Split (3)

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text stringlengths 1.55k 332k	label int64 0 8
as shown in fig1 a frame 2 has a band 2a ( whose details being shown in fig3 ) fastened tight to a bicycle handlebar 1 . the frame 2 contains a wire takeup element 3 . the frame 2 includes a wire receiving case 4 formed integral therewith and having an outer holder 5 for supporting a control cable 6 extending from a change gear device ( not shown ) of the bicycle . the control cable 6 has an inner wire 6a guided from the outer holder 5 into the frame 2 by way of a plurality of guide rollers 7 arranged inside the wire receiving case 4 . the inner wire 6a is connected to the takeup element 3 . the takeup element 3 is rotatable by a control member 8 disposed outside the frame 2 . the takeup element 3 rotated to a selected position is retained in that position by an engaging mechanism 20 having a positioning element 21 mounted inside the frame 2 . a brake lever 10 is pivotally connected to a bracket 9 formed integral with and of the same material as the frame 2 . thus , the shifting apparatus may be attached along with the brake lever 10 to the handlebar 1 . in other words , this is a shifting apparatus having a brake lever . by operating the control member 8 to rotate the takeup element 3 , the inner wire 6a of the control cable 6 is pulled or relaxed to switch the change gear device of the bicycle . at the same time , an indicator 30 having a rotatable member 31 attached to the frame 2 allows the cyclist to discern a speed stage provided by the change gear device . details of this apparatus will be described hereinafter . as best shown in fig2 the control member 8 is a tubular member including a tubular inner portion 8a formed integral with the frame 2 , and an outer portion 8b mounted on the inner portion 8a . the control member 8 is rotatably mounted on a support tube 18 unrotatably supported by the frame 2 through a connecting member 17 and mounted on the handlebar 1 . specifically , the support tube 18 is mounted along with the frame 2 on the handlebar 1 , with the takeup element 3 mounted inwardly of a grip 11 of the handlebar 1 and inwardly of the control member 8 . thus , the cyclist may easily rotate the control member 8 forward or backward with the thumb and / or finger of the hand holding the grip 11 . when the control member 8 is rotated forward about substantially the same axis x as that of the handlebar 1 , the takeup element 3 also rotates forward with the control member 8 . then , the takeup element 3 winds the inner wire 6a thereon and pulls the inner wire 6a . when the control member 8 is rotated backward , the takeup element 3 also rotates backward to unwind the inner wire 6a therefrom and relax the inner wire 6a . as shown in fig2 and 3 , the engaging mechanism 20 includes an annular positioning element 21 rotatable with the takeup element 3 , and an engaging element 23 unrotatably supported by the support tube 18 . the positioning element 21 extends from the takeup element 3 away from the control member 8 , and the engaging element 23 is disposed inside the positioning element 21 . the positioning element 21 has a tongue 21a engaging one end of the takeup element 3 to be rotatable with the takeup element 3 . the positioning element 21 defines , on an inner peripheral wall thereof , ratchet teeth 24 having tooth bottoms 24a corresponding in number to the speed stages provided by the change gear device . when the takeup element 3 is rotated by a torque exceeding a predetermined force , the positioning element 21 rotates with the takeup element 3 . at this time , the engaging element 23 is elastically deformed by the pressure of a ratchet tooth 24 acting on an engaging pawl 23a of the engaging element 23 . the engaging pawl 23a moves from a bottom 24a onto a top of the ratchet tooth 24 . then , the engaging element 23 is temporarily disengaged from the positioning element 21 . when the takeup element 3 reaches a selected angular position , the engaging pawl 23a moves into a corresponding bottom between ratchet teeth 24 under an elastic restoring force of the engaging element 23 . then , the engaging element 23 engages the positioning element 21 , and stops the takeup element 3 through the positioning element 21 . as shown in fig2 and 3 , the indicator 30 includes the rotatable member 31 rotatably mounted on a support portion 2b of the frame 2 , and a fixed member 32 fastened to the frame 2 by mounting screws 35 . the rotatable member 31 includes a disk - shaped pointer portion 31a . the fixed member 32 includes a portion 32a formed of a transparent material and disposed above the pointer portion 31a . thus , a pointer 33 ( fig4 ) on the pointer portion 31a is seen from outside . the fixed member 32 acts also as a lid for closing an opening of the frame 2 which accommodates the rotatable member 31 . the rotatable member 31 is mounted on the support portion 2b to be rotatable about an axis y1 shown in fig2 . the rotatable member 31 has a crown gear 31b provided as an input thereof and meshed with a gear 3a of the takeup element 3 . when the takeup element 3 is rotated , the rotatable member 31 rotates about the axis y1 which extends substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis x of the control member 8 , and hence the pointer 33 also turns at the same time . when the takeup element 3 reaches a selected angular position to switch the change gear device to a selected speed stage , the pointer 33 turns to an angular position indicating one , corresponding to the selected speed stage of the change gear device , of a plurality of speed marks 34 provided on the fixed member 32 ( fig4 ). thus , the indicator 30 includes the rotatable member 31 which is separate from the control member 8 and takeup element 3 and mounted on the frame 2 , and the fixed member 32 attached to the frame 2 , and indicates a selected speed stage of the change gear device based on a combination of the pointer 33 on the rotatable member 31 and a speed mark 34 on the fixed member 32 . the rotatable member 31 is rotatable about the axis y1 extending substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . further , the rotatable member 31 is interlocked to the takeup element 3 , so that a torque of the control member 8 is transmitted to the rotatable member 31 through the takeup element 3 . the indicator 30 has a rotational axis , which is the rotational axis y1 of the rotatable member 31 , extending substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . where the handlebar 1 is a flat bar , the indicator 30 has a display plane facing rearward to facilitate view by the cyclist . furthermore , where the handlebar 1 is a flat bar , the rotational axis y1 and the brake lever 10 are in such a positional relationship that the display plane is inclined and extends obliquely upward to be seen with greater facility . fig5 shows a shifting apparatus having an indicator structure different from the first embodiment . in this embodiment , an indicator 30 has a rotatable member 31 supported by the support portion 2b of the frame 2 to be rotatable about an axis y2 substantially crossing at an angle to the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . the rotatable member 31 has an input 31c in the form of a bevel gear meshed with a bevel gear 3b of a takeup element 3 . thus , the rotatable member 31 is formed separately from the control member 8 , and interlocked to the takeup element 3 to be rotatable by a torque transmitted from the control member 8 through the takeup element 3 . the indicator 30 indicates a selected speed stage of the change gear device based on a combination of a pointer 33 on the rotatable member 31 and one of speed marks 34 on a fixed member 32 . the indicator 30 has a rotational axis , which is the rotational axis y2 of the rotatable member 31 , substantially crossing the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . where the handlebar 1 is a flat bar , the indicator 30 has a display plane facing rearwardly and extending obliquely upward to facilitate view by the cyclist . as shown in fig5 the display plane is inclined inwardly of the bicycle . in the foregoing embodiments , the takeup element 3 is disposed on the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . thus , the takeup element 3 and control member 8 may be assembled to the handlebar 1 as arranged along the rotational axis x . this construction provides the advantage of assembling the entire shifting apparatus compact on the handlebar 1 . however , the invention may be embodied as shown in fig6 through 8 . in the shifting apparatus for a bicycle shown in fig6 a frame 2 has a band 2a fastened tight to a bicycle handlebar 1 inwardly of a grip 11 . a control member 8 is rotatably mounted adjacent a side of the frame 2 . as shown in fig6 and 7 , the frame contains and covers a takeup element 3 and an engaging mechanism 20 arranged forwardly of the band 2a . an indicator 30 is disposed in a similar position . as clearly seen in fig8 rotation of the control member 8 is transmitted to the takeup element 3 and engaging mechanism 20 arranged forwardly , through a bevel gear 13 rotatable with the control member 8 , a bevel gear 14 meshed with the bevel gear 13 , a spur gear 15 rotatable with the bevel gear 14 , and a spur gear 16 meshed with the spur gear 15 . an outer tube of a control cable 6 extending from a change gear device of the bicycle is supported by an outer holder 5 provided on the frame 2 . an inner wire 6a of the control cable 6 extends into the frame to be connected to the takeup element 3 . by operating the control member 8 to rotate the takeup element 3 , the inner wire 6a of the control cable 6 is pulled or relaxed to switch the change gear device . an indicator 40 allows the cyclist to discern a speed stage provided by the change gear device . in this embodiment , the indicator 40 is rotatable about the same axis as the takeup element 3 . with use of both bevel gears and spur gears , the indicator 40 and takeup element 3 are spaced from the rotational axis of the control member 8 . this construction has the advantage of allowing a freedom for arranging the indicator 40 over the case of using only bevel gears so that the rotational axis of the indicator 40 crosses the rotational axis of the control member 8 . details of the construction of this embodiment are as follows . the control member 8 has a tubular configuration coaxial with a handlebar receiving bore of the band 2a , and is rotatably mounted on the handlebar 1 inwardly of the grip 11 . the control member 8 is rotatable forward and backward . as shown in fig8 the bevel gear 13 provided at one end of the control member 8 is interlocked through the bevel gear 14 and spur gear 15 to the spur gear 16 provided at a lower end of the takeup element 3 . thus , when the control member 8 is rotated forward , the takeup element 3 rotates forward about rotational axis y3 . the takeup element 3 then winds the inner wire 6a thereon and pulls the inner wire 6a . when the control member 8 is rotated backward , the takeup element 3 also rotates backward to unwind the inner wire 6a therefrom and relax the inner wire 6a . as shown in fig7 the engaging mechanism 20 includes ratchet teeth 24 formed peripherally of the takeup element 3 and having tooth bottoms 24a corresponding in number to the speed stages provided by the change gear device , and an elastic engaging element 23 mounted on an inner wall of the frame 2 . when the takeup element 3 is rotated by a torque exceeding a predetermined force , the engaging element 23 is elastically deformed by the pressure of a ratchet tooth 24 acting on an engaging pawl 23a of the engaging element 23 . the engaging pawl 23a moves from a bottom 24a onto a top of the ratchet tooth 24 . then , the engaging element 23 is temporarily disengaged from the ratchet teeth 24 . when the takeup element 3 reaches a selected angular position , the engaging pawl 23a moves into one of the tooth bottoms 24a under an elastic restoring force of the engaging element 23 . then , the engaging element 23 engages a ratchet tooth 24 to stop the takeup element 3 . as shown in fig6 and 8 , the indicator 40 includes a rotatable member 42 attached to an upper end of the takeup element 3 and having a pointer 41 as shown in fig6 and a fixed member 43 fastened to the frame 2 by screws . the fixed member 43 includes a portion 43a formed of a transparent material and disposed above the rotatable member 42 . thus , the pointer 41 is seen from outside . the fixed member 43 acts also as a lid for closing an opening of the frame 2 which accommodates the takeup element 3 . the rotatable member 42 is attached to the upper end of the takeup element 3 by screws . in addition , the rotatable member 42 is interlocked to the takeup element 3 through engagement between a stopper pin 42a on the rotatable member 42 and a mounting shank 3c on the takeup element 3 . when the takeup element 3 is rotated , the rotatable member 42 rotates with the takeup element 3 about the common axis y3 , and hence the pointer 41 also turns at the same time . when the takeup element 3 reaches a selected angular position to switch the change gear device to a selected speed stage , the pointer 41 turns to an angular position indicating one , corresponding to the selected speed stage of the change gear device , of a plurality of speed marks 44 provided on the fixed member 43 ( fig6 ). thus , the indicator 40 is formed separately from the control member 8 , and mounted on the frame 2 to be rotatable on the axis y3 different from the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . this indicator 40 includes the rotatable member 42 interlocked to the takeup element 3 , and the fixed member 43 attached to the frame 2 . the indicator 40 receives a torque from the control member 8 through the takeup element 3 . a speed stage of the change gear device is indicated by a combination of the pointer 41 on the rotatable member 31 and a speed mark 44 on the fixed member 43 . the indicator 40 has a rotational axis , which is the rotational axis y3 of the rotatable member 42 , different from the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . where the handlebar 1 is a flat bar , the indicator 40 has a display plane facing upward to facilitate view by the cyclist . fig9 shows a modified indicator structure applicable to the embodiment of fig6 through 8 . this indicator 40 is formed separately from the takeup element 3 , and may therefore be positioned with an increased degree of freedom . for example , the indicator 40 may be inclined with respect to the axis of the takeup element 3 . details of this construction are as follows . the indicator 40 has a rotatable member 42 attached to the frame 2 through a fixed member 43 to be rotatable about an axis y4 substantially crossing the rotational axis y3 of the takeup element 3 . the rotatable member 42 includes a pair of driven members in the form of tongues 42b formed on a reverse side thereof , while the takeup element 3 includes a drive member in the form of pin 3d having a distal end thereof extending to a position between the driven tongues 42b . thus , the rotatable member 42 is interlocked to the takeup element 3 , whereby rotation of the takeup element 3 causes the rotatable member 42 to rotate about the axis y4 . that is , when the takeup element 3 rotates , the drive pin 3d makes slidable contact with and presses one of the driven tongues 42b , thereby transmitting a torque from the takeup element 3 to the rotatable member 42 . although the rotational axes y3 and y4 cross each other , the rotatable member 42 is rotatable in response to rotation of the takeup element 3 . the pair of driven tongues 42b may be in the form of a cylinder opening downward . thus , the rotatable member 42 is formed separately from the control member 8 and takeup element 3 , and is interlocked to the takeup element 3 to be rotatable by a torque of the control member 8 transmitted through the takeup element 3 . a speed stage of the change gear device is indicated by a combination of a pointer 41 on the rotatable member 31 and a speed mark 44 on the fixed member 43 . the rotational axis y3 of the takeup element 3 is different from the rotational axis x of the control member 8 . furthermore , the rotational axis y4 of the rotatable member 42 , which is a rotational axis of the indicator 40 , is different from the rotational axis y3 of the takeup element 3 . consequently , the indicator 40 may be disposed with an increased degree of freedom . where the handlebar 1 is a flat bar , the indicator 40 has a display plane facing obliquely upward and inclined inwardly of the bicycle , as shown in fig9 to facilitate view by the cyclist . the engaging mechanism 20 may be replaced by a friction mechanism for applying a frictional resistance to the takeup element to retain the takeup element in a selected angular position . thus , these mechanisms are collectively called herein a positioning mechanism 20 . as shown in fig1 , the inner wire takeup element 3 may be modified to have a gear 3a disposed outside the takeup element 3 , i . e . between a wire winding portion and the control member 8 . this construction allows an increased freedom for selecting a position of an inner wire inlet leading to the takeup portion . that is , the inlet may be formed in a lateral wall instead of an outer periphery of the takeup element 3 to facilitate insertion of the inner wire 6a . at the same time , this construction allows the crown gear 31b and indicator 30 to be arranged closer to the control member 8 , thereby achieving compactness of the shifting apparatus . the indicator described has a pointer provided on the rotatable member , and speed marks on the fixed member . instead , the speed marks may be provided on the rotatable member , and the pointer on the fixed member . the present invention is applicable also to a shifting apparatus for use on a handlebar curved to have grips extending longitudinally of a bicycle . the invention is applicable also to a shifting apparatus attachable to a handlebar separately from a brake lever . further , the invention is applicable also to a shifting apparatus including a control member having such a length that an outward end thereof reaches one end of the handlebar , so that the control member acts as a rotatable grip in place of the handlebar grip 11 described hereinbefore .	1
preferred embodiments will now be illustrated with reference to specific photoconductive imaging members containing the azo compounds illustrated herein , it being noted that equivalent compositions are also embraced within the scope of the present invention . illustrated in fig2 is a photoconductive imaging member of the present invention comprised of a supporting substrate 1 , a photogenerating layer comprised of an azo pigment selected from the group consisting of those represented by formula i and preferably 2 , 7 - bis ( 1 &# 39 ;- azo - 2 &# 39 ;- hydroxy - 3 &# 39 ;- naphthanilide ) naphthalene 3 optionally dispersed in a resinous binder composition 4 , and a charge carrier hole transport layer 5 dispersed in an inactive resinous binder composition 9 . illustrated in fig3 is essentially the same member as shown in fig2 with the exception that the hole transport layer is situated between the supporting substrate and the photogenerating layer . more specifically , with reference to this figure , there is illustrated a photoconductive imaging member comprised of a supporting substrate 21 , a hole transport layer 23 comprised of a hole transport composition dispersed in an inactive resinous binder composition 25 , and a photogenerating layer 27 comprised of an azo of formula i , 28 optionally dispersed in a resinous binder composition 29 . illustrated in fig4 is a photoconductive imaging member of the present invention comprised of a supporting substrate 31 , a hole blocking metal oxide layer 33 , an optional adhesive layer 35 , an azo photogenerating layer 37 comprised of an azo compound of formula i , and a charge carrier or hole transport layer 39 . the photogenerating layer is generally comprised of the azo compound optionally dispersed in a resinous binder composition , and similarly the charge transport layer such as aryl diamines are dispersed in inactive resinous binder materials . other photoconductive imaging members not specifically illustrated are encompassed within the scope of the present invention including those wherein the azo compound is substantially equivalent to those illustrated herein . with further reference to fig2 to 4 , the substrates may comprise a layer of insulating material such as an inorganic or organic polymeric material , including mylar a commercially available polymer ; a layer of an organic or inorganic material having a semiconductive surface layer such as indium tin oxide or aluminum arranged thereon , or a conductive material such as , for example , aluminum , chromium , nickel , brass or the like . the substrate may be flexible or rigid and many have a number of many different configurations , such as for example , a plate , a cylindrical drum , a scroll , an endless flexible belt and the like . preferably , the substrate is in the form of an endless flexible belt . in some situations , it may be desirable to coat on the back of the substrate , particularly when the substrate is an organic polymeric material , an anti - curl layer , such as for example polycarbonate materials commercially available as makrolon . the thickness of the substrate layer depends on many factors , including economical considerations , thus this layer may be of substantial thickness , for example over 100 mils , or of minimum thickness providing there are no adverse effects on the system . in one preferred embodiment , the thickness of this layer is from about 3 mils to about 10 mils . also , the hole blocking metal oxide layers can be comprised of various suitable known materials including aluminum oxide and the like . the primary purpose of this layer is to provide hole blocking , that is , to prevent hole injection from the substrate during and after charging . typically , this layer is of a thickness of less than 50 angstroms . the adhesive layers are typically comprised of a polymeric material including polyesters , polyvinyl butyral , polyvinyl pyrrolidone and the like . typically , this layer is of a thickness of less than about 0 . 6 microns . examples of the photogenerating layers include the azo compounds as illustrated hereinbefore . generally , this layer is of a thickness of from about 0 . 05 microns to about 10 microns , or more ; and preferably is of a thickness of from about 0 . 1 microns to about 3 microns ; however , the thickness of this layer is primarily dependent on the photogenerating weight loading which may vary from about 5 to 100 percent . generally , it is desirable to provide this layer in a thickness which is sufficient to absorb about 90 percent or more of the incident radiation which is directed upon it , in the imagewise or printing exposure step . the maximum thickness of this layer is dependent primarily upon factors such as mechanical considerations , for example , whether a flexible photoconductive imaging member is desired , the thicknesses of the other layers , and the specific azo compound selected . various suitable charge transport layers can be selected for the photoconductive imaging member of the present invention , which layer has a thickness of from about 5 microns to about 50 microns ; and preferably is of a thickness of from about 10 microns to about 40 microns . in a preferred embodiment , this transport layer comprises aryl amine molecules of the following formula ## str2 ## dispersed in a highly insulating and transparent organic resinous binder wherein x is selected from the group consisting of ( ortho ) ch 3 , ( meta ) ch 3 , ( para ) ch 3 , ( ortho ) cl , ( meta ) cl , ( para ) cl . the highly insulating resin , which has a resistivity of at least 10 12 ohm - cm to prevent undue dark decay , is a material which is not necessarily capable of supporting the injection of holes . however , the insulating resin becomes electrically active when it contains from about 10 to 75 weight percent of the substituted n , n , n &# 39 ;, n &# 39 ;- tetraphenyl [ 1 , 1 - biphenyl ]- 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- diamines corresponding to the foregoing formula . compounds corresponding to the above formula include , for example , n , n &# 39 ;- diphenyl - n , n &# 39 ;- bis ( alkylphenyl )-[ 1 , 1 - biphenyl ]- 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- diamine wherein the alkyl is selected from the group consisting of methyl such as 2 - methyl , 3 - methyl and 4 - methyl , ethyl , propyl , butyl , hexyl and the like . with halo substitution , the amine is n , n &# 39 ;- diphenyl - n , n &# 39 ; bis ( halo phenyl )[ 1 , 1 &# 39 ;- biphenyl ]- 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- diamine wherein halo is 2 - chloro , 3 - chloro or 4 - chloro . other electrically active small molecules which can be dispersed in the electrically inactive resin to form a layer which will transport holes include , bis ( 4 - diethylamino - 2 - methylphenyl ) phenyl methane ; 4 &# 39 ;, 4 &# 34 ;- bis ( diethylamino )- 2 &# 39 ;, 2 &# 34 ;- dimethyltriphenyl methane ; bis - 4 -( diethylaminophenyl ) phenyl methane ; and 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- bis ( diethylamino )- 2 , 2 &# 39 ;- dimethyltriphenyl methane . providing the objectives of the present invention are achieved , other charge carrier transport molecules can be selected for the photoconductive device of the present invention including those wherein x is other alkyl , or halogen substituents . examples of the highly insulating and transparent resinous material or inactive binder resinous material for the transport layers include materials such as those described in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 121 , 006 , the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference . specific examples of organic resinous materials include polycarbonates , arcylate polymers , vinyl polymers , cellulose polymers , polyesters , polysiloxanes , polyamides , polyurethanes , and epoxies as well as block , random or alternating copolymers thereof . preferred electrically inactive binder materials are polycarbonate resins having a molecular weight ( mw ) of from about 20 , 000 to about 100 , 000 with a molecular weight in the range of from about 50 , 000 to about 100 , 000 being particularly preferred . generally , the resinous binder contains from about 10 to about 75 percent by weight of the active material corresponding to the foregoing formula , and preferably from about 35 percent to about 50 percent of this material . similar binder materials can be selected for the azo photogenerating layer , inclusive of those as illustrated in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 121 , 006 , the disclosure of which is totally incorporated herein by reference . a preferred binder material for the azo photogenerating layer is poly ( vinyl acetal ). also included within the scope of the present invention are methods of imaging with the photoresponsive devices illustrated herein . these methods of imaging generally involve the formation of an electrostatic latent image on the imaging member , followed by developing the image with known developer compositions , subsequently transfering the image to a suitable substrate and permanently affixing the image thereto . the azo compounds of general formula i were generally prepared by first tetrazotizing 2 , 7 - diaminonaphthalene with an excess amount of a metallic nitride , such as sodium nitrite at about - 10 ° to 20 ° c . in an aqueous , including hydrochloric acid , solution . the tetrazonium salts formed were usually isolated as fluoroborate or hexafluorophosphate salts , which was accomplished by adding hbf 4 or hpf 6 to the tetrazotization salt solution . the salts obtained were then dissolved in dimethylformamide ( dmf ) at 0 ° to 30 ° c ., and were allowed to react with about 2 equivalents of an azo coupler , such as 2 - hydroxy naphthanilide , at the same temperature . thereafter , the desired azo pigments were precipitated out of the solution when about 2 equivalents of a base , such as sodium acetate , was introduced therein . subsequently , azo pigments were isolated by filtration and purified by repetitive solvent washings . the azo products resulting were characterized by elemental analysis , melting point , and ir spectroscopy . the invention will now be described in detail with reference to specific preferred embodiments thereof , it being understood that these examples are intended to be illustrative only . the invention is not intended to be limited to the materials , conditions , or process parameters recited herein , it being noted that all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated . there was prepared 2 , 7 - bis ( 1 &# 39 ;- azo - 2 &# 39 ;- hydroxy - 3 &# 39 ;- naphthanilide ) naphthalene by the tetrazotization reaction of 0 . 8 grams , 5 millimoles , of 2 , 7 - diaminonaphthalene at - 5 ° c . to 0 ° c . in 20 milliliters of 18 percent hydrochloric acid solution , which tetrazotization was affected with a 2 . 5 milliliters aqueous solution containing 1 gram of sodium nitrite . subsequent to the dissolution of the diamine compound , the unreacted 1 , 5 - diaminonaphthalene was removed by filtration . thereafter , 20 milliliters hpf 6 solution ( 60 % by weight ) was added to the filtrate . subsequently , the light orange precipitate resulting was collected by filtration and after washing with cold water , alcohol and ether , the tetrazonium salt obtained was air - dried . thereafter , this salt , ˜ 2 . 3 grams , was dissolved in 40 milliliters of ice - cold n , n - dimethylformamide in an ice - bath . subsequently , 2 . 89 grams of an azo coupler , 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphthanilide , in 250 milliliters n , n - dimethylformamide was added slowly to the tetrazonium salt solution . this solution changed from a red color to a darker red . there was then added to the dark red solution 75 milliliters of an aqueous solution containing 5 grams of sodium acetate . subsequently , there was immediately formed the disazo compound product which was stirred at room temperature for three or more hours . after filtration , the product was washed with n , n - dimethylformamide ( 3 × 250 milliliters ), water ( 2 × 250 milliliters ), acetone ( 1 × 250 milliliters ) and diethyl ether ( 1 × 250 milliliters ), to yield 2 . 4 grams , 67 percent of the desired product 2 . 7 - bis ( 1 &# 39 ;- azo - 2 &# 39 ;- hydroxy - 3 &# 39 ;- naphthanilide ) naphthalene . there was prepared a photoconductive imaging member containing as the photogenerating azo compound the 2 , 7 - bis ( 1 &# 39 ;- azo - 2 &# 39 ;- hydroxy - 3 &# 39 ;- naphthanilide ) naphthalene prepared in accordance with the process of example i . the photogenerating pigment dispersion was prepared by first dissolving 52 . 8 milligrams of poly ( vinyl formal ) in 10 milliliters of tetrahydrofuran in a 1 oz . brown bottle . the above azo compound , 211 . 2 milligrams , and ˜ 90 grams of steel shots ( 1 / 8 inch diameter , # 302 grade ) were added to the polymer solution . the brown bottle was then placed in a red devil paint conditioner ( model 5100x ) and was shaken for 30 minutes . the resulting dispersion was coated onto a 7 . 5 inch × 10 inch aluminum substrate using a gardner mechanical drive film application with a 6 inch wide bird film applicator ( 0 . 5 mil wet gap ) inside a humidity - controlled glove box . the relative humidity of the glove box was controlled by dry air and was & lt ; 25 percent for all the coatings accomplished . the resulting carrier generation layer ( cgl ) was air - dried for ˜ 30 minutes and vacuum - dried at 100 ° c . for ˜ 1 hour before further coating . the thickness of the cgl was found to be ˜ 0 . 5 μm as estimated from tem micrographs . a transport layer composed of about 60 percent by weight of makrolon ® polycarbonate resin available from larbensabricken bayer ag , mixed with 40 percent by weight of n , n &# 39 ;- bis ( 3 - methylphenyl )- 1 , 1 &# 39 ;- biphenyl - 4 , 4 &# 39 ;- diamine was then prepared . this solution which was comprised of 4 . 2 grams of makrolon ®, 2 , 8 grams of the diamine , and 31 milliliters of methylene chloride was placed in an amber bottle and dissolved . the charge transport layer was obtained by coating the diamine solution onto the above azo photogenerating layer using a 5 mil wet gap bird film applicator . the thickness of the transport layer was ˜ 27 μm . the resulting photoconductive imaging member was air - dried for 1 hour and vacuum - dried for 6 hours or more . the xerographic properties of this device were then evaluated on a flat plate scanner text fixture . the results are summarized as follows : ______________________________________v . sub . ddp ( volts ) - 960 ( dark development potential ) dark decay ( volt / sec ) - 75e . sub . 0 . 5ddp at 600 nanometers ( erg / cm . sup . 2 ) 5 . 0 ( energy to discharge of the potential ) ______________________________________ there were prepared other photoconductive imaging members by repeating the procedure of example ii with the exception that other azo photogenerating pigments of formula i , reference fig1 - 1 to 1 - 22 , were selected . the xerographic properties of these imaging members were then evaluated on a flat plate scanner text fixture . the results are provided in the tables , fig1 a and 1b . the disclosure of related copending application ser . no . 851 , 051 entitled organic azo photoconductor imaging members is totally incorporated herein by reference . with further respect to the azo compounds of formula i , the phenyl ring attached to the hydroxy phenyl substituent can be replaced by other suitable groups including carbazole , naphthyl and anthryl . in the flat plate tests the photoconductor device was charged by a corotron maintained at a voltage of - 5 . 7 kilovolts . the dark development potential and dark decay values in all instances were determined by an electrometer probe ; and the photosensitivity was the energy required to discharge 1 / 2 of the development potential . also , other azo compounds were prepared by repeating the procedure of example i with the exception that there were selected as azo couplers 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - p - toluide ; 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - m - chloroanilide ; 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - p - fluoroanilide ; 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - o - nitroanilide ; 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - o - nitroanilide ; 2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphtho - m - anisidide ; 2 - hydroxy - n - 2 - naphthyl - 2 - naphthamide ; and other similar azo couplers . although the invention has been described with reference to specific preferred embodiments , it is not intended to be limited thereto , rather those skilled in the art will recognize that variations and modifications may be made therein which are within the spirit of the present invention and within the intent of the following claims .	6
