diphenyltetrazolium bromide ) to formazan as previously described [ v . milacic , d . chen , l . ronconi , k . r . landis - piwowar , d . fregona , q . p . dou , cancer res . 2006 , 66 , 10478 - 10486 ]. cell viability was calculated by dividing the average absorbance of the cells treated with the test compounds by that of the control , the standard deviation being estimated from the average of three trials . as reported in fig2 , aud6 and aud8 have similar inhibitory patterns , the latter showing slightly higher activity . moreover , these results suggest that both compounds are similarly potent in inhibiting human breast cancer mda - mb - 231 cell growth as the previously investigated au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato analogues [ v . milacic et al . 2006 , ref . cit .]. to investigate whether these compounds could also have the proteasome as a biological target , purified rabbit 20s proteasome ( 35 ng ) or mda - mb - 231 whole cell extract ( 10 μg ) were incubated with 20 μm of the substrate ( for proteasomal chymotryptic ( ct ) activity ) in 100 μl assay buffer ( 20 mmol l − 1 tris - hcl ( ph 7 . 5 ) in the presence of the compounds to be studied ( previously dissolved in dmso ) at increasing concentrations ( 0 . 1 - 25 μm ) or equivalent volume of neat dmso as control . after 2 h incubation at 3tc , inhibition of each proteasomal chymotryptic activity was measured as previously described [ v . milacic et al . 2006 , ref . cit .]. all the au ( iii ) complexes ( aud 6 , aud 8 ) were proved to inhibit the proteasomal chymotrypsin - like activity of both purified rabbit 20s proteasome ( fig3 a ) and mda - mb - 231 whole cell extract ( fig3 b ) in a concentration - dependent way resulting , again , two - fold more potent than the previously investigated au ( iii )- dithiocarbamato analogues [ v . milacic et al .. 2006 , ref . cit .]. further biological studies have been preliminarily showing that both investigated au ( iii ) complexes ( aud6 , aud8 ) induce accumulation of proteasome target proteins , such as bax and p27 , indicating that proteasome inhibition ( associated with cell death ) by aud6 and aud8 is functional and that the proteasome is a major cellular target . cell culture and cell extract preparation . estrogen receptor α - negative human breast cancer mda - mb - 231 cells were grown in rpmi 1640 medium supplemented with 10 % fetal bovine serum , penicillin ( 100 units ml − 1 ), and streptomycin ( 100 μg ml − 1 ) at 37 ° c . in 5 % co 2 and moisture - enriched atmosphere . human breast tumor xenograft experiments . five week - old female athymic nude mice were purchased from taconic research animal services ( hudson ) and housed according to protocols approved by the institutional laboratory animal care and use committee of wayne state university . mda - mb - 231 cells ( 5 . 0 × 10 6 cells ml − 1 suspended in 0 . 1 ml of serum - free rpmi 1640 medium ) were inoculated subcutaneously ( s . c .) in right flank of each mouse ( four mice per group ). when tumors reached the size of ca . 120 mm 3 , mice were randomly grouped and treated daily with s . c . injection of either 1 . 0 mg kg − 1 of aud6 or aud8 , or vehicle [ 10 % dmso , 20 % cremophore / ethanol ( 3 : 1 ) and 70 % pbs ]. tumor size was measured every other day using calipers and their volumes were calculated according to the formula width 2 × length / 2 . mice have being treated for 13 days . initial tumor growth inhibition was analyzed . the results obtained on the capability of both aud6 and aud8 complexes to inhibit the growth of human breast cancer ( mda - mb - 231 ) xenografts in vivo are shown in fig4 . a significant tumor growth inhibition was observed after 13 days in tumor - bearing mice treated with aud8 . control tumors grew to an average size of 453 mm 3 , whereas aud8 - treated tumors grew to a much smaller average size , corresponding to & gt ; 90 % inhibition . analogous treatment with aud6 led to a moderate inhibition of tumor growth ( ca . 33 %). these results are consistent with the previously discussed in vitro studies , in which aud8 was shown to be more potent than aud6 in inhibiting mda - mb - 231 cells proliferation .	2
referring to the drawings in detail , there is shown an aircraft 10 having a fuselage 12 and empennage 14 to which are joined wings 16 and 18 . the airplane is a twin engined airplane having engine nacelles 20 and 22 on opposite sides and spaced from the fuselage 12 . within the nacelles are engines having horizontally opposed cylinders for driving a propeller shaft ( not shown ) to in turn rotate a hub ( not shown ) within spinners 24 and 26 to thereby rotate propellers shown in revolution . the nacelle is of the pancake type now so commonly termed having a low profile ( flat ) frontal section 26 with air inlets 28 to either side of the spinner ( see fig2 ). depending on the thickness of the wing 16 the nacelle could be of a thickness to be of the same frontal profile as the maximum thickness of the wing leading edge , as shown by fig2 or of a greater thickness to be faired into the wing at its point of maximum thickness behind the leading edge , as shown by fig3 or thicker than the wing to extend as a streamlined body above and below the wing , as shown by fig1 . in any event the nacelle has strake means in the form of fins or blended extensions 30 and 32 that are extensions of the nacelle sides from the juncture thereof with the wings 16 and 18 to the wing trailing edge . the fins have a chordwise attachment surface 34 ( see fig2 ) extending to the wing trailing edge 40 and an upper surface 36 that diverges from the nacelle and / or wing to a point at and above the trailing edge 40 . as shown by fig3 the location of the strakes and their vertical profile is such that the airstream at the abrupt juncture of nacelle 20 with wing 16 will not be caused by span lift distribution to roll and spill over strake 30 . without this invention a spanwise flow separation over the wing 16 has occurred due to pressure distribution therealong and more specifically across the nacelle 20 . by the constraint and guiding action of the strake means in counteracting what has heretofore been recognized as an adverse pressure distribution across such nacelle structures , heretofore lived with in aircraft design , there is caused a reduction in drag of such wing body combinations and a smoother design predictable progression of spanwise stalling of the wing . this improvement will also increase longitudinal stability of the aircraft in that the elimination of vortexes from the slipstream enables a stable wash of the empennage . the problem addressed by this invention has been the repeated subject of pilot evaluation reports for over a decade in multi - engine aircraft that without this invention exhibit generally poor longitudinal stability in high lift , low speed conditions , such as when landing . actually , existing nacelles , without this invention , particularly for the current horizontally opposed flat engines , exhibit sudden changes in lift , drag and downwash , and require higher landing speeds . attempts within the prior art to address this problem were to lengthen the nacelle to allow an aerodynamic profile matching of nacelle and wing . such attempts produced the &# 34 ; pancaked &# 34 ; nacelle . the use of strake means on a nacelle , as by this invention , enables the shortening of the &# 34 ; pancake &# 34 ; nacelle structure in that the lift distribution across the nacelle is rendered ineffective to constrain the airflow coming aft over the top , and up the sides of the nacelle forebody into an aerodynamically clean flow downwardly from the wing trailing edge in the aft direction . therefore , shorter , lighter nacelles are possible . as seen in fig4 and 5 this invention is equally applicable to the improvement of other wing - body combinations such as wing submerged fuel tank bodies 44 and over - the - wing jet engines 46 . in each of these embodiments , as with those described above , the channels 48 and 50 , respectively , are created by strakes 52 , 54 or blended extensions 56 , 58 from the bodies 44 or 46 . in fig5 there is shown a design wherein the blended extensions 56 and 58 have movable trailing edges 60 and 62 so as to be operable with the movable surface 64 at the trailing edge of the wing 66 . also the channel 50 is created to be about the jet engine exhaust 68 so as to utilize its action to aspirate , to some extent , flow attachment within and along the strake means . it should also be noted that the trailing edges 60 and 62 will serve to relocate sound radiation from the exhaust nozzle 68 to the trailing edge of the wing after having had commingled therewith the surrounding airflow from channel 50 . having now described what can only be said to be but a few practial embodiments for this invention it is now desired to set forth the scope of these letters patent by the appended claims .	1
a dry pyrex tube ( 25 × 2 cm ), cooled with a mixture of dry ice and acetone , was charged under nitrogen with 0 . 880 g . of 1 , 6 - hexanediamine ( 0 . 00757 mole ) and 1 . 75 g . of trimethylisocyanatosilane ( 0 . 01519 mole ). the pyrex tube was hermetically sealed and then the tube and contents were heated at 175 ° c . for 17 hours . the pyrex tube was cooled in a mixture of dry ice and acetone , then opened ; and the solid was filtered off and dried in vacuo , yielding 1 . 060 g . of crude polyhexamethyleneurea , which represented a yield of approximately 98 percent . the crude polyhexamethyleneurea was purified by dissolving it in hexafluoroisopropanol and thereafter precipitating the polyhexamethyleneurea with water . the polyhexamethyleneurea was dried and the dried product found to correspond with a known sample prepared in accordance with u . s . pat . no . 2 , 816 , 879 . the filtrate obtained in the first filtration described above , i . e . when the crude polyhexamethyleneurea was separated from the remaining contents of the pyrex tube , was shown by gas - liquid chromatography to be a mixture of trimethylisocyanatosilane ( 0 . 647 g . ), hexamethyldisilazane ( 0 . 315 g . ), hexamethyldisiloxane ( 0 . 112 g . ), bis ( trimethylsilyl ) carbodiimide ( trace amount ), and ammonia . each of the above by - products was identified by comparison with the infrared spectra and gas - liquid chromatographic retention times for known samples of the compounds . while the method of making polyureas has been illustrated by the reaction of 1 , 6 - hexanediamine with trimethylisocyanatosilane , it is to be understood that other polyureas may be made by reacting other aliphatic diamines with trimethylisocyanatosilane . for example , tetramethylenediamine ( 1 , 4 - butanediamine ) may be used similarly to produce polytetramethyleneurea ; pentamethylenediamine ( 1 , 5 - pentanediamine ) may be used similarly to produce polypentamethyleneurea ; and decamethylenediamine ( 1 , 10 - decanediamine ) may be used similarly to produce polydecamethyleneurea . although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in terms of the use of a hermetically sealed pyrex tube as the pressurized vessel in which the reaction is carried out , it is to be understood that other types of closed , pressurized vessels may be employed in carrying out the reaction . if desired , the vessel may be partially evacuated and , if desirable , swept out with an inert gas , such as nitrogen , to remove substantially all of the oxygen from the reaction vessel . however , this was not found necessary in the case of the production of polyhexamethyleneurea . the polyureas product in accordance with the method of the invention are useful for impregnating and for coating fabrics of various types , and in dyeing and finishing various textile materials . they are also useful as binders in the manufacture of paper products . they may also be converted into films which may be used as protective barrier materials to protect moisture - sensitive materials against moist atmospheres and to prevent corrosion of metals which are subject to the corrosive action of moisture or atmospheric chemicals . the method of the invention has the advantage that it permits recovery of substantial amounts of one of the more expensive reagents employed in the method and , therefore , provides a relatively inexpensive method of producing polyureas , which constitute a special class of polyamides , namely the polyamides of the lowest dicarboxylic acid , carbonic acid . in general , the polyureas have quite high melting points compared with polyamides comprised of the same length aliphatic chains in the diamine portions of the molecules and longer aliphatic chains in the dicarboxylic acid portions of the molecules . it will be understood , of course , that various changes in the details and materials which have been described in order to explain the nature of the invention , may be made by those skilled in the art within the principle and scope of the invention .	2
this invention provides a polyolefin film preferably having at least two layers , including a first skin layer , which is in direct contact with the packaged product . this skin layer could be functional such as a heat seal layer or a cold seal adhesion layer and may also contain void initiating solid particles . a core layer , adjacent to the polyolefin skin layer , may also contain void initiating solid particles . a second polymeric skin layer may also be incorporated on the opposite side of the core layer from the first skin layer . this second polymeric layer may function as a layer for metallization , printing , adhesive lamination , extrusion lamination and coatings . more particularly preferred is a layer for metallization . the first polyolefin skin layer can function as a heat - seal layer or a layer for cold seal adhesion . the term heat seal is defined as sealing upon the onset of heat . for a package to cold seal , a cold seal cohesive must be pattern applied by a rotogravure coating process to the cold - seal adhesion skin layer . the term cold seal is defined as sealing a product at room temperature with the application of only pressure . the voids in the skin layer are capable of absorbing oil and , therefore , called oil - absorbing voids . the oil - absorbing voids can absorb oil due to any mechanism . for example , the oil - absorbing voids can absorb oil due to the presence of oil - absorbing particles in the voids . another reason why the oil - absorbing voids can absorb oil is due to adsorption of oil on the surface of the particles located in the voids or on the internal surfaces of the voids themselves . still another reason why the oil - absorbing voids can absorb oil could be due to the capillary action of the voids , in which case , the voids act like pores in a sponge and soak up the oil . the term void initiating solid particles refers to particles that can create voids in a film upon the biaxial stretching of the film . it has also been considered that the absorbed food oils that are in direct contact with the skin layer will reside in these voids . it is also considered that the porosity of the solid particles themselves will attract oil away from the polypropylene - matrix . thus , the oil will choose the path of least resistance and reside within the film voids or the pores of the solid particles , if these pores exist . since the outer layer is very thin in relation to the core layer , only a small amount of voids can be created by the solid particles in the skin layer . however , it has been found very effective to create voids in the skin layer to overcome the swelling of the polypropylene . the core layer can also be loaded with void initiating solid particles in conjunction with the skin layer . it is considered that food oils that have not been absorbed by the voids of the outermost skin will be absorbed by the voids of the core layer created by the solid particles . since the oil will now reside in the voids , swelling of the polyolefin film will not occur . as a consequence , the film will not be distorted and thus the flexible package will not be distorted . in one embodiment , the film is a biaxially oriented polypropylene multi - layer film with the following structure : ( a ) a skin layer that preferably comprises a polyolefin polymer containing solid particle which initiates void formation upon orientation , whereby this layer may be additionally treated by a surface treatment method ; and ( b ) a core layer that preferably comprises a polyolefin polymer whereby this layer may be additionally treated by a surface treatment method . another embodiment of the invention is a biaxially oriented polyolefinic based coextruded film comprising : ( a ) a core layer that preferably comprises a polyolefin polymer containing solid particle which initiates void formation upon orientation , whereby this layer may be additionally treated by a surface treatment method ; and ( b ) a skin layer comprising a polyolefin resin and containing solid particles that initiates void formation upon orientation . the core layer can be any polyolefin polymer that can be uniaxially or biaxially oriented . such polymers include but are not limited to : isotactic polypropylene homopolymer , syndiotactic polypropylene homopolymer , metallocene catalyzed isotactic polypropylene homopolymer , metallocene catalyzed syndiotactic polypropylene , ethylene - propylene random copolymer , butene - propylene random copolymer , high density polyethylene , low density polyethylene , linear low density polyethylene and blends thereof . most preferred is a core layer of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer resin . the isotactic polypropyelene resin can be defined as having a melt flow in the range of 1 - 9 g / 10 min . more particularly preferred is a melt flow rate in the range of 1 - 5 g / 10 min . most particularly preferred is a melt flow rate in the range of 1 - 3 g / 10 min . the core layer can be surface treated with either a standard corona treatment , flame treatment , atmospheric plasma , or a special corona treatment utilizing a mixed gas environment of nitrogen and carbon dioxide . most particularly preferred is a surface treatment consisting of a special corona treatment utilizing a mixed gas environment of nitrogen and carbon dioxide . this core layer can then be directly metallized , printed , coated , adhesive laminated , or extrusion laminated . most particularly preferred is metallization of the core layer . the skin layer could be a cold seal adhesion layer . the cold seal adhesion layer can be composed of any of the following and blends thereof : an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer , syndiotactic polypropylene homopolymer , metallocene catalyzed isotactic polypropylene homopolymer , metallocene catalyzed syndiotactic polypropylene homopolymer , ethylene - propylene random copolymer , butene - propylene random copolymer , ethylene - propylene - butene - 1 terpolymer , low density polyethylene , linear low density polyethylene , very low density polyethylene , metallocene catalyzed polyethylene , metallocene catalyzed polyethylene copolymers , ethylene - methacrylate copolymers , ethylene - vinyl acetate copolymers , and ionomer resins . this cold seal adhesion layer can be surface treated with either a standard corona treatment , flame treatment , atmospheric plasma , or a special corona treatment utilizing a mixed gas environment of nitrogen and carbon dioxide . most particularly preferred is corona treatment . the skin layer could be a heat sealable layer . the heat seal layer can be composed of any of the following and blends thereof : an ethylene - propylene random copolymer , ethylene - butene - 1 copolymer , ethylene - propylene - butene - 1 terpolymer , propylene - butene copolymer , low density polyethylene , linear low density polyethylene , very low density polyethylene , metallocene catalyzed polyethylene plastomer , metallocene catalyzed polyethylene , metallocene catalyzed polyethylene copolymers , ethylene - methacrylate copolymer , ethylene - vinyl acetate copolymer and ionomer resin . one aspect of this invention is the oil absorptive properties of voids created by the solid particles either in the polypropylene core layer , in the a skin layer adjacent to the core layer , or both . these voids absorb the oil first rather than allowing the oil to swell the polypropylene and distort the film as a consequence . calcium carbonate is a preferred particle because of its particle shape , particle size , low cost , and availability . however any particle may be used which creates voids upon biaxial orientation of the film . in general , the particles should be round in shape and approximately greater than 1 micron in average diameter . the particles can be either organic or inorganic . it is obvious that inorganic particles such as calcium carbonate , silicone dioxide , sodium aluminosilicate and activated carbon can be used since these will not melt at polyolefin extrusion and orienting temperatures . however , organic particles can be used that are incompatible with the matrix polyolefin material . such organic particles must either be crosslinked , have a higher melting temperature than the matrix olefin material , or if amorphous must have a higher glass transition temperature than the melting temperature of the olefin matrix material . a 65 gauge biaxially oriented polypropylene ( bopp ) film was manufactured on a 1 . 5 - meter wide bopp production line . the skin layer was measured at 8 gauge units . the skin layer used a ethylene - butene - propylene terpolymer at a melt flow rate of 9 . 5g / 10 min as measured by astm d1238 . 10 . 5 % by weight of calcium carbonate was added to this skin layer isotactic polypropylene resin was used in the core layer . the melt flow rate of the core isotactic polypropylene homopolymer was 1 . 6 g / 10 min . a 65 gauge biaxially oriented polypropylene ( bopp ) film was manufactured on a 1 . 5 - meter wide bopp production line . the skin layer was measured at 8 gauge units . the skin layer used a ethylene - butene - propylene terpolymer at a melt flow rate of 9 . 5g / 10 min as measured by astm d1238 . isotactic polypropylene resin was used in the core layer . the melt flow rate of the core isotactic polypropylene homopolymer was 1 . 6 g / 10 min . the sheet was heated to 135 ° c ., stretched 5 times in the machine direction , cooled , introduced into a tenter oven , heated to 164 ° c ., stretched to 9 times in the transverse direction and cooled . a 65 - gauge biaxially oriented polypropylene ( bopp ) film was manufacture on a 1 . 5 - meter wide bopp production line . the skin layer was measured at 8 gauge units . the skin layer used a ethylene - butylene - propylene terpolymer at a melt flow rate of 9 . 5g / 10 min as measured by astm d1238 . isotactic polypropylene with a melt flow rate of 1 . 6g / 10 min was used in the skin layer . 10 % by weight of calcium carbonate was blended with isotactic polypropylene . the films were metallized in a shimadzu bell jar metallizer that evaporated aluminum on the core side of the film . potato chips were then crushed into small pieces . ten grams of the crushed potato chips were weighed and placed in a 9 . 6 in 2 surface area on the skin layer side of the film . the samples were next placed in a convection oven at 115 ° c . for 3 and 6 hours respectively . the crushed chips and oil were then cleaned from the surface with isopropyl alcohol . the samples were evaluated qualitatively for film distortion by seeing the amount of dimpling occurring in the film . a rating of 5 was given for the worst distortion , a rating of 0 was given for a sample that has no distortion . thus , the data in table 1 is based on this relative ranking system . table 1 shows that the distortion in the void - free film of comparative example 1 was bad after testing for distortion . the distortions in the films of example 1 and comparative example 2 were non - existent after testing for distortion . by comparing the films of example 1 with comparative example 2 , it is evident that the amount of filler added in comparative example 2 is almost 7 times that added in example 1 . therefore , even though comparative example 2 produced no distortion , it was due to increased stiffness of the film resulting from the high level of fillers in the core layer . on the other hand , the distortion of the film of example 1 was the same as that of comparative example 2 even though the amount of fillers in the skin layer of example 1 was only about { fraction ( 1 / 7 )} of the amount of fillers in comparative example 2 . this outstanding performance of the film of example 1 with much less fillers than in the film of comparative example 2 was due to the oil absorption in the voids in the skin layer of the film of example 1 . once the oils from the potato chips were absorbed by the voids in the skin layer of the film of example 1 , the remaining portion of the film , i . e ., the core layer , was unaffected by the oils . therefore , the core layer of the film of example 1 had good stiffness even without the presence of fillers in the core layer . this , in turn , prevented the film of example 1 from distorting by the distortion test . the above description is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the invention , and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements . various modifications to the preferred embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art , and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . thus , this invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown , but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein . this application discloses several numerical range limitations . persons skilled in the art would recognize that the numerical ranges disclosed inherently support any range within the disclosed numerical ranges even though a precise range limitation is not stated verbatim in the specification because this invention can be practiced throughout the disclosed numerical ranges . a holding to the contrary would “ let form triumph over substance ” and allow the written description requirement to eviscerate claims that might be narrowed during prosecution simply because the applicants broadly disclose in this application but then might narrow their claims during prosecution . finally , the entire disclosure of the priority documents , patents and publications referred in this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference .	1
fig1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of an arrangement for controllably reducing ambient light reflection from a crt display device . the arrangement includes a crt 10 , a variable light transmissivity panel 14 , a light sensor ldr and control circuitry . the crt comprises a glass envelope including a faceplate 11 and containing an electron gun 12 . the control circuitry is electrically connected to the electron gun , the panel and the light sensor . the crt 10 is conventional , except that the glass selected for its faceplate 11 will advantageously have a higher transmissivity to visible light than would ordinarily be selected for a conventional display device . for example , a faceplate glass having a transmissivity of approximately 85 % could be selected in lieu of one having a transmissivity of approximately 50 %. the variable light transmissivity panel is of a type which can be electrically controlled and is mounted immediately in front of the crt faceplate 11 . one type of variable transmissivity panel which is especially suitable is a colloidal display device , such as is described by h . rachner and j . h . morrissy in a paper entitled &# 34 ; new results in colloid display technology &# 34 ; which was presented at the international congress exposition in detroit , mi held during the period 28 feb .- 4 mar . 1983 . another paper describing such a colloidal display device is a paper by r . l . saxe , r . i . thompson and m . forlini in a paper entitled &# 34 ; suspended particle display with improved properties &# 34 ; presented at the international display research conference in cherry hill , nj in october 1982 . fig2 a and 2b each illustrate a cross section of a portion of a colloidal panel in a different mode of operation . such a panel comprises a sealed container formed by parallel plates 20f and 20r of a light transmissive material such as glass , which are held in a spaced apart relationship by means of a surrounding frame ( not shown ) of a material such as an inert plastic . the plates 20f , 20r are coated on their inner surfaces with respective thin transparent layers of a conductive material such as indium tin oxide forming electrodes 22f , 22r . each of these electrodes 22f , 22r is in turn coated with a respective layer 24f , 24r of an insulating material such as silicon dioxide . typically , the overall depth d of the panel is about 0 . 375 inches , while the depth of the space between the opposing inner surfaces of the insulating layers 24f , 24r is about 50 to 75 microns . as is described in more detail in the aforementioned paper by rachner and morrissy , this space is filled with a colloidal suspension including needle shaped dichroic particles 26 , having a length to breadth ratio of about 10 , suspended in an organic liquid 28 . fig2 a shows the operation of the colloidal panel when the two electrodes 22f , 22r are at the same electrical potential . in this mode of operation , the dichroic particles 26 are randomly distributed and randomly oriented . the colloidal suspension absorbs virtually all visible light propagating through the space between the layers , regardless of polarization and regardless of which plate 20f , 20r the light enters . for example , as is shown in fig2 a , light radiation l i which is incident to the outer surface of the front plate 20f is absorbed to such a degree that substantially no remnant of this light radiation leaves the outer surface of rear plate 20r . fig2 b shows the operation of the colloidal panel when an ac voltage v is applied to the electrodes 22f , 22r to establish an electric field between the electrodes . as the magnitude of the voltage is increased from zero volts , the electric field strength increases and the dichroic particles 26 gradually change their orientation until they are aligned with the field . as these particles move from their random orientation to one where they are aligned with the field , as is illustrated in fig2 b , their absorption of visible light propagating through the suspension decreases to a minimum . as the particles move toward such alignment , light radiation l i which is incident to the outer surface of either plate 20f , 20r is absorbed to a continuously decreasing degree and the proportion of light radiation l t transmitted through the panel continuously increases . the light sensor ldr illustrated in fig1 is a light dependent resistor or other photosensitive device which has a resistance that varies with the intensity of light impinging on the device . a suitable device is , for example , the type cl5m4 photocell available from clairex corporation located in mount vernon , n . y . this device has a resistance that varies inversely with impinging light intensity . the sensor is mounted adjacent to the panel 14 such that it receives the same intensity of ambient light that is incident on the panel . to control the transmissivity of the panel , the control circuitry which is electrically connected to the light sensor includes a variable resistance potentiometer r and a source 16 of ac potential 16 . the ac source , which may be a transformer , provides the ac voltage needed to drive the panel 14 . the voltage from the ac source is applied across the series combination of the potentiometer r and the sensor ldr . this series combination operates as a voltage divider for controlling the voltage v applied to the panel 14 . as the ambient light intensity increases , the resistance of the sensor decreases , thereby causing a decrease in the voltage v and the panel transmissivity . thus , as the ambient light intensity increases , the attenuation of reflected ambient light ( which must twice pass through the panel ) also increases . conversely , as the ambient light intensity decreases , the resistance of the sensor increases , thereby causing an increase in the voltage v and the panel transmissivity . the transmissivity of the panel may be manually adjusted by adjusting the potentiometer r . if the voltage v is decreased to zero , the panel automatically assumes the minimum transmissivity state illustrated in fig2 a . thus , for example , if the source 16 receives its power from the equipment in which the crt 10 is used , the screen of the crt will automatically appear dark when the equipment is turned off . as an alternative to placing the variable light transmissivity panel in front of the crt faceplate , the panel may be made an integral part of the faceplate , as shown in fig3 . this figure illustrates a cross section of such an integral arrangement including a glass crt faceplate 30r which both supports a luminescent screen 31 and serves as the rear plate of the panel . similarly to the case of the separate panel 14 of fig1 the front plate 30f , also of glass , is held in a spaced apart relationship with the faceplate by means of a surrounding frame ( not shown ) of a material such as an inert plastic . again the plates 30f , 30r are coated on their inner surfaces with respective thin transparent layers of a conductive material such as indium tin oxide , forming electrodes 32f , 32r . each of these electrodes 32f , 32r is in turn coated with a respective layer 34f , 34r of an insulating material such as silicon dioxide . the space between the opposing inner surfaces of the insulating layers 34f , 34r is again about 50 to 75 microns , and is filled with a colloidal suspension 35 including needle shaped dichroic particles . the front surface of the plate 30f is coated with an anti - reflective coating 37 , such as a relatively inexpensive single layer magnesium fluoride coating or a relatively expensive multilayer dielectric coating . the advantage of this layer , which may also be included on the front surface of the panel 14 , is subsequently described . although varying the light transmissivity of the separate or integral panel will by itself improve the contrast of the luminescent image produced by the crt , the visibility of the image is further enhanced by increasing the intensity of this image simultaneously with a decrease in panel transmissivity . the visibility or contrast c of an image is conventionally defined as : where i i is image intensity and i b is background intensity . the contrast of a luminescent image is primarily affected by specular reflections from the front surface of the panel and by scattered reflections from the screen on the inner surface of the faceplate . because each of these types of reflections has a separate and distinct type of disturbing influence on the image seen by the viewer , each type will be treated separately . in terms of the characteristics of the crt and panel arrangement illustrated in fig1 or fig3 the contrast c 1 of the image seen by a viewer against specular reflections of ambient light is expressed by the equation : ## equ1 ## and the contrast c 2 of the image seen by a viewer against scattered reflections of ambient light from the screen is expressed by the equation : ## equ2 ## where : i a is the average intensity of the ambient light incident to the front surface of the panel . this intensity is detected by the sensor ldr . i c is the average intensity of the luminescent image produced at the screen when it is excited by an electron beam produced by the electron gun 12 . α is the proportion of ambient light reflected from the outer surface of the front plate of the panel . β is the proportion of ambient light passing through the panel and the faceplate 11 which is reflected back toward the viewer . this light is not reflected at a predictable angle , but is scattered because of the rough surface of the screen . δ is the proportion of ambient light incident to the front surface of the antireflective coating which is reflected back toward the viewer . γ 1 / 2 is the combined transmissivity of the faceplate 11 and the panel . from an analysis of the equation for c 1 it has been found that image contrast can be markedly improved by incorporating the above mentioned antireflective coating on the front surface of either the separate panel or the integral panel . beyond this improvement , both types of image contrast can be improved by varying the beam current with variations in ambient light . to achieve such a variation of beam current , the control circuitry includes a rectifier 18 and a summing amplifier 19 . an input of the rectifier is electrically connected to a junction between the potentiometer r and the light sensor ldr for receiving a voltage signal having an amplitude proportional to the resistance of the sensor . typically the rectifier will include isolation means at its input , such as an amplifier with a very large input impedance , to avoid affecting the amplitude of the voltage signal . the rectifier produces at its output a filtered dc voltage signal representative of the resistance of the sensor ldr . the magnitude of this dc voltage signal varies inversely with the ambient light intensity received at the sensor . the summing amplifier 19 is electrically connected between the rectifier and a gain control input of a drive amplifier 13 which supplies to the gun a drive signal for modulating the beam current to produce the image on the crt screen . the summing amplifier 19 includes a positive summing input for receiving a peak intensity signal , which determines the maximum intensity of the image , and a negative summing input for receiving the dc voltage signal from the rectifier . either or both of the two inputs ma be weighted to adjust the relative influences of the peak intensity signal and the dc voltage signal on the gain of the amplifier 19 . the drive signal produced at the output of the amplifier controls the beam current produced by the gun , and ultimately controls the intensity of the luminescent image produced on the screen of the crt . the dc voltage signal produced by the rectifier 18 is applied to a negative summing input of the amplifier 19 to compensate for the inverse relationship of this signal with respect to the ambient light intensity . as the ambient light intensity decreases , the magnitude of the signal increases , effecting a decrease of the summing amplifier output signal magnitude and a consequent decrease in the luminescent image intensity . conversely , as the ambient light intensity increases , the magnitude of the dc voltage signal decreases , effecting an increase of the summing amplifier output signal magnitude and a consequent increase in the luminescent image intensity . the following table provides a comparison of the visibilities or contrasts of luminescent images produced by three different display devices , as the ambient light intensity increases from a reference value of 1 unit for fixed exemplary reflection coefficients of δ = 0 . 05 , α = 0 . 05 and β = 0 . 005 . ______________________________________ i . sub . a γ . sup . 1 / 2 i . sub . c c . sub . 2 c . sub . 1______________________________________initial conditions 1 70 . 05 . 88 . 78no variation 2 70 . 05 . 78 . 67vary γ 2 35 . 05 . 88 . 58vary γ and i . sub . c 2 35 . 10 . 93 . 74______________________________________ the first line of the table represents exemplary initial conditions for a panel and faceplate arrangement in accordance with the invention . in the table , all of the values for the intensities i a and i c are relative to the reference value of 1 unit . each of the remaining lines in the table gives the contrasts c 1 and c 2 for a different variation of panel transmissivity and luminescent image intensity , when the ambient light intensity increases by 100 %. note that if neither the transmissivity nor the image intensity i c are increased , both types of contrast decrease and the image becomes less visible against both types of reflections . this is representative of the degradation experienced in a prior art crt display device having an antireflective coating on a tinted faceplate with a fixed transmissivity of 70 %. if the transmissivity is decreased to 35 %, however , the contrast c 2 remains at 0 . 88 , while the contrast c 1 to 0 . 58 . if , in addition to decreasing the transmissivity to 35 %, the electron beam current is increased to a magnitude sufficient to increase the luminescent image intensity i c to 0 . 10 , the contrast c 2 increases to 0 . 93 , while the contrast c 1 decreases insignificantly to 0 . 74 . although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments , many possible variations fall within the scope of the claims . for example , the control circuitry and the sensor may be changed to meet design requirements for the particular crt display device to which the invention is applied . it is also possible to utilize a different type of variable light transmissivity panel , such as an electrochromic panel described in u . s . pat . nos . 4 , 596 , 635 and 4 , 596 , 722 .	7
the present invention relates to a holding apparatus for portable digital devices such as tablet pc and pda . hereinafter , this specification will describe the present invention according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention . however , it is to be understood that limiting the description to the preferred embodiments of the invention is merely to facilitate discussion of the present invention and it is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the scope of the appended claims . the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments will now be described in accordance with the attached drawings , either individually or in combination . in the first embodiment ( see fig1 ), there is shown a perspective view of the holder apparatus ( 10 ) enclosing a tablet pc in a closed or shut position . the holder apparatus consists of a water resistant malleable sheet firmly enveloping two fairly rigid panels similar to a hard book cover configuration . the malleable sheet is preferably leather , faux leather , plastics , paper , or other suitable sheets of material . on external side of the holder apparatus is a strap ( 12 ). the strap ( 12 ) consists of four distinct regions ( see fig2 ). the first region ( 14 ) is a small strip of the strap that is immovably secured to the holder apparatus . it can be sewed onto the holder apparatus or glued onto the holder apparatus . the second region ( 16 ) is a longer strip , foldable over the first region ( 14 ). the third region ( 18 ) is another short strip . the fourth region ( 20 ) is a longer strip . the third strip ( 18 ) is foldable over the third and fourth regions ( 16 , 20 ) respectively . all the four regions of the strip include malleable sheets as in the holder apparatus , enclosing rigid material , such as cardboard or paper to provide substantial rigidity to the strip . preferably all the four regions are of a single integral material . the free end ( 22 ) of the strap ( 12 ) includes a buckle ( 24 ) with a lip ( 27 ) extending across the length of the buckle . the buckle ( 24 ) can be of metal or of other rigid material . encased within the free end of the fourth region is a clasping means such as magnet ( 28 ) ( see fig3 ). a stopper ( 30 ) is provided on the outer side of the holder apparatus , preferably substantially at the lengthwise mid - portion of the holder apparatus ( 10 ). on the opposite panel of the item securing panel there is provided a clasping means to lock or accept the clasping means on the end of the strap ( 28 ). as an example , at least two magnets are positioned inlay in the opposite panel of the item securing panel in such a position so as to enable the magnets ( 28 ) in the strip to be in magnetic contact with one of the two said magnets at any one time . the item can be removeably attached to an inner side of one of the panel . at each of two corners at the base of the panel securing item are provided a bracket ( 34 ). the brackets ( 34 ) are dimensioned and configured to receive and hold the item in a snug fitting manner ( see fig4 and 5 ). at each of the two upper corners of the casing are provided a pair of strips ( 36 ) with cooperative acting hook and loop means ( 38 ) at the terminal end of each strip . the brackets ( 34 ) and the pair of strips ( 36 ) are preferably of malleable material , such as leather , faux leather , plastics , rubber and the like . alternatively the strip ( 36 ) can be provided at all four corners , similarly the position of the brackets ( 34 ) and the two pair of strips ( 36 ) can be interchanged . fig1 illustrates the holding apparatus with other means of removeably securing the item onto the inner side of the item securing panel . there are provided elongated brackets ( 50 ) on the edges of the panel . these brackets ( 50 ) can be of any sturdy material such as plastic to enable : the item to be snapped into place . furthermore , the brackets can be slide - able both horizontally and vertically to accommodate items of various size ( 52 ). the slide - able brackets come with a fastening means ( 54 ) to enhance the grip on the item thus holding it more secure . alternatively as shown in fig1 , there are provided a planar sheet ( 60 ) attachable to the panel securing the item by plurality of elastic strips ( 62 ) situated at both the vertical edges . there is also a bracket ( 64 ) connecting the planar sheet to the panel securing item near the spine . this bracket ( 64 ) provides additional support for the item . the planar sheet ( 60 ) serves as a pocket portion to slot in the item . the planar sheet ( 60 ) includes a plurality of cutouts ( 66 ) for areas such as display region and sections for human interaction with the item . the planar sheet ( 60 ) is preferably leather , faux leather , plastics , paper or other suitable sheet material . the plurality of strips ( 62 ) and the bracket ( 64 ) are preferably of malleable material , such as leather , faux leather , plastics , rubber and the like . the inner side of the holder apparatus opposite where the item is mounted can include a plurality of pockets ( 42 ) to receive and hold paper , cards and the like ( see fig3 ). further other known means of removeably securing the tablet pc onto the inner side of the holder apparatus can be conveniently adopted . in the second embodiment ( see fig8 ), where the item is a portable digital device such as tablet pc , there is also provided an input device such as a keyboard ( 40 ) on the inner side of the panel opposite the item securing panel . alternatively another type of input device such as a keypad ( 44 ) can also be integrated on the inner side of the strap ( 12 ) ( see fig1 ). in this configuration , the said strap is no longer serving as a stand to the holding apparatus . each of the input devices ( 40 , 44 ) is electronically connected to the tablet pc by means of wireless connection such as bluetooth ® connection or by wired connection such as usb connection . ventilation holes are provided on the holder apparatus , and are positioned in a manner to be adjacent to heat expulsion means of the computing means . in the embodiments shown in fig1 and 8 , ventilation vents are positioned between the stopper ( 30 ) and the first region ( 14 ) of the strap . fig4 and 5 show arrangement of the holder apparatus ( with a tablet pc mounted thereon ) in a display angle . the holder apparatus ( 10 ) is bend away by bringing the exposed sides towards each other . the strap ( 12 ) is then bend in a manner such that the free end ( where the buckle ( 27 ) is attached ) is brought toward the “ spine ” region of the holder apparatus . it will be appreciated that the buckle region of the strap includes a clasping means such as a pair of encased magnets ( 28 ) which are magnetically attached to the magnets ( 32 ) encased in the holder apparatus ( see fig6 and 7 ). in another position , one side of the holder apparatus is placed flat on a flat surface , while the holder apparatus bearing the tablet pc is supported by the strap in a bend position ( see fig8 and 9 ). in this position , the lip of the buckle ( 27 ) is snuggly positioned adjacent to the stopper ( 30 ). this gives a sturdy configuration . yet in another position , the holder apparatus ( 10 ) is bend backwards and the strap ( 12 ) is placed across the holder apparatus ( 10 ) ( see fig9 and 10 ). the holder apparatus though fairly rigid on both panels is malleable or bendable at the spine portion . in a third embodiment , shown in fig1 , the strap ( 12 ) is extended so as to form a carrier handle . the strap includes a rigid elongated member or rod or bar ( 44 ) over which one portion of the strap is foldable . as in the first embodiment , the strap is secured to the outer casing at one end . in a standing or display position , the strap is folded over the rigid elongated member ( 44 ) and free end of the strap is butted against the stopper means ( 30 ) ( see fig1 ). in a closed position , the strap ( 12 ) is folded over the rigid elongated member ( 44 ) across external side of one side of the holder apparatus ( see fig1 ). the free end region of the strap includes magnets positioned within the strap , and magnets positioned within casing , so that in a closed position of the holder apparatus , the strap is firmly positioned over the casing , and acts a carrier handle of the holder apparatus . the features of the inner side of the holder apparatus are similar to the features of the holder apparatus described in the first embodiment ( fig1 ) one side of the holder apparatus has bracket ( 34 ), bracket strips ( 36 ) with hoop and loop means ( 38 ) to hold the computing device in a fixed position . the other side of the holder apparatus preferably includes pockets to hold stationery or like items . other features can be added or substituted to make the holder apparatus more versatile or be adapted to meet other demands . for example , the strap ( 12 ) instead of being non - moveably secured at the first region ( 14 ) can be bolted at that region , thus enabling the strap to be rotatable about a bolt , where the strap ( 12 ) is thus rotatable about an axis and , the holder apparatus can be aligned into other positions . in the embodiments described and illustrated , the strap ( 12 ) uses magnets to secure the strap over the casing to securely enclose the computing device . it will be appreciated that other securing means can be used . for example , the magnets may be substituted with hoop and loop closure means ( velcro ®), or by button means . the corners of the holder apparatus can be enhanced by the provision of metallic corner holders , as seen in diaries . the spine portion of the holder apparatus can be replaced by wire rings , thus enabling holder apparatus panels to be rotatable about the rings , like a book . a zip can be secured to the edge of the holder apparatus , such that in a closed position of the holder apparatus ( 10 ), the zip can be drawn to prevent exposure of the tablet pc to the outside .	0
as described by thomas , tablets and capsules : powder density in solid dosage forms , available at http :// www . quantachrome . com / articles_pdf / tablets_capsules . pdf , both active and inactive ( excipient ) compounds are used in the manufacture of solid pharmaceuticals , including tablets . these compounds , usually in the form of crystalline solids and powders thereof , possess many properties or characteristics and exhibit certain behaviors as a result . one important characteristic is tapped bulk density , or simply tapped ( or tap ) density , that is the maximum packing density of a powder ( or blend of powders ) achieved under the influence of well defined , externally applied forces ( see , http :// en . wikipedia . org / wiki / bulk_density ). the minimum packed volume thus achieved depends on a number of factors including particle size distribution , true density , particle shape and cohesiveness due to surface forces including moisture . therefore , the tap density of a material can be used to predict both its flow properties and its compressibility . these two parameters are important in the overall tabletting process , which requires that loose powders be compacted into a durable solid form with the correct mechanical strength , porosity and dissolution characteristics . these parameters are also important in the formation of oral suspensions , which ideally contain particles of high bulk density , enabling even dispersion of the particles throughout the suspension after shaking and before consumption . preferably , the tapped bulk density of felbamate for use in tablets or oral suspensions is about 0 . 35 to about 0 . 65 gm / ml . more preferably , the tapped bulk density is about 0 . 40 to about 0 . 60 gm / ml . 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol used for making felbamate by the process of this invention was prepared by the process disclosed in wo 94 / 06737 and wo 94 / 27941 . wo 94 / 06737 and wo 94 / 27941 disclose that , to synthesize felbamate , a solution of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate is added to a suspension of 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol at about 10 ° c . to 25 ° c . one of the major disadvantages of this process is that 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol remains in reaction suspension at 10 ° c . to 25 ° c ., causing inconsistent reaction dynamics upon scale up , and rendering the process less useful in commercial manufacturing . in addition , the felbamate obtained by this process contains an unknown impurity of about 3 to 5 percent . according to the present invention , when a solution of 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol is added to a solution of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate , as compared with reactions disclosed in the prior art , wo 94 / 06737 and wo 94 / 27941 ( see above ), over a period of about at least 10 to 60 minutes , felbamate containing less than 0 . 2 % of the unknown impurity is produced . it is also essential to keep both reagents ( 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol and chlorosulfonyl isocyanate ) in solution to promote the reaction at − 20 ° c . to − 40 ° c . the combination of solvent mixtures necessary to keep 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol in solution can be chosen by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation . in an embodiment of the synthetic procedure of this invention , the chlorosulfonyl isocyanate is dissolved in toluene before the reaction and the 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol dissolved in a mixture of tetrahydrofuran and toluene . other embodiments may utilize different solvents for either reagent , including at least toluene , tetrahydrofuran , benzene , xylene , ethyl acetate , monoglyme , diglyme , dioxane , acetonitrile and suitable combinations thereof . several different embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below in the following examples . felbamate may also be purified by the methods of the present invention . for example , felbamate is dissolved in a mixture of water and methanol by heating and the resulting solution filtered through a filtration system at temperatures of about 70 ° c . the filtrate ( the liquid that passes through the filtration system ) is stirred and gradually cooled in two steps , first to about 40 ° c . to about 45 ° c ., during which time felbamate begins to recrystallize , and second to about 2 ° c . to about 5 ° c . after addition of water . after water has been added , the mixture is stirred for an hour before the felbamate is isolated . in an embodiment of the procedure , the isolated product is further dried under vacuum at about 35 ° c . to about 38 ° c . other solvents may be used , including differing ratios of methanol and water or other solvent systems , including at least one water miscible solvent such as , ethanol , isopropanol , acetonitrile , water or mixtures thereof . the temperature at which the dissolution and filtration must occur will vary with the solvent system chosen and can be determined without undue experimentation by one of ordinary skill in the art . one embodiment of this purification procedure is illustrated below in example 3 . water alone may also be used as solvent to dissolve felbamate at about 70 ° c . upon cooling the solution , felbamate precipitates out . once precipitated , the felbamate can be isolated by filtration , centrifugation or decanting the supernatant liquid . once isolated , the felbamate can be dried to remove the solvent . in one embodiment , the purified felbamate was dried under vacuum and milled to obtain desired particle size distribution of about 90 % less than 100 μm , preferably 90 % less than 70 μm , more preferably 90 % less than 40 μm . the synthetic and purification procedures of this invention produce felbamate crystals with desirable tapped bulk density properties . typically , the product has a tapped bulk density of ranging from 0 . 35 gm / ml to about 0 . 6 gm / ml , about 0 . 4 gm / ml to about 0 . 6 gm / ml , and preferably about 0 . 5 gm / ml . a therapeutically effective amount of felbamate prepared by the synthetic or purification procedures of this invention may be incorporated into a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of epilepsy . a formulation of a pharmaceutical composition suitable for oral administration may be in the form of a discrete solid dosage unit . solid dosage units include , for example , a tablet , a caplet , a hard or soft capsule , a cachet , a troche or a dissolvable tab . each solid dosage unit contains a predetermined amount of the drug , for example a unit dose or fraction thereof . other formulations suitable for administration include , but are not limited to , a powdered or granular formulation . a tablet comprising the drug may be made , for example , by compressing or molding the drug , optionally containing one or more additional components . compressed tablets may be prepared by compressing , in a suitable device , the drug in a free - flowing form such as a powder or granular preparation , optionally mixed with one or more of a binder , a lubricant , a glidant , an excipient , a surface active agent and a dispersing agent . molded tablets may be made by molding , in a suitable device , a mixture of the drug , a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier , and at least sufficient liquid to moisten the mixtures . tablets may further comprise a sweetening agent , a flavoring agent , a coloring agent , a preservative , or some combination of these in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations . hard capsules comprising the pharmaceutical agent may be made using a physiologically degradable composition , such as gelatin . such hard capsules comprise the active ingredient , and may further comprise additional components including , for example , an inert solid diluent . soft gelatin capsules comprising the pharmaceutical agent may be made using a physiologically degradable composition , such as gelatin . such soft capsules comprise the pharmaceutical agent , which may be mixed with water or an oil medium . powdered and granular formulations may be prepared using known methods or methods to be developed . such formulations may be administered directly to a subject , or used , for example , to form tablets or to fill capsules . powdered or granular formulations may further comprise one or more of a dispersing or wetting agent , a suspending agent , and a preservative . additional excipients , such as fillers and sweetening , flavoring , or coloring agents , may also be included in these formulations . tablets and pills can additionally be prepared with release - controlling coatings . the coating may be colored with a pharmaceutically accepted dye . the amount of dye and other excipients in the coating liquid may vary . the coating liquid generally comprises film - forming polymers such as hydroxypropyl cellulose , hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose , cellulose ester or ether , in acrylic polymer or a mixture of polymers . the coating solution is generally an aqueous solution that may further comprise propylene glycol , sorbitan monooleate , sorbic acid , or fillers such as titanium dioxide , a pharmaceutically acceptable dye . the solid pharmaceutical compositions may include diluents . diluents for solid compositions include , for example , microcrystalline cellulose ( e . g . avicel ®), silicified microcrystalline cellulose ( http :// www . drugdeliverytech . com / cgi - bin / articles . cgi ? idarticle = 109 ), microfine cellulose , lactose , starch , pregelatinized starch , calcium carbonate , calcium sulfate , sugar , dextrates , dextrin , dextrose , dibasic calcium phosphate dihydrate , tribasic calcium phosphate , kaolin , magnesium carbonate , magnesium oxide , maltodextrin , mannitol , polymethacrylates ( e . g . eudragit ®), potassium chloride , powdered cellulose , sodium chloride , sorbitol and talc . solid pharmaceutical compositions may include binders , e . g ., acacia , alginic acid , carbomer ( e . g . carbopol ), carboxymethylcellulose sodium , dextrin , ethyl cellulose , gelatin , guar gum , hydrogenated vegetable oil , hydroxyethyl cellulose , hydroxypropyl cellulose ( e . g . klucel ®), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose ( e . g . methocel ®), liquid glucose , magnesium aluminum silicate , maltodextrin , methylcellulose , polymethacrylates , povidone ( e . g . kollidon ®, plasdone ®), pregelatinized starch , sodium alginate and starch . disintegrants such as alginic acid , carboxymethylcellulose calcium , carboxymethylcellulose sodium ( e . g . ac - di - sol ®, primellose ®), colloidal silicon dioxide , croscarmellose sodium , crospovidone ( e . g . kollidon ®, polyplasdone ®), guar gum , magnesium aluminum silicate , methyl cellulose , polacrilin potassium , powdered cellulose , pregelatinized starch , sodium alginate , sodium starch glycolate ( e . g . explotab ®), hydroxypropylcellulose , methylcellulose , povidone or starch may be added to the solid pharmaceutical compositions . glidants , such as , colloidal silicon dioxide , magnesium trisilicate , powdered cellulose , starch , talc and tribasic calcium phosphate may also be added . other pharmaceutical additives include : ( i ) lubricants such as magnesium stearate , calcium stearate , glyceryl monostearate , glyceryl palmitostearate , hydrogenated castor oil , hydrogenated vegetable oil , mineral oil , polyethylene glycol , sodium benzoate , sodium lauryl sulfate , sodium stearyl fumarate , stearic acid , talc and zinc stearate ; ( ii ) flavoring agents and flavor enhancers such as maltol , vanillin , ethyl vanillin , menthol , citric acid , fumaric acid ethyl maltol , and tartaric acid ; and , ( iii ) pharmaceutically acceptable colorants . another pharmaceutical dosage form is the oral suspension , in which particles of the active ingredient are dispersed in a liquid in which the active ingredient is insoluble . oral suspensions typically use water as the suspending liquid , but the liquid used can be any liquid suitable for consumption , including , without limitation , ethanol - water solvent mixtures . oral suspensions may also contain one or more flavoring , sweetening , or masking agents in order to mask the taste of an unpalatable active ingredient , as described in u . s . pat . no . 7 , 175 , 856 , which is incorporated by reference . the felbamate of this invention may be utilized in tablet dosage forms from 100 to 1000 mg , more preferably 400 and 600 mg , and in oral suspensions from 100 mg / 5 ml to 1000 mg / 5 ml , preferably 600 mg / 5 ml oral suspension . to describe the preferred embodiments of novel synthesis and purification methods more particularly , the following non - limiting examples are presented . a solution of 67 gm ( 0 . 44 moles ) of 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol , which had been dissolved in a mixture of 67 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 67 ml of toluene at room temperature ( approximately , 20 ° c . to 25 ° c . ), was added over a period of about 10 to 60 minutes to a solution of 600 ml of dry toluene and 140 ml of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate . the reaction vessel containing the combined solutions was maintained at temperatures ranging from about − 20 ° c . to − 40 ° c ., − 30 ° c . to − 40 ° c ., preferably − 35 ° c . to − 40 ° c . the reaction was stirred for 30 to 45 minutes at about − 30 ° c . to about − 40 ° c . and the reaction monitored by high performance liquid chromatography ( hplc ). upon completion of reaction , water ( 1340 ml ) was charged into the reaction mixture , increasing the temperature in the reaction vessel to about 20 ° c . to about 40 ° c . the temperature of the reaction was then raised further to about 45 ° c . to about 60 ° c . and the solvent distilled under vacuum until the reaction mixture became homogenous or its volume reduced to about 60 to about 80 percent of the original volume of the reaction mixture . water ( 670 ml ) was then added to the reaction mixture , which was cooled to about 2 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for an hour at that temperature . the product was then filtered and washed with water . a solution of 67 gm ( 0 . 44 moles ) of 2 - phenyl - 1 , 3 - propanediol , which had been dissolved in a mixture of 80 ml of acetonitrile and 65 ml of toluene at room temperature , was added to a mixture of 600 ml of dry toluene and 140 ml of chlorosulfonyl isocyanate placed in a dry reaction vessel maintained at − 20 ° c . to − 30 ° c . over a period of about 10 to 60 minutes . the reaction mixture was stirred for 30 to 45 minutes at about 30 ° c . to about 40 ° c . and the reaction progress monitored by high performance liquid chromatography ( hplc ). upon completion of reaction , water ( 1340 ml ) was charged into the reaction mixture , increasing the reaction temperature to about 20 ° c . to about 40 ° c . the temperature of the reaction vessel was raised to about 45 ° c . to about 60 ° c . and the solvent distilled under vacuum until the reaction mixture was homogenous or its volume reduced to about 60 to 80 percent of the original volume of the reaction mixture . water ( 670 ml ) was then added to the reaction mixture , which was cooled to about 2 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for an hour at that temperature . the product was then filtered and washed with water . about 100 gm of felbamate was added to the flask containing 500 ml methanol and about 100 to 200 ml water . the contents were heated to at least about 70 ° c . this temperature was maintained until the contents became a clear solution ( about 15 minutes ). this solution was filtered at least at about 70 ° c . to remove any extraneous particles . the filtrate was cooled to about 40 ° c . to about 45 ° c . and then stirred for about 30 minutes , during which time felbamate precipitated . water ( 500 ml ) was added to the mixture over 30 minutes . the mixture was cooled to about 2 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for about 60 minutes at that temperature . the felbamate precipitated from the mixture was isolated by filtration and washed with water . the product was dried under vacuum at about 30 to about 60 ° c ., preferably between 30 ° c . to 40 ° c ., for about 6 hours to yield 97 gm of felbamate ( 0 . 407 moles , 92 % yield , tapped bulk density 0 . 5 gm / ml ). about 100 gm of felbamate was added to a flask containing 500 ml of acetonitrile and 100 ml water . the contents were heated to about 50 ° c . this temperature was maintained until the contents became a clear solution ( about 15 minutes ). this solution was filtered at least at about 50 ° c . to remove any extraneous particles . the filtrate was cooled to about 40 ° c . and stirred for about 30 minutes , during which time felbamate precipitated . water ( 600 ml ) was added to the mixture over 30 minutes and the mixture cooled to about 0 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for about 60 minutes at that temperature . the felbamate precipitated from the mixture was isolated by filtration and washed with water . the product is dried under vacuum at about 30 ° c . to about 60 ° c ., preferably between 30 ° c . to 40 ° c ., for about 6 hours to yield 97 gm of felbamate ( 0 . 407 moles , 92 % yield , tapped bulk density 0 . 55 gm / ml ). about 100 gm of felbamate was added to the flask containing 500 ml of tetrahydrofuran and 150 ml water . the contents were heated to at about 60 ° c . this temperature was maintained until the contents become a clear solution ( about 15 minutes ). this solution was filtered at least at about 60 ° c . to remove any extraneous particles . the filtrate was cooled to about 40 ° c . and stirred for about 30 minutes , during which time felbamate precipitated . water ( 600 ml ) was added to the mixture over 30 minutes and the mixture cooled to about 0 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for about 60 minutes at that temperature . the felbamate precipitated from the mixture was isolated by filtration and washed with water . the product was dried under vacuum at about 30 ° c . to about 60 ° c . preferably between 30 ° c . to 40 ° c . for about 6 hours to yield 93 gm of felbamate ( tapped bulk density 0 . 4 gm / ml ). about 100 gm of felbamate was added to the flask containing 500 ml of isopropanol and 100 ml water . the contents were heated to at about 75 ° c . this temperature is maintained until the contents became a clear solution ( about 15 minutes ). this solution was filtered at least at about 70 ° c . to remove any extraneous particles . the filtrate was cooled to about 40 ° c . and stirred for about 30 minutes , during which time felbamate precipitated . water ( 500 ml ) was added to the mixture over 30 minutes and the mixture was cooled to about 0 ° c . to about 5 ° c . and stirred for about 60 minutes at that temperature . the felbamate precipitated from the mixture was isolated by filtration and washed with water . the product was dried under vacuum at about 30 ° c . to about 60 ° c ., preferably between 30 ° c . to 40 ° c ., for about 6 hours to yield 95 gm of felbamate ( tapped bulk density 0 . 54 gm / ml ). the felbamate thus obtained was milled to get the desired particle size distribution of about 90 % less than 100 μm , preferably 90 % less than 70 μm , more preferably 90 % less than 40 μm . about 25 gm of felbamate was added to the flask containing 1000 ml of water . the contents were heated to at about 80 ° c . this temperature was maintained until the contents became a clear solution ( about 15 minutes ). this solution was filtered at least at about 75 ° c . to remove any extraneous particles . the filtrate was cooled to about 40 ° c . and stirred for about 30 minutes , during which time felbamate precipitated . water ( 600 ml ) was added to the mixture over 30 minutes and the mixture cooled to about 5 ° c . and stirred for about 60 minutes at that temperature . the felbamate precipitated from the mixture was isolated by filtration and washed with water . the product was dried under vacuum at about 60 ° c . for about 12 hours to yield 20 gm of felbamate ( tapped bulk density 0 . 35 gm / ml ). felbamate ( 1 . 211 gm ) purified by the above process ( example 3 ) was poured into a 10 ml graduated cylinder . the untapped volume of felbamate was 3 . 5 ml , resulting in an untapped bulk density of 0 . 35 gm / ml which was greater than the untapped bulk density of felbamate prepared by other methods ( see below , examples 9 and 10 ). the graduated cylinder was tapped until the felbamate ( 50 taps ) no longer settled . the volume of felbamate after tapping was 2 . 2 ml , resulting in a tapped bulk density of 0 . 55 gm / ml . felbamate ( 0 . 972 gm ) synthesized by the process disclosed in wo 94 / 06737 was poured into a 10 ml graduated cylinder . the untapped volume of felbamate was 5 . 1 ml , resulting in an untapped bulk density of 0 . 19 gm / ml . the graduated cylinder was tapped until the felbamate ( 50 taps ) no longer settled . the volume of felbamate after tapping was 3 . 2 ml , resulting in a tapped bulk density of 0 . 30 gm / ml . bulk density of felbamate prepared by the method of u . s . pat . no . 4 , 868 , 327 felbamate ( 2 gm ) synthesized by the process disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 4 , 868 , 327 was purified by adding to 20 ml of methanol , heating the methanol to reflux to obtain a clear solution , cooling the solution to room temperature over three hours with stirring , and isolating the felbamate by filtration and drying under vacuum at 50 ° c . felbamate ( 0 . 927 gm ) purified by this process was poured into a 10 ml graduated cylinder . the untapped volume of felbamate was 6 . 5 ml , resulting in an untapped bulk density of 0 . 14 gm / ml . the graduated cylinder was tapped until the felbamate ( 50 taps ) no longer settled . the volume of felbamate after tapping was 2 . 9 ml , resulting in a tapped bulk density of 0 . 32 gm / ml . it should be understood that the above examples are illustrative only of the best mode of the invention herein disclosed . given the present disclosure , numerous variations will occur to those skilled in the art . the invention incorporates modifications , substitutions and changes within the scope of one of ordinary skill in the art . in some instances , some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features . all references cited in this specification , and their references , are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety where appropriate for teachings of additional or alternative details , features , and / or technical background .	2
the invention relates to a mechanical resonator , which may be of the sprung balance , tuning fork or more generally mems ( micro electro mechanical system ) type . however , to explain the invention , as illustrated in fig1 and 2 and 18 , we are using the application to a balance spring that cooperates with a balance to form said mechanical resonator . the balance spring is generally formed by a strip wound into at least one coil of length l and whose section has a base b and a height h . as illustrated in fig1 , the strip is preferably formed in a single piece with its collet . preferably , this is made possible by the use of a single crystal silicon wafer , whose thickness approximately matches the size of base b . the wafer is etched throughout in the shape of the balance spring and its collet via a deep reactive ion etching ( drie ). as illustrated in fig2 , it can be seen that the total size of base b is made up of the single crystal silicon , but also two opposite coatings preferably made of amorphous silicon dioxide ( sio 2 ). this first embodiment is better shown in fig3 above the reference a . fig3 also shows the dotted line named a 1 , which represents the bending axis of the strip . thus , in the first embodiment a , only the faces of the strip that are perpendicular to bending axis a 1 are coated with a coating of respective thickness b 1 and b 3 . it is thus clear that the total size b of the base is formed by these coatings b 1 and b 3 , and size b 2 of the single crystal silicon part . in the second embodiment b of fig3 , only the faces of the strip which are parallel to bending axis a 1 are coated with a coating of respective thickness h 1 and h 3 . it is thus clear that the total size h of the height is formed by these coatings h 1 and h 3 , and size h 2 of the single crystal silicon part . in the third embodiment c of fig3 , all of the faces of the strip are coated with a coating . the adjacent faces of the strip are not coated in the same way and , preferably , are in identical pairs . thus , the faces that are parallel to bending axis a 1 are coated with a coating of respective thickness h 1 and h 3 and those that are perpendicular to bending axis a 1 are coated with a coating of respective thickness b 1 and b 3 . it is thus clear that , on the one hand , the total size h of the height is formed by coatings h 1 and h 3 , and size h 2 of the single crystal silicon part and , on the other hand , the total size b of the base is thus formed by coatings b 1 and b 3 , and size b 2 of the single crystal silicon part . it is clear that sizes h 1 , h 3 are smaller than sizes b 1 , b 3 . in the fourth embodiment d of fig3 , all of the faces of the strip are coated with a coating in a similar manner to third embodiment c . the adjacent faces of the strip are not coated in the same way and are preferably in identical pairs . unlike third embodiment c , sizes h 1 , h 3 are larger than sizes b 1 , b 3 . according to the invention , the four embodiments , a , b , c and d were studied using a strip formed in a single crystal silicon wafer cut along planes { 100 } and { 111 }. the example illustrated in fig4 shows a spatial diagram of the young &# 39 ; s modulus of the { 100 } plane of single crystal silicon as a function of its orientation . it is thus clear that elasticity is variable depending upon the orientation of bending of the strip . however , after performing calculations , we see that the construction of the spiral strip in fact behaves as if it had a medium young &# 39 ; s modulus ( δsi moy ) as illustrated in fig5 . this figure also shows that the thermoelastic coefficient of single crystal silicon is negative ( see marks □, ∘, δ ) whereas the thermoelastic coefficient of amorphous silicon dioxide ( sio 2 ) is positive ( see mark x ). thus , upon studying fig6 and 7 , which are similar respectively to fig4 and 5 , but concern the { 111 } plane , it can be seen that apart from the higher young &# 39 ; s modulus value , the strip formed from the { 111 } plane reacts in a similar way to that formed from the { 100 } plane , i . e . it can be compensated by an amorphous silicon dioxide coating ( sio 2 ). fig8 is a complete representation of the calculations carried out for a strip formed in a single crystal silicon wafer cut along the { 100 } plane . fig8 shows the frequency variation of the resonator whose strip is derived from { 100 } single crystal silicon as a function of temperature and coating thicknesses . it can be seen that there is a convergence curve between the various thermal planes that give an approximately constant ratio δf , i . e . equal to 1 . to illustrate the characteristic curves more clearly , the following plans are given : a vertical plan of a part of fig8 in the direction of axis b 1 + b 3 [% b ], i . e . % h = 0 ( fig9 ), another in the direction of axis h 1 + h 3 [% h ], i . e . % b = 0 ( fig1 ), then finally , a horizontal plan of fig8 in the direction δf = 1 ( fig1 ) have been formed . fig9 , which is actually the thermocompensation curve of first embodiment a of fig3 , shows that the thermal curves converge on the 25 ° c . curve at percentage b 1 + b 3 relative to b between approximately 39 and 41 %. for our preferred case wherein each opposite face follows the relation b 1 = b 3 , we therefore have , for the first embodiment a , a coating thickness for each of the two faces of between 19 . 5 and 20 . 5 %. after a more detailed calculation , value b 1 + b 3 is estimated at around 39 . 65 %. similarly , with reference to fig1 , which is the thermocompensation curve of the second embodiment b of fig3 , it can be seen that the thermal curves converge on the 25 ° c . curve at percentage h 1 + h 3 with respect to h which is substantially comprised between 15 and 16 %. we therefore have , for our preferred case wherein each opposite force respects the relation h 1 = h 3 for second embodiment b , a coating thickness for each of the two faces of between 7 . 5 and 8 %. after a more detailed calculation , value h 1 + h 3 is estimated at around 15 . 49 %. fig1 summarizes the curve to be observed to compensate a strip formed of a single crystal silicon wafer cut along the { 100 } plane with amorphous silicon dioxide ( sio 2 ) coatings . thus , the values of first and second embodiments a and b are found again respectively on the x and y axes . moreover , the annotated curve e is also seen , for which the same percentage is applied across all of the strip faces , i . e . as in ep patent no . 1 422 436 . finally , it can be seen that the characteristic curve between point b and curve e belongs to the fourth embodiment d of fig3 and , between curve e and point a , to the third embodiment c of fig3 . to simplify determination of the layers to be formed , a cubic polynomial was calculated to make it easier to develop the resonator : y is the percentage of coating thickness ( h 1 + h 3 ) on the faces parallel to the strip bending axis ( a 1 ) relative to the total strip height ( h ); x is the percentage of coating thickness ( b 1 + b 3 ) on the faces perpendicular to the strip bending axis ( a 1 ) relative to the total base ( b ) of the strip ; a is the cubic coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 3 . 5302 . 10 − 5 ; b is the quadratic coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 1 . 114 . 10 − 3 ; c is the linear coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 0 . 29152 ; d is the unit of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is 15 . 522 . finally , fig1 and 13 respectively show , in theory , the influence on the resonator frequency depending upon whether the coatings cover the faces perpendicular to bending axis a 1 ( embodiment a ) or the faces parallel to bending axis a 1 ( embodiment b ). it is noted that the frequency will be much more quantitatively influenced by a coating added to the faces parallel to bending axis a 1 ( embodiment b ) than by a coating added to the faces perpendicular to bending axis a 1 ( embodiment a ). we therefore deduce that depending upon the adjustment to be made between the balance spring and the balance to form the resonator , one of embodiments a , b , c , d and e will be more advantageous than the others . the study carried out for the { 100 } plane of the wafer was also carried out for the { 111 } plane . thus , fig1 is a complete diagram of the calculations carried out for a strip formed in a single crystal silicon wafer cut along the { 111 } planes . fig1 shows the frequency variation for a resonator whose strip is derived from the { 111 } plane of single crystal silicon as a function of temperature and coating thicknesses . it can be seen that there is also a convergence curve between the various thermal planes allowing an approximately constant ratio δf to be maintained , i . e . equal to 1 . to illustrate the characteristic curves more clearly , the following plans are given : a vertical plan of a part of fig1 in the direction of axis b 1 + b 3 [% b ], i . e . % h = 0 ( fig1 ), another in the direction of axis h 1 + h 3 [% h ], i . e . % b = 0 ( fig1 ), then finally , a horizontal plan of fig1 in the direction δf = 1 ( fig1 ) have been formed . fig1 , which is actually the thermocompensation curve of the first embodiment a of fig3 , shows that the thermal curves converge on the 25 ° c . curve at percentage b 1 + b 3 relative to b comprised between approximately 41 and 43 %. for our preferred case wherein each opposite face observes the relation b 1 = b 3 , we thus have a coating thickness for embodiment a , for each of the two faces , of between 20 . 5 and 21 . 5 %. after a more detailed calculation , the value b 1 + b 3 is estimated at around 41 . 69 %. similarly , with reference to fig1 , which is the thermocompensation curve of the second embodiment b of fig3 , it can be seen that the thermal curves converge on the 25 ° c . curve at percentage h 1 + h 3 relative to h comprised between approximately 16 and 17 %. for our preferred case wherein each opposite face observes the relation h 1 = h 3 , we thus have a coating thickness for second embodiment b , for each of the two faces , of between 8 and 8 . 5 %. after a more detailed calculation , the value h 1 + h 3 is estimated at around 16 . 46 %. fig1 summarizes the curve to be observed to compensate a strip formed of a single crystal silicon wafer cut along the { 111 } plane with amorphous silicon dioxide ( sio 2 ) coatings . thus , the values of the first and second embodiments a and b are found again respectively on the x and y axes . moreover , there is also an annotated curve e for which the same percentage is applied across all of the faces of the strip , i . e . as in ep patent no . 1 422 436 . finally , it can be seen that the characteristic curve between point b and curve e belongs to the fourth embodiment d of fig3 and , between curve e and point a , to the third embodiment c of fig3 . to simplify determination of the layers to be formed , a cubic polynomial was calculated to make it easier to develop the resonator : y is the percentage of coating thickness ( h 1 + h 3 ) on the faces parallel to the strip bending axis ( a 1 ) relative to the total strip height ( h ); x is the percentage of coating thickness ( b 1 + b 3 ) on the faces perpendicular to the strip bending axis ( a 1 ) relative to the total base ( b ) of the strip ; a is the cubic coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 3 . 5565 . 10 − 5 ; b is the quadratic coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 1 . 0642 . 10 − 3 ; c is the linear coefficient of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is − 0 . 28721 ; d is the unit of the polynomial estimate of the characteristic curve which is 16 . 446 . we therefore deduce that , as for the { 100 } cutting plane , depending upon the adjustment to be made between the balance spring obtained from the { 111 } cutting plane of single crystal silicon and the balance ( inertia fly wheel ) to form the resonator , one of embodiments a , b , c , d , e will be preferred to the others . it is thus noted , as previously , that the choice between cutting planes { 100 } or { 111 } does not have a determining influence . in light of the above explanation , it is thus clear that the teaching disclosed allows other types of thermocompensated mechanical resonators to be made , such as , for example , tuning fork or mems type resonators .	7