the epoxy resin composition of the present invention comprises ( 1 ) an epoxy resin prepared by mixing under heating 100 parts ( on a weight basis and all parts specified hereinafter are by weight of an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of 200 or below with 0 . 5 - 10 parts of a phenoxy resin having formula ( i ): ## str1 ## where n is approximately 100 ; ( 2 ) a curing agent ; and ( 3 ) an inorganic filler . the curing agent may be a condensation product of 100 parts of a polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride and 40 - 60 parts of bisphenol a having formula ( ii ): ## str2 ## the epoxy resin for use in the present invention may be selected from among those which are liquid at low temperatures within the range of 20 °- 80 ° c ., and those which will become liquid at such low temperatures when mixed with the curing agent , especially the condensation product specified above . illustrative epoxy resins that meet one of these requirements include bisphenol a type epoxy resin , bisphenol f type epoxy resin , phenol novolak type epoxy resin , cresol novolak type epoxy resin , cycloaliphatic diglycidyl ester type epoxy resin , cycloaliphatic epoxy resin having an epoxy group in the ring , a spiro ring containing epoxy resin , and hydantoin epoxy resin . these epoxy resins may be used either independently or in combination . the epoxy resin for use in the present invention may be prepared by the following procedure : an epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of no higher than 200 and a phenoxy resin of formula ( i ) where n is approximately 100 are heated in a reactor at 110 °- 180 ° c . in a nitrogen gas atmosphere until the two reactants dissolve completely to form an intimate mixture . the phenoxy resin should be used in an amount of 0 . 5 - 10 parts for 100 parts of the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of 200 or below . if the amount of the phenoxy resin added is less than 0 . 5 part for 100 parts of the epoxy resin , it is difficult to effectively prevent precipitation of the filler . if the amount of the phenoxy resin exceeds 10 parts for 100 parts of the epoxy resin , the mixture of the epoxy resin blend with the curing agent and the inorganic filler powder has a low - temperature viscosity that exceeds 10 5 cp ( cp stands for centipoises ) and cannot be easily injected into the mold through a pipeline for the purpose of casting the blend by the superatmospheric gelling method . suitable examples of the phenoxy that can be used in the present invention are pkhh and pkhg , both being the trade names of union carbide corporation . an example of the curing agent useful in the present invention is the condensation product of a polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride and a bisphenol a of formula ( ii ). this condensation product may be prepared by heating a polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride and bisphenol a of formula ( ii ) in a nitrogen - filled reactor at 100 °- 150 ° c . until they form a uniform liquid mixture . this reaction may be carried out in the presence of a metal salt of an organic carboxylic acid , a tertiary amine or any other suitable catalyst . any polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride that is liquid at low temperatures within the range of 20 °- 80 ° c . may be employed as the component to react with bisphenol a of formula ( ii ); suitable examples are hexahydrophthalic acid anhydride , methylhexahydrophthalic acid anhydride , tetrahydrophthalic anhydride , and methyltetrahydrophthalic acid anhydride , and these may be used either independently or in combination . in making the aforementioned condensation product , the bisphenol a of formula ( ii ) is used in an amount of 40 - 60 parts for 100 parts of the polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride . if the amount of the bisphenol a is less than 40 parts for 100 parts of the polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride , the cured resin blend will have an increased hdt ( heat deformation temperature ) but its resistance to thermal shock will be decreased . if the amount of the bisphenol a exceed 60 parts for 100 parts of the polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride , the mixture of the epoxy resin and the inorganic filler powder will have a low - temperature viscosity that exceeds 10 5 cp and cannot be easily injected into the mold through a pipeline for the purpose of casting the blend by the superatmospheric gelling method . in addition , the cured resin blend has an undesirably low hdt . any inorganic powder material that will not deteriorate the electrical or mechanical properties of the blend may be used as a filler in the present invention . suitable examples are alumina , hydrated alumina , quarts and fused quartz powders . one of the advantages of the resin composition of the present invention is that it effectively presents the precipitation of the filler and this advantage is particularly significant when the filler is an alumina powder having a high specific gravity . the epoxy resin composition of the present invention may be prepared and cast by the following procedures : the epoxy resin having an epoxy equivalent of 200 or below and the phenoxy resin of formula ( i ) where n is approximately 100 are heated until a uniform liquid mixture forms ; this mixture is blended with the condensation product of a polybasic carboxylic acid anhydride and bisphenol a of formula ( ii ), the inorganic filler powder and a suitable accelerator at 20 °- 80 ° c ., preferably under subatmospheric pressure , thereby making the epoxy resin composition ; the composition then is injected directly into a preheated mold ( 90 °- 160 ° c .) through a pipeline ; the mold is subsequently pressurized at 0 . 5 - 5 . 0 kg / cm 2 g for 1 - 30 minutes until curing of the composition is completed to produce a casting . the accelerator that may be incorporated in the epoxy resin composition is illustrated by , but by no means limited to , metal salts of organic carboxylic acids , tertiary amines , boron trifluoride amine complex , and imidazole . the amount of the accelerator added is to be adjusted to such a value that curing of the blend will be completed in 1 - 30 minutes at the mold temperature of 90 °- 160 ° c . the epoxy resin composition offered by the present invention may also contain a colorant , a coupling agent or an internal release agent on the condition that they will not deteriorate any of the desirable characteristics such as the viscosity , long pot life , and fast curing property of the resin blend , as well as the resistance to precipitation of the filler , absence of color unevenness , high hdt and thermal shock resistance of the cured product of the resin blend . the following examples and comparative examples are provided for the purpose of further illustrating the composition of the present invention . in the examples and comparatives , all parts were based on weight . an epoxy resin ( 102 parts ) prepared by heating 100 parts of a bisphenol a type epoxy resin ( gy - 260 of ciba geigy ) and 0 . 5 part of a phenoxy resin ( pkhh of union carbide corporation ) to form a uniform liquid mixture , 95 parts of a condensation product of 65 parts of methyl - thpa ( acid anhydride ) and 30 parts of bisphenol a , 1 part of zinc octylate and 510 parts of an alumina powder were agitated at 60 ° c . under vacuum so as to prepare an epoxy resin composition . the initial viscosity of the resin composition , its pot life , gelling time and time vs . viscosity profile were determined by the following methods . the results are summarized in the following table 1 and the accompanying figure (- -). three test pieces were prepared from the resin composition by first gelling it at 150 ° c . and by then curing at 130 ° c .× 24 hr . these test pieces were used in evaluation of crack resistance , hdt and filler precipitation , respectively , by the methods shown below . the results of evaluation are also summarized in table 1 . the epoxy resin composition was agitated at 60 ° c . for 40 minutes and its viscosity was measured . the viscosity of the epoxy resin composition was measured at 60 ° c . and at intervals of 30 minutes . the time required for the viscosity to increase to 5 × 10 4 cp was measured . the epoxy resin composition was put in a vessel held at 150 ° c . and heated in a separate oil bath held at 150 ° c . the time required for the resin composition to gel was measured . the epoxy resin composition was put in a vessel held at 60 ° c . and the vessel was placed in an oil bath also held at 60 ° c . viscosity measurement was done at 30 - min intervals for plotting the time - dependent variations in viscosity . a test piece of the epoxy resin composition was examined for its carck resistance by the method recommended by the international electrical commission in international electrical commission publication 455 - 2 . a test piece was prepared from the epoxy resin composition and evaluated in accordance with astm - d 648 . a test piece was sampled from the cured product of the epoxy resin composition and its resistance to filler precipitation was evaluated by the incineration method . the amount of filler precipitation was determined by subtracting the measured value of filling ( wt %) from the theoretical value ( wt %). table 1______________________________________ cured productresin composition filler initial gelling preci - viscosity pot life time crack hdt pitationrun no . ( cp ) ( hr ) ( min ) index (° c .) ( wt %) ______________________________________ex . 1 12 , 000 ≧ 5 15 8 115 - 3 . 82 15 , 000 ≧ 5 17 12 110 - 2 . 43 18 , 000 ≧ 5 19 16 105 - 1 . 0comp . ex . 1 20 , 000 3 20 4 95 - 162 15 , 000 3 18 3 105 - 20______________________________________ an epoxy resin ( 106 parts ) prepared by heating 100 parts of a bisphenol a type epoxy resin ( gy - 260 of ciba geigy ) and 5 parts of a phenoxy resin ( pkhh of union carbide corporation ) to form a uniform liquid mixture , 95 parts of the same condensation product as used in example 1 , 1 part of zinc octylate and 520 parts of an alumina powder were agitated under vacuum to prepare an epoxy resin composition . the characteristics of this composition and the cured product thereof were evaluated as in example 1 . the results are summarized in table 1 and the accompanying figure (- δ -). an epoxy resin ( 110 parts ) prepared by heating 100 parts of a bisphenol a type epoxy resin ( gy - 260 of ciba geigy ) and 10 parts of phenoxy resin ( pkhh of union carbide corporation ) to form a uniform liquid mixture , 95 parts of the same condensation product as used in example 1 , 1 part of zinc octylate and 530 parts of an alumina powder were agitated under vacuum to prepare an epoxy resin composition . the characteristics of this composition and the cured product thereof were evaluated as in example 1 . the results are summarized in table 1 and the accompanying figure (-□-). a hundred parts of a bisphenol - modified epoxy resin ( cy - 225 of ciba geigy ), 80 parts of a curing agent ( hy 225 , i . e ., a modified acid anhydride of ciba geigy ) and 460 parts of an alumina powder were agitated at 60 ° c . under vacuum so as to prepare an epoxy resin composition . the characteristics of this composition and the cured product thereof were evaluated as in example 1 . the results are summarized in table 1 and the accompanying figure (- -). a hundred parts of a bisphenol - modified epoxy resin ( cy - 225 of ciba geigy ), 95 parts of a curing agent ( 23 % methyl thpa incorporated in the curing agent used in comparative example 1 ) and 500 parts of an alumina powder were agitated at 60 ° c . under vacuum so as to prepare an epoxy resin composition . the characteristics of the composition and the cured product thereof were evaluated as in example 1 . the results are summarized in table 1 and the accompanying figure (- -). in examples 1 to 3 and comparative examples 1 and 2 , the filler occupied 44 % by volume of the epoxy resin composition . the amount of the curing agent used per equivalent amount of the epoxy resin was 1 in examples 1 - 3 , 0 . 7 in comparative example 1 and 0 . 9 in comparative example 2 . as is shown by the above data , the epoxy resin composition of the present invention has reactivity and curing properties that are optimal for the purpose of casting by the superatmospheric gelling method . one particular advantage of the composition is that it has minimum chance of experiencing filler precipitation during casting operations . other advantages of the composition are its high resistance to heat and thermal shock , as well as its high storage stability resulting from prolonged pot life at low temperatures . a casting may be formed from this epoxy resin composition , with loss of the resin during casting operations being minimized to ensure substantial saving of the resources .	7
the present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings , in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown . this 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 invention to those skilled in the art . in the drawings , the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity . it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being &# 34 ; on &# 34 ; another layer or substrate , it can be directly on the other layer or substrate , or intervening layers may also be present . moreover , the terms &# 34 ; first conductivity type &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; second conductivity type &# 34 ; refer to opposite conductivity types such as n or p - type , however , each embodiment described and illustrated herein includes its complementary embodiment as well . like numbers refer to like elements throughout . referring now to fig3 an integrated power semiconductor device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described . in particular , a unit cell 200 of a preferred integrated power semiconductor device has a predetermined width &# 34 ; w c &# 34 ; ( e . g ., 1 μm ) and comprises a highly doped drain layer 114 of first conductivity type ( e . g ., n +), a drift layer 112 of first conductivity type having a linearly graded doping concentration therein , a relatively thin base layer 116 of second conductivity type ( e . g ., p - type ) and a highly doped source layer 118 of first conductivity type ( e . g ., n +). a source electrode 128b and drain electrode 130 may also be provided at the first and second faces , in ohmic contact with the source layer 118 and drain layer 114 , respectively . the source electrode 128b also preferably forms an ohmic contact with the base layer 116 in a third dimension ( not shown ). the drift layer 112 may be formed by epitaxially growing an n - type in - situ doped monocrystalline silicon layer having a thickness of about 4 μm on an n - type drain layer 114 ( e . g ., n + substrate ) having a thickness of 100 μm and a first conductivity type doping concentration of greater than about 1 × 10 18 cm - 3 ( e . g . 1 × 10 19 cm - 3 ) therein . as illustrated , the drift layer 112 may have a linearly graded doping concentration therein with a maximum concentration of greater than about 5 × 10 16 cm - 3 ( e . g ., 3 × 10 17 cm - 3 at the n +/ n non - rectifying junction with the drain layer 114 and a minimum concentration of 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at a depth of 1 μm and continuing at a uniform level to the upper face . the base layer 116 may be formed by implanting p - type dopants such as boron into the drift layer 112 at an energy of 100 kev and at a dose level of 1 × 10 14 cm 2 , for example . the p - type dopants may then be diffused to a depth of 0 . 5 μm into the drift layer 112 . an n - type dopant such as arsenic may then be implanted at an energy of 50 kev and at dose level of 1 × 10 15 cm - 2 . the n - type and p - type dopants are then diffused simultaneously to a depth of 0 . 5 μm and 1 . 0 μm , respectively , to form a composite semiconductor substrate containing the drain , drift , base and source layers . as illustrated by fig3 the first conductivity type ( e . g ., n - type ) doping concentration in the drift layer 112 is preferably less than about 5 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the p - n junction with the base layer 116 ( i . e ., second p - n junction ), and more preferably only about 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the p - n junction with the base layer 116 . the second conductivity type ( e . g ., p - type ) doping concentration in the base layer 116 is also preferably greater than about 5 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the p - n junction with the source layer 118 ( i . e ., first p - n junction ). furthermore , according to a preferred aspect of the present invention , the second conductivity type doping concentration in the base layer 116 at the first p - n junction ( e . g ., 1 × 10 17 cm - 3 ) is about ten times greater than the first conductivity type doping concentration in the drift region at the second p - n junction ( e . g ., 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 ). a stripe - shaped trench having a pair of opposing sidewalls 120a which extend in a third dimension ( not shown ) and a bottom 120b is then formed in the substrate . for a unit cell 100 having a width w c of 1 μm , the trench is preferably formed to have a width &# 34 ; w t &# 34 ; of 0 . 5 μm at the end of processing . a gate electrode / source electrode insulating region 125 , a gate electrode 127 ( e . g ., polysilicon ) and a trench - based source electrode 128a ( e . g ., polysilicon ) are also formed in the trench . because the gate electrode 127 is made relatively small and does not occupy the entire trench , the amount of gate charge required to drive the unit cell 200 during switching is much smaller than the amount of gate charge required to drive the unit cell 100 of fig2 ( assuming all other parameters and dimensions are equal ), as described more fully hereinbelow . here , the trench - based source electrode 128a is electrically connected to the source electrode 128b in a third dimension ( not shown ). the portion of the gate electrode / source electrode insulating region 125 extending adjacent the trench bottom 120b and the drift layer 112 may also have a thickness &# 34 ; t 1 &# 34 ; in a range between about 1500 å and 3000 å , for example , to inhibit the occurrence of high electric field crowding at the bottom corners of the trench and to provide a substantially uniform potential gradient along the trench sidewalls 120a . however , the portion of the gate electrode / source electrode insulating region 125 extending opposite the base layer 116 and the source layer 118 preferably has a thickness &# 34 ; t 2 &# 34 ; of of less than about 750 å , and more preferably about 500 å to maintain the threshold voltage of the device at about 2 - 3 volts . numerical simulations of the unit cell 200 of fig3 were performed using a drift region doping concentration which increased from a value of 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at a depth of 1 micron to a value of 2 × 10 17 cm - 3 at a trench depth ( t d ) of 5 microns . the thin portion of the gate / source electrode insulating region 125 extended to 1 . 2 microns of a total trench depth of 4 . 7 microns and had a thickness of 500 å . the thick portion of the gate / source electrode insulating region 125 had a thickness of 3000 å . the n + source layer 118 depth was set to 0 . 3 microns , and the depth of the p - type base region 116 was set to 0 . 9 microns . a half - cell width of 1 micron was used based on 1 micron design rules . the polysilicon gate electrode 127 extended to 1 . 2 microns and the polysilicon source electrode 128a extended from 1 . 5 microns to 4 . 4 microns . based on these parameters , the specific on - resistance ( r on , sp ) at a gate bias of 15 volts was found to be 114 microohm cm 2 and the device blocked more than 60 volts . comparisons of the potential distributions and contours in the device of fig3 at a drain bias of 60 volts , against the device of fig2 indicated essentially no change in the electric field profile within the drift region . this finding suggests that the trench - based source electrode 128a does not upset the degree of charge coupling and field distribution required to obtain high performance operation . moreover , even though the specific on - resistance of the device of fig3 was about 20 % greater than the specific on - resistance of the device of fig2 the high frequency figure - of - merit ( hfom ), defined as ( r on , sp ( q gs + q gd )) - 1 , where q gs and q gd represent the gate - source and gate - drain charge per unit area , was also calculated to be three ( 3 ) times better than the hfom for the device of fig2 . this result means the device of fig3 is very suitable for high frequency operation . referring now to fig4 a - 4k , a preferred method of forming the integrated power semiconductor device of fig3 will be described . as illustrated best by fig4 a , the method begins with the step of forming a semiconductor substrate 10 by epitaxially growing a drift region 12 of first conductivity type ( e . g ., n - type ) on a highly doped drain region 14 of first conductivity type which has a doping concentration greater than 1 × 10 18 cm - 3 therein . computer controlled in - situ doping of the drift region 12 is also preferably performed during the epitaxial growth step so that the drift region 12 has a linearly graded ( or step graded ) first conductivity type doping concentration therein which decreases in a direction away from the drain region 14 . in particular , the drift region 12 is preferably doped so that the doping concentration of the drift region 12 at the abrupt non - rectifying junction ( j3 ) is greater than about 1 × 10 17 cm - 3 and more preferably about 3 × 10 17 cm - 3 , but less than 5 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the first face 15a and more preferably only about 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the first face 15a . referring now to fig4 b , a thin base region 16 is then formed in the substrate 10 by patterning a first implant mask ( not shown ) on the first face 15a and then performing an implant of second conductivity type dopants through the first mask . the implanted second conductivity type dopants can then be diffused into the drift region 12 to an initial depth of about 0 . 5 μm , for example . these steps are then preferably followed by the steps of patterning a second implant mask ( not shown ) on the first face 15a and performing an implant of first conductivity type dopants through the second mask . the second mask is also preferably patterned in a third dimension ( not shown ) so that portions of the underlying base region 16 do not receive the implanted source dopants . these portions of the base region 16 which extend to the first face 15a can be ohmically contacted by a source electrode at the end of processing . the implanted first conductivity type dopants and the second conductivity type dopants can then be diffused to a depth of about 0 . 5 μm and 1 . 0 μm , respectively , to provide a base region thickness &# 34 ; t c &# 34 ; of about 0 . 5 μm . preferably , boron ( b ) is used as a p - type dopant and is implanted at a dose level of about 1 × 10 14 cm - 2 and at an energy of 100 kev . arsenic ( as ) is preferably used as an n - type dopant and is implanted at a dose level of about 10 × 15 cm - 2 and at an energy of 50 kev . as will be understood by those skilled in the art , the implant and diffusion steps will cause the doping profile of the second conductivity type dopants in the substrate 10 to be generally gaussian in shape and have a maximum value at the first face 15a . the doping concentration in the base region 16 will also have a maximum value adjacent the source region 18 and a minimum value adjacent the drift region 12 . in particular , the implant and diffusion steps may be performed so that the first conductivity type dopant concentration of the source region 18 at the first face 15a is greater than 1 × 10 18 cm - 3 and the second conductivity type dopant concentration in the base region 16 is greater than about 1 × 10 17 cm - 3 at a first p - n junction ( j1 ) with the source region 18 , but less than about 5 × 10 16 cm - 3 and more preferably only about 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the second p - n junction ( j2 ) with the drift region 12 . to meet these criteria , the first conductivity type doping concentration in the drift region 12 should be about 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at the second p - n junction ( j2 ). because of this relatively low value of 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 in the drift region 12 , the base region 16 can be made thin ( e . g ., 0 . 5 μm ) without being susceptible to parasitic reach - through breakdown and can be doped relatively low to maintain the transistor &# 39 ; s threshold voltage at about 2 - 3 volts . referring now to fig4 c , an etching mask 22 including a stress relief oxide layer 22a and an oxidation barrier layer 22b ( e . g ., si 3 n 4 ) is then patterned on the first face 15a to define openings which expose adjacent portions of the first face extending over the source and base regions 18 and 16 . the source , base and drift regions are then chemically etched to form a plurality of trenches 20 . as illustrated , each of the trenches has opposing vertical sidewalls 20a which define interfaces between the source , base and drift regions and an interior of the trench , and a trench bottom 20b in the drift region . facing sidewalls 20a of adjacent trenches also define respective mesas 17 which may have uniform widths of about 0 . 5 μm at the end of processing . the trenches 20 and mesas 17 , which extend in a third dimension , not shown , can be of stripe or similar geometry . the mesas 17 can also be polygonal ( e . g ., hexagonal ) in shaped with the trenches 20 defining a continuous mesh when viewed from a direction normal to the face 15a . as explained more fully hereinbelow , the widths of the mesas 17 can be selected to improve the blocking voltage capability of the transistor . in particular , the width of the mesas 17 ( at the end of processing ) and the doping concentration in the drift region 12 at j3 should be selected so that their product is within the range of 1 × 10 13 - 2 × 10 13 cm - 2 to obtain a preferred charge concentration in the drift region 12 . in addition , the width of the mesas 17 and the doping concentration in the drift region 12 at j2 should be selected so that their product is within the range of 1 × 10 11 - 2 × 10 12 cm - 2 . referring now to fig4 d which illustrates a cross - section of three adjacent mesas 17 , the method continues with the formation of a first electrically insulating region 24 ( e . g ., sio 2 ) having a first thickness greater than 1000 å and more preferably about 3000 å , on the trench sidewalls 20a and the trench bottom 20b of each trench 20 . this step is preferably performed by oxidizing the etched source , base and drift regions , using the oxidation barrier layer 22b as an oxidation mask . as will be understood by those skilled in the art , the growth of an oxide having a thickness of about 3000 å will typically consume about 0 . 1 μm or more of semiconductor material . accordingly , the initial widths of the mesas 17 should be selected so that at the end of processing the widths are at the desired value of about 0 . 5 μm . referring now to fig4 e - 4k , a conformal n - type first polycrystalline silicon region 26 is then deposited and etched until it is recessed in the trench to a depth just below the second p - n junction ( j2 ). this first polysilicon region 26 defines a trench - based source electrode . an oxide etching step is then performed to remove the first electrically insulating region 24 from the portions of the sidewalls 20a which extend adjacent the etched source and base regions 18 and 16 , as illustrated best by fig2 f . referring now to fig4 g , a second electrically insulating region 28 ( e . g ., sio 2 ) having a second thickness less than about 1000 å and more preferably about 500 å , is then formed on the exposed trench sidewalls 20a and on the polysilicon region 26 . referring now to fig2 h , a conformal second polycrystalline silicon region 30 is then deposited on the second electrically insulating region 28 . the second polycrystalline silicon region 30 is then etched until it is recessed in the trench to a depth just below the first face 15a . steps are also preferably performed to expose the first polysilicon region 26 in a third dimension ( not shown ) so that subsequent contact can be made to a source electrode on the face 15a . a third electrically insulating region 32 is then formed on the etched second polycrystalline silicon region 30 by oxidizing the second polycrystalline silicon region 30 , as illustrated by fig2 . the stress relief oxide layer 22a and the oxidation barrier layer 22b ( e . g ., si 3 n 4 ) are then etched to expose the source region 18 and base region 16 at the first face 15a , as illustrated by fig4 j . a source metal contact layer 34 is then deposited on the first face 15a and a drain metal contact layer 36 is deposited on an opposing second face 15b to form ohmic contacts to the source , base and first polysilicon regions ( 18 , 16 and 26 ) and drain region 14 , respectively , as illustrated by fig4 k . referring now to fig5 an integrated power semiconductor device 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described . as illustrated , this power device 300 includes an active device region and an edge termination region which may extend adjacent an outermost edge of a semiconductor substrate containing the power device 300 . according to one aspect of this embodiment , the active device region may include a plurality of unit cells which are similar to the unit cells 100 and 200 of fig2 and 3 , respectively . however , to improve edge termination characteristics , an edge termination trench is provided in the edge termination region and a uniformly thick first field plate insulating region 134 is provided which lines the sidewalls and bottom of the edge termination trench . a field plate 136 , comprising a material such as n - type polysilicon , is also provided on the first field plate insulating region 134 . in addition , a second field plate insulating region 138 is provided on the first face and this second field plate insulating region overlaps the first field plate insulating region 134 . to complete the field plate structure , a field plate extension 140 is provided . this field plate extension 140 , which is electrically connected to the field plate 136 , is provided on the second field plate insulating region 138 and extends opposite the face of the substrate , as illustrated . this field plate extension 140 may also comprise n - type polysilicon . the field plate 136 is also preferably connected to the source electrode 128b or gate electrode 126 . to improve the edge termination and breakdown characteristics of the integrated power device 300 even further , the edge termination trench is preferably positioned so that a transition mesa region is defined between opposing sidewalls of the edge termination trench and the trench corresponding to the outermost unit cell of the device 300 . however , unlike the mesa regions which are defined between trenches within the active device region of the integrated power device 300 , the transition mesa region is preferably formed to be devoid of a source region of first conductivity type . instead , a preferred breakdown shielding region 117 of second conductivity type ( e . g ., p - type ) is provided . the breakdown shielding region 117 may be formed at the same time the base region 116 is formed , for example . however , as illustrated best by fig6 which is a cross - sectional view of an integrated power semiconductor device 300 &# 39 ; according to a third embodiment of the present invention , the breakdown shielding region 117 &# 39 ; may also be formed deeper ( and more highly doped ) than the base region 116 to further increase the likelihood that avalanche breakdown will occur in the transition mesa region instead of within the active region . the use of breakdown shielding regions to improve the breakdown characteristics of power semiconductor devices is also described in commonly assigned u . s . application ser . no . 09 / 167 , 298 , filed oct . 6 , 1998 , entitled &# 34 ; rugged schottky barrier rectifiers having improved avalanche breakdown characteristics &# 34 ;, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference . numerical simulations of the unit cell 300 of fig5 were performed using a drift region doping concentration which increased from a value of 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 at a depth of 1 micron to a value of 2 × 10 17 cm - 3 at a trench depth ( t d ) of 5 microns . the thin portion of the gate electrode insulating region 124 had a thickness of 500 å , the thick portion of the gate electrode insulating region 124 had a thickness of 3000 å and the first field plate insulating region 134 had a uniform thickness of 3000 å . based on these parameters , the simulated potential contours were shown to be uniformly spaced in both the active and termination regions . the simulated current flowlines also indicated that breakdown would occur simultaneously in both the active and termination regions so long as the breakdown shielding region 117 is electrically connected to the source electrode 128b . accordingly , breakdown in the integrated power device 300 of fig5 is not expected to be edge limited . moreover , in applications where the gd - mosfet unit cells in the active region are expected to be frequently driven into avalanche breakdown , it is preferable to move the location of avalanche breakdown to the more highly doped and deeper breakdown shielding region 117 &# 39 ; within the device 300 &# 39 ; of fig6 . in particular , by increasing the depth of the breakdown shielding region 117 &# 39 ;, the breakdown voltage can be decreased to a level which will provide sufficient protection to the unit cells in the active device area and improve the lifetime and reliability of the overall device 300 &# 39 ;. in addition , as described more fully hereinbelow with respect to fig7 the breakdown voltage and the specific on - resistance r sp , on can also be scaled downward by decreasing the epitaxial layer thickness of the drift region 112 . referring now to fig7 an integrated power semiconductor device 400 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described . as illustrated , this power device 400 is a hybrid device which may contain the gd - umosfet unit cells of fig2 and 3 ( having non - uniformly thick gate insulating regions therein ) extending adjacent one sidewall of each trench in the active region and a modified tmbs schottky rectifier ( acting as a flyback diode ) extending adjacent an opposing sidewall of each trench . in the modified tmbs schottky rectifier illustrated on the left side of the unit cell of fig7 preferred charge coupling is provided by a gate electrode within a trench having a non - uniformly thick gate insulating region therein , instead of an anode electrode and a uniformly thick insulating region . moreover , whereas conventional tmbs rectifiers , such as those disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 612 , 567 to baliga which is hereby incorporated herein by reference , include a linearly graded drift region doping concentration which extends all the way to the schottky rectifying junction at the face , a uniformly doped region extends adjacent the schottky rectifying junction in the modified tmbs rectifier of fig7 . as illustrated , this uniformly doped portion of the drift region has a doping concentration of 1 × 10 16 cm - 3 therein . the advantages of including a uniformly doped region adjacent the schottky rectifying junction in a tmbs device are more fully described in the aforementioned application entitled &# 34 ; rugged schottky barrier rectifiers having improved avalanche breakdown characteristics &# 34 ;. this hybrid power device 400 is designed so that the gd - mosfet unit cells have very low specific on - state resistance , the modified tmbs structure has very low leakage current and low on - state voltage drop and the combined hybrid structure exhibits very low parasitic inductance . in particular , simulations of the hybrid device of fig7 illustrate that the on - state voltage drop of both the gd - mosfet and modified tmbs are reduced because of improved current spreading in the n + substrate region 114 . the specific on - resistance r sp , on can also be scaled downward by decreasing the epitaxial layer thickness of the drift region 112 . this reduction in epitaxial layer thickness causes the non - rectifying junction formed between the drift region 112 and the drain region 114 &# 39 ; ( illustrated by the dotted line in fig7 ) to move up along the sidewalls of each trench , without any other modification in the process . accordingly , the reduction in epitaxial layer thickness ( or increase in trench depth ) results in the formation of an interface between the bottom of the trench 120b and the drain region 114 &# 39 ;. the simulations also indicate the possibility of higher temperature operation with smaller heat sinks because of an improvement in the leakage current characteristics . the hybrid device also limits the amount of parasitic inductance between the gd - mosfet and modified tmbs rectifiers within each unit cell . as further illustrated by fig7 an increase in the depth of the base region 116 to the level illustrated by the dotted line 116 &# 39 ; can also be used advantageously to suppress the degree of any impact ionization near the gate insulating region 124 which may arise in response to hot electron injection during avalanche breakdown . in particular , steps to form the gate insulating region so that there is an overlap between the thick portion of the gate insulating region 124 ( extending upward from the bottom of the trench ) and the base region 116 can be used to enhance the electric field contours at the corner of the gate between the thick and thin portions and thereby shield the gate insulating region from the effects of hot electron induced instabilities during avalanche breakdown . accordingly , the gate insulating region 124 may have a first thickness ( shown as t 2 ) of less than about 750 å as measured between the gate electrode 126 and a first intersection between the first sidewall and the p - n junction formed between the source region 118 and p - base region 116 . in addition , the gate insulating region 124 may have a second thickness ( shown as t 1 ) of greater than about 1500 å as measured between the gate electrode 126 and a second intersection between the first sidewall and the p - n junction formed between the p - base region 116 and the drift region 112 . moreover , because of the illustrated graded doping profile of the base region 116 which falls off near the base / drift region junction , it is still possible to form an inversion layer channel across the entire base region 116 even though the gate oxide thickness is relatively large ( e . g ., 3000 å ) at the drain side of the base region 116 . designing the unit cell to provide this gate shielding advantage may , however , result in some increase in the specific on - state resistance of the device . in the drawings and specification , there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention and , although specific terms are employed , they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation , the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims .	7
in the following description , the automated licensing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the figures listed below . fig1 shows a schematic overview of the automated license system in its entirety . a client service 11 can communicate over a communication network 14 to the server service 17 requesting licensing information for a given solution 10 installed on client ( embedded ) system . the communication network may comprise several lan &# 39 ; s 12 , 16 and wan 14 with attached firewalls 13 , 15 , but the communication is carried on by standardized protocols that are capable of bypassing firewalls 13 , 15 etc . and without causing a security threat to existing systems and technology . a solution 10 provides some kind of functionality to the client ( embedded ) system , but without proper license information , the functionality set is limited . to receive license information , it communicates internally within the client ( embedded ) system where the client service 11 is also present . if the client service 11 does not hold previous received license information for the solution 10 , it performs a communication process with the server service 17 , exchanging specific information about the solution 10 and the client ( embedded ) system . the server service 17 validates received information , possibly in cooperation with other administrative services 18 such as order and billing systems , and responds with license information to the client service 11 . the client service 11 has the option to store the license information , which will avoid the need for further communication with the server service 18 , referred to as a static licensing . dynamic licensing is also an option , where every request from solution 10 is validated by communicating with the server service 18 . static licensing enables continuous use of network - disconnected embedded systems which already have receive license information . fig2 shows a principal flow diagram of the client ( embedded ) system designated by numeral 101 in its entirety and describing the process pattern in steps 101 - 110 , in which the solution 10 communicates with the client service 11 . the specific data packages ( license information ) transmitted in requests and responses will be described later . initially both the solution 10 and the client service 11 are installed on the client ( embedded ) system . at certain intervals or by condition changes in the client ( embedded ) system , the solution 10 will send a request 101 for license information to the client service 11 . condition changes can be hardware conditioned such , as a reboot or reconfiguration of the client ( embedded ) system or simply invoked by the client service 11 or other occurring events . when the client service 11 receives the request 101 for license information , it first checks its own registry 102 to see if the solution 10 is known . if the solution 10 is already known , the client service 11 checks for license information , and if static licensing is allowed 104 . if so , the client service 11 responds 109 to the solution 10 with license information . if the solution 10 is not found in the registry , the client service 11 adds 103 the solution 10 . if the solution 10 was not found or static licensing was not allowed , the client service 11 will initiate a communication process with the server service 17 on the server system by sending a request 105 . dependent on selected network protocol for communication , bandwidth of physical network , amount of network hardware points to pass , the response time from the server service 17 can vary . when the client service 11 receives the response 106 from the server service 17 , it adds 108 the license information to its registry if static licensing is allowed 107 . finally , the client service 11 responds to the solution 10 with license information , and the solution can now take action upon the received license information . fig3 shows a principal flow diagram of the server system designated by numeral 201 in its entirety and describing the process pattern in steps 201 - 207 . the specific data packages ( license information ) transmitted in requests and responses will be described later . the server service 17 can handle requests 201 from multiple client services 11 . when a request is received , it validates 202 the license information , e . g . in cooperation with other administrative services , such as order and billing systems 203 . the result of the validation 204 may be either successful , thereby allowing generation of license information ( key ) with approval 206 , or unsuccessful , thereby declining the approval and generation of license information ( key ) with a denial 205 . in every circumstance , the license information is sent 207 back to the client service 11 , which then uses the license info . to respond to the solution 10 that originally requested the license information . in the previous descriptions , the license information was an abstract conception of data . the license information is representative differently when sent between services and systems . fig4 shows a representative diagram of the data packages ( license information ) exchanged in the client ( embedded ) system between the solution 10 and the client service 11 . representation of data is designated by numeral 301 . first of all , data in requests and responses in the client ( embedded ) system may be encrypted so malicious attackers will not be able to sniff requests or responses and make any sense of the data . when the solution 10 requests license information from the client service 11 , it sends a data package containing a unique request id 301 and information about the solution , its name 302 and version 303 . the request id 301 ensures authentication and that requests cannot be replayed by accident or by malicious attackers . the name 302 and version 303 are used to identify the solution 10 for both the client service 11 and in the possible communication with the server service 17 . the version 303 is important , because license approval can be dependent on solution version . when the client service 11 receives the request from the solution 10 , it first checks its own registry for stored license information . if this is found and static licensing is allowed , the client service 11 can respond to the solution 10 with a response containing again the request id 304 , name 305 and version 306 of the solution 10 which is identical to the request and then a security 307 . the security 307 is a solution - specific identification for the license mode that only the solution 10 understands . a security 307 with the value “ 0 ” could , e . g ., mean that the solution was denied , and the value “ 1 ” could mean that it was approved , performing its functionality in the client ( embedded ) system . this is part of the architecture of the solution 10 . fig5 shows a representative diagram of the data packages exchanged in the communication network between the client service 11 and the server service 17 . representation of data is designated by the numeral 401 . if no license information is found in the client service 11 registry or static licensing is not allowed upon a solution 10 request for license information , the client service 11 must initiate communication with the server service 17 . the request contains three blocks of data , solution information , embedded device information , and customer information . the solution information is identical to the data in requests and responses between the solution 10 and the client service 11 , name 401 and version 402 for the solution 10 . the embedded device information is specific information about the client ( embedded ) system that uniquely identifies it . the hardware address 403 is the physical network address , where model name 404 is a name separating different kinds of embedded devices used for license differentiation . the customer information is specific information about the customer that has bought the solution 10 . the name of company 406 , name of contact 407 and the contacts email 408 address are required . additional information 405 , 409 for both the embedded device and the customer is possible , but is not used directly for issuing approved license information in the server service 17 . when the server service 17 receives the request from client service 11 , it then starts to validate the license information , e . g ., in cooperation with other administrative services , such as order and billing systems . if required criteria for approval are met , the server service 17 generates a license key which is sent back to the client service 11 . otherwise an empty license key will be sent and inform the client service 11 that license validation was unsuccessful . a license key comprises four blocks of data . each block is encrypted . the first block is a key information block that contains a key version 410 so the client service 11 will know how to interpret the received license key . the version dependency 411 and version control 412 are used in static licensing mode to validate in the client service 11 if the solution 10 requesting version 303 is allowed to use security 307 . in case a new version of the solution 10 is installed on the client ( embedded ) system , the license conditions might be that this version is not allowed with an earlier - used license key . the security 413 is identical to the client service 11 response security 307 to the solution 10 . the security 413 is a solution specific identification for the license mode , which only the solution 10 understands . a security 413 with the value “ 0 ” could , e . g ., mean that the solution was denied , and the value “ 1 ” could mean that it was approved , performing its functionality in the client ( embedded ) system . this is part of the architecture of the solution 10 . the second block is the solution information with the solution 10 name 414 and the version 415 which the license is issued for . the third and fourth blocks are , respectively , embedded device information 416 and customer information 417 in hashed value . they are hashed to compress their size , and a hashed value is enough to check if embedded device information and customer information are valid . when the client service 11 receives the license key , it stores it in its registry and performs its own validation to ensure that the license key values of key information , solution information , embedded device information , and customer information matche the actual values on the client ( embedded ) system . finally , it responds with a response to the solution 10 .	7
embodiments of the present invention provide various embodiments for catch fence systems and methods . although the embodiments described , herein may be used in various venues , they are described in connection with a race track for ease of explanation . however , it should be understood that the catch systems and methods described herein may be useful in any other circumstance when a motorized vehicle , is to be stopped safely and effectively , in one embodiment , the fence poles are moved back from the edge of the race track , and they support a catch net and energy absorbers to absorb the energy of cars that have left the racetrack and become airborne . an example of such a system is shown in fig1 . this fence is designed to be engaged at an oblique angle . it can engage multiple cars , which is necessary , as cars are typically made airborne from multiple car contacts in a single crash . the fence is designed to be installed in sections that are temporarily connected to each other ( side by side ) so that one section engaged will absorb energy while an adjacent section ( or sections ) remains in place and ready to catch other cars . in the embodiment shown in fig1 , the net sections are divided by break - away c - clips that allow one section to detach from its neighbor section so that only the section that is needed is utilized . the fence also uses pivoting pulleys with a friction brake system mounted on the ground . the friction braking on the back pulleys particularly allows for softening the impact and can let out cable as needed . the top pulleys may rotate to guide the cable where it is needed most . secured by the pulleys is a catch netting . in the figure shown , the netting is designed as nylon netting with nylon straps , but it should be understood that any appropriate net material may be used , as long as it contains sufficient strength properties . it is shown that the net may be 30 - 40 feet high , but it should be understood that lower fences may be more realistic in practice , and as such , the fence may be up to 20 feet instead . a secondary safety steel mesh catch fence is provided as a back - up barrier to prevent debris from entering the spectator seating areas . the system is designed for high speed , short run outs , as compared to traditional road barriers that are designed for lower speeds and longer run outs . it is desirable that repair to a utilized fence section can be conducted quickly e . g ., in approximately 20 to 30 minutes and possibly less ), to allow a race to continue after a catching incident . in improving upon this fence design , further considerations were to construct a simpler fence , which could render it easier to accept by the industry , as well as easier to install at a particular venue . additionally , although safety is of particular concern , it is also desirable to not limit spectator sight lines , where possible . the space availability between the existing track wall and the grandstands is also different at every track , so it is desirable that the catch solution be modular and adjustable . further , rapid system reset after an accident is an additional important consideration . although not wishing to be bound to the following data , the following table provides the estimated magnitude of the forces involved in typical racetrack crashes and indicates the power that the catch systems are designed to contain . ( note that these are energies involved with straight - line impacts , and could be considered worst - case scenarios .) the magnitudes of force to be contained and thus designed around are shown below . a further embodiment of a catch fence system and method is referred to as the c - fence , and is shown in fig2 - 4 . the c - fence concept involves “ c ” shaped poles that connect at their bottom to the back of the existing racetrack wall at a pivot joint . the tops of the poles are free to pivot away from the track during an impact . each pole is connected to a large torsion spring or hydraulic cylinder at the bottom joint to dissipate energy . the main cables are suspended between the poles on vertical cables that run between the top and bottom of each “ c ” pole . the smaller mesh debris fencing may be installed along the back side of the “ c ” frame , or it could be integrated with the main cables out at the “ c ” opening . advantages of the c - fence include that the concrete wall at tracks is a consistent feature to build off of so it is a stable solution . the c - fence also does not take up valuable real estate , and it is considered to have a potentially simple , inexpensive construction . it can also be installed without major construction changes to the facility , and it eliminates poles from impact area . leaf - spring . a further embodiment is the leaf spring fence , shown in fig5 - 9 . the leaf spring concept involves a simple way to “ re - mount ” and suspend the main safety cables of a fencing system off of the existing support poles . without wishing to be bound by any theory , it is believed that by moving the support cables of the poles by some distance , more clearance can be created in front of the poles in situations where the driver &# 39 ; s side of the car contacts the catch fence . a “ u ” shaped bracket it could be square or round , depending on the pole style in use ) is mounted to the existing upright , and it is used in turn to mount a leaf spring assembly . the leaf spring assembly contains the cable via a sliding connection at its end , so that in the event of a crash , the leaf spring would flex while riding along the length of the cable . the main safety cables would be spaced via a simple “ u ” shaped bracket that also ties the ends of the leaf springs together . the leaf springs could be fabricated straight and be mounted to the pole at an angle , or they could be fabricated “ 5 ” shaped and be mounted parallel to the track wall as shown in fig5 . fig6 illustrates a side view of the leaf spring concept . fig7 - 9 illustrate further views of the leaf spring concept and show details of the leaf spring connection to the pole . potential advantages of the leaf spring concept are that is provides a relatively simple and elegant design , it is retrofittable , it can be implemented with a low cost , it can be designed to be self - resetting , it requires minimal changes to existing infrastructure such that it can work with existing fencing components . a further embodiment provides a catch net modification to the first embodiment shown above , but that provides to larger , less segmented system that addresses some of the issues identified with the first embodiment ( such as net complexity , determining what happens between the net sections , post integrity , and runout distance issues ). examples of the catch net are shown in fig1 - 11 . instead of a segmented net that would require joints between sections , the catch net embodiment is installed along the entire length of a racetrack curve , as shown in fig1 . the main horizontal safety cables are supported by vertical cables at each curved pole . once the cables extend past the covered safety area , they are routed together and are terminated at each end to an energy absorber . the vertical cables are rigidly anchored at the bottom to the back of the track safety wall , and are routed through a pulley at the top , then to an energy absorber located at the base of the pole . a smaller mesh debris fence may be integrated into the horizontal and vertical cables , or it may be mounted along the curved support posts at the back . during a crash event , the catch net system would flex and act like a web , deforming the most at the impact site . the energy absorbers at each end of the main horizontal cables may be textile brakes , allowing for easy replacement in the event of a crash , although any appropriate form of energy absorber may be used . for example , the energy absorbers on the vertical cables may be smaller textile brakes or tzc units , depending on the energy absorber capacity required . in either case , replacement of the vertical energy absorbers may be made easy as well . moreover , there may be enough flex in the main horizontal cables that an energy absorber may not be required at each end , if at all . some benefits of this catch net design are that it provides a relatively simple construction . there are not as many cables , pulleys and connection points as provided by the initial first embodiment . this solution also leverages a core competency of the developers by use of textile brakes or tzc ( transition zone control ) units . the cable system acts like a web , flexing most near impacts , but the system is also “ active ” at multiple points along the curve so that impacts from multiple cars could be absorbed . there are not any “ mechanisms ” or additional units required . the catch net deign also allows for built - in variability for different tracks and car sizes . the system could be mounted to the back of the safer barrier , or to the concrete retaining wall , or to both . ( it should be understood that in an alternate embodiment , the system need not be mounted to the safer barrier , which could minimize the wall to pole distance .) (“ safer ” stands for steel and foam energy reduction , and such walls are installed along curves of automobile race tracks and are intended to absorb and reduce kinetic energy during the impact of an accident , and thus , lessen injuries sustained to drivers .) the net is also easy to reset between events — replacement of energy absorber packs or tzc units is all that is required , plus mesh repair , if needed . in an alternate modification , it may be possible that only the bottom four or five horizontal cables are attached to an energy absorber . additionally , the horizontal cable stretch may possibly be used as the energy absorber . it is also possible to adapt this solution so that it can also be installed on a straight section of track , as well if desired . a fifth embodiment is an alternate cable mount . the alternate cable mount concept is an alternate method of connecting and aligning the horizontal safety cables of the system . it provides a method of spacing and holding the horizontal cables that provides more clearance space between each cable and the mounting point . one benefit of this design is that the cable can be held away from its mounting structure somewhat , allowing space between cables for a ear or driver to pass through in the event of an accident , as shown in fig1 , an angled pole secures a series of rolled or formed plates or springs that are bolted together to act as cable spacer , while bolted to a ground or wall anchor at the bottom . the purpose of the springs is to support the main horizontal cables and to provide clearance between them in the event of a car striking the fence . the cables provided between the angled pole and springs further prevent someone from standing between the springs and the pole . a further alternate the above alternate cable mount is the pillow spring mounting concept . the spring mounting concept provides a compliant mount for the cable held a distance away from the support post . an example is shown in fig1 . the figure shows that a rolled plate may be used as a pillow spring . a u - bolt on the outside of the spring provides a cable guide . one of the benefits of this design is the reduction of the impact area between horizontal members . a further embodiment is the hydraulically counteracted pivoting pole system , shown in fig1 . this is a concept that involves using the poles to absorb the energy of a car leaving the track . the poles are mounted on pivoting joints at some height above the ground . the height may be determined based on the racetrack conditions or other safety testing or requirements . the bottom end of the pole ( which could be underground ), is pivoted against a hydraulic cylinder with extremely high pressure capability . the piston rod may be depressed by the bottom end of the pole , and the fluid in the system is compressed to absorb the energy of the arrestment . the hardware for this system may be mounted above or below ground . this concept provides an alternate mounting orientation of the net involving mounting the bottom edge of the safety net / fence system to the inside top edge of the safer barrier . one example is shown in fig1 . in most instances , the safer barrier consists of structural steel tubes welded together in a flush mounting , strapped in place to the existing concrete retaining wall . ( behind these tubes are bundles of closed - cell polystyrene foam , placed between the barrier and wall . the theory behind the design is that the barrier absorbs a portion of the kinetic energy released when a race car makes contact with the wall and dissipates the energy along a longer portion of the wall , reducing the impact energy to the car and driver , and preventing the car from propelling back into traffic on the racing surface .) the purpose of mounting the net to the inside top edge of the safer barrier is to “ borrow ” some of the energy absorbing capacity of the existing safer barrier and use it for dissipating the energy of a car hitting the fence above . it would also solve a potential problem of a car leaving the track and becoming tangled in the gap behind the safer barrier , by closing - in the area in question with the lower edge of the fence . an additional benefit to mounting the net at this location is that an extra three feet ( approximately ) of runout could be added to the system by including the space above the foam cartridges and the wall as part of the fence system runout . in this concept , a large , horizontal textile brake is fastened to the pole structure at the top , and to the concrete wall or safer barrier at the bottom . an example is shown in fig1 . the net or fencing material in this embodiment is made integral to the “ tearing ” side of the textile brake , so that if a car leaves the track and contacts the net , the textile brake would shear at the top and bottom to absorb the energy of the impact . due to manufacturing limitations , the system may need to be made in sections , and the nets should be securely fastened to each other at net boundaries using any appropriate system or method . the system would be easy to reset after an impact , as a whole damaged section could be removed and replaced with a new one in a relatively short period of time . the pivoting top pole with leaf spring concept absorbing energy in the pole structure by providing a pivoting or flexible top portion of the pole . as shown in fig4 , in one embodiment , a two - part pole is made with a pivoting joint that allows the top portion to pivot ( or flex ) relative to the fixed bottom portion . the net or fence is rigidly fastened between the top movable portion of the pole and the fixed concrete wall below . a leaf spring may be anchored at the bottom , and made to contact the top portion so that as the net deflects to absorb the energy of a crash , the top portion of the pole pivots and deflects downward . the leaf spring would then apply force to the top portion of the pole , absorbing the energy of the crash , and assisting in returning the system to the upright position . for track installations with large catch fence areas that do not have spectator bleachers behind them , large , collapsible airbags may be used to cushion the impact of cars leaving the track . large , quick - deflating airbags could be installed above the safer barrier that have flaps that would break open upon impact and absorb the energy of a car hitting the bag . one example of such a configuration ( prior to deployment of an airbag ) is shown in fig1 . these airbags may be similar to airbags used in the movie industry to cushion stunt performers from falls . the large vertical surface area of the bags could present an ideal spot for sponsor advertising as well although multiple embodiments are described and provided above , it should be understood that other options may be designed that are considered within the scope of this invention . for example : changes and modifications , additions and deletions may be made to the structures and methods recited above and shown in the drawings without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention and the following claims .	4