descriptions relating to an environment system in which this invention may be implemented are found in the following manuals , all available from international business machines corportion . the manuals are part of the ibm maintenance library , 3081 processor complex . individual titles are : central storage and external data controller introduction / maintenance ( csm ) ( edc ) ( form no . sy22 - 7062 ); 3089 power unit installation / maintanance ( pgm ) ( serial numbers below 41000 ) ( form no . sy22 - 7069 ); 3089 power unit installation / maintenance ( pgm ) ( serial numbers 41000 and above ) ( form no . sy22 - 7072 ). the contents of all of the above manuals are incorporated into this specification by this reference . fig1 shows an example of typical prior art error indicating circuitry in a data processing system . a plurality of error lines 1 emanate from various portions of the system which can manifest certain error conditions . errors which are not inhibited by signals on mask lines 2 are received in related blocks 3 . blocks 3 have two outputs , a first output 4 which causes one or more units to stop , and a second output 5 which , through an or gate 6 , will present an interrupt on line 7 to a service processor . the service processor will be used to analyze the error manifestations to determine the cause of the error and the manner in which it should be repaired . the status of the various error indicators is accessible via status register 20 . a problem involved in the diagnosis of the error condition is that , if more than one error is manifested in the blocks 3 , it is not always readily apparent which error caused the initial problem , and which error or errors resulted from propagation of the initial error before the system could stop . referring now to fig2 a block diagram of this invention is presented . the n error indicators 8 , or circuit 9 and attention line 10 which signals a service processor serve essentially the same functions as elements 3 , 6 and 7 , respectively of the prior art shown in fig1 . each of error indicators 8 has three outputs ; a line 11 which is used to stop the clock of the functional unit associated with that error indicator , a pre - condition line 12 which furnishes one of the two inputs required to set an associated latch / trigger pair 13 and an attention line 14 which , after passing through or circuit 9 furnishes the attention line that is fed to a service processor . the attention lines 14 also feed a priority network 15 which , through encoder 16 and gate 17 enables the identity of one of the error indicators 8 to be placed into trap register 18 . when the contents of trap register 18 are read out through gate 19 into a status register 20 , the identification in the trap register also is decoded by decoder 21 and fed , along with the output of priority unit 15 to a bank of n and circuits 22 , the output of which will furnish an appropriate set line 23 to turn on the latch / trigger 13 associated with the error indicator 8 which was identified in the trap register . also shown in fig2 is a mechanism 24 for detecting the occurrence of multiple attention lines and , through gate 25 setting an indication into status register 20 that more than one attention line 14 was up , thus indicating the sensing of more than one error . in the following discussion of how the apparatus shown in fig2 operates , we will start with the following initial conditions : no error lines are up ; the trap register is not loaded ; none of the latch / triggers are set ; it is desired that an error in any unit will cause that units clocks to stop and will present an attention line to the service processor . assume that the second error indicator shown in fig2 is the first one to receive an error signal . its attention line 14 will propagate through or 9 to raise attention line 10 to signal the service processor . at the same time , a signal on its output line 11 will begin to stop the clock of its associated functional unit , and the signal on line 14 will pass through priority tree 15 , be encoded by encoder 16 , and ( because trap register 18 is not yet loaded ) be gated through gate 17 into trap register 18 . the third output of the second error indicator , pre - condition line 12 will furnish the first of the two necessary outputs to set the related latch / trigger . the service processor will then issue a read status command which , in conjunction with the trap loaded signal will cause the contents of the trap register to be gated through gate 19 into appropriate positions of status register 20 . at this same time , the contents of trap register 18 will be decoded by decoder 21 to raise a line which corresponds with the line emanating from priority tree 15 and which , through and 22 will raise one of the set lines 23 to turn on the latch / trigger associated with the second error indicator . the output of that latch / trigger is fed back via line 27 to the input of the error indicator and inhibits the outputs of that error indicator . let us further assume that , during the time that it took for the clocks of the functional unit associated with the second error indicator to be stopped , the error propagated through the data processing system and caused error indicators to be set in functional units associated with the first and the nth error indicators . the read status command which moved the contents of trap register 18 into status register 20 also resets trap register 18 , thereby enabling the first and nth error indicators to present their outputs to the priority network 15 . since more than one attention line was up , gate 25 will have passed an indication to status register 20 that more than one error was sensed . after the trap register was unloaded , then the indication of either the first or the nth error indicator , depending upon their relative priorities , will pass through priority network 15 , encoder 16 , and gate 17 to be loaded into trap register 18 just as was done previously for the second error indicator . after the service processor has logged the contents of status register 20 , it will issue another read status command to load the new contents of trap register 18 into status register 20 . as before , this will cause the setting of an appropriate latch / trigger which will result in dropping the attention line of that associated error indicator . then the contents of the last error indicator which has sensed an error will pass through the priority network 15 , encoder 16 and gate 17 into trap register 18 for subsequent reading into the status register . after all error indicators which have received an error signal , and are not otherwise masked , have had their identities recorded , all of them will have had their attention lines inhibited from or 9 as well as from priority network 15 . this will cause the signal on attention line 10 to drop , thus indicating to the service processor that there are no more error situations to be recorded . when the service processor , or other appropriate system element or human intervenor , corrects the condition which gave rise to the error signal that was input to each of the error indicators , the latch / triggers will be reset via lines 28 . the system will then be ready to resume normal functioning . referring now to fig3 additional details are shown of the novel error indicator designs that are used with the preferred embodiment of this invention . everything shown in fig3 with the exception of the elements within broken line 29 are within the error element 8 shown in fig2 . the occurrence of an error will produce a signal on line 30 and , in conjunction with a signal on line 31 indicating that hard stop on error has not been masked will , through and circuit 32 , produce the stop clock signal on line 11 . the error signal on line 30 , in conjunction with the service trigger line 27 not being set and the particular functional unit not being masked ( line 33 ) will enable and 34 in order to produce the attention signal 14 which is fed or circuit 9 of fig2 . as was shown in fig2 that same signal may also be fed directly to the priority network 15 . however , in the preferred embodiment of this invention , a further modification is introduced which forces error indications from units that have been hard stopped to be handled before error indications of units which are not hard stopped , irrespective of their normal priorities . if , for this particular error indicator , hard stop has not been masked off , the output of and 34 , in concurrence with a signal on line 31 will enable and 37 to pass a signal through or 38 to the priority network . however , if hard stop for the unit associated with this error indicator has been masked , line 31 will not be up and and 37 will not be enabled . then , the signal from and 34 will be passed to the priority circuit only if and 39 is enabled by output line 40 from the priority adjusting circuitry 29 . the priority adjusting circuitry 29 simply contains an or gate 41 and an inverter 42 . or gate 41 receives one input from each of the and circuits 37 that appears in every one of the error indicators . if any error indicator shows an error for an unmasked functional unit for which hard stop is not masked , then at least one of the inputs to or circuit 41 will be up , causing the output of inverter 42 to disable and circut 39 in all of the error indicators . this will ensure that the highest priority totally unmasked error indicator is the one which is next presented to the priority network 15 of fig2 . as is shown in fig3 the remaining output of the error indicators , precondition line 12 is simply the concurrence of an error signal on line 30 and a signal on line 33 indicating that the functional unit is not masked , the concurring signals enabling and circuit 43 . those skilled in the art will recognize that a variety of changes may be made in the above described preferred embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . for example , the invention was described as being used within a system which includes a service processor which will , to at least some extent , control diagnosis and logging of the error conditions . clearly , this invention could just as well be used in a system which simply stops upon error and then relies upon human intervention for its repair . similarly , the preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes latch / triggers to inhibit error signals from entering the priority network once they have been logged and accounted for . of course , any appropriate technique for keeping track of , or degating , the utilized signals can be used . those skilled in the art will further recognize that this invention could , in effect , be compounded in order to trap a complete sequence of errors rather than , as in the preferred embodiment , preserving the first error to occur and then handling the others in accordance with a predetermined priority . however , this approach is not recommended because it is very doubtful that there would be enough advantage flowing from it to justify the increased expense and complexity . typically , repair action will be based primarily upon the first error and an attempt will be made to correlate that error with any other error or errors which were logged in order to see if they are reasonably expectable secondary error to the primary error . generally , repairing the cause of the first error will eliminate the others . when it does not , subsequent running of the system will automatically determine which of the other errors actually came first and the process can be repeated . in still another modification , several of the mechanisms for degating error signals from the priority network and other parts of the system ( the latch / triggers in the preferred embodiment ) can be ganged together so that more than one input would be inhibited . this could be especially useful in systems where more than one error indicator relates to one functional unit . it then might be a good idea , after one error from a unit has been handled , to inhibit all remaining error indicators for that unit . yet another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention which is not necessarily essential to another embodiment is the extra safety provided by anding the outputs of decoder 21 and priority circuit 15 when setting the latch / trigger . assuming no malfunction in the circuitry , either of those outputs would be sufficient . the most essential elements of this invention are : that the first error to occur in time ( or the first of a specific type of error to occur ) be positively identified ; that additional errors which might arise before clocks are stopped also be identifiable ; and that all of this information be retrievable from the system . the precise manner of implementation can and will vary from system to system depending upon specific system architectures and implementations . while the invention has been shown and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .	6
described herein is a device for use primarily in high intensity ultrasound procedures . a therapy head is disclosed having an enclosure with a window . the enclosure contains one or more energy applicators , and a means of moving the energy applicators within the enclosure . the energy applicators are positioned so the radiant energy passes through the window to a patient . the enclosure is preferably small enough to be manipulated by hand . it can be operated by itself with a physician carrying the load of the therapy head , or it can be supported by an articulating arm or other mechanical device . the enclosure has a window that is oriented toward a patient . the window may be made from any material so long as it is essentially transparent to the energy applicator . the window may be incorporated into the enclosure , or it may be a removable device . if the window is a removable device , then the window will cover an access port through which the interior components of the enclosure may be accessed . the window may also be a disposable device , such as a disposable transducer seal . within the enclosure is at least one energy applicator . preferably this energy applicator is an ultrasound transducer . more preferably the ultrasound transducer is a high intensity focused ultrasound transducer . however the transducer may be a component transducer assembly , or a device that incorporates multiple energy applicators , some of which may not be ultrasound transducers . there is a means for maneuvering the energy applicator within the enclosure . the means for maneuvering the energy applicator requires two components . a first component is one or more actuators . the energy applicator is attached to the actuators . the attachment may be a slidable engagement , rotational engagement or through a series of traveler rods . the actuators are driven by a force generating device , like an electric motor or the equivalent . electric motors are preferred for their small size and reliability . one or more position sensing devices , such as rotational or optical encoders , are built into either the motor assembly , or the actuators , so the movement of the energy applicator within the enclosure is known . alternatively the energy applicator may also contain a miniature location device ( e . g . like mini - gps system ) that an external sensor can identify to determine the location of the energy applicator within the enclosure . the second component of the maneuvering means is a driver or controller . the driver or controller directs the movement of the motors , and thus the movement of the actuators and the maneuvering of the energy applicator . the controller may be a medical appliance , a computer , or a specialized medical procedure controller . the controller may be positioned within the enclosure , or it may be a device outside the enclosure providing signal to the motors . in operation , the controller has a library of data used to coordinate the movement of the energy applicator and the dosage of the radiant energy into the patient . by controlling the movement of the energy applicator while radiant energy is emitted through the window , a precise energy dosage may be delivered into the patient . the controller can be programmed with the parameters needed to perform the task . parameters may include the type of therapy to be administered and the maximum safe dosage that may be applied to a patient for a given area , volume or mass of tissue . once the therapy head has been completely prepared for a procedure , a physician can place the therapy head on a patient . the therapy head can move the energy applicator within the enclosure to treat the patient according to the procedure parameters programmed into the controller . if the procedure area is small , then the controller can move and activate the energy emitter without any additional input from a user . if the treatment area exceeds the window of the enclosure , or exceeds the range of motion of the energy applicator within the enclosure , the therapy head must be moved to cover as much area as needed . movement of the therapy head can be done manually , or through a mechanical device . data from the encoders is relayed to the controller so that the controller can identify the position of the energy applicator within the confines of the enclosure . this position information can be combined with a position tracking device ( co - pending application , serial number unassigned ), and an articulating arm ( co - pending application , serial number un - assigned ). the controller can utilize position data from the present invention , combined with the data derived from the two aforementioned co - pending applications , to produce precise position data for the energy applicator with respect to the enclosure , the patient and a fixed external reference point . during the procedure if the controller reads the position or motion information from the encoders and other sensors and determines the energy applicator is not in the proper position , the controller can use the means for maneuvering the applicator , to correct the energy applicator &# 39 ; s position . similarly the controller can identify the dosage of energy delivered with great precision to any particular area . the controller can track the amount of energy transmitted into the patient through out the treatment area and can cause the energy applicator to radiate or not radiate depending on the amount of energy already deposited into the patient at the particular place in the procedure . turning now to the drawings , in fig1 there is a therapy head 50 having an energy applicator 600 within an enclosure 500 . the enclosure has a window 590 for allowing radiant energy to pass from the enclosure to a patient . the therapy head 50 is preferably small and light enough for a physician to move it comfortably with one hand . the therapy head 50 may increase in both size and weight if the physician is assisted by an articulating arm 200 in bearing the weight of the therapy head 50 . there is a data link 572 extending between the therapy head 50 and an external computer 400 or a therapy controller 450 . the therapy head 50 may be mounted ( fig2 ) on an articulated arm 200 supported by a base 100 . the articulating arm 200 would also have its movements and functions monitored or controlled by a computer 400 or therapy controller 450 . the enclosure 500 contains motor drives 508 , 510 for moving the energy applicator 600 within the enclosure ( fig3 a ). the motor drives are connected directly , or through a gear assembly , to a pair of traveler rods 520 , 528 . the traveler rods in turn move a pair of slotted actuators 520 ′, 528 ′. the slotted actuators travel along the traveler rods carrying the energy applicator at the intersection of the two slotted actuators . as the traveler rods rotate in response to movement from the motors , the slotted actuators carry the energy applicator throughout the range of motion of the slotted traveler rods . rotational encoders 530 are positioned on the traveler rods 520 , 528 so that the movement of the energy applicator can be accurately measured . alternatively , the motor drives 508 , 510 can directly drive rotational actuators 514 , 516 to move the energy applicator 600 within the enclosure ( fig3 b ). in this embodiment there is no need for a gear mechanism . as the motor drives move the axis of the motor assemblies back and forth , the actuators 514 , 516 move in direct correlation to the motors . the sensitivity of the positioning of the energy applicator can be controlled through the motor drives , or the actuators used in response to the energy applicator . three motors ( not shown ) may also be used to drive three articulating arms . fig4 illustrates a schematic of the present invention . the therapy head 50 is shown in cross section with a partition 504 separating an upper enclosure from a lower enclosure . the partition is water tight so that fluid in the lower partition does not seep into the upper enclosure . there are a pair of motor drive units 508 , 510 within the upper enclosure . the motor drive units pass rotational energy to the energy applicator 600 through a series of mechanical actuators 514 , 516 , 518 . the actuators extend through the water tight partition 504 and are themselves water resistant . an acoustic window 590 is displaced at the bottom of the enclosure .	0
referring to drawing fig1 and 3 , a perspective diagram depicts a first embodiment of a clamping fixture assembly apparatus 10 of the present invention that is used to prevent a printed circuit board from warping during application and curing of epoxy resins used during the encapsulation or sealing of the semiconductor devices mounted on the printed circuit board . the warpage of a printed circuit board 36 having a semiconductor device 46 located thereon is illustrated in drawing fig3 . the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 10 includes a support base 12 and one or more clamping elements 16 . a printed circuit board 14 having at least one semiconductor device mounted thereon is mounted on the support base 12 . a plurality of clamping elements 16 is mounted upon the surface of support base 12 along the edge region of printed circuit board 14 . a plurality of threaded fasteners , retaining elements 18 , is used to retain each clamping element 16 on the support base 12 so as to apply a downward force along the opposing edges of printed circuit board 14 . the support base 12 may be substantially flat or may have a slight radius of curvature that may be either concave or convex . concave applications are useful in removing a convex bowing of a printed circuit board 14 while a convex surface would be helpful in eliminating a concave bowing of a printed circuit board 14 . once a printed circuit board 14 is placed and retained securely within clamping fixture assembly apparatus 10 , an epoxy encapsulant material 20 may be spread across a portion of the surface or the entire surface of the printed circuit board 14 and then allowed to cure . the curing stage may include drying and curing in an ambient temperature , or the entire clamping fixture assembly apparatus 10 having printed circuit board 14 mounted thereon may be placed within a curing oven to cure at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined length of time . higher temperatures typically lead to greater warpage so an optimal range of time and temperature that minimizes shrinkage of the epoxy during the curing thereof may be determined for the desired epoxy material . additionally , the epoxy material used may be selected so that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion ( cte ) that closely matches that of printed circuit board 14 . the printed circuit board 14 may be selected from any number of electronic substrate materials such as , for example , fiber reinforced board number 4 ( fr4 ), ceramic substrates , metal clad fiber boards , or any other type of rigid substrate material that tends to warp either during the manufacture of the pcb or during the curing of the epoxy encapsulants . after sufficient time has elapsed to cure epoxy 20 , the clamping elements 16 are then removed by removing the retaining elements 18 from clamping elements 16 and support base 12 . once the clamping elements 16 have been removed , the printed circuit board 14 may be removed . referring to drawing fig2 a second embodiment of the invention is depicted in a perspective exploded view of a clamping fixture assembly apparatus 30 that is used for holding an array , more than one , of printed circuit boards and also serves as an epoxy dam for the application of the epoxy across the surface of the printed circuit boards . clamping fixture assembly apparatus 30 includes a support base 32 and a clamping element 34 is secured to support base 32 by retaining elements 42 . a plurality of printed circuit boards 36 is placed upon the surface of support base 32 in such a position so as to be exposed by dam apertures 38 that are formed within clamping element 34 when attached to support base 32 . a plurality of receiving apertures 40 is located in the outer perimeter corners of support base 32 and is aligned with retaining elements 42 that insert into recieving apertures 40 in support base 32 when the clamping element 34 mates with support base 32 . once clamping element 34 is securely attached to support base 32 , the printed circuit boards 36 are retained and exposed through dam apertures 38 in clamping element 34 . next , an epoxy material 44 , or any other type of sealant , is applied through dam apertures 38 , the perimeter of which serves as an epoxy dam during the application of the epoxy to the surface of printed circuit boards 36 . next , the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 30 having printed circuit boards contained therein is cured at ambient temperature , or may be cured in an oven to decrease the curing time of the epoxy . while being retained within a secured clamping fixture assembly apparatus 30 , the epoxy 44 on the printed circuit boards 36 cures with minimal warpage of the printed circuit boards 36 . referring to drawing fig3 and 4 , illustrated is a cross - sectional schematic diagram of a printed circuit board 36 having a semiconductor device 46 located thereon . as can be seen in fig4 printed circuit board 36 is substantially planar , having no warpage curvature thereof to cause problems . in contrast , as illustrated in drawing fig3 a printed circuit board 36 having a semiconductor device 46 located thereon exhibits substantial warpage . returning to drawing fig4 for example , if printed circuit board 36 were a single - inline - memory - module ( simm ), any warpage found in printed circuit board 36 would prevent the printed circuit board 36 from being placed within a single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) by an automated machine for use on a motherboard having a simm socket or slot thereon . in other words , the warpage exhibited in printed circuit board 36 would require the manual insertion thereof in a single - inline - memory - module to align within the substantially parallel channels of circuits on a motherboard . additionally , once printed circuit board 36 is straightened during the insertion process , the flexing of the printed circuit board 36 into a planar configuration would induce stress therein and possibly fracture any electrical or mechanical bonds between semiconductor device 46 mounted on the printed circuit board 36 and the printed circuit board 36 . in greatly exaggerated warpage , the likelihood of any fractures of the bonds between the semiconductor device 46 and printed circuit board 36 or stressing of the printed circuit board 36 would be even greater . other reasons for controlling or reducing warpage in the printed circuit board 36 are to facilitate subsequent process steps involving the printed circuit board 36 by having a greater degree of planarity of the printed circuit board 36 for dicing , marking , labeling , or the addition of other components to the board , particularly where solder reflow processing is required , etc . again referring to drawing fig4 a printed circuit board 36 is illustrated that has been cured in a substantially flat , planar condition without any substantial warpage thereof . it is significant that printed circuit board 36 may have the warpage prior to the encapsulation step and that the curing of the epoxy may be used to remove the warpage of printed circuit board 36 and / or that the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 10 , 30 may have either a convex or concave curvature thereof to offset and counteract the warpage of the printed circuit board 14 , 36 during the curing of the epoxy . in order to determine the advantages of clamping a printed circuit board 14 , 36 during encapsulation of semiconductor devices mounted thereon , a series of tests was performed using various encapsulation materials having various dispensing weights and various curing temperatures to compare printed circuit boards having no use of a fixture to retain the board and a printed circuit board retained in a clamping fixture assembly apparatus as described herein . a 16 megabyte semiconductor die mounted in a chip - on - board configuration ( cob ) in a single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board was utilized as the baseline or standard printed circuit board . an asymtek 402b gantry glob top system was utilized to dispense a centralized rectangular pattern of hysol 4451 material in a dam configuration on the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board with the dam configuration having a surface dimension of 2 . 34 inches by 0 . 60 inches . the dam material was dispensed at a weight of 0 . 15 grams . the dam was allowed to cure for one hour at 150 ° c . in an assembly clean room burn - in oven . after the rectangular dam had been created on the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board , a glob top film material was dispensed into the dam region under an array of various process conditions as noted . the glob top materials were selected from hysol 4450 , which has a standard coefficient of thermal expansion ( cte ) of 19 , hysol cnb558 - 13 , which has a ( cte ) of 12 , and trabond fs503 , which has a ( cte ) of 35 . each of these glob top materials was applied into the rectangular dam region at various dispense weights ranging from 0 . 8 grams to 1 . 6 grams . the thickness of the material was held constant at 0 . 040 inches . different cure temperatures and times were also tested . a first cure temperature of 165 ° c . was used with a time of 45 minutes and a second cure temperature of 120 ° c . was used for 150 minutes . both a free state of the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board and a restrained state of the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board in a clamping fixture assembly apparatus were observed during the curing of the glob top material at the predetermined curing temperatures and curing times . after the glob top encapsulation had been completed , an optical comparitor was used to measure the deflection of the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board to determine the board warpage . a test fixture was made to screw down one end of the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board to an aluminum block and then the other end of the board was allowed to bow upward freely . the quantitative value of board deflection was then measured from the top of the aluminum block to the bottom of the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board . at a dispense weight of 1 . 4 grams , having a thickness of approximately 0 . 040 inches , the trabond fs503 had a free deflection of 140 mils . for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of approximately 95 mils . when cured for 45 minutes at 165 ° c . when cured at 120 ° c . for 150 minutes , the trabond fs503 reduced the free deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 100 mils . and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 70 mils . the hysol 4450 epoxy when cured at 165 ° c . for 45 minutes resulted in a free deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of nearly 130 mils . and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of approximately 65 mils . when cured at 120 ° c . for 150 minutes , the hysol 4450 epoxy resulted in a free deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 95 mils . and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 48 mils . further , the hysol 558 - 13 epoxy when cured at 165 ° c . for 45 minutes resulted in a free deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of approximately 80 mils . and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 45 mils . the hysol 558 - 13 material when cured at 120 ° c . for 150 minutes resulted in a free deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of 25 mils . and a restrained deflection for the single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) board of about 18 mils . all of the variables heretofore noted do contribute in some degree to the warpage of the printed circuit board during curing of an encapsulant material , glob top material , etc . to improve the results and thereby minimize warpage of the printed circuit board during curing of an encapsulant material , glob top material , etc ., it is important to match the coefficient of thermal expansion ( cte ) of the material to that of the printed circuit board . for example , a glob fill coefficient of thermal expansion ( cte ) of 12 obtains better results when used with high temperature fr4 boards having a thickness of 0 . 50 inches . additionally , the amount of material dispensed across the surface of the printed circuit board is also directly proportional to the amount of warpage . further , a lower cure temperature of the material significantly reduces board warpage and restraining the printed circuit board ( pcb ) during the cure process of the material dramatically reduces the warpage of the board . referring to drawing fig5 depicted is a cross - sectional schematic diagram of an alternative third embodiment of the clamping fixture assembly apparatus of the present invention used to eliminate or reduce warpage in a printed circuit board ( pcb ) that has encapsulant material , such as an epoxy , applied to the surface thereof . clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 is formed in a u - shaped configuration including rails for restraining the edges of the printed circuit board while curing the encapsulant material located thereon and during any processing of the board . clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 includes opening 52 , which accommodates a suitable printed circuit board 36 which may be contained therein having retaining shoulders 54 clamping the edges of the printed circuit board 36 . opening 52 has a thickness 56 substantially matching that of the thickness of printed circuit board 36 . again , clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 may have a slight radius of curvature , either convex or concave , to induce or counter a curvature in the printed circuit board 36 . once printed circuit board 36 is removed from the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 , the printed circuit board 36 will flex , bow , or curve in the opposite direction of the induced curvature by the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 . thus , the counter bow or curvature of the clamping fixture assembly apparatus 50 tends to offset , counteract , or nullify any warpage caused by the shrinkage during the curing of encapsulation material , such as epoxy , resulting in a substantially flat or planar printed circuit board 36 having no substantial warpage thereof . referring to drawing fig6 a single - inline - memory - module ( simm ) 60 is illustrated . the simm 60 includes a plurality of semiconductor devices 62 mounted on a substrate , a printed circuit board 14 , having apertures 66 therein and having electrical circuits 64 extending along one edge thereof . the semiconductor devices 62 on the printed circuit board 14 may be encapsulated with a suitable material being applied and cured while the printed circuit board 14 is retained in a clamping fixture assembly apparatus such as described herein to help control the warpage of the printed circuit board 14 . referring to drawing fig7 a clamping fixture assembly apparatus 70 is illustrated including a support base 72 and clamping element 74 . the support base 72 includes a plurality of apertures 76 therein for receiving portions of clamping element ( not shown ) therein to retain the clamping element 74 thereon . the clamping element 74 includes a plurality of rectangular dam apertures 80 therein for the application of a suitable encapsulant material therein with the edges of the apertures 80 serving as dams to retain the material therein to cover a semiconductor device located on substrate or a printed circuit board ( not shown ) and a plurality of apertures 78 for receiving portions of a retaining element therein to retain the clamping element 74 on the support base 72 for the application and curing of an encapsulant to the board for any subsequent processing of the board , such as the dicing thereof . the use of a clamping fixture assembly apparatus of the present invention as described herein eliminates substantial subsequent warpage caused to a printed circuit board during curing of an encapsulant material , such as the curing of epoxy , and allows for easier handling of the printed circuit board during any subsequent processing thereof . such subsequent processing of the printed circuit board may include a discrete dicing of the board into portions having a discrete semiconductor device located thereon . the machine utilized to perform such dicing of the printed circuit board typically requires a substantially flat printed circuit board for dicing operations and any warpage of the board may cause errors during the dicing process . additionally , the use of a mold dam to limit the encapsulant material to a desired region on a printed circuit board substantially reduces or eliminates the intermediate step of applying an encapsulant material , such as an epoxy encapsulant , requiring the use of masks or stencils for the application of the material to areas of the board . the one - step application of an encapsulant material , such as an epoxy , while the printed circuit board is clamped in a clamping fixture assembly apparatus of the present invention allows for controlled application of the material and the curing thereof without further undue handling of the printed circuit board during the application and curing stages of the material . this results in a more consistent and uniform application and curing of materials to the printed circuit board . additionally , when the substrate material , such as a printed circuit board , is held having a substantially uniform planar or flat surface thereon , an entire chip wafer may be applied to the surface of the substrate and cured with minimal damage because of the effect of the clamping fixture assembly apparatus of the present invention . this allows for the dicing of the substrate having semiconductor devices mounted thereon to be consistently , accurately and reliably performed with minimal error and loss of the diced substrate and semiconductor devices thereon . although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes , those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications , additions , and substitutions are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims .	7
preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below in details with reference to the accompanying drawings . it should be noted that the explanations below are only exemplary embodiments of the invention , and changes and modifications can be easily made by persons skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims . furthermore , the explanations below will not limit the scope of the claims . the following will explain an n - type mosfet , which of course becomes a p - type mosfet if the conductivity types of the substrate and the impurity region are reversed , so that the same explanation will also be applied to a p - type mosfet . a semiconductor device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig1 to 13 . fig1 to 13 are schematic diagrams illustrating the steps of a fabrication method for a semiconductor substrate according to the embodiment . fig1 is a diagram showing that an element isolation region for defining the region for a semiconductor element is formed at a semiconductor substrate of silicon . after fabrication and cleaning or the like of a semiconductor substrate 1 , the semiconductor device is subjected to a semiconductor device fabricating process . first , an element isolation region for forming a semiconductor element ( hereinafter occasionally referred to as “ cmos transistor ”) is formed in an element isolation process . the element isolation region isolates the semiconductor element with an insulating device isolation layer 2 formed . the device isolation layer 2 may be formed by , for example , locos ( local oxidation of silicon ) or sti ( shallow trench isolation ). sti is preferable . the device isolation layer 2 of sio 2 is formed by sti at both ends of a well portion where a semiconductor element is to be formed later . next , a photoresist layer ( not shown ) is applied to the semiconductor substrate 1 to pattern a gate electrode and wires or the like , and is exposed and developed to form a resist pattern . the photoresist layer can be formed by , for example , spin coating . then , the photoresist layer is exposed with ultraviolet rays , a laser beam , an electron beam or the like to form an opening ( not shown ) to expose a region where an nmos transistor is to be formed using the photolithography technology . next , with the photoresist layer used as a mask , a p - type dopant impurity is injected to form a p - type well in the semiconductor substrate 1 at that region where an nmos transistor is to be formed . the conditions for ion injection may be the ion acceleration energy of 5 kev and the dose of 2 × 10 15 cm − 2 . this can permit the cmos transistor and its resistance to be adjusted . the resistance can be set to the desired value by adequately setting the ion injection conditions , such as the type of the dopant impurity and the dose thereof . thereafter , the photoresist layer is removed . the removal of the photoresist layer is done by an ashing process or a wet process using sulfuric peroxide or ammonium peroxide . next , a gate insulating layer 3 is formed by forming an oxide layer on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1 . the gate insulating layer 3 can be formed by , for example , thermal oxidation . in the embodiment , the gate insulating layer 3 is formed to be 1 . 2 nm thick . making the gate insulating layer 3 thinner to reduce the electric resistance can improve the circuit operation speed and can shorten the channel length . as the amount of the leak current with respect to the applied voltage increases , however , an insulator , such as an oxide , nitride or oxide nitride of a metal or plural metals , is used for the gate insulating layer 3 . preferably , any one of sin , sio 2 , sion , and high - k can be used . high - k which is an oxide of hf , zr , y or the like is a more preferable choice because of its high insulation which can decrease the leak current and its high dielectric constant which can increase the amount of the current flowing in the semiconductor element . next , a polysilicon layer 4 with a thickness of 100 nm is formed on the entire surface . instead of polysilicon ( poly - si ), sige or sigec may be used as well for the film to be formed there . this prevents the gate insulating layer 3 from reacting with a metal silicide layer , which would otherwise deteriorate the breakdown voltage characteristic . particularly , sige and sigec can prevent the threshold voltage from rising due to defects generated at the interface with the gate insulating layer 3 and the leak current from increasing . then , a silicon oxide layer 5 to be an etching mask 5 is deposited . a silicon nitride layer may be used as the etching mask 5 . fig2 is a diagram showing a cross - sectional structure when a polysilicon layer is patterned into the pattern of the gate electrode using photolithography technology . in the patterning , anisotropic etching , for example , is used . a gate electrode 4 of polysilicon is formed in this manner . it is desirable that the silicon oxide layer 5 should be left on the gate electrode 4 after patterning . fig3 is a cross - sectional view of a side wall spacer formed at the gate electrode . first , a silicon oxide layer 6 with a thickness of 5 to 30 nm is formed on the entire surface by thermal cvd . teos ( tetraethoxysilane ) is used as the source material . the deposition temperature is , for example , 550 to 700 ° c . next , likewise , a silicon nitride layer 7 with a thickness of 10 to 60 nm is formed by thermal cvd . sih 2 cl 2 ( dichlorosilane ) is used as the source material . the deposition temperature is , for example , 600 to 800 ° c . next , the silicon nitride layer 7 and the silicon oxide layer 6 are subjected to anisotropic etching . hydrofluorocarbon , for example , is used as the etching gas . accordingly , a first side wall spacer with the lamination of the silicon oxide layer 6 and the silicon nitride layer 7 is formed at the side wall portions of the gate electrode . fig4 is a diagram showing si selectively deposited only at the source region and the drain region . because an oxide film is present on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate , epitaxial growth cannot be made , a pretreatment is performed with hydrofluoric acid to remove a natural oxide layer . next , with the first side wall spacer as a mask , si is selectively deposited only on the source and drain regions . for example , sih 2 cl 2 , hcl or h 2 is used as the source material in reduced - pressure thermal cvd . the deposition temperature is , for example , 500 to 800 ° c . the pressure in the deposition chamber is , for example , 100 to 5000 pa . the flow rate of sih 2 cl 2 is 50 to 300 sccm . the flow rate of hcl is 30 to 300 sccm . sih 4 , si 2 h 6 , si 3 h 8 , and si 3 cl 6 may be used in place of sih 2 cl 2 , and cl 2 may be used in place of hcl . accordingly , a source / drain portion 8 with an elevated source / drain structure ( elevated source drain ) of epitaxial si is formed at the source / drain portion . in the elevated source / drain structure , an impurity diffusion layer with a high impurity concentration which is to be a source or a drain is formed above the channel region of the semiconductor element , and only an impurity diffusion layer with a low impurity concentration is present in the semiconductor substrate , so that a substantially shallow junction is formed . this can shorten the channel length . in addition , with the use of a silicide layer with a low resistance , the layer is formed on the monocrystalline epitaxial si layer grown on the semiconductor substrate , so that the silicide layer can be formed thick by making the monocrystalline epitaxial si layer thicker . this can reduce the parasitic resistance . although the description has been given of a case where the elevated source / drain structure is formed using epitaxial si , sige or sigec may be selectively deposited instead of epitaxial si . in this case , sih 2 cl 2 , geh 4 , sich 6 ( methylsilane ), hcl or h 2 is used as the source material . the flow rate of geh 4 is , for example , 50 to 300 sccm . the flow rate of sih 3 ch 3 is 2 to 50 sccm . fig5 is a diagram showing the first side wall spacer removed from the gate side wall where it was formed . according to the removal method , for example , the silicon nitride layer 7 is removed with phosphoric acid , and the silicon oxide layer 6 is removed with hydrofluoric acid or the like . fig6 is a diagram showing an extension region formed in the semiconductor substrate on both sides of the gate electrode . first , a photoresist layer is formed on the entire surface by , for example , spin coating . next , an opening is formed in that region of the photoresist layer where an n - type mos transistor is to be formed by using the photolithography technology . then , with the photoresist layer and the gate electrode 4 being masks , a p - type dopant impurity is injected into the semiconductor substrate 1 on both sides of the gate electrode 4 . for example , in can be used as the p - type dopant impurity . the ion injection conditions are , for example , the ion acceleration energy of 50 kev and the dose of 5 × 10 13 cm − 2 . a p - type pocket region is formed in the semiconductor substrate 1 on both sides of the gate electrode 4 in this manner . next , with the photoresist layer and the gate electrode 4 being masks , an n - type dopant impurity is injected into the semiconductor substrate 1 on both sides of the gate electrode 4 by ion injection , for example . as ( arsenic ), for example , can be used as the n - type dopant impurity . the ion injection conditions are , for example , the ion acceleration energy of 5 kev and the dose of 1 × 10 15 cm − 2 . thereafter , the photoresist layer is removed . as a result , an impurity diffusion region which constitutes a shallow region with an extension source / drain structure , i . e ., an extension region 9 , is formed in the semiconductor substrate 1 on both sides of the gate electrode 4 . fig7 is a diagram showing a second side wall spacer formed at side wall portions of the gate electrode . as shown in fig7 , a silicon oxide layer with a thickness of 50 to 100 nm is formed on the entire surface by thermal cvd . the silicon oxide layer is formed of btbas ( bis ( tertiary - butylamino ) silane ) and o 2 , for example , used as the source materials at the deposition temperature of 500 to 580 ° c . next , the second side wall spacer 6 comprised of a silicon oxide layer is formed on the side wall portions of the gate electrode 4 by anisotropic etching . although the description has been given of a case where the side wall spacer 6 is formed using a silicon oxide layer , a double - layer structure having a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride layer may be used in place of the silicon oxide layer . fig8 is a diagram showing the source and drain region formed in the semiconductor substrate . as shown in fig8 , after a photoresist layer is formed , an opening is formed in that region of the photoresist layer where an n - type mos transistor is to be formed by using the photolithography technology . then , with the photoresist layer , the gate electrode 4 and the second side wall spacer 6 being masks , an n - type dopant impurity is injected into the semiconductor substrate 1 . for example , as or p can be used as the n - type dopant impurity . the ion injection conditions are , for example , the ion acceleration energy of 6 kev and the dose of 1 × 10 16 cm − 2 . thereafter , the photoresist layer is removed . as a result , an n - type impurity diffusion layer which constitutes a deep region with an extension source / drain structure , i . e ., a source / drain region 10 , is formed in the semiconductor substrate 1 on both sides of the gate electrode 4 on whose side wall portions the second side wall spacer 6 is formed . next , a heat treatment for activating the dopant impurity injected into the source / drain diffusion layer is done by , for example , rta ( rapid thermal annealing ). in the heat treatment , annealing is carried out for a short period of time at a temperature of , for example , 1000 ° c . or higher . fig9 is a diagram showing the second side wall spacer etched back . when the side wall spacer 6 is comprised of a silicon oxide layer , for example , the side wall spacer 6 is etched with hydrofluoric acid or the like . the etching amount should be controlled in such a way that the whole side wall spacer 6 is not removed . the etching amount should be optimized by various parameters , such as the height of gate electrode , the height of the elevated source / drain , and the thickness of the side wall spacer . fig1 is a diagram showing the side wall spacer etched back using an ordinary structure , not the elevated source / drain structure . in this case , as shown in fig1 , the side wall spacer 6 on that side of the semiconductor substrate 1 is etched back at the same time as the side walls of the gate electrode 4 . if salicidization is carried out in this state , the salicidized portion comes very close to the channel , so that the short - channel effect becomes prominent , i . e ., a problem , such as a change in threshold or reduction in reliability , arises . according to the embodiment , an epitaxial layer is grown selectively only on the source and drain regions , thereby controlling the advancement of the metal silicide on the source and the drain toward the channel portion due to the etch - back of the side wall spacer . this makes it possible to control the gap between the source and the drain and the gate end and reduce the short - channel effect . fig1 is a diagram illustrating a process at which silicide is formed . a metal layer 12 of , for example , ni , and an oxidization preventing layer 11 of tin are deposited on the entire surface by , for example , sputtering . the thickness of the metal layer 12 of ni is , for example , 10 nm , and the thickness of the oxidization preventing layer 11 of tin is , for example , 20 nm . although the description has been given of a case where silicide is formed using an ni layer , co may be used in place of ni . fig1 is a diagram illustrating an misfet according to the present invention . as shown in fig1 , the heat treatment next causes ni in the metal layer to react with si in the semiconductor substrate . as a result , nisi ( nickel silicide ) layer , for example , is formed . thereafter , the metal layer that has not reacted with si is removed . accordingly , a high - performance misfet having a gate electrode 19 formed only of a metal silicide layer and also having a metal silicide layer on the source and the drain can be provided easily . the thickness of the gate electrode 19 and the thickness of a silicide layer 13 of the source / drain portion 8 can be controlled separately by controlling the etch - back amount of the oxide layer side wall spacer 6 . fig1 is a diagram showing the cross - sectional structure of an mosfet formed in a semiconductor device according to the embodiment . the mosfet , like the ordinary mosfet , is formed by , for example , planarizing the deposited interlayer insulating layer by cmp , forming a contact portion by etching , and burying a barrier metal 16 and w ( tungsten ) 17 in the contact portion . the semiconductor device fabrication method according to the present invention , as apparent from the above , can silicidize the source and the drain and the gate electrode on the gate insulating layer at the same time to form the gate electrode such that the entire gate electrode on the gate insulating layer is comprised of a metal silicide layer , and can therefore provide a semiconductor device that overcomes the problem of depletion of the gate , can reduce the resistance of the gate electrode , which ensures smaller signal delay and power reduction . further , the fabrication method can easily fabricate a gate electrode formed only of a metal silicide layer which facilitates adjustment of the work function , and has a high integration with the existing fabrication process , and a high cost performance . in addition , as an epitaxial layer is selectively grown only on the source and the drain in the semiconductor device fabricated by the fabrication method , it is possible to control the advancement of the metal silicide on the source and the drain toward the channel portion due to the etch - back of the side wall spacer , thus reducing the short - channel effect , so that the semiconductor device fabricated has a high reliability . a description will now be given of a semiconductor device having a first conductivity type mosfet and a second conductivity type mosfet on the same substrate . a semiconductor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig1 to 16 . fig1 to 16 are cross - sectional process views showing the semiconductor device according to the embodiment . the process up to fig8 is the same as that of the first embodiment explained . the following description of the second embodiment explains a semiconductor device having a first gate electrode , wherein the etch - back amounts of the side wall spacers of a first conductivity type short - channel mosfet and a second conductivity type long - channel mosfet are controlled using masks in such a way that the entire gate electrode of the short - channel mosfet alone is formed of metal silicide . fig1 is a diagram showing the short - channel mosfet and the long - channel mosfet formed at the same semiconductor substrate . as shown in fig1 , a photoresist layer 14 is formed on the entire surface by , for example , spin coating . next , an opening is formed in that region of the photoresist layer 14 where the short - channel mosfet is to be formed by using the photolithography technology . fig1 is a diagram showing the second side wall spacer of the short - channel mosfet etched back . as shown in fig1 , with the photoresist layer 14 used as a mask , the second side wall spacer 6 of the short - channel mosfet is etched back . when the side wall spacer 6 is comprised of a silicon oxide layer , for example , the side wall spacer 6 is etched by hydrofluoric acid or the like . at this time , the etching amount should be controlled in such a way as not to remove the whole side wall spacer 6 . the etching amount should be optimized by various parameters , such as the height of gate electrode , the height of the elevated source / drain portion , and the thickness of the side wall spacer . this can provide a difference between the etch - back amount of the second side wall spacer 6 of the short - channel mosfet and the etch - back amount of the second side wall spacer 20 of the long - channel mosfet . fig1 is a diagram illustrating the structures of the short - channel mosfet and the long - channel mosfet . as shown in fig1 , after removal of the photoresist layer , a metal layer of , for example , ni , and an oxidization preventing layer of tin are deposited on the entire surface by , for example , sputtering . the thickness of the metal layer of ni is , for example , 10 nm , while the thickness of the oxidization preventing layer of tin is , for example , 20 nm . although the description has been given of a case where silicide is formed using an ni layer , co may be used in place of ni . next , a heat treatment is done to cause ni in the metal layer to react with si in the semiconductor substrate . as a result , nisi ( nickel silicide ) layer , for example , is formed . thereafter , the metal layer that has not reacted with si is removed . this method can easily provide high - performance mosfets in which the short - channel mosfet has a first gate electrode 19 formed only of a metal silicide layer and the long - channel mosfet has a second gate electrode 21 only a part of which is formed of a metal silicide layer , and metal silicide is present also on the source and the drain . as apparent from the above , different mosfets can be fabricated by controlling the etch - back amounts of the side wall spacers of the short - channel mosfet and the long - channel mosfet with the photoresist layer 14 used as a mask , so that inexpensive and high - performance semiconductor devices can be provided according to multifarious specifications . a semiconductor device according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to fig1 . fig1 is a diagram showing an n - channel mosfet and a p - channel mosfet according to the present invention formed on the same semiconductor substrate . the process up to fig8 is the same as that of the first embodiment described . the following description of the third embodiment explains a semiconductor device , wherein the etch - back amounts of the side wall spacers of the first conductivity type of n - type mosfet and the second conductivity type of p - type mosfet are controlled using masks in such a way that the entire gate electrode of the n - type mosfet or the p - type mosfet alone is formed of metal silicide . for example , a method of forming a gate electrode in such a way that the first gate electrode of the n - type mosfet alone is entirely comprised of metal silicide will be explained . a photoresist layer is formed on the entire surface by , for example , spin coating . next , an opening is formed in that region of the photoresist layer where an n - type mosfet is to be formed by using the photolithography technology . then , with the photoresist layer used as a mask , the second side wall spacer of the n - type mosfet is etched back . when the side wall spacer is comprised of a silicon oxide layer , for example , the side wall spacer is etched by hydrofluoric acid or the like . at this time , the etching amount should be controlled in such a way as not to remove the entire side wall spacer . the etching amount should be optimized by various parameters , such as the height of gate electrode , the height of the elevated source / drain portion , and the thickness of the side wall spacer . this can provide a difference between the etch - back amount of the second side wall spacer 6 of the n - type mosfet and the etch - back amount of the second side wall spacer , 22 , of the p - type mosfet . next , after removal of the photoresist layer , a metal layer of , for example , ni , and an oxidization preventing layer of tin are deposited on the entire surface by , for example , sputtering . the thickness of the metal layer of ni is , for example , 10 nm , while the thickness of the oxidization preventing layer of tin is , for example , 20 nm . although the description has been given of a case where silicide is formed using an ni layer , co may be used in place of ni . next , a heat treatment is done to cause ni in the metal layer to react with si in the semiconductor substrate . as a result , nisi ( nickel silicide ) layer , for example , is formed . thereafter , the metal layer that has not reacted with si is removed . this method can easily provide high - performance mosfets in which the n - type mosfet has the first gate electrode 19 formed only of a metal silicide layer and the p - type mosfet has a second gate electrode 23 only a part of which is formed of a metal silicide layer , and metal silicide is present also on the source and the drain . although the description has been given of an n - type mosfet , a p - type mosfet is provided by forming an opening in that region of the photoresist layer where the p - type mosfet is to be formed . as described above , different mosfets can be fabricated by controlling the etch - back amounts of the side wall spacers of the n - type mosfet and the p - type mosfet with the photoresist layer used as a mask , so that inexpensive and high - performance semiconductor devices can be provided according to multifarious specifications . the semiconductor device fabrication method according to the present invention can easily fabricate a gate electrode formed only of a metal silicide layer which facilitates adjustment of the work function , and has a high integration with the existing fabrication process , and a high cost performance . the semiconductor device according to the present invention overcomes the problem of depletion of the gate , and achieves reduction in the resistance of the gate electrode , which ensures smaller signal delay and power reduction . in addition , selectively growing an epitaxial layer only on the source and the drain can control the advancement of the metal silicide on the source and the drain toward the channel portion due to the etch - back of the side wall spacer .	7
the following description provides specific details for a through understanding of , and enabling description for , embodiments of the invention . however , one skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without these detailed . in other instances , well known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detailed to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments of the invention . fig1 illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a system of the present invention . the personal computer 5 is comprised of a processor 10 that controls the operation of the personal computer 5 . memory 15 is coupled to the processor 10 and configured to store data for display ( e . g ., video ram ) data that are being operated on by the processor 10 , and processes to be executed . the memory 15 can include a semiconductor memory such as random access memory ( ram ), read only memory ( rom ), or flash ram . storage media 11 is configured to store data for longer - term storage . examples of storage media 11 can include floppy disk drives , optical disk drives , hard drives , or any other type of storage media . the storage media 11 can be removable or fixed in the personal computer 5 . an output device , such as a display 12 or monitor coupled to the processor 10 , is configured to display information to the computer user . the display 12 may be a liquid crystal display ( lcd ), a cathode ray tube ( crt ), or any other type of display . the computer user , such as a content provider , can use a keyboard 14 to author or edit web contents to be executed by the processor 10 in generating desired information . in one embodiment , the keyboard 14 is a standard style keyboard with a mouse or trackball . the personal computer 5 of fig1 is for illustration purposes only . the present invention is not limited to any one type of personal computer . any personal computer capable of running the instructions required to accomplish the various embodiments of the present invention is encompassed by the present invention . unless described otherwise below , the construction and operation of the various blocks shown in fig1 and the other figures are of conventional design . as a result , such blocks need not be described in further detail beyond that provided herein , because they will be understood by those skilled in the relevant art . such further detail is omitted for brevity and so as not to obscure the detailed description of the invention . any modifications necessary to the blocks in fig1 ( or other figures and embodiments ) can be readily made by one skilled in the relevant art based on the detailed description provided herein . a typical internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d , by way of example , the embodiments will be described with reference to the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c , or 20 d , such as mobile telephone , automobile - based web accessing device , or other communication devices with online capability . in a preferred embodiment , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d is a mobile telephone supporting a 2 . 5 g package communication system , such as pdc ( personal digital cellular ) in japan , or a 3 g package communication system , such as wcdma and cdma2000 , or other communication system . furthermore , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d may support a specific communication service which uses a specific communication standard . for example , in japan , there are three main communication service providers : ntt docomo , kddi / au , and vodafone , in which ntt docomo uses wcdma technology standard , kddi / au uses the cdma 2000 - 1x standard , and vodafone also uses the wcdma standard . typically , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d supporting ntt docomo service may not display the contents serviced by kddi / au . in addition , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d typically has a display screen ( not shown ) in which a web page is shown of fixed fonts , fixed spaces , fixed sizes , or fixed row of texts , etc . furthermore , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d uses a built - in browser to view contents in the web page . however , the built - in browsers in the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c and 20 d have various versions different from each another . different versions of the built - in browsers support different tags of markup languages . for example , the internet appliances 20 a and 20 b have built - in browsers in the different versions , though internet appliances 20 a and 20 b support same service provided by the same communication service provider . thus , the display result of the contents in the web page is not identical for the internet appliances 20 a and 20 b . a typical service provider 30 is responsible for loading one or more web contents from one or more content providers and hosting software applications or web contents that are to be transmitted to and rendered by the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c , or 20 d . the various components , such as web contents , communicate using areas internet protocols , but limited to , such as hypertext transfer protocol ( http ), http / tcp / ip , wap / udp / ip , or whttp / wtcp / ip . typically , the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d sends http requests in company with its user agent to the service provider 30 . based on the user agent information , the service provider 30 with url redirect mechanism should link to proper url address and response for sending proper set of mobile contents to the internet appliance 20 a , 20 b , 20 c or 20 d . however , different web contents from the personal computer 5 , which support different communication service providers ( not shown ) may be stored in the identical service provider 30 . fig2 illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of the customization method of in accordance with the present invention . first , the content authoring system at the personal computer provides a digital record of one or more predefined general devices with respective capabilities ( step 40 ). the content authoring system stores the digital record in the profile and display it on the output device of the personal computer for enabling a user , for a selected internet appliance , to author a fit web page with web contents based on these predefined general devices . in one embodiment , a set of capabilities corresponding one of the predefined general devices includes a subset of physical items related to physical capabilities of an internet appliance , a subset of network items related to network capabilities of the internet appliance , and a subset of software items related to software applications used in one typical service provider . for example , the physical capabilities of the internet appliance are physical characteristics or properties of the internet appliance , such as screen width , screen height , and screen color , etc . the network capabilities of the internet appliance are communication characteristics or properties of the internet appliance , such as built - in browser information ( i . e . version ), maximum size of received web page , extra tag supports , emoji ( icon ) supporting , and received file format in a received web page . the software items for the typical service provider are the information of software application , such as software language interpreters / compilers , and encoding application , etc . next , the content authoring system receives a request that the user select one of the predefined general devices as a base device for editing or adding web page fitted thereto ( step 41 ). there are preferences in performing the selection of a predefined general device . basically , in order to design one or more web pages fit for displaying by a selected internet appliance , a predefined general device of similar capacities as the selected internet appliance is preferred . for example , the built - in browser associated with the selected predefined general device is similar as the selected internet appliance . furthermore , the internet appliance associated with the predefined general device is same as the selected internet appliance . thus , the predefined general device is selected and provides with corresponding items based on which a web page is designated fit for displaying by the selected internet appliance . once the predefined general device is selected , the associated set of capacities is shown and capable of being reset by the user . according the selected internet appliance , the user may amend or modify values or setting of those capacities associated with the selected predefined general device , and then store these amended capacities with a customized device name . in addition , there are sets of values or settings recommended and provided by the content authoring system that has a variety of information or specification related to various internet appliances and service providers . for example , based on the selected predefined general device , the content authoring system enables the user to modify some physical items ( step 42 ), such as the number of rows , the number of characters in a row , and the color resolution for displaying on the screen of the selected internet appliance , etc . in addition , the content authoring system enables the user to modify some network items , such as the maximum value of byte count for a web page size , and the image or media file formats received by the selected internet appliance , etc . furthermore , the content authoring system enables the user to modify some software items , such as the types of encoding used by one service provider or the selected internet appliance , etc . accordingly , the customized device is with some capacities inherited from the ones of the selected predefined general device and with some capacities designated for the selected internet appliance ( step 43 ). next , on the display screen of the personal computer , a new editorial zone or / and a simulator are created or opened according to the customized device ( step 44 ). it is noted that the new editorial zone and the editorial contents therein are limited to the capacities of the customized device . for example , when the new editorial zone and / or the simulator is created , loaded or opened , it is of the size similar as the screen associated with the customized device . that is , if the customized device has the capacity of the screen of the size 160 × 180 pixels , the editorial zone and / or the simulator for authoring or previewing a specific web page for the selected internet appliance is also of the size 160 × 180 pixels . furthermore , if the customized device has the capacity of supporting the image file format in “ jpg ” and “ gif ”, the image contents used in the specific web page are in the format of “ jpg ” or “ gif ”. thus , the user authors and / or previews the web page contents in the editorial zone and / or simulator that looks like a hypothetic screen same as the real one of the selected internet appliance . fig3 a to 3 d illustrate the displays of the portions of user interfaces for the embodiment in accordance with the present invention . in one embodiment , the content authoring system is setup and stored in the personal computer . a content provider ( user ) requests to add a customized device and a “ customized device ” dialog box 50 is popup . in the dialog box 50 , the information 52 of predefined general devices is listed on “ device zone ” portion 51 . once the content provider selects one of them , such as one named as “ i - mode_n504i ”, the device “ i - mode_n504i ” is highlighted with some items 54 corresponding to the capacities shown on “ device capacities ” portion 53 . in addition , the “ preview models ” portion 55 illustrates the information 56 of a device module for previewing in associated with the selected predefined general device . generally , the device module will be the same as the selected predefined general device . of course , there are multitudes of controls 58 for controlling the dialog box 50 , ensuring and executing the selection for the information 52 , and going the next steps , etc . in performing the addition of another predefined general device by the user , for example , based on the device named as “ xhtmlgeneric ”, the request for displaying “ xhtmlgeneric ” is ensured by executing the “ add ” control 58 . then an “ add model ” dialog box 60 is popup shown in fig3 b . at first in the dialog box 60 , the default values 64 of items 62 for the device “ xhtmlgeneric ” are displayed on the “ model capacities ” portion 61 . in addition , the name of the device “ xhtmlgeneric ” is shown as the name of “ base device ”. however , the user may nominate the new general device with the “ model name ” item 62 , such as “ c5001t ”. furthermore , the user may modify some values 64 for the new general device named as “ c5001t ”. the modification method used by the user is not limited to the selection from a pull - down sheet as shown . any suitable method , such as characters by keying in , is fit into the embodiments of the present invention . it is noted that the values 64 of some items 62 , such as “ content type ”, are disabled for the user . of course , there are multitudes of controls 68 for controlling the dialog box 60 . after the close of the dialog box 60 , there is the new general device 52 a named as “ c5001t ” shown on the “ device zone ” portion 51 of the dialog box 50 , depicted in fig3 c . it is noted that the information 52 a is shown with its inheriting from the device “ xhtmlgeneric ”. in performing the authoring of one predefined general device by the user , the other dialog box 70 is popup , shown in fig3 d . the user can amend or modify the values 74 of the items 72 in the “ device capabilities ” portion 71 . in addition , the user may change the device module for previewing in “ preview models ” portion 75 by using the controls 78 . it is noted that the displays in fig3 a to 3 d are applied on the creation of both an editorial zone and a simulator , but not limited to . although the invention has been described above with reference to particular embodiments , various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention as will be clear to a skilled person .	6
an embodiment is implemented utilizing what is known in the art as “ helper application ” for the internet explorer 4 . 0 browser . the internet explorer 4 . 0 browser is commercially distributed by microsoft corporation . fig1 is a block diagram of the commercially available internet explorer 4 . 0 browser 10 . browser 10 provides a mechanism for receiving and displaying data ( called web pages ) received from the world wide web ( which is often referred to as w w w ). the embodiment described herein is designed to operate based on watermarks which have a particular format designed by digimarc corporation . many of the commercially available programs which can insert watermarks in images and which can detect watermarks in images utilize this watermark format . for example , the digimarc format is used by the following commercially available programs : “ adobe photoshop ” versions 4 . 0 and 5 . 0 and “ adobe imageready ” version 1 . 0 which are marketed by adobe corporation , “ coreldraw ” versions 7 and 8 , and “ corel photo - paint ” versions 7 and 8 which are marketed by corel corporation , and micrografx webtricity ” versions 1 and 2 , “ micrografx graphics suite 2 ”, and “ micrografx picture publisher ” versions 7 and 8 which are marketed by micrografx corporation . the base program in the internet explorer 4 . 0 browser , that is , the program which begins the operation of the browser 10 is iexplore . exe 11 which is shown in fig1 . program 11 calls the web browser control dynamic link library shdocvw . dll 12 . as stated in the documentation of the internet explorer provided by microsoft shdocvw . dll 12 “ supplies the functionality associated with navigation , in - place linking , favorites and pics support .” shdocvw . dll 12 in turn hosts or calls the mshtml . dll 13 dynamic link library . mshtml . dll “ performs the html parsing and rendering ” and also “ exposes the html document through the dynamic html object model ” 14 . the html object model 14 hosts the active x control 14 a , the active x engine 14 b , the java vm 14 c and the plug in applet 14 d . the various components in browser 10 store and retrieve information from url cache 15 . the operation and function of the various components of the internet explorer browser are described in the publicly available literature ( and on the web site ) provided by microsoft corporation . an embodiment adds a browser helper object 21 and two other programs 22 and 23 as shown in fig2 . program 22 is a conventional program designed to detect a watermark in an image . one example of such a program is shown in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 636 , 292 . another program for detecting watermarks is shown in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 689 , 587 . the browser helper object 21 interfaces with the dynamic link library mshtml . dll 13 and with the url cache 15 . fig4 illustrates an example of a web page being displayed in a window 40 on display screen 41 by browser 10 . the example shown in fig4 has four images designated image 1 , image 2 , image 3 and image 4 . it should understood that the number of images and the placement of the images varies in each web page displayed and it is determined by the person who creates a web page . furthermore , text may be interspersed with the images . the example shown in fig4 is a simple example of a web page which is herein used to illustrate the operation of an embodiment . the embodiment detects which images on a web page contain a watermark . the images which contain watermarks are flagged or noted by means of an indicia which is added to the lower right hand corner of any images that contain watermarks . in the example shown in fig4 , image 3 contains a watermark and thus indicia 46 appears on the lower right hand corner of the image . indicia 46 could for example be a logo which identifies a particular company or it could be any other easily identified mark or symbol . it could be as simple as the letters wm or it could be a small multicolored image . the indicia which is displayed is stored in gif file ( graphic interchange format file ) and referenced by html code ( hypertext markup language code ) which causes the indicia to be displayed . the data in the watermarks ( which have the previously defined format ) includes a particular html address . in the embodiment , if a user clicks on the indicia 46 , a link is created and executed to a particular web page on a particular server herein identified as “ www . digimarc . com / cgi - bin ”. the program 20 also opens a separate window 42 and it places a thumbnail ( i . e . a reduced version ) of each image in window 42 . in the example shown in fig4 , thumbnails 42 a , 42 b , 42 c and 42 d are small versions of images 1 to 4 respectfully . program 20 also creates an image or “ button ” 45 which contains the symbol bm . if a user right clicks on one of the images in window 42 , that image is saved as a bookmark . if at a later time a user clicks on the bm image 45 , the system displays a list of the previously saved images 53 a to 53 h as shown in fig5 . when a user clicks on one of the displayed images 53 a to 53 h , a link is executed to the page from which the image originated , and thus that page is again displayed by the browser 10 . fig3 is a block flow diagram of the operation of the browser helper object 21 and program 22 . block 31 indicates that initially the browser 10 receives data and it renders images in window 40 on the screen 41 as is normal for the operation of the browser 10 . block 32 indicates that when the download operation is complete , mshtml . dll 13 sends a “ download complete event ” and a “ document object ” to browser helper object 21 . the document object includes the url addresses of each of the images in the page that is displayed . the characteristics of a download complete event and a document object is explained in the documentation provided by microsoft corporation . block 34 indicates that browser helper 21 sends a request to mshtml for the address in cache 15 of one of the url addresses which it previously received . the documentation supplied by microsoft corporation explains how the above operations are performed . block 35 indicates that when browser helper 21 receives a download compete event from mshtml . dll 13 , the browser helper 21 queries the “ document object ”. the images which are in the page being displayed are available to the browser helper 21 in the current “ document ”. the browser helper 21 retrieves the image data from the url cache 15 and processes it as follows : the image is passed through watermark detector program 22 to determine if the image contains a watermark and bookmark program 23 places a thumbnail of the image in window 32 . as indicated by block 38 , if no watermark is detected ( and if this is not the last image which appears in the window being displayed ) the program flow returns to block 34 and the process repeats for another image . if the image being processed is the last image in a window the process stops and does not begin again until browser helper 21 receives another “ download compete event ” signal . if a watermark is detected by watermark detector 22 , the process proceeds to block 39 . as indicated by block 39 , in this event helper program 21 calculates the position of the lower right hand corner of the image and “ inserts ” a href and an img tag to the current document object of mshtml . dll . in response to the href and img tag , mshtml . dll will display an indicia such as indicia 46 in the lower right hand corner of the image with the watermark . the browser helper can calculate the lower right hand corner of the image where the indicia 46 is to be inserted from the location data of the image . the location where the image is to be inserted is given in the href command . the following is an example of and href and img tags : where : ind46 . gif is a gif image of the indicia 46 . the general format of such href and img tags is conventional . likewise the technique for “ inserting ” a href and an img tag to the current document object of mshtml . dll is known . when watermark detector 22 determines that a particular image contains a watermark , the browser helper 21 inserts tags such as the above to the mshtml . dll 13 which then superimposes indicia 46 over the image being displayed by the browser 10 . an active x browser control program publicly available from microsoft corporation is used to display the thumbnails in window 42 as shown in fig4 . the active x browser control program is also used to display the image bookmarks as shown in fig5 . a specific example of image html used to display thumbnails in window 42 using an active x browser control is given below . the above example includes three images . the brackets at the right hand side of the above code indicate the sections of code which display each image . when in use , the number of images equals the number of images on a particular web page which is being displayed . a block diagram of the program used to add images to the list of image bookmarks is shown in fig6 . with reference to fig4 , if a user would like to add one of the images 1 to 4 to a list of images that the user has bookmarked , the user would right clicks on the thumbnail of that image which shown in window 42 ( block 61 ). as a result of the right click , a drop down window ( not specifically shown ) will appear asking for the name the user wants to associate with the image ( block 62 ). it is noted that the use of drop down windows to add information is conventional and well known . when the drop down window appears , the user enters a name and the image is added to the list of bookmarks with the name entered . similar html code to that given above is used with the active x browser control to display bookmarks as shown in fig5 . the following is an example of html code which displays bookmarks as shown in in fig5 . such html is conventional and many alternative sequences of html can be used to generate a similar page of images . the brackets to the right of the above html show the sections of html used to display one bookmark . naturally it should be understood that the above is merely an example of one particular set of html that can be used to display a list of bookmarks . various other sequences of code can be used to obtain similar functions . html code such as that shown above is conventional and widely used . another feature that can be added to the preferred embodiment is that window 42 can be used to display a visual history of the pages that have been viewed . that is one could include in window 42 a button that would allow one to scroll back through the thumbnails previously displayed in the window . while the invention has been showed with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof , it should be understood that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention . the scope of applicant &# 39 ; s invention is defined by the following claims .	6
fig1 shows a perspective view of a solid electrolyte capacitor 10 of this invention . capacitor 10 includes a conductive cathode coating 20 to which is attached cathode lead wire 22 . riser 30 extends from the anode pellet of capacitor 10 and is terminated by anode lead wire 32 , as by means of weld 31 . in order to center capacitor 10 in its molded case and thereby reduce or prevent shorts , show - through , blow , and dcl losses , anode lead 32 is provided with two offset bends 34 and 36 as well as a transverse bend 37 . fig2 and 3 show the wireform that is employed as the anode lead 32 in the capacitor 10 of this invention . the elbows 34 and 36 of the offset 35 and the elbow 37 for the transverse 38 are preferably made at separate operations during manufacture . however , it is within the scope of this invention to combine one or more of the operations for forming anode lead 32 into a single wireforming step . the upper elbow 37 is shown forming portion 38 into a transverse . anode lead 32 is provided with two elbows 34 and 36 forming an anode lead portion 36 offset from the rest of the anode lead 32 and in a plane spaced from the first plane in which the long portion 33 of anode lead 32 lies . in the same operation that the offset elbows 34 and 36 are formed , the transverse section 38 is flattened . fig3 portrays a different view of anode lead 32 with elbows 34 and 36 offsetting flattened transverse 38 into the different second plane than that in which the long portion 33 of anode lead 32 lies . the second plane is spaced from the first plane by the sum of the radii of the riser 30 and the transverse portion 38 of anode lead wire 32 . the attachment of the anode pellet of capacitor 10 to anode lead 32 via transverse 38 is shown in fig1 . anode riser 30 extends from capacitor 10 and is attached , preferably by weld 31 to a flattened side of transverse 38 . riser 30 passes in front of transverse 38 so that riser 30 lies in the same first plane as long portion 33 anode lead 32 . cathode lead 22 is attached to the cathode coating 20 along one side of capacitor 10 parallel to anode lead 32 and lies in the same first plane as anode lead 32 and riser 30 . fig4 depicts the prior art practice of molding without the offset anode construction of this invention . if an offset is not provided , when a capacitor body is attached by a riser 40 to a transverse piece of a straight anode lead wire 42 , the riser and the anode lead wire cannot lie in the same plane . consequently , even if the unit is tilted prior to being molded in case 50 , as shown in fig4 some faulty units are the result . the molded capacitor of this invention is shown in fig5 where the anode lead 32 of this invention is provided with the offsetting elbows 34 and 36 and the riser 30 is attached to transverse 38 so that riser 30 and anode lead 32 are coaxial and coplanar , thus keeping capacitor 10 properly aligned in its molded encasement 50 . this invention is particularly advantageous when anode lead 32 is of different diameter , preferably larger than cathode lead 22 . without the offset of transverse 38 , the larger diameter of anode lead 32 would require even more tilting of capacitor 10 when attachment via its riser is made . with small units , the ratio of the size of the wire compared to the rest of the unit would be greater than with larger units and of greater concern . when 32 mils ( 0 . 81 mm ) wire is used , two elbows 34 and 36 spaced 20 mils ( 0 . 51 mm ) apart are formed , preferably simultaneously , to offset portion 38 by 20 mils ( 0 . 51 mm ) from the rest of lead 32 and to flatten transverse 38 to 27 mils ( 0 . 68 mm ) diameter . the spacing between the top of elbow 36 and the top of elbow 37 forming transverse 38 is preferably 50 mils ( 1 . 27 mm ). when anode riser 30 is attached to flattened transverse 38 , riser 30 will be coaxial and coplanar with long portion 33 of anode lead wire 30 . cathode lead 22 is attached to capacitor cathode coating 20 so that cathode lead 22 , anode riser 30 , and anode lead 32 are coplanar . all elbows at 34 , 36 and 37 are about 90 °, but are not sharp angles because of the flow of the wire during the formation of the elbows . it is preferred that the elbows at 34 and 36 be spaced apart so that the offset is definite and so as not to overwork the wire at any one point . while either lead wire 22 or 32 may be the larger diameter one , it is preferable that the larger diameter wire be the one subjected to the cold working , and hence it is the anode wire that is preferably the larger .	7
the invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics . the scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims , rather than in the specific description preceding them . all embodiments that fall within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims . the preferred embodiment describes improved systems and methods that embody features of the invention in the context of treating bones . this is because the new systems and methods are advantageous when used for this purpose . however , aspects of the invention can be advantageously applied for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in other areas of the body . the new systems and methods will be more specifically described in the context of the treatment of long bones such as the human distal radius . of course , other human or animal bone types can be treated in the same or equivalent fashion . the human forearm consists of two bones , the radius and the ulna . as shown in fig1 and 2 , the radius 20 is a long bone that is situated on the thumb side of the forearm , while the ulna 26 is located at the little finger side . the radius 20 lies side by side with the ulna 26 , and it exceeds the ulna 26 both in length and in size . the upper , or proximal end 22 of the radius 20 is small and articulates with a part of the elbow joint , including the proximal ulna 28 . the distal end 24 of the radius 20 is large and articulates with two bones of the wrist , or carpus , known as the lunate 21 and scaphoid 27 bones . the inner , or medial side 25 of the distal radius 24 contains an ulnar notch 32 that articulates with the ulna 26 . the systems and methods of the present invention are especially suited for treating fractures of long bones . one type of bone fracture that may be so treated is known as a colles &# 39 ; fracture or transverse wrist fracture . as shown in fig2 such a fracture 34 generally occurs less than one inch from the distal end 24 of the radius 20 . colles &# 39 ; fractures are commonly noted in children and the elderly where the person tries to break or stop a fall by using his or her hands and arms . colles &# 39 ; fractures in children are often associated with sports such as skateboarding and in - line skating . in the elderly , colles &# 39 ; fractures are commonly caused by osteoporosis and / or in connection with a fall . osteoporosis is a disease of the bone that is most commonly found in the middle - aged and elderly , particularly women . it is characterized by a gradual loss of a type of bone tissue known as cancellous bone 36 . as shown in fig3 cancellous bone 36 , also referred to as trabecular bone , is a spongy bone tissue located within the harder outer or cortical bone . cancellous bone 36 comprises most of the bone tissue of the extremities of long bones such as the radius 20 . in contrast to cancellous bone 36 , cortical bone 38 tissue is much harder and denser . cortical bone 38 is layered over cancellous bone 36 , and provides a protective layer and support for long bones such as the radius 20 , as shown in fig1 and 2 . at the ends of such bones , however , the cortical bone 38 layer becomes thinner . where osteoporosis has significantly weakened the cancellous bone 36 , such regions at the ends of long bones become especially prone to fracture and / or collapse . it may be indicated , due to disease or trauma , to reduce fractured cortical bone 38 and / or compress cancellous bone 36 within long bones such as the radius 20 . the compression , for example , can be used to form an interior cavity 35 , which receives a filling material 99 , e . g ., a flowable material that sets to a hardened condition , such as poly ( methylmethacrylate ), as well as a medication , or combinations thereof , to provide improved interior support for cortical bone 38 or other therapeutic functions , or both . the compaction of cancellous bone 36 also exerts interior force upon cortical bone 38 , making it possible to elevate or push broken and compressed bone back to or near its original pre - fracture , or other desired , condition . [ 0065 ] fig4 shows instruments , arranged as a kit 200 , which are usable in association with each other to reduce fractured bone . the number and type of instruments can vary . fig4 shows seven representative instruments , each having a different size and function . in fig4 the kit 200 includes an obturator instrument 12 for penetrating soft tissue and bone ; a percutaneous cannula 14 that functions as a guide sheath ; a drill bit instrument 16 that is used for drilling into bone ; a fracture reduction cannula 18 used in reducing fractures and that is inserted into bone and designed to receive an expandable structure ; a bone compaction instrument 80 that functions to deliver a filling material 99 into a cavity 35 in bone and that carries an expandable structure 86 that may be expanded in bone ; a tamp 81 functions to urge residual bone filling material into bone ; and a handle 13 with recesses that receives instruments 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 . instruments 12 , 14 , 16 , and 18 share some common features , although they are intended , in use , to perform different functions . instruments 12 , 14 , 16 , and 18 each comprise an elongated , cylindrical body 40 having a proximal end 42 and a distal end 44 . instruments 12 , 14 , 16 , and 18 are each made of a rigid , surgical grade plastic or metal material . the first instrument 12 functions as an obturator . as shown in fig5 its distal end 44 is tapered to present a penetrating surface 50 . in use , the surface 50 is intended to penetrate soft tissue and / or bone in response to pushing or twisting forces applied by the physician at the proximal end 42 . in a preferred embodiment , the proximal end 42 of the obturator instrument 12 mates with a handle 13 , to be described in detail later . the proximal end 42 of the obturator instrument 12 presents a flanged surface 52 . the flanged surface 52 is designed to fit securely into a recess in the handle 13 , such that pushing or twisting forces applied to the proximal end 42 of the obturator 12 instrument will not displace the obturator instrument 12 . the flanged surface 52 tapers from a larger outer diameter to a smaller outer diameter in the direction of the proximal end 42 . the flanged surface 52 includes an array of circumferentially spaced teeth 54 with intermediate flutes 56 . an interior bore 60 extends through the obturator instrument 12 from the distal end 44 to the proximal end 42 . desirably , the interior bore 60 is sized to accommodate a conventional surgical guide pin 108 component to aid in its deployment , as will be described in greater detail later . the obturator instrument 12 has an outer surface 142 that is sized such that one may slide a percutaneous cannula 14 over the obturator instrument 12 as described below . the second instrument 14 functions as a percutaneous cannula or guide sheath . it also serves to protect soft tissue and nerves , ligaments , muscle and vasculature from the use of a drill bit instrument 16 , which will be described in greater detail later . as shown in fig6 the percutaneous cannula 14 is somewhat larger in diameter than , and is not as long as , the obturator instrument 12 . in one embodiment , the cannula 14 is approximately 2 inches long , although it could be various other lengths , depending upon the thickness of the patient &# 39 ; s soft tissue at the surgical site . desirably , the percutaneous cannula 14 is made of metal , and contains markings 120 along its outer surface 142 to indicate the depth at which it is placed into a patient &# 39 ; s distal radius 24 . the proximal end 42 of the percutaneous cannula 14 presents a tapered flange 52 , as fig6 shows . the flanged surface 52 is designed to fit securely into a recess in the handle 13 , such that forces applied to the proximal end 42 of the percutaneous cannula 14 will not displace the percutaneous cannula 14 . the tapered flange 52 changes from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter in the direction of the proximal end 42 . the tapered flange 52 of the percutaneous cannula 14 also includes an array of circumferentially spaced teeth 54 with intermediate flutes 56 . the form and orientation of the teeth 54 and flutes 56 on the percutaneous cannula 14 correspond to the form and orientation of teeth 54 and flutes 56 on the fracture reduction cannula 18 . as shown in fig6 the percutaneous cannula 14 includes an interior bore 60 that extends from its distal end 44 to its proximal end 42 . desirably , the interior bore 60 is sized to accept the obturator instrument 12 . the size of the interior bore 60 permits a physician to slide and rotate the percutaneous cannula 14 relative to the obturator instrument 12 , and vice versa , as will be described in greater detail later . the distal end 44 of the percutaneous cannula 14 presents an end surface 62 . desirably , the surface of the distal end 44 is designed to penetrate soft tissue . in use , the end surface 62 of the percutaneous cannula 14 is intended to penetrate soft tissue surrounding the obturator instrument 12 , in response to pushing or twisting forces applied at the proximal end 42 . if desired , the end surface 62 can incorporate one or more teeth ( not shown ) which anchor the cannula 14 to the surface of the targeted bone . the third instrument functions as a drill bit . as shown in fig7 the drill bit instrument 16 has generally the same physical dimensions as the obturator instrument 12 . like the obturator instrument 12 , the drill bit instrument 16 is intended , in use , to fit for sliding and rotational movement within the interior bore 60 of the percutaneous cannula 14 . the distal end 44 of the drill bit instrument 16 includes machined cutting edges 64 , as shown in fig7 . in use , the cutting edges 64 are intended to penetrate hard tissue in response to rotation and longitudinal load forces applied at the proximal end 42 of the drill bit instrument 16 . as further shown in fig7 the proximal end 42 presents a tapered flange 52 , substantially identical to the flange 52 on the obturator instrument 12 , as fig5 shows . the flanged surface 52 is designed to fit securely into a recess in the handle 13 , such that forces applied to the proximal end 42 of the drill bit instrument 14 will not displace the drill bit instrument 14 . like the obturator instrument 12 , the tapered flange 52 changes from a larger diameter to a smaller diameter in the direction of the proximal end 42 . the tapered flange 52 of the drill bit instrument 16 also includes an array of circumferentially spaced teeth 54 with intermediate flutes 56 . the form and orientation of the teeth 54 and flutes 56 on the drill bit instrument 16 correspond to the form and orientation of the teeth 54 and flutes 56 on the obturator instrument 12 . the fourth instrument functions as a fracture reduction cannula 18 . as shown in fig8 the fracture reduction cannula 18 is somewhat smaller in diameter than , and is longer than , the percutaneous cannula 14 . in one embodiment , the fracture reduction cannula 18 is approximately 3½ inches in length , although it could be various other lengths depending on the size of the patient and the desired location within the targeted bone . like both the obturator instrument 12 and the drill bit instrument 16 , the fracture reduction cannula 18 is intended , in use , to fit for sliding and rotational movement within the interior bore 60 of the percutaneous cannula 14 . the proximal end 42 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 presents a flanged surface 52 . the flanged surface 52 is designed to fit securely into a recess in the handle 13 , such that pushing or twisting forces applied to the proximal end 42 of the obturator 12 instrument will not displace the fracture reduction cannula 18 . like the percutaneous cannula 14 , the flanged surface 52 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 tapers from a larger outer diameter to a smaller outer diameter in the direction of the proximal end 42 . the flanged surface 52 includes an array of circumferentially spaced teeth 54 with intermediate flutes 56 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 is sized to fit within the interior bore 60 of the percutaneous cannula 14 . the size of the interior bore 60 permits a physician to slide and rotate the fraction reduction cannula relative to percutaneous cannula 14 , and vice versa , as will be described in greater detail later . as further shown in fig8 the fracture reduction cannula 18 includes a side wall 66 that defines an interior bore 68 that extends from the distal end 44 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 to its proximal end 42 . the interior bore 68 is adapted to allow passage of , among other things , an expandable structure 86 . in a preferred embodiment , the distal end 44 of the interior bore 68 is solid , as shown in fig1 a . in an alternate embodiment , the distal end 44 of the bore 68 is not solid , but rather , it is open to accommodate passage of an instrument such as a guide pin 108 , as shown in fig1 b . as another alternative , the distal end of the bore 68 could be hollow , such that a portion of the expandable structure could extend into the distal end 44 of the cannula 18 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 further includes a circumferential opening 70 in the side wall 66 . in one embodiment , the circumferential opening 70 extends approximately one - half inch in length along its longitudinal axis , although the size of this opening could vary depending upon the dimensions of the targeted bone and the size of the expandable structure . the circumferential opening 70 is sized to accommodate an expandable structure 86 . the circumferential opening 70 desirably also allows a filling material 99 to be placed near and / or into the fracture site . [ 0089 ] fig8 a depicts one alternate embodiment of a fracture reduction cannula 18 a constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention . because many of the disclosed components are similar to those previously described , like reference numerals will be used to denote similar components . in this embodiment , the distal end 44 a of the cannula 18 a is not solid , but rather extends along the side wall 66 a , with one or more longitudinally extending teeth 120 disposed at the distal end 44 a . the handle 13 , which can be made from a molded or cast rigid plastic or metal material , is more fully described in u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 014 , 229 , filed on jan . 27 , 1998 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference . as shown in fig1 , the handle has a smooth upper side 17 . its lower side 29 contains recesses 15 and 19 . the flanged surfaces of the obturator instrument 12 , the drill bit instrument 16 , the percutaneous cannula 14 , and the fracture reduction cannula 18 mate with the handle 13 . recess 15 is adapted to accept the obturator 12 and the drill bit instrument 16 while recess 19 is adapted to accept the fracture reduction cannula 18 . if desired , another recess can be provided ( not shown ) sized to accept the percutaneous cannula 14 in a similar manner . [ 0093 ] fig1 shows an instrument 80 for accessing bone for the purpose of compacting cancellous bone 36 and / or displacing cortical bone 38 . the instrument 80 , and instructions for assembling same , are more fully set out in u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 420 , 529 , filed on oct . 19 , 1999 , incorporated herein by reference . the instrument 80 includes a catheter tube assembly 82 , as shown in fig1 . the distal end 84 of the catheter tube assembly 82 carries an expandable structure 86 . in use , the expandable structure 86 is deployed and expanded inside bone , e . g ., in the radius 20 as shown in fig2 , 21 , and 22 , to compact cancellous bone 36 and / or displace cortical bone 38 , as will be described later . as further shown in fig1 , the instrument 80 includes an outer catheter body 88 , and an inner catheter body 90 which extends through the outer catheter body 88 . the proximal ends 92 of the outer 88 and inner 90 catheter bodies are coupled to a y - shaped adaptor / handle 94 . the y - shaped adaptor / handle 94 carries a first port 96 and a second port 98 at its proximal end 92 . the first port 96 is adapted to be coupled with an inflation syringe 101 , the syringe 101 in the present case being used to deliver a pressurized liquid into the expandable structure 86 . the second port 98 is adapted for insertion of a stiffening stylet ( not shown ) to facilitate insertion of the distal end 84 of the instrument 80 . as fig1 shows , the expandable structure 86 is coupled at its proximal end 95 to the distal end 93 of the outer catheter body 88 . likewise , the expandable structure 86 is coupled at its distal end 87 to the distal end 84 of the inner catheter body 90 . the outer catheter body 88 defines an interior bore , through which the inner catheter body 90 extends . the interior bore , in use , conveys a pressurized liquid , e . g ., a radio - opaque solution such as conray ® solution , or another fluid into the expandable structure 86 to expand it . the material from which the expandable structure 86 is made should possess various physical and mechanical properties to optimize its functional capabilities to compact cancellous bone 36 , and to move cortical bone 38 . desirably , the expandable structure 86 has the capability to move cortical bone 38 from a fractured condition to a pre - fractured or other desired condition , or both . the three most important properties of expandable structure 86 are the ability to expand its volume ; the ability to deform in a desired way when expanding and assume a desired shape inside bone ; and the ability to withstand abrasion , tearing , and puncture when in contact with cancellous bone 36 . the desired properties for the structure material , and the description for creating a pre - formed structure , are more fully set out in u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 420 , 529 , filed on oct . 19 , 1999 . as shown in fig1 , the expandable structure 86 carries radio - opaque markers 91 located at a distal end 102 and at a proximal end 104 of segmented shaped regions 100 of the expandable structure 86 . the radio opaque markers 91 function to indicate , under fluoroscopic or other real - time monitoring , the location of the segmented shaped regions 100 in relation to the circumferential opening 70 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 . [ 0101 ] fig1 illustrates the expandable structure in a collapsed state ( solid lines ) and an expanded state ( broken lines ). one or more conventional smooth steinman pins 130 or kirschner (“ k ”) wires may be provided to assist in aligning and / or stabilizing fracture fragments , as will be described in greater detail later . the filling material 99 instruments include a tamp 81 as shown in fig1 , and a standard syringe . the filling material 99 is introduced through the syringe and into the fracture reduction cannula 18 . residual filling material 99 may be urged through the fracture reduction cannula 18 by employing the tamp 81 , as will be described in greater detail later . as shown in fig4 a kit 200 is provided , including instruments 12 , 13 , 14 , 16 , 18 , 80 , and 81 . the kit 200 and the instruments contained therein are sterile and are sealed until an instance of use . the size and shape of the access tools and / or expandable structure ( s ) 86 to be used , and the amount of bone to be moved , are desirably selected by the physician , taking into account the morphology and geometry of the site to be treated . the shape of the joint , the bones and soft tissues involved , and the local structures that could be harmed if moved inappropriately , are generally understood by medical professionals using textbooks of human anatomy along with their knowledge of the site and its disease and / or injury . the physician is also desirably able to select the desired shape and size of the expandable structure 86 , the cavity 35 and their placement based upon prior analysis of the morphology of the targeted bone and joint using , for example , plain film x - ray , fluoroscopic x - ray , or mri or ct scanning . the shape , size and placement are desirably selected to optimize the strength and ultimate bonding of the fracture relative to the surrounding bone and / or tissue of the joint . in a typical procedure , a patient is placed under local anesthesia , although general anesthesia may instead be employed . where a fracture 34 is that of a distal radius 24 , a physician makes an incision of approximately one ( 1 ) centimeter on the radial aspect of the distal radius 24 . in an alternate embodiment , one may access the distal radius 24 by an approach through the ulna 26 . the distance between the incision and the fracture 34 is approximately 0 . 5 centimeter . of course , while the present procedure is described in the context of a minimally invasive surgery , various other surgical approaches , including percutaneous , subcutaneous , non - open , partially open and / or completely open surgical approaches may be utilized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention . after making the incision , the physician spreads the soft tissue by using a small clamp designed to avoid injury to nearby nerves , muscles , and vasculature . the physician then acquires the obturator instrument 12 and the handle 13 . the obturator instrument 12 may have at its proximal end 42 a flanged surface 52 that mates with a recess 15 within the handle 13 . use of the handle 13 with the obturator instrument 12 will produce axial as well as radial movement , as shown in u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 014 , 229 , filed on jan . 27 , 1998 . the physician then fits the proximal end 42 of the obturator instrument 12 into recess 15 in the handle 13 , as shown in fig1 . the physician next twists the handle 13 while applying longitudinal force to the handle 13 . in response , the tapered surface of the obturator instrument 12 rotates and penetrates soft tissue through the incision , as shown in fig1 a . the physician may also tap the handle 13 , or otherwise apply appropriate additional longitudinal force to the handle 13 , to advance the obturator instrument 12 through soft tissue . under fluoroscopic monitoring or other real - time monitoring , the physician advances the obturator instrument 12 through soft tissue down to the distal radius 24 , as fig1 a shows . the obturator instrument 12 is inserted distal to proximal from the radial side of the radius 20 to the ulnar side of the radius 20 . the obturator instrument 12 is introduced into the radius 20 . desirably , the obturator instrument 12 is introduced at an angle between minus 10 degrees and 45 degrees to the radio - carpal joint . more desirably , the obturator instrument 12 is introduced at an angle between zero degrees and 30 degrees to the radio - carpal joint . most desirably , the obturator instrument 12 is introduced at an angle equal to the angle of the radiocarpal joint , i . e ., approximately 23 degrees . of course , if desired , the physician may utilize various other approach paths to access the bone , including a dorsal approach . the physician next removes the handle 13 from the obturator instrument 12 and places the proximal end 42 of the percutaneous cannula 14 in a recess 19 in the handle 13 . the physician slides the percutaneous cannula 14 over the obturator instrument 12 , distal end 44 first . the physician then twists the handle 13 while applying longitudinal force to the handle 13 , in order to seat the percutaneous cannula 14 against and / or into the external cortical bone 38 , as shown in fig1 . once the percutaneous cannula 14 is seated in the cortical bone 38 , the obturator instrument 12 is removed , proximal end 42 first . in an alternate embodiment , instead of using the obturator instrument 12 to access external cortical bone 38 , the physician may instead insert a conventional spinal needle , the needle having an outer sheath and a stylus , into the bone . upon puncturing the bone , the physician removes the stylus and inserts a guide pin 108 through the outer sheath . the sheath is then removed and the fracture reduction cannula 18 is deployed over the guide pin 108 . the physician then fits the proximal end 42 of the percutaneous cannula 14 into a recess 19 in the handle 13 and slides the assembly , distal end 44 first , over the fracture reduction cannula 18 , as shown in fig2 . subsequently , the guide pin 108 is removed , proximal end first . after removing the obturator instrument 12 , or the guide pin 108 as in the case of the alternate embodiment described above , the handle 13 is removed from the percutaneous cannula 14 . as shown in fig1 , the proximal end 42 of a drill bit instrument 16 is then placed in a recess in the handle 13 . the preferred size of the drill bit 16 is 3 . 2 millimeters . the physician slides the drill bit assembly distal end 44 first through the bore 60 of the percutaneous cannula 14 . using manual pressure , the drill bit instrument 16 is advanced down to and into the distal radius 24 . as an alternate embodiment , instead of using manual pressure , the physician could connect the proximal end 42 of the drill bit instrument 16 to a conventional motor - driven drill . the physician directs the drill bit instrument 16 to penetrate the cortical bone 38 and the cancellous bone 36 of the distal radius 24 , as shown in fig1 . after drilling through cortical bone 38 and into cancellous bone 36 , the physician removes the drill bit instrument 16 from the handle 13 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 is then inserted , distal end 44 first , into the bore of the percutaneous cannula 14 , as shown in fig1 . the distal end 44 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 extends beyond the distal end 44 of the percutaneous cannula 14 . in an alternate embodiment , the physician may at this point remove the percutaneous cannula 14 , leaving only the fracture reduction cannula 18 in place . in one embodiment , it is preferred to employ a fracture reduction cannula 18 that has screw threads 71 on its distal end 44 as shown in fig9 thereby enabling the fracture reduction cannula 18 to be anchored to an interior surface of cortical bone 38 in response to rotation of the fracture reduction cannula 18 , e . g ., by using the handle 13 . in an alternative embodiment ( see fig8 b ), the physician may employ a fracture reduction cannula 18 that has a blunt , tapered distal end 44 instead of screw threads 71 on the distal end 44 . if such a fracture reduction cannula 18 is employed , the physician may choose to drill a hole in cortical bone 38 in which to seat the blunt , tapered distal end 44 . desirably , if the distal end 44 is blunt and tapered , the fracture reduction cannula 18 may be adapted to rotate independently from the distal end 44 . as another alternative , a cannula 18 a as depicted in fig8 a could be inserted into the targeted bone as previously described , with the teeth 120 anchoring the distal end 44 a of the cannula 18 a to the cortical wall ( not shown ) of the targeted bone region . with this embodiment , it would not be necessary to drill a hole through the cortical wall to anchor the distal end 44 a of the cannula 18 a . in another embodiment , the access path can be made directly through the one or more fracture lines in the targeted bone . such an arrangement minimizes trauma to the fractured bone ( by reducing additional damage to healthier sections of the bone ) and permits the creation of a cavity 35 which extends to each side of the fracture line . the fracture reduction cannula 18 is placed into the cancellous bone 36 of the distal radius 24 such that the circumferential opening 70 is facing towards the fracture , as shown in fig1 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 is checked radiologically to ensure that the circumferential opening 70 is contained entirely within the cancellous bone 38 of the radius 20 . in one embodiment , one or more markings ( not shown ) can be provided on the proximal end 42 of the cannula 18 , allowing the physician to visually gauge the orientation of the cannula 18 . in one embodiment , the fracture reduction cannula 18 is approximately 3 to 4 inches in length . the physician can now acquire the catheter tube assembly 82 for placement into the bore 68 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 . in one embodiment , the uninflated expandable structure 86 carried by the catheter tube measures 12 millimeters in length from its proximal end to its distal end , although structures 86 of varying lengths could be used , including expandable structures 86 of 15 mm or 20 mm , depending upon the size of the patient , the size and location of the fracture 34 , the size of the opening 70 and the cavity 35 size and shape and / or displacement of bone desired . the catheter tube assembly 82 is now introduced into the bore 68 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 . the physician guides the catheter tube assembly 82 through the fracture reduction cannula 18 until the expandable structure 86 enters and lies adjacent to the circumferential opening 70 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 , as shown in fig2 . in one embodiment , the distal end 44 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 is solid , as shown in fig9 thus preventing an expandable structure 86 from emerging from the distal end 44 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 . the placement of the expandable structure 86 within the circumferential opening 70 can be determined by radio opaque markers 91 located on the expandable structure 86 , as shown in fig1 . the expandable structure 86 is passed into bone through the fracture reduction cannula 18 in a normally collapsed and non - inflated condition . the expandable structure 86 is now aligned with cancellous bone 36 . the physician , after verifying that the expandable structure 86 is adjacent the circumferential opening 70 , conveys a pressurized fluid , such as a radio opaque fluid , through the catheter tube assembly 82 and into the expandable structure 86 . the expandable structure 86 now expands into cancellous bone 36 , as shown in fig2 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 desirably directs the expanding structure 86 towards the fracture 34 . progress of the expandable structure 86 is evaluated both on a - p , or anterior - posterior , and lateral x - rays . preferably , the a - p x - ray is used until the distal end 24 of the radius 20 begins to move , at which point both a - p and lateral views are obtained . the pressurized fluid is used to inflate the expandable structure 86 and expand it through the circumferential opening 70 in order to compress cancellous bone 36 and / or displace cortical bone 38 . the expandable structure 86 will desirably form an interior cavity 35 in the cancellous bone 36 , as shown in fig2 . desirably , the compressed cancellous bone 36 will seal any fractures 34 and / or cracks in the targeted bone through which the filling material 99 , to be described later , can flow out of the targeted treatment area . the compression of cancellous bone 36 , as shown in fig2 , can also exert an interior force upon the surrounding cortical bone 38 . the interior force will elevate or push broken and compressed bone back to or near its original prefracture , or other desired , condition . once the fracture 34 is well aligned , it is preferred to introduce one or more smooth “ steinman ” pins 130 or k - wires proximal to the joint surface of the radius 20 and distal to the inflated expandable structure 86 . the pins 130 can be placed across the distal end 24 of the radius 20 and into the distal ulna 30 , as shown in fig2 and 24 - 27 . alternatively , the pin ( s ) 130 can be secured into the radius 20 without penetrating the ulna 26 . the pin 130 desirably prevents the fracture 34 from displacing upon further manipulation of the wrist and / or contraction of the expandable structure 86 . if desired , additional pins 130 can be used to manipulate and / or secure other cortical bone fragments , or can be used to further secure a single bone fragment . in one or more alternate embodiments , the pins 130 can be introduced once a bone fragment has been displaced to a prior position , but prior to completion of the inflation steps . for example , where inflation of the balloon displaces a fragment to a desired position , but addition cavity creation is desired , the fragment may be secured in position using one or more pins 130 , and then the balloon can be further inflated to create a larger cavity 35 and / or compress additional cancellous bone 36 . as shown in fig2 , in one preferred embodiment , the patient &# 39 ; s fingers of the affected arm can be placed in horizontal finger traps 132 , with the patient &# 39 ; s palm facing the treatment table . a rolled towel 133 may be placed under the patient &# 39 ; s wrist . by grasping the finger traps 132 and gently pulling on them , the physician can extend the patient &# 39 ; s arm and thus reduce any pressure that may be exerted at the fracture site . this approach potentially allows for an improved correction of the volar tilt ( 15 degrees ) of the distal radius 24 . if desired , this can be accomplished prior to , during or after fracture reduction has been accomplished . once the interior cavity 35 is formed and any desired pins 130 set in place , the expandable structure 86 is collapsed and the catheter tube assembly 82 , with the collapsed expandable structure 86 , is removed ,. as shown in fig2 , the cavity 35 is now in a condition to receive a filling material 99 through the fracture reduction cannula 18 . the filling material 99 can be any of a number of available bone filling materials , which include , but are not limited to , resorbable and / or remodelable bone cements , calcium phosphates , allograft tissue , autograft tissue , poly ( methylmethacrylate ) or norian srs ® bone matrix . the filling material may be introduced into the fracture reduction cannula by means of a syringe ( not shown ). the filling material 99 progresses through the fracture reduction cannula 18 and into the circumferential opening 70 of the fracture reduction cannula 18 . the filling material 99 desirably provides improved interior structural support for cortical bone 38 . desirably , the filling material 99 extends proximal to any cortical defects created by the drill bit instrument 16 and by the fracture reduction cannula 18 . in one embodiment , approximately two ( 2 ) to seven ( 7 ) cubic centimeters of filling material 99 can be injected into the cavity 35 . after the filling material 99 is introduced , a tamp 81 may be inserted into the fracture reduction cannula 18 as shown in fig2 , for the purpose of urging residual filling material 99 into the interior cavity 35 . tamping of the filling material 99 may also cause the material to interdigitate into the surrounding cancellous bone 36 , further supporting the cancellous 36 and cortical bone 38 . the fracture reduction cannula 18 and ( if still present ) the percutaneous cannula 14 are removed . if desired , any void remaining subsequent to removal of the cannula 18 can be filled with filling material 99 . the patient should be kept immobile for ten to fifteen minutes . after the immobilization , the pin ( s ) 130 and finger traps 132 can be removed and the hand of the patient is checked for motion . the entry site is covered with appropriate antibiotics and an adhesive strip is applied . [ 0128 ] fig2 a and 22a depict an alternate embodiment in which the expandable structure 86 is expanded within the fractured bone to create a cavity 35 which extends across at least one fracture line in the bone . in this embodiment , the filling material 99 ultimately introduced into the cavity 35 can extend across the fracture line and desirably interdigitate into the cancellous bone of the fragmented section ( s ). this will desirably anchor the fractured sections to the bone , thereby permitting the bone to undergo significant distractive and / or torsional loading without slippage along the fracture line ( s ) and / or subsequent refracture of the treated bone . if desired , the disclosed systems and methods could be used with equal utility in reducing and / or reinforcing fractures in bones of younger individuals and / or individuals not having osteoporosis . in such patients , the present systems and methods would allow for an immediate resumption of activity , reducing the opportunity for degradation of adjacent joints and promoting healing of the fracture . the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims .	0
an exemplary embodiment of a clamping mechanism according to the invention is shown in fig1 - 5 discussed below , fig1 showing the clamping mechanism without tubes for better illustration , fig2 showing the clamping mechanism with an outer tube and inner tube , fig3 showing only the expanding element , fig4 showing only the end plug with the adjustment screw and fig5 showing only the inner element or rather the clamping wedge . fig6 shows details of the mechanism for the explanation thereof . in this case , references provided in the different figures designate in each case the identical structural features . in the case of the connecting portions of a length - adjustable tube 10 shown in the figures , in particular in fig2 , an inner tube 11 is guided in the manner of a telescope in an outer tube 12 . to this end , the inner tube 11 is provided at its end 13 that faces the outer tube 12 with an expanding device 15 , by means of which the inner tube 11 is securable in an arbitrary position in the outer tube 12 . the outer tube 12 has on its end that faces the inner tube 11 a circumferential plastics material sleeve 14 , into which the outer tube is pressed and / or bonded . said optional sleeve contributes to better guiding of the inner tube ( the sleeve 14 actually also engages around the inner tube in the region projecting beyond the outer tube over the entire circumference ), it leads to improved manageability and prevents , for example , skin getting caught between the two tube portions during the adjusting operation , and in general it reduces the risk of injury on the sharp edges of the aluminum tubes used . such a sleeve is typically produced from plastics material , for example polyethylene , polycarbonate , polyamide or compounds thereof or rather two - component methods of construction thereof . however , the sleeve can also consist of metal for , among other things , esthetic reasons . the expanding device 15 has an outer element in the form of an expanding element 16 , an inner element 17 , also designated as a clamping wedge , and an adjustment screw or externally threaded rod 18 which typically consists of metal , however it can also be produced from plastics material . the externally threaded rod 18 , which is arranged in the axial direction of the tube 10 , is held non - rotatably by way of its one end region on the insertion end 13 of the inner tube 11 . to this end , the externally threaded rod 18 is inserted into an end plug 19 , screw - connected or integrally molded thereon or the like and is axially fixed and non - rotatably held in said end plug as a result of bonding or the like . the end plug 19 is also axially fixed and non - rotatably held in the inner tube 11 . typically , the end plug 19 has an insertion region which lies completely in the inner tube 11 , as well as a circumferential flange , the outer diameter of which corresponds to the outer diameter of the inner tube 11 , and which serves as a stop for the inner tube 11 when said inner tube is pushed onto the end plug 19 and is connected fixedly to said end plug either as a result of frictional locking and / or an adhesive bond and / or positive locking . the inner element 17 is screw - connected to the externally threaded rod 18 by way of its axial central internal thread 21 . the inner element 17 is provided on the outside with a cone 22 or is realized in a tapered manner . the outer cone 22 tapers toward the free end of the externally threaded rod 18 . the externally threaded rod 18 penetrates the internally threaded bore 21 of the inner element 17 and is connected non - rotatably to an outer stop 26 at its protruding free end . the outer stop 26 is typically formed by a screw head 26 . if the expanding element is realized namely by way of a continuous slot , such a device can be assembled in a simple manner , by , when using an adjustment screw 18 with a screw head 26 , the inner element 17 being screw - connected to the screw 18 in a first step , then the adjustment screw 18 being screw - connected into the end plug , and subsequently the expanding element , widened by the continuous slot 44 , being pushed on sideways . the outside expanding element 16 , on its expandable main body 23 in the region 36 , has a female cone or female taper 27 , the steepness of which corresponds to that of the male cone or taper 22 of the inner element 17 . according to the representation in the drawing , the inner element 17 is received in a substantially play - free manner in the opposed expanding element 16 , the male cone 22 of the clamping wedge being shorter than the female cone 27 of the expanding element . corresponding to the arrangement shown , the female cone or female taper 27 of the expanding element 16 opens toward the inner tube 11 . for example , the expanding element 16 can be produced from a plastics material and the inner element , 17 from a metal or plastics material . as can be seen in particular from fig3 , which shows the expanding element 16 , said expanding element has an actual expanding region 36 , this means the region of the expandable main body 23 , where the conically tapering region 27 is arranged in the interior and , as a result of interaction with the inner element 17 , the actual expanding is effected when the inner element penetrates into the outer element 16 . below , that means in the region connecting in the direction of the inner tube 11 , the expanding element has a cylindrical region 38 which , unlike the region 36 , does not come into contact with the inner will of the outer tube 12 in the clamping state either . in said region 38 , there is now a clamping portion 1 which is realized in the form of an elastic tongue which is directed to the inner tube 11 and has a free end . said portion 1 is formed to some extent from the region 38 by two slots 3 which extend axially offset around the circumference and pass through the axial region . 38 from the side that faces the inner tube in part , preferably approximately by ⅔ - ¾ . thus , a clamping portion 1 is formed which , as it is realized integrally with the rest of the expanding element 16 , is realized in the manner of a spring element or a leaf spring . as during the injection molding method , said element 1 is realized with its free end protruding radially outward , a contact zone 2 is formed in the region of the free end . the clamping element 1 contacts the inner wall of the outer tube 12 in said contact zone 2 as a result of the fact that the radius r 2 ( in the relaxed state ) is greater than the radius r 1 in the clamping region 36 of the expanding element ( in the relaxed state ) and also precisely somewhat greater than the inner diameter of the outer tube 12 irrespective of the clamping state of the mechanism . in order to ensure as good a clamping action as possible in the region 2 , said region is realized with the same circumferential curvature as the inner curvature of the outer tube 12 . in the axial direction , the contact region 2 can be realized either in a straight manner or in a slightly concave manner in order to react to different inner radii of the outer tubes . in this case , when viewed around the circumference , there are two such oppositely situated clamping portions 1 such that symmetrical clamping is ensured . the integral end plug 19 is provided with an inner part 31 , which is held non - rotatably and non - displaceably in the inner tube 11 , and with a collar or circumferential flange 32 which rests on the ring end face of the inner tube 11 . the expanding element 16 is somewhat cup - shaped , the cup bottom 36 having a passage opening 37 which is penetrated by the free end region of the adjustment screw 18 , and not comprising any thread . the cup bottom 36 is movable axially without rotation relative to the adjustment screw 18 . the main body 23 of the expanding element 16 , which is provided on the outside of the circumference with one or several friction linings , coated or the like or can be realized in such a manner as a result of its surface development ( for example longitudinal ribs 40 and parallel indentations 39 lying next to them ) in order to achieve an increased frictional force in relation to the inner circumference of the outer tube 12 , on its end remote from the cup bottom 36 and facing the inner tube 11 , has a cylindrical shoulder 38 with a smaller outer diameter which has already been discussed above . the expanding element 16 is preferably situated consequently so as to be axially movable within certain limits between the outer stop 26 on the free end of the adjustment screw 18 and an inner stop surface 28 . the spacing between the two stop surfaces 24 and 28 is somewhat greater than the axial length of the expanding element 16 between the outer surface of the cup bottom 36 and the ring end face of the cylindrical shoulder 38 . as an alternative to this , however , the outer stop can also be provided , for example , by a circumferential flange , on the adjustment screw which is provided specifically for that purpose and a corresponding rib on the expanding element , and the same applies to the inner stop , said inner stop not necessarily having to lie on the end plug 19 . the important factor for such an embodiment is that the expanding element 16 , during the fixing operation , is displaced in the direction of the free end of the adjustment screw onto a stop , and that once said position is reached , the expanding element comprises a certain well - defined play toward the inner tube such that in the case of a load , i . e . a relative displacement of the two tubes toward one another , the expanding element is pushed even further onto the inner element , the two conical surfaces are pushed further toward one another and the clamping mechanism is secured even further . in two circumferential regions of the outer tube 22 which are situated diametrically opposite one another , the inner element 17 has in each case a wing 41 , 42 , the longitudinally extending end face of which runs parallel to the axis of the pole . each wing 41 , 42 is guided axially in a correspondingly wide slot 43 , 44 of the expanding element 16 . in this way , the inner element 17 when moving axially relative to the expanding element 16 is non - rotatable in relation to said expanding element . the two slots 43 , 44 are provided substantially over the longitudinal extension of the main body 23 of the expanding element 16 , i . e . only extend marginally into the region of the cylindrical shoulder 38 . this also means in other words that the largest radial dimension of the wings 41 and 42 which are located diametrically opposite one another is somewhat greater than the inner diameter of the cylindrical shoulder 38 . the expanding element 16 is provided on its outer circumference with four incisions 40 which are arranged in each case in an axially - symmetrical or point - symmetrical manner with respect to one another , run in the longitudinal direction and extend over almost the entire length of the main body 23 of the expanding element 16 . defined circumferential clamping regions of the expanding element 16 are produced as a result . in order to move the expanding element 16 ( if it has not been threaded in first ) subsequently over the adjustment screw 18 and the inner element 17 , the expanding element 16 has an axially continuous slot 44 at which the expanding element 16 can be radially opened and moved over the inner element 17 and the adjustment screw 18 . in the case of the movement for clamping the inner tube in the outer tube 12 by means of the expanding device 15 , as a result of rotating the inner tube 11 to the right ( in the case of left - handed thread ) or to the left ( in the case of right - handed thread ) and consequently the adjustment screw 18 in relation to the outer tube 12 , the inner element 17 is moved away from the inner tube 11 , the expanding element 16 being moved or pressed first of all in the same direction as far as up to the outer stop 26 . when the inner element 17 is moved further axially , the expanding element 16 is then expanded in the radial direction such that the outer circumference of the expanding element 16 abuts under pressure against the inner circumference of the outer tube 12 . in said state , the expanding element 16 is at a certain predefined small spacing from the inner stop surface 30 . if , then , with the inner tube 11 clamped in the outer tube 12 at more or less high torque , there is an impact - like axial load proceeding from the outer tube 12 which is provided with , for example , a handle toward the inner tube 11 which is provided with a pole tip , on account of the expanding element 16 being clampingly fixed in the outer tube 12 , the inner element 17 is able to move in an axial manner . this means that the inner element 17 moves further into the inner cone 27 of the expanding element 16 , which leads to further expanding of the expanding element 16 and consequently to an increase in the holding force between the inner tube 11 and the outer tube 12 . if such a mechanism is then fully triggered , it can occur that in the actual clamping region 36 , if the inner element has been screwed a sufficient amount with respect to the inner tube , absolutely no contact surface or only a small contact surface to the inner surface of the outside tube is made available . if , then , an attempt is made to secure the mechanism as a result of rotating the inner tube relative to the outer tube , the expanding element is entrained in rotation because it is able to slip along the inner surface of the outer tube so easily . the mechanism can then no longer be secured , but this can be prevented in an effective manner as a result of the above - described clamping portions 1 and of the above - described method of operation thereof . a problem connected therewith is produced if the inner element is rotated too far with respect to the inner tube , or rather with respect to the stop surface 30 that is arranged there . as the inner element has a cylindrical portion 20 , it is then possible that the surface 24 , which faces the stop surface 30 , comes into wide - area contact with said stop surface . the friction occurring in this case can then prevent the mechanism from being able to be secured again . in reality , the inner tube 11 and the adjustment screw 18 must definitely rotate together and the inner element 17 and the expanding element 16 should remain non - rotatable in the same position of rotation and relative to the outer tube . if the inner element is then rotated too strongly when abutting against the stop surface 30 over a wide area , the clamping portions 1 on the expanding element 16 can also no longer provide friction in a sufficient manner , which leads to the case where , when the inner tube 11 is rotated , the entire mechanism including the inner element and the expanding element can still be rotated and cannot be fixed . this can be prevented , as can be seen in particular by way of fig5 , by a projection 25 being arranged on the stop surface 24 on the inner element . this prevents the stop surface 24 moving into wide - area contact with the stop surface 30 on the end plug , as a result of which such overly strong fixing between the inner element and the end plug is able to be prevented . as an alternative to this or in addition to it , it is possible to arrange on the surface 30 of the end plug 19 a projection 28 which essentially assumes the same function . it is quite especially advantageous then when a projection 25 is arranged on the inner element in the form of a ramp which builds up and terminates in an axial closure face 34 , and by a ramp 28 with an axial portion 35 also being provided on the end plug 19 in a manner corresponding thereto . said two ramps 25 and 28 , in this case , are arranged in a relative manner with reference to their inclination and also with reference to their height such that , as can be seen in particular in the perspective view according to fig6 c ), they can move into wide - area abutment in the direction of rotation . thus , there can be absolutely no more contact with the surface 30 and consequently also no friction , which counteracts the mechanism being fixed , can be built up between the end plug and the inner element . so that there can be as advantageous an arrangement of the ramps 28 as possible at the end plug , in an advantageous manner a tapered region 29 is realized on the adjustment screw in the region adjoining the end plug 19 such that the ramps 28 are able to be realized as wide as possible , and that when the adjustment screw is installed there is a certain tolerance . 25 ramp on the bottom stop surface of the clamping wedge , wedge 30 top face of the collar of the end plug , bottom stop for expanding sleeve 31 portion of the end plug located in the inner tube 34 axial stop surface of the ramp on the clamping wedge 39 axial indentation in outer surface of the expanding sleeve 40 axial rib on outer surface on surface of the expanding sleeve r 1 outer radius of outer surface in expanding region of 16	5
an &# 34 ; image &# 34 ; is a pattern of light . an image may include characters , words , and text as well as other features such as graphics . an &# 34 ; image output device &# 34 ; is a device that can provide an image as output . each location in an image may be called a &# 34 ; pixel .&# 34 ; in an array defining an image in which each item of data provides a value , each value indicating the color or intensity of a location may be called a &# 34 ; pixel value .&# 34 ; an edge of an image may be described as a &# 34 ; contour &# 34 ; that may have a &# 34 ; slope &# 34 ; or angle . fig7 shows general features of a laser printer . in fig7 there is illustrated a more or less conventionally configured optical system 100 of a xerographic print engine ( not shown ). the flying spot ros scans a data modulated light beam 112 over a xerographic photoreceptor 114 in accordance with a predetermined raster scanning pattern . to that end , the ros comprises a laser diode 116 for emitting the light beam 112 in the visible or invisible ( e . g ., infrared ) band of the spectrum , together with a polygon scanner 118 that has a plurality of nearly identical , mirror - like exterior sidewalls or &# 34 ; facets &# 34 ; 120 . in keeping with standard practices , there is a motor 122 for rotating the scanner 118 about its central axis , as indicated by the arrow 124 , at a substantially constant angular velocity . the scanner 118 is optically aligned between the laser 116 and the photoreceptor 114 , so its rotation causes the laser beam 112 to be intercepted and reflected from one after another of the scanner facets 120 , with the result that the beam 112 is cyclically swept across the photoreceptor 114 in a fast - scan direction . the photoreceptor 114 , on the other hand , is advanced ( by means not shown ) simultaneously in an orthogonal , process direction at a substantially constant linear velocity , as indicated by the arrow 126 , so that laser beam 112 scans the photoreceptor 114 in accordance with a raster scan pattern . as shown , the photoreceptor 114 is coated on a rotating drum 128 , but it will be apparent that it also could be carried by a belt or any other suitable substrate . typically , the ros additionally includes pre - scan optics 130 and post - scan optics 132 for bringing the laser beam 112 to a generally circular focus proximate the photoreceptor 114 and for providing any optical correction that may be needed to compensate for scanner wobble and other optical irregularities . preferably , the optical aperture of the ros is sufficiently large to avoid excessive truncation of the laser beam 112 because the beam 112 then comes to a generally circular or elliptical focus with a gaussian intensity profile . however , the broader aspects of this invention are not limited to any specific scan spot geometry or intensity profile . accepted design principles indicate that the spatial frequency power spectrum of the scan spot profile should not have significant spatial frequency components outside the spatial frequency passband of the imaging system , but the scan spot can otherwise be tailored to satisfy a variety of system requirements . the amplitude , duty cycle , and / or pulse width of the laser beam 112 is serially modulated ( collectively referred to herein as &# 34 ; intensity modulation &# 34 ;) in accordance with successive multi - bit digital data values . these data values are clocked out of a data source 136 serially in response to data clock pulses which are time synchronized with the scan of the scan spot from bitmap - location - to - bitmap - location within the raster scan pattern . thus , the data clock frequency can be selected ( by means not shown ) to map the data onto the raster scan pattern at any desired magnification , using either the same or different magnifications in the fast scan and the process directions . the data may be preprocessed ( by means not shown ) for the printing of halftoned images and / or text and other types of line art , so the data source 136 generically represents any suitable source of raster data for intensity modulating the laser beam 112 . the drive current for the laser diode 116 is serially modulated by modulator 138 in accordance with the data values that are clocked out of the data source 136 , thereby intensity modulating the laser beam 112 at the data clock rate in accordance with those data values . the fast scan positioning precision of the print engine 100 can be increased , if desired , by dynamically adjusting the frequency of the data clock to compensate for positioning errors that tend to be caused by motor hunt ( i . e ., variations in the angular velocity of the scanner 118 ), polygon signature characteristics ( variations in the angular velocities at which the different facets 120 of the scanner 118 sweep the scan spot across the photoreceptor 114 from a start - of - scan position to an end - of - scan position ), and scan nonlinearities ( i . e ., localized variations in the linear velocity of the fast scan , which are caused by variances in the geometric relationship of the scanner 18 to spatially distinct segments of any given scan line ). in order to print low resolution images on a higher resolution printer , the images must be processed in order to enhance the fidelity and increase the density of the low resolution images . a limited amount of fidelity may be restored to the low resolution image using an image enhancement technique such as template matching . such enhancement techniques generally produce an enhanced resolution output by providing an enhanced bit or set of bits for each bit of the input image . these patterns are also typically dependent upon the characteristics of the photoreceptor of the printer for which the enhanced image is developed . depending on the higher resolution printer desired , different enhancement sets may be desired . for example , on a high addressability printer , enhancement may be made in the fast - scan direction , while on an increased resolution printer enhancements may be made in both the fast scan and process directions . hereinafter , a method for enhancing a 300 × 300 pixel image for printing on a 600 × 600 ( 2 × resolution ) printer will be discussed . as previously discussed , multiple color images may be processed by first separating the image into multiple separations each of a single color , and processing that single color image . as was shown in relation to fig1 - 6 , this independent processing may result in separation errors once the enhanced color separations are recombined . fig8 shows a template set illustrating inverse symmetry templates , which may be used to overcome the problem of introduction of separation errors . the templates are user to indicate pixels which need correction . in the present case , the central pixel of the template is the target pixel for correction . in fig8 template 150 describes a template with a set of pixels 151 of a target color in a near vertical line , with a blank color pixel adjacent to the right of each target color pixel . pixels to either the right or left of the target color edge or the blank edge are undetermined -- they may be either the target color or blank for the template match . template 150 , therefore , may detect a target color pixel line of a single pixel width , or an image feature or the target color with a single width line of another color intersecting it , or an edge of an image feature of the target color next to a blank area or feature of another color . although the template sets are herein described as 5 pixel by 5 pixel templates , clearly other size templates may be used to detect more or less precisely the angle of the contour of the image feature . in the template set herein described , the central pixel is enhanced to correct the image , but clearly other pixel may be chosen for enhancement , depending on the size of the templates and the characteristics of the printer to be used . template 152 shows the inverse to template 150 . in the case of template 152 , the target color pixels 151 of template 150 correspond to blank pixels 153 . each pixel that was blank in template 150 is made the target color . undetermined pixels remain undetermined . template 154 is comprised of template 150 , turned or shifted by 180 °. similarly , template 156 is comprised of template 152 shifted 180 °. as shown in fig9 this ensures that for essentially &# 34 ; straight &# 34 ; lines at an angle , both sides of the line will be corrected by using the four templates . along with each template in fig8 is shown an accompanying correction . in the case shown , corrections are based on a printer of two - to - one ( 2 ×) resolution . the template corrections are inversely symmetrical -- a match with template 152 will give an exactly inverse correction from a match with template 150 . clearly the same inventive principles may be applied to other printers , and the correction values for that particular printer determined . for each center pixel , the high resolution printer will print four subpixels of the values given below each template when a match is made , as shown in fig1 . for example , when template 152 is matched with a feature in the separation image 170 , the output 174 representing the center pixel 172 will be enhanced with the value 0011 , where a 1 designates a subpixel of the target color , and a 0 designates a blank subpixel . fig1 shows a group of near - vertical inverse symmetrical templates 1 - 16 according to the present invention . for each template in the group there is a set of inverse symmetrical templates related to it . templates 1 - 4 match templates 150 , 152 , 154 , and 156 shown in fig8 . fig1 shows a group of near - horizontal inverse symmetrical templates 17 - 32 . fig1 shows templates 33 - 48 for lines at larger angles from vertical and horizontal . along with each template is an accompanying correction for a 2 × resolution printer as described in relation to fig1 . clearly , groups of inverse symmetrical template sets may be determined for lines at a variety of angles , and for features other than straight lines . similar template sets , with adjusted correction values , may be used on different printers . fig1 describes the method of the invention . in the step in box 180 an image is obtained . the image may be a digital image which has been scanned and stored or created digitally . in the step in box 182 , color separations of each color are created . the step in box 184 enhances the first color separation with a set of inverse symmetrical templates . the step in box 186 enhances the second color separation with the same set of inverse symmetrical templates as was used to enhance the first color separation . by applying the same set of inverse symmetrical templates to each separation , it is assured that there will be no separation errors such as overlapping or blank pixels when the color separations are recombined in the step in box 188 . the result of recombining the separations may be stored electronically , or may be performed directly by the printer printing the image . enhanced separations may further be stored separately and combined later at a printer . fig1 describes basic steps in enhancing an image with template matching as described in steps 184 or 186 . the step in box 190 stores consecutive lines of the color separation of the image . this might be , for example , the image portion 10 shown in fig1 . a portion of the stored image is isolated in the step in box 192 , and a window is formed in the step in box 194 . an identifier describing the pixel pattern of the window is generated in the step in box 96 , and in the step in box 198 the identifier is compared against identifiers of known pixel patterns or templates . in the case of the present invention , the identifier of the window is compared with inverse symmetrical template sets . the step in box 200 enhances the central pixel of the isolated window according to the matched template , indicated by the identifier . although the enhancements shown in fig8 - 13 are described in relation to a two - to - one increased resolution printer , the method of the invention is clearly applicable to other printer corrections , as long as the corrections , like the templates , are inverse symmetrical , ensuring that any two color separations without previous separation errors , processed with the same template set , will be enhanced without introducing separation errors . to illustrate the application of the present invention , a portion 210 of a two - color image is shown in fig1 . pixel 212 is on an edge of the r portion of the image . when the area of image portion 210 that is centered about pixel 212 is analyzed in the b color separation , template 150 will be matched . when the area centered about pixel 212 is analyzed in the r color separation , the symmetrical inverse template 152 will be matched . as can be seen from fig1 , the corrections for each of these templates -- 10 and 10 for template 150 and 01 and 01 for template 152 -- cause a complementary correction in each separation where two of the four corrected pixels are made b color , and the complementary two pixels are made r color . fig1 - 19 show a two - color image portion to be enhanced according to the method of the present invention , using the template group shown in fig1 - 13 . in fig1 is shown a two - color image portion 224 , consisting of pixels of g and r colors , surrounded by a border of blank pixels . the border of blank pixels shown in the drawing is for illustrative purposes . an image portion near the outside edge of the image may be considered as if surrounded by white pixels in order to match the appropriate templates . fig1 shows the g color separation 234 of image portion 224 . fig1 shows the r color separation 244 of image portion 224 . when the template groups shown in fig1 - 13 are applied to the &# 34 ; g &# 34 ; separation 234 shown in fig1 , enhanced g color separation 254 , shown in fig2 , results . each original pixel is expanded into four enhanced pixels , and then the appropriate corrections are made according to the template set . the dark boxes delineate pixel subpatterns created as a result of a match with the indicated template . for example , box 256 shows the four subpixels which are produced for the center pixel as a result of a match of template 23 in original color separation 234 . the set of subpixels 258 are created as a result of a match of template 24 . it can be seen from this example that the inverse symmetrical template set further corrects similarly on either side of a line image in the color separation . when the template group shown in fig1 - 13 is applied to the &# 34 ; r &# 34 ; separation 244 shown in fig1 in the same manner as described in relation to fig2 , enhanced r color separation 264 , shown in fig2 , results . fig2 shows enhanced image 274 , created by combining enhanced color separations 254 and 264 . unlike the errors shown in fig6 image 274 has no overlapping or blank pixels caused by separation errors because the corrections made to each separation are inverse symmetrical and complement each other precisely . although described in terms of two different colors , the same template technique clearly may be applied to black and white color separations , or black and other color separations , as well . although the invention has been described in relation to various implementations , together with modifications , variations and extensions thereof , other implementations , modifications , variations and extensions are within the scope of the invention . the invention is therefore not limited by the description contained herein or by the drawings , but only by the claims .	6
the datacenters of the present invention include facilities that are used to house computer systems and associated components , such as telecommunications and storage systems . datacenters contain telecommunication systems to allow users to communicate , manipulate , and store data in controlled and secured locations . datacenters are designed to deliver the necessary energy and cooling required to power each piece of computer equipment . each device in a data center creates heat , and one of the primary objectives of a data center is to provide an environment that allows for the safe operation of each computer component and related equipment . most computer equipment is equipped with methods to remove internal heat to the exterior of the unit . datacenters use different methods to remove the heat from the datacenter building interior environment . by removing this heat , datacenters are capable of providing a safe , controlled environment for the equipment . datacenters of the present invention provide reliable power and a safe , reliable environment by using redundant systems to protect against a failure . the infrastructure systems of this invention include redundant , reserve or backup power supplies , data communications , connections , environmental controls ( e . g ., air conditioning , fire suppression etc .) and security devices . the datacenters contemplated herein are categorized as tia - 942 tier iii . such a datacenter has a demand for power to operate its cooling systems and other equipment that approaches loads from 500 kw - 1000 kw and should be capable of being expanded from 1 mw to 5 mw , using the basic building blocks of the described modular or pod infrastructure system . as shown below , to support such a basic tia - 942tier iii datacenter , the power system infrastructure should include at least : two generator units , two ups containers , one primary switchboard container , one reserve switchboard container and 2 transformer units . such a datacenter preferably includes a cooling system infrastructure of at least : two chiller units and two air handlers . the present invention is directed to a datacenter in which all or a substantial portion of its infrastructure or support systems and components are in a modular or pod - type structure , which can be installed outside of the primary facility housing computers , servers and related equipment . the modules containing the support systems are capable of transport from one location to another , such as from the site of manufacture or assembly to the site of the datacenter for installation and use . the design of the modules is such that modular units can be connected to and / or combined with one another to create a modular system for providing the various infrastructure systems for a datacenter . such modules or pod units typically have a maximum dimension that conforms with intermodal transport requirements ( within maximum volumes for trains , ships and roads ). presently , commonly stated maximum dimensions for a shipment are : 53 feet in length , by 8 feet in width , and by 9 . 5 feet in height . common container lengths are 20 feet , 28 feet , 40 feet , and 48 feet and a typical height is 8 . 5 feet . intermodal transportation is not necessarily a limitation in use because multiple modules can be assembled together at the site of use or equipment can be moved and delivered by means other than intermodal transportation . different dimensions may be appropriate for the various different modules used in the infrastructure system . the modular design here refers to the approach of subdividing a system into smaller parts ( individual modules or containers ) that can be independently created and then used as discrete scalable modules . each module can be an isolated , self - contained functional element which provides the function of a system alone or in combination with other modules . advantages of the modular approach begin with a reduction in some costs , due to several factors including the ability to assemble the components and manufacture the modules off - site , following a more standard design , and readily transporting the modules to the datacenter location for efficient installation , requiring less of a need for customization . since an entire system of the infrastructure is comprised of multiple modules , it presents a more flexible design , enabling easy access for repair , increase in capacity or function by merely adding a new module or updating of technology and other changes by replacing of modules . in the present modular system , performance has been optimized in the manner in which the modules are organized and controlled . modules do not need to be identical , but usually possess some features that are similar and coordinated , to provide attachment or connection , and functional integration into the support system . there are different amounts of similarity and variation among the modules , depending upon their respective function and role in the system . in general , the design of the overall modular system incorporates a balance of standardization and flexibility . some containers in the infrastructure system may require cooling to provide a thermally controlled environment within the container and should be suitably equipped to provide such cooling in a redundancy configuration and operation . the infrastructure can include components that are not included within a module or container . some components not within a module should be protected from the outdoor environment . it is preferred that they be sized and configured to conform or be compatible with modules or containers included in the infrastructure , for creating an aesthetic and functional outdoor site adjacent the datacenter building . for example , it is preferred that the size and shape of chiller units be chosen so they can be installed on a steel platform located above a ups module . generators and transformers may be utilized without a container but should be appropriately protected from the outdoor environment and be installed in a manner suitable for the overall outdoor site plan for the infrastructure components . for example , generators and transformers can be situated on the ground , on a concrete slab , or elevated and secured above one or more of the modules . the equipment and other materials included within an infrastructure module can be pre - fabricated and assembled at one or more off - site locations and then transported to the site of the datacenter for final integration with other infrastructure modules for ultimate connection to the datacenter . since the infrastructure modules are transportable , the system can be utilized as a portable infrastructure system that can be readily removed and moved from one site to another . according to the invention , the infrastructure power system for the operation of a datacenter comprises the following components , installed and located outside a datacenter building : 1 ) primary or main switchboard module , including at least one ats component 2 ) secondary or reserve switchboard module 3 ) generators 4 ) transformers 5 ) ups modules , including a ups component and energy storage devices . preferably , the infrastructure power system is designed to support a datacenter critical load of at least about 400 kw - 1000 kw . the terminology datacenter critical load is used herein to define the power required to provide continuous operation without interruption of computers and related devices . therefore , the critical load includes , for example , the power required to continuously operate computers , storage devices , network equipment , controls and security . it normally does not include the cooling system , since an interruption of cooling will not immediately affect the operation of the datacenter . therefore , the total power requirement for a datacenter is nominally larger than the critical load for the operation of the datacenter &# 39 ; s computer - related equipment . the critical load for most datacenters ranges from 1 , 000 kw to 10 , 000 kw of power . higher load datacenters exist , but are less common . even the higher load datacenters can be accommodated by the infrastructure of the present invention . among the factors that impact the total load for supporting a datacenter are the nature , efficiency and quantity of equipment , the footprint of the facilities and the environmental conditions . the modular system permits flexibility by adjusting the power output by adding or subtracting the power system modules . also , the power system modules provide electrical power on a redundancy basis , e . g . a redundancy configuration of n + 1 or 2n . the power system infrastructure of the invention , during normal operation , conducts the flow of electricity from the utility source through components allowing the electricity to be safely utilized and protected . the normal source of power for a datacenter is electrical power from a utility source . the utility sourced power enters the primary switchboard module or container , which includes the primary switchboard or switchgear . in this application , the term “ switchboard ” is intended to embrace certain well - known switchboard and switchgear equipment . in the datacenter infrastructure the switchboard generally provides several functions . for example , the switchboard provides power availability control through source transfer systems , a distribution of power to multiple loads , opens and closes electrical pathways , and provides electrical protection of said pathways from dangerous circumstances such as overloading . also contained within the primary switchboard container or module are a plurality of automatic transfer switch ( ats ) units . the ats is an electro - mechanical device which can be fed power from the normal , primary utility source or from another energy source . the ats distributes electrical power to uninterruptible power supply systems ( ups systems ). optionally , the ats may also serve other functions of the facility infrastructure , including lighting , appliances , fire , safety and security , and control systems , etc . if the primary utility source of power is unavailable , the primary switchboard module will sense this loss of utility power . loss of power is defined as not only a complete termination in the supply of power but also as power supply fluctuations that are outside of appropriate tolerances , e . g ., frequency or voltage . in the event of a primary switchboard loss of power , the ats senses the disruption or loss of power supply . simultaneously , the ats also senses alternative available power sources in the infrastructure ( e . g ., utility and / or generator power from the reserve switchboard ), recognizes such sources as available , and can cause a transfer of the load to those sources . the ats also has a function in activating the reserve or secondary switchboard and / or reserve generators . when the primary switchboard source of power is lost and if the ats does not sense an alternative source of power from the reserve switchboard , then the ats sends a control signal to the reserve switchboard or reserve generator , to activate the reserve system and supply power to the ats . the secondary switchboard in the secondary switchboard container or module functions as a separate , independent switchboard to act in reserve , in the event that the primary switchboard module , or any of its equipment becomes disabled or inoperable or must be taken offline for servicing or replacement . the reserve switchboard module works with reserve power components , e . g ., the reserve power generator source and reserve transformer power ( from utility source ), and has controls that recognize a failure between reserve power sources and implement transfer operations . this module also provides protective pathways for providing power to the ats units in the primary switchboard modules . like the primary switchboard , the reserve switchboard can also provide distribution of power for other services such as lighting , appliances , security , etc . according to the module system of the invention , the generator and utility transformer modules are usually installed in an outdoor location . the transformers , necessary for converting voltage of utility - sourced power , may be in modules that are installed outdoors on concrete pads . the transformers are electrically connected to primary and / or reserve ( secondary redundant ) switchboard modules to provide power . the size of the generator system is tailored to support the demands of the datacenter including the infrastructure cooling system . the minimum size or capacity of the generators and transformers may be determined by starting with the datacenter critical load and the load demands of the cooling system . preferably , diesel engine generators in outdoor enclosures can be used in the infrastructure of the invention . the primary switchboard module contains the ats units which provide the electrical pathway to the ups module and its ups system . the ats units within the primary switchboard module provide redundant electrical paths to the ups systems to assure redundant power sources . the primary switchboard modules also provide power for the cooling system and other services , such as lighting , appliances , security , etc . in the operation of the power system the ups module or container functions to assure power quality and fast acting control of the power supply . it is involved in the first response to a disruption in the utility power source and immediately transfers power from the energy storage devices , e . g . batteries , which are located in a ups module . ups units are commercially available components . illustrative of ups units that can be used herein are those available from eaton , which provides several types of ups devices e . g .,: ( 1 ) a double - conversion ups , such as the eaton 9355 model or eaton mx models ; and ( 2 ) a double - conversion on demand ups , such as the eaton blade ups model . ( http :// switchon . eaton . com / education / power - 101 / index . html ). each ups module has one or more ups systems and contains controls and sensors for detecting a loss of utility power and for then delivering emergency power from energy storage devices , e . g . batteries , flywheels , etc . generators can take from 9 to 12 seconds to go online and be able to provide full power . in this interim period , the ups system will immediately sense the lack of power and initiate the operation of the stored energy devices . once the primary generator ( s ) are ready to supply power , the load is transferred to the primary generators as an emergency source of power . the ups modules also are integrated to communications equipment to report failures and alarms . the ups modules provide connection points to deliver power through pathways into the datacenter . it has its own coding equipment for providing power to the cooling system in a redundant fashion . these ups modules provide convenience lighting and power for the interim or maintenance period when normal utility power is interrupted . the ups modules containing this equipment can be paired off and linked with one or more containers to provide different redundancy topologies and configurations . several ups topologies are usable in the present infrastructure power system . when a double conversion ups system is used , it can eliminate voltage and frequency fluctuations by modifying incoming power , by first converting the ac to dc current and then back to ac . the ups units also include a bank of energy storage devices , such as batteries or flywheel devices , which are more than sufficient to support the datacenter critical load for a period of several minutes or more . the power leaving the ups system next flows to the datacenter . included in the datacenter may be power distribution units ( pdus ). also present in the data center maybe pdus or separate transformers for reducing voltages to appropriate voltage for servers , computing equipment , security and control systems . for example , the voltage leaving the ups can be as high as 480 volts , which must be converted to voltages of 120 / 208v for it equipment . after the voltage is reduced , it may flow to one or more electrical breakers , which then distribute the electrical power within the datacenter . the cooling system infrastructure must be able to remove heat generated by the servers and other computer equipment from the space within the datacenter building to the outside environment . the computer equipment in general requires limited conditions including temperature and other factors to operate efficiently and without incurring damage . the cooling system must include resiliency and redundancy to assure sufficient capacity to provide cooling under high demand situations due to heightened activity of the computer systems and due to extreme outdoor weather conditions . the system must also include adequate redundancy to protect against loss of cooling capacity , such as caused by component failure , equipment being taken out of service for maintenance or repair or upgrade , and equipment interconnection failure . the cooling system should also be designed with features that optimize use under local environmental conditions and utilize resources and benefits available from the local or applicable municipalities . the infrastructure cooling system preferably comprises one or more of modular chiller plants and one or more air handler unit ( aeu ) modules . the aeus assist in heat removal and air circulation in the datacenter building . the heat removal and air circulation system may optionally be included in a cooling module or can be included in the interior of the building of the datacenter . in datacenters of the present invention chillers are not always used and under appropriate conditions , a desirable internal environment can be achieved with a fan system or an aeu . the chiller plant module utilizes liquid to transport heat from the datacenter to the heat removal devices . the chiller plant modules include one or more of the following components : chiller , pump , cooling tower , water tank , valving , controls , water treatment and piping and manifolds to interconnect . the chiller plant is sized to provide sufficient cooling to support the critical load in a redundant system , so that if a chiller plant becomes inoperable or defective , or is taken offline for servicing , repair or replacement , there exist chiller plant units that will operate to provide sufficient capacity to continue to operate the datacenter . the aeu module utilizes air , rather than liquid to transport heat from the datacenter to the exterior heat rejection or removal devices . each aeu module is sized to provide sufficient cooling for a portion of the critical load needed to operate the datacenter . multiple modules of aeus are used in the cooling system and , when operated in unison , provide a cooling capacity that is greater than that necessary to cool the datacenter . the capacity of the multiple aeu modules includes a redundancy capability and capacity . this means that an aeu module can operate independently of other aeu modules and that there exists ample capacity for cooling if one or more modules fail to operate or are taken offline for repair or replacement . each aeu module preferably contains one or more of the following components : fans , interior heat rejection coil , mechanical cooling device ( compressor or evaporative cooling ), exterior environment heat rejection device ( coil ), a damper arrangement to allow for incorporation of some outside air ( when outside conditions are appropriate ) or for providing heat rejection , optimization controls , an airflow path to interconnect modules and adjacent equipment with the datacenter computer equipment , self supporting structure to enable horizontal configuration for transport and vertical free standing configuration for operation . although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments , it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention . it is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims .	6