embodiments of the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the present invention will now be described in more detail primarily with reference to the accompanying drawings . fig1 a is a top plan sectional view showing the embodiment of the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the present invention when it is in a first operating state wherein first and second optical fibers have been coupled and third and fourth optical fibers have been coupled as it will be discussed later . fig1 b is a longitudinal sectional view showing the embodiment in the foregoing operating state , and fig1 c is a side sectional view showing the embodiment in the foregoing operating state . fig2 a is a top plan sectional view showing the embodiment in a second operating state wherein first and third optical fibers have been coupled and second and fourth optical fibers have been coupled as it will be discussed later . fig2 b is a longitudinal sectional view showing the embodiment in the foregoing operating state , and fig2 c is a side sectional view showing the embodiment in the foregoing operating state . a lens holding member 16 has two parallel holes 17 and 18 in a lengthwise direction ( z ) with an interval maintained therebetween in a direction y . hereinafter , a plane , namely , a yz plane that includes the center of these holes will be referred to as a reference plane . the optical axes of the lenses and optical fibers that will be discussed later are disposed within this plane . a square through hole 19 is provided in a direction x axially at right angles to the parallel holes 17 and 18 . a first optical fiber assembly a with a lens is constructed by inserting an optical fiber 21a and a sleeve 22a in the central hole of a collimator lens 23a and by attaching a ferrule 20a with the optical fiber thereto axially . a second optical fiber assembly b with a lens is constructed by inserting an optical fiber 21b and a sleeve 22b in the central hole of a collimator lens 23b and by attaching a ferrule 20b with the optical fiber thereto coaxially . a third optical fiber assembly c with a lens and a fourth optical fiber assembly d with a lens are constructed in the same manner . as shown in the drawings , these four optical fiber assemblies a , b , c , and d with lenses are respectively inserted into the parallel holes 17 and 18 of the lens holding member 16 to fabricate a lens holder assembly . the optical axes of the respective optical fiber assemblies with lenses exist in the aforesaid reference plane . the light beam emitted through the collimator lens 23a enters a collimator lens 23c in parallel , and the light beam emitted through a collimator lens 23d enters a collimator lens 23b in parallel . the outside diameter of a prism holding member 24 is such that it enables the prism holding member to precisely and slidably fit in the square through hole 19 of the lens holding member . provided on one end of the prism holding member 24 are rectangular v grooves 27 and 28 wherein two rectangular prisms 25 and 26 are installed by bonding , and provided on the other end thereof is a drive member 29 which engages an actuator ( not shown ). the drive member 29 is equipped with an engaging groove 30 which engages an elastic pin 31 or the like of the actuator ( not shown ). the rectangular prisms 25 and 26 are installed in the rectangular v grooves 27 and 28 of the prism holding member 24 by bonding . the lens holding member and the prism holding member may be made by plastic injection molding or precision die casting process using an aluminum light alloy . to assemble the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch main body in accordance with the present invention , the prism holder assembly is precisely fitted in the square through hole 19 of the lens holder assembly , and the prism holder assembly is guided by the square through hole 19 of the lens holder assembly such that it may reciprocate . fig1 a through 1c show the prism holder assembly with the first and second optical fiber assemblies with lenses in a coupled state and the third and fourth optical fiber assemblies with lenses in a coupled state . as illustrated in fig1 b , a parallel beam emitted through the collimator lens 23a of the first optical fiber assembly a with the lens passes through a short side surface 32 of the rectangular prism 25 , a short side surface 33 of the rectangular prism 25 , and the collimator lens 23b of the second optical fiber assembly b with the lens in the order in which they are listed before reaching the optical fiber 21b as indicated by the white arrows . similarly , a parallel beam emitted through the collimator lens 23d of the fourth optical fiber assembly d with the lens passes through a short side surface 34 of the rectangular prism 26 , a short side surface 35 of the rectangular prism 26 , and the collimator lens 23c of the third optical fiber assembly c with the lens in the order in which they are listed before reaching the optical fiber 21c as indicated by the black arrows . fig2 a through 2c show the prism holder assembly with the first and third optical fiber assemblies with lenses in a coupled state and the second and fourth optical fiber assemblies with lenses in a coupled state . as illustrated in fig2 b , a parallel beam emitted through the collimator lens 23a of the first optical fiber assembly a with the lens passes through the collimator lens 23c of the third optical fiber assembly c with the lens and enters the optical fiber 21c as indicated by the white arrow . similarly , a parallel beam emitted through the collimator lens 23d of the fourth optical fiber assembly d with the lens passes through the collimator lens 23b of the second optical fiber assembly b with the lens and enters the optical fiber 21b as indicated by the black arrow . the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the present invention is installed to the prism holding member 24 so that long sides 36 and 37 of the two prisms 25 and 26 , respectively , are oriented in the longitudinal direction ( y ). the prism holding member 24 is allowed to reciprocate in the direction ( x ) perpendicular to the surface formed by the optical fiber lens assemblies a and b with lenses and the surface formed by the optical fiber lens assemblies c and d with lenses . this provides an advantage in that the insertion loss is not increased by a failure to align the central point of the prisms 25 and 26 with the optical axes of the optical fiber lens assemblies a , b and the optical fiber lens assemblies c , d when the prism holder assembly is in its advanced position . more specifically , if the mode field diameter of a light beam emitted from the collimator lens is denoted as ω 0 , and the width of the prism in a y - axis direction is denoted as l , then a permissible error range δ of the central position of the prisms 25 and 26 can be given by the following expression : for example , if it is assumed that the mode field diameter ω 0 of a collimator lens having a diameter of 2 mm is 0 . 3 mm and the width l in the y - axis direction of the rectangular prism is 3 mm , then it can be seen that the permissible error range δ of the central position of the prisms 25 and 26 when the prism holder assembly is in its advanced position will be 2 . 7 mm . in the case of the conventional 2 × 2 optical fiber switch constituted by using the collimator lenses and prisms , the insertion loss caused by a 0 . 025 mm decentering of the optical fiber axis when the rectangular prism is in its advanced position is 0 . 37 db as previously mentioned . in contrast to this , the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the present invention hardly develops insertion loss up to a 2 . 7 mm decentering of the optical axis when the rectangular prism is in its advanced position . this means that complicated assembling adjustment is no longer necessary . fig3 a is a front view illustrating a relationship between optical fibers with lenses and a lens holder of a second embodiment of the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the present invention , the optical fiber assemblies with lenses being shown in a sectional view . fig3 b is a longitudinal sectional view of the foregoing embodiment . provided in parallel in the lengthwise direction ( z ) on one end surface of a lens holding member 38 are v grooves 39 and 40 for aligning optical fiber lens assemblies e , f , g , and h , an interval being maintained between the v grooves in the direction y . a square through hole 41 in which the prism holder assembly is movably fitted is provided at the center of the lens holding member 38 in the direction ( x ) at right angles to the foregoing alignment v grooves 39 and 40 . the lens holder assembly is constructed by bonding and fixing the first , second , third , and fourth optical fiber lens assemblies e , f , g , and h with lenses into the alignment v grooves 39 and 40 of the lens holding member 38 . the first optical fiber assembly e with the lens is assembled by inserting an optical fiber 21e and a sleeve 22e into the central hole of a collimator lens 23e and by coaxially attaching a ferrule 20e with the optical fiber thereto . the end surfaces of both the ferrule 20e and a lens 23e may be polished and formed into inclined surfaces having an angle θ with respect to a surface perpendicular to an optical axis z . this is for minimizing the quantity of reflected and returned light at a boundary . the second , third , and fourth optical fiber assemblies f , g , and h with lenses are constructed in the same manner as set forth above . the composition of the prism holder assemblies ( not shown ) is identical to that of the embodiment described above . as in the case of the aforesaid embodiment , the prism holder assembly is precisely fitted in the square through hole 41 of the lens holder assembly 38 . the prism holder assembly is constructed so that it may reciprocate while being guided by the square through hole 41 of the lens holder assembly . the operation of the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment described above ; hence , the description thereof will be omitted . although the invention has been described in detail above in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof , various modifications can be formed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . for instance , convex lenses may be employed instead of the grin lenses . in the conventional 2 × 2 optical fiber switch , the inaccurate stopping positions of the prisms cause the insertion loss . the composition of the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the invention has completely solved the problem with the conventional device . in addition , the 2 × 2 optical fiber switch in accordance with the invention has completely obviates the need of adjustment .	6
according to the present invention , one preferred method for simultaneously reducing the nitrate and nicotine content of tobacco is to prepare an aqueous medium containing microorganisms . in the preparation of an aqueous medium , a nutrient agar ( first ) solution is prepared by adding a commercially available nutrient agar to distilled water , the amount of agar generally being at least 5 grams per liter . to this is added a nitrate - containing compound , preferably potassium nitrate , which is at least 0 . 1 percent by weight of nitrate per volume of water and is generally about 1 percent by weight of nitrate per volume of water . this solution is then sterilized as tubed slants ; that is , thest tubes containing the nutrient agar are placed at a slant to provide a slanted surface , in an autoclave for at least fifteen minutes and at least 15 psig and at least 121 ° c . the sterilized medium is then placed in a refrigerator for later use . a second solution is then prepared which includes nicotine and a nitrate containing substance therein which is to be treated by the culture grown in the sterilized medium . one such second solution may be a nutrient broth containing only nitrates therein which is prepared by dissolving a commercially available nutrient broth in distilled water , the amount of nutrient broth being from about 5 to 10 grams per liter . however , it is realized that those skilled in the art may vary the nutrient broth concentration and achieve a useable culture . this solution is also sterilized for at least 15 minutes at at least 15 psig and 121 ° c . or greater in an autoclave . potassium nitrate or other nitrate - containing compounds may be added to this solution prior to the sterilization . another example of a second solution may be a tobacco extract broth containing both nitrates and nicotine . the tobacco extract broth is prepared by taking usually about 100 grams of tobacco material , such as , a flue - cured burley stem mixture and mixing this with about 1 , 000 milliliters of water and then cooking the mixture in an autoclave for at least 30 to 60 minutes at at least 15 psig and 121 ° c . or greater . the resultant liquid extract is then removed and the liquid volume is adjusted to the original amount of the extract by adding distilled water . the extract is then mixed with yeast extract , the yeast extract being generally at least 0 . 3 percent by weight to volume of liquid . however , greater amounts of yeast extract may be used if desired . the mixture is dispensed into flasks that are cotton - plugged and sterilized for at least 15 minutes at 15 psig or greater and 121 ° c . or greater for subsequent culture propagation . prior to use for culture growth , the ph is adjusted with appropriate acid or base to about 7 . 2 . the microorganism , preferably cellulomonas sp ., is incubated on nutrient agar slants , including the nitrate - containing compound , for 3 to 5 days at 20 ° c . to 40 ° c . the resultant growth is then used to inoculate the tobacco extract broth , the inoculum being removed from the slants by washing the slant surface with a predetermined amount of sterile distilled water . the tobacco extract broth is then subjected to agitation for generally about 24 hours at about 20 ° c . to 40 ° c . to promote growth of the microorganism which was added . lesser or greater growth periods , up to as long as about 48 hours , are acceptable . the resultant inoculum is then ready for use in the treatment of additional tobacco materials to reduce the nitrate and nicotine content thereof . a more comprehensive understanding of the invention can be obtained by considering the following examples . however , it should be understood that the examples are not intended to be unduly limitative of the invention . the following example demonstrates the procedure that was followed in the preparation of inoculum . commercially prepared nutrient agar ( dehydrated form ) from difco laboratories was added to distilled water in the ratio of 23 grams per liter . the 23 grams of nutrient agar contained 3 grams of beef extract ; 5 grams of peptone and , 15 grams of agar . to this solution was added 1 % of potassium nitrate by weight to volume of water . the resulting solution had a final ph of 6 . 8 . this medium was then sterilized as tubed slants in an autoclave for 15 minutes at 15 psig and 121 ° c . and refrigerated for later use to grow cultures . a solution of nutrient broth media , was prepared by adding dehydrated nutrient broth from difco laboratories at a rate of 8 grams per liter to distilled water . the nutrient broth contained 5 grams of peptone and 3 grams of beef extract . the resulting aqueous medium was then sterilized for 15 minutes at 15 psig and 121 ° c . for later use in culture growth . a flue - cured / burley stem tobacco extract broth was prepared by adding 100 grams of flue - cured / burley stem to 1000 ml of water and cooked in an autoclave for 40 minutes at 15 psig and 121 ° c . the resultant liquor extract was removed and the liquid volume was adjusted to its original amount with distilled water . the liquor was then mixed with yeast extract at a rate of 0 . 5 % by weight of yeast extract per volume of liquor and the mixture dispensed into flasks which were then cotton - plugged and sterilized for 15 minutes at 15 psig and 121 ° c . for culture propagation . the microorganism , cellulomonas sp ., is incubated on the nutrient agar slants for from 3 to 5 days at 30 ° c . liquid media , for example , nutrient broth or flue - cured / burley stem tobacco extract broth are inoculated with a sterile water wash from slants at a 2 % ( v / v ) rate . the ph of the broth prior to inoculation is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide to a ph of 7 . 2 to 7 . 5 . the flasks are then subjected to rotary agitation for approximately 24 hours at 30 ° c . and 220 rpm . this example demonstrates the nitrate and nicotine degradation that occurs in burley stem extract at different ph levels . a water extract of burley stem was prepared according to the procedure described in example 1 ( c ) and dispensed into 500 ml erlenmeyer flasks at 250 ml / flask . these media were used to determine nitrate and nicotine degradation capabilities of cellulomonas sp . with the results shown below . ______________________________________ alkaloid no . sub . 3 ( nicotine ) ph ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ______________________________________burley stem extract broth - ph 7 . 2 0 hours 7 . 18 220 0 . 32 7 hours 7 . 08 80 0 . 0425 hours 7 . 75 0 0 . 0230 hours 8 . 15 0 0 . 02burley stem extract broth - ph 5 . 6 0 hours 5 . 60 295 0 . 41 7 hours 5 . 59 305 0 . 3925 hours 5 . 65 265 0 . 3930 hours 5 . 70 300 0 . 37burley stem extract broth - ph 4 . 8 0 hours 4 . 82 305 0 . 41 7 hours 4 . 85 310 0 . 4225 hours 4 . 90 285 0 . 4030 hours 4 . 80 300 0 . 40______________________________________ it can be seen from the above data that cellulomonas sp . at ph of 7 . 2 degraded most of the nitrate and nicotine available in the extract , whereas at a lower ph ( 5 . 6 and 4 . 8 ), very little , if any , degradation occurred . cellulomonas sp . was grown under the conditions described below in a nutrient broth + 0 . 1 % kno 3 medium using a new brunswick scientific fermentor ( mf214 ). the inoculating culture was prepared as in example 1 using the nutrient agar of example 1 ( a ) and the nicotine - free nutrient broth of example 1 ( b ). growth conditions were : ______________________________________growth time no . sub . 3 cell count ( hrs .) ( μg / ml ) ph (× 10 . sup . 6 ) ______________________________________inoculum 138 7 . 70 4 , 100 1 hr . after inoc . 126 6 . 90 53 2 hrs . after inoc . 120 7 . 00 350 4 hrs . after inoc . 114 7 . 20 1 , 600 6 hrs . after inoc . 108 7 . 20 1 , 10021 hrs . after inoc . 132 7 . 18 3 , 40029 hrs . after inoc . 0 7 . 05 3 , 10045 hrs . after inoc . 0 7 . 55 4 , 700______________________________________ it can be seen from the above data that nitrate was removed by the cellulomonas sp . culture prior to 29 hours at a ph of 7 . 0 - 7 . 2 . this example demonstrates the nitrate and nicotine degradation that occurs in burley extract broth having a relatively high nitrate concentration . cellulomonas sp . was grown in a new brunswick fermentor ( mf214 ) in burley extract broth prepared as in example 1 ( c ). conditions for growth were the same as in example 3 except that the growth medium was burley extract broth . ______________________________________ alkaloidgrowth time no . sub . 3 ( nicotine )( hrs .) ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ph______________________________________before inoculation 4 , 680 0 . 430 6 . 55inoculum 0 0 . 028 8 . 14after inoculation 4 , 380 0 . 240 7 . 02 1 hr . after inoc . 4 , 500 0 . 202 6 . 90 2 hrs . after inoc . 4 , 380 0 . 136 6 . 91 4 hrs . after inoc . 4 , 200 0 . 036 7 . 18 6 hrs . after inoc . 2 , 910 0 . 040 7 . 62 8 hrs . after inoc . 2 , 040 0 . 038 7 . 57 9 hrs . after inoc . 2 , 040 0 . 038 7 . 8224 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 350 0 . 040 7 . 2026 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 320 0 . 040 7 . 2230 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 380 0 . 036 7 . 2148 hrs . after inoc . 900 0 . 034 7 . 0550 hrs . after inoc . 900 0 . 034 7 . 00______________________________________ it can be seen from the above data that cellulomonas sp . degraded most of the nitrate and nicotine available in the extract . this example demonstrates different levels of a nitrate - containing compound that may be used in the growing of a microorganism for degrading nitrates . cellulomonas sp . was grown in a nicotine free nutrient broth ( nb )+ 0 . 1 % kno 3 prepared as in example 1 ( b ). the culture was used to inoculate nutrient broth with varying levels of kno 3 added on a wt / vol basis . the following changes occurred during agitation of these cultures at 30 ° c . and 160 rpm ( rotary ). ______________________________________no . sub . 3 ( μg / ml ) ph0 hrs . 25 hrs . 0 hrs . 25 hrs . ______________________________________inoculated 335 155 6 . 97 8 . 17 500 240 7 . 00 7 . 953 , 000 2 , 370 6 . 95 8 . 054 , 980 4 , 560 6 . 92 8 . 15control - uninoculated 460 400 6 . 99 7 . 19______________________________________ it can be seen that cellulomonas sp . degraded a portion of the nitrate at all initial nitrate concentrations from 335 μg / ml to 3000 μg / ml nitrate in nutrient broth and degraded a small amount of the nitrate about 4 , 980 μg / ml . the slight change in &# 34 ; control &# 34 ; nitrate concentration is close to analytical error . it was not due to microbial action since no culture was added to the control media . this example demonstrates the effect of aeration on the cultures growth in tobacco extract . cellulomonas sp . was grown in a water extract of flue - cured / burley stem , prepared as described in example 1 ( c ), under the following controlled conditions in a new brunswick scientific fermentor ( mf214 ): medium type -- water extract of flue - cured / burley stem . ph was controlled using 2n hcl and 2n naoh ______________________________________ alkaloid cell count nitrate ( nicotine ) time (× 10 . sup . 6 / ml ) ph ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ______________________________________before inoculation 0 7 . 31 1 , 534 0 . 32inoculum 5 , 000 8 . 17 0 0 . 02after inoculation 350 7 . 40 1 , 486 0 . 30 1 hr . after inoc . 490 7 . 40 1 , 448 0 . 27 3 hrs . after inoc . 640 7 . 41 1 , 491 0 . 20 5 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 220 7 . 35 1 , 449 0 . 0822 hrs . after inoc . 4 , 200 7 . 23 1 , 450 0 . 02______________________________________ the above data indicate that under the conditions used , specifically a high ( 8 , 000 cc / min ) aeration rate , nitrate is not degraded but alkaloids were degraded . the culture grown in this fashion was used to treat burley lamina as follows : ______________________________________tobacco dry wt . culture naoh ( 1n ) water ( lbs .) ( ml ) ( ml ) ( ml ) ______________________________________3 . 8 2 , 436 379 . 5 2 , 269______________________________________ treatment was conducted in a plastic bag ( non - aerated environment ) at 30 ° c . for 24 hours with the following results : ______________________________________treatment no . sub . 3 alkaloids moisturetime ( hrs .) (%) (%) (%) ph______________________________________ 0 3 . 54 1 . 42 74 . 4 7 . 3324 0 . 22 0 . 32 76 . 4 8 . 38______________________________________ it can be seen that in a non - aerated environment , the cellulomonas sp . degraded both nitrate and nicotine . the lowered nitrate and nicotine burley tobacco was blended with other tobacco materials and compared to a control blend containing untreated burley tobacco with results as shown below : ______________________________________blend chemical properties alkaloids no . sub . 3 ( nicotine ) (%) (%) ph______________________________________control ** 1 . 63 1 . 79 5 . 47experimental * 1 . 04 1 . 32 6 . 00______________________________________ ** contained untreated burley lamina * contained treated burley lamina these blends were manufactured into cigarettes and machine smoked with the following smoke delivery reductions in nitrogen oxides , hydrogen cyanide and nicotine . ______________________________________ per puff deliveries nox hcn nicotine ( μg ) ( μg ) ( mg ) puffs______________________________________control 54 28 . 4 0 . 13 7 . 3experimental 33 22 . 8 0 . 11 7 . 2______________________________________ the smoke data show : 38 . 8 % reduction in nitrogen oxides ( nox ); 19 . 7 % reduction in hydrogen cyanide and a 15 . 3 % reduction in nicotine . this example demonstrates the effect of aeration in the culture growth wherein reduced aeration provides the environment for nitrate degradation in liquid systems . cellulomonas sp . was grown in a water extract of flue - cured / burley stem , prepared as described in example 1 ( c ), under the following conditions in a new brunswick scientific fermentor ( mf214 ): ______________________________________ alkaloid cell count nitrate ( nicotine ) time (× 10 . sup . 6 ) ph ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ______________________________________before inoculation * 7 . 12 3 , 173 0 . 48inoculum 7 , 400 7 . 40 50 0 . 05after inoculation 155 7 . 27 n . d . n . d . 1 hr . after inoc . 430 7 . 25 n . d . n . d . 2 hrs . after inoc . 410 7 . 17 n . d . n . d . 3 hrs . after inoc . 840 7 . 14 2 , 534 n . d . 4 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 040 7 . 02 1 , 171 0 . 06 6 hrs . after inoc . 1 , 490 7 . 08 50 n . d . 8 hrs . after inoc . 2 , 500 7 . 15 50 0 . 0624 hrs . after inoc . 8 , 000 7 . 34 50 0 . 06______________________________________ * slight contamination n . d . = no analysis the above data indicate that under the conditions used , specifically an initial high aeration rate ( 4 hrs . ), and then no appreciable aeration ( 20 hrs . ), both nitrate and alkaloids were degraded . more specifically , it can be seen that the nitrate degradation started very soon after the aeration was discontinued . the culture grown as described in this example was used to treat a flue - cured / burley stem mixture for 27 hours by applying inoculum at a rate of 2 . 4 mls ./ gram tobacco weight and incubating the tobacco at 30 ° c . the following chemical changes typically occurred : ______________________________________treatment no . sub . 3 alkaloidstime ( hrs .) (%) (%) ______________________________________0 . 0 2 . 8 0 . 346 . 5 2 . 3 no data27 . 0 0 . 4 0 . 06______________________________________ the treated tobaccos were blended with other tobacco materials and compared to a control blend , which contained untreated stems , as shown below for two different inclusion levels of treated materials : ______________________________________blend chemical properties alkaloids stem no . sub . 3 ( nicotine ) sample inclusion levels (%) (%) ph______________________________________control normal 1 . 33 1 . 85 5 . 45 2 . 5 × normal 1 . 67 1 . 47 5 . 48experimental * normal 0 . 85 1 . 79 5 . 77 2 . 5 × normal 0 . 69 1 . 26 6 . 42______________________________________ * contained treated stem materials . these blends were manufactured into cigarettes and machine smoked with the following differences resulting between control and experimental products : ______________________________________ per puff deliveries stem nox hcn nicotinesample inclusion levels ( μg ) ( μg ) ( mg ) puffs______________________________________control normal 44 . 4 24 . 4 0 . 13 8 . 8 2 . 5 × normal 51 . 8 18 . 7 0 . 11 8 . 3experimental normal 32 . 2 19 . 1 0 . 13 9 . 5 2 . 5 × normal 20 . 7 7 . 4 0 . 09 10 . 0______________________________________ the smoke delivery data show : 27 % and 60 % reductions in nitrogen oxides and 21 . 7 % and 60 . 4 % reductions in hydrogen cyanide for normal and 2 . 5 × normal inclusion rates of treated stem material . the data also reflect a significant increase in puff number where treated materials were incorporated into the blend at 2 . 5 × normal rate . this example demonstrates the procedure used for extracting tobacco lamina with water to remove nitrate and nicotine , treating the extract with cellulomonas sp . to remove the nitrate and nicotine , followed by adding the modified extract back to the original tobacco . a tobacco extract was prepared by mixing 100 gms . of burley lamina with one liter of water and allowing it to stand at room conditions for two hours . at this point , the extract was collected by decanting the liquid and pressing the tobacco to remove additional liquid . the tobacco was spread to dry in room air while the extract ( 700 ml ) was subjected to microbial treatment as discussed hereinafter . a mature culture of cellulomonas sp . was grown in a separate tobacco extract medium , prepared as described in example 1 ( c ) and added to the tobacco extract as described above , at a 10 % ( v / v ) rate . prior to adding the culture , the extract ph was raised to 7 . 0 ± 0 . 1 . the culture was incubated in the extract in an erlenmeyer flask on a rotary shaker at 30 ° c . the following chemical changes occurred across the 18 hour incubation time : ______________________________________cellulomonas sp . treatment of burley lamina extract alkaloid no . sub . 3 ( nicotine ) ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ______________________________________burley lamina extract 1 , 872 1 . 47mature cellulomonas sp . culture 0 0extract after treatment 66 0 . 09______________________________________ it can be seen that nitrate and nicotine were almost completely degraded ( 96 . 5 % and 93 . 9 %, respectively ) in view of the treatment . after 18 hours , the treated extract was added back to the originally extracted tobacco in three stages because of the large amount of extract involved . this was done by adding a portion , mixing thoroughly , and air drying prior to the next addition . the following chemical changes occurred during these procedures : ______________________________________tobacco analysis alkaloid no . sub . 3 (%) ( nicotine ) (%) ______________________________________burley lamina before 1 . 96 2 . 46extractionburley lamina after 0 . 72 0 . 97extractionburley lamina after treated 0 . 39 0extract addback______________________________________ it can be seen that the nitrates and alkaloids ( nicotine ) are removed from the extract and , therefore , are significantly lowered in the tobacco to which treated extract is added back . 80 % of the nitrate and 100 % of the alkaloids were removed by this method . part of the nitrate and alkaloids are removed from the tobacco by the culture during drying following addback . the tobaccos resulting from this operation were usable in manufacturing type operations . this example demonstrates some differences in the final product which can be obtained by using ultrafiltration equipment in conjunction with tobacco extraction , extract treatment and extract addback as described in example 8 . tobacco used in this example was the same as that used in example 8 . a burley lamina extract was prepared as in example 8 . the extract was then filtered with a 0 . 2 micron pore size filter in an amicon ultrafiltration device ( model tcf10 ) prior to inoculating the filtered extract with cellulomonas sp . and treating it as described in example 8 . following treatment , the extract was again filtered before addback procedures were started . the materials retained on the filter during the first filtration were also added back to the extracted tobacco . the materials retained by the filter during the second filtration were not added back to the tobacco . the following chemical changes occurred in the extract : ______________________________________chemical changes across ultrafiltration and cellulomonas sp . treatment of burley extract alkaloid no . sub . 3 ( nicotine ) ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ______________________________________burley lamina extract 1 , 872 1 . 47mature cellulomonas sp . culture 0 0extract after filtration 2 , 028 1 . 48extract after cellulomonas sp . 110 0 . 12treatment______________________________________ the following chemical changes were measured in the extracted tobacco across extraction and treatment : ______________________________________tobacco analysis alkaloid ( nicotine ) burley lamina no . sub . 3 (%) (%) ______________________________________before extraction 1 . 96 2 . 46after extraction 0 . 72 0 . 79after treated extract added back 0 . 75 0 . 72______________________________________ it can be seen that nitrates and alkaloids ( nicotine ) are removed from the extract by cellulomonas sp . but , as opposed to example 8 , no further removal from the extracted tobacco occurs during addback procedures . in this example , the microbial culture never comes into contact with the tobacco , whereas in example 8 , the culture does contact the tobacco during addback . the tobaccos resulting from this operation were usable in manufacturing type operations . this example demonstrates the effectiveness of cellulomonas sp . in removing nitrate and nicotine from reconstituted tobacco materials . a water extract broth was prepared as follows : 150 g of reconstituted tobacco was pulped in one liter of water in a waring blender for one minute . following this pulping , the mixture was held at room temperature for 10 minutes after which the liquid was centrifugally separated and brought back to the original volume with distilled water for sterilization at 121 ° c . and 15 psig for 15 minutes . separate preparations were made to which yeast extract ( ye ) was added at 0 . 5 % ( wt / vol ) rate prior to sterilization . flue - cured / burley stem extract ( with 0 . 5 % yeast extract ) was prepared as in example 1 ( c ) and was used for &# 34 ; control &# 34 ; extract . the broths &# 39 ; ph was adjusted to 7 . 2 prior to inoculation with cellulomonas sp . ______________________________________ alkaloids ( nicotine ) growth time ( hrs .) no . sub . 3 ( mg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ph______________________________________ control 0 2 , 246 0 . 23 7 . 3024 0 0 8 . 5048 0 0 8 . 12 experimentalwithout yeast extract 0 1 , 859 . 0 1 . 12 7 . 3424 1 , 641 . 0 0 . 88 7 . 4648 39 . 0 0 . 08 8 . 08with yeast extract 0 1 , 878 . 0 1 . 09 7 . 2124 0 . 28 0 . 35 8 . 0448 0 . 14 0 . 06 8 . 17______________________________________ it can be seen that the culture can effectively degrade the nitrate and alkaloids ( nicotine ) of reconstituted tobacco materials with or without the addition of yeast extract . this example demonstrates the effects of aerobic and anaerobic tobacco treatments . cellulomonas sp . was grown in flue - cured / burley extract broth , prepared as described in example 1 ( c ) but without yeast extract added , for 25 . 5 hrs . in a new brunswick scientific fermentor ( mf214 ) under the following conditions : ______________________________________agitation ( rpm ) - 600 ( 1st 4 hrs .) 300 ( last 21 . 5 hrs . ) aeration ( cc / min .) - 8 . 000 ( 1st 4 hrs .) 0 ( last 21 . 5 hrs . ) medium - flue - cured / burley extract brothmedium volume ( l ) - 8temperature (° c .) - 30ph - 7 . 0inoculum rate (% v / v ) - 5inoculum age ( hrs .) - 22antifoam - p - 1200 ( dow chemical ) inoculum agitation rate ( rpm ) - 160inoculum medium - flue - cured inoculum forburley extract broth mf214 growth cycle______________________________________ ______________________________________ alkaloidtime ( hrs .) ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ph______________________________________initial 3 , 565 2 . 84 7 . 1525 . 5 0 0 . 24 7 . 06______________________________________ at 25 . 5 hrs ., the culture was used to treat flue - cured / burley stem under aerobic and anaerobic conditions with the following results : ______________________________________ aerobic treatments time ( hrs .) 0 24 alkaloids alkaloids ph no . sub . 3 (%) (%) no . sub . 3 (%) (%) ______________________________________ 6 . 48 2 . 75 0 . 17 0 . 12 0 . 10treated 7 . 53 2 . 75 0 . 17 0 . 13 0 . 09control 5 . 20 2 . 75 0 . 17 2 . 72 0 . 12______________________________________ ______________________________________ anaerobic treatments time ( hrs .) 0 24 alkaloids alkaloids ph no . sub . 3 (%) (%) no . sub . 3 (%) (%) ______________________________________ 6 . 82 2 . 75 0 . 17 0 . 12 0 . 09treated 7 . 22 2 . 75 0 . 17 0 . 15 0 . 09control 5 . 20 2 . 75 0 . 17 2 . 78 0 . 19______________________________________ all treatments were at 75 % moisture content and conducted at 30 ° c . for 24 hours in plastic bags . also , anaerobic treatments were conducted in bbl ( baltimore biological laboratories ) &# 34 ; gaspak &# 34 ; anaerobic system jars using bbl catalyst for tying up atmospheric oxygen . it is seen from the above data that the present invention can be carried out under anaerobic conditions and under conditions when availability of oxygen is not controlled . this example demonstrates the effects of treating tobacco with cells as well as supernatant liquor from the cell growth . cellulomonas sp . was grown in flasks of flue - cured / burley stem extract broth , with 0 . 5 % ( wt / vol ) yeast extract added , prepared as in example 1 ( c ). flask inoculation and incubation were conducted as described in example 1 ( d ). at the end of the growth period , the culture was processed as shown in the fig1 . ## str1 ## table 1______________________________________culture preparation no . sub . 3 alkaloids ( μg . sup . 3 / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ph______________________________________flue - cured / burleyextract broth with 0 . 5 % yecontrol 0 hrs . 1618 0 . 290 7 . 13 ( uninoculated ) 24 hrs . 1550 0 . 290 7 . 04inoculated 0 hrs . 1559 0 . 280 7 . 11 24 hrs . 39 0 . 028 8 . 06resuspended cells 0 0 8 . 32supernatant 36 0 . 026 8 . 16filtered supernatant 40 0 . 026 8 . 27______________________________________ resuspended cells and filtered supernatant were used to inoculate separate fresh flasks of flue - cured / burley extract broth at 10 ml / flask ( 250 ml extract / 500 ml flask ) and incubated at 30 ° c . for 24 hours at 220 rpm . extract was prepared as in example 1 ( c ). the following was obtained : table 2______________________________________ no . sub . 3 alkaloids time ( hrs ) ( μg / ml ) ( mg / ml ) ph______________________________________resuspended cells 0 1482 0 . 27 7 . 02 24 0 0 8 . 15filtered supernatant 0 1522 0 . 27 7 . 21 24 1022 0 . 30 7 . 75______________________________________ resuspended cells , original culture , filtered supernatant and unfiltered supernatant were all used separately to treat 50 gm samples of flue - cured / burley stem at about 75 % moisture for 24 hours at 30 ° c . in plastic bags . a control sample was ph adjusted and water treated without inoculum . the following results were obtained : table 3______________________________________tobacco treatments time alkaloids ( hrs ) no . sub . 3 (%) ( nicotine ) (%) ph______________________________________control ( no inoculum ) 0 4 . 34 0 . 59 6 . 83 24 4 . 12 0 . 37 6 . 99original culture 0 4 . 48 0 . 56 7 . 22 24 0 . 61 0 . 05 8 . 54resuspended cells 0 4 . 33 0 . 56 7 . 03 24 2 . 72 0 . 18 8 . 06supernatant 0 4 . 65 0 . 56 7 . 25 24 4 . 51 0 . 42 7 . 24filtered supernatant 0 4 . 46 0 . 57 7 . 26 24 4 . 04 0 . 49 7 . 12______________________________________ it can be seen from the above data that the supernatant liquor when separated from the culture , does not provide the capability for degradation of nitrates and nicotine in tobacco .	0
visual messages generally are composed of one or more characters or symbols . the characters or symbols may include alphanumeric characters , phonemes , ideographs , pictographs , hieroglyphs , and other forms of visual communication . the present invention generates visual messages using symbols or symbol alphabets . in some embodiments , the symbols are trademarks , registered trademarks , service marks , registered service marks , well - known marks or symbols , logos or other proprietary symbols . as used in this specification , a well - known mark or symbol is one whose meaning or association is understood or recognized by a segment of the public . a well - known mark includes , but is not limited to , famous trademarks that may be protected under anti - dilution laws . for purposes of this specification , a well - known mark or symbol includes , as another example , marks or symbols that have acquired secondary meaning in a geographic area . the symbol messages or symbol alphabets according to the present invention — when comprising logos or other similar well - known marks or symbols — are useful for , among other things , increasing the visibility and familiarity of the incorporated symbols . they also are useful for branding the corresponding outlets , branding an entity in connection with that outlet , and branding an entity as part of a symbol message . such symbol messages or symbol alphabets may be displayed on or in , for example , billboards , print or electronic media , clothing , accessories , or novelty items . [ 0044 ] fig3 depicts a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention . the embodiment depicted in fig3 comprises four steps for generating a grammar comprising symbols : generate at least one character subset from a set of characters step 301 ; generate associations between each character subset and a symbol subset of the set of symbols step 303 ; and steps 301 and 302 , respectively , comprise generating at least one character subset from a set of characters and generating a set of symbols . the set of characters comprises characters from existing grammars . for example , the set of characters might be the english alphabet and related phonemes , egyptian hieroglyphs , or arabic numerals . the set of symbols might be all trademarks , registered trademarks , service marks , registered service marks , or well - known marks . step 303 of the embodiment depicted in fig3 involves generating associations between each character subset and symbol subsets of the set of symbols . the associations preferably are made according to existing relationships — such as visual similarities , phonetic similarities , common initial sounds or characters , or common target audience associations — between the characters and the symbols as described in this specification or as is apparent in view of this specification to one of skill in the art . for example , a character subset may comprise letters from the english alphabet , and symbol subsets may comprise professional sports team emblems . each team emblem may be associated with the letter corresponding to the first letter of the team name . in the embodiment depicted in fig3 step 304 follows step 303 . step 304 comprises generating a lexicon using the associations generated in step 303 . for example , words and phrases may be generated by replacing each letter with the symbol associated with that letter . [ 0052 ] fig1 a depicts an example of a lexicon of the present invention , which lexicon was created using the embodiment of fig3 . fig1 a shows a set of characters 101 and a set of symbols 102 that have been generated . in this example , the character subset comprises the set of characters of the english alphabet , and the symbol associated with each character is a registered trademark . the associations between the two subsets are shown by designations ( a ) through ( z ). in this embodiment , these associations generate a symbol alphabet , which are used to generate a lexicon . for example , fig1 b shows a symbol message corresponding to the slogan “ virginia is for lovers ”®, and fig1 c shows a symbol message corresponding to the phrase “ happy birthday .” in other embodiments ( not depicted ), the characters may include words , phonemes , ideographs or other visual marks or depictions ; the symbols may include service marks or other well - known symbols , marks or depictions ; and there may be more than one symbol associated with one or more of the character subsets . [ 0053 ] fig4 depicts a flow chart of an embodiment of a method of the present invention . this embodiment comprises three steps for generating a symbol message from a selected message : divide the message into at least one message subset step 401 ; associate a symbol with each message subset step 402 ; and replace each message subset with the associated symbol step 403 . step 401 comprises dividing a selected message into one or more message subsets . a message subset may comprise the entire message or some smaller portion of the message ( for example , a syllable ). if more than one message subset is formed , the message subsets may be the same or different in size . for example , if the message is a word , certain message subsets may include a syllable , and other message subsets may include only a letter . step 402 of the embodiment depicted in fig4 comprises associating a symbol with each message subset . in other words , in the embodiment depicted in fig4 each message subset is assigned a symbol . the symbols preferably are trademarks , registered trademarks , service marks , registered service marks , well - known marks , or other proprietary symbols . these symbols optionally are associated with message subsets based on existing or apparent relationships or associations — such as visual similarities , phonetic similarities , common initial characters or sounds , or common target audience associations — between each message subset and each corresponding symbol . for example , if the message is a word and if the word is divided into its letters in step 401 , each letter may be assigned a symbol that the target audience associates with a company name beginning with the same letter . moreover , the same symbol preferably is associated with each message subset having the same value . thus , in some embodiments , the same letters in a word may be assigned the same symbols . step 402 may be implemented before or after step 401 . for example , one may first associate symbols with a variety of possible message subsets for a variety of possible messages and then divide the selected message into message subsets that have already been associated with symbols . alternatively , one may select a message , divide that message into message subsets , and then associate symbols with those message subsets . step 403 of the embodiment depicted in fig4 comprises replacing each message subset with the associated symbol . step 403 follows steps 401 and 402 and converts the selected message to a corresponding symbol message by replacing part or all of the message with symbols . [ 0061 ] fig5 depicts an example of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in fig4 . in this example , the message 501 is the word “ chicago .” this message is divided into three message subsets 502 , 503 , and 504 : “ chic ,” “ a ,” and “ go .” according to step 502 depicted in fig4 each message subset is then associated with a respective symbol 505 , 506 and 507 . “ chic ” 502 is associated with a registered trademark symbol 505 associated with chick - fil - a , inc . “ a ” 503 is associated with a registered trademark symbol 506 associated with apple computer , inc . “ go ” 504 is associated with a stoplight symbol 507 with the green light turned on . then each message subset 502 , 503 , and 504 is replaced with its respective associated symbol 505 , 506 and 507 , thus yielding the final symbol message 508 . [ 0062 ] fig6 depicts a flow chart of another embodiment of a method of the present invention . the embodiment depicted in fig6 comprises three steps for generating a symbol message from a selected plurality of characters : divide a plurality of characters into at least one character subset step 601 ; associate a symbol with each of the character subsets step 602 ; and generate a message comprising each associated symbol step 603 . step 601 comprises dividing a plurality of characters into one or more character subsets . each character subset may be one or more alphanumeric characters , phonemes , words , ideographs , or any other visual mark or symbol . for example , a plurality of characters could be a name , and that name could be divided into character subsets , with some subsets including a letter and other subsets including a phoneme . as another example , the plurality of characters could be an abbreviation . step 602 of the embodiment depicted in fig6 comprises associating a symbol with each of the character subsets . for example , each letter in a name may be assigned one or more symbols which a target audience might associate with that letter . in another example , each ideograph in a chinese text ( the plurality of characters ) could be associated with a registered trademark with visual similarity to the ideograph . in step 602 , symbols may be associated with character subsets based on existing or apparent relationships or associations — such as visual similarities , phonetic similarities , common initial characters or sounds , or common target audience associations — between each character subset and each corresponding symbol . step 602 may be implemented before or after step 601 . for example , one may first assign symbols to a range of potential character subsets . one may then divide the selected plurality of characters into character subsets to which symbols already have been assigned . alternatively one may select a plurality of characters , then divide it into character subsets , and then assign symbols to the character subsets . step 603 of the preferred embodiment depicted in fig6 comprises generating a message comprising the symbols associated with each of the character subsets . step 603 follows steps 601 and 602 and converts the plurality of characters into a corresponding symbol message . the associated symbols are substituted for the corresponding character subsets , thus yielding a symbol message . [ 0070 ] fig7 depicts an example of the embodiment depicted in fig6 . in the example depicted in fig7 the plurality of characters 701 is “ new york .” the plurality of characters 701 is divided into seven character subsets 702 , 703 , 704 , 705 , 706 , 707 , and 708 : “ n ,” “ e ,” “ w ,” “ y ,” “ o ,” “ r ,” and “ k ,” respectively . each character subset 702 , 703 , 704 , 705 , 706 , 707 and 708 is associated with a respective symbol 709 , 710 , 711 , 712 , 713 , 714 and 715 . in this example , each of the symbols are registered trademarks , and the character subsets and symbols are associated because the first letter of the brand name consumers associate with each symbol is the same as the corresponding character subset . other types of associations are described in this specification and would be apparent to one of skill in the art in view of this specification . as depicted in fig7 the symbol message 716 is generated by combining , in order , the associated symbols 709 , 710 , 711 , 712 , 713 , 714 and 715 . [ 0071 ] fig8 depicts a flow chart of another embodiment of the method of the present invention . the embodiment depicted in fig8 comprises six steps for generating a symbol message : divide a core set of message characters into at least one message subset step 801 ; associate each message subset with at least one target subset of a set of target symbols step 803 ; for each subset , select one of the associated target subsets step 804 ; replace each message subset with the selected target subset step 805 ; and step 801 comprises dividing a core set of message characters into at least one message subset . the core set of message characters may be all or part of a message , and each message subset may be all or part of the core set of message characters . for example , if a message is a sentence , the core set of message characters might be a word or a phrase of the sentence , or the entire sentence . if the core set of message characters is a word , a message subset might be a letter , a group of letters , a syllable , or the entire word . the message characters and message subsets may comprise alphanumeric characters , phonemes , words , ideographs , or any other visual mark . step 802 of the embodiment depicted in fig8 occurs after step 801 and involves displaying each resulting message subset . display of each message subset shows and confirms how the core set of message characters has been divided . step 803 associates each message subset with at least one target subset of a set of target symbols . for example , if a message subset is a phoneme , one or more target symbols associated by a target audience with company names beginning with the same phonetic sound as the phoneme might be associated with the message subset . the set of target symbols may be a closed set , or it may be an open set , for example , all registered trademarks . step 803 may be implemented before or after either or both of steps 801 and 802 . other ways to generate message subsets and target subsets of target symbols , and to associate message subsets with target subsets , are described in this specification and would be apparent to one of skill in the art in view of this specification . step 804 follows , or occurs at the same time as , step 803 . step 804 involves selecting one corresponding target subset for each message subset . for example , if five symbols are associated with one message subset , one of those five symbols would be selected to replace the corresponding message subset . step 805 follows steps 801 through 804 and comprises replacing each message subset with the target subset selected for the message subset in step 804 . step 805 converts the core set of message characters into a corresponding symbol message core . step 806 follows step 805 and involves the display of each selected target subset . step 806 may involve the display of one associated target subset for each message subset , or it may involve the display of all associated target subsets for each message subset . [ 0084 ] fig9 depicts an example of the embodiment depicted in fig6 . the message 901 in this example is “ welcome to memphis .” the core set of message characters 902 in this example is “ memphis .” the core set of message characters 902 is divided into message subsets 903 , 904 , 905 , 906 , 907 , 908 , and 909 : “ m ,” “ e ,” “ m ,” “ p ,” “ h ,” “ i ,” and “ s ,” and each message subset is displayed . as depicted in fig9 message subset 903 is associated with a target subset 921 including target symbols 910 , 911 and 912 ; message subset 904 is associated with a target subset 913 including target symbol 913 ; message subset 905 is associated with target subset 922 including target symbols 914 , 915 and 916 ; message subset 906 is associated with target subset 917 including target symbol 917 ; message subset 907 is associated with target subset 918 including target symbol 918 ; message subset 908 is associated with target 919 including target symbol 919 ; and message subset 909 is associated with target 920 including target symbol 920 . the target subsets depicted in fig9 were drawn from an open - ended target set of symbols comprising all proprietary symbols . in this example , all of the target symbols are registered trademarks . target symbols 911 , 913 , 916 , 917 , 918 , 919 , and 920 are then selected , one from each respective target subset 921 , 913 , 922 , 917 , 918 , 919 , and 920 , to correspond respectively to each message subset 903 , 904 , 905 , 906 , 907 , 908 , and 909 . each message subset 903 , 904 , 905 , 906 , 907 , 908 , and 909 is then replaced with the corresponding selected target subset , and result 923 is displayed . in the embodiment depicted in fig9 the final symbol message 924 is also displayed . other embodiments of the present invention include apparatuses configured for generating symbol messages or grammars according to the present invention . fig1 depicts five alternative embodiments . in each embodiment depicted in fig1 , the apparatus comprises an input device configured to receive a message , a visual display , a memory device configured to receive and store information , and a microprocessor in communication with the memory device , the input device , and the visual display . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 ( a ), an example of a desktop computer , the input device is stylus 1004 and pad 1003 for handwriting and drawing recognition and entry ; the visual display is monitor 1001 ; and tower 1002 houses a microprocessor and a memory , which are in communication with each other and pad 1003 and monitor 1001 . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 ( b ), an example of a personal digital assistant , the input device comprises screen display 1005 , buttons 1006 and stylus 1007 ; the visual display is screen display 1005 ; and the personal digital assistant houses a microprocessor and a memory , which are in communication with each other and buttons 1006 and screen display 1005 . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 ( c ), an example of a laptop computer , the input device is keyboard 1010 ; the visual display is screen 1008 ; and laptop 1009 houses a microprocessor and a memory , which are in communication with each other and keyboard 1010 and screen 1008 . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 ( d ), another example of a desktop computer , the input device is microphone 1012 ; the visual display is screen 1013 ; and chassis 1011 houses a microprocessor ( including voice recognition and generation hardware and software ) and a memory , which are in communication with each other and microphone 1012 and screen 1013 . in the embodiment depicted in fig1 ( e ), an example of a wireless telephone , the input devices are keypad 1016 , microphone 1018 , and receiver / antenna 1017 ; the visual display is screen 1014 ; and the wireless telephone 1015 houses a microprocessor and a memory , which are in communication with each other and keypad 1016 , microphone 1018 , receiver / antenna 1017 , and screen display 1014 . in an embodiment , the apparatus according to the present invention is configured to divide a message into at least one message subset , to associate symbols ( optionally symbols that are trademarks , registered trademarks , service marks , registered service marks , or well - known marks ) with each message subset , and to replace each message subset with the associated symbols . in an alternative embodiment , the apparatus according to the present invention is configured to divide a plurality of characters into at least one character subset , to associate symbols with each character subset , and to generate messages comprising the associated symbols . in another embodiment , the apparatus according to the present invention is configured to divide a core set of message characters into at least one message subset , to associate each message subset with at least one target symbol , to prompt the selection of one of the associated target symbols for each message subset , to replace each message subset with the selected target symbol , and to show each message subset and each selected target symbol . in another embodiment , the apparatus according to the present invention is configured to draw from a set of symbols , to generate an association between subsets of a set of characters and subsets of the set of symbols , and to generate a lexicon comprising such associations . more generally , available technology and information known in the art may be used to fabricate program and control components or devices capable of performing , or facilitating the performance of , the requisite tasks or steps for implementing the methods of the present invention . these components or devices include without limitation computers , computerized devices , cellular telephones , hand - held computerized devices , microprocessors , computerized devices , disk drives , floppy disks , cd - roms , cds , and other computerized devices . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to this invention of methods and apparatus for generating symbol messages and grammar without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention or of the claims . it is also intended that the present invention and appended claims cover modifications , variations and equivalents of the methods and apparatus for generating symbol messages and grammar of the present invention .	6