fig5 shows a view for explaining an execution of the non - condition branch instruction in one pipeline cycle according to the present invention . in this example , branch target instructions { circle around ( t )} { circle around ( t )}+ 1 , { circle around ( t )}+ 2 are fetched for every instruction . in fig5 a stage of timing ( 2 ), an address calculation ( shown by symbol a in fig5 ) of branch target instruction { circle around ( t )} is carried out in a state of branch instruction { circle around ( b )}. then a branch judgement ( shown by a symbol b in fig5 ) is made based on the instruction code of branch instruction { circle around ( b )}, as to whether or not the branch is a non - condition branch or whether or not the branch is predictable . when the branch is judged to be successful , an address calculation in process state ia ( 1 ) in an instruction prefetch pipeline in a stage of timing ( 3 ) is performed for branch target instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 1 , as shown by symbol c in fig5 and an address calculation is performed in a process state ia ( 2 ) in a stage of timing ( 4 ) for branch target instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 2 ( shown by symbol d in fig5 ). in timing stage ( 5 ), a fetch of first instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 1 of the target side can be conducted . thus , instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 1 following head instruction { circle around ( t )} of the branch target , and also instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 2 following the instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 1 of the branch target , can be carried out smoothly . fig6 shows an embodiment of the present invention . fig7 shows a view for explaining an execution of a general instruction in the embodiment shown in fig6 . fig8 is a view for explaining the execution of a branch instruction when the branch cannot be predicted . fig9 is a view for explaining the execution of a branch instruction when the branch prediction can be performed . 1 of the embodiment shown in fig6 is an instruction prefetch buffer used for instruction fetch , 2 is an instruction register , 4 is a selector for switching an ordinary instruction and branch target instruction using branch judgement circuit 23 , 5 is a branch judgement circuit for an instruction code according to the present invention , 6 is a general register set ( gr ), 7 is a register set ( xr , br , d ) for calculating an address , 8 is an address adder , 9 is a register ( lar # t ) for receiving the result of an address adder , 10 and 11 are flags ( f 1 and f 2 ) for maintaining the result of branch judgement circuit 5 to be matched with a progress of a pipeline , 12 is an address translating circuit for performing an address translation based on the value of register ( lar # t ) 9 , 13 is a register for maintaining a result of an address translation circuit , 14 is the register ( lar # b ) for maintaining the value of register ( lar # t ) 9 without being translated and shifting it by one timing , 15 is a buffer memory , 16 is a register ( par # e ) for maintaining the value of register ( par # b ) 13 to be matched with a progress of a pipeline and to be shifted by one timing , 18 is a register ( par # w ) for maintaining the value of register ( par # e ) 16 to be matched with a progress of a pipeline by being shifted by one timing , 19 is a register for receiving an operand of an arithmetic operation from buffer memory 15 , 20 is a register for receiving an operand of an arithmetic operation from general register set 6 , 21 is an arithmetic logical unit circuit , 22 is a register for maintaining an operation result , 23 is a conventional branch judgement circuit , 30 is a register ( lia # a ) for maintaining an instruction prefetch address , and 31 is a selector for selecting an instruction length of the instruction which is prefetched . the input signals { circle around ( 1 )}, { circle around ( 2 )} and { circle around ( 3 )} to the selector are explained below . signal { circle around ( 1 )} represents an amount of fetch of an ordinary instruction prefetch . signal { circle around ( 2 )} represents an instruction length of the branch target instruction to be fetched in instruction prefetch buffer 1 from buffer 15 by a branch instruction for determining the branch in branch judgement circuit 5 . signal { circle around ( 3 )} represents an instruction length of a branch target instruction to be fetched to the instruction prefetch buffer 1 from buffer 15 by the branch instruction for determining the branch in branch judgement circuit 23 . 32 represents a selector of an instruction fetch address , which operates in the same manner as selector 31 . with regard to signals { circle around ( 1 )}, { circle around ( 2 )} and { circle around ( 3 )} of selector 31 , signal â selects a content of register 30 in accordance with an ordinary instruction prefetch , signal { circle around ( b )} selects a content of register 9 where the branch is determined by branch judgement circuit 5 , and signal ĉ selects a content of register 14 where the branch is determined by branch judgement circuit 23 , respectively . 33 is a circuit for forming a selection control signal based on the result of branch judgement circuit 5 or branch judgement circuit 23 . branch judgement circuit 23 is controlled with a priority whereby the result of branch judgement circuit 5 and branch judgement circuit 23 simultaneously show the branch . 34 is an address adder , 35 is a register ( lia # t ) for receiving a result of an address adder , 36 is an address translation circuit , 37 is a register ( pia = b ) for receiving the result of an address translation . 50 is a decoder circuit for determining in d cycle that the instruction sets a condition code , 51 is a flag for maintaining an output of decoder circuit 50 , 52 is a flag for maintaining the output from flag 51 , 53 is a flag for maintaining an output from flag 52 , 54 is a flag for maintaining the output of flag 53 , 60 is a timing judgement circuit for detecting a timing of a production of the condition code and a branch judgement using the condition code , 70 is a condition code generating circuit and 71 is a condition code flag . for convenience of explanation , three general registers 6 and three buffer memories 15 are shown in fig6 but the general registers 6 are the same device and the buffer memories are the same device . a state of an instruction execution in the present invention is explained as being divided into a case of a general instruction , a case of the branch instruction where the branch prediction is impossible and a case of an execution of the branch instruction where the branch instruction can be predicted , in accordance with three separate sections . further , examples of the branch prediction will be explained following the above explanations . fig7 shows a view for explaining the case where a general instruction is carried out in the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig2 . by referring to fig7 execution of a general instruction , namely , execution of an instruction which is not the branch instruction , will be explained . in this computer &# 39 ; s initial state , an address of first executed instruction { circle around ( 1 )} is set in register ( lia # a ) 30 for maintaining the instruction prefetch address . this address value is “ ia ” designated by symbol a in fig7 . the signal { circle around ( 1 )} representing a fetch amount of the instruction prefetch which is input to selector 31 is “ 0 ” and corresponds to an address of the head region of buffer memory 15 in which instruction { circle around ( 1 )} is stored . at this time , both branch judgement circuits 5 and 23 show a non - branch condition . in timing ( 1 ), the value “ 0 ” of signal { circle around ( 1 )} selected by selector 31 is added by added 34 to the value “ ia ” in register ( lia # a ) 30 and is set to register ( lia # t ) 35 and register ( lia # a ) 30 , as indicated by symbol b in fig7 . namely , this is conducted to fetch a head address of buffer memory 15 in which instruction { circle around ( 1 )} is stored . in timing ( 2 ), an address ( ia ) stored in register ( lia # t ) 35 is translated to a real address by address translation circuit 36 and the result is set in a register ( pia # b , shown by symbol “ pia ” in fig7 ), which is shown by symbol “ c ” in fig7 . simultaneously the amount ( or length ) of instruction fetched by this address appears in signal { circle around ( 1 )} ( the value designated by a symbol “ e ”) and a calculation of the next instruction fetch address is carried out in adder 34 . the result ( the value shown by “ ia + l ” in fig7 ) is set in register ( lia # t ) 35 and register ( lia # a ) 30 , shown by symbol “ d ” in fig7 . this operation is carried out to fetch an address of a region of the buffer memory 15 in which instruction { circle around ( 2 )} is stored . access to the addresses ia , ia + l , and ia + 2l in which instructions { circle around ( 1 )}, { circle around ( 2 )} and { circle around ( 3 )} are stored is shown below . until instruction fetch buffer 1 is filled by a prefetch instruction train , operation of this instruction fetch starts at every cycle ( or with an interval ). the values stored in register ( lia # a ) 30 and register ( lia # t ) 35 are incremented from ia to ia + 2l , to ia + 3l . . . to ia + nl . the value stored in register ( pia # b ) 37 is incremented in this same manner , from pia + 1l to pia + 2l . . . to pia + nl . therefore , by sequentially , in every l address , reading an instruction from an address of buffer 15 in which instruction { circle around ( 1 )} is stored , a pipeline operation is executed . next , in timing ( 3 ), buffer memory 15 is accessed by the value “ pia ” of register ( pia # b ) 37 and the result ( instruction { circle around ( 1 )} in fig7 ) is set in instruction prefetch buffer 1 as shown by symbol “ e ” in fig7 . at this time , if instruction prefetch buffer 1 is empty , because of an initial state , or if the instruction prefetch buffer 1 is not empty , the instruction is stored in instruction prefetch buffer 1 in the order of the instructions in sequence , and when the next cycle starts , the instruction is set in instruction register 2 . in timing ( 4 ), decoding of instruction { circle around ( 1 )} within instruction register 2 starts ( d state ). namely , in accordance with the value of instruction register 2 , general register set ( gr ) 6 is accessed and the value of the register necessary for an address calculation is set in register set ( xr , br , d ) 7 . in this embodiment , the value of the general register of the register number designated by the x 2 portion and the p 2 portion in the instruction code is read into registers ( xr and br ) within a register set ( xr , br , d ) 7 and the d 2 portion in the instruction code is set in register ( d ) in the register set ( xr , br , d ) 7 without suffering any change . generally , the address in instruction register 2 is a logic address . as a preprocess of translating the logical address to a real address , the base address is obtained from general register 6 by x 2 and b 2 of the address portion and the displacement d 2 of the address portion is added to them by address adder 8 . when decoding of an instruction is completed , the next instruction ( instruction { circle around ( 2 )} in fig7 ) is set in instruction register 2 from instruction prefetch buffer 1 . if the instruction which has started is a branch instruction , a branch judgement is performed by branch judgement circuit 5 based on the instruction code or the immediately prior state of the pipeline , and the result is set in flag ( f 1 ) 10 . if the instruction is not the branch instruction , the output of branch judgement circuit 5 is “ 0 ” as set by flag ( f 1 ) 10 . ( execution of the branch instruction will be explained later .) in the next timing ( 5 ), operand address calculation is carried out ( a state ) in accordance with the value of register set ( xr , br , d ) 7 . namely , the value of register ( xr , br , d ) is added by address adder 8 and the addition result ( the value shown by symbol “ oa { circle around ( 1 )}” in fig7 ) is set in register ( lir # t ) 9 . the content of flag ( f 1 ) 10 is then moved to flag ( f 2 ) 11 and in timing ( 5 ) the decode of the next instruction { circle around ( 2 )} starts ( d state ). in the next timing ( 6 ), the value ( oa { circle around ( 1 )}) of register ( la # t ) 9 is translated by address translating circuit 12 , and the result ( the value shown by symbol “ poa { circle around ( 1 )}” in fig7 ) is set in register ( par # b ) 13 ( t state ). the value of register ( lar # t ) 9 is also set in register 14 ( lar # b ). in the next timing ( 7 ), buffer memory 15 is accessed , in accordance with the value of register ( par # d ) 13 ( b state ). the fetch data is set in register 19 . general register set 6 is accessed simultaneously by a signal ( not shown ) obtained by keeping the content of part of the address portion of instruction register 2 until the b cycle is begun and the result is set in register 20 . the value ( poa { circle around ( 1 )}) in register ( par # b ), are set in the ( par # e ) 16 . the next timing ( 8 ) is the operation cycle ( e state ) and the result obtained by arithmetic operation circuit 21 &# 39 ; s calculation of the values of registers 19 and 20 is set in register 22 . namely , the data of buffer memory 15 is , for example , added to the data of general register set 6 . the value of register ( par # e ) 16 is set in register ( par # w ) 18 . in the next timing ( 9 ), a storing cycle ( w state ) operates to store the value of register 22 in buffer memory 15 and general register set 6 . at this time , the value ( poa { circle around ( 1 )}) of register ( par # w ) 18 is used for accessing the buffer memory . instruction { circle around ( 2 )} is executed in accordance with a similar sequence . the general instruction is executed as recited above . it is a matter of course that the access to the buffer memory and the access to the general register set cannot be conducted depending on a definiton of the instruction . ( 2 ) the case of executing a branch instruction where the branch cannot be predicted . execution of a condition branch instruction ( also referred to as a “ branch instruction ”) will first be explained by referring to fig8 . in the case of the branch instruction , the instruction fetch can be conducted in the same manner as in the general instruction case , as explained in fig7 and the decode ( d state ) of branch instruction { circle around ( b )} starts in timing ( 4 ) in fig8 . in this case , branch judgement circuit 5 performs a branch judgement based on an instruction code and an immediately prior pipeline state , and “ 0 ” ( which designates that the branch prediction is impossible ), is outputted ( as shown by symbol “ a ” in fig8 ). address calculation and address translation by general register set ( xr , br , d ) 7 , address adder 8 and address translation circuit 12 are conducted in the same sequence as shown in fig7 . namely , in timing ( 6 ) the value of register ( lar # t ) 9 ( shown by a symbol “ b ” and “ ta { circle around ( b )}”) is subjected to an address translation and the result ( pta { circle around ( b )}) is set in register ( lar # b ) 13 ( shown by symbol “ c ” in fig7 ). in the next timing ( 7 ), namely in b state , the fetch data from buffer memory 15 serves as an instruction for the branch target and is set in instruction register 2 . branch judgement circuit 23 carries out a branch judgement of branch instruction { circle around ( b )} in the b state ( timing 7 ). if the judgement result is non - branch , then selectors 31 and 32 , instruction registers 2 and selector 4 in an instruction prefetch circuit , selects an ordinary process using the same sequence as in the case of a general instruction other than the branch instruction . on the other hand , when the branch is successful , selector 4 selects a branch target instruction which is set in instruction register 2 to start an execution of branch target instruction { circle around ( t )}, as shown by symbol “ d ” in fig8 . where the branch is successful as a result of the branch judgement of this timing , selector 4 selects a fetch data from buffer memory 15 to be set in instruction register 2 . where a branch is not successful , selector 4 selects an instruction from instruction prefetch buffer 1 to be set in instruction register 2 . execution of the instructions { circle around ( n )}, { circle around ( n )}+ 1 , { circle around ( n )}+ 2 , and { circle around ( n )}+ 3 which start following branch instruction { circle around ( b )} is interrupted and similarly , the instruction prefetch sequence which is being executed is also interrupted ( as shown by portion expressed as a pipeline process sequence and as shown by a broken line in fig8 ). when an output “ 1 ” of branch judgement circuit 23 ( shown by the portion designated by symbol “ h ” in fig8 ), selector 31 selects signal { circle around ( 3 )} and selector 32 selects signal ĉ , namely , register ( lar # b ) 14 . signal { circle around ( 3 )} shows the length of branch target instruction { circle around ( t )} fetched in timing ( 7 ) and therefore an address of instruction { circle around ( t )}+ 1 ) following the branch target instruction is outputted at the output of adder 34 . the address is set in register ( lia # t ) 35 in address “ ta + l ” designated by symbol “ e ” in fig8 . the instruction fetch , in accordance with this address , is conducted in timing ( 9 ) ( shown by a portion designated by symbol “ f ” in fig8 ). the decoding of instruction ({ circle around ( t )}+ 1 ) starts in timing ( 10 ) ( as shown by a portion designated by symbol “ g ” in fig8 ). namely , one cycle in which an instruction cannot start is caused between timing ( 8 ) of decode start cycle of branch target instruction { circle around ( t )}, and timing ( 10 ) of the decode start cycle of the following instruction ({ circle around ( t )}+ 1 ), thereby preventing a pipeline operation . in the case of executing a branch instruction where the branch cannot be predicted , the operation of the present embodiment is the same as that of the prior art . if this is intended to be improved , the selection of an instruction between the branch side and the ordinary side is required to be changed so that it does not occur before address adder 34 , but immediately before address translation circuit 36 or immediately before an access to buffer memory 15 . however , in order to achieve this change , a pair of address adders or a pair of address translation cicuits are necessary , thus requiring a great increase in the amount of hardware . this would result in an uneconomical device . the case of an execution of a branch instruction where the branch can be predicted will be explained by referring to fig9 . in fig9 as in fig7 an instruction fetch of branch instruction { circle around ( b )} is carried out and the branch instruction is decoded in timing ( 4 ) ( as shown by the portion designated as symbol “ a ”). in this instance , branch judging circuit 5 performs a branch judgement based on an instruction code or an immediately prior pipeline state and when the branch is predicted to be successful , “ 1 ” is outputted , otherwise “ 0 ” is outputted ( as shown by the portion designated by symbol “ b ” in fig9 ). therefore , as in the case of the condition branch instruction in fig8 an address calculation ( a state ), an address translation ( t state ) and a branch target instruction fetch ( b state ) are carried out in respective timings ( 5 ), ( 6 ) and ( 7 ). in timing ( 8 ), namely in e state , selector 4 selects a branch target instruction by an output ( shown by the portion designated by symbol “ h ” in fig8 ) of branch judgement circuit 23 . therefore , the decode of branch target instruction { circle around ( t )} starts ( shown by the portion designated by symbol “ c ” in fig8 ). a branch judgement is conducted in d cycle of branch instruction { circle around ( b )}. branch judgement circuit 5 outputs “ 1 ” when branch instruction { circle around ( b )} is in d cycle . and then , the output is transmitted through flags 10 and 11 , and in timing ( 6 ) selector 31 selects signal { circle around ( 2 )} and selector 32 selects signal { circle around ( b )}, namely reigster ( lar # p ) 9 . signal { circle around ( 2 )} is a signal designating the length of a branch target instruction which is expected to be fetched in timing ( 7 ) ( i . e ., a value represented by signal “ l ” in fig9 ), and signal { circle around ( 2 )} is added to the content of register ( lar # t ) 9 ( the value designated by symbol “ ta { circle around ( b )}” in fig9 ) in address adder 34 . thus , an address ( ta + l ) of the instruction following the branch instruction appears in the output of adder 34 . the address is set in register ( lia # t ) 35 as shown by address ( ta + l ) designated by symbol “ e ” in fig9 . the instruction fetch using this address is conducted in timing ( 8 ) as shown by the portion designated by symbol “ f ” in fig9 . then , the decode of instruction { circle around ( t )}+ l starts in timing ( 9 ) ( as shown by a portion designated by symbol “ g ” in fig9 ). therefore , when executing the branch instruction where the branch can be predicted , useless time is not created between the branch target instruction and the following instruction . in timing ( 7 ), branch judgement circuit 23 transmits a signal for designating the success of the branch to selector circuit 33 . if as a result of this judgement , selectors 31 and 32 are switched in the same manners in the condition branch , then the instruction fetch of the instruction following the branch target instruction starts again , and thus , the instruction fetch of the instruction following the branch target instruction must be prevented from again starting . in order to prevent this , if a branch instruction enabling branch judgement circuit 5 to output “ 1 ” activates an instruction fetch of a portion following the branch target instruction , it is necessary for selector 33 to prevent an instruction fetch from being further activated by the following branch judgement . however , where the branch is simultaneously successful in branch judgement circuit 23 and branch judgement circuit 5 because of the reasons other than stated above , the condition of branch judgement circuit 23 has priority . this is because the instruction judged by branch judgement circuit 23 is executed prior to an instruction to be judged by branch judgement circuit 5 , and in case of a successful branch of the present branch instruction , the following branch instruction cannot be executed . in fig6 decoder 50 decodes a content of instruction register 2 to detect whether an instruction is for updating the condition code , thereby providing a flag designating whether or not the updating of the condition code exists , so that the flag is sequentially stored in flags 51 to 54 . decoder 50 ′ decodes a content of instruction register 2 to detect whether an instruction is for updating the content of general register 6 , thereby providing a flag designating whether or not the updating of general register 6 exists , so that the flag is sequentially stored in flags 51 ′ to 55 ′. fig1 a shows the concrete circuitry of branch judgement circuit 5 . the output of decoder instruction register 2 is decoded by decoder 80 . decoder 80 decodes an instruction to detect whether the instruction is for a condition branch or for a non - condition branch . further , gate 82 determines that a plurality of instructions which are transmitted in a continuous manner from an immediately preceding stage of the branch instruction , do not update the condition code , and gate 82 ′ determines that a plurality of instructions which are transmitted in a continuous manner from an immediately preceding stage of the branch instruction , do not update the content of the general register . the output of and gate 82 is connected to and gate 84 through and gate 83 . as a result , in the case of a non - condition branch , or in the case of a predictable instruction even in the case of a condition branch , the output of branch circuit 5 is turned to “ 1 ”. and gate 82 in timing judgement circuit 60 determines that all the flags 51 , 52 , 53 and 54 are in a timing for “ 0 ”. namely , and gate 82 detects that a plurality of , for example , four , continuous instructions immediately preceding the branch instruction do not update the condition code . and gate 82 ′ of the timing circuit 60 ′ receives the signal from flags 51 ′ to 55 ′, which correspond to respectives timings of a , t , b , e , and w cycles in the pipeline . the output of and circuit 82 ′ is connected to the input of and circuit 83 ′. and gate 82 ′ of timing circuit 60 ′ determines that all the flags 51 ′, 52 ′, 53 ′, 54 ′ and 55 ′ are in a timing for “ 0 ”. namely , and gate 82 ′ detects that a plurality of , for example , four , continuous instructions immediately preceding the branch instruction do not update the content of the general register for the timings of a , t , b , e and w cycles . circuit 83 next judges that the condition branch is successful and the output of the timing judgement circuit 60 is “ 1 ”. then judgement circuit 81 determines that a specific relationship between condition code flag 71 and instruction register 2 has been established . in this case , the output of and circuit 84 becomes “ 1 ” and then the instruction is determined as the predictable branch instruction . alternatively , where decoder 80 determines that the judgement of the branch instruction should be made based on the value stored in general register 6 , for example , determines that the instruction is a counter branch instruction , further and gate 82 ′ determines that a plurality of , for example , four , immediately preceding continuous instructions do not update the content of general register 6 as recited above , and checking circuit 81 ′ detects that the value of general register 6 is not “ 0000 0001 ” of the hexa decimal number , namely , that the branch is successful because the value of general register 6 is other than “ 1 ”. then the output of and circuit 84 ′ is turned to “ 1 ” and then the instruction is determined as the predictable branch instruction . therefore , when the non - condition branch is successful or when the output of and circuits 84 or 84 ′ is “ 1 ”, or circuit 85 produces the output “ 1 ” and the output of branch judgement circuit 5 is determined as “ 1 ”. therefore , it becomes possible for a branch judgement to be conducted prior to an original branch judgement stage . judgement circuit 81 performs a branch judgement based on information within the branch instruction ( which appears as the output of instruction register 2 ) and the condition code ( which is obtained when the operation result of arithmetic operation circuit 21 is outputted from condition code flag 71 through condition code generation circuit 70 ), when the output of instruction register 2 and the condition code are in a specific relation and the logic of judgement circuit 81 are usually subjected to an instruction definition by respective cpus . therefore , judgement circuit 81 outputs a judgement flag ( bit ) when the branch is successful as a result of a branch instruction , based on the combination of an instruction code , condition code , and data circuit of judgement circuit 81 , as shown in fig1 b . the condition becomes successful by the combination of 4 bits , m 1 , m 2 , m 3 and m 4 , for example , of the mask field of instruction register 2 for the branch instruction and the pattern transmitted from condition codes c 1 and c 2 from condition code flag 71 . for example , when m 4 is 1 and both c 1 and c 2 are ( 1 , 1 ), the outputs of and circuits 90 and 91 become “ 1 ”, thereby producing “ 1 ” output a through or circuit 92 . similarly , when c 1 = 0 and c 2 = 1 and m 2 = 1 ; or c 1 = 0 , c 2 = 0 and m 1 = 1 , the output a of or circuit 92 becomes “ 1 ”. when the output of timing judgement circuit 60 is 1 simultaneously with the “ 1 ” output a , the output of branch judgement circuit 5 becomes “ 1 ”. therefore , even in case of the condition branch , the process can be branched to an address designated by the address portion of the condition branch instruction and the branch can therefore be predicted . fig1 c shows a detail circuit of judgement circuit 81 ′ which is used when the decoder 80 determines that the instruction is the counter branch instruction and which will be explained later . next , an example of selector 33 , as shown in fig1 , is described . in fig1 , numerals 40 and 41 show flags ( f 2 a and f 2 b ), numeral 42 shows an and gate and numeral 43 shows an or gate . in selector 33 of the branch judgement circuit shown in fig1 , the flag 11 in fig6 is further divided into a flag ( f 2 a ) 40 and a flag ( f 2 b ) 41 , and is controlled to be set in flag 40 when the branch instruction is in the “ b state ” and to be set in flag 41 when the branch instruction is in the “ e state ” in accordance with the progress of the pipeline operation . the selction signal of selectors 31 and 32 shown in fig6 is produced in accordance with the truth value table shown in fig1 . the instruction capable of forming a branch judgement based only on an instruction code exists among the branch instructions . this judgement can detect the non - condition branch instruction as stated above and can detect the non - condition non - branch instruction where the non - condition non - branch instruction is included in the instruction set . ( b ) by a relation between a set cycle of the flag set and a branch prediction cycle . this is conducted by detecting that the value of the flag set set by the result of the arithmetic operation , which constitutes information used for branch judgement , cannot be changed from the branch prediction cycle of the branch instruction to the original branch cycle . the branch judgement can then be conducted based on the value of the flag set . it is necessary to detect that the value of the flag set is not changed . in fig1 , the newest value of the flag set in the timing ( 6 ) cycle in which the d state of the branch prediction cycle of branch instruction { circle around ( b )} is carried out is the value updated by the e state of operation instruction 1 . then it is checked whether instructions 2 to 5 are the instructions which do not update the flag set . if they are , the value of the flag set in timing ( 6 ) is the same value as in timing ( 10 ), which is the original branch judgement cycle of branch instruction { circle around ( b )}. therefore , the branch judgement can be carried out in timing ( 6 ). if any of instructions 2 to 5 are instructions for updating the flag sets , the branch judgement cannot be carried out in timing ( 6 ) and is conducted in timing ( 10 ) which is the original branch judgement cycle . the branch judgement uses the timing judgement circuit 60 ( shown in fig6 ) for detecting a timing between the production of the condition code . in fig1 , instruction 1 is for updating the condition code ( flag ) while instructions 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 are not . in the d cycle of instruction 1 , the setting of the condition code is decoded by decoder 50 to be set in flag 51 . the value is set sequentially in flags 52 , 53 , 54 and 55 in accordance with the execution of instruction 1 . on the other hand , instructions 2 , 3 , 4 and 5 are respectively decoded in the d cycle as instructions for preventing the condition codes from being set and the resultant state is set in flag 51 . as a result , in timing ( 6 ), which is the first branch judgement cycle of branch instruction { circle around ( b )}, the setting of the condition code for instruction 1 , i . e ., the existance of the updating is set in flag 55 . however , flag 54 is set so that instruction 2 does not update the condition code , flag 53 is set so that instruction 3 does not update the condition code , flag 52 is set so that instruction 2 does not update the condition code , and flag 51 is set so that instruction 5 does not update the condition code . timing judgement condition 60 judges whether the branch judgement can be conducted based on the condition code in the d cycle by branch instruction b , taking into consideration the values of the above flags . namely , where flags 51 , 52 , 53 and 54 all show that the condition code is not updated , the branch instruction b can perform the branch judgement based on the condition code in the d cycle using branch judgement circuit 5 as shown in fig1 a and 10b . conversely , updating of the condition code occurs after the timing ( 6 ), namely , after the d cycle of the branch instruction b . for example , when flag 52 indicates updating , instruction 4 performs a updating in timing ( 8 ) in e cycle . the branch judgement cannot be conducted by using the condition code in timing ( 6 ). the counter branch instruction performs subtraction of the value of the designated general register and determines that the branch is successful , when the result is other than 0 , and is used for forming a do - loop for a high class instruction . namely , the do - loop is repeated untill a content of the counter formed by the general register 6 and the arithmetic logical unit becomes “ 0 ”, thereby repeatedly performing the branch to a head address of the do - loop . when the value of the counter becomes “ 0 ”, the do - loop is completed and the process proceeds to an address following the last address of the do - loop . therefore , in case of the counter branch instruction , the present invention makes it possible to prefetch the instruction following the branch target instruction of the counter branch instruction , thereby enabling the do - loop to be performed at a high speed . in this type of branch instruction , the value to be subtracted is usually “ 1 ”. thus , the branch is successful where the value to be read out from the general register is other than “ 1 ”. fig1 c checks whether or not the branch judgement should be conducted based on the content of general register 6 . in the branch cycle , the value stored in general register 6 is read out through line 5 ′ ( shown in fig6 ) to branch judgement circuit 5 and then it is checked whether or not the value is “ 1 ”. namely , in the counter branch instruction , the content of general register 6 is subjected to a subtraction . when it is detected by and circuit 93 in judging circuit 81 ′ ( shown in fig1 a ) that the result of the subtraction is not “ 0000 0001 ” of hexa decimal number in case of 32 bit buffer register 6 , nand 94 of the judging circuit 81 ′ output “ 1 ” to be supplied to and circuit 84 ′. therefore , in this case , branch judgement cricuit 5 can perform a predictable branch judgement based on the content of general register 6 . however , in this case , it is necessary to detect that the value of the general register is not changed from the branch prediction stage to the original judgement stage . as recited above , this judgement can be conducted by decoder 50 ′; flags 51 ′, 52 ′, 53 ′, 54 ′ and 55 ′; and timing cirucit 60 ′, shown as a dotted line in fig6 in the same manner as the decoder 50 ; flags 51 to 54 ; and timing circuit 60 . in accordance with the present invention , when executing a branch instruction where the branch can be predicted , there is the possibility that the execution of the instruction following the branch target instruction is kept waiting . though depending on the ratio of the number of non - condition instructions 2 to the number of instructions to be executed , the possibility of the branch instruction being high , greatly increases the total capability .	6
while the present invention is suitable for incorporation into many different types of scroll machines , for exemplary purposes it will be described herein incorporated into a scroll compressor . referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views , there is shown in fig1 a vertical sectional view of a scroll compressor 10 incorporating the lubrication system according to the present invention . generally speaking , compressor 10 comprises a generally cylindrical hermetic shell 12 having welded at the upper end thereof a cap 14 . cap 14 is provided with a refrigerant discharge fitting 16 optionally having the usual discharge valve therein ( not shown ). other elements affixed to cylindrical shell 12 include a transversely extending partition 18 which is welded about its periphery at the same point cap 14 is welded to shell 12 , a lower bearing housing 20 which is affixed to shell 12 at a plurality of points by methods known well in the art , and a suction gas inlet fitting 22 . lower bearing housing 20 locates and supports within shell 12 a main bearing housing 24 , a motor stator 26 , a lower bearing 28 and a non - orbiting scroll member 30 . a crankshaft 32 having an eccentric crank pin 34 at the upper end thereof is rotatably journaled in lower bearing 28 in lower bearing housing 20 and in an upper bearing 36 in main bearing housing 24 . crankshaft 32 has at its lower end the usual relatively large diameter oil - pumping concentric bore 38 which communicates with a smaller diameter bore 40 extending upwardly therefrom to the top of crankshaft 32 . the lower portion of cylindrical shell 12 is filled with lubricating oil in the usual manner and the pump of bore 38 at the bottom of crankshaft 32 is the primary pump acting in conjunction with bore 40 to pump lubricating fluid to all the various portions of the compressor which require lubrication as will be described later herein . crankshaft 32 is rotatably driven by an electric motor including motor stator 26 having motor windings 42 passing therethrough , and a motor rotor 44 press fit on crankshaft 32 and having a lower counterweight 46 and an upper counterweight 48 . main bearing housing 24 includes a bearing cage 50 and an upper bearing housing 52 . bearing cage 50 has a generally cylindrical shaped central portion 54 within which the upper end of crankshaft 32 is rotatably supported by means of bearing 36 . an upstanding annular projection 56 is provided on bearing cage 50 adjacent the outer periphery of central portion 54 and includes an accurately machined radially outwardly facing surface 58 , an accurately machined radially inwardly facing surface 59 and an upwardly facing locating surface 60 . a plurality of radially circumferentially spaced supporting arms 62 extend generally radially outwardly from central portion 54 and include axially extending portions adapted to engage and be supported on lower bearing housing 20 . a step 64 is provided on the terminal end of the axially extending portion of each of the supporting arms 62 for engaging lower bearing housing 20 . step 64 is designed to mate with a corresponding recess provided on the abutting portion of lower bearing housing 20 for aiding in radially positioned bearing cage 50 with respect to lower bearing housing 20 . upper bearing housing 52 of main bearing housing 24 is generally cup - shaped including an upper annular guide ring portion 66 integrally formed therewith , an annular axial thrust bearing surface 68 disposed below ring portion 66 , and a second annular supporting bearing surface 70 positioned below and in radially outwardly surrounding relationship to axial thrust bearing surface 68 . axial thrust bearing surface 68 serves to axially movably support an orbiting scroll member 72 , and supporting bearing surface 70 provides support for an oldham coupling 74 . the lower end of upper bearing housing 52 includes an annular recess defining radially inwardly and axially downwardly facing surfaces 76 , 78 respectively which are designed to mate with surfaces 58 and 60 respectively of bearing cage 50 to aid in axially and radially positioning bearing cage 50 and upper bearing housing 52 relative to each other . additionally , a cavity 80 is designed to accommodate rotational movement of upper counterweight 48 secured to crankshaft 32 at the upper end thereof . the provision of this cavity enables counterweight 48 to be positioned in closer proximity to orbiting scroll member 72 thus enabling the overall size thereof to be reduced . annular integrally formed guide ring 66 is positioned in surrounding relationship to a radially outwardly extending flange portion 84 of non - orbiting scroll member 30 and includes a radially inwardly facing surface 86 adapted to abut a radially outwardly facing surface 88 of flange portion 84 so as to radially and axially position non - orbiting scroll member 30 . non - orbiting scroll member 30 has a centrally disposed discharge passageway 94 communicating with an upwardly open recess 96 which is in fluid communication via an opening 98 in partition 18 with a discharge muffler chamber 100 defined by cap 14 and partition 18 . non - orbiting scroll member 30 further has in the upper surface thereof an annular recess 102 having parallel coaxial side walls in which is sealingly disposed for relative axial movement an annular floating seal 104 which serves to isolate the bottom of recess 102 from the presence of gas under suction and discharge pressure so that it can be placed in fluid communication with a source of intermediate fluid pressure by means of a passageway ( not shown ). non - orbiting scroll member 30 is thus axially biased against orbiting scroll member 72 by the forces created by discharge pressure acting on the central portion of non - orbiting scroll member 30 and those created by intermediate fluid pressure acting on the bottom of recess 102 . this axial pressure biasing , as well as other various techniques for supporting scroll member 30 for limited axial movement , are disclosed in much greater detail in assignee &# 39 ; s u . s . pat . no . 4 , 877 , 382 , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference . relative rotation of the scroll members is preferably prevented by the usual oldham coupling 74 of the type disclosed in the above referenced u . s . pat . no . 4 , 877 , 382 , however , the coupling disclosed in assignee &# 39 ; s copending application ser . no . 591 , 443 entitled &# 34 ; oldham coupling for scroll compressor &# 34 ; filed oct . 1 , 1990 , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference , may be used in place thereof . the compressor is preferably of the &# 34 ; low side &# 34 ; type in which suction gas entering via gas inlet 22 is allowed , in part , to escape into shell 12 and assist in cooling the motor . so long as there is an adequate flow of returning suction gas the motor will remain within desired temperature limits . when this flow drops significantly , however , the loss of cooling will eventually cause a temperature sensor to signal the control device and shut the machine down . the scroll compressor as thus far broadly described is either now known in the art or is the subject matter of other pending applications for patent by applicant &# 39 ; s assignee . the details of construction which incorporate the principles of the present invention are those which deal with a unique lubrication pumping system , indicated generally at 200 . lubrication pumping system 200 includes , in the usual manner , the pump at the bottom of crankshaft 32 in the form of concentric bore 38 which acts as the primary pump acting in conjunction with bore 40 to pump lubricating fluid to all the various portions of the compressor which require lubrication . in addition , lubrication pumping system 200 as best shown in fig2 further includes a debris and contaminant separation system 201 which is comprised of an oil impeller or flinger 202 , an inlet housing 204 and a magnet 206 . as described above , lower bearing housing 20 houses lower bearing 28 which rotatably journals crankshaft 32 . lower bearing 28 is disposed in a generally vertical bore 210 located in lower bearing housing 20 . directly below bore 210 , bearing housing 20 , crankshaft 32 and inlet housing 204 cooperate to form debris and contaminant separation system 201 . inlet housing 204 is preferably an injection molded plastic component which is positioned within lower bearing housing 20 directly below bore 210 . a tapered snap ring 222 is positioned within a tapered snap ring groove 224 to hold inlet housing 204 in position . inlet housing 204 has a centrally located opening 226 extending through it to provide lubricant to the inlet of concentric bore 38 , the primary pump for compressor 10 . the lower surface of inlet housing 204 has a plurality of vanes 228 formed in the shape of an air foil . vanes 228 operate to prevent an unwanted bottom vortex from forming which would reduce the primary pump &# 39 ; s head . impeller 202 is secured within bore 38 by a press fitting or other means known in the art at a position slightly upward from centrally located opening 226 in input housing 204 . thus , impeller 202 is positioned slightly above the bottom of the oil inlet to crankshaft 32 . in the preferred embodiment this distance is approximately 2 to 3 mm . this spacing of impeller 202 leaves the inlet bottom edge 230 of impeller 202 open and unable to support a radial pressure gradient along its bottom edge 230 . a strong recirculation flow develops as shown by the arrows in fig6 which produces an annular vortex along the bottom inside diameter of crankshaft 32 . this swirling vortex would occur to some extent without impeller 202 due to the separation of flow downstream of opening 226 , but the addition of impeller 202 assists in the formation and strength of the vortex . the lower end of crankshaft 32 which includes concentric bore 38 is tapered at 232 leading to a radiused section 234 which then opens into bore 38 . the tapered , radiused shaft end reduces squeeze film pressure reduction during the start - up , upward jump of crankshaft 32 . debris and contaminants swirling in this strong vortex experience outward acceleration forces and move downward out of the vortex and into an inlet area 240 formed between crankshaft 32 and inlet housing 204 . the separated debris and contaminants are then centrifugally pulled into the shear area 242 between the bottom of rotating crankshaft 32 and the top surface of the stationary inlet housing 204 . impeller 202 imparts some of the circumferential swirl to the lubricant and the lubricant located between crankshaft 32 and inlet housing 204 will swirl at a reduced speed to that of crankshaft 32 . centrifugal force moves the separated debris and contaminants outward to the plurality of funnel shaped orifices 244 formed by inlet housing 204 and an annular wall 246 formed in lower bearing housing 20 . annular wall 246 forms the outer surface of the plurality of orifices 244 while a plurality of funnel shaped undercuts 248 formed in the outer surface of inlet housing 204 complete the formation of the plurality of funnel shaped orifices 244 . the plurality of funnel shaped orifices 244 direct this debris and contaminants to a holding chamber 250 formed between lower bearing housing 20 and inlet housing 204 . the debris and contaminants move through funnel shaped orifices 244 due to the forces of gravity . this movement is also assisted by micro vortices that form in each of the plurality of funnel shaped orifices 244 . once the debris and contaminants enter holding chamber 250 they are dispersed by both the micro vortices in orifices 244 and the vibration of compressor 10 . magnetic particles such as cast iron will attach to magnet 206 disposed within holding chamber 250 . the volume of chamber 250 is sized to hold the normal amount of debris and contaminants encountered during the normal operational life of compressor 10 . with the debris and contaminants now being located within holding chamber 250 , it is now important to prevent this collected debris and contaminants from being &# 34 ; blown out &# 34 ; during liquid flashing from defrost or liquid start - up conditions . funnel shaped orifices 244 terminate in a relatively small diameter hole 252 which preferably is approximately 0 . 035 inches in diameter at the small end of the funnel . this small diameter hole 252 is restrictive to the &# 34 ; blowing out &# 34 ; of the debris and contaminants . in addition , the &# 34 ; flash off &# 34 ; of the damper volume in a chamber 254 defined by crankshaft 32 and lower bearing housing 20 provides a back pressure which allows pressure within holding chamber 250 to gradually boil off and thus be less of a disturbance to the material located within holding chamber 250 . debris and contaminant separation system 201 is an inertial type of separator . it is capable of separating very fine particles from the lubricant (& lt ; 0 . 001 &# 34 ;). system 201 will catch silt that a prior art screen or filter will not . while it is to be understood that separation system 201 cannot catch all of the debris and contaminants on the first pass , continuous passes through compressor 10 will eventually clean the lubricant . also , oil flow near the centerline of crankshaft 32 is unaffected by the vortex thus leading to the requirement of continuous passes of the lubricant . to aid in the cleaning of the lubricant , a fine mesh lubricant screen 260 is installed inside bore 38 of crankshaft 32 to catch the larger particles of debris . preferably the screen 260 is a fine # 150 mesh screen capable of stopping particles greater than 0 . 004 inches in diameter . screen 260 is geometrically designed with a large number of sharp pointed folds to maximize the area of screen 260 and thus reduce the flow loss . this design of screen 260 also aids in the trapping of the debris . since screen 260 is rotating with crankshaft 32 , debris will move toward the outer part of the fold and pack into that area . screen 260 is capable of trapping the larger sizes of particles but it will not be able to trap the finer particles . thus screen 260 serves to minimize the amount of circulated debris while debris and contaminant separation system 201 works to eliminate all forms of debris . operation of the pumping system begins with the lubricant located in the bottom of shell 12 . as crankshaft 32 is rotated , concentric bore 38 begins pumping lubricant from the bottom of shell 12 through bore 38 through bore 40 , throughout compressor 10 and back into the bottom of shell 12 through various ports ( not shown ). the lubricant leaves the bottom of shell 12 , works its way through the plurality of vanes 228 of inlet housing 204 . the lubricant continues up and through opening 226 in inlet housing 204 . a portion of the lubricant proceeds up bore 38 while a second portion is caught by the strong vortex created by impeller 202 . the oil caught in the strong vortex by impeller 202 goes through the lubricant cleaning process as described above . while the above detailed description describes the preferred embodiment of the present invention , it should be understood that the present invention is susceptible to modification , variation and alteration without deviating from the scope and fair meaning of the subjoined claims .	5
the invention is useful in lifting the chassis and increasing the wheel torque of light off road four - wheel drive vehicles such as the utv illustrated in fig1 . the illustrated vehicle is originally manufactured by john deere and marketed as a model rsx 850i . it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is applicable to vehicles of other manufacturers . the invention provides a portal box system , available as a kit , that replaces a vehicle &# 39 ; s original wheel hub assemblies . the kit can include four portal boxes 10 and associated backing plates 11 . fig2 and 3 illustrate a typical portal box 10 and backing plate 11 . the backing plate 11 at each wheel 12 ( fig1 ) can be identical or essentially identical . each backing plate 11 is provided with upper and lower mounting brackets 16 , 17 . preferably , the backing plate 11 is a steel plate , for example , 1 / 4 inch thick . the brackets 16 , 17 , made of 1 / 2 inch steel plate , for example , are attached to the plate 11 preferably by welding . referring to fig4 , the upper bracket 16 can have a hole 18 for attaching an upper ball joint 19 and a hole 20 ( fig2 ) for attaching a steering rod end 21 . similarly , the lower bracket 17 has a hole 22 for securing a lower ball joint stud 23 . referring to fig5 , at a rear axle , an upper bracket 26 has a hole 27 for receiving an upper ball joint stud 28 and a lower bracket 29 has a hole for receiving a lower ball joint stud . a third bracket 31 welded to the backing plate 11 receives the stud of a rod end of a track bar 32 . the backing plate 11 and associated mounting brackets are preferably planar elements cut or stamped from steel plate . it will be seen that the backing plate 11 , which has four major perimeter edges that lie in a common imaginary rectangle , can be reversed side - for - side to serve both sides of the vehicle 15 . the backing plate 11 has the same orientation on each side of the vehicle 15 . similarly , the mounting brackets 16 , 17 , 26 , 29 and 31 can be reversed when they are attached to a respective backing plate 11 to serve the opposite side of the vehicle 15 . a large clearance hole 36 is cut in the backing plate 11 for the output shaft of the cv joint of the vehicle &# 39 ; s axle or half shaft . a small clearance hole 37 is provided in the backing plate 11 for access to a lubricant fill plug in an inboard face of the portal box 10 . four spaced portal box mounting bolt holes 38 are provided about the periphery of the plate 11 . the portal box housing comprises a case 41 and a cover 42 . preferably , both the case 41 and cover 42 are machined metal bodies , preferably of high strength 6061 aluminum . the illustrated case 41 is machined from a solid block of spaced aluminum ; alternatively , the case can be cast or forged to a rough configuration , and then finish machined . the case 41 has a rear or inboard main wall 43 and an integral peripheral wall 44 . a face 45 of the peripheral wall 44 lies in a plane parallel to the plane of the main wall 43 . the peripheral wall 44 forms a space for receiving meshed spur gears 46 - 48 . circular recesses 51 , 52 are formed in an inside face of the case wall 43 to receive and support bearings 53 , 54 that rotationally support respective gears 46 - 48 . a recess and bearing for a gear 47 exists in the wall 43 but it is not seen in the plane of fig3 . an aperture 56 in the case wall 43 receives the cv output shaft 57 of an associated axle . the peripheral wall 44 has a set of through holes 58 alignable with the mounting holes 38 in the backing plate 11 . internally threaded holes 59 are provided in the peripheral wall 44 at mid - height . all of the holes 58 , 59 have an integral concentric boss 60 extending outwardly of the peripheral wall face 45 . the cover 42 is a flat plate proportioned to mate with the face 45 of the peripheral case wall 44 . the cover has holes 62 that fit closely over the bosses 60 and thereby register the cover with the case 41 . an inside face of the cover 42 is machined with recesses ( fig3 ) to receive and support bearings 66 , 67 in alignment with the recesses 51 , 52 in the case wall 43 . the recess for the bearing of the gear 47 is not seen in the plane of fig3 . at an upper region , the cover 42 has a clearance hole 68 for receiving the outboard end of the cv shaft 57 . tapped holes 69 for screws ( not shown ) hold a cap 70 over the hole 68 . a clearance hole 71 in the cover 42 concentric with the bearing recess 67 allows passage of an output shaft 72 . at its outer face , the cover 42 is provided with an elongated recess 73 for receiving a brake caliper bracket ( fig2 ). the bracket 74 has holes 75 that align with two of the holes 62 in the cover 42 and one of the holes 38 in the backing plate 11 . the upper gear 46 is the input gear to the gear train or set . the gear 46 has an internal spline cut to match the exterior spline on the cv output shaft 57 of the vehicle 5 . the gear 46 has integral hollow stub shafts 77 on both of its sides . the stub shafts 77 are supported in bearings 53 . an idler gear 47 has coaxial stub shafts 78 ( only one is seen in fig2 ) supported in bearings in the case wall 43 and cover 42 . the output gear 48 is internally splined and fits on an external spline of the output shaft 72 . the output shaft is rotationally supported in the bearings 54 , supported in the case wall 43 and cover 42 . it will be seen that the centers of the input gear 46 and output shaft 72 are vertically aligned so that a wheel 12 mounted on the output shaft is dropped vertically from the original vehicle axle represented by the cv output shaft 57 . moreover , the pitch diameter of the output gear 48 is substantially larger than the input gear 46 so as to multiply the torque available at the output shaft 72 . the cover 42 , case 41 , and backing plate 11 are held together by bolts 81 assembled through respective holes in these components . commercially available seals ( not shown ) are provided at the case wall aperture 56 and the cover hole 71 to exclude dirt , dust , and to contain lubricant within the case 41 . a gasket is provided between the cover 42 and case face 45 ; similarly , a gasket is provided between the cap 70 and cover 42 . an internally splined wheel hub 82 is retained on an external spline of the output shaft 72 by a nut 83 threaded on the distal end of the output shaft . the portal boxes 10 on the left front and left rear axles are identical ; the front and rear portal boxes 10 on the right side are identical to each other and are mirror images of the portal boxes on the left . internally , the gears 46 - 48 are identical on the left and right sides of the vehicle 5 . it is expected that the disclosed portal box system can be used with a variety of popular light off road vehicles offered by different manufacturers . the portal boxes 10 are readily adapted to the vehicles by providing suitable brackets as substitutes for he disclosed brackets 16 , 17 , 26 , 29 , and 31 or their equivalents , that can mate with the suspension arms of a particular vehicle . the backing plate 11 is exceptionally versatile since it can accept essentially any suspension , steering and stabilizing bracketry existing on a particular manufacturer &# 39 ; s vehicle . it should be evident that this disclosure is by way of example and that various changes may be made by adding , modifying or eliminating details without departing from the fair scope of the teaching contained in this disclosure . the invention is therefore not limited to particular the backing plate 11 and associated mounting brackets are preferably following claims are necessarily so limited .	1
embodiments of a method for isolation region fabrication for replacement gate processing , and an ic including isolation regions , are provided , with exemplary embodiments being discussed below in detail . instead of placing isolation regions at sti region boundaries , isolation regions may replace sti regions , as is described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 12 / 951 , 575 ( anderson et al . ), filed nov . 22 , 2010 , which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety . a relatively dense , low - capacitance ic may be formed by replacement gate ( i . e ., gate - last ) processing through use of a block mask that selectively allows removal of active silicon in a gate opening to form an isolation region . the active silicon is removed in a manner that is self - aligned to the dummy gate , such that there is no overlap of gate to active area and hence minimal capacitance penalty . fig1 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of a method 100 of isolation region fabrication for replacement gate processing . fig1 is discussed with reference to fig2 - 7 . first , in block 101 of fig1 , a semiconductor structure including dummy gates , source / drain regions , spacers , is formed on a substrate using regular semiconductor processing techniques , and an interlevel dielectric layer ( ild ) is formed over the dummy gates . the semiconductor structure may also include raised source / drain regions located on either side of the dummy gates underneath the spacers is some embodiments . the semiconductor structure may include any appropriate semiconductor structure that includes dummy gates , including but not limited to a fin field effect transistor ( finfet ) structure . an embodiment of such a semiconductor structure 200 a is shown in fig2 a . the substrate is a silicon - on - insulator substrate , including bottom silicon layer 201 , buried oxide ( box ) layer 202 , and top silicon layer 203 . dummy gates 204 are located on top silicon layer 203 . in some embodiments , a gate dielectric layer 207 is formed underneath each dummy gate 204 . the dummy gate structure 204 may be polysilicon in some embodiments . the gate dielectric layer 207 may be any appropriate dielectric material , and in some embodiments may include a bottom dielectric layer and a top metal layer . spacers 205 are formed on either side of the dummy gates 204 . fig2 b shows a top view of an embodiment of the semiconductor structure 200 a of fig2 a in which the top silicon layer 203 has been patterned to form fins for finfets . in the semiconductor structure 200 b of fig2 b , the dummy gates 204 wrap around and cover the fins that comprise top silicon layer 203 . after formation of the dummy gates 204 , as shown in fig3 , ild 301 is formed over the dummy gates 204 and spacers 205 , and ild 301 is planarized such that the top surfaces of dummy gates 204 are exposed . returning to method 100 , in block 102 , a block mask is applied to the top surface of the dummy gates and the ild , and the block mask is patterned to selectively expose the dummy gates that are to become isolation regions . the block mask may comprise , for example , photoresist . fig4 shows an embodiment of the semiconductor structure 200 a after application and patterning of photoresist 401 to form the block mask , which exposes a dummy gate 402 . then , turning again to method 100 , in block 103 , the exposed dummy gate is removed , and the portion of the top silicon layer located underneath the removed dummy gate is etched down to the box layer to form an isolation region recess . fig5 shows an embodiment of a device including an isolation region recess 501 . the etch used to remove exposed dummy gate 402 and its respective gate dielectric layer 207 , and to form the recess 501 in top silicon layer 203 , may be a sequential multistage etch . the sequential multistage etch may have 3 or 4 different stages depending on the materials that make up dummy gate 204 and gate dielectric layer 207 . in embodiments in which the dummy gate 402 is polysilicon , dummy gate 402 may be removed using a dry etch such as a bromine - based etch . the respective gate dielectric layer 207 may next be removed using a wet etch , such as a hydrofluoric etch for example . in embodiments in which respective gate dielectric layer 207 includes a bottom dielectric layer and a top metal layer , the etch to remove the gate dielectric layer 207 may be a 2 - stage etch . then , the recess 501 may be formed in the top silicon layer 203 using a dry etch such as a bromine - based etch to etch down to box layer 202 . next , in method 100 of fig1 , in block 104 , the recess that was formed during the etch performed in block 103 is filled with an insulating material to form the isolation region , and the top surface of the insulating material is planarized such as is shown in fig6 . in fig6 , the recess 501 is filled with an insulator , and the top surface of the insulator is planarized , to form isolation region 601 . the insulator that comprises isolation region 601 may include silicon dioxide or silicon nitride in various embodiments . then , flow of method 100 proceeds to block 105 , in which a hardmask layer is formed over the isolation region and the photoresist is removed . fig7 shows an embodiment of a hardmask layer 701 formed over the isolation region 601 . the hardmask layer 701 may be silicon nitride . the photoresist 401 is also removed to expose the top surfaces of the remaining dummy gates 204 . lastly , in block 106 of method 100 of fig1 , replacement gate processing is performed on the remaining dummy gates , resulting in an ic device including electrical devices separated by isolation regions . an example of an ic device 800 including an isolation region 601 between two active devices is shown in fig7 . dummy gates 204 have been replaced with gate stacks 801 to form active fets 802 , including gate stacks 801 , gate dielectric layer 207 , spacers 205 , and source / drain and channel regions located underneath the devices in the top silicon layer 203 . the active fets 802 may include raised source / drain regions ( not shown ) located under the spacers 205 in some embodiments . the active fets 802 are separated by the isolation region 601 , which extends down to box layer 202 , preventing electrical leakage between active fets 802 . the hardmask layer 701 acts to protect the isolation region 601 during the replacement gate processing . the hardmask layer 701 may be left on the device 800 in some embodiments , or in other embodiments the hardmask layer 701 may be removed after replacement gate processing is completed . fig2 a - 8 are shown for illustrative purposes only ; a device formed using method 100 may include any appropriate number , type , and layout of fets separated by any appropriate number and layout of isolation regions . for example , in some embodiments , two active devices in a semiconductor structure may have two isolation regions located between the two active devices . also , in some embodiments , the gate dielectric layer that is initially formed underneath the dummy gate may be replaced during the replacement gate processing . the finished active devices may comprise finfets in some embodiments , or any other appropriate type of active device that may be formed by replacement gate processing in other embodiments . the technical effects and benefits of exemplary embodiments include formation of an ic having relatively high device density and low capacitance through replacement gate processing . the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention . as used herein , the singular forms “ a ”, “ an ”, and “ the ” are intended to include the plural forms as well , unless the context clearly indicates otherwise . it will be further understood that the terms “ comprises ” and / or “ comprising ,” when used in this specification , specify the presence of stated features , integers , steps , operations , elements , and / or components , but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features , integers , steps , operations , elements , components , and / or groups thereof . the corresponding structures , materials , acts , and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure , material , or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed . the description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description , but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed . many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention . the embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application , and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated .	7
please refer to fig3 , which is an embodiment of an analog pll for rapid lock - in . as shown in fig3 , the analog pll 30 includes a pfd 300 , a vco / ico 320 , a charge pump 340 , a loop filter 350 , a divider 330 , and a lock - in actuator circuit 360 . the pfd 300 is used to compare a phase difference between a feedback signal f i and a reference signal f r and output a phase difference signal s 1 according to the phase / frequency of the input signals . generally the phase difference signal s 1 may be classified as an up signal or a down signal whose signal value and time difference represent the magnitude of phase difference of the feedback signal f i and reference signal f r . representation is not limited to the up signal and down signal , but since the meanings of other representations are similar , they will not be described herein . the charge pump 340 is used to output a signal s 2 according to the phase difference signal s 1 , the signal s 2 corresponding to the phase difference between the feedback signal f i and reference signal f r . the loop filter 350 comprising capacitance elements and resistance elements is mainly used for filtering . it also receives a lock - in signal s 31 from the lock - in actuator circuit 360 , and outputs a corresponding reference voltage signal s 4 according to the lock - in signal s 31 ( and the signal s 2 if necessary ). the vco / ico 320 outputs a corresponding phase - locked output signal f o according to the reference voltage signal s 4 . the divider 330 is used to divide the phase - locked output signal f o into the feedback signal f i according to a frequency division control signal s 5 generated from the lock - in actuator circuit 360 , when a relationship of multiple frequency exists between frequencies of the phase - locked output signal f o and reference signal f r . in some cases , when frequencies of the phase - locked output signal f o and the reference signal f r are meant to be the same , this divider 330 is a redundant element and may be omitted . since an intended voltage signal is directly given by using the operation to get a target operating frequency , the oscillations in the pll system may be reduced , such that the lock - in state may be achieved rapidly . the lock - in actuator circuit 360 is additionally added for feedback mechanisms . the phase - locked output signal f o generated by the vco / ico 320 returns to the lock - in actuator circuit 360 via the loop , i . e . signal s fo , and the lock - in signals s 31 , s 32 will then be generated by the lock - in actuator circuit 360 . the lock - in signal s 31 may generate the reference voltage signal s 4 corresponding to the lock - in signals through the loop filter 350 . after the reference voltage signal s 4 inputs vco / ico 320 , a corresponding phase - locked output signal f o is then generated . by performing appropriate circuit design modifications , the vco / ico 320 may also be controlled directly by using the lock - in signal s 32 to generate the corresponding phase - locked output signal f o . the numerous modifications should be well known to those skilled in the art , and are thus omitted herein . please refer to fig4 , which is a corresponding diagram of frequencies of the reference voltage signal and the phase - locked output signal . in the drawing , there are two reference voltage signals v 1 and v 2 on the horizontal axis , which respectively correspond to frequencies f 1 and f 2 of the phase - locked output signal on the vertical axis , and a line may be obtained by linearly connecting intersection points ( v 1 , f 1 ) and ( v 2 , f 2 ). a desired operating frequency , that is , the frequency f o of the phase - locked output signal f o , may be found by using interpolation or extrapolation , and the frequency f o of the phase - locked output signal corresponds to a voltage value , i . e . a desired target reference voltage signal ( v vco / ico ) according to the linear relationship in the drawing . thus , the phase - locked output signal f o of the operating frequency may be directly obtained after a reference voltage signal v vco / ico passes through the vco / ico 320 . the interpolation or extrapolation used here will not be limited to linear ones , since according to individual circuit characteristics , using curvilinear interpolation / extrapolation , look - up tables , or even pre - calculations of provided parameters that include voltage , frequency , . . . etc ., should also fall within the scope of the present invention . since the rapid lock - in function provided by the present invention may perform an auto - calibration to adapt changes due to temperature and voltage shift during process , the system may be able to achieve the lock - in state without having to experience many oscillation periods . please refer to fig5 , which is a corresponding diagram of frequency to period of a reference signal . in fig5 , the horizontal axis represents the time , and the vertical axis represents the frequency , and comparing with what is shown in fig2 , the rapid lock - in function of the present invention enters into the lock - in state immediately within an extremely short period of time , that is , to directly reach frequency f o to which the set voltage corresponds . please refer to fig6 , which is a corresponding diagram of frequency to period of a reference signal . similar to fig5 , the originally set voltage enters into the re - set voltage directly , that is , the frequency is directly set from f 1 to f 2 . the lock - in actuator circuit 360 as shown in fig3 , is used to perform a temporal feature measurement according to the reference signal f r . a desired frequency or phase is calculated according to the result of the temporal feature measurement . since the purpose of the temporal feature measurement is only to obtain temporal features of the reference signal f r , length of the captured reference signal need not be limited in the process of sampling . whether shorter than , equal to , or longer than one period , a signal length capable of providing adequate feature meanings may substantially be considered as a reference for the capturing length . furthermore , changes can be made according to different accuracy requirements , such that the desired value of the lock - in frequency may be obtained to enter into the lock - in state rapidly . in addition to the above mentioned calculating mechanism , another method for frequency setting is further provided in the pll 30 . when pursuing a specific frequency , if possible upper and lower limits of the frequency have been known , the phase lock output frequency f o to which the reference voltage signal v vco / ico corresponds may be directly set as represented by formula ( 1 ). in formula ( 1 ), f o represents the set frequency of the phase - locked output signal ; f max represents the possible upper limit of the frequency ; and f min represents the possible lower limit of the frequency . although achieving the lock - in state by using formula ( 1 ) will not be as rapid as the ones adopted in the lock - in actuator circuit 360 of the previous embodiments , however , the time used for achieving such a state can be effectively shortened . in the process of setting , a change in respective weightings of f max and f min may also be made according to personal experience , having no need of setting to an average value of f max and f min . a specific frequency value between the possible upper limit f max and lower limit f min can be obtained by the circuit designer according to circuit characteristics and personal experience as the set frequency f o of the desired phase - locked output signal . please refer to fig7 , which is an embodiment of a digital pll for rapid lock - in . as shown in fig7 , the digital pll 70 includes a pfd 700 , a phase difference quantizer 710 , a dco 720 , a divider 730 , and a lock - in actuator circuit 760 . the dco 720 further includes a controller 721 , a clock generator 722 , and a phase switching unit 723 . the digital pll shown in fig7 is only an embodiment of the invention , alterations like uniting pfd 700 and phase difference quantizer 710 as a single unit or providing only up and down signals to the dco 720 should be well known to those skilled in the art , and are thus omitted herein . the pfd 700 is used to compare the feedback signal f i with the reference signal f r and output a level signal according to f i and f r . the level signal is generally divided into an up signal and a down signal . the phase difference quantizer 710 is used to output the magnitude of the phase difference as a count signal pe in a manner of digital quantization according to the signal value and time difference of the reference signal f r and the feedback signal f i . in the present embodiment , both the pfd 700 and the phase difference quantizer 710 are located in the same device , and thereby can receive both the reference signal f r and the feedback signal f i ( i . e . the phase - locked output signal ), and the up level signal , the down level signal , and the count signal pe may be simultaneously input to the dco 720 . however , in another embodiment , the count signal pe can be derived from corresponding up and down signals , the phase difference quantizer 710 is thus neglected in such circumstances . different from the analog pll which uses the vco / ico , the digital pll adopts the dco 720 to process digital signals . in the dco 720 , the up level signal , the down level signal , and the count signal pe are processed in a controller 721 . the controller 721 can be a proportional - integral ( pi ) controller or a proportional - integral - differential ( pid ) controller . the controller 721 receives a lock - in signal s 33 generated from the lock - in actuator circuit 760 to adjust the input up signal , down signal , and count signal pe , and convert them into an output signal ctrl to be provided to the phase switching unit 723 , which then outputs the phase - locked output signal f dco according to the output signal ctrl . similar to the analog pll , if there is a need of dividing the frequency , the frequency of the phase - locked output signal f dco may be divided by the divider 730 , and then the phase difference between the feedback signal f i ( the frequency divided phase - locked output signal ) and the reference signal f r is detected by the pfd 700 . a clock generator 722 may exist in the dco 720 to provide a clock signal clk for the operation of the phase switching unit 723 . the phase - locked output signal f dco output from the phase switching unit 723 , the parameters of the phase switching unit 723 , and the parameters of the clock generator 722 may all be fed back to the lock - in actuator circuit 760 , which can be referred to as s fo , which is used as a reference for setting the lock - in signal . the function of the lock - in actuator circuit 760 here is similar to that of the aforementioned analog pll , while the function of lock - in actuator circuit 760 of the digital pll is to provide the lock - in signal s 33 to the controller 721 in the dco 720 such that the dco 720 may rapidly find out the required phase - locked output signal , wherein the lock - in signal s 33 can be a period control word ( pcw ) or a frequency control word ( fcw ). the pcw or fcw may be influenced by the parameters fed back from the clock generator 722 and the phase switching unit 723 , and the lock - in actuator circuit 760 then makes an optimum modification to perform an automatic aligning to the system , thereby , a digital lock - in state can be achieved without having to experience many oscillation periods . the lock - in actuator circuit 760 can also provide signals s 51 and s 52 respectively to the divider 730 and the phase switching unit 723 , for achieving the purpose of rapid lock - in . the divider 730 will be built only when there is a need of dividing the frequency , and when a one - multiple relationship exists between frequencies of the phase - locked output signal f o and the reference signal f r , the divider 730 is substantially unnecessary . please refer to fig8 , which is an embodiment of a rapid lock - in hybrid digital - analog pll . as shown in fig8 , besides a lock - in actuator circuit 860 , the rapid hybrid digital - analog pll 80 further includes a digital pll 810 , an analog pll 820 , and a divider 830 . the digital pll 810 , analog pll 820 , and divider 830 being similar to those in conventional plls . a series - connected sequence of the digital pll 810 and the analog pll 820 is not necessarily as shown in fig8 , and can also be changed to that the analog pll 820 is in front of the digital pll 810 . the lock - in function and method of the lock - in actuator circuit 860 are the same as those of the lock - in actuator circuits 360 , 760 referred to in the above - mentioned embodiments of the digital pll and analog pll . the lock - in signals s 34 , s 35 generated by the lock - in actuator circuit 860 of the present embodiment are respectively used to set the digital pll 810 and the analog pll 820 such that a desired lock - in state can be achieved rapidly . the desired lock - in effect can be achieved by selecting both or either one of the lock - in signals s 34 , s 35 . similarly in some cases , when a multiple frequency relationship exists between frequencies of the phase - locked output signal f o and the reference signal f r , the phase - locked output signal f o may be fed back after its frequency is divided by the divider 830 , while when a one - multiple relationship exists between frequencies of the phase - locked output signal f o and the reference signal f r , such a divider 830 is a redundant element which may be omitted . the invention being thus described , it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways . such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention , and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims .	7
the instant invention makes a disclosure in respect of biodegradable biocompostable biodigestible plastic and a process for preparation thereof . accordingly , the present invention provides a process for composition and composition thereof for accelerating the biodegradation / biocompostability / biodigestion of peplene materials . the process comprises preparing a composition by combing at least one peptide with at least one protein and enzyme , and a composting agent . this is followed by blending with at least one polymer in the presence of additive preferably at a temperature of 45 - 300 ° c . so as to retain the essential catalytic properties and nature of the peptides / enzyme / protein . the composition thus obtained can be directly used or encapsulated in a polymer constituting a coated composition or in liquid form . various examples of above ingredients can be listed herein below : protein / enzyme — milk , vegetable . ( soya bean , lady finger ). but not restricted to the examples herein . composting agent — carboxy methyl cellulose , hydrolyzed mutton tallow . but not restricted to the examples herein . polymer — polyethylene , which can be at least one of linear low density polyethylene ( lldpe ), high density polyethylene ( hdpe ), low density polyethylene ( ldpe ) medium density polyethylene , ethylene vinyl acetate ( eva ) and ethylene butyl acrylate ( eba ) and any combination thereof . additive — citric acid , lactic acid bacillus , hydrolyzed mutton tallow , yeast and any combination thereof to improve biodegradation / biocompostability / biodigestion properties of polymeric material . the natural components of the composition of the present invention are food grade materials . this can also include other carbohydrates such as lactose , starch etc . the present invention leads to reduction in production cost owing to simplification in the process for preparation of the composition . it avoids the problem of degradation in the physical properties of film by enhancing solely physical interacting strength between matrix resin and peptides / enzyme / protein and added additives referred above . further according to another embodiment , a biodegradable / biocompostable / biodigestible polyethylene composition can be chemically bonded with starch . the composition of peplene has molecular weight of at least about 7000 with good biodegradable / biocompostable / biodigestible characteristics fig1 . in plastic polymer , x , y and z in space integers of the peptide / enzyme / protein groups such as carboxyl are randomly or uniformly distributed in the polymer along the backbone of the polyethylene polymer , according to the varying concentrations of the functional groups fig3 and 4 . the blend of plastic composition is subjected to extrusion at a temperature of about 100 - 350 ° c . so that during the extrusion process , the composition infuses or penetrates into the cells or molecular structure of the polymer while the polymer is in a pre - molten state . the plastic products obtained from the present process include secondary packaging / plastic films , vest bags , bin liners , rubbish bags , agricultural mulch , and many other types of films . the present blend of composition is also suitable for the polymers e . g . 3d printing , fiber spun , and nonwoven material using injection molding and melted spun process technologies to name a few . action : peptide / enzyme / protein help to introduce the hydrophilicity in the chains of the polymer . while the polymer is in the pre - molten state during the process of extrusion the peptide / enzyme / protein penetrates into the polymer so as to enable the hydrophilicity in the polymer formulation . thermal degradation : the hydrophilic nature polymer is processed further into a polymer film which undergoes a thermal degradation or breakdown into smaller fragments , under laboratory conditions this takes place due to temperature conditions and the moisture in the environment and also due to light and oxygen . soil action : after thermal degradation ( either in laboratory conditions or in the natural environment ) the presence of peptide / enzyme / protein in the composition of the present invention due to hydrophilic nature attracts soil microorganisms which attack the polymer . inherent moisture in the polymer formulation due to hydrophilicity of the composition and / or moisture in the soil ( for example 58 % moisture ) enables the chain links of the polymer , already in a separated or weakened molecular state , to undergo a natural composting process wherein the products of depolymerisation provide nutrients for the soil microorganisms and the remaining products to become biomass . degradation : the ultimate products of biodegradation include carbon dioxide and water due to the microbial metabolism of the polymer . in one example , the enzyme compositions of the present invention are blended with a pulverized co - polymer i . e . lldpe . polyethylene used for the manufacturing of films for secondary packaging like vest bags , bin liners , rubbish bags , agricultural mulch films need the co polymer lldpe both for elasticity and scalability of the film . the presence of peptide / enzyme / proteins and other additives in the polyethylene attracts the soil microorganisms to act on the composted material . the residue is biomass , water and carbon dioxide . however , in the present peplene polymer the biodegradation residues are carbon dioxide and water . other products resulting from biodegradation or bio - refining include gases ( e . g . methane ), ketones ( e . g . acetone ) and alcohols ( e . g . methanol , ethanol , propanol , and butanol ). products such as methane and ethanol are known sources of energy and it is envisaged that these , or other resulting products , may be captured for further use , such as to act as energy sources . one advantage of the present invention is that the polymer products obtained by the present invention retain the desired mechanical properties and shelf life plus recycling of polymers equal to the non - biodegradable polymer — example polyethylene . unlike the photo - oxidative or oxodegradable agents which initiate the degradation of the polymer spontaneously and their - by reduce the shelf life of the polymer products , enzymatically initiated biodegradation / biocompostability / biodigestion process begins only upon exposure to microbes in the environment as life cycle end . the peplene films prepared using the peptide / enzyme / protein composition either by directly dispersed or encapsulated in the present invention have been successfully tested as per astm d 5988 , iso 14855 , iso 17556 and en 13432 / astm d6400 ( and other national equivalents ) test protocols for bio degradability and eco toxicity and plant germination capability of the soil in which these films biodegrade . for example , en protocols for cellulose based products require greater than 90 % degradation within 180 days . products according to the present invention start to degrade from 90 days under composting conditions fig1 and 2 . speed of degradation is generally affected by environmental microbial conditions , the amount of peptide / enzyme / protein composition and the thickness of the product . by way of example , degradation of products prepared according to the present invention has been achieved with extruded film of 5 - 50 microns thickness . accordingly , a further advantage of the present invention is that the compositions comprise natural and food grade materials and leave no toxic residues after biodegradation and / or are within the heavy metal limits as prescribed by various countries for the plastic material / products . the present invention product is also recyclable in accordance with astm d 7209 protocol and en 15347 ; the present invention product is also compostable according to standard en 13432 ; and biodegradable according to standards astm d 5988 , iso 14855 , iso 17556 and en 13432 ! astm d6400 ( and other national equivalents ) test protocols for biodegradability fig5 . also , the present invention evaluated under us fda 177 . 1520 for food contact safety compliance . a further advantage of the present invention is that the materials prepared according to the invention biodegrade when subjected to suitably environmental conditions . the product peplene films of the present innovation are also stable until disposal , such as into soil , compost , landfill , bio - digester or the like and under anaerobic conditions . the materials are able to be metabolized into biomass by the colony forming bacterial groups present in the compositions of the present invention and the microorganisms available in the soil . the compositions of the present invention with polyolefin such as polyethylene under aerobic conditions have shown that it is possible to subject poly films to complete biodegradation and bio - compostable by oxidative microbial attack . it is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications , adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art . such variant embodiments employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within the scope of the present invention , which is further set forth under the following claims .	2