with reference to fig1 and 2 , the monitoring head 1 is provided with a casing 2 consisting of two equal shells 3 , 3 &# 39 ; interconnected by screws 8 . casing 2 encloses a yarn scanning structure or system comprising a plate - shaped piezoelectric transducer element 4 and a thereto cemented rod - shaped body or yarn guide means 5 made of a material of great surface hardness . transducer element 4 may be a so - called bimorph element as known in the art , consisting of two adjacent piezoelectric wafers and three electrodes , i . e ., one electrode at the interface of said wafers and one electrode on each of the exposed outer surfaces thereof . the direction of the yarn travel in fig1 is perpendicular to the drawing plane , and in fig2 in the drawing plane and tangential to rod - shaped body 5 , and running , e . g ., from left to right . since the components 4 , 5 are firmly cemented with one another , they form a system able to vibrate uniquely in a flexural mode . fig2 shows the small side of the piezoelectric transducer element 4 , the thickness of which is drawn greater than its natural thickness , for the sake of clearness . yarn guide means 5 is cemented to and extends along the upper edge of transducer element 4 as may be seen from fig1 and 2 . with reference to fig2 the casing comprises two equal shells 3 , 3 &# 39 ; and includes a rigid base member or block 6 which may be made of a heavy material , as brass , and in which the lower edge of transducer element 4 is rigidly clamped or cemented . when block 6 is made of an electrically conducting material , as metal , the electrodes ( not shown ) of piezoelectric transducer element 4 should be insulated from said block in order to avoid short - circuiting . by way of example , the mass of block 6 may be five times the mass of the yarn scanning structure comprising transducer element 4 and yarn guide 5 , however , that mass ratio should be chosen , depending upon the fundamental frequency of the yarn scanning structure and the desired magnitude of the signal - to - noise ratio and the parameters stated in the foregoing summary . of course , block 6 may be also made of a light or insulating material , however , the use of heavy material is favorable for a space - saving design of the monitoring head . block 6 is supported in casing 2 by soft elastic material 7 located between the inner walls of shells 3 , 3 &# 39 ; and the bottom and side walls of block 6 . as mentioned in the foregoing context , the soft elastic material 7 may be sponge rubber or other loose elastic material for absorbing shock and undesired machine vibrations conducted from the frame of the textile machine to the thereto fixed casing 2 . shells 3 , 3 &# 39 ; each have a tilted top 2 &# 39 ; and 2 &# 34 ;, respectively , the upper edges of which form an elongated opening between them for exposing yarn guide 5 to the traveling yarn , leaving only a tight slot on each longitudinal side of yarn guide 5 . thus , the sensitive piezoelectric transducer element 4 is shielded from dust , humidity and other chemical and mechanical influences from outside the casing . in order to attain a still better protection of transducer element 4 , the free space between the top of block 6 and the tilted tops 2 &# 39 ;, 2 &# 34 ; of casing 2 may be filled with an elastic sealing material of low density which , however , should not damp oscillation of transducer element 4 to a substantial degree . in view of the rigid interconnection of block 6 and piezoelectric transducer element 4 , the latter has a nodal line along its lower edge clamped in block 6 and thus performs a well defined flexural vibration in its fundamental frequency when excited by a yarn traveling over yarn guide 5 . because of the relatively heavy mass of block 6 and the energy reflection at the interface of transducer element 4 and block 6 , loss or dissipation of vibrational energy from transducer element 4 is avoided so that the latter is highly responsive to the motion of the traveling yarn . the design as illustrated in fig1 and 2 allows for the manufacture of yarn travel monitoring heads having practicable dimensions and frequency responses in a desirable kc / s order . fig3 and 4 illustrate an embodiment of a quadruple monitoring head 10 which exhibits an extremely low response to direct mechanical shock and vibration acting on its casing 12 . four individual yarn scanning structures 11 , fig4 are arranged in substantially parallel relationship to each other in the common elongated casing 12 . each of the yarn scanning structures 11 comprises a vibratory cantilever member 14 , a mechano - electrical or vibrato - electrical transducer element 13 , and a ring - shaped yarn guide 15 . cantilever member 14 is formed as a lamella of substantially rectangular shape which may be made of metal , e . g ., brass . yarn guide 15 is made of a hard material , as ceramic oxide , and fixed in an aperture near the upper free end of cantilever member 14 . an elongated rigid base member or bar 16 is located inside elongated casing 12 and bears said cantilever members 14 , the lower ends of which are rigidly fixed to rigid base member 16 , e . g ., by welding . each cantilever member 14 bears a mechano - electrical transducer element 13 which is cemented to one of the plane surfaces of cantilever member 14 within elongated casing 12 . when excited by a yarn traveling through yarn guide 15 , yarn scanning structure 11 vibrates as an integral unit in a flexural mode . elongated base member 16 is supported in elongated casing 12 by soft elastic vibration damping material 17 , 18 and 19 in a similar manner as block 6 is supported in casing 2 with the embodiment shown in fig1 and 2 . elongated casing 12 as viewed from the front side shown in fig3 has the shape of an oblong rectangle , whereas its cross section , fig4 is of rectangular or substantially quadratic shape . elongated casing 12 comprises a front shell 20 and a rear shell 21 both of l - shaped cross section , and two end walls 22 , 23 . shells 20 and 21 are connected with one another by screws 8 shown in fig3 and the end walls 22 , 23 may be integral with one of shells 20 , 21 or cemented or screwed to same . an oblong aperture 24 is formed between the upper and front edges of the two shells 20 , 21 , respectively , on top of casing 12 through which aperture the upper ends of the cantilever members 14 bearing the yarn guides 15 protrude . for reducing the influence of air transmitted noise and sound , it may be advantageous to design the monitoring head illustrated in fig3 and 4 such that the cantilever members 14 protrude over the top of casing 12 just enough to fully expose yarn guides 15 . the vibratory yarn scanning structures shown in fig1 and 2 , on the one hand , and fig3 and 4 , on the other hand , exhibit substantially different constructions . in the first case , said yarn scanning structure comprises two components 4 , 5 , namely a self - supporting piezoelectric transducer element 4 and a yarn guide 5 . yarn guide 5 is formed as a rod - shaped body and connected directly with transducer element 4 . in the second case , the yarn scanning structure 11 comprises three components 13 , 14 , 15 . transducer element 13 is not self - supporting and fixed to the relatively long vibratory cantilever member or lamella 14 which bears the ring - shaped yarn guide 15 . since the yarn scanning structure of the first mentioned embodiment comprises only two components 4 , 5 , the fundamental frequency of that yarn scanning structure is substantially dependent upon the physical properties and mounting of the piezoelectric transducer element 4 , whereas in the second embodiment comprising three components , generally cantilever member 14 is the component which substantially determines the fundamental or resonant frequency . further , with reference to fig2 transducer element 4 is attached or clamped to rigid block 6 , whereas in fig4 cantilever member 14 is fixed at rigid bar 16 . transducer elements other than those mentioned with reference to the drawings may be used with the yarn scanning structures of the invention , e . g ., transducers having a stress or shape dependent electric resistivity , as piezoresistive transducers , e . g ., strain gauges of semiconductor material , or electret films or plates and other capacitive transducers as used in condenser microphones and loudspeakers . particularly , such transducer elements shaped as thin layers or films which are not self - supporting may be provided at one or both sides of a flat vibratory cantilever member of the type shown in fig3 and 4 , in a similar manner as transducer element 13 which is cemented to one side of cantilever member 14 . of course , also piezoelectric flat or thin transducer elements may be provided at cantilever member 14 . further , the yarn guide means , as ring - shaped member 15 in fig3 and 4 , may be replaced by a simple hole or open slot in cantilever member 14 . in addition , a layer of hard material , as ceramic oxide , may be applied along the edges of such a hole or slot by methods known in the art . the invention allows for a multiplicity of structural changes with respect to the illustrated and above described preferred embodiments and thus it is possible to design the monitoring device of the invention for many particular and different uses and in a great variety of other and different advantageous embodiments . while there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention , it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto , but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims .	1
a tremolo device 1 for a stringed musical instrument ( fig1 and fig2 ) according to the present invention comprises a base plate 2 , on the upper surface of which are independently mounted saddle assemblies 3 , corresponding to the number of the strings 29 . each assembly 3 ( fig5 and fig6 ) including a front 4 and a rear 5 string saddle with asymmetrically projecting arms movably connected to each other via a saddle assembly shaft 7 located perpendicularly to the corresponding string 29 . to each saddle assembly 3 means are provided for their fixing on the base plate 2 , for fine tuning , intonation adjustment and string locking . in the front 4 string saddle ( fig7 ) a slot 4 a is formed housing a saddle mounting screw 9 mounted in a threaded opening in the base plate 2 . in the back portion of the rear 5 string saddle ( fig7 ) a rear slot 5 a is formed housing a fine tuning screw mounted in a threaded opening in the base plate 2 . in the screw 9 head ( fig3 ) crossed slots 9 a are formed , allowing fine tuning of the string 29 by guitar pick 33 or nail . in the front portion of the rear saddle 5 ( fig6 ) a string receiving recess 5 b is formed extending to the front slot 5 c , which axis is parallel to the axis of slot 4 a in the front 4 string saddle and to the axis of the rear slot 5 a . in the front slot 5 c a string lock insert 10 is mounted . from the front slot 5 c ( fig8 ) to the back wall of the rear string saddle 5 a lower threaded opening 5 e is extended , in which a string lock screw 11 is mounted and screwed up to the front slot 5 c and to the string lock insert 10 mounted in it . from the rear slot 5 a ( fig9 ) to the back wall of the rear string saddle 5 an upper threaded opening 5 d is formed , in which an adjustment screw 12 is disposed , contacting with the fine tuning screw 9 head . the axes of the slot 4 a in the front string saddle 4 ( fig6 ) and the rear slot 5 a in the rear string saddle 5 are parallel and displaced with respect to the axis of the corresponding string 29 . the string lock insert 10 ( fig2 ) is formed by a cylindrical body . in the lower portion of the string lock insert 10 a slot 10 a is formed ( fig8 ), reaching the rear part of the string lock screw 11 . the string lock insert 10 mounted so that the slot 10 a is at the height of the string lock screw 11 . the base plate 2 ( fig3 and fig1 ) abuts against a pivot assembly 13 , each one including a pivot stud 14 and a pivot insert 15 . in the base plate 2 front end circular recesses are provided , conically beveled at the upper and lower surface of the base plate 2 , so that with each circular slot a knife edge is formed engaged with a double conical recess below the head of each pivot stud 14 . to the lower surface of the base plate 2 ( fig4 and fig9 ) a sustain block 17 is mounted by means of block mounting screws 16 . in one side of the sustain block 17 ( fig2 ) a two step opening 17 a with an arm bush 19 is formed , through which a tremolo arm 18 passes with thread in its lower end , corresponding to that of the lower end of the opening 17 a . under the arm bush 19 ( fig1 ), an arm washer 20 and an arm spring 21 are consecutively disposed . in the base plate 2 ( fig4 ) a second opening for the tremolo arm 18 is formed symmetrically to the mid distance between the pivot assemblies 13 . to the lower side of the sustain block 17 a balancing mechanism 22 is mounted , inserted in a cavity provided on the lower side of the instrument body , including a number of springs which ends are fixed to the spring claw 25 , the other ends are immovably fixed to the sustain block 17 by means of hooks 23 a and spring fix screws 24 . the adjustment screw 12 ( fig9 ) is mounted in the upper threaded opening 5 d of the rear string saddle 5 . the rear string saddle 5 reaching the fine tuning spring 6 , which axis is perpendicular to the axis of the saddle assembly shaft 7 and the axes are at some distance from each other . in the front portion of the rear string saddle 5 an opening 5 f is formed , which axis is nonparallel to and does not intersect the saddle assembly shaft 7 axis and also the string 29 axis . in the opening 5 f the fine tuning spring 6 is disposed reaching the opening bottom with one end and with the other — the back wall of the front string saddle 4 . the tremolo device 1 ( fig1 and fig1 ) is movably mounted in a preliminary prepared cavity in the body 28 of the instrument 27 via a pair of pivot studs 14 and pivot inserts 15 fixed in the body 28 and balances by being pulled in one direction by the tensile force in the strings 29 , and in the other direction — by the force of springs 23 of the balancing mechanism 22 . controlled by spring claw screws 26 , regulating the tension in springs 23 , these two forces are balanced so that the tremolo surface is parallel to the plane of the body 28 of the instrument . the strings 29 are tightly fixed in the top lock device 32 or in the machine heads 30 , as well as in the tremolo device 1 . when the arm 18 is pressed to the body 28 of the instrument , the tremolo device 1 gets rotated around the pivot points axis in one direction so that the tensile force in the strings 29 decreases , causing lowering of strings 29 tone pitch . when the arm 18 is pulled in the opposite direction — the tensile force in the strings 29 gets increased , causing increase of strings 29 tone pitch . the designation of the fine tuning spring 6 ( fig1 ) is to create a torque around the saddle assembly shaft 7 axis through the force f and the perpendicular distance r from the rotation axis , so that the rear string saddle 5 surface located under the fine tuning screw 9 head , should always touch the surface of the lower side of the fine tuning screw 9 head , even in the cases when the arm 18 is pressed and the strings 29 are completely loose . the functions of the tremolo device according to the invention are as follows : locking one end of the strings 29 to the body 28 of the instrument ; adjusting the strings 29 height ; adjusting the strings 29 intonation ; fine tuning of the strings 29 ; smooth decrease or increase of the played tone by using the arm 18 . the advantage of the tremolo device for a stringed musical instrument 1 according to the invention is its simplified construction , finding expression in simplification of the sustain block and the base plate by forming a fine tuning spring opening 5 f in the front portion of the rear string saddles 5 . the easier usage of the device is achieved in the device assembly and maintenance due to the decreased number of parts and units . it is also expressed in dropping out of a number of free fine tuning springs . the improved sustain is achieved by elimination of a number of openings and recesses in the sustain block and base plate . thus the sustain block increases its mass , resulting in improved sustain .	6
before explaining in detail at least one embodiment of the invention in detail by way of exemplary drawings , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings . the invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways . also , it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting . it is desirous to adapt gloves to the anatomy of the hand . by way of example , a previous glove has been suggested wherein the back portion of the glove has one or more parts that are extended with respect to the corresponding parts of the palm portion of the glove to adapt the glove to the form of the hand in its rest position or else in a position having one or more fingers curved . while this prior art glove does provide a more natural curving form , it does not address the flexibility of the glove in relation to the user &# 39 ; s hand and also does not overcome the amount of clasping force a user must exert in order to open and close the palm portion . furthermore , this prior art glove results in a bunching of material in the palm portion when the glove is used , providing the user with an uncomfortable and loose grip . referring to the drawings in general , and to fig1 and 3 in particular , shown therein and designated by the general reference numeral 10 is a precurved gusseted glove of the present invention , which includes a glove assembly 20 and an internal sleeve 100 . the glove assembly 20 includes a palm side 30 , a back side 40 , a thumb side 45 , a finger end 50 , a little finger side 55 , a wrist end 60 , and at least one means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position . the palm side 30 has an interior surface 32 and an exterior surface 34 . the back side 40 has an interior surface 42 and an exterior surface 44 . the finger end 50 includes four finger stalls 52 and a thumb stall 54 . the little finger side 55 has an interior surface 56 and an exterior surface 57 . the wrist end 60 has an interior surface 62 and an exterior surface 63 . the interior surface 32 of the palm side 30 , the interior surface 42 of the back side 40 , an interior surface 46 of the thumb side 45 , the interior surface 56 of the little finger side 55 , and the interior surface 62 of the wrist end 60 are operably connected to one another to thereby define an overall interior area 110 of the internal sleeve 100 of the glove assembly 20 . a user &# 39 ; s hand 70 , which includes a wrist 75 , a palm 80 , knuckle area 85 , and fingers 90 , is placed within the overall interior area 110 of the internal sleeve 100 when in use . the exterior surface 34 of the palm side 30 , the exterior surface 44 of the back side 40 , an exterior surface 47 of the thumb side 45 , the exterior surface 57 of the little finger side 55 , and the exterior surface 63 of the wrist end 60 are operably connected to one another to thereby define an overall exterior area 120 of the glove assembly 20 . the overall exterior area 120 of the glove assembly 20 is the area that is apparent on the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 as shown in fig1 - 5 . in one embodiment , and as shown in fig4 and 5 , each one of the four finger stalls 52 of the finger end 50 have an open end 53 and a length 58 such that each finger 90 of the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 is bare from a finger tip area 92 to a point 94 between the knuckle area 85 and a first finger joint 96 of the finger 90 . however , the glove assembly 20 may be constructed such that some or all of the four finger stalls 52 have any length 58 , from no length at all to full - finger length . full length four finger stalls 52 may be close - ended rather than open - ended . in similar fashion , the thumb stall 54 typically has an open end 200 and a length 210 such that a thumb 82 of the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 protrudes from the thumb stall 54 . however , the glove assembly 20 may be constructed such that the thumb stall 54 has any length 210 , from no length at all to full - thumb length . full length thumb stall 54 may be close - ended rather than open - ended . the palm side 30 of the glove assembly 20 may be padded substantially as shown in fig1 or in any other suitable manner so long as the padding does not interfere with the natural curled position of the precurved gusseted glove 10 . typically , the glove assembly 20 is padded with foam rubber or the like stitched into the palm side 30 of the glove assembly 20 . the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is located on at least one of the thumb side 45 and / or the little finger side 55 of the glove assembly 20 . as shown in fig1 the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is shown as being located between the palm side 30 and the back side 40 of the glove assembly 20 and extends along a first length 250 from the finger end 50 to the wrist end 60 of the glove assembly 20 . as shown in fig1 and 2 , the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position tapers from a first width 300 to a second width 320 along the first length 250 . in particular , the first width 300 is larger than the second width 320 such that the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is effectively a gusset — thereby allowing the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 while wearing the glove assembly 20 to grip an object without a buildup of material or padding in the palm side 30 of the glove assembly 20 . similarly , as shown in fig3 the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is located as being on the little finger side 55 of the glove assembly 20 . thus , it can be appreciated that the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position may be located solely on the thumb side 45 or the little finger side 55 or the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position may be located on both the thumb side 45 and the little finger side 55 . as shown in fig3 the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is located on the little finger side 55 between the palm side 30 and the back side 40 of the glove assembly 20 . when on the little finger side 55 of the glove assembly 20 , the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 tapers from a third width 330 to a fourth width 340 along a second length 275 from the finger end 50 to the wrist end 60 of the glove assembly 20 . in particular , the third width 330 is larger than the fourth width 340 such that the means 65 for maintaining the glove assembly 20 in a natural curled position is effectively a gusset — thereby allowing the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 while wearing the glove assembly 20 to grip an object without a buildup of material or padding in the palm side 30 of the glove assembly 20 . as shown in fig4 and 5 , the wrist end 60 of the glove assembly 20 further includes a wrist cuff 500 and a securing strap 520 . the securing strap 520 has a bottom side 530 and a top side 540 . on the bottom side 530 of the securing strap 520 is a strip of material ( not shown ) that coordinates with a securing portion 550 of the wrist cuff 500 . this strip of material and the securing portion 550 of the wrist cuff 500 are typically made of complementary strips of hook and loop fasteners , such as velcro ® or the like . on the back side 40 of the glove assembly 20 , the glove assembly 20 may have a flexible fabric panel 600 . at the wrist cuff 500 of the glove assembly 20 , the flexible fabric panel 600 may have a slit 620 which allows for the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 to be more comfortably placed within the glove assembly 20 . also , slit 620 will also allow the securing strap 520 to be tightened and secured to the wrist cuff 500 via the strip of material ( not shown ) on the bottom side 530 of the securing strap 520 and the securing portion 550 of the wrist cuff 500 , such that the wrist cuff 500 is securely positioned around the wrist 75 of the user &# 39 ; s hand 70 . typically , the glove assembly 20 is constructed of leather or the like . however , the glove assembly 20 may be made of any material which has properties consistent with the purpose of the present invention . the use of the precurved gusseted glove 10 is not limited to weight lifting . the precurved gusseted glove 10 may be used in any sort of activity where the user &# 39 ; s hand is preferentially kept in a natural curled position when gripping an object and where it is desirous that the material of the chosen glove not bunch in the palm of the user when gripping the object . the precurved gusseted glove 10 is described hereinabove and illustrated in the drawings as a right - handed glove . however , it should be appreciated that the present invention contemplates and includes a left - handed precurved gusseted glove constructed in a manner consistent with the disclosure made herein . thus , in accordance with the present invention , there has been provided a precurved gusseted glove that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above . although the invention has been described in conjunction with the specific drawings and language set forth above , it is evident that many alternatives , modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art . accordingly , it is intended to embrace all such alternatives , modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention .	0
a most preferred ( a ) a silane cross - linking agent is the above - mentioned tris ( gamma - trimethoxysilylpropyl ) isocyanurate which is a methoxy - functional silane with triple trisubstituted silyl groups shaped as y . it is believed that silquest ® y - 11597 may greatly improve the adhesion on difficult treated surfaces . the molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 may schematically be described before being hydrolyzed as following : after hydrolyzing , molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 are activated and readily react to hydroxyl groups on a metal surface , silanol groups on other silane molecules including ones of silane coupling , and hydroxyl groups in a polymeric coating . triple trisubstituted molecules of hydrolyzed silquest ® y - 11597 establish stronger covalent bonding with mineral surfaces including metallic surfaces . it is believed , after being hydrolyzed , since a triple trisubstituted molecule of silquest ® y - 11597 carries more hydroxyl groups than a linear silane cross - linking agents , such as 1 , 2 - bis ( triethoxysilyl ) ethane ( btse ), molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 have greater potential to form hydrogen bonds with hydroxyl groups on mineral surfaces and eventually from stronger covalent bonds by liberating water during drying and / or curing , which may be illustrated as following bonding chain : triple trisubstituted molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 establish an well - orientated primering layer . it is also believed , since triple trisubstituted molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 immediate migrating onto mineral surface , hydroxyl groups carried by molecules of silquest ® y - 1 1597 partially react with hydroxyl groups on a mineral surface to form covalent bonds with mineral surface and most of them react to any oncoming hydroxyl groups carried by ( a ) silane crosslinking agent , ( b ) silane coupling agent , and even polymeric coating . furthermore , molecules of hydrolyzed silquest ® y - 11597 improve the distribution and number of hydroxyl groups on a mineral surface . since hydroxyl groups are active to hydrophilic groups and repellent to hydrophobic groups and more hydroxyl groups molecules of hydrolyzed silquest ® y - 11597 have , the more likely molecules of a silane coupling agent are orientated or stand up with hydrophobic head away form mineral surface . triple trisubstituted molecules of silquest ® y - 11597 establish long - range , irregularly three - dimensional , and nonreversible network by cross - linking functionality of silquest ® y - 11597 . the metal coating coupling composition of this invention establishes better adhesion to polymeric coating . hydrophobic or organofunctional groups in metal coating coupling composition concentrate outer layer of metal coating coupling , which are chemically reactive proportions to polymeric coatings and form covalent bonds with polymeric coatings . furthermore , the primer layer crosslinked by silquest ® y - 11597 is irregular , in which molecules of polymeric coating interdiffuse or interlock or interpenetrate with molecules of metal coating coupling composition to form strong physical bonds . a preferred ( b ) a silane coupling agent is vinyl - tris -( 2 - methoxyethoxy ) silane available form osi specialties and sold under the name silquest a - 172 . its molecules of silquest a - 172 may be described before hydrolyzed as following : examples of other vinyl silane coupling agents are vinylmethyldimethoxysilane , vinyltrichlorosilane , vinyltriethoxysilane , vinyltrisopropoxysilane , vinyltrimethoxysilane , vinyl - tris -( 2 - methoxyethoxy ) silane . they are also available from osi specialties . they are illustrated as follows : ( a ) the silane cross - linking agent and ( b ) silane coupling agents mentioned hereinbefore have to be partially or fully hydrolyzed , preferably fully hydrolyzed before being applied on a metallic surface , so that the silanes coupling agents and cross - linking agents are active to bond with each other , the metallic substrate , and the polymeric coating . during hydrolysis , r groups are replaced with a hydrogen atom . hydrolysis of silanes may be accomplished by mixing with water , more favorably deionized water and maybe some selected solvent , which preferably has some chemical formula with r groups and improve the solubility of silanes . the most preferred solvent for this invention is 2 - methyl - 2 , 4 - pentanediol . examples of other alcohol solvents include methanol , ethanol , 1 - propanol , 1 - butanol , isopropanol , isobutanol , sec - butanol , tert - butanol , 1 - pentanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - butanol , isopentyl alcohol , 2 - pentanol , 3 - pentanol , tert - pentyl alcohol , 1 - hexanol , 4 - methyl - 2 - pentanol , 2 - ethyl - 1 - butanol , 2 - methyl - 1 - pentanol , 1 - heptanol , 2 - heptanol , 3 - heptanol , 1 - octanol , 2 - octanol , 2 - ethyl hexanol , 3 , 5 , 5 - trimethylhexanol , 1 - nonanol , 2 , 6 - dimethyl - 4 - heptanol , 1 - decanol , 1 - undecanol , 5 - ethyl - 2nonanol , 1 - dodecanol , trimethylnonyl alcohol , tetradecanol , heptadecanol , 2 - methylpentane - 2 , 4 - diol , ethylene glycol , 1 , 2 - propanediol , 1 , 3 - propanediol , 1 , 4 - butanediol , 2 , 3 - butanediol , 1 , 5 - pentanediol , 2 - butene - 1 , 4 - diol , 2 - ethyl - 1 , 3 - hexaediol , glycerine , hexadecanol , octadecanol , pinacol , pentaerythritol , cyclohexanol , α - phenylethyl alcohol , 2 - methylcyclohexanol , β - phenylethyl alcohol , benzyl alcohol , abietinol , and α - terpineol . the most preferred formulation of the metal coating coupling composition of this invention is as follows : the ph value of metal coating coupling solution of this invention is preferably adjusted below about 6 , more preferably between from 3 to 6 . acidifying the metal coating coupling solution will improve hydrolysis and stability of hydrolyzed silane solution to longer shelf and / or service life during stocking / operating . the higher the ph , specifically above 6 , has the greater potential to polymerization or gelation of the metal coating coupling solution . it is important to select a proper chemical to adjust the ph value of this metal coating coupling solution . in general , both organic and inorganic ( mineral ) acids are usable to adjust ph value of the metal coating coupling solution , but most organic acids interfere the performance of the metal coating coupling composition and stain or colorize metallic substrates , so a preferred ph adjusters for this metal coating coupling composition are inorganic acids . the most preferred acid is hexafluorotitanic acid . the most preferred ph ranges for immersion and spray application are 3 . 5 - 4 . 5 and 4 . 5 - 5 . 5 , respectively , because any corrosion product or flash rust will prevent active the metal coating coupling composition of this invention from forming bonding with metallic surfaces . when preparing the metal coating coupling composition of the present invention , it is generally preferred to employ ( a ) the silane cross - linking agent and ( b ) the silane coupling agent in a ratio of 1 : 10 to 10 : 1 . the best preferred ratio is 1 : 1 . the concentration of ( a ) the silane cross - linking agent and ( b ) the silane coupling agent of the present invention may be varied from 0 . 0001 to 40 . 0 %/ wt ., respectively . the best preferred concentration of the metal coating coupling composition in a dilute aqueous solution in a working tank is from 0 . 01 to 20 . 0 %/ wt . in another preferred manner , the concentration of the silane cross - linking agent and coupling agent in an aqueous solution is 0 . 001 to 10 %/ wt . and the concentration of solvent is 0 . 01 to 40 % in weight . in the metal coating coupling formula described in table 5 , the amount of 2 - methyl - 2 , 4 - pentanedial is designated at 90 %/ wt . this amount can vary from 0 . 01 to 99 . 9 % in weight to provide very dilute aqueous solutions . a method of making a concentrated metal coating coupling composition is provided which is readily dilutable into an aqueous solution . the concentrated composition has more than a 12 - month shelf life and a 200 ° f . flash point . this example illustrates the preparation of the metal coating coupling solution . a typical procedure for the preparation of the metal coating coupling solution of this invention is as follows : a clean container is charged with 99 . 89 units of water , preferable soft water , the most preferable deionized water , then adjust with hexafluorotitanic acid . 0 . 1 units of the metal coating coupling composition shown in table 5 then is added in the acidic water . if the solution is applied by spray , the ph value should be adjusted with hexafluorotitanic acid to about 3 . 5 - 4 . 5 . if immersion , about 4 . 5 - 5 . 5 . however , this can vary from 1 . 0 to 12 . 0 . contacting time with metallic substrate is longer than 5 seconds and the most preferable contacting time is about 30 - 60 seconds . the applying temperature is from ambient to boiling temperature . the most preferable applying temperature is ambient temperature . this example demonstrates the effectiveness of present invention as this metal coating coupling composition to be applied on bare metallic substrates , which were coated and reacted with polyester / tgic and their hybrid coatings . metal panels , standard cold - rolled steel panels were made available from q - panel lab , were cleaned with alkaline cleaner liquid mc - 726 as made available for johnsondiversey , inc . ( about 2 ounces of cleaner per gallon of tap water at about 145 0f ). immersing or spraying the metal panels by liquid mc - 726 , rinsing with water , achieved the cleanliness of cold - rolled steel panels . the clean metal panels were sprayed ( for about 20 - 70 seconds ) or immersed in the in use the metal coating coupling composition prepared by the procedures shown in example 1 at ambient temperature for about 60 seconds , and then dried by forced air or with an oven at temperature about from ambient to 400 0f for about at least 5 seconds . the resulting primed panels were subsequently painted ( homogeneously coated with a polyester / tgic paint ). panels were then scribed and salt fogged per astm b 117 for 840 hours . the tested panels were subjected to a tape pull and knife scrape in a manner described by astm d 1654 procedure a , method 2 . mean creepage ( coating lift ) along the scribe was recorded in terms of time ( hours ) and millimeters of creepage . the data has been recorded in the following table 6 and shows that the metal coating coupling composition of the present invention has good adhesion and corrosion resistant properties . the preferable operation range is at a concentration of 0 . 01 - 2 . 0 %/ wt . it is not necessary to rinse the parts after the metal coating coupling composition is applied . the ph of the water is adjusted to 3 . 0 - 5 . 0 using an acidic material before adding the composition . the ph of the chemical solution should be maintained between 3 . 5 - 6 . 0 . normally , the ph will remain stable . however , if it needs to be adjusted , acidic material is used to lower it and alkaline material to raise it . higher temperature operation does not diminish the performance but will shorten the tank life by condensing reactive ingredients and changing the ratio of active functional groups and reactive sites on substrate . higher spray pressure is always preferable . lower ph will cause metal corrosion and higher ph will potentially cause solution gelling . this example demonstrates the effectiveness of present invention as a metal coating coupling composition to replace iron - phosphate / non - chromate processes . all treated panels were coated with polyester / tgic coatings . procedures to pretreat all panels is as follows : metal panels were cleaned , if applied , with alkaline cleaner liquid mc - 726 as made available for johnsondiversey , inc . ( about 2 . 0 ounces of cleaner per gallon of tap water at about 145 0f ); rinsed by water at ambient for 40 seconds ; pickled , if applied , with acid cleaner fac - 106 as made available for johnsondiversey , inc . ( about 2 . 0 ounces of cleaner per gallon of tap water at about ambient temperature ); rinsed by water at ambient for 40 seconds ; iron - phosphated , if applied , with secure tec es as made available for johnsondiversey , inc . ( about 3 ounces of cleaner per gallon of tap water at about 145 0f for 60 seconds ); rinsed by water at ambient for 40 seconds . then treated metal panels were sprayed ( for about 20 - 70 seconds ) or immersed in the in use metal coating coupling solution prepared by the procedures shown in example 1 at ambient temperature for about 60 seconds , and then dried by forced air or with an oven at about from ambient to 400 0f for about at lease 5 second . the resulting primed panels were subsequently painted ( homogeneously coated with a polyester / tgic paint ) and then scribed and salt fogged per astm b 117 for 552 hours . the four panels in table 7 purchased from act laboratories , inc ., which are used as comparison and pretreated with bonderite 1000 ™, the most commonly used type of industrial iron phosphate , and primed with parcolene 95 ™, the most commonly used type of industrial non - chromate metal coating coupling . iron phosphated panels have a coating weight of 40 - 60 mg / ft2 . the purchased panels were subsequently painted ( homogeneously coated with a polyester / tgic paint such as ferro , sp - 2006 and morton , 40 - 7008 ) and then scribed and salt fogged per astm b 117 for 552 hours . the resulting test panels were subjected to a tape pull and knife scrape in a manner described by astm d 1654 procedure a , method 2 . mean creepage ( coating lift ) along the scribe was recorded in terms of time ( hours ) and millimeters of creepage . the data has been recorded in the following table 8 and shows that the metal coating coupling composition of the present invention has good adhesion and corrosion resistant properties . as indicated in example 1 , hexafluorotitanic acid is employed to adjust the ph value . if desired , any inorganic compound could be employed which could contain titanium and / or zirconium ions . it will thus be seen that there is now provided a coupling composition which affords improved priming of metal . while examples and certain embodiments are disclosed , others can be employed provided they afford the desired coupling capabilities . other variations and modifications of this invention will be obvious to those skilled in this art . this invention is not to be limited except as set forth in the following claims .	2
referring to fig1 a combustible gas is passed through conduit 10 to a flare 28 where the combustible gas is burned . the passing of a combustible gas through conduit 10 is detected by measuring a first differential pressure using a pitot venturi 12 and transmitting the first differential pressure as a first signal by transmitter 14 through conduit 15 , check valve 16 and conduit 18 to flow controller 20 . a by - pass valve 36 is in parallel with check valve 16 . a set point signal from a set point signal source 38 is transmitted via conduit 19 to flow controller 20 . flow controller 20 compares the set point signal with the first signal and transmits a steam flow control signal through conduit 22 to open steam flow control valve 24 which is located in steam line 26 which is attached to flare 28 . flow controller 20 as shown in this embodiment is a proportional - integral controller , thus where the first signal is greater than the set point signal , the steam flow control signal opens steam flow control valve 24 to the full open position , allowing steam to flow to flare 28 . flow controller 20 could also be a proportional position controller or a ratio controller , then in response to the first signal , the steam flow control signal opens steam flow control valve 24 in proportion to the magnitude of the first signal . the first signal terminates when the pitot venturi 12 stops detecting a first differential pressure . in accordance with the invention a conduit 30 attached to conduit 18 connects a restrictor 32 to conduit 15 via conduit 34 . restrictor 32 permits the flow of the signal medium only in the opposite direction to that of check valve 16 and at an adjustable rate . therefore , when the flow of combustible gases in conduit 10 is terminated as indicated by the first signal generated by transmitter 14 which measures the first pressure differential across the pitot venturi 12 , restrictor 32 permits the first signal as seen by the flow controller 20 to slowly decrease by flowing through conduit 18 , conduit 30 , restrictor 32 , conduit 34 , conduit 15 and to bleed off to the atmosphere at transmitter 14 . this maintains steam flow control valve 24 at least partially open for a predetermined period of time depending upon the opening of restrictor 32 . referring to fig2 a combustible gas is passed through conduit 10 to a flare 28 where the combustible gas is burned . passing of a combustible gas through conduit 10 is detected by measuring a first differential pressure using a pitot venturi 12 and transmitting the first differential pressure as a first signal by transmitter 14 through conduit 15 , check valve 16 and conduit 18 to flow controller 21 . a by - pass valve 36 is in parallel with check valve 16 . a set point signal from a set point signal source 38 is transmitted via conduit 19 to flow controller 21 and in this respect the process and apparatus as described thus far and shown in fig2 is the same as that described in connection with fig1 . steam passes through conduit 40 to flow control valve 21 to flare 28 . steam passing through conduit 40 is monotored by measuring a second differential pressure using an orifice 42 and transmitting the second differential pressure as a second signal by transmitter 44 , through conduit 40 , to flow controller 21 . flow controller 21 compares the first signal , with the second signal and with the set point signal and transmits a steam adjustment signal through conduit 46 , to open steam flow control valve 24 , which is located in steam line 26 which is attached to flare 28 . in accordance with the invention a conduit 30 attached to conduit 16 connects a restrictor 32 to conduit 18 via conduit 34 . restrictor 32 permits the flow of the signal medium only in the opposite direction to that of check valve 16 and at an adjustable rate . therefore when the flow of combustible gases through conduit 10 is terminated as indicated by the first signal generated by transmitter 14 which measures the first pressure differential across the pitot venturi 12 , restrictor 32 , permits the first signal as seen by flow controller 21 to slowly decrease by flowing through conduit 18 , conduit 34 , restrictor 32 , conduit 30 , conduit 15 and to bleed off to the atmosphere at transmitter 14 . this maintains steam flow control valve 24 at least partially open for a predetermined period of time depending upon the opening of restrictor 32 . the advantage of the flare control system shown in fig2 is that it allows the steam to flow to the flare at a rate which is consistently proportional to the magnitude of the first signal received by controller 17 . referring to fig3 a combustible gas is passed through conduit 10 to a flare 28 where the combustible gas is burned . the passing of a combustible gas through conduit 10 is detected by measuring a first differential pressure using a pitot venturi 12 and transmitting the first differential pressure as a first signal by transmitter 14 through conduit 15 to flow controller 20 . a by - pass valve 58 is in parallel with check valve 58 . a set point signal from a set point signal souce 38 is transmitted via conduit 19 to flow controller 20 . flow controller 20 compares the set point signal with the first signal and transmits a steam flow control signal through conduit 18 , through check valve 50 and conduit 22 , to open steam flow control valve 24 located in steam line 26 which is attached to flare 28 . flow controller 20 is a proportional - integral controller , thus , when the first signal is greater than set point signal , steam flow control means signal opens steam flow control valve 24 to the full open position , allowing steam to flow to flare 28 . flow controller 20 could also be a proportional position controller or a ratio controller , then , in response to the first signal , steam flow control means opens steam flow control valve 24 in proportion to the magnitude of the first signal . in accordance with the invention a conduit 52 attached to conduit 22 connects a restrictor 54 to conduit 18 via conduit 56 . restrictor 54 permits the flow of a signal medium only in the opposite direction to that of check valve 50 and at an adjustable rate . therefore when the flow of combustible gases through conduit 10 is terminated as indicated by the first signal generated by transmitter 14 which measures the first pressure differential across the pitot venturi 12 , restrictor 54 , permits the first signal as seen by flow controller 20 to slowly decrease by flowing through conduit 22 , conduit 52 , adjustable restrictor 54 , conduit 56 , conduit 18 flow controller 20 , conduit 15 and to bleed off to the atmosphere at transmitter 14 . this maintains steam flow control valve 24 at least partially open for a predetermined period of time depending upon the opening of restrictor 54 . the rate of steam passed to the flare depends on the identity of the combustible gas being burned . unsaturated combustible gases require a greater amount of steam to obtain complete burning efficiency . generally the rate of steam for unsaturated hydrocarbon combustible gases is within the range of 0 . 9 pounds to 1 . 3 pounds of steam per pound of combustible gas and for unsaturated hydrocarbon combustible gases is within the range of 0 . 3 pounds to 0 . 8 pounds of steam per pound of combustible gas . the restrictor can be adjusted for any predetermined period of time . generally , the restrictor is adjusted for a predetermined period of time of from about 15 seconds to about 3 minutes but more often the predetermined period of time is from about 30 seconds to about one minute . in a specific example of the invention , an embodiment as shown in fig1 was employed to flare combustible gases comprising hydrogen , methane , ethane , ethylene , propane and propylene . the steam employed was saturated steam and the steam rate was 0 . 4 pounds of steam per pound of combustible gas . the means employed for detecting the passing of combustible gases to the flare was a pitot venturi no . 88s 79 manufactured by the taylor instruments company , rochester , n . y . the differential pressure detected by the pitot venturi in conjunction with a foxboro differential pressure transmitter model 15a1 , manufactured by the foxboro instrument company , foxboro , mass . was transmitted to a foxboro flow controller model 43ap through a check valve model 1119b - 2tp , manufactured by circle seal controls located in anaheim , calif . the signal generated by the foxboro flow controller model 43ap was then transmitted to the steam control valve to open or close the valve . an adjustable restrictor model no . c132aa , manufactured by foxboro instrument company was connected on either side of the check valve to permit flow of the signal medium from the downstream side of the check valve to the upstream side of the check valve in order to permit exhausting the signal medium ( air ) to the atmosphere when the flow of combustible gases detected by the differential pressure transmitter and the pitot venturi is reduced or terminated . the adjustable restrictor was set to permit the flow of steam to the flare for a period of 60 seconds following the termination of passing combustible gases to the flare . since the period of time beginning with the termination of flow of combustible gases to the flare and ending with the start of passing combustible gases to the flare was less than 60 seconds except occasionally , the practice of the present invention essentially eliminated the presence of smoke emanating from the flare at the beginning of each discharge of combustible gases to the flare without the necessity of passing steam to the flare on a continuous basis .	5
referring now to fig2 and fig3 c showing an exemplary design of a 2 . 5 inch , or smaller , head stack assembly 50 manufactured in accordance with this invention . in the embodiment shown , the head stack assembly was designed for a disk drive with two disks . the embodiment further includes head assemblies 51 a , 51 b , 51 c and 51 d with each suspension 52 a - 52 d distally carrying thin - film magnetic head elements 59 used to read and write information on both sides of these two disks . the details of the four head arm assemblies are best illustrated in fig3 c and 6 - 8 . referring now to both fig2 and 3 c , a stacked sequence of the above multiplicity of parts are as follows : starting from the bottom of the head stack assembly 50 , there is head arm assembly 51 d , a primary spacer 53 , two more head arm assemblies 51 c and 51 b , a secondary spacer 54 and the forth head arm assembly 51 a . the lower primary spacer 53 also incorporates a coil , which , along with a magnetic structure mounted to the drive base - plate ( not shown ), is used to rotate the actuator and move the heads across the disk surfaces . the arms 51 a - 51 d and spacers 53 , 54 are slipped over a flanged bearing housing 57 containing cylindrical ball bearings making up the pivot assembly 56 shown in a cross - sectional view in fig3 b . a bowed snap ring 58 is placed within a receiving groove located opposite the flanged end of the flanged bearing housing 57 . the above mentioned stacked sequence of parts are fixed firmly in place by the applied clamping force provided by the bowed snap ring 58 . no other fasteners are needed for the actuator assembly . as previously mentioned , the proper application of geometrics , kinematics and semi - kinematics design principles are at the center of the present invention . applying these principles while integrating parts serve the assembly and improves reliability of the pivoting actuator . the design principles provide the full natural tolerance and constraint balance for the assembly of parts . parts they produce are easier to make , also , function much better as an assembly with zero - stress location . referring now to fig4 showing the primary spacer 53 , and fig5 showing the secondary spacer 54 are each designed with self - fixturing features . the most critical alignment in a disk drive actuator is accurate and stable azimuth alignment of the various arms and spacers . if the alignment is not accurate the various heads will not all reach the outer and inner radii of the disk surfaces at the same time . this reduces the size of the available recording area on the disks and thereby reduces the maximum amount of data that can be stored by the disk drive . further , if this alignment is not stable , it is possible that the drive will not be able to read back previously written data , which makes it an unacceptable condition . in a self - fixturing design , the azimuth alignment is created and maintained by features intrinsic to the suspension arms 51 a , 51 b , 51 c and 51 d and spacers 53 , 54 . fig4 thru 8 illustrate the self - fixturing properties . fig4 and 5 show designs of the spacers 53 and 54 with basic self - fixturing features . preferably , both primary and secondary spacers 53 and 54 respectively , are molded of a rigid plastic which includes , on the primary spacer 53 , an over - mold feature 26 for securing a motor coil element . applying geometric design and statistical process control , directs the design of the primary spacer 53 as a receiving element for which the other parts , namely , arm assemblies 51 a - 51 d , spacer 54 , and flanged bearing housing 57 cooperate . fig4 shows the design of the primary spacer 53 as the central building block for the entire head stack assembly 50 in accordance with this invention . locating pins 21 , 22 , 23 and 24 are essential elements in the actuator assembly . pins 21 and 24 , shown in a partial cut - away , are positioned coaxially , one over the other , as are pins 22 and 23 , as illustrated in fig4 . in fig5 , the secondary spacer 54 also receives head arm assemblies . as described earlier , and illustrated in fig2 and 3 c , the head stack assembly is designed for a disk drive with two disks . four head arm assemblies 51 a - 51 d with attached suspensions 52 a - 52 d with attached thin - film magnetic head elements 59 used to read and write magnetic information on both sides of these two disks . the perspective view of the head stack assembly in fig2 best shows the overall design package . the assembly configuration of the four head arm assemblies and associated spacers and cartridge bearing is best illustrated in fig3 c , 4 and 5 . an exemplary sequence starts from the bottom of the head stack assembly 50 . firstly , head arm assembly 51 d is inverted and urged onto shorter molded pins 23 , 24 disposed under the primary spacer 53 , shown in fig4 . the shorter pins are coaxially in line with the upper pins 21 , 22 . secondly , arm 51 c is urged , right side up , onto the longer molded pins 21 , 22 disposed on the topside of primary spacer 53 . thirdly , arm 51 b is inverted and urged onto the longer molded pins 21 , 22 on top of arm 51 c previously assembled onto primary spacer 53 . right side - side up implies an orientation such that the slider containing the magnetic head element is on the lower face of the head arm assembly . secondary spacer 54 , refer to fig5 , is urged onto the upper pins 21 , 22 of primary spacer 53 over the previously assembled arms 51 c and 51 b , therein sandwiching the two arms between spacers 53 , 54 . the slotted hole 32 a and squared hole 31 a disposed at the underside of secondary spacer 54 as shown in fig5 a , are coaxially in line with molded pins 21 , 22 of primary spacer 53 and the upper and shorter molded pins 31 and 32 of secondary spacer 54 . the combination of slotted hole and square hole along with bearing bore 33 , also shown in fig5 , provide freedom allowing the head suspension assembly to thermally expand , between holes 32 a and 32 b relative to the pivot bearing bore 33 , permitting ease for assembly and disassembly of the head suspension assembly . the head suspension assembly 51 a is placed right side up and urged onto pins 31 and 32 . in a self - fixturing design , the azimuth alignment is created and maintained by features provided on the suspension arms 51 and spacers 53 , 54 . referring now to fig3 a , 3 c and 6 - 8 showing the design of the suspension arm 51 . fig3 a illustrates a top view of the suspension arm having two square stamped alignment holes 63 , and 64 , and one stamped alignment slot 62 in each of the suspension arms . only one of the square holes 63 is used in combination with the alignment slot 62 . this allows a single production tool to be used for suspension arms designed for both right - side - up and inverted use . each suspension arm 51 a - 51 d is located in the x and y directions by a molded pin on a spacer passing through the alignment hole in the suspension arms . the azimuth alignment of each arm relative to the spacers is controlled by a molded pin on a spacer going through the alignment slot in the suspension arm . in both of these two interfaces there is a small amount of interference between the pins and the corresponding features on the suspensions arms so that the positions of the arms are explicitly set and controlled . during the assembly of the suspension arms , an interference between the holes in suspensions 51 and the locating pins in the primary spacer 53 and secondary spacer 54 requires a force to urge the suspension arm over the pins . in the case of a slot sliding over a pin , the force is greatly reduced because there is only contact between the pins and slot at two linear areas on opposite sides of the pins . to reduce the force required to urge the holes over the pins , square holes are used in the suspension arms instead of round holes , thereby reducing the contact to only four linear areas of contact . in fig6 , 7 and 8 showing a top view of a typical suspension according to the invention , a side view , and a bottom view respectively . with this combination of geometrics and kinematics and semi - kinematics design principles , all of the suspension arms and both spacers are accurately and securely aligned to each other and the alignment is not dependant on external tooling . moreover , because of the interference at the interfaces , the azimuth alignment of the various parts is well controlled and will not shift over time . in summary therefore , is a rotary actuator assembly for a 2 . 5 inch disk drive or smaller . the disk drive having a support base and a pivot bearing assembly . the rotary actuator assembly includes a primary spacer standard having a top surface separated from a bottom surface . the primary spacer standard receives at least one suspension arm assembly standard and one secondary spacer standard . the primary spacer is designed having a semi - kinematic arrangement for controlling azimuth alignment . the primary spacer standard includes a datum hole having a pivot axis , the datum hole receives the pivot bearing assembly . a plurality of locator pins are disposed on the top surface and are coaxially aligned with locator pins on the bottom surface . the locator pins receive suspension arm assemblies and a secondary spacer . accommodation is made for an included coil assembly . while the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiment , 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 inventions .	6
referring to the figures , fig1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus in accordance with our invention which comprises an outrigger holder portion designated generally 10 secured to a mounting plate 12 mounted on top of a structural portion 14 of a boat . a retractable , rotatable key portion designated generally 16 is positioned below the structural portion 14 of the boat . a retractable , rotatable key portion 16 comprises a handle means 18 , a driver tube 20 attached thereto , a pin base 22 affixed to the other end of the driver tube 20 and a plurality of pins 24 fixed to and extending upwardly from the pin base 22 . each pin 24 is frustro - conical to allow for insertion into mating holes in the upper portion as will be more fully described herein after . as can be seen more clearly in fig2 , a bearing bushing 26 is positioned about the drive tube 20 to provide a bearing surface between the mounting plate 12 . the bushing has an outwardly extending flange to rest it on the upper surface of the mounting plate . resting upon the bushing 26 is a spring cup 28 . positioned about the drive tube 20 and within the confines of the upwardly extending cylindrical wall of the cup is a spring 30 . when the apparatus is in a fixed position , the spring 30 is collapsed and exerts a force against the bottom of the spring cup and the undersurface of the annular pin base 22 , thus driving the pin base into engagement with a mating part in the outrigger holder portion 10 . the outrigger holder portion 10 comprises a housing 32 fig3 . extending through this part is a driven tube 34 terminating in a forked end portion designated 36 which provides an open slot 38 at the end of the tube 34 . the upper end of the driven tube 34 terminates in a mating portion of the outrigger holder vertical adjustment assembly , designated generally 40 . a bearing bushing 42 is positioned about the driven tube 34 to provide a bearing surface between the driven tube 34 and the housing 32 . the bushing 42 has an outwardly extending flange to rest it on the under surface of a relieved portion of the mounting housing 32 . there is a hole 44 on a diameter through the cylindrical wall of the driven tube 34 . mounted through and extending from this hole is a support pin 46 . embracing the driven tube 34 is a segment seat 48 with a half - circular detent 50 formed on a diameter in the seat 48 and dimensioned to embrace the support pin 46 . a bearing bushing 52 is positioned about the driven tube 34 to provide a bearing surface between the driven tube and the flower 54 . the bushing 52 has an outwardly extending flange to rest it on the upper surface of the flower 54 . the inside housing 32 is configured with inwardly extending ribs 56 . the flower 54 has a peripheral configuration to mate with the ribbed configuration of the housing 32 . thus the flower 54 is keyed into the inner walls of the housing 32 , by its complementary configured outer periphery ; which prevents it from being rotated in the assembled condition . a “ c ” spring clip 55 is retained in a groove 57 in the ribs 56 of the housing 32 . when the flower 54 is positioned within the housing 32 , the spring clip 55 is compressed slightly and inserted into the grooves and released , to thereby retain the flower in the housing . the flower 54 has holes 56 therein on its lower surface . these holes are positioned to mate with the pins 24 of the drive tube 20 , in the fixed condition of the apparatus as shown in fig1 . there is a diametrically extending hole 60 fig2 through the cylindrical wall of the drive tube 20 . fixedly mounted through this hole in the wall of the tube 20 is a drive pin 62 . the drive pin 62 is positioned and dimensioned to fit within the slot 38 of the driven tube the housing 32 is fixedly mounted to the mounting plate 12 . with the apparatus in the fixed position as shown in fig1 , the pins 24 are in engagement with the holes 56 in the flower 54 and thus prevent the drive tube 20 from rotating . this is its normal , at rest condition . to rotate the driven tube 34 and thus reposition the outrigger holder in a horizontal plane , the handle 18 is first pulled down until the pins 24 are disengaged from the flower 54 . the handle and drive tube 20 can now be rotated . upon rotation , the drive pin 62 engages the driven tube 34 and rotates it see fig4 . during this rotation , the weight of the outrigger holder and outrigger , is absorbed by the bearing surfaces provided by the lower surface of the segment seat 48 and the upper surface of the bearing bushing 52 . any downward force is expended against the resistance provided by the fixed structure of the flower 54 retained in the housing 32 . thus the force is absorbed above the structure of the boat upon which the outrigger holder is mounted . when one stops exerting a downward force on the handle 18 , the force of the spring 30 takes over and moves the key portion upwardly to a position for re - engagement of the pins 24 within the holes 56 of the flower 54 . thus we have provided an indexing means whereby an outrigger holder can be rotated horizontally to move an outrigger inboard or outboard to a plurality of fixed positions , without contending with the weight of the outrigger . our invention comprises , a mounting means for mounting an outrigger holder on a structural part of a boat ; said mounting means further comprising a housing means for fixedly mounting the outrigger holder apparatus on said structural part ; an outrigger holder means mounted in said housing means for rotation therein ; a bearing means engaging said outrigger holder and said housing means for providing a bearing there between positioned above the structural part to bear the weight of the outrigger holder above the structural part upon rotation of the outrigger holder ; said mounting means for the outrigger holder further comprising an indexing means for adjusting the position of the outrigger holder means to a plurality of fixed positions in a horizontal plane from underneath the structural part upon which the outrigger holder means is mounted ; said indexing means having a first portion engaging said housing means and a second portion for selectively engaging and disengaging with said first portion ; said second portion when disengaged from said first portion being positioned to engage and rotate said outrigger holder means without bearing the weight of the outrigger holder means . the outrigger holder apparatus further comprising a release and turning mechanism engaging said mounting means for the outrigger holder means for moving the outrigger holder to and holding the outrigger holder in , a plurality of fixed horizontal positions . we have invented an outrigger holder apparatus wherein the release and turning mechanism further comprises a lock engaging said outrigger holder and said mounting means ; and a key being movable to disengage from said lock said and mounting means and thereby allow said key to be rotated in a horizontal plane to rotate the outrigger holder to a different fixed position . we have invented an outrigger holder apparatus wherein said lock comprises a flower engaging said housing ; said flower having a plurality of holes therein ; said key having a plurality of pins extending therefrom being positioned for insertion into and retraction from said holes in said flower . we have further invented an outrigger holder apparatus wherein said lock comprises a flower engaging said housing ; and said apparatus further comprises a bearing mounted in and extending above said flower ; and a segmented seat positioned above said bearing to rest upon said bearing ; said outrigger holder having a tube portion extending through said housing and a pin extending through the wall of said tube ; said seat having a detent therein and said pin being disposed in said detent to bear upon said seat . we have further invented an outrigger holder apparatus wherein said key further comprises a tube portion and a pin extending through the wall of said tube portion ; and said outrigger holder further comprising a tube portion with a slot therein ; said tube portions being juxtaposed such that the pin in the tube portion of the key is in the slot of the tube portion of the outrigger holder . we have further invented an outrigger holder apparatus wherein said lock comprises a flower in the housing means having a plurality of holes therein ; said key further comprising a tube portion with a pin base at one having a plurality of pins extending therefrom being positioned for insertion into and retraction from said holes in said flower ; said tube portion having a handle at an end opposite from the end with the pin base ; a bushing mounted about said tube portion for insertion through the structural part of the boat to provide a bearing between the tube portion and the structural part ; said bearing having a lip extending therefrom above the structural part ; a spring cup embracing said tube portion above said bushing and said lip and resting upon said lip and containing a spring which is positioned about said tube portion ; said spring engaging said pin base ; whereby when said handle is pulled in an axial direction with respect to said tube portion , the pin base compresses said spring as the pins in the base are disengaged from said lock . we have used the term “ flower ” for the part numbered 54 . however , it will be understood by those in the art that this part may have other shapes , so long as it can be fixedly mounted in the housing and perform the same functions of support and locking as this part .	1