the invention has as its object to simplify structurally a roll system of the type described . this object is attained in that the roll segments are each journaled only at one end face on a bearing pin which is mounted to project perpendicularly from a bearing plate which is movable perpendicularly to the rotation axis . by the advantageous embodiment according to patent claim 2 , each two roll segments are held by a common bearing plate from which the bearing pins project to opposite sides . in order to hold the spacing between two roll segments as small as possible , in an especially advantageous embodiment according to patent claim 3 , in at least in an inner side of each bearing plate , an annular groove is machined in which an end of a roll segment can rotate contactlessly . the further dependent claims contain preferred and especially advantageous refinements of the invention . the drawing serves for clarification of the invention based upon a simplified illustrated embodiment . the drawings thus show in fig1 the side view of a contact roll system according to the invention , fig2 a cross section broken away through a first embodiment in which the two roll segments are held by a common plate , fig3 a plan view of the contact roll system according to fig2 and fig4 a cross section through a second embodiment in which each bearing plate carries only one roll segment . the contact roll system illustrated in the figures is a component of a winding machine for winding up a continuous traveling material web 1 , especially a paper web or a web of a plastic film or foil . the material web 1 subdivided by longitudinal cuts , is wound up on sleeves to wound rolls 2 . the wound rolls 2 are mounted for the winding upon a common winding shaft or are each held by two clamping heads insertable into the sleeve . in order to prevent the penetration of air into the wound rolls 2 , especially at high winding speeds , the winding machine has a contact roll system which is described in greater detail subsequently . the contact roll system comprises a row of roll segments 3 arranged adjacent one another , end face to end face , and whose axial lengths are smaller than the minimum width of a wound roll 2 . in the embodiment described , the length of a roll segment 3 is 50 mm to 150 mm . each roll segment is either individually or as part of a pair together with a second roll segment , mounted so as to be movable perpendicular to its rotation axis 4 . an individual roll segment 3 or a pair of two roll segments 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 can thus press independently from the other roll segments against a respective wound roll 2 to permit diameter differences in the wound rolls 2 to be compensated . each roll segment 3 is journaled at one end face on a bearing pin 5 in a cantilevered manner , the bearing pin 5 projecting from a bearing plate 6 upon which it is fixed . the bearing plates 6 are movable perpendicularly to the rotation axes 4 of the roll segments 3 , preferably by means of respective drives which are individual to the bearing plates . in the embodiment illustrated , the bearing plates 6 are shiftably mounted for movement back and forth with respect to the wound roll 2 . for this purpose they have on their backsides turned away from the wound roll 2 , a respective shank 7 with which they are slidably mounted in a linear guide 8 , preferably a ball guide . the linear guides 8 are affixed to a traverse 9 which extends transversely over the working width of the wound machine . thus ends of the bearing plates 6 with the roll segments 3 are mounted thereon are in turn mounted on the common transversely extending traverse 9 . a pneumatic piston and cylinder unit can serve as the drive for the shifting movement , and is on the one hand is affixed to a support plate 11 fastened to the traverse 9 and on the other hand is fixed to the back side of the bearing plate 6 . as an alternative to the linear mobility illustrated in the figures , the bearing plates 6 can also be movably mounted on an arcuate track perpendicular to the rotation axis 4 . the bearing plates can be mounted so as to be limitedly swingable , for example respectively , on rockers each assigned to one of the bearing plates 6 . as can be seen from the side view of fig1 , each bearing plate 6 ends at its side opposite the fastening end at a slight distance behind the bearing pin 5 secured thereto . this means that a roll segment 3 extends peripherally beyond the extent of the bearing plate 6 . the region of contact with the wound roll 2 is thus maintained free from obstruction . a material web 1 running to a winding roll 2 can thus be so guided that it initially contacts a roll segment 3 and then the winding roll 2 . this has advantages from a technological viewpoint with respect to the winding operation . because of the bevels at the end of the bearing plate 6 turned toward the winding roll 2 , the looping angle of the web 1 around the roll segment 3 can be adjusted independently of the winding direction and symmetrically for both possible winding directions . the looping angle of the web 1 on a roll segment 3 amounts to 5 ° to 30 °, preferably between 8 ° and 20 °, for the best ability to wind the web while avoiding the entrainment of air into the roll by adhesion to the web 1 . each roll segment 3 is comprised of an annular roll jacket 13 of metal upon which an outer running layer 14 of rubber is applied . at least at an inner side of each bearing plate 6 , an annular groove 15 is machined concentric to the bearing pin 5 . the curvature and outer dimensions of the annular groove 15 is so selected that the corresponding end of a roll segment 3 can project into it and can rotate in a contactless manner within the annular groove 15 . the wall 16 remaining as the base of the groove 15 is made to be extremely thin since it defines the minimum distance between two neighboring roll segments 3 . preferably the thickness of the wall 16 amounts to 1 mm or less . the assembly has an axial free space between the end faces of the roll segments 3 and the wall 16 of about 0 . 2 mm to 2 mm and preferably about 0 . 3 mm . in spite of the minimum thickness of the wall 16 , the requisite strength for supporting a roll segment 3 is provided since each bearing plate 6 is so shaped that the bending line must also run through thicker regions outside the groove 15 . the annular groove 15 enables the requisite gap between two neighboring roll segments to be held very small . to avoid marking of sensitive webs 1 , the gap should amount to less than 5 mm and preferably the gap is between 0 . 8 mm and 5 mm . in the embodiment of fig2 and 3 , two roll segments 3 . 1 and 3 . 2 are shown to be respectively journaled on both sides of a common bearing plate 6 . for that purpose each bearing plate 6 has on each side a respective projecting bearing pin 5 . 1 , 5 . 2 with a roller bearing 12 upon which a rolled segment 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 is journaled so as to be freely rotatable . the bearing plates 6 have on both sides respectively an annular groove 15 . 1 , 15 . 2 in each of which one roll segment 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 supported by the bearing plate 6 is rotatable . in fig4 an embodiment of the invention has been illustrated in which each bearing plate has only one projecting bearing pin 5 on which roll segment 3 is journaled . the bearing pins 5 each have a respective flange with which they can be secured by screws to the bearing plate 6 . with this embodiment , the bearing plate 6 has only on one inner side an annular groove 15 while the backside is planar and has a surface perpendicular to the axis of rotation 4 . the bearing pin 5 and the annular grooves 15 are each located on the same side of the respective bearing plates 6 so that the free ends of the roll segments terminate at a slight distance from the rear wall of the neighboring bearing plate . in this embodiment as well , the thickness of the wall 16 at the base of the groove 15 defines the minimum distance of two roll segments 3 from one another . since the bearing plate 6 has an annular groove 15 only at one side , it is simpler to fabricate . in an embodiment which has not been illustrated , as in the embodiment of fig2 , each two roll segments 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 are journaled on both sides of a common bearing plate 6 . the bearing plate 6 is configured as has been illustrated for the embodiment of fig4 , with only one annular groove 15 on one side . on the back wall , without a groove , the second bearing pin 5 . 2 is affixed which carries the second roll segment 3 . 2 . this embodiment has the advantage of the embodiment of fig1 , namely , that only one bearing plate 6 is provided for each two roll segments 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 . in addition , it utilizes a bearing plate 6 of the type shown in fig4 which is simpler to fabricate since it has an annular groove 15 on only one side . according to a preferred embodiment , two neighboring bearing plates 6 and thus roll segments held thereby can be mechanically so coupled together that the rotation axes 4 of the roll segments 3 exactly align . the roll segments 3 which are coupled together thus form a rigid combined pressing roll which can press with a common pressure against a winding roll 2 . the contact lines of all roll segments 3 which are coupled with one another form an exact straight line or flush relationship . a coupling of two adjoining roll segments 3 has been found to be advantageous when , because of large thickness tolerances in the web , wound rolls 2 can develop excessively great differences in diameter at different zones . it is then undesirable that each roll segment 3 or each pair of roll segments 3 . 1 , 3 . 2 match the actual diameter in their respective pressing zones . a coupling 2 neighboring roll segments 3 is also advantageous when roll segment 3 with excessive axial length projects beyond wound roll and thus concentrates its pressing force only at the part of its length which is in contact . as coupling elements , preferably switchable keys or locks 17 are used as has been shown diagrammatically in fig1 and which may be movable parallel to the rotation axis 4 on the shank 7 of a bearing plate 6 . the lock 17 can be actuated , for example magnetically or by a pneumatic cylinder to engage with its end in a corresponding opening of the shank of the neighboring bearing plate 6 .	1
fig1 is a schematic illustration of a vertical section through a field effect transistor according to a first embodiment of the present invention . this field effect transistor differs from the conventional field effect transistor described above on the basis of fig3 in that , below the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 and in particular below the two more highly doped drain sub - areas 50 , 52 , an area from a plurality of columns 102 is disposed , which is n - doped like the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 . the n - doped columns 102 are disposed perpendicularly to the surface 32 of the epitaxial layer 20 and immediately border the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 so that they are connected thereto in an electrically conductive manner . the columns 102 have a diameter as small as possible and a mutual or lateral distance as small as possible or gaps 104 as small as possible . thereby the space charge zones originating from the border areas between the columns 102 and the surrounding material at the epitaxial layer are enabled to completely fill the columns 102 and the gaps 104 between the columns 102 as quickly as possible or at a drain voltage as low as possible when applying a drain voltage and thus when applying a voltage between the n - doped columns 102 and the p - doped material of the epitaxial layer 20 surrounding them in reverse direction . the length of the columns 102 is preferably chosen so that they have a small vertical distance from the upper surface 14 of the base substrate 10 , which has approximately the same size as the distance between the columns 102 and the diameter of the columns 102 . when applying the above described minimum drain voltage , the epitaxial layer 20 is thus completely depleted below the most highly doped drain sub - areas 50 , 52 . if the drain voltage is further increased starting from the minimum drain voltage , the depletion zone only grows minimally in vertical direction . growth of the depletion zone dependent on the drain voltage is further strongly restricted if the base substrate 10 has a high doping concentration or at least a substantially higher doping concentration than the epitaxial layer 20 . in the embodiment shown in fig1 of the inventive field effect transistor , the capacity between the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 and the substrate 10 is thus approximately the capacity of a corresponding capacitor with a plate distance that is largely constant independently of the drain voltage and corresponds to the thickness of the epitaxial layer 20 minus the thickness or the vertical dimension of the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 . the capacity between the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 and the substrate 10 is thus small and approximately constant . the present invention thus causes leveling of the output capacity in the area of the restricted layer and in particular in the area of the restricted layer forming between drain and substrate . according to a variant of the first embodiment of the present invention , instead of the columns 102 , lamellae or plates are disposed below the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 , which border it and extend approximately to the upper surface 14 of the base substrate 10 in vertical direction . fig1 may also be interpreted so that the visible structures 102 are cross - sectional areas of these lamellae or plates . instead of several lamellae or plates , alternatively only one lamella is provided that laterally has the form of a spiral . fig2 is a schematic illustration of a vertical section through a field effect transistor according to a second embodiment of the present invention . the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment illustrated on the basis of fig1 in that , instead of the vertical columns or lamellae or plates 102 , n - doped columns or rods that are horizontal or arranged in parallel to the surface 32 of the epitaxial layer 20 , or plates or lamellae 106 are provided that are connected to a drain area 50 , 52 , 54 in a geometrical and electrically conductive manner via a further n - doped , but vertically - aligned , rod , column , plate , or lamella - shaped connection area 108 . the rods or plates 106 of the second embodiment as well as gaps 110 therebetween are preferably similarly or equally dimensioned as the columns or lamellae 102 of the first embodiment and have the same function . the embodiments from fig1 and 2 have in common that the area 102 , 106 , 108 formed from the columns , rods , lamellae or plates has a comb - shaped cross section at least along one sectional plane . with the vertical orientation of the columns or lamellae 102 , as the first embodiment illustrated on the basis of fig1 comprises them , a plurality or a multiplicity of columns or lamellae 102 or a single laterally spiral - shaped lamella 102 is preferably provided , so that the created depletion zone has a lateral expansion as great as possible that preferably corresponds approximately to the lateral expansion of at least the more highly doped drain sub - areas 50 , 52 . in the case of the horizontally - aligned structures of the second embodiment illustrated on the basis of fig2 , a plate 106 with corresponding lateral expansion is sufficient to realize the above - described advantages of the present invention . a plurality of parallel plates 106 , however , is advantageous , since it causes a correspondingly thicker depletion zone . a single plate 106 that is horizontal or is parallel to the surface 32 does not have a comb - shaped cross section . but the described embodiments and their variants have in common that they create an alternating arrangement of areas or alternating areas with opposing conductivity types . a field effect transistor according to the present invention is preferably manufactured by a method whose procedural steps partly correspond to a conventional manufacturing method . in particular , at first the base substrate , for example a single - crystal silicon substrate , is created by for example a corresponding slice being cut from a drawn single - crystal of silicon and their surfaces being polished . the epitaxial layer 20 is grown onto the upper surface 14 of the base substrate 10 . the vertically orientated columns or lamellae 102 of the first embodiment are preferably created by holes or trenches being etched in the finished epitaxial layer 20 , which are filled with silicon whose doping has a conductivity type that is opposite to the conductivity type of the substrate 10 and in particular the epitaxial layer 20 . alternatively , at first only a sub - layer of the epitaxial layer 20 is created , which includes the area of the future columns or lamellae 102 . after creating the columns or lamellae 102 , a further sub - layer of the epitaxial layer 20 is deposited , in which the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 will be disposed later . alternatively , the columns or lamellae 102 are created after creating the epitaxial layer 20 by implantation of dopant atoms through a corresponding mask . alternatively , the epitaxial layer 20 is created in several sub - layers in which sub - pieces of the columns or lamellae 102 are each created by implantation , wherein these sub - pieces are laterally aligned and together form the columns or lamellae 102 . horizontal structures , as they are present in the second embodiment illustrated on the basis of fig2 , are preferably created by the epitaxial layer 20 being deposited in several sub - layers , wherein the horizontal rods or beams or plates 106 are created by implantation of dopant atoms or by etching corresponding trenches or recesses and filling them with doped silicon . the creation of the drain area 50 , 52 , 54 , the source area 40 , the enhance area 42 , the body area 44 , the p +- doped area 60 , and the sinker 62 preferably takes place , as well as the creation of the conductor structures 70 , 72 , 74 , 80 and the gate 90 , in a similar manner as in conventional field effect transistors . the present invention has been described for a ldmos field effect transistor with n - doped source and drain areas 40 , 50 , 52 , 54 and a p - doped body area 44 in a p - doped epitaxial layer 20 on a p - doped base substrate 10 . the present invention , however , may be realized for all kinds of field effect transistors , in particular lateral field effect transistors in all kinds of semiconductor substrates with and without epitaxial layer . while this invention has been described in terms of several preferred embodiments , there are alterations , permutations , and equivalents which fall within the scope of this invention . it should also be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing the methods and compositions of the present invention . it is therefore intended that the following appended claims be interpreted as including all such alterations , permutations , and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention .	7
referring more particularly to fig1 there is seen a ladder 10 utilizing a single riser consisting of a series of folding sections 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 . the ladder 10 is attached to a tree or similar vertical structure 11 by means of straps 17 that are tightened by means of a ratchet mechanism 19 . ladder 10 is maintained in an orientation parallel to and spaced from the trunk of tree 11 by means of stand off members 20 which are pivotally attached to the riser sections of ladder 10 . extending laterally from each side of the riser sections of ladder 10 are a plurality of steps 22 provided to enable climbing of the ladder . sections 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 are pivotally attached to each other by means of pivoting joints 24 which connect the sections pivotally on pin 26 which is positioned outwardly from the riser sections . ladder 10 is seen in the folded or collapsed position in fig2 . also , as seen in fig2 the pivotable stand off members 20 are formed in a general u - shape so that the base of the &# 34 ; u &# 34 ; can fold compactly against the riser sections 12 , 14 , 16 and 18 . referring to fig3 the extended and folded orientations of stand off member 20 are shown . the details of hinge mechanism 24 are best seen in fig3 and 4 . it will be noted that the ends of hollow tubular sections 12 and 14 are cut along 45 ° angled lines 28 and 30 which abuttingly fit together when the ladder is extended as seen in fig3 . hinge members 32 and 34 together form an encircling tubular structure concentric with and circumscribing the joint area 24 between members 12 and 14 . hinge members 32 and 34 are pinned or riveted to the respective tubular members 12 and 14 by means of , for example , rivets 33 and 35 , respectively . these sections pivot around pin or bolt 26 which is positioned outside of the profile of members 12 and 14 which , thus , are able to pivot away from each other as seen in fig4 and allow the ladder sections to be compactly folded to the configuration shown in fig2 . a concentrically mounted sleeve 36 is sized to slide over the exterior of hinge members 32 and 34 , thus forming an assembly wherein hinge area 24 is reinforced by a concentric outer encircling structure . in accordance with the invention , it has been found that the 45 ° cut along the intersection of the members 12 and 14 together with the concentric reinforcing structure provides an exceptionally strong and stable joint between the sections of the ladder 10 . the reference to the joint between sections 12 and 14 is shown as an example of the joint configuration , the pivoting joints between the other members being similar . thus it will be appreciated that similar jointed connections are provided between members 14 and 16 and members 16 and 18 . additionally , if a taller ladder structure is desired , additional pivoting sections can be added . as best seen in fig5 - 7 , the ladder riser segments 12 - 18 are hollow , but rather than being round in cross - section , the sections are octagonal in the illustrated embodiment . the octagonal cross - section provides strength against crushing or twisting while still providing flat surfaces for attachment thereto of pivoting members as seen in the drawings . other cross - sections such as circular , square , etc . can be substituted , however , if desired . referring to fig8 - 11 , there is seen an alternative structure for a pivoting , jointed connection between two tubular structural members 112 and 114 which can be used as a part of the ladder of this invention . in the embodiment of fig8 - 11 , a concentric reinforcing tube 115 is placed within and bridging the interiors of the tubular members 112 and 114 in the area of the jointed connection shown . in this embodiment , a hinged connection is provided by the illustrated apparatus which includes a bracket 116 on each side of one of the tubular members 114 to which it is secured by means of bolts . as best seen in fig1 , brackets 116 together form a yolk structure around the joint area . the upper ends of the yolk formed by bracket members 116 are provided with a pin or bolt 117 which pivotally connects slotted members 118 to the upper end of yolk brackets 116 so that the members can pivot as shown in fig1 . bracket 118 has an elongated central slot 120 which slidably receives another pin or bolt 122 that connects the hinge structure to tubular member 112 . the resultant joint structure 124 also entails the adjoining structures of tubes 112 and 114 being cut so that they abut at a 45 ° angle as seen in fig8 and 11 . the combination of the angular abutment with central concentric reinforcing tube 115 provides an exceptionally stable joint construction 124 similar in strength to joint 24 described herein above . the configuration also provides a self - locating feature by virtue of the fact that when the sections are pushed together a small point first engages the reinforcing tube so that correct positioning is facilitated . also , the yoke , in addition to limiting movement of the tube sections away from each other , serves as a centering guide for correct movement of the sections . thus the usual difficulty encountered in connecting telescoping tubular sections is overcome . referring to fig1 - 15 , the details of strap tightener mechanism 19 are revealed in greater detail . mechanism 19 includes a base portion 40 and a handle portion 42 that is hinged to base portion 40 by means of a pivot pin 43 . handle 42 includes a slidable lock 44 that is biased toward the closed position extended downwardly in fig1 so that it will engage a pair of notches 48 in base 40 when the handle is in the closed position seen in fig1 and 14 . an opening 45 in handle 42 allows access to lock 44 so that the bias of spring 46 can be manually overcome in order to release handle 42 thereby allowing it to pivot open to the position of fig1 . integral with handle 42 is a slotted pin 50 which has a transverse central slot as best seen in fig1 - 15 . the slot is dimensioned to accommodate both ends of strap 17 . one end of strap 17 is wrapped through the slotted pin around one side thereof so this end is tightened when the handle 42 is pivoted to the closed position of fig1 and 14 . the central slot of pin 50 also accommodates the other end of strap 17 which after installation of the ladder around the vertical structure is pulled manually to the tightest attainable tension . then , when handle 42 is pivoted from the open position of fig1 to the closed position of fig1 and 14 , both ends of strap 17 are pulled toward slotted end 50 . thus , the tightening of strap 17 does not tend to pull the ladder over toward either side , but rather uniformly applies substantial tension to both ends of belt 17 , thereby securing the ladder 10 to a tree or other vertical structure . a hook 49 can be placed at one end of a belt section , if desired for reasons of convenience . referring to fig2 , a slot 52 can be provided in base 40 . such a slot is important for use in cases when the tightening mechanism 19a is used in the absence of a backing structure such as a tree or pole which prevents rotation of base 40 when the handle 45 is tightened . this resistive action is provided by the fact that end 54 of base 40 that ends beyond slot 52 engages the top of belt 17 , thereby preventing rotation of base 40 . referring to fig1 - 19 , there is seen a double riser ladder 60 wherein a series of rungs 61 connect pivoting riser sections 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 and 69 . as in the case of the single riser ladder shown in fig1 a pivoting joint 24 is provided to allow pivoting of adjacent sections and , thus , folding of the ladder into the compact orientation shown in fig1 . the illustrated embodiment shows a ladder intended for use as a ladder / tree stand combination . in this case , a u - shaped top 70 which supports a seat 72 is attached to the ladder . a side - to - side pivoting stand off member 74 is pivotally attached by means of a vertical pivot pin to u - shaped member 70 . a series of u - shaped members 73 can be provided with similar pivoting stand off members 74 to position the entire length of the ladder at a desired distance away from the tree when it is secured thereto by strap 17 . u - shaped members 73 are preferably pivotally attached to riser sections 62 - 63 , etc . as seen in fig1 and 19 , while the side - to - side pivoting of stand off member 74 allows overcoming of surface irregularities in the tree or other structure 11 . thus the stand off members can be pivoted vertically to deal with irregularities in the surface of a tree by placement thereof either above or below the vertical orientation as well as lateral adjustment provided by pivoting of member 74 . a folding platform 76 for supporting a sportsman is pivotally attached to brackets 77 which may be welded to the sides of ladder riser components 62 and 63 as shown in fig1 . straps 78 or similar supports are provided in order to position the platform 76 in the desired orientation . in order to provide safe access to the platform 76 , it is preferred that a laterally extending cleat 80 be attached to one side or the other of the ladder riser components . cleat 80 is pivotally attached to riser sections 62 or 63 as shown in the drawings . alternative positions of cleat 80 are shown in fig1 and 17 , respectively . cleat 80 thus allows safe access to and from platform 76 from ( and to ) the ladder 60 . for ease of transportation of the ladder of fig1 - 19 , it is preferred that shoulder straps 82 be provided . using such shoulder straps , the ladder can be transported in the manner of a backpack . while preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein , it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications thereof can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention . accordingly , the invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof .	4
the construction of a telescope - type stereomicroscope is shown as a block diagram in fig1 for purposes of illustration . the stereomicroscope comprises an objective 1 which , according to the invention , comprises a first lens group lg 1 and a second lens group lg 2 considered from the object 3 being observed which is arranged in an object plane 2 . toward the image side , a magnification changer 8 and 9 and tube lenses 10 and 11 , in that sequence , are arranged downstream of the objective 1 in two separate beam paths 6 and 7 . the object 3 is imaged in the image plane 12 of the respective beam path 7 and 8 as a real intermediate image 13 and 14 . an eyepiece 15 and 16 is provided for observing the intermediate images 13 and 14 in each beam path 6 , 7 . as is conventional in stereomicroscopes of the type mentioned above , the two tube systems take two parallel partial bundles from the parallel beam bundles offered by the objective 1 . in so doing , an off - axis object point is introduced through the objective into downstream optics , e . g ., a magnification changer , into their entrance pupil at an angle ω . in the embodiment example shown in fig2 , the objective comprises , considered from the object plane in direction of the image plane 12 , a first lens group lg 1 followed by a second lens group lg 2 . lens group lg 1 in its entirety has a positive refractive power and lens group lg 2 in its entirety has a negative refractive power . as can further be seen from fig2 , the first lens group lg 1 comprises five lenses 1 . 1 to 1 . 5 of which lenses 1 . 3 and 1 . 4 are cemented together to form a cemented component . lens group lg 2 comprises a lens 2 . 1 with negative refractive power and a cemented component 2 . 2 with positive refractive power . the cemented group 2 . 2 comprises another lens 2 . 21 and a lens 2 . 22 with positive refractive power . this microscope objective has the following constructional data showing radii r in mm , distances d in mm , refractive indices n e , and abbe numbers ν e : this objective 1 has a focal length of 50 mm , an entrance aperture of 55 mm , and an aperture ratio of 1 : 0 . 9 . fig3 shows an example for a second construction of an objective according to the invention . this objective likewise has two lens groups lg 1 and lg 2 . the first , object - side , lens group lg 1 has three lenses 1 . 1 to 1 . 3 of which lenses 1 . 1 and 1 . 2 are cemented together . lens group lg 2 comprises a lens 2 . 1 with negative refractive power and a cemented component 2 . 2 with positive refractive power which comprises lenses 2 . 21 and 2 . 22 . this microscope objective has the following constructional data showing radii r in mm , distances d in mm , refractive indices n e and abbe numbers ν e : this objective 1 has a focal length of 100 mm , an entrance aperture of 55 mm , and an aperture ratio of 1 : 1 . 8 . fig4 shows another objective according to the invention . this third construction of the objective with a focal length f ′= 80 mm , an entrance aperture of 55 mm and an aperture ratio of 1 : 1 . 45 likewise comprises two lens groups lg 1 and lg 2 , wherein , considered from the object space , the first lens group lg 1 with positive refractive power comprises two individual lenses 1 . 1 and 1 . 2 , each with positive refractive power , a cemented group comprising two lenses 1 . 2 and 1 . 4 , and another lens 1 . 5 with positive refractive power , and a second lens group lg 2 with negative refractive power comprising a lens 2 . 1 with negative refractive power and a cemented group 2 . 2 comprising two lenses 2 . 21 and 2 . 22 . this microscope objective which is shown in fig4 has the following constructional data showing radii r in mm , distances d in mm , refractive indices n e and abbe numbers ν e : this objective 1 has a focal length of 80 mm , an entrance aperture of 55 mm , and an aperture ratio of 1 : 1 . 45 . fig5 shows the position of the different pupils in the exit pupil ap . these are the pupils having center points m 1 and m 2 of the two observation beam paths of the stereomicroscope and the entrance pupil m 3 of the illumination beam path which is coupled into the exit pupil ap of the objective 1 . these three pupils , whose center points are designated by m 1 , m 2 and m 3 , are arranged in the exit pupil ap in such a way that their center points m 1 , m 2 and m 3 form an isosceles triangle , and center point m of the exit pupil ap lies within this triangle , where the following conditions must be met : 0 . 25 ≦ a 1 / d ap ≦ 0 . 5 0 . 25 ≦ a 2 / d ap ≦ 0 . 5 . 0 . 25 ≦ a 3 / d ap ≦ 0 . 5 , where a 1 and a 2 are the distances of the center points m 1 and m 2 of the two beam paths of the objective 1 from the center point m of the exit pupil ap of the objective 1 , and a 3 is the distance of the center point m 3 of the entrance pupil of the illumination beam path from the center point m of the exit pupil ap of the objective 1 . fig6 shows another objective according to the invention . this fourth construction of the objective with a focal length f ′= 65 . 59 mm , an entrance aperture of 53 . 5 mm and an aperture ratio of 1 : 1 . 23 likewise comprises two lens groups lg 1 and lg 2 , wherein , considered from the object space , the first lens group lg 1 with positive refractive power comprises an individual lens 1 . 1 with positive refractive power , a cemented group with negative refractive power comprising two lenses 1 . 2 and 1 . 3 , and another lens 1 . 4 with positive refractive power , and a second lens group lg 2 with negative refractive power comprising a lens 2 . 1 with negative refractive power and a cemented group 2 . 2 comprising two lenses 2 . 21 and 2 . 22 . this microscope objective which is shown in fig6 has the following constructional data showing radii r in mm , distances d in mm , refractive indices n e and abbe numbers ν e : this objective 1 has a focal length of 65 . 59 mm , an entrance aperture of 53 . 5 mm , and an aperture ratio of 1 : 1 . 23 . in this objective , the focal length of the second lens group satisfies the following condition : where f ′ 2 is the focal length of the second lens group and f ′ is the total focal length of the objective 1 . 10 − 8 * f ′ 2 + 9 * 10 − 8 * f ′− 1 . 8 * 10 − 4 ≦ 1 / f 1 / ν e1 + 1 / f 2 / ν e2 ≦ 10 − 8 * f ′ 2 + 9 * 10 − 8 * f ′− 10 − 4 , and the lens ( 2 . 1 ) of the lens group meets the condition ν e3 ≦ 55 , where f ′ 1 is the focal length of lenses 2 . 22 , f ′ 2 is the focal length of lenses 2 . 21 , f ′ is the total focal length of the objective , ν e1 and ν e2 are the abbe numbers of lenses 2 . 22 and 2 . 21 , and ν e3 is the abbe number of lens 2 . 1 . this fourth construction of the objective is distinguished above all in that it is apochromatically corrected and also has a high transmission in the near uv spectral region . while the foregoing description and drawings represent the present invention , it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made therein without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention .	6
a vehicular seat assembly according to this invention is indicated generally at 10 in fig1 . the seat assembly 10 includes a generally horizontal seat bottom 12 upon which an occupant sits and a generally upright seat back 14 that supports an occupant &# 39 ; s back . a hinge mechanism 15 permits pivotal fore and aft movement of the seat back 14 relative to the seat bottom 12 . if desired , a headrest 16 can be provided at an upper surface 17 of the seat back 14 . the seat bottom 12 includes a seat bottom frame ( not illustrated ) typically formed from a tubular metal . the seat bottom frame supports a contoured cushion ( not illustrated ) which is encased by a trim cover 18 . the cushion and trim cover 18 span opposed lateral sides of the seat bottom 12 . the cushion can be formed from any desired material including resilient polyester . the trim cover 18 can be formed from any desired material including cloth , vinyl , and leather . the seat back 14 includes the upper surface 17 , a front surface ( not visible in fig1 ), a rear surface 20 , and lateral side surfaces 22 . in the orientation of fig1 only an outboard side surface 22 is shown . a trim cover 24 encases the seat back 14 . preferably , the trim cover 24 is formed into a known envelope to receive a seat back frame and cushion , described in detail below . the trim cover 24 can be formed from any desired material including cloth , vinyl , and leather . a side impact air bag module 30 is mounted on the outboard lateral side 22 of the seat back 14 . the air bag module 30 includes a central , rectangular panel 32 that covers an inflatable air bag ( illustrated only in fig3 ). during a collision , the air bag is inflated to provide protection to an occupant of the seat assembly 10 . as the air bag inflates , the panel 32 is exploded away from the air bag module 30 . a lip 34 is formed about the perimeter of the panel 32 . as described below , the trim cover 24 is tucked and retained beneath the lip 34 . as illustrated in fig2 and 3 , a closeout assembly 100 according to this invention mounts the air bag module 30 on the seat back 14 and provides a neat fit of the trim cover 24 about the air bag module 30 . the closeout assembly 100 is not visible when a seat back 14 is assembled , and thus is hidden beneath the trim cover 24 in fig1 . the closeout assembly 100 cooperates with an opening 26 formed in a lateral side surface of a cushion 28 of the seat back 14 . the trim cover 24 encases the cushion 28 , formed from any desired resilient material . the cushion 28 is supported by a seat back frame 29 typically formed from a tubular metal . a bracket 40 is mounted on the seat back frame 29 by any desired means . openings 42 are formed in the bracket 40 . the cushion 28 is placed over the bracket 40 so that the opening 26 is aligned with the bracket 40 . the air bag module 30 includes a generally rectangular housing 36 . the housing 36 includes projecting threaded studs 37 that pass through openings 42 and are received into nuts 38 provided on an opposite side of the bracket 40 . the housing 36 contains an inflatable air bag 39 ( illustrated only in fig3 ) that is deployed during a collision and forces the panel 32 away from the housing 36 . the closeout assembly 100 includes a cup 50 inserted into the opening 26 to provide a rigid peripheral rim around the inner circumference of the opening 26 . the cup 50 is preferably formed from a rigid , lightweight material such as polypropylene . the cup 50 includes a rearwardly extending , generally rectangular wall 51 that lines the opening 26 . preferably , the wall 51 does not extend beyond a thickness of the cushion 28 . if desired , a plurality of ribs 52 can be provided along the wall 51 to increase stiffness of the wall 51 and the cup 50 . also , a plurality of radially inwardly projecting flanges 53 can be provided at a termination of the wall 51 to provide a support for a rear surface of the air bag module 30 . preferably , open areas are provided between the flanges 53 so that the studs 37 of the air bag housing 36 can pass to the openings 42 in the bracket 40 . the cup 50 also includes a lip 54 formed about the perimeter of the wall 51 . preferably , the lip 54 extends outwardly and generally perpendicular to the wall 51 , thus forming a generally l - shaped cross section . predetermined slots or openings 55 are formed in the lip 54 . preferably , the slots 55 are formed in the lip 54 along lateral sides of the cup 50 . a retaining ring 60 is attached to the trim cover 24 to provide a rigid peripheral rim about an opening 27 formed in the trim cover 24 . the opening 27 is aligned with opening 26 formed in the cushion 28 . the retaining ring 60 is placed on and secured to an inner surface 24a of the trim cover 24 . preferably , the retaining ring 60 is formed as a generally rectangular ring from a rigid , lightweight material such as polypropylene . the retaining ring 60 includes a central opening bounded by sides 62a and 62b and ends 64a and 64b . as illustrated in fig4 tabs 66a and 66b are formed on respective sides 62a and 62b . the tabs 66a and 66b are aligned with the slots 55 in the cup 50 . if desired , the tabs 66a and 66b can be angled outwardly away from the central opening of the retaining ring 60 . preferably , flaps 70 from the trim cover 24 bordering the opening 27 are wrapped around the retaining ring 60 . the flaps 70 can be secured to an inner surface 24a of the trim cover 24 by any desired means including stitching indicated at 72 , adhesive , etc . after the cup 50 has been inserted into opening 26 , the air bag module 30 is seated in the cup 50 . the trim cover 24 having the retaining ring 60 is placed over the seat back 14 so that the retaining ring 60 is adjacent the air bag module 30 . the retaining ring 60 with the wrapped trim cover flaps 70 is worked around the lip 34 of the air bag module 30 so that the retaining ring 60 is positioned between the lip 34 and the cup 50 as illustrated in fig3 . as the retaining ring 60 is tucked beneath the lip 34 , the tabs 66a and 66b are inserted into the slots 55 to attach the retaining ring 60 to the cup 50 . the retaining ring 60 provides a neat appearance of the trim cover 24 around the panel 32 . also , the rigid retaining ring 60 provides resistance to tampering of the air bag module 30 . a preferred method of installing the side airbag closeout assembly 100 onto a vehicular seat 10 is illustrated as successive steps in fig5 a , 5b , 5c , 5d and 5e . as illustrated in fig5 a , the seat back 14 having the cup 50 and side air bag module 30 mounted thereon is preformed and provided as a subassembly 102 . the trim cover 24 having the retaining ring 60 secured to its inner surface about opening 27 is preformed and provided as a subassembly 104 . the trim cover subassembly 104 is inverted so that the inner surface 24a is turned outwardly . as illustrated in fig5 b , 5c , and 5d , the trim cover subassembly 104 is drawn over the seat back subassembly 102 so that the inner surface 24a is turned inside and placed against the seat back subassembly 102 . as the seat back subassembly 102 is received in the trim cover subassembly 104 , the retaining ring 60 is placed over and about the air bag module 30 . when the trim cover subassembly 104 is completely drawn over the seat back assembly 102 ( as shown in fig5 d ), the trim cover 24 encases the cushion 28 without the need for zippers , fasteners , or other devices . a final installation step is illustrated in fig5 e . the wrapped retaining ring 60 is worked or tucked beneath the lip 34 of the side air bag module 30 so that tabs 66a and 66b are received in respective slots 55 . the outwardly projecting tabs 66a and 66b attach the retaining ring 60 to the cup 50 . this step can be performed manually if desired . the closeout assembly 100 provides a trimmed opening in the seat back 14 and permits easy access to the air bag module 30 . during a collision , the air bag module 30 deploys without substantial damage to the trim cover 24 and cushion 28 . portions of second embodiments of a cup 150 and a retaining ring 160 according to this invention are illustrated in fig6 . the cup 150 and the retaining ring 160 can be substituted for cup 50 and retaining ring 60 in the closeout assembly 100 . the cup 150 includes an inwardly projecting wall 151 , ribs 152 , flanges 153 , and a lip 154 . a plurality of slots 155 is formed in the lip 154 . the retaining ring 160 includes sides 162 and ends 164 . a plurality of tabs 166 are formed on the sides and aligned with the slots 155 of the lip 154 . if desired , hook portions 168 can be provided on the tabs 166 to provide a snap fit when inserted into a respective slot 155 . when the trim cover 24 is fitted over the cushion 28 , the retaining ring 160 is aligned with the cup 150 . the tabs 166 and hooks 168 are inserted into respective slots 155 so that the retaining ring 160 and trim cover 24 are attached to or retained on the cup 150 . in other embodiments , various desired patterns of slots 155 and tabs 166 can be provided on the cup 150 and retaining ring 160 . a second embodiment of a vehicular seat assembly according to this invention is indicated generally at 200 in fig7 . the seat assembly includes a seat bottom 212 and a seat back 214 . a hinge mechanism 215 permits the seat back 214 to pivot relative to the seat bottom 212 . if desired , a headrest 216 can be provided along an upper surface of the seat back 214 . a first side air bag module 230 is mounted on a lateral side surface of the seat back 14 . a second side air bag module 280 is mounted on a lateral side surface of the seat bottom 212 . during a collision , the air bag modules 230 and 280 deploy to provide protection for an occupant . in other embodiments , a side air bag module 280 can be mounted only on a lateral side surface of the seat bottom 212 . the side air bag modules 230 and 280 are mounted on respective sides by closeout assemblies 100 ( not visible in fig0 ) in a manner similar to that described for seat 10 . in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes , the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments . however , it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope .	1
before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments . also , the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation . fig1 shows a schematic view of an apparatus to produce warm , moist air for the present invention shown generally as 1 . water and glycol or simply water is heated in a boiler shown as 2 . heated liquid leaves the boiler through outlet hose 3 and returns to the boiler through return hose 4 . the heated liquid , preferably around 170 ° f . to 190 ° f . is circulated via pump 5 . the pump 5 is generally electrical and is well known in the art . the heated liquid , whether it be straight water or a water / glycol mixture , leaves the pump 5 through outlet hose 6 and is directed to the top of a container known as the plenum and marked as 7 . the plenum is approximately four to six feet square and approximately five to seven feet in height . the plenum is preferably water and air proof and contains a catch reservoir 8 at its bottom portion . hot liquid glycol and water or water is collected in the reservoir 8 and returned through return hose 4 for reheating in boiler 2 . the hot water supply hose 6 to the plenum 7 is connected to the tubular member 9 , having a plurality of nozzles 10 . nozzles 10 spray heated liquid into the incoming air which is ambient air forced into the plenum by blower 15 powered by an electric motor 17 . the ambient air is forced to the bottom of the plenum by a funnel - shaped structure 15 a . the hot liquid from nozzles 10 warms and saturates the incoming ambient air which is forced upward past the nozzles through plenum cap 11 to the warm , moist air is pushed through an insulated flexible duct 13 to a delivery head 14 . the delivery head 14 directs the air over the surface to be thawed in such a manner as to provide direct intimate contact between the moisture - laden air and the surface of the snow or ice or frozen ground 16 to be thawed . the warm , moist air enters the delivery head 14 through an air entrance fixture 14 a for flexible duct 13 . the warm air , once inside the delivery head 14 exits , directly onto the surface to be thawed thereby losing a good portion of its heat . also shown in fig1 and not previously mentioned , is a propane source 19 which enters boiler 2 via propane line 18 . in the first embodiment the propane boiler used is of known design and capable of delivering 700 , 000 btus . finally , the direction of the incoming ambient air is shown generally as 20 . fig2 illustrates a modified arrangement of the warm , moist air generating device that incorporates additional features not found in the device illustrated in fig1 . these are : 1 ) the use of the wet heated coil method of producing warm humid air as an adjunct to the spray method ; 2 ) the possibility of controlling the degree of saturation of the warm , moist air ; 3 ) the capability of producing warm , dry air . the plenum , previously marked 7 in fig1 , is divided into downward and upward air flow chambers 25 and 26 respectively . the air flow is marked as 28 . the hot water or glycol from the boiler supplies pipe 6 , and auxiliary pipes 20 , 20 a and 20 b . thus supply hose 6 runs generally to supply piping 9 and nozzles 10 . auxiliary supply pipes 20 , 20 a and 20 b feed nozzles 22 , 23 , and coil 24 respectively . valves 6 a , 6 b and 6 c control the rate of flow through the supply pipes 20 , 20 a and 20 b . the embodiment in fig2 also includes heat coil 24 which helps to warm the air and in the embodiment shown , it is wetted by nozzles 23 , thereby increasing the output of the system while eliminating the excess droplets entrained in the air . heat coil 24 eliminates all liquid through pipe 21 to return pipe 4 . other excess water or water glycol liquid is collected in a reservoir 8 and returned to the boiler through return pipe 4 . in fig3 , a different heating and moisturizing element is shown . again , heated liquid , either in the form of water or water / glycol solution , leaves boiler 2 , travels through circulation pump 5 and hot liquid supply pipe 6 . hot water supply pipe 6 , rather than going to nozzles as shown in previous figures , enters into a series of heating coils 24 and then returns as usual through a return flow pipe 4 . the ambient air blown by blower 15 enters through air inlet 30 , and follows the path of arrows 28 and exists in a heated , moist condition through nozzle 29 . meanwhile , water which collects in catch basin 32 drips down to reservoir 31 is circulated upward by pump 33 through inlet pipe 34 . inlet supply pipe 34 is perforated with a number of holes 27 . thus , ordinary water drips down around coils 24 wetting coils such that as the air 28 passes through the series of wetted coils , 24 , it becomes moisture - laden and warmed , and thereafter leaves nozzle 29 . fig4 illustrates a steam - producing element of the invention . steam boiler 37 produces steam which flows through outgoing line 38 . outgoing line 38 then separates into a first branch line 39 which runs into closed coils 43 and a second branch line 40 which leads steam into steam jet nozzles 41 . modulating valves 47 regulate the steam pressure to steam nozzles 41 and coils 43 . as incoming air flows in the direction of arrows 35 , it encounters nozzles 41 and steam coils 43 . as the two mix the air will be heated and water vapor will be cooled producing moisture - laden air . the temperature of this moisture - laden air and its composite will depend upon the ratio of air to steam introduced . it exits at 36 as heated moisture - laden air . any excess water is removed by drain 44 . steam and condensed water from coils 43 exits to boiler 37 by pipe 46 and is moved by pump 5 . fresh water is fed to boiler 37 via pump 42 through pipe 45 . in another embodiment of the invention , steam can be directed immediately to the delivery head in a steam state . fig5 is a schematic view of another heating and moisturizing element for the invention . blower 15 forces ambient air through a heat - resistant plenum 47 . the ambient air moves in the direction of arrows 35 . the air first encounters burner jets 48 which are fed by a propane or natural gas source 49 through line 50 . in operation , the flames of jets 48 preferably heat the air up to about 800 ° f . or more , although the range of temperatures from these burners can be much hotter . the 800 ° f . refers to a temperature which the inventor believes would be suitable for a number of applications , however the temperature could vary depending upon how much extra air is supplied . obviously this hot dry air is unacceptable for aircraft deicing operations . a water supply 51 feeds water through pump 52 to water pipe 53 , which feeds water to auxiliary lines 54 and 55 and water nozzles 56 and 57 respectively . when the dry air encounters water nozzle spray , it is cooled . the degree of cooling will depend upon the amount and temperature of the water introduced . if sufficient water is introduced to saturate air originally at 800 ° f ., the air temperature will drop to about 140 ° f . this warm moisture - laden air then leaves outlet 36 and is directed to a delivery head ( not shown in fig5 ). fig6 shows a first embodiment of a delivery head 58 for delivering and dispersing warm moisture - laden air to a surface to be melted . the delivery head is in the form of an air mattress . it is connected at entrance fixture 14 a to flexible tube 13 . the bottom of the mattress has a plurality of holes ( not shown in fig6 ) to allow warm , moist air to escape under pressure above a surface to be melted . fig6 a is a bottom view of the mattress delivery head 58 . tension buttons 61 secure tension straps 64 ( shown in fig6 b ) to give the mattress its form . the bottom of the mattress 63 has apertures 62 which allow the warm moist air to escape under pressure downwardly . fig6 b is a side cut - away view of mattress 58 . in dotted lines are tension straps 64 which are secured to buttons 61 . fig7 is a perspective view of a manual mattress support cart 65 . the cart can be used to de - ice wings and fuselage of small aircraft . the cart has a frame 66 , supported by wheels 67 , and cross members 68 . at the top of the frame are mattress support members 69 which attach to mattress support loops 71 . hydraulic cylinders 70 move mattress support members 69 up and down to adjust the height of mattress 58 relative to a surface to be melted . fig8 is a perspective view of mattress - type delivery head 58 on a truck mounted system . a truck 74 has an articulated support beam 75 on which is mounted flexible duct 13 . at the remote end of the beam 75 is a man box 76 which permits a man to view the deicing operation . man box 76 is attached to a mattress support frame 77 . fig8 a is a top view of truck mounted system shown in fig8 . a duct mounting plate 78 to receive flexible duct 13 is mounted on mattress support frame 77 . fig9 is an end view of a delivery device of the present invention which is designed for melting snow and ice on aircraft , helicopter blades and driveways . the device consists of a number of elongated flexible ducts or tubing 79 which range from 12 to 18 inches in diameter . there is an impermeable top layer of fabric 80 on the top portion of the ducts which prevents the warm moist air or steam to come in contact with the surface to be melted . tubes 79 are attached to one another by impermeable fabric 81 . the bottom of the tubes 79 is an air permeable porous fabric 82 which allows the warm moist air or steam to escape downwards on a surface to be deiced . fig9 a is a top cut - away view of the delivery device in fig9 . warm moist air is fed to the delivery device by duct 13 and auxiliary delivery hoses 83 . holder loops 84 are used to support and spread tubes laterally . fig9 b is an end view of the upper frames 86 and lower support frames 88 which are connected to tube holder loops 84 . upper frames 86 are pivotally connected to lower frames 88 at pivots 87 and hanger 86 a attached to support hook 85 holding the fabric delivery device tubes 79 in an extended deicing position on top of wing 89 of an aircraft . fig1 is a side view of a mattress - type delivery device 58 located in operating position over a wing 89 of an aircraft . it is held in spaced position 90 slightly above the wing 89 by frame members connected to hook 85 . fig1 is a perspective view of an aircraft being deiced using hollow blower shaft 107 to blow ambient air under high pressure to remove loose ice and snow prior to introducing warm moisture - laden air . duct 13 is connected to a tapered air intake tube 72 , which is directed through the security man box 76 and which is supported by bracket 73 . tapered air intake tube 72 communicates with hollow air output shaft 107 ( which attaches to an output shaft handle 106 ) through universal joint coupling 109 . hollow air output shaft has a fanned reduced size output end 108 , which disperses blown high velocity air . fig1 is a perspective view of an aircraft 91 being deiced by a mattress - type delivery device 58 having an impermeable top surface 80 and an air permeable bottom surface 82 . this type of delivery device rests directly on the aircraft for melting ice and snow . fig1 is a perspective view of the delivery head of the present invention comprising tubes 79 in a downward extended elongated deicing position resting on wing 89 of aircraft 91 . warm moist air or steam flows from truck 74 to duct 13 into the deicing device delivery head . fig1 is a schematic view of a spray - type humid air generator . water is heated in boiler 92 and exits through pipe 93 . hot water is directed to auxiliary water lines 94 a , 94 b , and 94 c . lines 94 a and 94 b feed hot water to spray nozzles 96 a and 96 b respectively . auxiliary hot water line 94 c directs hot water to heating coils 97 . shut off valves 95 a , 95 b , and 95 c regulate the flow of hot water , to nozzles and coils . excess water is collected in reservoir 98 , and exits through outlet pipe 99 , and is moved by pump 100 through return pipe 101 to boiler 92 to be reheated . ambient outside air is introduced into plenum 105 by blower 102 . the air travels in direction 103 past the nozzles and coils , and exits as warm , moisture - laden air through outlet 104 . while the invention has been described , disclosed , illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice , the scope of the invention is not intended to be , nor should it be deemed to be , limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended .	1
for a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages , reference is now made to the following descriptions , taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings , in which : fig1 illustrates an example embodiment of a system for attaching bone segments together including a locking plate and a plurality of locking screws according to the present disclosure ; fig2 a and 2b illustrate enlarged views of one of the locking screws of fig1 ; fig3 a and 3b illustrate enlarged views of a locking screw hole that may be included in the locking plate of fig1 according to the present disclosure ; fig4 a , 4 b and 4 c illustrate enlarge views of double helix locking screws ; fig5 illustrates an example embodiment of a system for attaching bone segments together , including a locking plate and a plurality of double helix locking screws according to the present disclosure . fig1 illustrates an example system 100 for attaching together bone segments according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure . in the pictured embodiment , system 100 is being used relative to a single fractured bone 102 . however , particular embodiments of system 100 may be applied equally as well to virtually any bone or group of bones in the body . for example , system 100 may be used to attach bone 102 and another bone , or bone 102 and a synthetic element such as a surgical implant . in particular embodiments , system 100 may include one or more locking screws 200 that may be used to secure a fixation plate 300 to bone 102 . for reference purposes , fixation plate 300 and other components of system 100 may be referred to as having a top or upper or side intended to face away from bone 102 and a lower or bottom side intended to face toward bone 102 ( e . g ., to be placed upon bone 102 ). though particular features of those components may be explained using such intended placement as a point of reference , this method of explanation is not meant to limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular configuration of fixation plate 300 , its features , or any other components , or to any particular placement or orientation of fixation plate 300 relative to bone 102 . fixation plate 300 may generally include a body 301 comprising a plurality of threaded screw holes 302 connected to each other in a web - like distribution by a plurality of ribs 304 , although any suitable geometry of plate 301 is contemplated . in particular embodiments , ribs 304 may be thinned down relative to threaded screw holes 302 to facilitate bending of ribs 304 rather than threaded screw holes 302 when fixation plate 300 is contoured , for example to match the contour of bone 102 . depending upon design , one or more ribs 304 may comprise one or more positioning holes 306 that may be used to position fixation plate 300 relative to bone 102 . as an example , to position fixation plate 300 relative to bone 102 using a positioning hole 306 , a surgeon may insert one end of a kirschner wire (“ k - wire ”) into bone 102 near the desired location for fixation plate 300 . the surgeon may then insert the free end of the k - wire through one of positioning holes 306 and slide fixation plate 300 down onto bone 102 using the k - wire as a guide . additionally , the surgeon may rotate fixation plate 300 about the k - wire to achieve a desired orientation of fixation plate 300 relative to bone 102 . once fixation plate 300 has been properly positioned on bone 102 , the surgeon may secure fixation plate 300 to bone 102 using , for example , one or more locking screws 200 . the surgeon may then remove the k - wire from bone 102 . to secure fixation plate 300 to bone 102 using a locking screw 200 , the surgeon may insert locking screw 200 through one of threaded screw holes 302 and into bone 102 . locking screw 200 may be inserted either parallel to the central axis 303 of screw hole 302 , or at an angle θ relative to central axis 303 . in certain procedures , the surgeon may pre - drill a pilot hole in bone 102 to establish the trajectory for locking screw 200 , or , depending on design , locking screw 200 may be self - drilling in nature , making the pre - drilled hole in bone 102 unnecessary . in either case , once the tip 206 of locking screw 200 is contact with bone 102 , the surgeon may use a screw driver or other suitable instrument to screw locking screw 200 into bone 102 until the head 202 of locking screw 200 comes to bear on the inner surface of screw hole 302 . in particular embodiments , both the underside of head 202 and the inside of screw hole 302 may be threaded to permit locking screw 200 to lockably engage screw hole 302 . in that case , further rotation of locking screw 200 at this point may cause the threaded portion of head 202 to interfere with the threading inside screw hole 302 and lock screw 200 into screw hole 302 . the above - described process may be repeated for any suitable number of locking screw until locking plate 300 is firmly attached to bone 102 . once bone plate 300 has been secured to bone 102 , the incision above bone 102 may be closed , leaving the patient to heal . one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above - described embodiment and use of system 100 was presented for the sake of explanatory simplicity and will further appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates using any suitable number of locking screws 200 in combination with any suitable configuration of bone plate 300 to repair bone 102 . fig2 a and 2b illustrate a more detailed view of one of the locking screws 200 of fig1 . in particular , fig2 a illustrates a side view of locking screw 200 taken perpendicular to the length of shaft 204 , and fig2 b illustrates a top view of locking screw 200 , looking down at the top side of head 202 . as illustrated in fig2 a , locking screw 200 generally includes a body 201 having a generally conical head 202 that tapers into a generally cylindrical shaft 204 ending at a tip 206 . screw 200 may further include a single generally continuous thread 208 formed around body 201 extending over a majority of locking screw 200 from tip 206 along the length of shaft 204 and onto head 202 . in particular embodiments , screw 200 maybe formed by carving thread 208 out of a blank . this may enable head 202 to be low profile so as to minimize the profile thickness of the plate / screw interface when screw 200 is engaged with fixation plate 300 . thread 208 may generally be defined by a leading flank 210 , a trailing flank 212 , a crest 214 connecting the outer edge of leading flank 210 to the outer edge of trailing flank 212 , and a root 216 connecting the inner edge of leading flank 210 to the inner edge of trailing flank 212 . the dimensions of thread 208 may generally be described by one or more of a thread height 218 , a leading flank thread angle 220 , a trailing flank thread angle 222 , a pitch 224 , a crest width 226 , and a thread diameter 236 . the dimensions of body 201 may generally be described by one or more of a length 228 , a head taper angle 230 , a head diameter 232 , and a shaft diameter 234 . although screw 200 may be configured to any suitable size or shape , in particular embodiments , length 228 may range , for example , from 18 millimeters to 55 millimeters , thread height 218 may be about 0 . 030 in . along the length of shaft 204 and may decrease from 0 . 030 in to about 0 . 000 in . according to taper angle 230 over the length of head 202 , taper angle 230 may be about 26 degrees , leading thread flank angle 220 may be about 30 degrees , trailing thread flank angle 222 may be about 10 degrees , pitch 224 may be about 0 . 054 in . along the length of shaft 204 and about 0 . 048 in . along the length of head 202 , crest width 226 may be about 0 . 001 in . to 0 . 004 in . flat ( e . g ., wide ), thread diameter 236 may be about 0 . 138 in ., head taper angle 130 may be about 26 degrees , head diameter 232 may be about 0 . 176 in ., and shaft diameter 234 may be about 0 . 078 in . in particular embodiments , different portions of thread 208 may be configured to perform different functions . for example , the thread height 218 of the portion of thread 208 disposed on shaft 204 may be relatively large to enable thread 208 to bite into bone 102 along the length of shaft 204 while the thread height 218 of the portion of thread 208 disposed on head 202 may be relatively small along the length of head 202 to enable thread 208 and root 216 to interact with the threading inside screw hole 302 to lock screw 200 into plate 300 . depending upon design of screw 200 , the pitch 224 of the portion of thread 208 disposed on shaft 204 may be the same as or different from the pitch 224 of the portion of thread 208 disposed on shaft 204 in order to enable screw 200 to lockably engage the threading on the inside of screw hole 302 . as an example , pitch 224 may be constant along the entire length of screw 200 . as mentioned above , thread height 218 may taper as thread 208 extends onto head 202 . this tapering may ensure that root 216 is brought into contact with the crest of the threading inside screw hole 302 when the threaded portion of head 202 comes to bear on the inner surface of screw hole 302 . in particular , thread height 218 may be shallow enough on head 202 to enable the threading inside screw hole 302 to interact with ( e . g ., deform against or bite into ) root 216 as well as thread 208 . this dual interaction may increase the contact surface area between head 202 and the inner surface of screw hole 302 and provide a stable point of connection between plate 300 and screw 200 , for example , when screw 200 is screwed into screw hole 302 at an angle other than perpendicular to the surface of screw hole 302 . the desired locking effect may be caused by the threading inside screw hole 302 digging into thread 208 and root 216 . if thread height 218 was not tapered on head 202 to enable root 216 to interact with the threading on the inner surface of screw hole 302 , the threading inside screw hole 302 might only dig into thread 208 , providing for a relatively weak point of connection . the deformation process described above may be aided by forming screw 200 and plate 300 out of two materials having unequal hardness . for example , screw 200 may be formed of a material that is relatively softer than plate 300 to enable the threading inside screw hole 302 to dig into thread 208 and root 216 . alternatively , screw 200 may be formed of a material that is relatively harder than plate 300 , in which case , the threading inside screw hole 302 may deform against thread 208 and root 216 . in any case , the desired locking effect may be caused by threadable interface between the threading on head 202 and the threading in screw hole 302 . depending upon design , screw 200 and plate 300 may be formed from any one or more materials suitable for forming medical implants , such as materials that have high strength - to - weight ratios and that are inert to human body fluids . in certain embodiments , screw 200 or plate 300 may be formed from one or more titanium alloys , which provide several benefits . for example , titanium alloys are relatively lightweight , provide adequate strength for withstanding forces typically experienced by a medical implant , are inert to human body fluids , and are visible in radiographs of the implant region . in a particular embodiment , screw 200 may be formed from the titanium based alloy ti6al4v eli ( per astm f136 ), and plate 300 may be formed from grade 2 or grade 3 titanium ( per astm f67 ). in certain other embodiments , screw 200 or plate 300 may be formed from one or more resorbable polymers , such as polylactides , polyglycolide , glycolide / lactide copolymers or other copolymers , or one or more implantable plastics , such as polyethylene or acetal copolymers for example . since the desired locking effect described above between plate 300 and screw 200 may depend primarily upon the interface between the threading inside screw hole 302 and the threading on head 202 , head 202 may lockably engage screw hole 302 independent of the size of shaft 204 . thus , shaft 204 may have virtually any configuration ( e . g ., fully threaded , partially threaded , self - threaded , unthreaded , long , or short ) while still maintaining the ability to lockably engage plate 300 by virtue of its connection to head 202 . as shown in fig2 b , an engagement 238 is formed in head 202 . in particular embodiments , engagement 238 may be adapted to receive an implantation tool such as a driver that may be used to rotate screw 200 about a longitudinal axis 240 in order to screw locking screw 200 into bone 102 and to lock locking screw 200 into screw hole 302 . as an example , engagement 238 may comprises a cruciform - shaped recess adapted to mate with the screw driver ; however , in other embodiments , engagement 238 may comprise any other suitable type of recess or engagement adapted to receive or mate with any suitable driver tool . for example , engagement 238 may comprise a recess having a hexagonal , rectangular , octagonal , or other shape . one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above described embodiments of locking screw 200 were presented for the sake of explanatory simplicity and will further appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates locking screw 200 having any suitable dimensions and configuration , being formed from any suitable materials , and being used for any suitable purpose . fig3 a and 3b illustrate enlarged views of an example embodiment of a threaded screw hole 302 that may be included in locking plate 300 in accordance with the present disclosure . in particular , fig3 a depicts an isometric view of threaded screw hole 302 and fig3 b depicts a cross - sectional view of threaded screw hole 302 taken along line a of fig3 a . referring to fig3 a , threaded screw hole 302 may generally be defined by one or more of an upper countersink 310 a , lower countersink 310 b , and threaded portion 307 disposed between countersinks 310 . threaded screw hole 302 may further be surrounded by arum 314 that comprises generally flat surface encircling threaded screw hole 302 . depending upon design , threaded portion 307 may include double lead threads 308 comprising a first thread 308 a arranged with a second thread 308 b in a double helix configuration . as an example and not by way of limitation , threads 308 a and 308 b may be identical to one another in all respects ( e . g ., size , length , and included thread angle α ), except that thread 308 a may be opposed from thread 308 b by 180 degrees . as compared to a single lead thread , double lead threads 308 may enable screw 200 to lockably engage plate 300 in half as many rotations , enable screw 200 to engage screw hole 302 at an angle other than parallel to the central axis 303 of threaded screw hole 302 , and provide a greater amount of surface area to engage the threading on head 202 , thereby increasing the force needed to disengage screw 200 from locking fixation plate 300 . referring to fig3 b , in particular embodiments , upper counter sink 310 a may include two portions , a locking portion 312 configured to lockably engage locking screw 200 , and a non - locking portion 313 configured to seat a traditional screw having a non - locking ( e . g ., unthreaded ) head . locking portion 312 may be distinguished from non - locking portion 313 by the fact that threads 308 do not extend into non - locking portion 313 . including non - locking portion 313 on top of locking portion 312 may enable threaded screw hole 302 to accommodate either locking screw 200 or a traditional non - locking screw having a smooth under surface configured to bear against non - locking portion 313 when screwed into abode 102 . depending upon design , locking portion 312 may be defined by a locking countersink angle φ while , non - locking portion may 313 may be defined by a non - locking countersink angle γ . lower counter sink 310 b may also be defined by a lower countersink angle ψ . though countersinks 310 may have any suitable configuration , in particular embodiments , locking countersink angle φ may be about 60 degrees , non - locking countersink angle γ may be about 90 degrees , and lower countersink angle ψ may be about 60 degrees . in particular embodiments , the included angle α of threads 308 a and 308 b may be equal to locking countersink angle φ . countersinks 310 may facilitate the ability of screw 200 to be inserted through screw hole 302 at an angle other than co - axial with central axis 303 . for example , lower countersink 310 b may provide clearance on the underside of plate 300 which enables shaft 204 to tilt within screw hole 302 up to a predefined angle before thread 208 ( e . g ., the threading on shaft 204 ) contacts the bottom surface of plate 300 . upper countersink 310 a may enable screw 200 to lock into screw hole 302 at an angle other than perpendicular to the surface of screw hole 302 by preventing the threaded portion 307 from dictating the angle of insertion . when locking screw 200 is engaged with threaded screw hole 302 , the portion of head 202 that is not engaged with threaded portion 307 may bear against upper countersink 310 a to provide additional support for screw 200 . in particular embodiments , upper countersink 310 a may be deep enough to take in the entirety of head 202 , even when head 202 is screwed into screw hole 302 at an angle other than parallel to the central axis 303 of threaded screw hole 302 . referring back to threaded portion 307 , threaded portion 307 may further be defined by one or more of a minor diameter 316 , a major diameter 318 , and a thread pitch 320 . although threaded portion 307 may be configured to any suitable size or shape , in particular embodiments , threaded portion 307 may include a double lead thread having a minor diameter 316 of 0 . 161 +/− 0 . 001 in ., a major diameter 318 of 0 . 192 +/− 0 . 001 in . and a thread pitch 320 of 0 . 028 in . furthermore , in particular embodiments , the outer edges of head 202 may be beveled to enable the edges of head 202 to remain below the plane of rim 314 , even when inserted into screw hole 302 at an angle . thus , the low profile of head 202 in combination with the custom size of countersinks 310 may provide a low plate / screw profile and reduce patient palpation of the implant ( e . g ., plate 300 and screw 200 ) by enabling head 202 to sink below the plane of rim 314 while still maintaining the desired angular locking interface . fig4 a and 4b illustrate a more detailed view of the double helix locking screws 400 . in particular , fig4 a illustrates a side view of locking screw 400 taken perpendicular to the length of shaft 404 , and fig4 b illustrates a top view of locking screw 400 , looking down at the top side of head 402 . as illustrated in fig4 a , locking screw 400 generally includes a body 401 and a generally conical head 402 that tapers into a generally cylindrical shaft 404 ending at a tip 406 . screw 400 further includes two generally continuous threads 1001 and 1002 intertwined in a double helix format . threads 1001 and 1002 extend over the majority of locking screw 400 from tip 406 along the length of shaft 404 onto head 402 . in particular embodiments , screw 400 may be formed by carving threads 1001 and 1002 out of a blank . this may enable head 402 to be low - profile so as to minimize the profile thickness of the plate / screw interface when screw 400 is engaged within a fixation plate 500 , as shown in fig5 . each double helix thread 1001 and 1002 may generally be defined by a leading flank 410 / 411 , a trailing flank 412 / 413 , and a crest 414 / 415 connecting the outer edge of respective leading flank 410 / 411 to the corresponding outer edge of trailing flank 412 / 413 . each thread includes a root 416 / 417 . it will be understood by one skilled in the art that since threads 1001 and 1002 are overlapping and helical in nature , the descriptions previously provided with respect to the characteristics of a single thread , as discussed above in fig2 a and 2b , apply in a similar manner with respect to fig4 a and 4b , except that there are two threads interspaced and helical in characteristics . the use of a helical threads accelerates the advancement of the screw into the anchoring material due to the multiple use of threads . it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the use of a double helix screw 400 may include more than two interspaced threads , such as three or four interspaced threads , as shown in fig5 , 4 d and 4 e as multiple threads 1001 / 1002 / 1003 in the case of fig4 d and threads 1001 / 1003 / 1003 / 1004 in the case of fig4 e . such designs will advance the screw quicker due to the triple or quadruple nature of the screw threads . it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the disclosure herein is intended to cover the use of triple , quadruple or multiple threaded screws and is not limited to a double helix screw . as discussed in fig2 a above , the dimensions of threads 1001 and 1002 in fig4 may generally be described by one or more of a corresponding thread height 418 / 419 . similarly , the dimensions of thread 1001 and 1002 may be described by a corresponding leading flank thread angle 420 / 421 , a corresponding trailing flank thread angle 422 / 423 , a corresponding pitch 424 / 425 , a corresponding crest width 426 / 427 , and thread diameter 436 . additionally , the thread diameters of each thread 1001 / 1002 may vary , which provides additional engagement and threading characteristics . the dimensions of body 401 may generally be described by one or more of a length 428 , a head angle 430 , a head diameter 432 , and a shaft diameter 434 . although screw 400 may be configured to any suitable size or shape , in particular embodiments , length 428 may range , for example , from 10 mm to 70 mm , thread height 418 / 419 may be about 0 . 030 inches along the length of shaft 404 , and may decrease from 0 . 030 inches to about 0 . 000 inches according to the taper of angle 430 over the length of head 402 . head angle 430 defines the general tapered angle of the conical head 402 and may be between about 15 and 20 degrees and preferably about 18 degrees . leading thread flank angle 420 / 421 may be about 30 degrees . trailing flank angle 422 / 423 may be about 10 degrees . pitch 424 / 425 may be about 0 . 049 inches along the length of shaft 404 and about 0 . 044 inches along the length of head 402 . crest width 426 / 427 may be about 0 . 001 inches to about 0 . 004 inches flat ( e . g ., wide ). thread diameter 436 may be about 0 . 138 inches and thread diameter 437 may be about 0 . 138 inches . diameter 432 may be about 0 . 196 inches , and shaft diameter 434 may be about 0 . 094 inches . referring still to fig4 a , crests 426 / 427 gradually terminate into the end of the conical portion 402 , distal from the tip 406 . this provides for a smooth transition and across the conical portion 402 and a flat top when seated within screw hole 502 as discussed further below . in particular embodiments , different portions of thread 1001 / 1002 may be configured to perform different functions . for example , to enable thread 1001 / 1002 to bite into bone 102 , the thread height 418 and / or 419 may vary along the length of shaft 404 along the length of head 402 to interact with the double helix threading inside screw hole 502 ( fig5 ) to lock screw 400 into plate 500 . depending upon the design of screw 400 , the corresponding pitch 424 of thread 1001 or pitch 425 of thread 1002 may be the same as , or different from , the pitch of the threads located within fixation plate 500 . fig5 illustrates a system 500 , which is identical to system 100 , as noted above , other than its preparation for inclusion of screws 400 , rather than 200 . that is , system 500 is intended to be employed with the double helix screws 400 . the description of system 500 , and in particular fixation plate 500 is identical to fixation plate 300 , as noted in fig1 . its configuration is similar to that , as shown in fig1 , comprising fixation plate 300 . fixation plate 500 may generally include a body 501 comprising a plurality of threaded screw holes 502 connected to each other in a web - like distribution by a plurality of ribs 504 , although any suitable geometry of plate 501 is contemplated . in particular embodiments , ribs 504 may be thinned down relative to threaded screw holes 502 to facilitate bending of ribs 504 rather than threaded screw holes 502 when fixation plate 300 is contoured , for example to match the contour of bone 102 . its implementation would be identical to that with respect to fixation plate 300 . that is , securing fixation plate 500 to bone 102 uses the locking screw 400 , as discussed above . as in the case of plate 300 , the surgeon may insert locking screw 400 through one or more threads screw holes 502 and into bone 102 . locking screw 400 may be inserted either parallel to the central axis 503 of screw hole 502 , or at an angle θ relative to central angle 503 . in certain procedures , the surgeon may pre - drill a pilot hole in bone 102 to establish a trajectory for locking screw 400 , or , depending on design , locking screw 400 may be self - drilling in nature , making the pre - drilled hole in bone 102 unnecessary . in either case , once the tip 406 of locking screw 400 is in contact with bone 102 , the surgeon may use a screwdriver or other suitable instrument to screw locking screw 400 into bone 102 until the head 402 of locking screw 200 come to bear against the end of the surface of screw hole 502 . in particular embodiments , both the underside of head 402 and the inside of screw hole 502 may be threaded to commit locking screw 400 to lockably engage screw hole 502 . in that case , further rotation of locking screw 400 may cause the threaded portion of head 402 to interfere with the threading inside screw hole 502 and lock screw 400 into screw hole 502 . the above - described process may be repeated for any suitable number of locking screws until plate 500 is firmly attached to bone 102 . once the fixation plate 500 has been secured to bone 102 , the incision about 102 may be closed , leaving the patient to heal . in this manner , the double helix threaded screw , as shown in fig4 a , may interact with the double helix thread shown within plate 500 . in particular , thread height 418 / 419 may be shallow enough on head 402 to enable the threading inside screw hole 502 to interact with ( e . g ., deform against or bite into ) the threads within hole 502 . and , as noted above , since crests 426 / 427 gradually terminate into the end of the conical portion 402 , distal from the tip 406 , the top of conical portion 402 is flat with the top of screw hole 502 . further , the present invention provides that the configuration and design of the threads located within screw hole 502 would be identical to that shown and described above with respect to fig3 a and 3b . in this manner , screw 400 is inserted within screw hole 502 which has the tapered and threaded configurations as noted above with respect to fig2 a and 2b within fig3 a and 3b except that a double helix screw is used as noted above and described in fig4 a , 4 b , and 4 c . thus , the dual interaction between head 402 and the inner surface of screw hole 502 provides a stable point of connection between plate 500 and screw 400 . such would occur once screw 400 is screwed into screw hole 502 at an angle other than perpendicular to the surface of screw hole 502 . the desired locking effect may be caused by the threading inside screw hole 502 digging into threads 1001 and 1002 and their corresponding roots 416 and 417 . the deformation process described above may be aided by forming screw 400 into plate 500 out of two materials having unequal hardness . for example , screw 400 may be formed of a material that is relatively softer than plate 500 to enable the threading inside screw hole 502 to dig into threads 1001 and 1002 in corresponding root 416 / 417 . alternatively , screw 400 may be formed of a material that is relatively harder than plate 500 , in which case the threading inside screw hole 502 may deform against threads 1001 and 1002 in corresponding root 416 / 417 . in any case , the desired locking effect may be caused by threadable interface between the threading of head 402 and the threading in screw hole 502 . depending upon design , screw 400 and plate 500 may be formed from any one or more materials suitable for forming medical implants , such as materials that have high strength - to - weight ratios and that are inert to human body fluids . in certain embodiments , screw 400 or plate 500 may be formed from one or more titanium alloys , which provide several benefits . for example , titanium alloys are relatively lightweight , provide adequate strength for withstanding forces typically experienced by a medical implant , are inert to human body fluids , and are visible in radiographs of the implant region . in a particular embodiment , screw 400 may be formed from the titanium based alloy ti6al4v eli ( per astm f136 ), and plate 300 may be formed from grade 2 or grade 3 titanium ( per astm f67 ). in certain other embodiments , screw 400 or plate 500 may be formed from one or more resorbable polymers , such as polylactides , polyglycolide , glycolide / lactide copolymers or other copolymers , or one or more implantable plastics , such as polyethylene or acetal copolymers for example . since the desired locking effect described above between plate 500 and screw 400 may depend primarily upon the interface between the threading inside screw hole 502 and the threading on head 402 , head 402 may lockably engage screw hole 502 independent of the size of shaft 404 . thus , shaft 404 may have virtually any configuration ( e . g ., fully threaded , partially threaded , self - threaded , unthreaded , long , or short ) while still maintaining the ability to lockably engage plate 500 by virtue of its connection to head 402 . as shown in fig4 b , an engagement 438 is formed in head 402 . in particular embodiments , engagement 438 may be adapted to receive an implantation tool such as a driver that may be used to rotate screw 400 about a longitudinal axis 440 in order to screw locking screw 400 into bone 102 and to lock locking screw 400 into screw hole 502 . as an example , engagement 438 may comprises a cruciform - shaped recess adapted to mate with the screw driver or , as shown in fig4 c , the engagement 439 may comprise a hexalobe or star - shaped recess . however , engagement 438 / 439 may comprise any other suitable type of recess or engagement adapted to receive or mate with any suitable driver tool . for example , engagement 438 / 439 may comprise a recess having a hexagonal , rectangular , octagonal , or other shape . one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above described embodiments of locking screw 400 were presented for the sake of explanatory simplicity and will further appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates locking screw 400 having any suitable dimensions and configuration , being formed from any suitable materials , and being used for any suitable purpose . one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the above - described embodiments were presented for the sake of explanatory simplicity and will further appreciate that the present disclosure contemplates any suitable configuration and number of screw holes 302 , ribs 304 , and positioning holes 306 in fixation plate 300 ; and screw holes 502 , ribs 504 , and positioning holes 506 in fixation plate 500 . moreover , although the present disclosure , including the fixation system and the screw , collectively and individually , has been described in several embodiments , a myriad of changes , substitutions and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art , and it is intended that the present disclosure encompasses such changes , substitutions and modifications as fall within the scope of the present appended claims .	0
illustrative embodiments and exemplary applications will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings to disclose the advantageous teachings of the present invention . while the present invention is described herein with reference to illustrative embodiments for particular applications , it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto . those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the teachings provided herein will recognize additional modifications , applications , and embodiments within the scope thereof and additional fields in which the present invention would be of significant utility . fig1 is a diagram of a conventional long - life cryocooler compressor module 10 ′ that uses lvdt sensors for position feedback . end covers ( not shown ) are removed in fig1 to reveal two lvdts 12 ′ and 14 ′. the lvdts are used to sense the position of first and second internal moving pistons ( not shown ). as illustrated in fig1 , the lvdts typically occupy approximately 25 % of the total length of the module 10 ′. the lvdt system is therefore responsible for a significant percentage of the module &# 39 ; s total length , volume and mass . additionally , the lvdt sensors require a significant amount of drive and demodulation circuitry in order to function properly . this adds a large number of parts to the cryocooler drive electronics , increasing cost , complexity , and size while reducing overall electronics reliability . other continuous - feedback position sensor systems have strengths and weaknesses relative to the lvdt system , however they nonetheless generally have significant drawbacks at the cryocooler system level . those skilled in the art appreciate that an ideal position feedback system would not add any significant mass , volume , complexity , or reliability issues to the cryocooler system . inevitably , the addition of a continuous - feedback sensor system adds one or more of the above negative features to the system . the present teachings are based , at least in part , on a recognition that although continuous position feedback seems desirable , it is not in fact necessary . this is due to the fact that inasmuch as linear - oscillating cryocoolers are highly resonant systems , regardless of the waveform shape that is used to drive the cryocooler motors , the moving elements will move in a very sinusoidal fashion . the mechanisms involved are essentially spring / mass resonators , which resist moving at frequencies much higher than their fundamental resonant frequency . because distortion in the position waveform is simply higher - order harmonic content , the fundamental nature of the resonant mechanism prevents distortion of the position waveforms . hence , a plot of position versus time for well - designed cryocooler moving elements will look very sinusoidal regardless of the drive waveform . this is depicted as waveform 11 in fig2 . fig2 is a diagram showing a typical moving element position waveform and sample sensor output versus time in accordance with the present teachings . in accordance with the present teachings , knowledge that the piston position waveforms are sinusoidal is utilized . specifically , an equation to describe these waveforms to a high degree of accuracy is employed . this equation is : in the above equation , “ time ” is simply a reference to a system clock within the electronics . “ frequency ” is determined by the motor drive waveform that is known precisely . the equation for moving - element position therefore contains two known and three unknown quantities . in accordance with the present teachings , three discrete samples of the waveform in question are used to solve the equation [ 1 ] for the three unknown quantities . at this point , all relevant information about the position waveform will be known . hence , a set of three discrete samples of the moving - element position waveform is adequate to fully describe the position waveform in a mathematical sense . continuous position feedback is therefore not required , meaning that continuous - feedback sensors need not be employed . as a side note , the possibility exists that additional samples above and beyond the minimum 3 may add reliability and / or accuracy . the central point remains that a relatively small number of discrete samples can be used to accurately calculate the overall characteristics of a sinusoidal waveform . fig3 is a diagram of cryocooler position feedback system implemented in accordance with the present teachings . the system 10 includes an lvdt 12 mounted on a base 14 . the lvdt 12 is driven by a motor 16 through a piston 15 . a motor mount 17 is adjacent to the motor and serves to mechanically support it . flexure stacks 18 are disposed about a suspension cage 20 . together , the flexure stacks and suspension cage support the moving piston throughout its motion and provide an appropriate spring force in order to achieve a particular resonance frequency ( improving efficiency in a cryocooler application ). a shaft 22 is coupled to the piston 15 and reciprocates therewith from left to right in the figure as shown by the line with double arrowheads . as discussed more fully below , in accordance with the present teachings , the blade 24 interrupts a beam from a light emitting diode ( led ) 26 to a photodiode 28 ( both not shown in fig4 ). this is depicted in fig4 below . fig3 a is a block diagram of an illustrative implementation of an electrical circuit for use with the inventive position sensing system . as shown in fig3 a , light from the led is detected by the photodiode 28 . the photodiode 28 outputs an analog signal to an analog - to - digital converter 52 . this signal is digitized by the a / d converter 52 and input to a processor 54 . the processor 54 performs the calculations needed to solve equation [ 1 ] and outputs a signal to an input / output interface 56 . the processor may be implemented with discrete components with an fpga ( field programmable gate array ), asic ( application specific integrated circuit ) or other arrangement , or in software with a general - purpose processor or a risc ( reduced ( or rationalized ) instruction set computer ) processor . fig4 is an end view of the cryocooler position feedback system of fig2 . as depicted in fig4 , the led 26 and the photodiode 28 are mounted on a support 30 such that when the shaft 22 and attached blade 24 pass a predetermined position in its waveform , a signal is output or interrupted by the photodiode 28 . fig5 is a perspective view of an arrangement for sensing a position of any element adapted for reciprocal movement in accordance with the present teachings . in this case , the chopper blade 24 is mounted to the moving element ( not shown ) via a mounting bracket 40 . fig6 shows an arrangement for supporting the led and photodiode of fig5 . the arrangement 42 includes first and second posts 43 and 44 with which the led 26 and the photodiode 28 respectively are secured to a base via l brackets 46 and 47 and pedestals 48 and 49 . fig7 is an end view of the sensing arrangement shown in fig5 and 6 . note that , as depicted in fig4 , the photodiode 28 does not provide continuous feedback , but only triggers whenever the shaft 22 and attached blade 24 pass a particular pre - determined position in its waveform . as shown in fig2 , every time the position waveform passes through a predetermined position ( indicated on the figure with black circles ) the photodiode 28 triggers . this indicates that the position waveform is now at a certain known position . each stored trigger therefore contains two pieces of information : 1 ) the time of the trigger event and 2 ) the position of the moving element at the time of the trigger . after three trigger events are stored , all required data has been gathered and that data can then be processed to solve the equation of motion , equation [ 1 ]. the output of the algorithm will be the position waveform amplitude , dc offset , and relative phase . all relevant information about the position waveform is now known and can be used as input to relevant control loops ( position control and temperature control in the case of a cryocooler system ). the cryocooler electronics need only store the time of each trigger and the predetermined position that the trigger in question corresponds to . the cryocooler electronics ( not shown ) are electrically coupled to the photodiode 28 . the cryocooler electronics include a processor implemented in hardware or software for computing the position p ( t ) in accordance with equation [ 1 ]. thus , the present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application . those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings will recognize additional modifications applications and embodiments within the scope thereof . the inventive system can be implemented with a variety of sensor types . for example , an optical system could be used to sample the position waveform or a simplified eddy - current or capacitive - type sensor could be employed without departing from the scope of the present teachings . generally , however , it should be noted that the non - continuous nature of the sensors that can be used with this system ( various proximity sensors , optical sensors , etc ) implies that the sensors themselves can be made much smaller , simpler , and cheaper than their continuous - feedback alternatives . in any event , the number of sensors , sensor placement , number of samples , sample timing , and other related issues are expected to vary from implementation to implementation without departing from the scope of the present teachings . in addition , the invention is not limited to an arrangement by which light is blocked by the moving element . that is , other schemes may be used as well by which movement of the element either causes or terminates a reflection or transmission from a source to a sensor . and while the focus of this disclosure has been on applications to cryogenics , the present teachings are generally applicable to other resonant , oscillating systems without limitation thereto . it is therefore intended by the appended claims to cover any and all such applications , modifications and embodiments within the scope of the present invention .	6
the following detailed description contains exemplary embodiments based upon the principle teachings of the invention . fig1 a and 1b illustrate schematically the principles on which the invention is based ; fig2 is a prespective view partly cut away illustrating pictorially the principles described in conjunction with fig1 ; fig3 is a schematic view illustrating the advantages of a further embodiment of the invention ; fig6 is a diagram illustrating a standoff arrangement obtainable by proper choice of alignment ball and indent sizes ; fig7 is a perspective view of a chip carrier assembly embodying the invention ; fig8 a and 8b are views of the chip carrier support board and the chip carrier respectively ; fig9 a and 9b are sectional views of a portion of fig8 a before and after final bonding . fig1 illustrates a typical task which the invention is designed to perform . two substrates , upper substrate 1 and lower substrate 1a , each carry elements 2 and 2a which are to be aligned in some fashion across the interface as the result of correctly positioning substrates 1 and 1a relative to one another . since the elements 2 and 2a are often not visible while the substrates are arranged together , proper alignment is difficult to ensure . it is especially difficult when the edges are not precisely formed or otherwise are not reliable indices for the elements 2 and 2a ( i . e . dimension &# 34 ; x &# 34 ; in fig2 is not controlled ). the alignment tool proposed here is shown at 3 , and comprises indents 4 and 4a formed in substrates 1 and 1a , and aligning ball 5 . the single alignment ball shown in fig1 is adequate for preventing displacement between substrates 1 and 1a in either the x or y directions . however , angular ( θ z ) rotations about ball 5 are not prevented , and a second ball alignment device may be required . such an arrangement is shown in fig2 . if the two ball alignment devices are asymmetrically placed with respect to the center of chip package 20 , then a unique orientation is guaranteed . if they are placed symmetrically , two orientations will be allowed ( θ z = 0 , 180 degrees ). applications will be found for both arrangements . the arrangement shown in fig1 allows the substrates to &# 34 ; tilt &# 34 ; out of planarity ( see fig3 ) prior to the point where the ball is seated into both recesses ( and even after registration is achieved if the radius of the ball exceeds the depth of the recess , or the diameter exceeds the width of the recess ). consequently , it may be advantageous in some applications to have three or more ball alignment devices . there are a variety of choices for the alignment operation itself . typically , the indents or recesses in the lower substrate will be &# 34 ; loaded &# 34 ; with alignment balls and the upper substrate placed over the lower and manipulated in the x and y directions until each ball seats into an indent in the upper substrate . choice of the dimensions for the alignment ball and the indents will influence the alignment operation in a variety of ways . fig4 illustrates the effect of varying the ratio of the ball diameter d b to the diameter ( or width ) of the recess , d h . if d h exceeds d b appreciably , misalignment may occur , because the ball is free to move uncontrollably in x or y directions . if d b exceeds d h appreciably the ball is unstable in the indent and can be easily dislodged unless it is bonded in place . the recommended range is d b = d h ± 20 % and preferably 10 % ( if d b = 1 . 2 d h more than three quarters of the &# 34 ; height &# 34 ; of the ball is above the plane of the hole .) it is important to have a substantial portion of the ball protrude above the surface of the substrate . as illustrated in fig5 a and 5b , the effectiveness of the lock with the indent in the upper substrate is strong in fig5 a but weak in fig5 b . ( in fact , if in fig5 b the indent in the upper substrate is the same size as the indent in the lower substrate as shown , the substrates are likely to be misaligned as shown .) accordingly it is useful , although not required , to have at least a third of the diameter of the ball protrude above the surface of the lower substrate . the shape of the indent may vary widely , e . g . that of a cone , cube , cylinder , pyramid , etc . for some applications it may be useful to adjust the depth of the indent to control the amount of projection desired for the alignment ball , and provide a cylindrical or other appropriately shaped indent slightly larger than the ball ( see fig5 ). for other applications the size of the hole at the top of the indent ( fig4 ) or the taper of the sidewalls will determine the amount of protrusion of the alignment ball . i have also found useful the expedient of designing for an intentional standoff between the two substrates that is preserved after alignment . such a design is shown in fig6 . the standoff distance z is obtained either by making the opening of either ( or both ) indent ( s ) smaller than the ball diameter ( shown ) or by adjusting appropriately the depth of either ( or both ) indent ( s ). this expedient is especially useful when the elements to be mated e . g . 51 and 52 in fig6 project from the substrate surface . having outlined the general considerations that apply to the invention , we turn now to specific applications that have been demonstrated and with respect to which we regard the invention as potentially valuable . fig7 shows a module assembly comprising support board 60 , pin outs 61 , and an array of chip carriers 62 . the support board is typically a laminated structure and comprises a multilevel interconnect assembly for routing electrical interconnections from the chip carriers 62 to the input - output pins 61 . the support board is typically an epoxy - glass multilayer board or an alumina co - fired ceramic . a portion of the board 60 , prior to attachment of the chip carriers 62 is shown in fig8 a . a chip carrier , prior to mounting on the board , is shown in fig8 b . the contact patterns on each , which are designed to register when the chip carrier and board are properly aligned , are evident in these views . also evident are the ball alignment indents , 63a on board 60 , and 63b on chip carrier 62 . the alignment balls are shown at 64 . the contact patterns 65a and 65b typically comprises a series of solder balls , bars , strips or the like . in fig9 a , a portion of the board and a chip carrier are shown placed together , and aligned , using the ball alignment technique described earlier . the ball alignment technique of this invention can be used to advantage by choosing a deformable material for the alignment ball when designing for a standoff as shown in fig6 . this expedient is particularly useful for aligning the parts then pressing them together to join them . the joining mechanism may be mechanical , e . g . pins on one substrate locking into pin receiving means on the other , or it may be an adhesive , e . g . contact cement or the like . a useful variation of the deformable ball is to form the ball from a low melting material so that the desired deformation occurs upon heating . this expedient is recommended when the parts are to be joined by solder or where solder contacts are to be made . the application shown in fig7 - 9 is especially suited for this approach . after the parts are aligned the assembly is heated . as the solder melts the &# 34 ; standoff &# 34 ; disappears and the solder connections are completed in the same operation . a finished assembly , after heating , is shown in fig9 b . it may be useful when bonding chip carriers to support structures to coat the indent in the chip carrier with a material that is readily wetted by the material of the low melting ball and coat the indent in the support board with a material that is not readily wetted . in that case the material of the ball , upon melting , will attach to the chip carrier . thereafter , chip carriers removed due to defective chips or removed for repair will leave an open indent in the support body which can then be used for installation of a new chip carrier . applications may be found wherein the molten alignment ball can serve advantageously as a structural bond or an electrical contact in which case both indents should comprise a material that is wetted by the material of the low melting ball . in the latter case , the material of the ball should be conductive . various additional modifications and extensions of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art . all such variations and deviations which basically rely on the teachings through which this invention has advanced the art are properly considered to be within the spirit and scope of this invention .	8
with specific reference to fig1 of the drawings , there is shown an illustration of a representative atm data network . an atm network comprises one or more physical cables 100 , 110 between first and second atm switches 102 , 103 . the physical cables 100 , 110 carry electrical or optical data signals to and from the atm data switches 102 , 103 . the conventional atm network is typically a full duplex system that has two dedicated cables , one each for the reception 100 and transmission 110 . the atm data switches are often connected to a local network . the atm switches 102 or 103 act as the interface between the atm network and the local network . the atm data switch 102 or 103 performs segmentation of data from an origination local network 104 into 53 byte cells for transmission across the atm network . when the cell reaches a destination atm switch 103 or 102 , the atm switch 103 or 102 either transmits the cell to a next atm switch in the circuit or performs reassembly of the cells for presentation to a destination local network 105 . as a practical matter , there are typically on the order of hundreds of streams that are active at any one time on a single atm network . other streams are inactive and eventually timeout and become irrelevant . accordingly , as some streams are in the process of timing out , there are on the order of 1500 - 2000 streams that must be tracked at any one point in time . with this in mind , it is assumed that a test device that is able to track an upper limit of 4096 active streams will be able to adequately handle a worst - case scenario . one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that atm networks will get faster and be able to accommodate a greater number of streams as technology progresses . accordingly , the teachings of the present invention may be scaled to accommodate more than the 4096 streams as network and processing capabilities increase . in order to test an atm network , a test device probe 106 plugs into the atm network at any point along its length , either at the cables 100 , 110 with a tap or at one or more of the atm switches 102 , 103 . the probe 106 eavesdrops onto the data traffic without interfering with transmission of the data on the atm network in any way . advantageously , the atm network may operate at speed and without any accommodation made for the presence of the probe 106 . the probe 106 communicates with a test device 107 that receives and processes the data present on the atm network . with specific reference to fig2 of the drawings , there is shown a representation of multiple cells 200 present on the atm network . each cell 200 comprises 53 bytes of information . there are 5 bytes in a header 201 and 48 bytes of payload 202 . each cell is part of a unique stream of information and multiple cells make up a single stream . additionally , there are operations and maintenance ( oam ) cells used to provide various maintenance functions within the atm network , including connectivity verification and alarm surveillance . operation and maintenance cells ( oam cells ) and resource management cells ( rm cells ) are 53 bytes , but have different structures than the data cells . a stream represents a communication from a source device , such as a computer , to a destination device . atm cells that make up each unique stream may be transmitted at different rates . the cells 200 that comprise the stream are sent sequentially , but may be sent at any rate and are typically interleaved with other cells from different streams as well as the oam and rm cells . certain streams may transmit cells at a higher rate than other streams and it is not possible to predict an interleave pattern on the network . accordingly , in order to reassemble cells into a stream , it is necessary to parse and interpret the header information in each cell before appropriately disposing of the payload . with specific reference to fig3 of the drawings , a test device 107 according to the teachings of the present invention comprises a processor such as a personal computer 320 or equivalent communicating over a communications bus 321 to one or more electronic printed circuit boards (“ pcb ”) 322 . in the embodiment illustrated , the processor 320 and pcbs 322 share a chassis and power supply . the illustration shows two pcbs , however , the number of pcbs is dictated by a user &# 39 ; s need and limited by a physical capacity of the chassis . in an alternate embodiment , the internal communications bus may be an external lan where the processor 320 is remote from the other hardware elements . referring back to fig3 of the drawings , each printed circuit board 322 contains a line interface module (“ lim ”) 323 and a link layer processor (“ llp ”) 324 . the lim and the llp communicate over an internal communications bus 325 . the circuitry on each of the pcbs is the same , therefore , only the structure of one pcb is further described . the pcb 322 has two channels . a first channel 326 is connected to the cable 100 carrying incoming cells 200 and a second channel is connected to the cable 110 carrying outgoing data 327 . in a specific embodiment , there are different pcbs 322 for connections to different types of atm networks . as an example , a pcb for connection to an optical atm network has a different configuration and physical connector than that for a connection to an electrical network . the logic contained in the pcbs , however , remains the same . with specific reference to fig4 of the drawings , there is shown a block diagram for the line interface module (“ lim ”) 323 present on the pcb 322 . the lim comprises first and second field programmable gate arrays (“ fpgas ”), 330 and 331 respectively , that receive the data from the first and second channels 326 , 327 . the fpgas are both connected to a single content addressable memory (“ cam ”) 332 over a shared cam bus 333 . the first fpga 330 is also connected to a dedicated first sram 334 and first sdram 335 memory elements . similarly , the second fpga 331 is connected to a dedicated second sram 336 and second sdram 337 memory elements . the first and second sram memory elements 334 , 335 are each a single 512 kbyte part that is 16 bits wide and 256 k entries deep , but are logically separated into a global header storage area , an a memory element and a b memory element . the first and second fpgas communicate over an fpga bus 338 . the fpgas are encoded with a front - end tool using a pc running microsoft &# 39 ; s windows 2000 operating system and applications from synplicity including a vhdl language and the synplifypro compiler / synthesizer software package . a back - end tool includes foundation software from xilinx . the lim 323 eavesdrops on the atm network in both the receive and transmit directions , parses the header 201 from the payload 202 of each cell 200 , determines to which stream the cell belongs , determines if a particular stream is being tracked , obtains network performance data by counting events , calculating statistics or calculating error check products , such as a cyclical redundancy check (“ crc ”) product for the stream over a given period of time , and stores the network performance data into the sram 334 or 336 in one of the two logical parallel memory elements , memory element a 301 or memory element b 302 . the srams 334 , 336 are 512 kbyte memories having an 18 - bit address bus and a 16 - bit data bus . memory element a 301 comprises 128 kbytes of the sram 334 or 336 covered by addresses 00000 - 0ffffhex . memory element b 302 comprises 128 kbytes covered by addresses 10000 - 1ffff hex . addresses 20000 - 20007 hex store a and b copies of per channel cell counters and addresses 20008 - 2000d hex store a and b copies of per channel oam / rm cell counters . the remaining portion of the sram 334 , 336 holds global configuration information including lim status information and reserved space for future use . the llp 324 of the test device 107 then periodically reads and processes the stored network performance data for eventual display on the test device 107 . because there is a significant quantity of network performance data to collect , the sram 334 , 336 that holds the stored data is large enough so that the sequential reading of either one of the logical memory elements 301 or 302 takes a finite and significant amount of time . the amount of time is significant because the time it takes to read the entire memory element 301 , 302 is greater than the time within which new network performance data may be gathered , calculated as necessary , and made available for storage . consequently , data for a current time slot must be written to one of the memory elements 301 , 302 before all of the network performance data from the former time slot is retrieved . if network performance data for the former time slot is overwritten during the data retrieval process , then the retrieved data will not reflect a coherent result . in order to achieve coherency among all of the statistics within a single time slot and with respect to fig5 of the drawings , there is shown the logical a and b memory elements 301 , 302 illustrated as separate and parallel entities the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 are the same size and have parallellogical structures . in a specific embodiment , words of each memory element are assigned to contain the network performance data related to specific streams . addresses 0 through 15 of the a memory element 301 comprise a first a data block 303 . addresses 0 through 15 of the b memory element 302 comprise a first b data block . each first a and b data block contains 2 32 - bit words of stream specific configuration information and 6 32 - bit words representing different numbers of network performance data for stream # 1 . because the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 are parallel entities , corresponding entries for each memory element 301 , 302 hold a number that represents the same piece of network performance data . second a and b data blocks , represented by addresses 16 through 31 of respective first and second memory elements 301 , 302 , each contains the stream specific configuration information and six numbers of network performance data for stream # 2 . third a and b data blocks , representing addresses 32 through 47 of the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 , respectively each contains stream specific configuration information and six different numbers of network performance data for stream # 3 , up to nth a and b data blocks containing stream specific configuration information and six different network performance data for stream # n . each a and b data block 303 , 304 has a starting address 306 , which is the address of respective a and b memory elements for the first number of network performance data in the data block 303 , 304 . in the specific example , a pattern is established so that the stream number multiplied by 16 is equal to the starting address 306 of the stored network performance data for the stream pertaining to the stream number . as one of ordinary skill in the art can readily appreciate , there may be any number of network performance data entries for storage and provided the pattern is maintained , it is straightforward to obtain the starting address 306 from the stream number for the desired data block . the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 achieve a status of either “ live ” or “ latched ”. when one of the memory elements 301 or 302 has a “ live ” status , the other memory element 302 or 301 has a “ latched ” status . a live memory status bit 305 informs the system as to the status of the a and b memory elements 301 . 302 . in a specific embodiment , the live memory status bit 305 is a live_memory_is_a bit meaning that a “ 1 ” value is interpreted to mean that the a memory 301 has a “ live ” status . each memory element 301 , 302 is either “ live ” or “ latched ”, but they have a different status from each other at all times . all network performance data is gathered and calculated over regular intervals . each regular time interval is termed a time slot . during test , the test device 107 gathers network data and calculates statistics for the cells 200 and streams that are transmitted during a current time slot . the results of the calculations are stored into the “ live ” memory element 301 or 302 . at the point in time that represents a transition from a current time slot to a next time slot , whichever memory element 301 or 302 that had the “ live ” status is converted to have the “ latched ” status . results of the next time slot , therefore , are stored in a different memory element from the current time slot . the software level of the test device 107 retrieves the calculated network performance data for display on the test device 107 . working in conjunction with the hardware , the software initiates a read to the hardware from the memory element 301 or 302 having a “ latched ” status at the time the read is performed . while the read operation is retrieving all of the stored network performance data from the “ latched ” memory element 301 or 302 , more network performance data is collected and calculated for the current time slot and are stored in the “ live ” memory element 302 or 301 . the write and the read operations are mutually exclusive to each other for each memory element . additionally , the write and the read operations are always performed on opposite memory elements . advantageously , it is possible to continuously collect , calculate , store and display network performance data for a network running at - speed . an embodiment of the system comprises three processes implemented in the fpgas 330 , 331 on the lim 323 . all three processes run concurrently . with specific reference to fig6 of the drawings , there is shown a flow chart of a first process according to the teachings of the present invention for establishing a time slot within which network performance data are collected and calculated on data present on the network . a timer is reset 401 to a zero value . a loop first evaluates 402 an ack flag . if the ack flag is negative 403 , the process then evaluates 404 the timer to determine if a time slot is complete . in a specific embodiment , the timer threshold is set to 1 second . alternate embodiments , however , may have a register that permits a user to program a time slot value . if the time is not yet reached 405 , the timer increments 406 and the loop repeats with the step of evaluating 402 the ack flag . the timer increments 406 in accordance with a system clock , therefore all steps in the process are performed within a single system clock cycle . if the ack flag is affirmative 407 , a req bit is reset 408 to a zero value and then continues within the process with the step of evaluating 404 the timer to determine if the time slot is complete . if the time slot is complete 409 , the req bit is set 410 and the process continues 411 with the step of resetting the timer 401 . a specific embodiment of the process illustrated in fig6 is implemented in hardware and each illustrated action box , i . e . 401 , 406 , 408 and 410 , executes the described action within a single clock cycle while the decision diamonds , i . e . 402 and 404 , occur immediately . as one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate , the process illustrated in fig4 of the drawings performs the function of incrementing the timer and measuring the time slot . with specific reference to fig7 of the drawings , there is shown a second process according to the teachings of the present invention in which network performance data are stored in the a or b memory element 301 or 302 upon completion of each time slot as measured in the process illustrated in fig6 of the drawings . the process includes a loop that is triggered 501 by an affirmative req bit or if network performance data is available for storage in one of the memory elements 301 , 302 . when the req bit is affirmative 505 , this signals that a time slot is complete , at which point the process toggles 506 the value of the live memory status bit 305 and sets 506 the ack bit affirmative . the process of toggling and setting the live memory status bit 305 and the ack bit occurs in a single clock cycle . the process then resets 507 the ack bit in the next clock cycle before continuing . if the req bit is negative 502 , no action is taken with respect to the live memory status bit 305 . if network data is not yet available 504 the loop repeats at the step of evaluating the req bit 501 when data is available for storage 508 , the process falls out of the loop . the process first determines 509 the starting address 306 of the data block 303 , 304 in the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 related to the stream under evaluation . in a specific embodiment , a content addressable memory (“ cam ”) element is used to determine the starting address 306 . when the system parses the cell , it obtains a stream identification number for the cell . the stream identification number is presented to the cam and the cam returns an address that contains the stream identification number . the cam address multiplied by 16 , or in the case of a hardware implementation a register shift of 4 bits , provides the starting address 306 . network performance data and related statistics for the cell and stream currently under evaluation are stored one number at a time in the a or b memory element 301 , 302 beginning at the starting address 306 . in a specific embodiment , the process attempts to store every datum in a serial process . the live memory flag 305 is then evaluated 512 to determine which memory element 301 , 302 is to receive the network performance data . if the live memory flag 305 is affirmative 513 , then the process then executes a series of steps to check and store the network performance data into the appropriate data block . specifically , the process checks if a first datum is ready for storage and if so , stores 514 the first datum in the a memory element 301 at a location specified by the starting address 306 . if the first datum is not yet ready , the storage step is skipped . with specific reference to fig8 of the drawings , there is a continuation of the flow chart of fig7 with continuity bubbles a , b , and c to show how the flow charts of fig7 and 8 connect . the process then checks if the second datum is ready for storage 515 and if so 516 , stores the second datum in a next address in the data block after the starting address . accordingly , if one or more of the data are not ready for storage , the storage step does not occur , but a step of incrementing an address for storage does occur . the process of checking if the datum is ready for storage and storing it if it is , and not storing if it is not , then incrementing to the next storage address continues until all of the network performance data for the cell and stream under evaluation is stored . if the live memory flag is negative 517 , the process then checks 518 if the first datum is ready for storage , and if so 519 , stores 520 the datum in the b memory element 302 at the starting address 306 . the process continues in a serial process in the same way as described with respect to the a memory element until all available network performance data are stored . when the storage process is complete , the process returns 521 to the wait loop beginning with the step of evaluating the req bit 501 . with specific reference to fig9 of the drawings , there is shown a third process according to the teachings of the present invention in which the process waits in a loop until a request is made 601 to retrieve data from the a or b memory elements 301 , 302 . when the request is made 602 , the process then evaluates 603 the value of the live memory flag 305 . if the live memory flag 305 is negative 604 , then the b memory 302 has a “ live ” status and the a memory 301 has a “ latched ” status . accordingly , the requested data are retrieved 605 from the a memory 301 and the locations in the a memory 301 from which the data are retrieved are reset 605 to a zero value . if the live memory flag is affirmative 606 , then the a memory 301 has a “ live ” status and the b memory 302 has a “ latched ” status . accordingly , the requested data are retrieved 607 from the b memory 302 and the locations in the b memory 302 from which the network performance data are retrieved are reset 607 to a zero value . after the appropriate retrieval and reset steps , the process returns to the wait loop until another request for data is issued . with specific reference to fig1 of the drawings , there is shown a flow chart of a process that works in conjunction with the processes shown in fig6 - 9 of the drawings . in a specific embodiment , the process of fig1 is implemented in software and performs the function of retrieving data from the a or b memory elements 301 , 302 and displaying them to a user . specifically , the process begins in a wait loop 701 where it evaluates a master clock for a “ 0 . 0 ” time . the “ 0 . 0 ” times are the points at which the master clock shows an integral number of elapsed seconds . at a next “ 0 . 0 ” time , the process exits 702 the wait loop and loads 703 a retrieval start address 704 and a quantity request 705 into two different hardware registers . the hardware recognizes the registers to contain the start address of the memory element 301 or 302 having a “ latched ” status at the time of data transfer and a quantity of data bytes that are to be transferred . the process then sends a signal to the hardware to initiate 706 the transfer of data from the a or b memory element 301 , 302 to a staging memory element . the process waits 707 until all of the quantity of requested data bytes is transferred . the staging memory element is a memory element directly accessible by the software process . when the hardware signals that the transfer is complete , the process exits 708 the wait loop 707 and retrieves 709 the data from the staging memory . when the retrieval process is complete , the process returns to the wait loop 701 until the next “ 0 . 0 ” time of the master clock . in a specific embodiment , the data is retrieved from the a or b memories 301 , 302 every second . in a specific embodiment , the time interval for toggling the status of the a and b memory elements 301 , 302 and the time interval for retrieval of the stored network performance data is the same . alternate embodiments may retrieve data less often than data is stored as long as the hardware registers are sufficiently large so as not to overflow . in order for the hardware and the software processes to work in conjunction with each other , they are synchronized once at a beginning of the testing process . with specific reference to fig1 of the drawings , there is shown a synchronization process , which is implemented in software in a specific embodiment , where the software communicates to the hardware . the system includes a master clock that provides a pulse every 100 msec . the synchronization process is executed once when a user pushes a start button on the tester . just after the start button is actuated , the process first waits 801 for the next pulse of the master clock . when the pulse occurs , the software process writes a synchronization command into a register . the hardware immediately executes the command 803 once it is written into the proper register ; at which point both the hardware and the software processes wait 804 for the next pulse of the master clock . when the next pulse of the master clock occurs 805 , the software and the hardware processes identify that pulse as the mark or as t 0 time . because both the hardware and the software operate against the pulses of the master clock , the processes remain synchronized . embodiments of the invention are described herein by way of example and are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive of all possible embodiments that will occur one of ordinary skill in the art with benefit of the present teachings . specifically , a time slot may be defined as some other unit of time other than the one second , which is disclosed herein . the teachings may be applied to any data network , not just atm , in which continuous and real time data collection is beneficial . specifically , the teachings of the present invention may be applied to a transmission control protocol (“ tcp ”) by one of ordinary skill in the art . in a tcp embodiment , the “ cell ” is referred to in the industry as a “ packet ”. the method may be implemented in a different combination of hardware and software . in a specific embodiment the cam and a and b memory elements are not part of the fpga . as fpgas become faster , larger and more cost - effective , it may become advantageous for the cam and the a and b memories to become a part of the fpga or for all of the logic and memory elements of the lim to be implemented in a different technology that performs the same function . in a specific embodiment , the a and b memory elements are logical portions of the same memory . alternatively , they may be two distinct memory chips .	7
a smart label made from tamper evident or tamper - indicating material designed to prevent access to the embedded rfid or rf transponder without noticeable visible damage to the label . this unique security feature deters the removal , alteration , replacement , or transference of the embedded rf transponder . this design is applicable for automotive compliance labeling , airline baggage , parcels , or any other article that requires tracking with a tamper evident smart label . tamper evident label materials are engineered to self - destruct when removed from a substrate . the primary function of these products is to produce a tamper - indicating label or seal by causing the label to fracture when removal from a substrate is attempted . there are a variety of different tamper evident or tamper - indicating label materials available from 3m company , st . paul , minn ., including 7610 scotchmark destructible white vinyl . the 7610 product uses a fragile cast vinyl face with very low tensile and tear resistance designed to crack and break when peeled off of a surface because the permanent adhesive bond is stronger than the label face . other types of tamper - indicating labels utilize a “ void ” pattern in the adhesive as with 3m 7866 polyester . this product uses a clear polyester face stock with a white pigmented adhesive . a silicone type pattern is printed on back of the label face such that as the label is peeled from a surface only part of the adhesive removes with the label . the adhesive pattern is such that it creates a “ void ” word pattern across the label face stock . applications for destructible tamper evident labels include safety warning labels , warranty seals , packaging seals , license labels , calibration seals , and asset labels . as shown in fig1 , one embodiment of the invention uses a label or tag material m 1 made from a self - destructible material such as the 3m 7900 , 7930 or 7610 scotchmark destructible white vinyl or similar tamper - indicating materials designed to fracture or break apart when peeled up from a substrate 3 . this label stock is imprintable on demand with thermal transfer ribbon ink , or it can be preprinted on a press using flexographic , letterpress , offset , rotogravure , screen , or other technology . this label with adhesive 1 and release liner contains an embedded passive rfid transponder tag inserted such that it is sandwiched between the adhesive and the release liner . after printing , the label is removed from the release liner , which protects the label during printing and before application ; the rf transponder remains attached to the adhesive 1 and is applied with the label to a substrate 3 . one application where this type of label is useful is in automotive compliance labeling . it is preferred by automotive manufacturers that the vehicle identification number ( vin ) label and federal certification / tire pressure label located on the door jam of an automobile be tamper evident . this vin label , in a smart label form according to the invention , includes an embedded rf transponder , an emerging technology preferred by the automotive industry . a second embodiment , shown in fig2 , for a tamper evident smart label uses “ 3m 7847 laser markable tamper evident label material ” or similar material m 2 with an embedded rf transponder 2 . this is a specialty film that can be imaged and “ kiss cut ” by a laser beam . the top layer is engineered to be ablated by a laser beam to create an image ( top face layer is a black acrylate , bottom face layer is a white acrylate ). this engraved inscription provides long - term readability and abrasion resistance for applications such as vin labels or federal certification / tire pressure labels on automobiles . the destructible facestock material provides tamper evidence to meet security labeling requirements . a third embodiment for providing tamper evidence is to incorporate a “ void ” adhesive pattern into the label product , as shown in fig3 . materials m 3 such as 3m 7866 gloss white polyester , 7389 silver polyester , and 7385 tamper - indicating label material for dot matrix impact printing are designed to provide a “ void ” or other message in the face stock when removal is attempted . the primary function of these label products is to create a non - transferable ( non - reusable ) label or seal by causing the “ void ” destruct message to appear in the label face when removed from a substrate 3 . these label materials are manufactured by 3m using a clear polyester face stock with a pigmented adhesive 1 a . a silicone type “ void ” pattern is printed on back of the label face so that as the label is peeled from a surface only part of the adhesive 1 a removes with the label . the adhesive 1 a pattern is such that it creates a repeating pattern of the word “ void ” across the label face . the remaining adhesive 1 a on the substrate 3 also displays the same “ void ” pattern . any desired pattern , symbol or phrase may be applied in place of “ void ”. note , any of the tamper evident labels described above could be applied to a substrate 3 independently of the rf transponder 2 ( the rf transponder does not have to be embedded within the label ). this can be accomplished simply by holding the rf transponder 2 against the substrate 3 or adhesive 1 , then applying any label made of a tamper evident material over the rf transponder as indicated in fig4 . in another embodiment , in addition to using the tamper evident label materials to prevent an rf transponder 2 from being removed , altered , replaced , or transferred to another label or substrate , the rf transponder 2 itself may be formed in a tamper evident manner . passive rf transponders 2 are typically manufactured using a polyester or polyamide base film 7 designed to accept the printed antenna 5 and mounted integrated circuit chip 6 . a tamper - evident transponder is manufactured by using a tamper evident material as the transponder base film 7 . also , the rfid transponder substrate can be processed to include propagation tear cuts 4 around the perimeter of the antenna base film . when the attempt is made to remove the rf transponder 2 from either the label or a surface the label is attached to , these propagation cuts 4 will use the tensile strain created within the rf transponder 2 through the removal process to sever the transponder into one or more pieces , thus destroying the antenna 5 and thereby the functionality of the rf transponder 2 . one example of possible propagation cuts 4 is shown in fig5 . an additional mechanism that could be added as an indicator of tampering would be to apply a covert technology such as holograms or microprinting for authenticity on any of these smart label designs . this would provide a secondary security measure to make it difficult to change or duplicate a smart label . note also that these designs should not be limited to just rfid transponders . any of these tamper - evident designs may also be applied to smart labels containing standard eas devices ( single bit electronic article surveillance devices ). there may also be situations where the rf transponder or eas device could be applied to the surface of a label instead of embedded in or under the label . this design may be necessary to readily identify if the rf transponder or eas device is still present and has not been removed , altered , or tampered with in any manner . this invention ( s ) is entitled to a range of equivalents and is to be limited only by the range of the claims , below . the following references are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety . u . s . pat . no . 05850181 “ method of transporting radio frequency power to energize rfid transponders ”. 3m product specification for 7900 destructible white vinyl film sheet . 3m product specification for 7930 destructible vinyl label material . 3m product specification for 7610 scotchmark destructible white vinyl . 3m product specification for 7847 laser markable tamper evident material . 3m product specification for 7385 scotchmark tamper - indicating dot - matrix impact printable . 3m product specification for 7866 tamper - indicating void polyester .	6
reference is now made to fig1 , which illustrates an sst 10 in the form of an atm being operated by a customer 12 . the atm 10 includes a user interface 14 for receiving input from , and outputting information to , the customer 12 . the user interface 14 comprises : a moulded fascia 16 defining slots ( not shown in detail ) for accessing devices located within the atm 10 and in registration with the slots ; a sensor 18 in the form of a ccd camera ; a display 20 aligned with opposing columns of function defined keys ( fdks ); an encrypting keypad 22 ; a customer identification device 24 in the form of a dip card reader ; a printer 26 , and a media dispenser 28 in the form of a cash dispenser . the atm 10 also includes an internal journal printer 30 for creating a record of all transactions executed by the atm 10 , a network connection 32 ( in the form of a network card ) for communicating with a remote transaction host ( not shown ) for authorizing transactions , and an atm controller 34 for controlling the operation of the various devices ( 18 to 32 ). all of the devices ( 18 to 34 ) within the atm 10 are interconnected by an internal bus 36 for securely conveying data . the atm controller 34 is shown in more detail in fig2 . the controller 34 comprises a bios 40 stored in non - volatile memory , a microprocessor 42 , associated main memory 44 , and storage space 46 in the form of a magnetic disk drive . in use , the atm 10 loads an operating system kernel 50 and an atm application program 52 into the main memory 44 . the atm application program 52 includes conventional routines and objects for controlling the operation of the atm 10 , such as providing the sequence of screens used in each transaction ( referred to as the application flow ) and monitoring the condition of each device within the atm 10 ( state of health monitoring ), as is known to those of skill in the art . in addition to these conventional functions , the atm application program 52 includes a sensing application 54 associated with the sensor 18 ( the ccd camera in this embodiment ). the sensing application 54 is based on faceit ( trademark ) software available from identix incorporated of 5600 rowland road , minnetonka , minn . 55343 . the sensing application 54 uses the faceit ( trademark ) software to provide both face finding ( it finds a face from an image ) and face recognition ( it compares a face in an image with a pre - processed facial template , and computes the match score that indicates the likelihood that the two faces correspond to the same person ). the sensing application 54 provides a monitor routine that triggers an exception in the event that the customer 12 leaves the atm 10 during a transaction . this will be described in more detail with reference to fig3 a and 3b , which are flowcharts illustrating a main flow 100 of the atm application program 52 , and a monitor flow 200 associated with the sensing application 54 . the sensing application 54 executes the monitor flow 200 in parallel with the main flow 100 , for example , as a separate thread . for ease of understanding , the main flow 100 will be described first , then the monitor flow 200 , although the skilled person will be aware that both flows occur simultaneously . initially , the atm 10 displays an attract screen on the atm display 20 inviting a customer to execute a transaction . to initiate a transaction , the customer 12 inserts his / her card into the dip reader 24 . the atm 10 responds by reading data from the customer &# 39 ; s card ( step 100 ) and opening a session ( step 102 ) for that customer . the atm 10 then initiates the sensing application 54 ( step 104 ) by providing the sensing application 54 with unique customer identification information read from the customer &# 39 ; s card . this triggers the monitor flow 200 , which will be described in more detail below . the next stage in the transaction is for the atm 10 to receive a pin from the customer 12 entered via the encrypting keypad 22 ( step 106 ). the atm 10 then invites the customer 12 to select a transaction , and detects the customer &# 39 ; s selection ( step 108 ) using either the encrypting keypad 22 or one of the fdks aligned with the display 20 . in this example , the customer 12 selects a cash withdrawal transaction . the atm 10 then executes the transaction ( step 110 ) by communicating the transaction request , an encrypted version of the entered pin , and the account details to a remote authorization host . in the event that the transaction is authorized by the remote host , the atm 10 fulfils the transaction ( step 112 ) by dispensing the requested amount of cash to the customer 12 . the atm 10 then closes the session 114 for that customer 12 . the monitor flow 200 , which is initiated by the main flow 100 ( in step 104 ), occurs simultaneously with the main flow 100 , and will now be described with reference to fig3 b . the sensing application 54 receives the unique customer identification information transmitted from the main flow 100 ( step 202 ) and uses this information to access a pre - stored template associated with that customer 12 ( step 204 ). the pre - stored template may be stored in the magnetic disk drive 46 and loaded into the memory 44 . in this embodiment , the pre - stored template comprises a fixed amount of data representing essential facial characteristics of a particular customer . the pre - stored template is created during an enrolment process . in the enrolment process , an image of the customer &# 39 ; s face is captured and analyzed . an algorithm is used to convert essential characteristics ( for example , distances between facial features ) of the customer &# 39 ; s face into a fixed amount of data . once the customer &# 39 ; s template has been retrieved , the sensing application 54 then captures an image of the customer 12 using the ccd camera 18 and processes the captured image to locate the customer &# 39 ; s face ( step 206 ). the sensing application 54 then creates a template from the image of the customer &# 39 ; s face by employing the algorithm that was used in the enrolment process . this newly created template is compared with the retrieved template for that customer 12 to ascertain if there is a match ( step 208 ). if there is a match ( within permissible tolerances ) between the created template and the retrieved template , then the sensing application 54 tracks any movements of the customer &# 39 ; s head ( step 210 ). provided the customer 12 remains in front of the atm 10 , without anyone else entering the field of view , the sensing application 54 continues to track the customer 12 ( step 212 ), and the monitoring flow 200 does not trigger any exceptions . if there is not a match ( within permissible tolerances ) between the created template and the retrieved template , or if there is a match but the customer 12 cannot be tracked , then the sensing application 54 triggers an exception that aborts the transaction in the main flow ( step 214 ), which is illustrated by arrow 216 , and closes the session for that customer ( step 218 ). the particular steps taken to abort a transaction may depend on what step the transaction is currently executing . for example , if a transaction has been authorized and the atm 10 is ready to dispense cash ( having counted out the required banknotes ), then on receipt of an exception from the monitor flow 200 , the atm application program 52 may retract the cash ( for example to a purge bin ) and inform the remote host that the cash was not presented to the customer 12 ( illustrated by arrow 116 ). reference will now be made to fig4 , which illustrates an assisted service system 300 comprising a network of assisted terminals 302 a , b , c . . . n coupled to a supervisory terminal 304 by a wired or wireless network 306 . the supervisory terminal 304 is operated by a staff member authorized to fulfill transactions . in this embodiment the system 300 is located within a bank branch , and the assisted terminals 302 are provided to enable customers to pre - stage a transaction . reference will also be made to fig5 , which shows one of the assisted terminals 302 in more detail . each terminal 302 comprises a display 314 , a touch - sensitive panel 316 , a customer identification device 318 in the form of a ccd camera , and a controller 320 executing application software 322 that controls the operation of the terminal 302 and handles communication with the supervisory terminal 304 . on approaching the terminal 302 , a customer 312 initiates a transaction by touching an area of the display 314 labeled “ start ”. this causes the ccd camera 318 to capture an image of the customer . this captured image is then converted to a facial biometric template and compared with a database of pre - stored templates for enrolled customers until a match is found . once the customer 312 has been identified ( matched to a pre - stored template ), the display 314 presents one or more transaction options to the customer and the application software 322 tracks movements of the customer &# 39 ; s face in a similar way to that described with reference to fig3 . when a transaction has been selected and is ready to be fulfilled , the customer 312 is advised by the terminal 302 to approach a staff member at the supervisory terminal 304 who will fulfill the transaction ( for example , by handing over a requested amount of cash ). this enables one staff member to fulfill multiple transactions quickly and efficiently . if the customer 312 leaves the assisted terminal 302 before completing a transaction request , then the application software 322 detects the absence of the customer &# 39 ; s face , and after a predetermined time period , for example , three seconds , the application software 322 may abort the transaction and / or notify the supervisory software of the absence of the customer from the assisted terminal 302 . this ensures that the next customer cannot use details entered by the customer 312 who left the terminal 302 part - way through a transaction . if , part - way through a transaction , the customer 312 desires help in preparing and / or entering the transaction , the customer 312 can touch an option labeled “ help ” presented on the display 314 . in response to the customer 312 requesting help , the controller 320 relays a help request to the supervisory terminal 304 and disables the routines in the application software 322 that track movements of the customer &# 39 ; s face ( that is , the controller 320 exits session monitoring mode ). this is to ensure that the customer &# 39 ; s session is not closed if the customer moves to one side of the terminal 302 to allow a staff member to enter details at the terminal 302 . the application software 322 may require the staff member to provide identification , such as a password , or the staff member &# 39 ; s face may be identified based on pre - stored templates , prior to allowing the staff member to continue with the customer &# 39 ; s transaction . it will now be appreciated that the above embodiment has the advantage that a customer who leaves an assisted terminal prior to completing a transaction will be logged out ( that is , the session will be automatically closed ), thereby protecting the security of the customer &# 39 ; s information and reducing the possibility of a third party conducting a transaction using the customer &# 39 ; s personal details . various modifications may be made to the above described embodiment within the scope of the invention , for example , in other embodiments , additional customer sensing devices may be used , such as pressure sensitive mats to detect whether the customer is still standing near the terminal , but not in front of the terminal . in other embodiments , the sensing application 54 may be developed using library routines from the open source computer vision library available from intel corporation ( trademark ) at the website http :// www . intel . com / technology / computing / opencv /. in other embodiments , the sensing application 54 may be developed using face tracking software available from the computer vision laboratory of the ecole polytechnique federale de lausanne , ( http :// cvlab . epfl . ch / software / index . php ). in other embodiments , commercial face tracking software for use with webcams may be used , such as that provided by logitech ( www . logitech . com ). other machine vision face tracking solutions include those provided by a4vision , 840 west california ave , suite 200 , sunnyvale , calif . 94086 , usa ( http :// www . a4vision . com /). in the above embodiments , the customer absence criterion used was absence of a customer &# 39 ; s face from the area in front of the terminal . in other embodiments , a different or additional customer absence criterion may be used ; for example , the sensing application 54 may trigger an exception if a face other than the customer &# 39 ; s face is detected in front of the terminal . in other embodiments , alternative customer identification devices may be used . for example , an rfid reader may be used instead of a card reader . in other embodiments , the sensing application may be used to identify the customer in addition to tracking the customer during a transaction . this would obviate the requirement for a card reader or any other customer identification device . in some embodiments the dip card reader may lock the customer &# 39 ; s card during a transaction . this may occur if the customer &# 39 ; s card is an integrated circuit card . in other embodiments , the card may be inserted and removed immediately , with the card details read from the card &# 39 ; s magnetic stripe when the card is inserted and / or removed . in other embodiments , the system 300 may be situated in locations other than a bank branch , for example , a retail outlet , a car rental office , a hotel , an airline check - in area , or the like . in the embodiment of fig1 to 3b , the biometric sensor was used in verification mode ( that is , there is a one - to - one comparison of created template to retrieved template ); whereas , in the embodiment of fig4 and 5 , the biometric sensor was used in identification mode ( that is , there is a one - to - many comparison of created template to pre - stored templates ). however , to accelerate identification , a customer may provide some details about himself / herself , such as address , name , age , or such like , even if those details are not unique to the customer . this would reduce the number of pre - stored templates that must be compared with the created template to locate a match ( that is , there would be a one - to - few comparison ). in other embodiments , the sst 10 may be other than an atm , for example , the sst may be an information kiosk , a postal services terminal , or such like . in other embodiments where the sst is an atm , the atm may include devices additional and / or different to those described . for example , a touchscreen may be used instead of fdks . in other embodiments , the customer templates may not be pre - stored . a template may be created on - the - fly during a transaction , and used to track the customer for that transaction only . this would avoid the requirement to store templates , thereby saving storage space and avoiding privacy issues relating to storing personal information .	6
according to a first invention , there is provided a mechanism for monitoring one or more user &# 39 ; s general usage of web sites , with a view to providing “ advice ” to the user about their usage . in one embodiment , the invention is embodied in a software program that the user will be required to load onto their network - connected device , such as a pc so that their activity may be monitored . as an example , the program could identify the type or subject matter of a website the user is viewing based on broad product and / or service categories , such as computers , books , software , travel , etc . when the software identifies the type of site the user is viewing ( e . g . a travel site ) it is capable of alerting the user of an alternative site / s , which fall within that category or a similar category . this is achieved by the software analysing the url , the title of the web page and / or the content of the page . the software is able to determine the category of product or service by using broad rules of thumb and reference to a database containing an index of urls and key words . this database may be located within the software or on a remote server or any other suitable location . once the category is determined the software queries the same or another database to produce an appropriate list of alternative sites and or data which match that category . one or more of these alternative sites and or data may then be displayed to the user in a separate window on the user &# 39 ; s monitor . the list of sites and or data presented to the user may also contain hyperlinks to the alternative sites to facilitate easy navigation to those sites . in another embodiment of this invention , there is provided the ability to direct a customer to alternative web sites within the customer &# 39 ; s geographic proximity . for example , if the customer was based in melbourne australia and / or entered a web site address that related to an australian trader , then the user could be alerted to alternative trader / s based in melbourne , australia or near thereto . this invention may be used as a marketing tool , so that users of the internet are directed to particular trader &# 39 ; sites who commission the software . the invention has the advantage of providing relevant alternatives to the current web page that a user is viewing hence empowering them to make more informed decisions and potentially leaving no stone unturned . commercially , the software could be applied , but not limited to , the following applications : the provision of advertising ; the promotion of search engines ; the marketing of a network of associated web sites / online traders ; and price and product comparison ( see below for more details ). in another embodiment of the invention , the software is able to recognise when the user will potentially purchase products or services from the web site they are currently viewing , by recognising the point at which the user accesses detailed information about a “ competing product ”. a competing product is one offered by both the trader operating the site that the user is currently viewing and an alternative trader associated with the software ( for example , by being part of a network of “ associated ” traders or via a license agreement , etc ). this “ recognition ” is achieved by analysing the current web page to find references to particular product / s . the software then cross references the analysis to a database with appropriate terms to identify “ competing products ” in order to determine whether a “ competing product ” is on offer . once it is determined that a competing product is on offer , the software then displays to the user , in a separate window on the user &# 39 ; s computer monitor , information regarding the competing product and the alternative trader . the information presented to the user may include , but is not limited to : a hyperlink to the alternative trader ; a hyperlink to a specific page of the alternative trader &# 39 ; s web site that specifically relates to the competing product ; the price of the competing product ; and the ability to place an order / buy the competing product from this point of access . this embodiment of the invention is therefore useful for the customer , who is kept informed of where to buy competing products , and also for the trader , for whom this tool is a useful advertising mechanism . it is to be appreciated that this invention need not be established only when a user registers as a customer of a particular web site , but may be instituted at any point in time . for example , this service may be offered to any internet user on the basis that it will assist them in finding competing products for sale on a multitude of web sites across the network . also , the pricing lookup tables are preferably updated from time to time , to ensure that the prices indicated are a true reflection of the offered price . in another embodiment of this invention , a form of reverse auctioning is applied . in this regard , if the customer was about to buy a particular product , and an alternative trader did not offer that product at a lower price , the alternative trader could nevertheless be notified of the possible transaction and have it determined whether or not the trader was prepared to reduce their price in a bid to secure the purchase . in this regard , a second lookup table could be provided , with the alternative trader &# 39 ; s “ best price possible ” listed . this second lookup table would be accessed if it were found that the trader &# 39 ; s standard price was not cheaper than the current trader &# 39 ; s price . this best price possible could then be offered instead , or an amount somewhere between the external trader &# 39 ; s price and this best possible price using an appropriate algorithm . this embodiment of the invention provides the customer with an enhanced user interface , in that they are directed to sites of use to them and hence potentially save the customer a significant amount of time . it is also advantageous for the trader , as they receive targeted customers at their site . according to a second invention , there is provided a mechanism for automatically trading over an online network such as the internet without the need to continually register credit and personal details with traders each time a user registers with a different trader or acquires a product . in this invention , a user can register with a trader , or network of traders , in order to initiate the ability to make transactions on the traders &# 39 ; sites . this registration process preferably involves the customer entering their personal , credit and / or delivery address details when they install the software that enables interaction with the site ( s ) on their computer . these personal details , however , are not saved in the trader &# 39 ; s own customer database , but are instead saved in the memory of the customer &# 39 ; s own computer in a securely encrypted format , where they are not accessible to the trader . when the customer decides to purchase a particular product , they send a purchase request to the trader . this purchase request may be created by any means , although preferably by the customer entering a code that designates the product and pressing a password protected “ buy me ” button . the code , for example , may be a stock code indicated in advertising catalogues . when the customer presses the “ buy me ” button , the personal , credit and / or delivery details that are saved in the memory of the customer &# 39 ; s computer / online device are also sent to the trader together with the purchase request , in an industry standard encrypted secure form . the trader will then process the transaction based upon this information . under this approach the trader obtains the information necessary for processing a transaction , and the customer has the peace of mind that their details are not being stored on a remote database . in addition , the customer is able to enjoy the ability of purchasing products without having to enter personal , credit and / or delivery details for each transaction , as the id transfer of the details is coordinated by the purchasing program . a further advantage of this approach is that the customer is able to use the one registration process to trade with multiple traders . hence another embodiment of this invention is to apply the purchasing mechanism to a network of web sites / traders . in this embodiment of the invention , the purchaser need only register their details once , then all other sites in or associated with the network that also utilise the purchasing mechanism of the present invention are able to receive the customer &# 39 ; s details from the saved location on the customer &# 39 ; s computer at the customer &# 39 ; s discretion . therefore , due to the common purchasing technique , the customer also need not learn various different procedures for purchasing goods . a third invention provided by the present application is that of remote message retrieval / transmission . this invention allows users to retrieve , send , collate and save messages , such as , but not limited to email , sms , voice mail and faxes via the internet using a web browser . in the case of emails , rather than directly dialing up their one or more email accounts and using an email program ( such as ms outlook ) to read the emails , the “ message retriever ” software is able to collect and display the user &# 39 ; s emails on any online network connected device . the software is capable of retrieving emails from a number of email accounts from a number of email hosts . additionally , the present invention can be configured to retrieve messages from all of the user &# 39 ; s accounts or selected accounts . to implement the present invention , a user enters their email address ( e . g . joblow @ domainnamesltd . com ) and preferably a password associated with that email account , on a secure “ message retriever ” web site in order to achieve retrieval . this process is akin to a registration process . the advantage of this simple registration process is that the user need not know or enter any technical details associated with their email account , such as mail server names and ip addresses . the “ message retriever ” software analyses the user &# 39 ; s email address and can either query a database or will dynamically determine the pop3 server details associated with the email address by an algorithmic process , preferably in the following sequence : first , the email hostname ( e . g . domainnamesltd . com ) is sequentially altered to all of the common pop3 ( post office protocol ) formats ( e . g . mail . domainnamesltd . com , pop . domainnamesltd . com , etc ). with each alteration the “ message retriever ” software attempts communication with the potential pop3 server . if successful communication is achieved then the pop3 mail server address is stored in the database and the software will proceed to retrieve and / or send any messages . secondly , if the first method fails , then the software performs an “ mx lookup ” that retrieves the automated mail host ip response relating to the user &# 39 ; s email hostname . if successful communication is achieved then the pop3 mail server address is stored in the database and the software will proceed to retrieve and / or send any messages . thirdly , failing methods one and two , the software starts an upwards and downwards “ ip scan ” of ip addresses related to the user &# 39 ; s email hostname , by way of reverse ‘ dns ’ lookup . this scan searches for the pop3 host by incrementing and / or decrementing the user &# 39 ; s email hostname ip address until it locates the pop3 host . finally , if all these steps are unsuccessful , the user &# 39 ; s email hostname is stored in a database for manual pop3 server determination . upon determination of the pop3 server the software is able to query the remote pop3 server by standard connection protocols and collect and display the requested email on the user &# 39 ; s browser anywhere in the world via the internet . further functionality may be provided to users by presenting them with the option of storing their encrypted username and / or password details on the computer they are using for ease of use . alternatively , the user can type in these details each time they use the service . in a further embodiment of this invention , the software is capable of retrieving messages on a wap enabled device , such as a mobile phone or pda . this is achieved via the same process described above , but the coding necessary to display the retrieved messages on wap devices is wml as opposed to html . in fact , regardless of the viewing device , be it a computer , phone , pda or some other network - enabled device , the software is still able ascertain and retrieve a users pop3 email and display it on the user &# 39 ; s viewing device of choice . message retriever is equally capable of retrieving emails from a user &# 39 ; s accounts whether set up on a pop3 server or other mail protocol server , such as imap . for present purposes pop3 has been used for exemplification purposes on account of its prevalence in the market place . the invention , however , is not to be considered as limited to such . a still further invention provided by the present application is the ability to dynamically generate site content at one website (“ beneficiary site ”) that is “ transmogrified ” from another website (“ originating site ”). for example , selected content that is frequently updated on the originating site , such as a top 10 list , could be periodically channeled to the beneficiary site , such as when it is updated on the originating site . naturally , such action would be subject to copyright considerations . further , the content could be presented on the beneficiary site in a different font , style , color , format , juxtaposition , etc . accordingly , the software according to this invention is able to display the content on the beneficiary site according to the stylistic preferences of the operator / owner of the beneficiary site . this transmogrification is achieved by generating a sequence list of “ address points ” within a specific page of the originating site . in the first instance , the “ address points ” of the beneficiary site must be determined by analysing the structure of the originating site . the structures of originating sites vary depending upon the preferences of the web design teams that create the sites . often , sites are created with an extremely organized and well - defined tabular structure , whereby content , be it text or images , are contained within specific tables , cells or form elements . the software of the present invention is able to produce a unique and consistent series of address points within the originating site web page through the following process : 1 . the originating site page is loaded into the software &# 39 ; s memory ; 2 . the page is then scanned searching for table , table row , table data and / or form element html tags . 3 . when table tags are found they are assigned a hierarchical address point based on the position within the page by the following method : each top level table is given a consecutive number , ie 1 , 2 , 3 , etc each top level table is then scanned searching for tables within that table ; each secondary table that is found is then given a unique address point based on the top level table number concatenated with the sequence number of the secondary table , for example , the third secondary table within the second top level table is given the address point 2 . 3 ; this address point generation process is repeated recursively until the entire page of the originating site has been scanned ; accordingly , at the completion of this process , a particular table might have an address point of 9 . 7 . 1 being the first third level table within the seventh second level table within the ninth top level table . 4 . during the processing of the table tag address points the software will discover table row and table data element tags ( if they are present ) and assign each cell with an address point based on the table address point in which the cell resides combined with the sequence number of the table row and data elements . for example , the cell located in the third row and the second column of the first third level table within the seventh second level table within the ninth top level table would have an address point of 9 . 7 . 1 . cell ( 3 , 2 ). 5 . during the processing of the table tag address points the software will discover form element tags , such as input boxes / radio buttons / drop down lists / etc , ( if they are present ) and assign each form with an address point based on the table address point in which the form resides combined with the sequence number and the form element type . for example , the third radio button in the first third level table within the seventh second level table within the ninth top level table would have an address point of 9 . 7 . 1 . radiobutton . 3 . these address points are reasonably stable points of reference to a particular position within the page &# 39 ; s structure , even though the content within page might be subject to frequent change . once address points are generated for the entire page , the page is displayed to the operator with visible address points located adjacent to the relevant tag . the operator then locates the address point within the page that corresponds to the target content . this address point is stored by the software for future reference as relating to the target content . additionally , the operator selects a start and an end point for the target content . these start and end points are typically the start and end of the relevant table , however in some cases the entire table is not desired and the start and end points may be , for example , key words or specific tags within the table . in which case , the operator can manually assign these start and end points into the system . once these elements are confirmed the software will store the web page address , the generated address point , and the starting and ending point markers relating to the content to be channeled into a database . once the operator has assigned an “ address point ” to a particular cell within the originating site the software is able to periodically query , capture , transmogrify and store the content associated with that address point into a file in another location for later inclusion into the beneficiary site . on an ad hoc & amp ;/ or predefined periodic basis ( e . g . weekly ) the software will open the database of web page addresses , address points and starting and end points ; the originating web page is opened within the software ; the address points are assigned to the relevant sections of the page ; the page is scanned for the specific address point which refers to the content to be channeled ; the page is then further scanned from that specific address point to locate the starting and end points ; the area between the starting and end points is copied and stored in a file in another location ; this file is then processed to insert / alter specific html tags which relate to the look and style of the beneficiary site ; typically the beneficiary site would use a server side mechanism such as server side includes to insert the date into the beneficiary site . the present invention is particularly useful in that it provides a means by which the webmaster of the beneficiary site need not manually update the content each time the content on the originating site changes . hence , this software automates the process of monitoring the originating site and implementing the necessary changes from the originating site into the beneficiary site . presently , the url address bar within internet browsers are only capable of accepting and displaying a subset of all ascii characters , commonly known as us ascii . us ascii contains roman alphabet characters , e . g . abcdefg , arabic numbers , e . g . 1234567 and a limited set of punctuation , such as periods , semi - colons , dashes , forward slashes , etc . this is a naming protocol limitation that is inherent in the technical infrastructure of the internet . it creates a discriminatory barrier to the non - english speaking communities of the world . for instance , a universally popular means of surfing the internet is to type in generic domain names in the url address bar in the hope of finding a relevant site , e . g . www . computers . com . this is highlighted by the six and seven figure prices that have reportedly been paid for such generic domain names . unfortunately , the same logic does not apply to generic terms of other languages , particularly if the other language is not us ascii based and therefore does not use the english alphabet , such as chinese , japanese , thai , hebrew , etc . if non - us ascii characters are typed into a url address bar the browser will return an error message to the user when it attempts to locate that site because the internet protocol requires all domain names to consist of us ascii characters . the present invention overcomes this obstacle by enabling users to enter non - us ascii characters into their url address bar and being directed to an appropriate site that relates to the term entered in their url address bar . for present purposes , chinese characters and pinyin will be used for exemplification . once installed on a user &# 39 ; s computer , the software of the present invention enables the user to enter a native language term into their url address bar in their language and character set of choice , such as chinese . when the user hits enter or clicks to proceed to the site the present invention “ intercepts ” the non - internet compliant url ( ie non - us ascii format ) and redirects the browser to the appropriate site without raising any errors to the user . for the purpose of certainty the present invention can achieve its goal via two methods . the first method involves the following process : software associated with the present invention is installed on the user &# 39 ; s computer ; the software establishes a “ hook ” into the “ navigation procedures ” of the user &# 39 ; s browser , regardless of browser brand and version . by way of background , the “ navigation procedures ” of most browsers comprise a set of procedures and functions that direct and notify the browser software of the current browser status , where the user has been and where the user wants to go ( by virtue of the user &# 39 ; s url address bar input ), etc . these functions and procedures may be “ exposed ” through an application programming interface ( api ) such as the windows api , and may therefore be scrutinized , monitored and intercepted in real time to achieve additional functionality beyond the original intent of the original browser design ; when the user types in a non - us ascii term into the url address bar (“ the non - compliant term ”), the browser software &# 39 ; s navigation procedures automatically convert the non - compliant term into an error message which contains the non - compliant term , but in an internet compliant format (“ converted term ”); before the error message is displayed to the user , the software “ intercepts ” the message , reads it , analyses the content and locates the converted term ; the software queries a database of converted terms and corresponding websites to find a match for the converted term contained in the intercepted error message ; if a match is found then the user is redirected to the website that corresponds to the matched converted term ; the corresponding website is displayed to the user in lieu of the intercepted error message . the second method involves a similar process but with subtle yet important differences : the internet browser installed on the user &# 39 ; s computer is configured so as to raise a specific website (“ the reference site ”) when the “ site not found ” error is generated ( this is commonly known as auto search functionality within ms internet explorer ); when the user types in a non - us ascii term into the url address bar (“ the non - compliant term ”), the browser &# 39 ; s auto search function calls the reference site with parameters which include the non - compliant term , but in an internet compliant format (“ converted term ”); the reference site software automatically queries a database of converted terms and corresponding websites to find a match for the converted term ; if a match is found then the user is redirected to the website that corresponds to the matched converted term ; the corresponding website is displayed to the user in lieu of any error message ; under this method , it is not necessary for software to be running in the background , as aid the user &# 39 ; s browser is configured to send the user to the reference site that has access to the relevant database . variations of and additions to the inventions described herein are possible within the general inventive concepts as will be apparent to those skilled in the art .	7
fig1 illustrates a manual toothbrush 10 containing the features of this invention . this toothbrush 10 includes a handle 12 and a head 14 . handle 12 may include a suitable textured grip ( not shown ) made of elastomeric material . this invention , however , is primarily directed to the arrangement of prophy cups and cleaning elements on the head . in accordance with this invention , prophy cups 16 are arrayed in the center of head 14 , preferable aligned with the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 10 . as illustrated , three prophy cups 16 are affixed to head 14 , although use of a larger or smaller number of such cups is contemplated for use with toothbrush 10 . the prophy cups 16 are typically made of a soft elastomeric material and , as the name implies , are cup - shaped . the inner surface of the cup can contain ridges which help to clean teeth when the toothbrush is pressed against the user &# 39 ; s teeth . more importantly , the cup shape of prophy cups 16 acts to hold toothpaste in place while the toothbrush 10 is in use . complementing this function of toothpaste retention is a set of cleaning elements or bristle rings 18 surrounding some or all of the prophy cups 16 . as best illustrated in fig2 , the bristle rings 18 extend a greater distance above the face 20 of head 14 than the prophy cups 16 . this extra height relative to cups 16 acts as a further means for retaining toothpaste within the toothbrush head 14 during use . a preferred placement of the bristle rings 18 is with a space of about one ( 1 ) millimeter from the outer circumference of the prophy cup 16 . upon the user &# 39 ; s application of force on the handle 14 as the toothbrush 10 approaches the user &# 39 ; s teeth , the toothpaste applied by the user will be forced into the holding areas 22 formed by between a prophy cup 16 and the surrounding bristle ring 18 . the toothpaste will be held in holding areas 22 near the top of the bristle rings by the top of prophy cup 16 . this unique combination of prophy cups 16 and closely surrounding bristle rings 18 holds most of the toothpaste exactly where desired , namely , in the area 22 where the principal cleansing components , prophy cup and bristle rings , are in contact with the user &# 39 ; s teeth . the surrounding ring of bristles 18 captures the toothpaste as it escapes from the cup 16 , to act as a replenishing reservoir when one changes the direction of one &# 39 ; s brush stroke . to complement the cleaning effect of the prophy cups 16 and bristle rings 18 , additional elements 24 can be arranged about the periphery of head 14 in a manner similar to that shown in fig1 and 2 . these peripheral cleaning elements 24 help to clean deep between teeth and along the gumline . these additional cleaning elements may be tufts of bristles and may be elastomeric walls or fingers , as illustrated . cleaning elements 24 and bristle rings 18 are arranged in both portions of head 14 in a known manner . for example , anchor free tufting ( aft ) could be used to mount the cleaning elements . in aft a plate or membrane is secured to the brush head such as by ultrasonic welding . the bristles extend through the plate or membrane . the free ends of the bristles on one side of the plate or membrane perform the cleaning function . the ends of the bristles on the other side of the plate or membrane are melted together by heat to be anchored in place . any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention . the term “ cleaning elements ” is intended to be used in a generic sense which could include conventional fiber bristles or massage elements or other forms of cleaning elements such as elastomeric fingers or walls arranged in a circular cross - section shape or any type of desired shape including straight portions or sinusoidal portions . where bristles are used , the bristles could be mounted to tuft blocks or sections by extending through suitable openings in the tuft blocks so that the base of the bristles is mounted within or below the tuft block . it is to be understood that the specific illustration of the cleaning elements is merely for exemplary purposes . the invention can be practiced with various combinations ( such as aft , etc .) and / or with the same bristle or cleaning element materials ( such as nylon bristles , spiral bristles , rubber bristles , etc .) similarly , while the figures illustrate the cleaning elements to be generally perpendicular to head 14 , some or all of the cleaning elements may be angled at various angles with respect to the face 20 of head 14 . it is thereby possible to select the combination of cleaning element configurations , materials and orientations to achieve specific intended results to deliver additional oral health benefits , like enhanced cleaning , tooth polishing , tooth whitening and / or massaging of the gums . although the bristle ring 18 is illustrated as being formed by fibrous bristles , the bristle ring could be formed by other types of cleaning elements such as elastomer fingers . fig3 illustrates a powered version 10 a of the toothbrush wherein sections 40 of the head 14 are moved under power or may contain a powered set of cleaning elements . sections 40 may take the form of circular discs . preferably , the prophy cups 16 and / or bristle rings 18 would be mounted to the section 40 to be powered to provide rotational or oscillating movement thereto . switch 26 on toothbrush 10 a can be used to activate and deactivate power to the movable elements of toothbrush 10 a . the movable section 40 could be oscillated rotationally such as by using the type of drive mechanism shown in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 625 , 916 , or could move in and out using the type of drive mechanism shown in u . s . pat . no . re 35 , 941 ; all of the details of both patents are incorporated herein by reference thereto . alternatively , the other types of drives referred to above could move section 40 in other manners and directions . although fig3 shows movable section 40 to be at one end of the head 14 , the movable section ( s ) would be located at any desired location on the head . fig1 - 3 relate to the practice of the invention wherein the cleaning elements 18 surround prophy cups 16 . the invention could , however , be practiced where instead of prophy cups the cups are formed by a dense pack of cleaning elements . this embodiment of the invention is illustrated in fig4 - 6 . as shown therein the toothbrush 110 has many of the same features as the toothbrush 10 . thus , the toothbrush 110 includes a handle 112 and a head 114 similar to the same components in fig1 - 3 . in accordance with the practice of the invention shown in fig4 - 6 , a central , dense pack of cleaning elements 116 is arrayed in the center of head 114 , preferable aligned with the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 110 . as illustrated , three circular groups of densely packed cleaning elements 116 are affixed to head 114 , although use of a larger or smaller number of such groups is contemplated for use with toothbrush 110 . the ends of cleaning element groups 116 are typically contoured in cross - section to provide a cup - like shape . the cup - like shape of cleaning elements 116 acts to hold toothpaste in place while the toothbrush 110 is in use . complementing this function of toothpaste retention is a set of cleaning elements or bristle rings 118 surrounding some or all of the cup - shaped cleaning elements 116 . as best illustrated in fig5 , the bristle rings 118 extend a greater distance above the face 120 of head 114 than the cup - shaped elements 116 . this extra height relative to cup - shaped cleaning elements 116 acts as a further means for retaining toothpaste within the toothbrush head 114 during use . a preferred placement of the bristle rings 118 is with a space of about one ( 1 ) millimeter from the outer circumference of the cup - shaped elements 116 . upon the user &# 39 ; s application of force on the handle 114 as the toothbrush 110 approaches the user &# 39 ; s teeth , the toothpaste applied by the user will be forced into the holding areas 122 formed by the surrounding bristle rings 118 . the toothpaste will be held in holding areas 122 near the top of the bristle rings by the top of cup - shaped elements 116 . this unique combination of elements 116 and closely surrounding bristle rings 118 holds most of the toothpaste exactly where desired , namely , in the area 122 adjacent where the principal cleansing components , which are in contact with the user &# 39 ; s teeth . the surrounding ring of bristles 118 captures the toothpaste as it escapes from the cup - shaped bristles 116 , to act as a replenishing reservoir when one changes the direction of one &# 39 ; s brush stroke . to complement the cleaning effect of the cup - shaped elements 116 and bristle rings 118 , additional elements 124 can be arranged about the periphery of head 114 in a manner similar to that shown in fig4 and 5 . these peripheral cleaning elements 124 help to clean deep between teeth and along the gumline . as with toothbrush 10 of fig1 - 2 , cleaning elements 116 , 118 , and 124 are arranged in head 114 in a known manner . any suitable form of cleaning elements may be used in the broad practice of this invention . fig6 illustrates a powered version 110 a of the toothbrush wherein portions 140 of the head 114 are moved under power or may contain a powered set of cleaning elements . preferably , the cup - shaped cleaning elements 116 and / or bristle rings 118 would be powered to provide rotational or oscillating movement thereto . a switch 126 on toothbrush 110 a can be used to activate and deactivate power to the movable elements of toothbrush 110 a . toothbrush 110 a could operate in the same manner as toothbrush 110 a . the toothbrushes 10 a and 110 a utilize a power drive to move the respective sections 40 , 140 . fig7 - 8 illustrate in greater detail one such practice of the invention . as shown in fig7 , a powered toothbrush 210 includes a handle 212 and a head 214 . handle 212 includes a battery pack or rechargeable unit 216 which provides the motive power to toothbrush 210 . this power source 216 is electrically connected to motor 218 by suitable wiring or after connection . selective operation of motor 218 is controlled by switch 220 . extending from one end of motor 218 toward head 214 is drive shaft 222 . motor 218 can be geared to impart rotational or reciprocating motion to drive shaft 222 . the other end underlies the discs or movable platforms 224 on which are mounted cups 226 and taller cleaning elements 228 . in the embodiment illustrated in fig7 and 8 , the drive shaft rotates back and forth through an angle of about 60 - 90 ° as illustrated in fig8 . offsets 223 in drive shaft 222 rotate a similar angular distance . these offsets 223 in drive shaft 222 are positioned in slots 225 formed in the base of platforms 224 . as the shaft rotates back and forth through the aforesaid angle , offsets 223 cause reciprocation of platforms 224 as the offsets alternatively push the sides of slots 225 in one direction and then another . this , in turn , causes reciprocating movement of cups 226 or bristles 228 , depending upon which is mounted on platform 224 . that movement aids in cleaning of teeth and invigoration of gums . in accordance with this invention , cups 226 are mounted on platforms 224 in the center of head 214 , preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of toothbrush 210 . as illustrated , three cups 226 are contained in head 214 , although use of a larger or smaller number of such cups is contemplated for use with toothbrush 210 . where cups 226 are prophy cups , the prophy cups 226 are typically made of a soft elastomeric material and , as the name implies , are cup - shaped . the inner surface of the cup can contain ridges which help to clean teeth when the toothbrush is pressed against the user &# 39 ; s teeth . also , the cup shape of prophy cups 226 acts to hold toothpaste in place while the powered toothbrush 10 is in use . although prophy cups are specifically illustrated , cups 226 could also be densely packed cleaning elements , such as cups 116 . complementing these functions of toothpaste retention and cleaning is a set of cleaning elements or bristle rings 228 surrounding some or all of the cups 226 , as previously described with respect to toothbrushes 10 and 110 . it is to be understood that various features shown in an individual embodiment may be incorporated in other embodiments . thus , for example , where a toothbrush utilizes a plurality of cups all of the cups may be prophy cups or all of the cups may be cups formed by densely packed cleaning elements . alternatively , a combination of the two different types of cups may be used in any suitable arrangement . thus , where three cups are used the end cups may be of one type which differs from the central cup or only one of the end cups may differ from the other cups . where more than three cups are used the cups are preferably longitudinally aligned and could be all or a combination of the different types of cups . alternatively , where the plurality of cups are used if a wider toothbrush head is used the cups need not be longitudinally aligned . although the sets of cups and bristle rings are illustrated as being uniformly spaced from each other , a non - uniform spacing could be used .	8
shown in fig1 is a schematic view of an x - ray diffraction analysis system according to the present invention . a sample material 10 , which in this embodiment is a single crystal , is illuminated by an incident x - ray beam 12 that has an angle θ i relative to the lattice planes of the crystal structure . in the figure , the x - ray beam 12 is emitted by x - ray source 11 and is represented by three lines , namely , a dark solid line indicative of a center of the beam and two dotted lines that together indicate the beam width . those skilled in the art will also recognize that fig1 is not to scale , and that the incident angle of the beam is actually much smaller than it appears in the figure ( for example , about 1 °). the x - ray beam 12 has a finite thickness and , in the present embodiment , has a circular cross - sectional shape . however , because of the very small angle of incidence , the beam illuminates a long , narrow section of the material , as indicated in the figure by dashed line 14 . the two lines 16 shown in fig1 represent ( not to scale ) the locations of two lattice planes of the crystal that , as indicated , are separated by an interatomic spacing d . the in - plane incident radiation angle θ i is also indicated , as is the scattering plane elevation angle , α i . these angles are equal , respectively , to θ f and α f , which are also shown in the figure . thus , when the incident beam is at the correct angle , a wide diffraction signal is emitted from the material and directed toward a detector 18 . as with the incident beam , the diffraction signal is represented in the figure by a dark , solid line indicating the beam center , and two dotted lines that indicate two opposite extremes of the signal . however , due to the elongated shape of the region illuminated by the incident beam , the diffraction signal also has an elongated shape and appears as a line 20 on the surface of detector 18 . that is , the diffraction signal has a wide profile ( shown by the two dotted lines ), but is narrow in the other direction . because of the relationships between the incidence angles θ i , α i and the diffraction angles θ f , α f , the diffraction signal 20 that arrives at detector 18 has a direct spatial correspondence to the line 14 along which the incident beam illuminates the sample material 10 . that is , intensity at any point along the diffraction signal 20 is dependent upon the interaction between the incident beam and a corresponding section of the sample along the line 14 . if there is a section along line 14 where the incident x - ray beam is prevented from interacting with the crystal ( such as by a surface contaminant ), the intensity of that portion of the beam that corresponds to the location of the contamination will have a reduced intensity . likewise , if there is a region of the crystal material that does not have a lattice structure that satisfies the bragg rule ( due , for example , to a crystal defect or crystallite section with a lattice orientation that is not correctly oriented to satisfy the bragg condition ), the intensity of the diffraction signal will be reduced in this region . thus , a spatial analysis of the diffraction signal 20 will indicate any part of the material 10 along the line 14 that does not satisfy the requisite diffraction conditions . the spatial dependence of the diffraction technique shown in fig1 is demonstrated by the presence of a signal - attenuating material 22 on the surface of the crystal . this material 22 may represent any of a number of different substances that are accidentally or intentionally deposited on the sample surface such as , for example , a contaminant on a silicon wafer crystal . in this example , the material 22 is such that it scatters the x - ray radiation from the portion of the beam that would otherwise be incident on the underlying crystal . as a result , there is little or no diffracted signal energy in the corresponding section of the diffracted beam as it arrives at the detector 18 . this section of relatively low intensity is indicated as region 24 of the linear beam 20 shown in fig1 . this effect is also clear in the recorded intensity distributions shown , respectively , in fig2 a and 2b . the distribution shown in fig2 a , for which there is no signal attenuation by a surface material , shows some slight intensity variations , but no significant spatial gap in the diffraction signal . the distribution of fig2 b , however , corresponds to a situation such as that shown in fig1 , where it may be clearly seen that an anomaly ( in this case a deposited surface material ) has impeded a section of the diffracted signal , resulting in a corresponding reduction in intensity . by using a position sensitive detector , the present invention provides a method for localizing crystal defects , surface contaminants or other material anomalies across the surface of a crystal sample material . in the arrangement of fig1 , the spatial correlation is made relative to an elongated band along the surface of the sample 10 that follows the line 14 . this provides a diffraction signal for a roughly linear segment of the material , that is , it gives information primarily in one dimension along the surface of the sample . however , it is also possible to generate a two - dimensional characterization of the material surface by scanning the x - ray beam across the sample . one arrangement for doing this is shown in fig3 . fig3 is a schematic view of a measurement system in which a sample 22 is located on a sample support 24 , which can be moved laterally as well as rotationally ( as discussed in more detail below ). in the present embodiment , the support 24 is moved laterally in increments in a direction perpendicular to the primary direction of the elongated section 26 of the sample illuminated by x - ray beam 28 emitted from x - ray source 30 . in this example , the sample is a monocrystalline silicon wafer to be used for integrated circuit fabrication . to do a compete characterization of the wafer , the sample support is first positioned so that the x - ray beam is incident at one edge of the sample 22 . the diffracted signal is detected by the detector 32 and the linear energy profile is recorded . the sample support 24 is then advanced incrementally while a similar profile is recorded for each position along the sample surface . in this way , a profile of the entire sample may be constructed . fig4 is a graphical representation of an intensity distribution for a sample such as the silicon wafer of fig3 . in this figure , the x - y plane is the plane in which the sample surface resides , the x - direction being the direction of the region 26 illuminated by the x - ray beam , and the y - direction being the direction of the material translation . the third dimension of the figure represents intensity , so that the three - dimensional intensity profile is readily apparent . an actual result of a scan such as that described above is shown in fig5 , in which the brighter areas of the image show regions of higher intensity . as can be seen , the form of the crystalline wafer is clearly shown , with several intensity patterns visible . for example , near the middle of the wafer image is a dark circular shape , which is due to the presence of a thin amorphous layer on the crystal surface . there is also a relatively high intensity shown in the upper left hand portion of the image as compared to the right side , which is due to a slight curvature of the wafer that creates a variation in the angular correspondence between the incident x - ray beam and the crystal lattice . a profile like that of fig5 may also be used to determine the in - plane orientation of a sample so that , for example , the in - plane crystal orientation may be determined relative to a macroscopic feature of the sample . this is of particular interest for verifying the proper location of a silicon wafer flat that is critical to certain types of integrated circuit fabrication . the flat is machined into the side of the wafer during the wafer production process so as to provide a guide to the orientation of the in - plane crystal structure that may be referenced in subsequent fabrication steps . in fig5 , the wafer flat is clearly visible near the bottom of the image , and a “ single scan ” line representative of the direction of the incident beam is shown to indicate its orientation relative to the wafer flat . the example shown in fig5 provides orientation information regarding a monocrystalline material . however , the present invention also allows the mapping of a material having multiple orientation domains . in the field of crystal fabrication , it occasionally arises that a perfect monocrystalline structure is not formed but , rather , that two or more separate crystal regions develop that border on one another , and that each have a different in - plane orientation . in such a case , during a scanning of a first domain of interest , the magnitude of the diffraction signal emitted from the other domains would be negligible , and the intensity in those areas of the image would therefore be minimal . however , the sample may be subsequently repositioned to satisfy the bragg condition for another of the domains , and the relevant orientation information recorded for that domain . this process may then be repeated for each of the domains until a complete orientation map is produced . a method such as this may make use of a system such as that shown in fig3 . however , to allow the detection of all the different crystallites in the sample , the sample support is rotated after each detection so as to reposition the sample at a different rotational orientation relative to the x - ray beam . the sample may be located , for example , with the x - ray beam passing through its geometric center , and a complete profile of the sample obtained by incrementally rotating the sample support through an angular range of 360 °. another mapping method that may be performed with the present invention allows the determination of how a substance is distributed on the surface of a single crystal material . as discussed above in connection with fig1 , a layer on the surface of a crystal will attenuate the diffracted signal being emitted thereby , and the extent of the attenuation is proportional to the thickness of the layer . thus , in one embodiment of the invention , the scan of a crystal material may be used to assess the presence and thickness of a surface layer material . shown in fig6 is a photograph of a monocrystalline wafer , on the surface of which is an amorphous coating having a recognizable pattern . the wafer was subsequently subjected to an in - plane grazing incident diffraction using a position - sensitive detector according to the present invention . the result of the scan is shown in fig7 , for which the image is reversed ( i . e ., the dark regions indicate areas of higher intensity ). in this figure , the respective directions of the incident x - ray beam , the interatomic spacing of interest and the diffracted signal are indicated by arrows . as can be seen , the pattern formed on the crystal surface is clearly visible . moreover , the regions where the thickness of the surface material is greater , such as regions 36 and 38 , show a higher degree of attenuation in the diffracted signal . the macroscopic features of the wafer , such as the flat 34 , are also readily apparent , as is the drop in intensity near the lower right hand side of the figure , indicating a curvature in the wafer surface . the mapping capability of the present invention allows the characterization of a surface coating on a crystal , such as a mask used in lithographic patterning . in addition to determining the precise distribution of the mask material , the degree of attenuation may also be determined in a spatially - relative way so as to characterize the material thickness across the sample surface . this technique has application in verifying the proper application of a mask material to be used in semiconductor fabrication . in another embodiment of the invention , a layer deposited on a sample may be crystalline in nature , and may be the subject of the mapping . that is , if a crystalline material with a desired pattern has been deposited on a substrate , the invention may be used to perform an in - plane grazing incident diffraction analysis of the deposited layer . in this way , the distribution and the relative thickness of the deposited material , which would generate the regions of high intensity in the resulting image , may be mapped . while the invention has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof , it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims .	6
certain embodiments of the methods and systems described below overcome some or all of the difficulties described above and facilitate efficient transmission and aggregation of rru data for a single bbu . to facilitate effective aggregation , it is important to know whether the transport media at different locations match the traffic demands . because the central processing lies at the bbu ( and the number of rrus that can be connected with a single bbu is limited ), it is critical to know how many rrus a bbu can connect to in terms of fiber infrastructure . in the cpri approach , for example , it is very limited . by sharing the infrastructure with other ground systems , resilience and protection become important . problems of cpri - based c - ran are first described . by using the cpri version of rru - bbu link , the hf signals are first digitized to generate the cpri payload , and then this electrical signal is converted into an optical signal to allow transmission over a light beam . at the receiving side , the optical signal is received as an analog signal and electrically demodulated into digits . fig9 is a comparison of the signal reception / transmission between rru and bbu . as can be seen , the hf signals pass : adc + dac + adc , instead of merely adc , where the additional dac + adc ( corresponding to the optical transmission path ) has its own framing , overhead , and protection scheme , which adds to the delay among other things . such communication networks , however , have major technical requirements , including reliability and minimum delay . minimum delay is required because , for example , ( i ) below the physical layer , there is a tight delay budget given by the standard ; ( ii ) delay is proportional to distance , which is reciprocal to the aggregation size ; and ( iii ) the difficulty of synchronization between different locations . specifically , minimum frame header ( or no frame at all ), no interleaving , and no time division multiplexing ( tdm ) is required . reliability is required because , for example , ( i ) below the physical layer , the antenna feeder is emulated , which has zero probability of no interruption ; and ( ii ) given that current ran architecture consists of private infrastructure , resilience and protection are under control by ran operators . specifically , it is required that the channels used for c - ran be separate and securely isolated from other channels sharing the same fiber , if any . embodiments of the present invention implement wdm - ran using analog optical channels . optical transmission over fiber is desirable because of its enormous capacity , which to date has not been fully utilized . for instance , according itu standards for 100 ghz grid , the c - band window contains 74 − 38 = 36 optical light spectral lines that can be generated and transmitted in a single - mode optical fiber ( smf ). current optical systems normally use only one of those , even in wdm . indeed , use of more than 10 optical light spectral lines does not occur very often , if at all . on the other hand , the wireless signal to be transmitted generally has a 20 mhz bandwidth . even in the extreme case , the bandwidth is no more than 100 mhz per “ carrier .” for example , the carrier frequency for lte can be 700 , 800 , 900 , 2100 , or 2600 mhz . hence it is possible to directly modulate the light beam with the carrier signals . comparing the channel distance of 100 ghz and the rf frequency of lte 2 . 6 ghz , it is evident that it is theoretically possible to transmit many analog rf channels using a single lambda ( and more ) in a single fiber . moreover , modern wireless technology has a complex design in the air interface . for example , the analog signal coming from the antenna feeder may contain multiple ports . as such , mimo ports must be taken into account . although a typical configuration of lte is 4 × 4 for mimo , 8 × 8 is defined in the standard and so should be supported . if 8 ports is considered as the basic configuration , then the required bandwidth for a single carrier is 8 * w , where w is the bandwidth ( with w = 20 mhz , 40 mhz , and 100 mhz ; w = 5 mhz , 10 mhz , 15 mhz , and 20 mhz for umts ; w = 25 mhz for gsm ; and w = 22 mhz for wi - fi ). when the “ channels ” are multiplexed in the frequency , a guard band is needed . therefore , a 20 mhz guard band is added for each w , resulting in 8 ( g + w ). s = 45 mhz to 190 mhz , where s is the separation band between the uplink and the downlink . thus , where the uplink and the down link are transmitted on the same carrier , the result is 8 ( g + w )+ s + 8 ( g + w ) in total . in such a case , for example , s = 100 mhz should suffice . fig1 shows an analog rru - bbu link and fig1 . 5 shows a l - band laser spectrum grid . fig1 shows a carrier spectrum for mimo - capable lte rf signals . fig1 shows a spectrum of c - based laser use . fig1 shows a circuit for optical transmission : bbu to rru ( down link ). the procedure can be summarized as the following optical modulation : wavelength division , carrier displacement division , wavelength carrier displacement division , and wavelength antenna division . for wavelength division , a laser source generates up to 30 wavelengths ( i . e ., lambdas ) having a distance of 100 ghz . in certain embodiments , each lambda is assigned to at least a single rru , with available bandwidth up to 100 ghz . in this way , thirty rrus can be connected without frequency multiplexing of multiple rrus . it is possible to modulate multiple carriers on the same lambda light , however . for , carrier displacement division , a carrier converter is used at both rru and bbu sides to up / down convert the carrier from different antenna ports . as a result 8 ( g + w ) is generated at the bbu and 8 ( g + w ) is generated at the rru with a separation of s between the uplink and the down link . the two light beams are sent out from both sides with different carriers ( with sufficient guard band s ). when multiple rrus are multiplexed to a single lambda , the calculation is m 16 ( g + w )+ s + f . for example , m 16 ( 100 + 100 )+ 400 + 2600 = m 3200 + 3000 mhz & lt ; 100 ghz . by having given values of g , s , and f , where f is the band reserved for the control channel , the number of rrus that can be taken care of by the single lambda can be computed . for instance , there can be up to 30 * m rrus for a single fiber , comprising uplink , downlink and control channels for each rru . in the example above ( the upper bound ) m =( 100 − 3 )/ 3 . 2 = 30 . for , wavelength carrier displacement division , another approach is to separate the 30 lambdas into 15 lambdas for the uplink and 15 lambdas for the downlink . by doing so , the 15 * s separation band needed to separate the uplink and down link is saved . then , a single lambda can carry m rrus , such that m * 8 ( g + w )+ f & lt ; 100 ghz . then up to 15 m rrus per single fiber can be accommodated . since the guard band is saved by this arrangement , a single fiber can support more rrus . in the example above , it is expected that m * 1600 + 2600 & lt ; 100 ghz , hence m =[( 100 - 2 . 6 ) 11 . 6 ]= 60 . this results in a minimal number of total 15 * 60 = 900 rrus supportable by a single fiber . in this configuration , the only bottleneck ( if any ) is the bbu power . this configuration allows more flexibility of multiplexing different signals through a single fiber . as such , multiplexing signals of gsm ( global system for mobile communications ) with umts , or with lte , is easily implemented . wavelength λntenna division : in the above methods , a microwave frequency converter is typically used to convert all 8 antenna interfaces into 8 adjacent identical frequency bands above the system carrier frequency ( in addition to management channel ) before light modulation is carried out . the microwave converter is saved , however , if these 9 channels are assigned to different light carriers . thus , for each rru there are a + 1 = 9 light carriers , which can be generated coherently by a single laser source . if l is the number of optical channels for a given lambda , then l /( a + 1 )= 4 , when a = 8 and l = 36 ( number of supportable lambdas ). as such , 3 to 4 rrus can be carried without a microwave converter , in the worst case . while different antennas of the same rru are assigned to different optical channels , antennas from different rrus can be multiplexed into the same optical carrier , as long the frequency is well - locked and synchronized . if m ′ is the number of rrus , then from ( w + g )* m ′& lt ; 100 ghz follows m ′=[ 100 /( w + g )]=[ 100 /( 0 . 1 + 0 . 1 )]= 500 . this makes total m , where 3 * 500 & lt ; 2 * m & lt ; 4 * 500 , meaning 750 & lt ; m & lt ; 1000 in the worst case . the factor 2 accounts for the uplink and down link and g is the guard band between signals from different rrus . in the case of variable antenna numbers for different rru , the number m may increase . advantages of the present invention include : ( a ) the microwave converter at each rru has only one individual target frequency to convert to , which simplifies the design and reduces the cost : ( b ) there is no need for the separation band between the uplink and the down link ; ( c ) there is a uniform configuration for lte , gsm , umts , and wi - fi signals ( the only difference is in bbu ); and ( d ) different numbers of antennas can be implemented , which saves bandwidth and extends the application scope and increases the deployment flexibility . in practice , the limitations of the components have to be taken into account . such limitations include , for example , electrical - optical modulation band limits ; cost and power consumption of the laser ; coherent interference ( cross talk ); microwave frequency converter complexity ; microwave component quality , and the like . in certain embodiments , the direct laser generator has a modulation bandwidth 2 . 6 ghz . if the light frequency is the reference ( i . e . corresponds to dc ), then only 2 . 6 ghz is used to carry the rf signals . first , since the lower part of the bandwidth needs to be reserved to collect the inter - modulation noise , while at same time to apply to gpon type services , 1 ghz is reserved . thus , 1 . 6 ghz is available to carry the rf signals from 8 antennas . if the guard band is equal to the signal bandwidth ( i . e . g = w ), then adding on an additional band of 20 mhz for the synchronization and management yields 20 + 8 ( g + w )= 20 + 16 w = 340 mhz , 660 mhz , 1620 mhz . as such , if the bandwidth is 20 mhz , each rru needs 340 mhz , and this wavelength can carry 3 rru . if the bandwidth is 40 mhz , then only 2 rru can be carried . for a 100 mhz bandwidth , only one rru can be carried . with 15 wave lengths carrying the uplink and another 15 wavelengths carrying downlink , a single fiber can carry 15 to 45 rrus . fig1 illustrates realistic multiplex and fig1 . 5 illustrates the different configuration and capacity per fiber ( assume 30 lambdas generated with modulation bandwidth 2 . 6 ghz and lte band usage ). the most representative configuration is indicated in bold . all this is based on a working bandwidth of 2 . 6 ghz , which is at the lower bound of the available components in the market . certain low power embodiments of the present invention are possible . the aforementioned implementations implied that at each rru there is a laser generator , and correspondingly there is laser generator at the bbu , to provide the light source for the down link and uplink , respectively . because laser generation currently requires more power than a microwave component , the implementation can be modified to reduce the power consumption ( as well as the component price ), by replacing the laser generator by an optical intensity modulator ( im ). to enable this configuration , all rrus that are attached to a bbu are connected through a single fiber in the shape of a ring . only one laser source is needed , as long as the distance is within the range posed by the quality requirement . fig1 , for example , shows a ring of a single fiber linking all rrus associated with a single bbu , where the ims refer to the transmitter and the boxes behind the ims refer to the receiving side . at the bbu , there is a bank of lasers ( ecl ), each of which generates a single lambda light continuous wave ( cw ) in one direction along the ring that terminates at the same bbu . for the uplink , an im at each rru modulates the same light beam , using its own rf signal , at the corresponding wavelength designated for the uplink at this rru , and the signal is extracted by a bandpass filter at each rru and converted to the corresponding rf signal . for the down link , there are multiple ims , each of which modulates a certain wavelength corresponding to the designated rru , using the corresponding rf signals designated to the same rru . the radio uplink corresponds to the up stream , and the down link corresponds to down stream in light signal on the fiber . the technology needed to enable certain embodiments of the present invention is already mature . indeed , commercial laser generators , modulators , circulators , filters , and switches are all available . for instance , http :// www . miteq . com / results . php ? id = 27548100 & amp ; rpp =& amp ; cs =& amp ; st = fo & amp ; sort =( freqmaxm hz - freqminmhz )+ desc , quotes a laser transmitter with a maximum working frequency band from 2 . 2 ghz ( the cheapest ) up to 18 ghz ( the most expensive ). taking an average , we can estimate a mature product as having 10 ghz upper band - limit . this is further confirmed by the intensity modulator offered as http :// www . thorlabs . com / newqrouppage9 . cfm ? objectgroup id = 3918 . fig1 . 5 , for example , illustrates technology to enable certain embodiments of the present wdm - ran invention . a hf up - converter and down - converter are used at the rru and the bbu , respectively . its function is to separate the different ports of the antenna on the frequency band so that they can be transmitted verbatim with the same bandwidth . for the uplink , each of those signals is received at the bbu at a different frequency and thus can be down - converted to the base band , allowing spatial differentiation of mimo signals . for the down link , each of those signals is converted down to the carrier frequency at the rru to feed different antenna ports . it can be understood as space to frequency , and frequency to space , in both directions . fig1 shows a hf converter . fig1 illustrates cpri transmission capability and fig1 illustrates transmission capability . while embodiments of the methods and systems have been shown and described , it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein . the invention , therefore , is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the following claims .	7
the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in detail . fig2 is a block diagram outlining the arrangement of an example of a sending sheet forming system which constitutes a first embodiment of the invention . in fig2 reference numeral 1 designates an input unit such as a control panel on which a key board including one - touch keys or speed - dial keys ( hereinafter referred to as &# 34 ; one - touch keys &# 34 ;, when applicable ) is mounted ; 2 , a reading unit such as a scanner ; and 3 , a control unit ( cpu ) for controlling communication operations such as ordinary facsimile communication , broadcast communication and the like and for controlling the storing and reading of data as to sending sheets and original documents . further in fig2 reference numeral 4 designates a one - touch key register memory . a table as shown in fig3 is stored in the on - touch key register memory 4 in which telephone numbers ( tel . no ) and addresses are listed in correspondence to the one - touch keys . the table is registered by the user with the input unit 1 in advance . further in fig2 reference numeral 5 designates an image data memory for temporarily storing the original document data read out of the reading unit 2 ; and 6 , a communication unit for calling remote receiving stations or performing a protocol communication . the operation of the system shown in fig2 will be described with reference to fig1 showing a functional block diagram thereof . in fig1 reference numeral 11a designates a one - touch key section of the input unit 1 ; 12 , a key memory section for storing a key number inputted with the one - touch key section 11a ; and 13 , a control section which determines it from the storage of a plurality of key numbers in the key memory section 12 that broadcast communication is required . the control section 13 controls various circuit elements as described later . further in fig1 reference numeral 14 designates a sending sheet memory section for storing the data as to sending sheets read with the reading section 2 . an example of the format of the sending sheet is as shown in fig4 including &# 34 ; a space assigned to the address of remote receiving stations ( address space )&# 34 ; other than &# 34 ; date &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; station &# 39 ; s name sending the documents ( sender &# 39 ; s name )&# 34 ;, and &# 34 ; greeting message &# 34 ;. reference numeral 15 designates a combining section for entering in the &# 34 ; address space &# 34 ; the address obtained from the one - touch key registration memory 4 ; 16 , an original document data memory section ; and 17 and 18 , switching sections . the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to fig1 and a flow chart shown in fig5 . first , the one - touch keys of remote stations to be called by broadcasting are depressed in the one - touch key section 11 . ( step s1 ) assuming that one - touch keys are depressed , the n numbers of the depressed one - touch keys are stored in the key memory section 12 . in this case , if at least two one - touch key numbers are stored in the key memory section 12 , the control section 13 determines it from the storage of the one - touch key numbers that broadcast communication is to be carried out so that the control section 13 commences the control operation for the broadcast communication . it may be carried out to start the broadcast communication by depressing an instruction key for instructing the broadcast communication , which is provided to the input unit 1 . the control section 13 causes the switching section 18 to connect the reading section 2 to the sending sheet memory section 14 , so that the first original document data read through the reading section 2 ( i . e ., the sending sheet ) is stored in the sending sheet memory section 14 . ( step s2 ) thereafter , the control section 13 causes the switching section 18 to connect the reading section 2 to the original document data memory section 16 , so that original document data read through the reading section 2 ( i . e ., a sending original document ) is stored in the original document data memory section 16 . ( step s3 ) thereafter , the control section 13 applies a transmission start instruction signal to the communication unit 6 , and also applies an instruction signal to the key memory section 12 to cause the latter 12 to output the first key number . the first key number thus outputted is applied to the one - touch key registration memory 4 . in response to the first key number , the one - touch key registration memory 4 outputs the corresponding telephone number and address . the telephone number is applied to the communication unit 6 , while the address is applied to the combining section 15 . the communication unit 6 automatically dials the telephone number to connect the telephone line to the called remote station . next , the control section 13 causes the switching section 17 to connect the combining section 15 to the communication means 6 . the combining section 15 inserts in the address space of the sending sheet the first address obtained from the one - touch key registration memory 4 , and applies it through the communication unit 6 to the telephone line . subsequently , the switching section 17 operates to connect the original document data memory section 16 to the communication means 6 , so that the original document data is transmitted through the telephone line . ( steps s5 to s8 ) when one communication has been accomplished in the above - described manner , the communication unit 6 applies a transmission completion signal to the control section 13 . in response to the transmission completion signal , the control section 13 applies an instruction signal to the key memory section 12 to read the next key number . in response to the instruction signal , the key memory section 12 outputs the second key number to be applied to the one - touch key registration memory 4 . in response to the second key number , the one - touch key registration memory 4 outputs the corresponding telephone number and address to the communication unit 6 and the combining section 15 , respectively . as is similar to the above , the communication unit 6 automatically dials the telephone number , while the combining section 15 inserts the address in the address space of the sending sheet . the sending sheet is first applied to the telephone line through the communication unit 6 , and then the original document data is applied to the telephone line . as a result , the transmission of data to the second address is completed . the above - described operations are carried out repeatedly as many times as the number n of one - touch keys inputted in step s1 . that is , steps s5 through s8 are repeatedly carried out until n = n is obtained . thus , the above - described series of operations have been accomplished . in the embodiment , as is apparent from the above description , the addresses corresponding to the one - touch keys 11a operated in step s1 are automatically read out of the onetouch key registration memory 4 one at a time , and each of the addresses is inserted in the address space of the sending sheet , and the sending sheet thus processed is transmitted prior to the original document data . hence , it is possible for the operator to prepare sending sheets each having a remote receiving station &# 39 ; s address automatically by way of merely operating the one - touch key section to select desired remote receiving stations . in addition , it is also possible for the operator to prepare a sending sheet format which includes a greeting message or the like , and therefore it is advantageous in that the sending sheet could contain a sufficient amount of message according to the operator &# 39 ; s requirement . now , a second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to fig6 to 8 . fig6 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of another example of the sending sheet forming system which constitutes a second embodiment of the invention . the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment of fig2 in that an omr data memory 7 is provided to temporarily store the data which are obtained by reading in the reading unit 2 and then analyzing the thus read data in the control unit 3 , and that the control means 3 is adapted to have an omr sheet analyzing function . an example of such an omr sheet is as shown in fig7 . the omr sheet , as shown in fig7 has a plurality of telephone number spaces ( tel . no .) and a plurality of address spaces corresponding to the telephone number spaces , respectively . the user can enter desired telephone numbers for the broadcast communication and their addresses in these spaces . the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to fig8 a functional block diagram . first , an omr sheet is subjected to a reading processing in the reading unit 2 to obtain a plurality of telephone numbers and a plurality of addresses listed thereon . upon determination of the reading of the omr sheet , the control section 13 causes the switching section 18 to connect the reading section 2 to the omr data memory 7 , so that the data of the omr sheet are stored in the omr data memory 7 . the telephone numbers listed on the omr sheet are stored in a telephone number memory section 7a , while the addresses listed on the omr sheet are stored in an address memory section 7b . the control section 13 determines it from the storage of at least two telephone numbers in the telephone number memory section 7a that broadcast communication is required . thereafter , when reading the second original document , namely , the sending sheet ( cf . fig4 ) with the reading section 2 is started , the switching section 18 is operated to connect the reading section 2 to the sending sheet memory section 14 so as to store the sending sheet data in the sending sheet memory section 14 . thereafter , the third original document , namely , sending original document data is read with the reading section 2 , and the switching section 18 is operated to connect the reading section 2 to the original document data memory section 16 so as to store the sending original data in the original document data memory section 16 . after the above - described operation , the control section 13 applies the transmission start instruction to the communication unit 6 so as to read a telephone number out of the telephone number memory section 7a . as a result , the communication unit 6 automatically dials the telephone number , connecting the telephone line to the called remote receiving station . next , the control section 13 cause a switching section 17 to connect the combining section 15 to the communication unit 6 . the combining section 15 reads the format of the sending sheet stored in the sending sheet memory section 14 , and insert the address read out of the address memory section 7b in the address space of the format , and applies it to the communication unit 6 so that the sending sheet is first transmitted to the called remote station through the telephone line . thereafter , the switching section 17 is operated to connect the original document data memory section 16 to the communication section 6 , so that the original document data read from the original document data memory section 16 is transmitted to the called station through the communication unit 6 . when one communication has been accomplished in the above - described manner , a transmission completion signal is applied to the control section 13 . upon reception of the transmission completion signal , the control section 13 operates to apply the next telephone number from the telephone number memory section 7a to the communication unit 6 , thus starting the broadcasting of data to the next called remote receiving station . the above - described operations are carried out repeatedly as many times as the number of telephone numbers stored in the telephone number memory section 7a . when all the telephone numbers have been dialed in the above - described manner , the broadcast communication is terminated . in the second embodiment , broadcasting telephone numbers and addresses are entered in an omr sheet , and the omr sheet is read with the reading section 2 , as a result of which an address is automatically entered in the sending sheet . therefore , with the second embodiment , the same effects can be expected as with the first embodiment . fig9 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of another example of the sending sheet forming system , which constitutes the third embodiment of the invention . in fig9 reference numeral 8 designates a mask pattern generating section , and the remaining reference numerals 1 through 6 designate parts which are equal to or correspond functionally to those which have been designated by the same reference numerals in fig2 . the operation of the system shown in fig9 will be described with reference to fig1 , a functional block diagram . in the third embodiment , a sending sheet format is employed which has a plurality of addresses entered in its predetermined space as shown in fig1 ( a ). similarly as in the case of the first embodiment , the one - touch keys 11a of the one - touch key section 11 corresponding to remote stations to be called by broadcasting are depressed ; that is , the key numbers of called remote stations are selected . the key numbers thus inputted are stored in the key memory section 12 . when a plurality of key numbers are stored in the key memory section 12 , the control section 13 determines it from the storage of plural key numbers that broadcast communication is required , and starts a broadcasting procedure . in the embodiment , the one - touch keys 11a of the one - touch key section 11 are depressed in the order of the encircled numbers set beside the addresses listed on the sending sheet format . when the first original document which is a sending sheet format shown in fig1 ( a ) including the plurality of addresses is read , the switching section 18 is operated to connect the reading section 2 to the sending sheet memory section 14 , so that the sending sheet format is stored in the sending sheet memory section 14 . thereafter , when the second original document ; i . e ., sending original document data is read , the switching section 18 is operated to connect the reading section 2 to the original document data memory section 16 , so that the sending original data is stored in the original document data memory section 16 . upon completion of the original document data reading operation , the control section 13 applies a transmission start signal to the communication unit 6 and simultaneously operates to read the first key number from the key memory section 12 to apply to the one - touch key registration memory 4 , so that the corresponding telephone number is read out of the one - touch key registration memory 4 to be applied to the communication unit 6 . then , the latter 6 automatically dials the telephone number , connecting the telephone line to the called remote station . the key number read out of the key memory section 12 is further applied to the mask pattern generating section 31 . in response to the key number , the mask pattern generating section 31 forms data to mask all the addresses in the address space of the sending sheet except the address ( 1 ). the data thus formed is applied to the combining section 15 . as a result , the combining section 15 outputs a sending sheet with the address ( 1 ). the sending sheet thus outputted is applied through the switching section 17 to the communication unit 6 so as to be applied to the telephone line . thereafter , the switching section 17 is operated to connect the original document data memory section 16 to the communication unit 6 , so that the original document data read from the original document data memory section 16 is applied to the telephone line following the sending sheet . when the transmission of data to the first called station is accomplished in the above - described manner , the communication unit 6 applies a transmission completion signal to the control section 13 . in response to the signal , the control section 13 starts the transmission of data to the second remote receiving station . and the above - described operations are carried out again . fig1 ( b ) shows an example of the sending sheet in which all the addresses are masked except the address ( 5 ). as is apparent from the above description , in the third embodiment , only one sending sheet format including all of desired remote receiving stations , addresses is employed . that is , in the embodiment , after the sending sheet format is read with the reading section , a sending sheet with an address can be transmitted to each of the remote receiving stations through broadcast communication . hence , a sending sheet including a desired greeting sentence or the like can be readily formed for the broadcast communication . next , while the desired message is read as a part of the sending sheet format in the reading section 2 in the above described embodiments , the followings are examples for selecting one of preferred message examples to be inserted into the sending sheet format with ease and quickly . fig1 is a block diagram showing the arrangement of an example of a sending sheet forming system which constitutes a fourth embodiment of the invention . in fig1 , the same reference numerals as those of fig1 designate the same or corresponding elements , respectively . reference numeral 14 designates a sending sheet data memory similar to that of fig2 and reference numeral 50 designates a message registration memory which stores a plurality of message patterns . fig1 shows an example of a sending sheet format stored in the sending sheet data memory 14 . the sending sheet shown in fig1 has a message space , a data space , etc . which are blank . fig1 shows examples of the message patterns stored in the message sentence registration memory 50 . the sending sheet forming system will be described with reference to fig1 , a functional block diagram , in more detail . in fig1 , the input unit 1 includes one - touch keys 11a , a selection key 11b , a sending sheet inserting key 11c , a registration key section 11d , a scroll key 11e and a display section 11f and a message storing section 12 stores a plurality of message examples as shown in fig1 . the message examples are inputted with the registration keys in the registration key section 11d . further in fig1 , a format storing section 45 stores at least one sending sheet format which is read out by the reading unit 2 in the first embodiment , and a sending sheet forming section 15 has the substantially same function as the combining unit 15 of fig1 . in addition , a timer 17 is provided to input data as to the date to the sending sheet forming section 15 . the operation of the sending sheet forming system thus organized will be described . first , a plurality of message samples are stored in the message storing means 40 by operating the registration key section 11d on the input unit 1 . the registration key section 11d includes keys for inputting message samples in the form of codes , and function keys for specifying registration operations . therefore , the codes , or the image data obtained by converting the codes are stored in the message storing unit 12 . the message samples are as indicated , for instance , in fig1 . the operation of forming a sending sheet with some message will be described . first , an operation will be described in which , among the message samples stored in the message storing section 40 , a desired one is selected . upon depression of the sending sheet inserting key 11c , the control section 13 causes the display section 11f to display part or the whole of the message sample no . 1 stored in the message storing section 12 . when the message sentence thus displayed is not the desired one , the operator turns on the scroll key 11e , so that part or the whole of another message sample no . 2 is displayed on the display unit 11f . in the embodiment , whenever the scroll key 11e is depressed , a message sample different from the previous one appears on the display unit 11f . finding the desired message sample , the operator turns on the selection key 11b , so that the message sample is transferred from the message storing means 12 to the sending sheet forming section 15 . thereafter , a communication start instruction is issued , whereupon an original set in the reading section 2 is read , and the original data is stored in the original data memory section 16 . on the other hand , the corresponding telephone number is read out of the one - touch key registration memory 4 and applied to the communication unit 6 . as a result , the communication means 6 automatically dials the telephone number , sending a calling signal to the called remote receiving station . thereafter , the sending sheet forming section 15 reads a sending sheet format from the format storing section 45 , and inserts the called remote station &# 39 ; s name read from the onetouch key registration memory 4 , the message read from the message storing unit 12 , and the date outputted by the timer 17 into the sending sheet format thus read , to form a sending sheet . when , in response to the calling signal , the called remote receiving station is connected to the telephone network , the control section 13 causes the switching section 17 to connect the sending sheet forming section 15 to the communication unit 6 , so that the sending sheet thus formed is transmitted to the called remote receiving station before sending the documents . upon completion of the transmission of the sending sheet , the switching section 17 is operated to connect the original document data memory section 16 to the communication unit 6 . as a result , the original data which is read from the original data memory section 16 is transmitted to the called remote station through the telephone network . thus , the sending sheet and the original data have been transmitted to the called station . in the above - described embodiment , among the plurality of message samples , a desired message sample can be obtained by scrolling them . hence , even if the correspondence of the plurality of message samples with the numbers applied thereto is unknown , the desired message sample can be obtained readily and quickly . while a plurality of message samples are stored in the message storing section 12 operating the keys on the input unit 1 in the above embodiment , a document containing a plurality of message samples may be subjected to the read operation in the reading section 2 to read out the plurality of message samples to be stored in the message storing unit 40 temporarily . when a registration instruction is issued by the registration key section 11d on the input unit 1 , the control section 13 causes the switching section 32 to connect the reading section 2 to the message storing section 40 . next , an original set in the reading section 2 ; i . e ., a document containing a plurality of message samples is read , and stored , as image data , in a predetermined memory area of the message storing unit 40 . among the message samples stored in the message storing section 40 , a desired one can be selected by operating the scroll key 11e and the selection key 11b similarly as in the above described embodiment . in order to insert the addresses of the sender and the remote receiving stations , the table as shown in fig3 is employed in the above described embodiments , in which telephone numbers ( tel . no ) and addresses are listed in correspondence to the one - touch keys . the table is registered by the user with the input unit 1 in advance . it is considered to scroll the lists contained in the table in order to readily select desired one from the lists of the addresses to be inserted into the sending sheet format of fig1 . the scrolling system will be described with reference to fig1 in which the one - touch register memory 4 is replaced by a memory section including a remote station address memory 33a and a sender address memory 33b storing the name of sender and those of the remote stations , respectively . when an operation of transmitting original data to a remote receiving station is carried out by operating the sending sheet inserting key 11c etc . on the input unit 1 , the control section 14 reads the remote station &# 39 ; s name ( address ) from the memory 33a to display on the display section 11f . when the remote station &# 39 ; s name thus displayed is different from the desired one , the operator operates the scroll key 11e . as a result , the next station &# 39 ; s name is displayed on the display section 11f . the scroll key is repeatedly operated until the desired station &# 39 ; s name is displayed on the display section 11f . when the desired one is displayed , the selection key 11b is operated , so that the name thus displayed is read and applied to the sending sheet forming section 15 . upon completion of the selection of the desired station &# 39 ; s name , senders &# 39 ; names are displayed on the display unit 11f . similarly as in the above - described case , the senders &# 39 ; names thus displayed can be scrolled by operating the scroll key 11e . when a desired sender &# 39 ; s name is displayed , the selection key 11b is operated , so that the desired one is read and applied to the sending sheet forming section 15 . as was described above , the remote receiving stations &# 39 ; names and the senders &# 39 ; names are displayed on the display section 11f , and among them , desired ones are selected by scrolling them on the display section . hence , selection of names can be achieved with ease . according to the invention , a sending sheet can be formed which includes a sufficient amount of data . therefore , the user can perform broadcast communication using a sending sheet which is made to his satisfaction . furthermore according to the invention , addresses are automatically entered in the address space of a sending sheet in facsimile broadcast communication . therefore , by preparing only one sending sheet having a blank address space , the user can perform facsimile broadcast communication with a sending sheet .	7
hereinafter , a power supply system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig1 and 2 . fig1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 1 of the present invention . fig2 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the power supply system for an electric vehicle . in fig2 , a solid arrow represents the flow of signals and a dotted arrow represents the flow of power . as shown in fig1 , the power supply system for an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes power supply apparatus 2 installed in a road and electric vehicle 3 supplied with power from power supply apparatus 2 . more specifically , electric vehicle 3 is charged with power supplied from power supply apparatus 2 through the use of power receiving apparatus 4 . electric vehicle 3 in embodiment 1 of the present invention is a vehicle obtaining a thrust by electricity and includes an electric motor that generates , with power , a driving force transmitted to wheels . the electric motor is driven with power of power storage section 42 ( see fig2 ). the power stored in the power storage section 42 is supplied from the outside of electric vehicle 3 . examples of electric vehicle 3 in the present invention include an ev ( electric vehicle ) that is driven using only an electric motor and a plug - in hybrid vehicle that is driven using an engine and an electric motor and that enables power storage section 42 to be supplied with power from a power supply outside electric vehicle 3 . detailed configurations of power supply apparatus 2 and power receiving apparatus 4 will be described below . power supply apparatus 2 includes power supply section 21 that supplies power to power receiving section 41 of electric vehicle 3 in a non - contact manner , vehicle detecting section 22 that detects the entrance of electric vehicle 3 to a predetermined range on a road , power supply - side communication section 23 that communicates with electric vehicle 3 , and power supply - side control section 24 that controls sections of power supply apparatus 2 . electric vehicle 3 can be charged in a non - contact manner by stopping in a predetermined range ( hereinafter , referred to as “ chargeable area b ”) on road surface a in fig1 . fig1 shows an example where electric vehicle 3 a is going to enter chargeable area b and electric vehicle 3 b stops in the vicinity of electric vehicle 3 a . when electric vehicle 3 a enters chargeable area b , power supply apparatus 2 sets up a communication with electric vehicle 3 a and supplies power to electric vehicle 3 a . at this time , it is necessary for power supply apparatus 2 to control a communication not to be set up with electric vehicle 3 b stopping in the vicinity thereof . the sections of power supply apparatus 2 will be described in detail below . power supply section 21 generates power and supplies the generated power to electric vehicle 3 in a non - contact manner . it is preferable that power supply section 21 be installed in the vicinity of the road surface of a road . power supply section 21 includes a power supply coil and a coil driving circuit that drives the power supply coil . the coil driving circuit drives the power supply coil by applying a pulse of a predetermined frequency to the power supply coil . the predetermined frequency ( chopper frequency ) of the pulse is controlled by power supply - side control section 24 . a magnetic field proportional to the current is generated in the power supply coil using the pulse as excitation current . an electromotive force is generated in the power receiving coil of power receiving section 41 by the magnetic field , and power is supplied from power supply section 21 to power receiving section 41 . here , it is assumed that the magnitude of power supplied from power supply section 21 when electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b is defined as first power value pa and the magnitude of power supplied from power supply section 21 after a communication between power supply apparatus 2 and electric vehicle 3 is set up is defined as second power value pb . first power value pa is such power as to have no influence on a human body . here , the “ such power as to have no influence on a human body ” means such a small magnitude of power to have no influence on animals or the like present around power supply section 21 . second power value pb means a magnitude which is larger than first power value pa and which enables power receiving section 41 to charge power storage section 42 . for example , first power value pa is about several w to several tens w , and second power value pb is about several kw to several tens kw . vehicle detecting section 22 is a sensor used to determine whether electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b . vehicle detecting section 22 transmits the determination result on whether electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b to power supply - side control section 24 . vehicle detecting section 22 includes , for example , an infrared sensor that detects whether an object is present within a predetermined distance . a plurality of the infrared sensors are disposed at facing positions on the boundary of chargeable area b . vehicle detecting section 22 determines that electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b , when all the infrared sensors detect an object . in another example of vehicle detecting section 22 , an imaging camera imaging a vehicle may be installed around the road and may detect that electric vehicle 3 enters or leaves chargeable area b by the use of an image captured with the imaging camera . power supply - side communication section 23 wirelessly communicates with vehicle - side communication section 43 of electric vehicle 3 to be described later . power supply - side communication section 23 is controlled by power supply - side control section 24 . power supply - side communication section 23 includes an antenna receiving rf waves and a modulation and demodulation section modulating or demodulating a received signal . power supply - side communication section 23 is always supplied with power . it is preferable that power supply - side communication section 23 be installed around a surface of a road . in the present invention , the communication method is not particularly limited , but a communication method of performing a short - distance communication of which the communication distance is several meters can be preferably used . this is because power supply - side communication section 23 needs only to be able to communicate with vehicle - side communication section 43 of electric vehicle 3 ( electric vehicle 3 entering chargeable area b ) to be supplied with power from power supply section 21 , and needs to prevent a communication with electric vehicle 3 b stopping in the vicinity of electric vehicle 3 a to be supplied with power , for example , as shown in fig1 . examples of the communication method applicable to the present invention include zigbee ( registered trademark ), wireless lan , and communications using specified low power bands . power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 on the basis of the detection result from vehicle detecting section 22 and information received by power supply - side communication section 23 . specifically , when vehicle detecting section 22 detects that electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b , power supply - side control section 24 sets the magnitude of power to be supplied from power supply section 21 to first power value pa . power supply - side control section 24 then causes power supply - side communication section 23 to transmit and receive data in order to set up a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 . when the communication is set up , power supply - side control section 24 sets the magnitude of power to be supplied from power supply section 21 to second power value pb . details of the control performed by power supply - side control section 24 will be described later . power receiving apparatus 4 includes power receiving section 41 that receives power supplied from power supply section 21 of power supply apparatus 2 , power storage section 42 that stores power received by power receiving section 41 , vehicle - side communication section 43 that communicates with power supply - side communication section 23 , and vehicle - side control section 44 that controls power receiving section 41 and vehicle - side communication section 43 . the sections of power receiving apparatus 4 will be described in detail below . power receiving section 41 is installed on the bottom surface of the vehicle body of electric vehicle 3 and includes a power receiving coil and a rectifier circuit . it is preferable that power receiving section 41 is installed on the bottom surface of electric vehicle 3 facing the road . the surface of the power receiving coil is covered with a synthetic resin or the like . the power receiving coil is a coil formed , for example , in a coplanar shape and can receive power from power supply section 21 through electromagnetic induction . the power received through electromagnetic induction is input to the rectifier circuit , is converted into dc current therein , and is output to power storage section 42 . power storage section 42 stores power received by power receiving section 41 . a secondary battery ( such as a nickel - hydrogen secondary battery or a lithium ion secondary battery ) having a high energy density or a capacitor having large capacity is used as power storage section 42 . the power stored in power storage section 42 serves as a power source for driving the wheels of electric vehicle 3 and is used to operate an electric motor . the power stored in power storage section 42 is used as power for operating accessories such as a car navigation apparatus and a car audio apparatus , electrical components such as power windows , an etc ( registered trademark ), and an ecu ( electronic control unit ), and the like , in addition to the electric motor . vehicle - side communication section 43 wirelessly communicates with power supply - side communication section 23 of power supply apparatus 2 . vehicle - side communication section 43 is controlled by vehicle - side control section 44 . vehicle - side communication section 43 includes an antenna for receiving rf waves and a modulation and demodulation section for modulating or demodulating a received signal . it is preferable that vehicle - side communication section 43 be installed on the bottom surface of electric vehicle 3 facing the road . accordingly , the antenna is preferably a planar antenna not protruding from the bottom surface of electric vehicle 3 . in the present invention , the communication method is not particularly limited , but a communication method of performing a short - distance communication of which the communication distance is about several meters can be preferably used . vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up on the basis of power received by power receiving section 41 . specifically , vehicle - side communication section 43 is started when power of first power value pa or more is supplied from power supply section 21 to power receiving section 41 , and operates with the power output from power receiving section 41 . after being started up , vehicle - side communication section 43 performs a process of setting up a communication with power supply - side communication section 23 . vehicle - side communication section 43 operates with power received by power receiving section 41 until the communication is set up , and operates with power of power storage section 42 after the communication is set up . vehicle - side communication section 43 is in a communication standby state after the communication is set up . since vehicle - side communication section 43 operates with power received by power receiving section 41 until the communication is set up , it is possible to start the communication without using the power of power storage section 42 . vehicle - side control section 44 controls vehicle - side communication section 43 and power receiving section 41 of power receiving apparatus 4 . specifically , vehicle - side control section 44 controls power receiving section 41 to prepare reception of power and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit and receive data so as to set up a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 . details of the control performed by vehicle - side control section 44 will be described later . vehicle - side control section 44 and power supply - side control section 24 include a cpu , a rom , and a ram . the cpu performs various operations , outputting of control signals , and the like by executing a program stored in the rom . the cpu uses the ram as a work area during execution of the program . the processing operations of the power supply system for an electric vehicle having the above - mentioned configuration will be described below with reference to fig3 to fig5 . fig3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power supply apparatus . fig4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the power receiving apparatus . fig5 is a diagram illustrating a communication setup process . first , the operation of the power supply apparatus will be described with reference to fig3 . in “ start ” of fig3 , power supply section 21 does not supply power . power supply - side control section 24 first determines whether electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b on the basis of the detection result from vehicle detecting section 22 ( s 10 ). when electric vehicle 3 does not enter chargeable area b ( no in s 10 ), power supply - side control section 24 performs the process of s 10 again . when electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b ( yes in s 10 ), power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 so that power supply section 21 supplies power of first power value pa ( s 11 ). power supply - side communication section 23 performs a process of setting up a communication with vehicle - side communication section 43 of electric vehicle 3 entering chargeable area b ( s 12 ). details of this process will be described later . after the communication is set up in s 12 , power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 so that power supply section 21 supplies power of second power value pb ( s 13 ). when power supply section 21 supplies power of second power value pb in s 13 , electric vehicle 3 starts receiving power . after the supply of power is started in s 13 , power supply - side control section 24 determines whether electric vehicle 3 leaves chargeable area b ( s 14 ). when the electric vehicle leaves chargeable area b ( yes in s 14 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). this process is performed regardless of whether the charging of electric vehicle 3 is ended . this is because when electric vehicle 3 is being charged but electric vehicle 3 moves for a certain reason , power supply section 21 supplying power of second power value pb is exposed , which is dangerous . when electric vehicle 3 does not leave chargeable area b ( no in s 14 ), power supply - side control section 24 determines whether power supply - side communication section 23 receives a power supply stop signal from vehicle - side communication section 43 ( s 15 ). when the power supply stop signal is received ( yes in s 15 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). on the other hand , when the power supply stop signal is not received ( no in s 15 ), power supply - side control section 24 performs the process of s 14 again . when the process of s 16 is ended , the same state as “ start ” of fig3 is obtained . the operation of power receiving apparatus 4 will be described below with reference to fig4 . first , vehicle - side control section 44 prepares power receiving section 41 to receive power of first power value pa ( s 20 ). this preparation is a process for enabling power receiving section 41 to receive power . this preparation is started , for example , when the speed of a vehicle becomes lower than or equal to a predetermined speed . this is because the charging operation when a vehicle travels at a high speed cannot be normally considered . when the process of s 20 is ended , vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up ( s 21 ). vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up when power receiving section 41 receives power of first power value pa . when vehicle - side communication section 43 is not started up ( no in s 21 ), vehicle - side control section 44 repeatedly performs the process of s 21 . after power receiving section 41 receives power of first power value pa to start up vehicle - side communication section 43 ( yes in s 21 ), vehicle - side communication section 43 performs a process of setting up a communication with power supply - side communication section 23 of power supply apparatus 2 ( s 22 ). details of this process will be described later . when power receiving section 41 receives power of first power value pa in s 21 and s 22 , vehicle - side communication section 43 operates with power output from power receiving section 41 . after the communication is set up in s 22 , vehicle - side control section 44 prepares power receiving section 41 to receive power of second power value pb ( s 23 ). this preparation includes , for example , a process of turning on a relay ( not shown ) connecting power receiving section 41 and power storage section 42 . after the communication is set up in s 22 , vehicle - side control section 44 switches the power source for vehicle - side communication section 43 so that vehicle - side communication section 43 operates with power supplied from power storage section 42 as a power source . this is because after the communication is set up once , it is preferable that the power source be switched to power storage section 42 which can stably supply power , to stabilize the communication . when the process of s 23 is ended , power receiving section 41 starts receiving power from power supply section 21 . vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether power storage section 42 is fully charged during the reception of power ( s 24 ). when it is determined that power storage section 42 is not fully charged ( no in s 24 ), vehicle - side control section 44 performs the process of s 24 again after a predetermined time passes , in order for power receiving section 41 to consecutively receive power . when it is determined that power storage section 42 is fully charged ( yes in s 24 ), vehicle - side control section 44 causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit a power supply stop signal ( s 25 ). the power supply stop signal is a signal used for causing power supply section 2 to stop the supply of power of second power value pb from power supply section 21 . when the charging is continuously performed even after power storage section 42 is fully charged , overcharging occurs to cause overheating of power storage section 42 and degradation in lifetime . therefore , the supply of power is stopped by the use of the power supply stop signal . after transmitting the power supply stop signal , vehicle - side control section 44 performs a power reception ending process . here , the power reception ending process includes , for example , a process of turning off a relay ( not shown ) connecting power receiving section 41 and power storage section 42 . the communication setup process will be described below with reference to fig5 . the left flowchart in fig5 represents the power supply - side process ( s 12 ) and the right flowchart represents the vehicle - side process ( s 22 ). after vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up in s 21 , vehicle - side control section 44 generates a random number ( s 221 ). then , vehicle - side control section 44 generates predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest on the basis of the random number ( s 222 ). predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest are values to be set for power supply apparatus 2 . vehicle - side control section 44 determines that the communication with power supply apparatus 2 is set up when power supply section 21 provides power of predetermined power value ptest after predetermined time ttest passes . here , predetermined time ttest is a time of about several seconds . when this time is excessively long , it takes a lot of time to start the supply of power . on the other hand , when this time is excessively short , power supply apparatus 2 cannot respond . predetermined power value ptest is a value greater than first power value pa and smaller than second power value pb and is about several w to several tens kw . when power value ptest is excessively great , the periphery of power supply section 21 is affected . when the power value is excessively small , vehicle - side communication section 43 cannot be started up . for example , when it is assumed that vehicle - side control section 44 generates a random number of 8 bits ( 0 to 255 ) in s 221 , vehicle - side control section 44 can divide the above - mentioned preferable ranges of predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest into 256 equal parts and select a numerical value corresponding to the generated random number . it is assumed that multiple power supply apparatuses 2 are installed in parallel and electric vehicles 3 stops on respective power supply apparatuses 2 and are charged . then , when predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest of neighboring vehicles are set to the same value , the correspondence between power supply apparatuses 2 and electric vehicles 3 may be erroneously determined . by using the random number , it is possible to actively avoid the state where predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest of neighboring vehicles have the same values . vehicle - side control section 44 then generates a request signal including predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit the request signal ( s 223 ). the request signal transmitted from vehicle - side communication section 43 is received by power supply - side communication section 23 . power supply - side control section 24 determines whether power supply - side communication section 23 receives the request signal within predetermined time tlimit after power supply section 21 starts the supply of power of first power value pa in s 11 ( s 121 ). predetermined time tlimit is , for example , about several seconds . when the request signal is not received within predetermined time tlimit ( no in s 121 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). when it is considered that a vehicle passes through chargeable area b after the supply of power of first power value pa is started , the subsequent supply of power of first power value pa causes power waste . therefore , when a response is not received within a predetermined time , it is preferable to determine that there is no power supply target and stop the supply of power . when the request signal is received within predetermined time tlimit ( yes in s 121 ), power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 on the basis of predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest included in the request signal . specifically , after predetermined time ttest passes from when power supply - side communication section 23 receives the request signal , the power supplied from power supply section 21 is controlled to be predetermined power value ptest ( s 122 ). vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether the power received by power receiving section 41 is predetermined power value ptest after predetermined time ttest passes from when transmitting the request signal ( s 224 ). when the power is not power value ptest ( no in s 224 ), vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication with power supply apparatus 2 is not set up , and returns the process flow to start of fig4 . on the other hand , when the power is predetermined power value ptest ( yes in s 224 ), vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 is set up , and performs a control for causing vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit a power supply start signal ( s 225 ). then , vehicle - side control section 44 performs the process of s 23 . the power supply start signal transmitted from vehicle - side communication section 43 in s 225 is received by power supply - side communication section 23 . power supply - side control section 24 determines whether the power supply start signal is received within predetermined time tlimit after the supply of power in s 122 is started ( s 123 ). when the power supply start signal is not received within predetermined time tlimit ( no in s 123 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). on the other hand , when the power supply start signal is received within predetermined time tlimit ( yes in s 123 ), power supply - side control section 24 determines that a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 is setup up , and performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of second power value pb in the process of s 13 . the reason of determining whether the power supply start signal is received within predetermined time tlimit is the same as described in s 121 . when the request signal is received within predetermined time tlimit in s 121 ( yes in s 121 ), power supply - side control section 24 may determine that a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 is set up . in this case , the calculation of predetermined power value ptest in s 222 and the transmission of predetermined power value ptest in s 223 become unnecessary . power supply - side control section 24 performs a control such that power supplied from power supply section 21 becomes second power value pb after predetermined time ttest passes from when the request signal is received in s 122 . when the supplied power is second power value pb in s 224 , vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 is set up . the processes of s 225 and s 123 are unnecessary . a variation in power value supplied from power supply section 21 will be described below with reference to fig6 . fig6 is a timing diagram in embodiment 1 of the present invention . time to represents the “ start ” state of fig3 , and the power value supplied from power supply section 21 is zero at this time . time t 1 represents a state where a vehicle enters chargeable area b ( yes in s 10 ), and the magnitude of the power supplied from power supply section 21 is first power value pa . since the magnitude of the power supplied from power supply section 21 is first power value pa , vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up ( yes in s 21 ) and vehicle - side communication section 43 transmits a request signal ( s 223 ). when power supply - side communication section 23 receives the request signal within predetermined time tlimit after a vehicle enters chargeable area b at time t 2 ( s 121 ), power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 so that the supplied power is set to predetermined power value ptest included in the request signal at the time point where predetermined time ttest included in the request signal passes from t 2 to t 3 ( s 122 ). when it is confirmed that the supplied power is set to predetermined power value ptest at the time point where predetermined time ttest passes after the transmission of the request signal at time t 3 ( yes in s 224 ), vehicle - side control section 44 transmits a power supply start signal ( s 225 ). power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 so that the supplied power is set to second power value pb from t 3 to t 4 ( s 123 ). when the vehicle leaves chargeable area b ( yes in s 14 ), or when power storage section 42 is fully charged , power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( after t 4 ). in this way , in the power supply system according to this embodiment , power supply - side control section 24 performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of first power value pa when vehicle detecting section 22 detects that electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b . in this state , when it is determined that a communication between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 is set up , the system performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of second power value pb . accordingly , it is possible to accurately associate electric vehicle 3 supplied with power from power supply apparatus 2 , with electric vehicle 3 communicating with power supply apparatus 2 . additionally , since vehicle - side communication section 43 of electric vehicle 3 is started up on the basis of first power value pa smaller than second power value pb for supplying power to electric vehicle 3 , it is possible to improve safety without discharging high power to the periphery of power supply section 21 of power supply apparatus 2 . it has been stated in this embodiment that vehicle - side communication section 43 is operated with the power supplied to power receiving section 41 until a communication is set up and is operated with the power of power storage section 42 after the communication is set up . however , the present invention is not limited to this example , but vehicle - side communication section 43 may be always operated with power supplied from power storage section 42 as a power source . at this time , vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up with a signal indicating reception of power of first power value pa or larger output from power receiving section 41 as a trigger . accordingly , since vehicle - side communication section 43 can be always in a communication standby state , it is possible to shorten the time until a communication is started , compared with the case where vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up with power supplied from power receiving section 41 . it has been stated in this embodiment that in s 223 , vehicle - side control section 44 generates a request signal including predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest generated in s 222 and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit the generated request signal . however , the present invention is not limited to this example , but only any one of predetermined time ttest and predetermined power value ptest may be transmitted . when only predetermined time ttest is transmitted , the processes of s 122 and s 224 of fig5 can be performed without any change by causing power supply apparatus 2 and power receiving apparatus 4 to share a predetermined value of predetermined power value ptest . when only predetermined power value ptest is transmitted , power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 on the basis of predetermined power value ptest included in the request signal just after receiving the request signal . vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether the power received by power receiving section 41 is predetermined power value ptest in s 224 , just after transmitting the request signal . it is preferable that power receiving section 41 and vehicle - side communication section 43 be installed on the bottom surface of electric vehicle 3 facing the road , and power supply section 21 and power supply - side communication section 23 be installed in the vicinity of the road surface of the road . accordingly , only by locating electric vehicle 3 on the road surface in which power supply section 21 and power supply - side communication section 23 are installed , vehicle - side communication section 43 can be easily started up . since electric vehicle 3 serves as a shielding member , it is possible to prevent a communication with a different electric vehicle . hereinafter , a power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig7 . fig7 is a diagram illustrating a communication setup process in embodiment 2 of the present invention . in fig7 , the same steps as described with reference to fig5 in embodiment 1 will be referenced by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated . embodiment 2 is different from embodiment 1 , in that it is determined whether a communication is set up on the basis of chopper frequency ftest instead of power value ptest in embodiment 1 . the chopper frequency is an on - off cycle of current when ac current is generated from a dc power source by repeating on - off of current . vehicle - side control section 44 can acquire chopper frequency ftest by measuring the output of power receiving section 41 through the use of a dedicated measuring circuit . as shown in fig7 , vehicle - side control section 44 calculates time ttest and chopper frequency ftest on the basis of a random number ( s 216 ) subsequently to s 211 as described above , and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit a request signal including time ttest and chopper frequency ftest ( s 217 ). power supply - side control section 24 performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power so as to achieve chopper frequency ftest after time ttest passes , in response to the request signal received by power supply - side communication section 23 ( s 124 ). vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether the power received by power receiving section 41 in time ttest after the transmission of the request signal has chopper frequency ftest ( s 218 ). when it is determined that the power has chopper frequency ftest ( yes in s 218 ), vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication is set up and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit a power supply start signal ( s 215 ). as described above , the power supply system according to this embodiment determines whether a communication is set up on the basis of chopper frequency ftest . when power value ptest is measured as described in embodiment 1 , the absolute value of power is measured and an error may therefore be included in the power due to attenuation dependent on the distance . on the other hand , the measured value of chopper frequency ftest does not depend on the distance but is constant . accordingly , it is possible to reduce the measurement error in comparison with the case where power value ptest is used , by using chopper frequency ftest . it has been stated in this embodiment that vehicle - side control section 44 generates the request signal including predetermined time ttest and chopper frequency ftest generated in s 216 and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit the generated request signal in s 217 . however , the present invention is not limited to this example , but only any one of predetermined time ttest and chopper frequency ftest may be transmitted . when only predetermined time ttest is transmitted , the processes of s 124 and s 218 of fig7 can be performed without any change by causing power supply apparatus 2 and power receiving apparatus 4 to share a predetermined value of chopper frequency ftest . when only chopper frequency ftest is transmitted , power supply - side control section 24 controls power supply section 21 on the basis of chopper frequency ftest included in the request signal just after receiving the request signal . vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether the power received by power receiving section 41 has chopper frequency ftest in s 218 , just after transmitting the request signal . hereinafter , a power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig8 . fig8 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 3 of the present invention . in fig8 , solid arrows represent the flow of signals and dotted arrows represent the flow of power . in fig8 , the same elements as described with reference to fig2 in embodiment 1 will be referenced by the same reference numerals and description thereof will not be repeated . it has been stated in embodiment 1 that vehicle - side communication section 43 is operated with power received by power receiving section 41 until a communication is set up between vehicle - side communication section 43 and power supply - side communication section 23 , and is operated with power stored in power storage section 42 as a power source after the communication is set up . on the contrary , in embodiment 3 , vehicle - side communication section 43 is always operated with power received by power receiving section 41 as a power source . accordingly , in fig8 , the supply of power from power storage section 42 to vehicle - side communication section 43 in fig2 is deleted . in embodiment 1 , vehicle - side communication section 43 is operated with power of power storage section 42 after a communication is set up . this means that the power which is first received by power receiving section 41 and then stored in power storage section 42 is used . when power is once stored in power storage section 42 and the power is used , loss is necessarily caused in the power . in embodiment 3 , since power is directly supplied from power receiving section 41 to vehicle - side communication section 43 without storing the power in power storage section 42 after a communication is set up , it is possible to operate vehicle - side communication section 43 with small power loss . in embodiment 4 , an example where multiple power supply apparatuses supply power of first power values pa different from one another will be described . hereinafter , a power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 4 of the present invention will be described with reference to fig9 and fig1 . fig9 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the power supply system for an electric vehicle according to embodiment 4 of the present invention . fig1 is a diagram illustrating a communication setup process in embodiment 4 of the present invention . the configurations of power supply apparatus 2 and power receiving apparatus 4 in this embodiment are the same as described with reference to fig2 in embodiment 1 . in fig9 , three power supply apparatuses 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c are shown . power supply section 21 a of power supply apparatus 2 a supplies power of first power value pa 1 to electric vehicle 3 a when electric vehicle 3 a enters chargeable area b 1 . power supply section 21 b of power supply apparatus 2 b supplies power of first power value pa 2 to electric vehicle 3 b when electric vehicle 3 b enters chargeable area b 2 . power supply section 21 c of power supply apparatus 2 c supplies power of first power value pa 3 to electric vehicle 3 c when electric vehicle 3 c enters chargeable area b 3 . first power values pa 1 , pa 2 , and pa 3 are about several w to several tens w and are different from each other . the communication setup process will be described below with reference to fig1 . the left flowchart in fig1 represents a power supply - side process ( s 12 ) and the right flowchart represents a vehicle - side process ( s 22 ). after vehicle - side communication section 43 is started up in s 21 , vehicle - side control section 44 generates a request signal including the power value received by power receiving section 41 and a vehicle identification number and causes vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit the generated request signal ( s 41 ). the request signal transmitted from vehicle - side communication section 43 is received by power supply - side communication section 23 . power supply - side control section 24 determines whether the power value included in the request signal is substantially equal to first power value pa supplied from power supply section 21 in s 11 ( s 31 ). the term “ substantially equal ” means that the power value included in the request signal belongs to a predetermined range including first power value pa . when the power value included in the request signal is not equal to first power value pa supplied from power supply section 21 ( no in s 31 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). this is because it is thought in this case that electric vehicle 3 supplied with power from power supply apparatus 2 is not matched with electric vehicle 3 communicating with power supply apparatus 2 . when the power value included in the request signal is substantially equal to first power value pa supplied from power supply section 21 ( yes in s 31 ), power supply - side control section 24 generates a response signal including the vehicle identification number included in the request signal and causes power supply - side communication section 23 to transmit the generated response signal ( s 32 ). in this case , it is thought that the electric vehicle supplied with power from the power supply apparatus is matched with the electric vehicle communicating with the power supply apparatus . vehicle - side control section 44 determines whether vehicle - side communication section 43 receives the response signal including its own vehicle identification number before predetermined time ttest passes from when transmitting the request signal ( s 42 ). when the response signal is not received ( no in s 42 ), vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication with power supply apparatus 2 is not set up and returns the flow of processes to start of fig4 . when the response signal is received ( yes in s 42 ), vehicle - side control section 44 determines that a communication is set up between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 , and performs a control for causing vehicle - side communication section 43 to transmit a power supply start signal ( s 43 ). then , vehicle - side control section 44 performs the process of s 23 . the power supply start signal transmitted from vehicle - side communication section 43 in s 43 is received by power supply - side communication section 23 . power supply - side control section 24 determines whether the power supply start signal is received within predetermined time tlimit after the supply of power in s 11 is started ( s 33 ). when the power supply start signal is not received within predetermined time tlimit ( no in s 33 ), power supply - side control section 24 causes power supply section 21 to stop the supply of power ( s 16 ). when the power supply start signal is received within predetermined time tlimit ( yes in s 33 ), power supply - side control section 24 determines that a communication is set up between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 , moves the flow of processes to s 13 , and performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of second power value pb . as described above , in the power supply system according to this embodiment , power supply - side control section 24 performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of first power value pa when vehicle detecting section 22 detects that electric vehicle 3 enters chargeable area b . at this time , power supply sections 21 a , 21 b , and 21 c supply power of first power values pa ( pa 1 , pa 2 , and pa 3 ) different from each other . in this state , when determining that a communication is set up between power supply - side communication section 23 and vehicle - side communication section 43 , power supply - side control section 24 performs a control for causing power supply section 21 to supply power of second power value pb . accordingly , it is possible to accurately associate electric vehicle 3 supplied with power from power supply apparatus 2 , with electric vehicle 3 communicating with power supply apparatus 2 . in this embodiment , first power values pa ( pa 1 , pa 2 , and pa 3 ) may be fixedly assigned to power supply apparatuses 2 ( 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c ), respectively , or may be assigned to power supply apparatuses 2 ( 2 a , 2 b , and 2 c ) in patterns determined depending on the time for supplying power , respectively . the patterns of first power values pa differ depending on power supply apparatuses 2 . in this case , vehicle - side control section 44 generates a request signal including the pattern of first power value pa received by power receiving section 41 instead of generating the request signal including the power value received by power receiving section 41 in s 41 . when the pattern of first power value pa included in the request signal is substantially equal to the pattern of first power value pa supplied from power supply section 21 of power supply apparatus 2 in s 32 , power supply - side control section 24 generates a response signal including the vehicle identification number included in the request signal and causes power supply - side communication section 23 to transmit the generated response signal . first power values pa ( pa 1 , pa 2 , and pa 3 ) may vary in power receiving section 41 due to positional mismatch between power supply section 21 and power receiving section 41 . by causing the first power value pa to temporally vary in patterns different depending on power supply apparatuses 2 , it is possible to accurately associate therewith electric vehicle 3 communicating with power supply apparatus 2 with temporal variation of the power value , even when variation occurs in the absolute value of first power value pa received by power receiving section 41 . the disclosure of japanese patent application no . 2010 - 223759 , filed on oct . 1 , 2010 , including the specification , drawings and abstract , is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . the present invention can be suitably used for a power supply system for an electric vehicle that supplies power from a power supply apparatus to an electric vehicle in a non - contact manner , and an electric vehicle and a power supply apparatus that are used for the system .	7
referring to the drawings , wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the several figures , a conveyor system 20 for use with a vehicle washing system 21 is shown schematically in fig1 . the conveyor system 20 includes a conveyor assembly 22 . the conveyor assembly 22 is configured to convey a vehicle 24 through the vehicle washing system 21 . the conveyor assembly 22 includes a support structure 26 , a track 28 , a plurality of translation members 30 , and a trapdoor assembly 32 . the support structure 26 operatively supports the track 28 and a pair of sprockets 34 . the track 28 presents a support surface 36 that is configured to movably support a tire 38 of the vehicle 24 . the track 28 defines a channel 39 that extends to an edge 40 . the conveyor assembly 22 extends between opposing ends 42 . the sprockets 34 are disposed proximate the opposite ends 42 of the conveyor assembly 22 . a chain 44 , such as an endless chain 44 , extends about the pair of sprockets 34 , as may be known to those skilled in the art . the sprockets 34 may be driven or otherwise rotated by a motor 46 to move the chain 44 . the chain 44 is operatively disposed opposite the support surface 36 , i . e ., beneath the track 28 . the translation members 30 may be operatively attached to the chain 44 , in series . in response to moving the chain 44 , each translation member 30 is configured to move along the support surface 36 of the track 28 , while pushing a tire 38 of the vehicle 24 , to the edge 40 of the track 28 . in one non - limiting embodiment , with reference to fig1 - 3 , the translation member 30 may be a dolly , as known in the related art . referring now to fig2 and 3 , each translation member 30 may include a roller assembly 48 having at least one first roller 50 that rolls along the support surface 36 in response to movement of the chain 44 and a second roller 51 to , in turn , push the respective tire 38 , causing the tire 38 to roll ( arrow w ) and the vehicle 24 to move in a forward direction ( arrow x ). the second roller 51 extends into the channel 39 defined along the track 28 such that the second roller 51 is free to rotate in a direction opposite the rotation of the tire 38 . referring to fig2 and 3 , the roller assembly 48 may include linkage 52 that operatively connects the roller assembly 48 to the chain 44 . the first roller ( s ) 50 of the translation member 30 is supported by the support surface 36 . the first roller 50 may have a diameter d w1 that is smaller than a diameter d w2 of the second roller 51 . the trapdoor assembly 32 is movably disposed proximate the edge 40 of the track 28 . more specifically , the trapdoor assembly 32 may be pivotally disposed proximate the edge 40 of the track 28 . the trapdoor assembly 32 includes a housing 54 having a pair of stanchions 56 and an apply member 58 . the housing 54 may also be referred to as a weldment . the stanchions 56 may be disposed in spaced relationship to one another and may be pivotally attached to the support structure 26 such that the trapdoor assembly 32 rotates about a pivot axis 60 as the trapdoor assembly 32 moves between a closed position 62 , illustrated in fig2 , and an open position 64 , illustrated in fig3 . the apply member 58 may be operatively attached to the pair of stanchions 56 such that the apply member 58 is disposed in generally perpendicular relationship to the pair of stanchions 56 . as such , the apply member 58 is operatively attached to the stanchions 56 in radially spaced relationship to the pivot axis 60 . the chain 44 extends between the pair of stanchions 56 , the apply member 58 , and the pivot axis 60 . the apply member 58 is positioned relative to the edge 40 of the track 28 such that an opening or gap 66 is defined between the edge 40 of the track 28 and the apply member 58 . referring again to fig1 , the trapdoor assembly 32 may also include a pivot assembly 68 that pivotally connects the pair of stanchions 56 to the support structure 26 . the pivot assembly 68 allows the trapdoor assembly 32 to pivot relative to the support structure 26 between the closed position 62 and the open position 64 . the pivot assembly 68 includes an axle 70 that is operatively disposed along the pivot axis 60 and that operatively interconnects the pair of stanchions 56 such that the axle 70 is disposed in spaced and generally parallel relationship to the apply member 58 . the pivot assembly 68 includes at least one support member 72 , e . g ., a pillow block bearing , operatively attached to both the axle 70 and the support structure 26 . referring to fig1 , the trapdoor assembly 32 includes a pair of support member 72 disposed in spaced relationship to one another such that the housing 54 is disposed therebetween . the support members 72 are operatively attached to the support structure 26 such that the pivot assembly 68 allows the housing 54 of the trapdoor assembly 32 to pivot relative to the edge 40 of the track 28 between the closed position 62 ( fig2 ) and the open position 64 ( fig3 ). the trapdoor assembly 32 is pivotable , relative to the edge 40 of the track 28 , between the closed position 62 ( fig2 ) and the open position 64 ( fig3 ), in response to the application of a force f 1 to an apply surface 74 of the apply member 58 by the roller assembly 48 of the translation member 30 , as the roller assembly 48 passes the edge 40 of the track 28 . the apply surface 74 faces the edge 40 of the track 28 . referring to fig2 , the gap 66 may be defined between the apply surface 74 and the edge 40 of the track 28 when the trapdoor assembly 32 is in the closed position 62 . however , it should be appreciated that the apply surface 74 and the edge 40 of the track 28 may also be in abutting or otherwise overlapping relationship to one another when the trapdoor assembly 32 is in the closed position 62 . when the gap 66 is defined between the apply surface 74 and the edge 40 of the track 28 when the trapdoor assembly 32 is in the closed position 62 , the gap 66 between the apply surface 74 and the edge 40 of the track is a first distance d 1 . the first distance d 1 may be sufficiently small so as to prevent the first and second rollers 50 , 51 of the dolly 30 from moving through the gap 66 . therefore , when the trapdoor assembly 32 is in the closed position 62 , the roller ( s ) 50 , 51 of the translation members 30 are prevented from moving through the gap 66 . however , when the translation member 30 passes the edge 40 of the track 28 , the second roller 51 of the translation member 30 contacts the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 and applies the force f 1 thereto , by virtue of the chain 44 being driven by the motor 46 . therefore , the translation member 30 is pulled along the track 28 as the chain 44 moves relative to the track 28 . as the first roller 50 of the translation member 30 reaches the edge 40 of the track 28 , the second roller 51 contacts the apply surface 74 and applies the force f 1 to the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 until the trapdoor assembly 32 moves from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 . the force f 1 is exerted on the apply surface 74 of the apply member 58 of the trapdoor assembly 32 in a direction away from , or opposite , the edge 40 of the track 28 , such that a first moment m 1 about the pivot axis 60 , i . e ., in a first direction ( arrow m 1 ) is generated . the application of the force f 1 to the apply member 58 causes the trapdoor assembly 32 to move away from the edge 40 of the track 28 only when the force f 1 is at least equal to an activation force f a , that can be imparted onto the apply member 58 by the translation member 30 . the activation force f a is configured to be a force that causes the trapdoor assembly 32 to move from the closed position 62 in response to the application of the force f 1 by the translation member 30 , while also being a force f a that is configured to prevent an inadvertent movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 when a force is being applied to the trapdoor assembly 32 by something other than the translation member 30 . in the embodiments illustrated in fig1 - 3 , application of the force f 1 to the apply member 58 causes the trapdoor assembly 32 to pivot about the pivot axis 60 , away from the edge 40 of the track . pivoting , or otherwise moving , the trapdoor assembly 32 away from the edge 40 of the track 28 , causes the first distance d 1 to increase until a second distance d 2 is achieved , i . e ., a size of the gap 66 is increased . as illustrated in fig3 , the second distance d 2 is at least equal to the diameter d w1 of the first roller 50 , plus a portion of the diameter d w2 of the second roller 51 that extends beyond the diameter of the first roller 50 . more specifically , with continued reference to fig3 , the second distance d 2 may be equal to ½ d w1 + ½ d w2 . the increase of the size of the gap 66 from the first distance d 1 to the second distance d 2 allows the roller assembly 48 to travel through the gap 66 and fit between the edge 40 of the track 28 and the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 such that the translation member 30 drops below the track 28 and is able to continue to move with the chain 44 , as the chain 44 eventually moves about the respective sprocket 34 and the respective translation member 30 is returned in the opposite direction , as is known to those skilled in the art . the trapdoor assembly 32 also includes at least one device 76 configured to allow movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 , relative to the edge 40 of the track 28 , from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 , in response to the translation member 30 being proximate the edge 40 of the track 28 . likewise , the device 76 is configured to prevent movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 , relative to the edge 40 of the track 28 , from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 , when the translation member 30 is not proximate the edge of the track 28 . in one non - limiting example , the translation member 30 may be in contact relationship with the trapdoor assembly 32 , as illustrated in fig3 . referring again to fig1 , the device 76 is configured to prevent a human 33 from inadvertently opening the trapdoor assembly 32 . therefore , the device 76 is configured such that the activation force f a required to move the trapdoor assembly 32 to the open position 64 is greater than a force applied by a member of a human body 33 , such as a hand , arm , foot , knee , leg , and the like , where the force applied by a member of the human body 33 is not assisted by other than the human body 33 . in another non - limiting example , the translation member 30 being proximate the edge 40 of the track 28 is defined as being at a location 77 that is spaced along the track a functional distance d f from the edge 40 , as illustrated in fig5 b . the conveyor assembly 22 may include a proximity sensor 41 configured to detect when a tracked object 43 , such as the translation member 30 , is proximate to the edge 40 , i . e ., spaced the functional distance d f from the edge 40 , to , in turn , transmit a signal s 41 to the device 76 . upon receipt of the signal s 41 from the proximity sensor 41 , the device 76 may automatically move from a locked state s 1 ( fig5 a ) to an unlocked state s 2 ( fig5 b ), where the translation member 30 , in turn , contacts and moves the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 . in the locked state s 1 , the device 76 acts as a latch to prevent the movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 . likewise , in the unlocked state s 2 , the device 76 allows the movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 ( fig5 a ) to the open position 64 ( fig5 b ). with continued reference to fig5 a , 5b , in yet another non - limiting example , upon receipt of the output signal s 41 , the device 76 functions to automatically move the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 ( fig5 a ) to the open position 64 ( fig5 b ). likewise , the device 76 may also be configured to automatically move from the open position 64 ( fig5 a ) to the closed position 62 ( fig5 b ) once a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the receipt of the signal s 41 ; upon receipt of another signal from another proximity sensor ( not shown ) that senses the translation member 30 has moved from the edge 40 of the track 28 and through the gap 66 ; and the like . in this non - limiting example , the device 76 may include at least one actuator , such as a hydraulic cylinder , a pneumatic cylinder , a motor , and the like , that is configured to selectively move the trapdoor assembly 32 , relative to the edge 40 of the track . referring again to the embodiment shown in fig1 - 4 , the device 76 may be referred to as a biasing device 76 . each trapdoor assembly 32 includes at least one biasing device 76 . referring to fig1 , each trapdoor assembly 32 may include a pair of biasing devices 76 . the biasing devices 76 may be operatively attached to the respective stanchions 56 of the housing 54 such that the biasing devices 76 are disposed in spaced relationship to one another and are each disposed arcuately opposite the apply surface 74 of the apply member 58 of the trapdoor assembly 32 . each biasing device 76 is configured to react between a reaction surface 78 and the respective stanchion 56 to provide resistance to rotation of the trapdoor assembly 32 about the pivot axis 60 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 . more specifically , each biasing device 76 is elastically compressible and provides resistance to movement of the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 . the biasing device 76 provides a restoring force f 2 to the trapdoor assembly 32 when the trapdoor assembly 32 is not in the closed position 62 to bias the trapdoor assembly 32 toward the closed position 62 . the reaction surface 78 may be part of the support structure 26 . however , it should be appreciated that the reaction surface 78 may be part of any other structure , so long as the support surface 78 provides a surface for the biasing device 76 to react against . therefore , the biasing device ( s ) 76 are configured to react between the reaction surface 78 and the stanchion 56 to apply a second moment m 2 about the pivot axis 60 , i . e ., in a second direction ( arrow m 2 ) opposite the first direction ( arrow m 1 ), to counteract the first moment m 1 , as the force f 1 is applied to the apply surface 74 . it should also be appreciated that the biasing device may optionally be attached to the reaction surface 78 , such that the biasing device 76 still reacts between the reaction surface 78 and the stanchion 56 . the biasing device 76 may be a spring , such as a compression spring . referring to fig4 , an exemplary biasing device 76 is illustrated . each biasing device 76 extends along a biasing axis 80 between a first face 82 and a second face 84 . the first face 82 is configured to be acted on by the stanchion 56 and the second face 84 is configured to be acted on by the support surface 36 , in response to the force f 1 being applied to the apply surface 74 by the translation member 30 . each biasing device 76 is attached to the respective stanchion 56 such that the biasing axis 80 is spaced a radial distance dr from the pivot axis 60 . as such , the biasing device 76 is pivotable , with the housing 54 , about the pivot axis 60 . the biasing axis 80 may be generally perpendicular to , and non - coincident with , the pivot axis 60 . the biasing device 76 is configured to be loaded along the biasing axis 80 such that the biasing device 76 is compressed along the biasing axis 80 . alternatively , the biasing device 76 may be attached to the support structure 26 or another surface such that the first face 82 of the biasing device 76 is acted on by the stanchion 56 . referring now to fig4 , the biasing device 76 includes a core 86 and at least one reinforcing layer 88 . the core 86 extends along the biasing axis 80 and comprises an elastomeric material , such as rubber and the like . the reinforcing layer 88 a , 88 b axially surrounds the core 86 to provide lateral support to the core 86 , i . e ., normal to the biasing axis 80 , as the biasing device 76 is compressed along the biasing axis 80 . the reinforcing layer 88 may be at least two layers 88 a , 88 b , where each reinforcing layer 88 includes a plurality of cords 90 covered with elastomeric material 92 . the cords 90 of each support layer 88 a , 88 b may be biased , i . e ., extend at an angle relative to the biasing axis 80 , and extend in parallel relationship to one another . further , the cords 90 of one support layer 88 a may extend in a different direction and / or angle relative to the other support layer 88 b . when the biasing device 76 is loaded in the direction of the biasing axis 80 , as a result of the application of the applied force f 1 , a height h of the biasing device 76 decreases , i . e ., the biasing device compresses . additionally , an outer diameter d od of the biasing device 76 may radially expand . the cords 90 of one or more of the reinforcing layers 88 may provide a restraint force to provide an increasing resistance to the compression of the biasing device 76 . further , the cords 90 within each reinforcing layer 88 may be configured to control the radial displacement of the cords 90 as the biasing device 76 is compressed . the biasing device 76 is configured to have a spring rate that increases as a function of the amount of force f 1 that is applied to the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 increasing . as such , the biasing device 76 may be configured such that a predefined force f 1 is required to be applied to the apply surface 74 by the translation member 30 before the trapdoor assembly 32 will move the required distance from the closed position 62 ( first distance d 1 ) to the open position 64 ( second distance d 2 ). in one embodiment , the activation force f a required to move the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 is at least 889 . 6 newtons ( n ) ( approximately 200 pounds ( lbs )). more preferably , the force f 1 required to move the trapdoor assembly 32 from the closed position 62 to the open position 64 is at least 1179 n ( approximately 400 lbs ). it should be appreciated that , in the absence of a sufficient force f 1 being applied to the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 , the biasing device 76 will not compress to the required height and the trapdoor assembly 32 will be prevented from pivoting from the closed position 62 , i . e ., first distance d 1 ( fig2 ) to the open position 64 , i . e ., second distance d 2 ( fig3 ). the biasing device 76 is resilient . therefore , in the absence of the application of the sufficient force f 1 to the apply surface 74 , the restoring force f 2 of the biasing device 76 being applied to the trapdoor assembly 32 may cause the trapdoor assembly 32 to automatically return to the closed position 62 , from the open position 64 as the height h of the biasing device 76 returns to the height h when not under a load created by the application of the force f 1 . in one non - limiting embodiment , the core 86 may define a passage 94 that extends therethrough , along the biasing axis 80 . the core 86 defines an inner diameter d id . the smaller the inner diameter d id , the larger the force f 1 required to compress the biasing device 76 . therefore , the force f 1 required to sufficiently compress the biasing device 76 may be determined as a function of the inner diameter d id . additionally , changing the durometer , or hardness , of the elastomeric material of the core 86 can influence the force f 1 required to compress the biasing device 76 along the biasing axis 80 . with continued reference to fig4 , the biasing device 76 may also include a covering 96 that axially surrounds the reinforcing layer 88 . the covering 96 may comprise an elastomeric material , such as rubber and the like . the covering 96 may provide resistance to abrasion and otherwise protect the reinforcing layers 88 a , 88 b . the trapdoor assembly 32 may also include at least one return member 98 operatively interconnecting the stanchion 56 and the support structure 26 . preferably , the return member 98 is a pair of return members 98 , where each return member 98 is operatively attached to a respective stanchion 56 and to the support structure 26 . each return member 98 may be a spring , such as a tension spring or extension spring . the return member 98 is configured to have a spring rate that is less than a spring rate of the biasing devices 76 . in the absence of the force f 1 being applied to the apply surface 74 of the trapdoor assembly 32 , the return member 98 assists the biasing device 76 in returning the housing 54 from the open position 64 to the closed position 62 . additionally , referring to fig1 - 3 , the trapdoor assembly 32 may also include at least one bumper 99 . the bumpers 99 may be operatively attached to a respective stanchion 56 and / or the support structure 26 such that the bumpers 99 react between the stanchions 56 , arcuately opposite the biasing devices 76 . the bumpers 99 are configured to provide cushioning between the housing 54 and the support structure 26 when the trapdoor assembly 32 automatically returns to the closed position 62 . while the best modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail , those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims .	1
requiring end users and administrators to install and maintain customized software provided by various pki vendors is costly and inefficient . according to some embodiments , the present invention uses a pki in a multiple - ca environment with a “ thin ” client , which eliminates the costs and effort of maintaining software on the end users &# 39 ; machines . by a thin client it is meant a client burdened with a minimal amount of processing , the server then carrying the majority share of the processing . in some situations , a system is provided that utilizes a browser - based interface to transfer / administer certificates for both end users and administrators , which achieves the previously - mentioned goals and permits rapid accommodation of many end users at a lower cost . accordingly , some embodiments do not require proprietary upgrades or plug - ins to be installed , configured or downloaded . according to some embodiments , the architecture is web - based rather than client - server based . thus , the invention may be highly scalable , and allows for a virtually unlimited number of end users and certificates to be supported . according to other embodiments , a software interface is provided which is hypertext markup language ( html )- based and which therefore allows for flexible and rapid development . this web - based capability allows for providing customers with service under an application service provider ( asp ) model and is compatible with ( secure ) hypertext transfer protocol https . https , also referred to as s - http , is a protocol for transmitting data securely over the world wide web . https is distinguished over secure sockets layer ( ssl ) in that it transmits individual packets of data or messages securely over the web rather than attempting to establish a secure connection , as done with ssl . according to other embodiments , the system may be constructed using a distributed platform , which may distribute data and the processing of data over a plurality of components , which may be part of a network . this architecture could provide for high availability and reliability with minimal interruption in service for the end users . specifically , various embodiments are implemented using enterprise servers operating in a master - slave mode with a variety of connected computers , some of which are in a standby mode . in yet other embodiments , a modular system is provided , and components are divided between the servers and external storage arrays . the servers may be used by the administrator for management , maintenance and routine operations . a process is provided according to one embodiment described herein which comprises : customer enrollment ; authentication of the customer and certificate status checking ; signature verification ; and certificate life - cycle management . by “ customer enrollment ” it is meant any method for identity verification and proofing . in some embodiments , these may be in the form of web - based enrollment through a registration authority ( ra ), or in the form of out - of - band enrollment . according to some embodiments which use an asp environment , authentication and status checking allows customers to enter a participating agency &# 39 ; s web site by first being authenticated by a web server prior to entry , and then be authenticated on a recurring basis thereafter . the web server may be configured to require customers to submit digital certificates with their signatures and to compare the ca signature with a list of authorized signing cas stored in a database . another aspect in authenticating the customers &# 39 ; digital certificates includes checking a certificate &# 39 ; s status and whether the certificate remains valid , or has otherwise been revoked or suspended . according to some embodiments , certificate attributes are stored as objects in a database or a directory . several methods for managing certificate status are available according to the present invention , and include : the ca individually validating all certificates in real - time over a secure online channel and serving certificate status information to a reliant application on the internet at the time that a transaction occurs ; using online certificate status protocol ( ocsp ) for status checking ; and checking certificate revocation lists ( crls ). a discussion of these subjects and related embodiments can be found in u . s . provisional application ser . no . 60 / 325 , 835 , which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety . one advantage of real - time status validation is that it eliminates the liability of crls , which may be compromised by latency of information in the case where a crl predates a revoked certificate . by performing real - time certificate status checking , this problem is overcome . however , for those applications which rely upon crls , the present system can support crl generation and distribution . because customers and users are required to submit electronic signatures in many secure online transactions , it is important to ensure non - repudiation of the signature . additionally , an object may be required to have multiple signatures presented by multiple entities . hence , a signing tool is provided for use with some embodiments of the present system that adheres to a public key cryptography standard ( pkcs ). a certificate management tool is provided in the form of a browser plug - in or java applet for use by the end users . this is coupled to a corresponding server - side application for verifying the signatures . referring now to fig1 , a system is shown for conducting transactions with multiple cas , according to the prior art . an application 100 , which may have installed thereon a plurality of apis 120 , dedicates a specialized api 120 to a corresponding ca 300 . that is , for each different ca , e . g ., 300 a , a unique corresponding api , e . g ., 120 a is installed onto the application 100 . this scenario is not ideal , and entails the disadvantages recited previously . as an example , for each newly - established ca 300 , a new specialized application interface or api 120 is needed to be installed . likewise , each time a particular ca implements a change or updates its services , the corresponding api 120 might need to be replaced or updated . this creates an expensive and tedious and unreliable situation . furthermore , the application 100 has little or no control over the software modules or apis 120 which are required to be installed on the application 100 for compatibility purposes with each ca 300 . fig2 shows a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention whereby an application 100 is coupled via a server 200 to multiple cas 300 a - c . the application 100 transmits and receives service requests which are handled and appropriately formatted and routed by software on the server 200 to the appropriate ca 300 . the server 200 may have a variety of software modules and / or hardware modules implemented thereon and adapted for processing communication signals between the server 200 and the application 100 as well as between the server 200 and various cas 300 or other agents thereof . the communication between the server 200 and the application 100 and the communications between the server 200 and the cas 300 may be implemented in one or more of numerous forms known to those skilled in the art . for example , the communications may be passed over wire , cable , fiber optic , wireless , or other suitable channels . the internet may also serve as a communication infrastructure , as may commercial broadcast or dedicated communication pathways which can be adapted for this purpose . in addition , more than one medium for communicating communication signals may be used in a single path line . a signal sent from the server 200 to the application 100 , for example , may be first carried over a local area network ( lan ), followed by a segment of telephone communication line , followed by a wireless transmission channel . fig3 shows a number of applications 100 a - c , which may be running on a client machine , coupled to a server 200 . the server 200 is in turn coupled to more than one ca 300 a - c . the details of the interconnection of the applications 100 and the cas 300 to the server 200 are not meant to be literal , but rather illustrative of the relative or logical positions of the applications 100 and the cas 300 with respect to the server 300 . in fig3 , an exemplary embodiment is shown , wherein a middleware 500 module , implemented in software , is installed on the server 200 . the middleware 500 might comprise a request constructor 400 . the request constructor 400 is coupled to the cas 300 over a network or channel . the middleware 500 is typically adapted for processing communication to and from the applications 100 as well as to and from the cas 300 . the middleware 500 serves as an intermediary , adapted for performing computations or logical operations or data transmission and formatting , as well as other functions where necessary . in some embodiments , the server 200 is to be considered an authentication middleware server . fig4 shows an embodiment wherein an application 100 and a user 150 using the application are coupled to the server 200 . the server comprises middleware 500 , which can process both application and user service requests and communications , and a user policy manager 130 , which manages the user accounts . the middleware 500 in some cases carries out substantially all functions of the server 200 , and is not limited to those component functions shown . the user policy manager 130 may be specially adapted for communicating with the user 150 for processing and managing user updates and edits to the user 150 account . a user 150 may establish an account with the server 200 that includes user information which is stored on a database 900 coupled to the server 200 . the user account information may include preference information and other security information which may be categorized in any logical way to facilitate maintenance of the user account information . the user policy manager 130 may include flexibility allowing a user 150 to edit the user account information and update the information as required , preferably by an internet or world wide web connection interface . the user policy manager 130 may request user authentication or login information prior to allowing the user 150 to access or edit the user account information . both the middleware 500 and the user policy manager 130 may be stored in memory onboard the server 200 , or they may implemented separately in separate memories on separate machines , which can be coupled to one another for the purpose of conducting user transactions and other tasks . a plurality of cas 300 a - c are coupled to the server 200 as previously described . the interconnections between user 150 , application 100 , server 200 , database 900 , and the cas 300 may be accomplished using any known networking system , including ethernet and wireless connections . the server 200 and the middleware 500 serve two - way communication and processing functions . in addition to requests and communications originated by the application 100 and the user 150 , the cas 300 also originate responses and communication information , which is to be processed and passed back to the application 100 . the server 200 may be coupled to other auxiliary components , databases or communication systems , some of which are known to those skilled in the art and others are described herein . such auxiliary components may be implemented in hardware or software , and may be included within the server 200 or within the middleware 500 , or may be used as external components , possibly over a computer or other communication network . fig5 shows an embodiment of the middleware 500 as it relates to some external components , shown as a block diagram . an application 100 is coupled to the system via a secure https connection . the application 100 and the middleware 500 communicate using a module in the middleware 500 called a service call responder 430 . the service call responder 430 is adapted for receiving and transmitting communications to the application 100 . these communications may be in an ordinary standard format or may be specially formulated in a proprietary format which both the middleware 500 and the application 100 support . service request objects may be passed from the application 100 to the middleware 500 as packets of data accompanying or attached to communication traffic between the application 100 and the service call responder 430 . it should be noted that in some embodiments the use of the https protocol avoids complications arising from the presence of fire walls as is known to those skilled in the art of data communication . the application policy manager 432 is a software module that manages various aspects relating to applications 100 that use the functionality of the server 200 or middleware 500 . the application policy manager 432 allows an application 100 itself to determine how digital certificates will be accepted from cas . the application 100 can decide to accept all or some of the certificates . additionally , the application 100 may grant the holders of digital certificates different levels of privileges based on the cas 300 issuing the certificates or the class of the certificates , etc . the service call responder 430 relays service call requests from the application 100 to the dispatcher 420 . the dispatcher 420 performs a host of functions which can include : checking a digital certificate against a disabled certificate database ; routing a request , such as an ocsp request object , to a selected ca that issued the digital certificate ; receiving responses , such as ocsp response objects , returned by the selected ca ; and routing response objects back to the application 100 . a request constructor 400 is used to interface the middleware 500 to the cas 300 . this is accomplished in one embodiment by providing a request constructor module , such as ocsp module 400 a , crl module 400 b or other modules 400 c that then format and package the request objects and receive the responses from the selected cas . the request constructor 400 and / or the middleware 500 may use an https connection to communicate with the cas 300 a - c . this type of connection may provide some of the advantages described above with regards to packet transportation and facilitation of communication through a fire wall . of course the detailed implementation of the various modules of the middleware 500 may be achieved in many ways . each of the described modules , such as the service call responder 430 , the application policy manager 432 , the dispatcher 420 , and the request constructor 400 , may involve sub - modules themselves , or may be implemented in one module , depending on the application and the architecture employed . sometimes a large number of applications 100 a - n may be requesting services from one or more servers 200 a - m . in this case , a load balancer 800 may be implemented between the applications 100 and the servers 200 for the purpose of balancing the request call and response message load between the plurality of servers 200 . fig6 shows a load balancer 800 disposed between a group of applications 100 and servers 200 . the number of applications 100 and the number of servers 200 are normally not the same , and a single server can typically handle numerous applications 100 adequately . however , geographic or network considerations or other design considerations can make a load balancer 800 used as described above , advantageous . for example , the load balancer 800 may prevent a large number of applications 100 from overloading a particular server 200 during heavy use times or in geographic or network regions which are locally congested . some embodiments of the present invention call for the use of databases , such as shown in fig7 . in this embodiment , a database 900 is coupled to a server 200 . the database 900 may be used for storing information about the applications 100 or the users 150 or the cas 300 , or any other relevant or useful information which is required to be placed in a database for enhancing the capabilities of the middleware 500 or the server 200 . in some embodiments , legacy systems may be coupled to the elements of the system . for example , legacy systems may be coupled to the application 100 . this allows the application 100 to exchange information with older systems . certain other features become possible in a system incorporating a database 900 . user 150 profiles and preferences , generally “ user profile data ,” may be stored in a database 900 to accomplish additional customized goals . for example , a user 150 may conduct transactions with one or more cas 300 . in this case , the user 150 may only wish a certain subset of personal data or information about the user 150 or the user &# 39 ; s accounts to be transferred to any particular ca . that is , the user 150 may wish to allow or block different pieces of information , which are known to the server 200 and kept in a database 900 , from certain entities or cas 300 in the outside world . as an example , a user 150 may have personal information relating to place of residence and employment history stored in a region of a relational database 900 associated with the user 150 . the user 150 may not , however , wish information about his or her credit cards or financial accounts to be released to a particular entity . similarly , a user 150 conducting an online retail transaction may wish to prevent the entity with which the retail transaction is being conducted from accessing other information ( e . g ., health records ). the database 900 is implemented in some cases as a relational database which may include user registration information therein . the database 900 may further include tables containing any or all of ( 1 ) properties data ( e . g . user profile data ), ( 2 ) application data and ( 3 ) privilege or permission data . various embodiments of the present invention use the privilege data to make decisions about which property data can be accessed by which applications . thus , rather than always permitting any participating application 100 to access any or all user data on the database 900 , access control is provided to the user registry . the user 150 may in some embodiments specify which entities or applications 100 can access particular user data from the properties data . the permission or privilege data can be used to make determinations for access control using the user preference and the application data . the role played by a registration authority ( ra ) is thus brought into light . according to some embodiments of the present invention , a user 150 or an application 100 may customize the way in which secure transactions are carried out by having one of many profiles or preference features enabled or disabled in their accounts , which may be kept on the server 200 or on the database 900 . the ra may be implemented as part of the server 200 or the middleware 500 , or may be implemented as an outside service , which may not be physically co - located with the server 200 . fig8 shows a two - level paradigm for servicing users 150 and applications 100 . in this embodiment , which is provided for the purpose of illustration of this concept , a first level ( level 1 ) and a second level ( level 2 ) are used . the user 150 , who may be conceptualized as occupying a space in level 2 , interacts with applications 100 , which may be conceptualized as occupying space in level 1 . the user 150 can also directly interact with the server 200 . in this scenario , the user 150 may be an end user or a consumer or a citizen of a nation . the applications 100 a - c may be institutions or establishments with which the user 150 interacts . for example , application 100 a may be a university in which user 150 is enrolled , while application 100 b may be an internal revenue service , and application 100 c may be an online clothing outlet . each of the applications 100 are coupled to the server 200 by one or more of the means described in this application . the server 200 is also coupled to one or more cas 300 as described previously . fig9 shows an embodiment wherein a wireless communication device 600 is used to carry out a certification transaction . the wireless communication device 600 is coupled by a wireless connection to a service provider 950 . a service provider 950 may be an internet service provider or another portal that serves wireless communication devices such as wireless access protocol ( wap ) telephones , personal digital assistants ( pdas ) equipped with wireless modems , or other wireless devices . once connected to the service provider 950 , a “ session ” is established . using the service provider 950 as a portal , the wireless communication device 600 may extend its reach to other devices coupled through communication networks to the service provider 950 . in some embodiments , the service provider 950 may be used to connect the wireless communication device 600 to a server 200 . the server 200 may contain a key escrow repository 202 . the key escrow repository 202 may be implemented as a dedicated region of memory on the server 200 , or may be in the form of a separate computer or database coupled to the server 200 , or in other forms as the architecture may dictate in the specific application . a single - use session certificate 960 may be downloaded to the wireless communication device 600 . this can be achieved by user 150 logging into the server 200 , as described above , followed by the user requesting the session certificate 960 . the session certificate 960 may take the form of a data object , for example a session “ cookie ”. for security reasons , the session certificate 960 may be designed to expire after a single use or upon termination of the particular session . since wireless communications cannot generally be relied on to be as secure as other forms of communication , the use of a single - use session certificate 960 will avoid unauthorized users from reusing the session certificate 960 in a subsequent unauthorized session that may compromise the security of the authorized user 150 . in some embodiments the user 150 , through the wireless communication device 600 , logs into the server 200 using a web - like interface , such as secure wireless internet interfaces . according to other embodiments , the user 150 is required to utilize a hardware token that verifies the user &# 39 ; s identity and establishes a secure connection with the server 200 . fig1 shows one embodiment of a method for facilitating electronic certification according to the present invention . the acts presented may be carried out on a server 200 , in middleware 500 , or in a combination of both . we refer to the acts performed as though the acts were carried out by the server 200 for convenience only . it should be noted that the acts described in fig1 are for illustrative purposes , and numerous other auxiliary acts may be carried out by a system in support of the overall process . in act 1000 , a server receives a service request from an application . in act 1001 , the agency ca acceptance policy is checked . normally act 1001 is carried out by the application policy manager 432 module . in act 1002 , the server constructs and transmits a request object to a selected ca . the request object is typically formulated in a way to render it compatible with the selected ca and , in a preferred embodiment , comprises an object formatted according to the ocsp protocol . a response is next received from the selected ca in act 1003 . the response may also be in the ocsp format according to a preferred embodiment . both the transmission and the reception of requests , request objects , responses , and response objects to and from the application or the selected ca are carried out according to one of many methods , some of which have been described previously . for example , transmission and reception of communication messages or objects to and from the server 200 may take place using the tcp / ip protocol , possibly over an ethernet or a wireless communication connection . next , in act 1004 , a database or data table is accessed for retrieval of private information authorized for the application . this act is normally carried out by the user policy manager 130 module . finally , the server transmits a response object to the application in act 1005 . the response object sent to the application may be formatted to suit the application , and the format of the response object may be one of numerous formats , including in a format similar to that of the service request . fig1 shows yet another embodiment of a method for facilitating electronic certification according to the present invention . act 1000 is carried out in a similar fashion to the act shown in fig1 , above , carrying the same reference numeral . however , in fig1 , an act 1006 comprising generating a data object corresponding to the received service request is performed after receiving the service request from an application in act 1000 . generating the data object corresponding to the received service request may entail carrying out a number of auxiliary acts , each of which may be performed by a separate software module within the middleware 500 . for example , generating the data object may comprise converting the service request from one format to another , followed by attaching extra information to the information received in the service request , such as application or user information obtained from a database . the act 1006 of generating the data object may further comprise packaging the data object into a compact object , such as by performing a data compression act on the data object prior to sending it to the selected ca . in act 1007 , the server transmits a request object to a selected ca , following which , a response is received in act 1003 as before . in act 1008 , the server generates a service response object corresponding to the received response . generating the service response object may entail carrying out a number of auxiliary intermediate acts , analogous to those described above in act 1006 . for example , the received response may be unpacked or decompressed if it was received in a compressed format . the received response may also be converted from one data format to another according to one of numerous techniques known in the art . finally , in act 1009 , a response object is constructed and transmitted to the application 100 . as in the case of all embodiments presented herein for the purpose of illustrating the concepts described by the present invention , these exemplary illustrations are not intended to limit the scope of the present application , which should be interpreted by the full scope of the accompanying claims . further , the acts described above are not necessarily performed by the server 200 or middleware 500 alone . some or all of the acts may be performed by auxiliary components , possibly coupled to the server 200 over a network . having now described a few embodiments of the invention , it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting , having been presented by way of example only . numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of ordinary skill in the art and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto .	7
in the following , the implementations of the invention will be described in detail in combination with various illustrations and embodiments , by means of which the implementing process how the invention applies technical means to solve technical problems and achieve technical effects will be fully understood and implemented . the core concept of the invention lies in that a white list of legitimate programs is established , collected and updated in a database on a server side ; a program feature and / or a program behavior of a program is collected on a client side and is sent to the server side for query ; on the server side an analysis and comparison is performed with the white list based on the program feature and / or the program behavior , and the program is determined based on the comparison result and a result of determination is fed back to the client side . in the following , a method of detecting a malware based on a white list will be described in a cloud security mode constituted by a large number of client computers 102 and a server side 104 . a cloud structure is a large - scale client / server ( cs ) architecture , as shown in fig1 , which is a schematic drawing of an implementation mode of the invention . reference is made to fig2 , which is a flow chart of a method of detecting a malware based on a white list according to the present invention , comprising : s 1 , a white list of legitimate programs is established , collected and updated in a database on a server side ; s 2 , a program feature and / or a program behavior of a program ( for the ease of differentiation , the program is called a “ program to be detected ”) is collected on a client side and is sent to the server side for query ; s 3 , on the server side an analysis and comparison is performed with the white list based on the program feature and / or the program behavior , and the program is determined based on the comparison result and a result of determination is fed back to the client side ; s 4 , based on the result of determination , the client side decides to intercept the malware &# 39 ; s behavior , terminate the malware and / or clean up the malware , and restores the system environment ; or based on the result of determination and in combination with the attributes of the malware , the client side decides whether to intercept the malware &# 39 ; s behavior , terminate the malware and / or clean up the malware . the attributes comprise : whether the malware is a self - starting program and / or whether the malware exists in the system directory . as for the step s 3 , it can be particularly implemented in the following way or ways . a first way : on the server side , the program feature and / or the program behaviour is compared with legitimate program features and / or legitimate program behaviors stored in the white list . if hit , the program is determined as a legitimate program , and the result of determination is fed back to the client side . if missed , the program is determined as a malware , and the result of determination is fed back to the client side . as can be seen , in this way , the server side may determine whether the detected program is a malware , then feed the result of determination back to the client side , and the client side may know whether the detected program is a malware directly based on the result fed back by the server side . a second way : on the server side , a set of program features and / or a set of program behaviors of a program are compared with legitimate program features and / or legitimate program behaviors stored in the white list , and a trust value is assigned to the program based on the hit degree and is fed back to the client side . on the client side , the trust value is compared with a preset threshold . if the trust value is not less than the threshold , the program is determined as a legitimate program , and if the trust value is less than the threshold , then the program is determined as a malware . as can be seen , in this way , the server side does not determine if the program is malicious or not , but only generates a trust value , and feeds the trust value as legitimacy information back to the client side , and after the reception of the trust value , the client side itself needs to perform a comparison with the preset threshold , and only after this can it be determined whether the detected program is a malware . with respect to the setting of the trust value , if the set of program features and / or the set of program behaviors is all hit in the white list , then the server side assigns a highest trust value to the program ; if the set of program features and / or the set of program behaviors is all missed in the white list , then the server side assigns a lowest trust value to the program ; for a program in between the two hit rates , it is set according to the above trend . as for the step s 1 , the collecting and updating of the white list of legitimate programs in the database on the server side may be realized in the following way or ways . a first way is : periodically collecting the legitimate programs by a technician manually , by a spider or web crawler and / or by a user &# 39 ; s uploading operation ; and , screening the program feature and / or the program behavior of the legitimate programs manually or automatically by a tool and storing the same in the white list . a second way is : based on the legitimate program features and the corresponding program behaviors in the existing known white list , analysing an unknown program feature and program behavior so as to update the white list . the program feature may be a static feature in a program file , for example , an md5 ( message - digest algorithm 5 ) verification code obtained via the md5 operation , or an sha1 code , or a crc ( cyclic redundancy check ) code , etc ., which is a feature code that can uniquely identify the original program ; and may also be a static feature string in a program file . in the following , the construction and dynamic maintenance of the white list of the database on the server side according to the second way will be described . the processing ideas are mainly as follows . based on program features and their corresponding program behaviors in the existing known white list , an analysis is performed on an unknown program feature and program behavior in order to update the white list . such a comparison and analysis sometimes does not need to trace the behavior itself of the program , but only needs to simply compare with known program behaviors in the existing white list so as to determine the nature of the unknown program . since in the database are recorded a program feature and a behavior record corresponding to the feature , the unknown program may be analyzed in combination with the known white list . for example , if the unknown program feature is identical to a known program feature in the existing white list , then the unknown program feature and its program behavior are both included in the white list . if the unknown program behavior is identical or similar to a known program behavior in the existing white list , then the unknown program behavior and its program feature are both included in the white list . through the analysis of records in the database , it can be found that some programs have identical or similar behaviors but different features . in this case , as long as an associated relationship of behavior and feature is established between the programs having identical or similar behaviors , based on such an associated relationship , an analysis may be performed conveniently on an unknown program feature and program behavior to update the white list . as shown in fig3 , fig3 is a schematic drawing of an associated relationship according to an embodiment of the invention . assume that the features of unknown programs a , b , and c are a , b , and c , respectively , and their respective corresponding program behaviors are a 1 ˜ a 4 , b 1 ˜ b 4 , c 1 ˜ c 4 . if after analysing it is found that the program behaviors a 1 ˜ a 4 , b 1 ˜ b 4 , c 1 ˜ c 4 are substantially identical or very similar , then an associated relationship of feature and behavior may be established between the features a , b , and c and the behaviors a 1 ˜ a 4 , b 1 ˜ b 4 , c 1 ˜ c 4 . through such an associated relationship , the database may be maintained more conveniently in a self - expanding manner under some conditions . for example , when the program behaviors b 1 ˜ b 4 of the program b are confirmed as legitimate program behaviors and included in the white list , the program feature b corresponding to the program behaviors may be automatically included in the white list in the database , and at the same time , the program behaviors a 1 ˜ a 4 , c 1 ˜ c 4 and the corresponding program features a , c having an associated relationship with the program behaviors may also be automatically included in the white list according to the associated relationship . for another example , if initially the programs a , b , and c all belong to programs with unknown black / white nature , and then the program feature b is first confirmed as a feature belonging to a legitimate program via other antivirus approaches , not only a combination of the behaviors b 1 ˜ b 4 may be automatically included in the white list in the database , but also the features a and c having identical or similar behaviors may be included in the white list and further the program behaviors a 1 ˜ a 4 , c 1 ˜ c 4 may be also included in the white list according to the associated relationship . in the present invention , since a behavior corresponding to a program feature is recorded in the database , this results in providing a great convenience to analysis of a behavior of unknown program . the invention is not limited to the above analysis method , and methods similar to decision tree , bayesian algorithm , neural network computation , etc ., or the simple threshold analysis , may be well applied on the basis of the database of the invention . the above description shows and describes several preferred embodiments of the invention , however , as previously mentioned , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the form disclosed herein , and should not be regarded as an exclusion of other embodiments , but may be applied in various other combinations , modifications and environments , and may be altered according to the above teachings or techniques or knowledge in a related art within the scope of the inventive concepts described herein . and as long as the alterations and variations made by the skilled in the art do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention , they all should fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the invention .	6
fig1 shows the logical parts in a typical computer file . file ( 100 ) consists of meta data ( 101 ) and user data ( 102 ). meta data ( 101 ) is data about data , which is also referred to as non - user data . it includes information typically associated with each file within a file system , including but not limited to : a ) the length of the user data ; b ) the time when the file was created ; c ) the time when the file was last modified ; d ) the time when the file was last accessed ; e ) the time when file &# 39 ; s meta data was last changed ; f ) the time when the file was last backed up ; g ) the file &# 39 ; s storage device type ; h ) the file &# 39 ; s owner user id and group id ; i ) the file &# 39 ; s access permissions ; and j ) the file name . user data ( 102 ) is the actual data that a user stores and uses in a file . fig2 shows an example of a conventional file system index tree or index table . in this example , the root directory node ( 200 ) includes two sub - directory nodes : dir - a ( 201 ) and dir - b ( 202 ). dir - a ( 201 ) contains two file nodes ( file . a ( 203 ) and file . b ( 204 )). dir - b ( 202 ) contains only one file node ( file . c ( 205 )). at the lowest level of an index tree , file nodes 203 , 204 , and 205 are also called leaf nodes . fig3 shows a conventional file system implementation in storage media ( 300 ). typically the superblock ( 301 ), indexing information ( 302 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 , and 307 ), meta data ( 308 ), user data ( 309 ) are stored and / or need to be synchronized on the same storage media . the storage media can be made of nand or nor flash storage devices . the indexing tree or table as shown in fig2 is traditionally implemented as a linked list in storage media ( 300 ). corresponding data structure is created in storage media ( 300 ) to store the indexing information ( 301 , 302 , 303 , 304 , 305 , 306 and 307 ). the file index tree leaf node ( e . g . 204 ) points to a specific file entry ( 305 ), which points to the meta data ( 308 ) and several blocks of user data ( 309 ) on the same storage media . fig4 shows one preferred embodiment of the present file system . user data ( 411 ) is saved in storage media b ( 410 ). the non - user data , which includes but not limited to superblock ( 401 ), indexing information ( 402 , 403 , 404 , 405 , and 406 ), and meta data ( 407 ), is stored in storage media a ( 400 ). storage media a and b use different types of memory devices . storage media a ( 400 ) can be made of , but not limited to , mram , nor flash , slc flash . storage media b ( 410 ) could be made of , but not limited to , emlc flash , mlc flash , tlc flash , and emmc card . compared to storage media a ( 400 ), storage media b ( 410 ) are typically made of storage devices with a ) higher capacity ; b ) lower endurance ; and c ) lower costs in deployment . fig5 shows one preferred embodiment where frequently or rarely updated non - user data are stored in different type of storage media . the non - user data , including superblock , indexing information and meta data , can be further separated and stored in different types of storage media depending on the frequency of data updating . for example , indexing information ( 402 , 403 , 404 , 405 , 406 , and 407 ) and some frequently modified meta data are stored into media a - 1 ( 501 ), while superblock ( 401 and other rarely modified meta data are stored into media a - 2 ( 502 ). fig6 shows the flow chart of creating a file in one preferred embodiment . fig7 demonstrate a write / append file operation . upon the receipt of a request to create a new file , the file system first employs an organizer module that separates incoming data in a file as user data and non - user data . it then uses a write control module that writes non - user data of said data file onto storage media a and user data of said data file onto storage media b . storage media a and b are made of different types of storage devices . the system first attempts to allocate memory for a meta node in a storage media a . if succeeded , it will inquire the capacity of the indexing tree or table on storage media a to check whether new entry is allowed . the file system will then create and populate data of the meta node using the non - user data of the file . the meta node will also be added to the indexing tree / table in storage media a . after the meta node is created , the file system attempts to allocate data blocks for user data in storage media b . once succeeded , the user data is saved onto the allocated data blocks in storage media b . the meta node and indexing tree / table in storage media a is also updated with information related to the write operation in storage media b . if it is a write / append operation of an existing file , the write control module will first search and locate the corresponding meta node in the indexing tree or table in storage media a . fig8 shows an exemplary read a file operation in one preferred embodiment of the system . the file system employs a read control module for handling the read file operations . the system first receives a command to read a file . it searches the meta node of said file in the indexing tree / table in storage media a . using the index information , it then reads the user data of the file from storage media b . the meta node in storage media a is updated after a successful read operation . fig9 shows an exemplary delete a file operation in one preferred embodiment of the system . the file system employs a delete control module for handling the delete file operations . the system first receives a command to delete a file . it searches the meta node of said file in the indexing tree / table in storage media a . using the indexing information , the system releases or un - references the data blocks containing the user data of the file in storage media b . it then deletes the meta node of said file in and removes the meta node from the indexing table in the storage media a . although the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments , it is anticipated that alterations and modifications thereof will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art . it is therefore intended that the following claims be interpreted as covering all such alterations and modifications as they fall within the true spirit and scope of the inventions .	6

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