referring first to drawing fig2 a , a cell container 40 is shown at an early stage of manufacturing . it is noted that manufacture of such cells is carried out with respect to multiple cells and cell containers 40 substantially simultaneously ; however , for sake of clarity , only one such cell container is depicted in the drawings . the cell container 40 is formed above a conductive plug 10 and a planarized insulating layer 18 similar to that previously discussed . however , for sake of convenience , various other components associated with the memory cell such as the word lines , active areas , or the semiconductor substrate are not shown in drawing fig2 a through 2f . to form the cell container 40 , a structural layer 20 , such as bpsg , is deposited above the planarized insulating layer 18 utilizing techniques and processes known by those of skill in the art . a masked etching process then forms several openings , typically cylindrical in geometry , contiguous with the conductive plug 10 and having sidewalls 24 which extend upwards therefrom . as shown in drawing fig2 b , a layer 26 of hsg polysilicon is deposited over the structural layer 20 . the hsg layer 26 may be formed by various methods known in the art , including low pressure cvd ( lpcvd ) and silicon deposition followed by vacuum anneal under specified temperature and pressure conditions . the hsg layer 26 may also be doped for greater conductivity . the formation of an hsg layer 26 is discussed in greater detail in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 090 , 655 issued to zahurak et al ., assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated by reference herein . as discussed above , the hsg layer 26 provides a rough or textured surface , thus increasing the surface area , as well as the capacitance of the cell container 40 . the grain size of the hsg layer may vary depending on the volume of the cell container 40 and the desired surface area of the container . subsequent to the formation of the hsg layer 26 , the layer 26 maybe planarized for isolation of the memory cells on the array as shown in drawing fig2 c , thus again exposing the upper surface 42 of the structural layer 20 in preparation for further processing . a dielectric layer 28 ( also referred to as nitride layer 28 ) is then deposited over the hsg layer 26 as well as the planarized structural layer 20 as seen in drawing fig2 d . the dielectric layer 28 is conformally deposited according to the methods and processes known to those of skill in the art . it is contemplated that the dielectric layer 28 is formed of silicon nitride , such as si 3 n 4 ; however , it is noted that other suitable dielectric materials may be utilized in conjunction with the present invention , such as oxynitride . after the dielectric layer 28 has been deposited , a thin barrier layer 44 , such as aluminum , is deposited such that it covers the dielectric layer 28 above the upper surface 42 of the structural layer 20 as well as partially into the cell container 40 about the rim 46 thereof . such deposition may be accomplished by a low - step - coverage sputtering process after the dielectric layer 28 has been deposited . techniques such as low - angle or high - vacuum application may be used in the sputtering process to ensure that the metallic layer is deposited on the top part or rim 46 area of the cell container 40 without significantly depositing metal along the sidewalls or bottom surface of the cell container 40 . while aluminum is contemplated for use as the metallic layer , other metals may be properly utilized in conjunction with the present invention . for example , tantalum , zirconium , hafnium , tungsten , titanium , aluminum nitride , and their oxides may be used for the barrier layer 44 . it should be understood that the barrier layer 44 will form an oxygen barrier for those areas that it covers . to form the desired oxygen barrier , the barrier layer can be formed by one of at least two methods . the barrier layer 44 may be formed by directly sputtering a metallic layer to cover the dielectric layer 28 above the upper surface 42 of the structural layer 20 as well as partially into the cell container 40 about the rim 46 thereof and then converting the metallic layer to a metallic oxide barrier layer 44 by an oxidation process . when the metallic barrier layer 44 , a conductive layer , is converted by oxidation from a metallic barrier layer 44 to a metallic oxide barrier layer 44 , the metallic oxide barrier layer 44 becomes an insulation layer and is no longer conductive . if the barrier layer 44 is to be formed as a metallic oxide layer in - situ , such a metallic oxide barrier layer 44 may be formed by the reactive sputtering of metal in an oxidizing ambient atmosphere . in either event , whether the barrier layer 44 is either sputtered and then converted to a metallic oxide layer by an external oxidation process or is formed in - situ by the reactive sputtering of a metal in an oxidizing ambient atmosphere , the resulting metallic oxide barrier layer 44 has a higher dielectric constant than that of silicon nitride . therefore , the formation of the metallic oxide barrier layer 44 does not affect the electrical performance of the capacitor cell container 40 but , rather , functions as an oxygen diffusion barrier regarding the surrounding areas that the metallic oxide barrier layer 44 covers after formation to prevent the diffusion of oxygen thereinto . when the metallic barrier layer 44 is deposited as a metal and subjected to an external oxidation process , the metallic barrier layer 44 of the cell container 40 is oxidized at relatively low temperatures in an oxidizing ambient environment , such as o 2 , o 3 , n 2 o or h 2 o with or without the aid of plasma enhancement . thus , for example , deposited aluminum barrier layer 44 would be oxidized to form aluminum oxide ( al 2 o 3 ). the aluminum oxide may also be formed after the aluminum barrier layer 44 is deposited during a followed cell nitride re - oxidation step , thus eliminating the need for an extra oxidation step . subsequent oxidation of the metallic barrier layer 44 converts the metallic barrier layer 44 to a metallic oxide layer which has a high dielectric constant , preferably higher than the nitride layer 28 upon which it is deposited . additionally , it is expected that the resulting thickness of the metallic oxide barrier layer 44 be in the range of approximately 20 - 200 å . the existence of the barrier layer 44 allows for oxidation of the cell container 40 , including the nitride layer 28 , to take place without oxygen leaking through the structural layer 20 . as noted previously , oxygen leaking through the structural layer 20 would result in damage to the bottom cell layer such as the hsg layer 26 . furthermore , the barrier layer 44 serves as a barrier to current leakage through the edge or rim 46 area of the cell container 40 , thus improving the efficiency of the cell container in operation . it is noted that while sputtering of the barrier layer 44 allows for deposition of the material in a manner which does not sufficiently form an extraneous layer within the cell container itself ( i . e ., the cell walls and floor ), formation of such would not be detrimental to the operative capacity or does not affect the operative characteristics of the memory cell using cell container 40 . the barrier layer 44 has no discernible or minimum impact , if any at all , upon cell capacitance in the case that limited material is formed within the cell container 40 itself . further , the limited material falling into the cell container will be converted into a metallic oxide in the oxidation step or process . as such , the metallic oxide layer of material for the metals described herein will have a higher dielectric constant than the silicon nitride and , therefore , will have little effect on the capacitor electrical performance . a conductive top electrode layer 48 is deposited in the cell container 40 and above the metallic barrier layer 44 to form the resulting capacitive memory cell 50 . the top electrode layer 48 may be formed , for example , of polysilicon , titanium nitride or even a silicide according to processes understood by those of skill in the art . while the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms , specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein . however , it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed . rather , the invention is to cover all modifications , equivalents , and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims .	7
reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments , examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings , wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout . embodiments relate to a softening apparatus that softens raw water containing a hardness component and a washing machine including the same . in this specification , supply water containing a hardness component introduced into the softening apparatus is referred to as raw water , raw water , from which the hardness component has been removed , discharged from a softening unit is referred to as soft water , supply water having high concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) electrolyzed and supplied to an ion exchange material is referred to as regeneration water , and regeneration water having high concentration of a hardness component through a regeneration process is referred to as condensed water for the convenience of description . the hardness component may include positive ions , such as calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ), having positive charges . hereinafter , a description will be given on the assumption that the hardness component includes calcium ions and magnesium ions for the convenience of description . hereinafter , embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . fig1 is a view showing construction of a softening apparatus 100 according to an embodiment . referring to fig1 , the softening apparatus 100 includes a housing 110 having an inlet port 101 and an outlet port 102 , a softening unit 120 having an ion exchange material 121 to convert raw water into soft water , a regeneration unit 130 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 using hydrogen ions ( h ) generated during electrolysis of water , and channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 to guide soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 or condensed water discharged from the regeneration unit 130 . in addition , the softening apparatus 100 may further include a detergent supply device 150 to supply detergent to the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 . the softening unit 120 and the regeneration unit 130 are provided for softening and regeneration , respectively . the softening unit 120 and the regeneration unit 130 may be separated from each other . in this embodiment , however , a softening and regeneration element is integrally formed in the housing 110 . consequently , the softening and regeneration device is referred to as the softening unit 120 when generating soft water through a softening process and as regeneration unit 130 when performing a regeneration process . hereinafter , the respective elements of the softening apparatus 100 will be described in more detail . the housing 110 includes an inlet port 101 connected to a raw water pipe to allow raw water to be introduced therethrough and an outlet port 102 connected to a water discharge pipe to allow soft water to be discharged therethrough . the inlet port 101 may be formed at a central axis of the top of the housing 110 and the outlet port 102 may be formed at a central axis of the bottom of the housing 110 . the inlet port 101 and the outlet port 102 are provided with valves 140 to allow or block flow of raw water to be introduced into the inlet port 101 and soft water to be discharged to the inlet port 101 . during operation of the softening apparatus 100 , the valves 140 may be controlled to properly adjust introduction of raw water and discharge of soft water . the softening unit 120 is provided in the housing 110 . the softening unit 120 is an element to remove a hardness component from raw water introduced through the inlet port 101 of the softening apparatus 100 to soften the raw water . the softening unit 120 softens water based on ion exchange capability of the ion exchange material 121 . the softening unit 120 may be integrally formed with or separated from the regeneration unit 130 . in fig1 , the softening unit 120 is integrally formed with the regeneration unit 130 . the ion exchange material 121 may be , for example of a bead type or a powder type , but is not limited to those types . the ion exchange material 121 may fill the softening unit 120 . the ion exchange material 121 may be coupled to one side of an electrode 131 , specifically the surface of an anode via a binder . at least one selected from a group consisting of an inorganic binder and a porous binder may be used as the binder to increase the ion exchange amount of the ion exchange material 121 . a bead type zeolite compound is obtained by adding a binder to powder type zeolite particles ( z ) and forming the powder type zeolite particles in a spherical shape . water easily passes through the bead type zeolite compound since gaps among the particles are large . however , the bead type zeolite compound has a smaller specific surface area than a powder type zeolite compound with the result that softening performance per unit weight may be deteriorated . the powder type zeolite compound has a large specific surface area with the result that softening performance per unit weight is excellent . however , gaps among the particles are small . when water passes through the powder type zeolite compound , therefore , differential pressure may greatly increase . consequently , a proper sized zeolite compound may be used for the above reasons . furthermore , activated carbon ( c ) may be coupled to the zeolite compound or the housing 110 may be designed to have a cyclone structure . in fig1 and 2 , the ion exchange material 121 is formed by coupling the activated carbon ( c ) to the zeolite compound . in addition , the ion exchange material 121 may include at least one selected from a group consisting of an ion exchange material having zeolite , ion exchange resin , ion exchange thin film , ion exchange fiber , and at least one inorganic metal ion selected from a group consisting of aluminum ( al ), zirconium ( zr ), and silicon ( si ) as central atoms and an ion exchangeable site on the surface thereof , a material formed by introducing a functional group or a polymer compound to the surface of zeolite or ion exchange resin , a compound formed by introducing an ion exchange group including zeolite to at least one selected from a group consisting of platinum ( pt ), titanium ( ti ), titanium oxide ( tio 2 ), manganese ( mn ), carbon black , and zeocarbon . the regeneration unit 130 is an element to electrolyze raw water to remove hard impurities from the ion exchange material 121 . more specifically , the regeneration unit 130 supplies hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated during electrolysis of water to the ion exchange material 121 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 . the regeneration unit 130 includes an electrode 131 to electrolyze raw water . the electrode 131 includes an anode 131 a and a cathode 131 b spaced apart from the anode 131 a . at least one anode 131 a and at least one cathode 131 b may be provided . more specifically , the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b each may be formed in the shape , for example , of a circular electrode , a bar electrode , or a plate electrode . in fig1 , the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b each are formed in the shape of a plate electrode for the convenience of description . alternatively , the anode 131 a may be formed in the shape of a circular electrode such that the anode 131 a extends in a longitudinal direction and the cathode 131 b may be formed in the shape of a bar electrode such that the cathode 131 b is disposed inside the anode 131 a . in addition , pluralities of anodes 131 a and cathodes 131 b may be provided such that the anodes 131 a and the cathodes 131 b are alternately arranged . in addition , the regeneration unit 130 may include a diaphragm 160 disposed between the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b to selectively transmit ions . the diaphragm 160 may include at least one selected from a group consisting of non - woven fabric , membrane , and ion exchange film . as needed , a plurality of regeneration units 130 may be provided to constitute a regeneration module . in this case , regeneration may be more rapidly and effectively performed . the channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 guide soft water or condensed water discharged from the softening unit 120 or the regeneration unit 130 . referring to fig1 , acid soft water obtained by removing a hardness component from raw material and condensed water containing a hardness component separated from the ion exchange material 121 may be discharged from the anode 131 a side based on the diaphragm 160 and alkali water may be discharged from the cathode 131 b side . the channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 guide soft water discharged from the softening apparatus 100 such that the soft water is properly supplied as described above . components of soft water and condensed water will be explained in detail when operation of the softening apparatus 100 is described below . the channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 may include a first channel unit 141 , a second channel unit 142 , and a third channel unit 143 . the first channel unit 141 guides acid soft water to be supplied to a supply unit of the detergent supply device 150 . the second channel unit 142 guides acid soft water to be moved to a position where sterilization and descaling are performed . the third channel unit 143 guides condensed water and alkali water to be discharged outside . the detergent supply device 150 is provided in the vicinity of the first channel unit 141 . the softening apparatus 100 supplies softened wash water to an apparatus connected to the softening apparatus 100 or including the softening apparatus 100 . the softening apparatus 100 may supply detergent to soft water through the detergent supply device 150 . hereinafter , softening and regeneration processes and principles of the softening apparatus 100 with the above - stated construction according to the embodiment will be described in detail . fig2 is a view showing a softening process of the softening apparatus 100 according to the embodiment , fig3 is a view showing a regeneration process of the softening apparatus 100 according to the embodiment , and fig4 is a view showing the softening and regeneration processes performed in fig2 and 3 as a chemical reaction formula . referring to fig2 , when raw water is introduced into the softening unit 120 through the inlet port 101 , the raw water reaches the ion exchange material 121 filling the softening unit 120 . when the raw water reaches the ion exchange material 121 , a hardness component ( calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) or magnesium ions ( mg 2 + )) contained in the raw water is removed by the ion exchange material 121 and soft water is discharged through an outlet port 102 a of the housing 110 . that is , the raw water softening process is performed such that the hardness component of the raw water is adsorbed by the ion exchange material 121 and , at the same time , a positive ion component is separated from the ion exchange material 121 . the principle of ion exchange in the ion exchange material 121 is related to the structure of the ion exchange material 121 . in one embodiment , the ion exchange material 121 includes a zeolite particle ( z ) represented by structural formula 1 . referring to structural formula 1 , the zeolite particle ( z ) has silicon and aluminum as central atoms . the aluminum component of the zeolite particle ( z ) partially has negative charges and , therefore , may adsorb positive ions having positive charges . when raw water containing a hardness component ( calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + )) is introduced to an initial zeolite particle ( z ) coupled to hydrogen ions ( h + ) or sodium ions ( nat ), therefore , ion exchange is performed between the hydrogen ions ( h + ) and the calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and the magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ). in addition , ion exchange is performed between the sodium ions ( nat ) and the calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and the magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ). chemical reaction formulas 1 and 2 show a process in which the hardness component is adsorbed by the zeolite particle ( z ). the initial zeolite particle ( z ) may include sodium ions ( nat ) or hydrogen ions ( h + ) based on kind thereof . however , the regeneration process is performed through ion exchange between high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated during electrolysis of water and calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ). as the regeneration process and the softening process are repeatedly performed , ion exchange is repeatedly performed between the hydrogen ions ( h + ) and the calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and the magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ). during ion exchange at the regeneration process and the softening process , the hydrogen ions ( h + ) are mainly intervened . as concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) of water increases , ph of the water decreases and the water is acidified . acid is corrosive . the ion exchange material 121 may be corroded due to such corrosiveness of acid . in the softening apparatus 100 , zeolite is repeatedly regenerated and used for a long period of time . consequently , zeolite stable against acid may be used as the ion exchange material 121 . when the softening process is performed for a predetermined amount of water , the regeneration process may be performed to remove impurities from the ion exchange material 121 . that is , hard impurities may be removed from the ion exchange material 121 through the regeneration process such that the softening apparatus 100 is continuously usable . referring to fig3 , when raw water is introduced into the softening apparatus 100 through the inlet port 101 during the regeneration process , current is applied to the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b of the regeneration unit 130 . as a result , the raw water is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen positive ions . when electric energy is applied to water such that the water is electrolyzed to perform an oxidation - reduction reaction , a reaction represented by chemical reaction formula 3 occurs at the anode 131 a and a reaction represented by chemical reaction formula 4 occurs at the cathode 131 b . h 2 o → ½o 2 + 2h + + 2 e − chemical reaction formula 3 2h 2 o + 2 e − → h 2 + 2oh − chemical reaction formula 4 referring to chemical reaction formulas 3 and 4 , regeneration water having high concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) is generated from the anode 131 a . when the regeneration water is supplied to the ion exchange material 121 provided in the vicinity of the anode 131 a , calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) adsorbed by the ion exchange material 121 are exchanged with the high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 . meanwhile , a compound formed by coupling activated carbon ( c ) to zeolite particles ( z ) may be used as the ion exchange material 121 . activated carbon ( c ) has a large specific surface area and high electric conductivity . when a compound formed by coupling activated carbon ( c ) to zeolite particles ( z ) is used as the ion exchange material 121 , therefore , the electrode 131 may have a large specific surface area . that is , when activated carbon ( c ) is not coupled to zeolite particles ( z ), hydrogen ions ( h + ) are mainly generated at the surface of the electrode . on the other hand , when activated carbon ( c ) is coupled to zeolite particles ( z ), hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be generated in the vicinity of the activated carbon ( c ) in addition to at the surface of the electrode . as a result , regeneration water having high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be obtained , thereby achieving more rapid regeneration of zeolite . a softening and regeneration cycle as shown in fig4 is derived from combination of the principles shown in fig2 and 3 . in fig4 , a solid line indicates a softening process and a dotted line indicates a regeneration process . referring to fig4 , zeolite particles ( z ) may have a form of h x y ( s ) or na r y ( s ). when raw water containing a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is supplied to zeolite particles ( z ) of the softening unit 120 , calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) or magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) are adsorbed by the zeolite particles ( z ) and , at the same time , a positive ion component , such as hydrogen ions ( h + ) or sodium ions ( nat ), is separated from the ion exchange material 121 . after completion of the softening process , therefore , soft water is discharged from the anode 131 a side . after completion of the softening process , a regeneration process may be periodically performed as needed . the regeneration process uses high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated during electrolysis of water . that is , a large amount of hydrogen ions ( h + ) are generated from the anode 131 a side during electrolysis of water . the hydrogen ions ( h + ) are exchanged with the calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) or magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) adsorbed by the ion exchange material 121 to regenerate the zeolite particles ( z ). after completion of the regeneration process , therefore , condensed water containing calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) is discharged from the anode 131 a side and alkali water containing a large amount of hydroxyl ions ( oh ) is discharged from the cathode 131 b side . as a result , acid soft water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated after completion of the softening process may be used to sterilize or descale another apparatus connected to the softening apparatus 100 or detergent may be supplied to the soft water through the detergent supply device 150 such that the soft water may be used as wash water . meanwhile , the condensed water and the alkali water generated after completion of the regeneration process are discharged outside through a drain . next , construction and operation of a softening apparatus 100 including a heater 160 according to an embodiment will be described in detail . fig5 is a view showing construction of a softening apparatus 100 including a heater 160 according to an embodiment , fig6 a to 6c are views showing positions where the heater 160 may be installed in the softening apparatus , fig7 is a graph showing the average adsorption amount of sodium ions ( nat ) based on concentration of sodium chloride per temperature , and fig8 is a graph showing a dissociation constant of water based on temperature . referring to fig5 , the softening apparatus 100 may further include a heater 160 in addition to the construction shown in fig1 and a repeated description thereof corresponding to fig1 will be omitted . the heater 160 is an element to heat raw water supplied to the regeneration unit 130 . during the regeneration process , the heater 160 may heat raw water supplied to the ion exchange material 121 such that the raw water is easily electrolyzed . when the temperature of the ion exchange material 121 is increased , calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) or magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) may be easily separated from the ion exchange material 121 . consequently , a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) may be easily separated from the ion exchange material 121 using this principle . more specifically , when temperature is changed from room temperature to high temperature , a dissociation constant of water is abruptly increased with the result that the water is easily electrolyzed . as the electrolysis result of the water , concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) is increased and , therefore , the hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be actively exchanged with the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) coupled to the ion exchange material 121 . referring to fig6 a to 6c , the heater 160 may be installed before the regeneration unit 130 and / or the softening unit 120 or in the vicinity of the regeneration unit 130 and / or the softening unit 120 . fig6 a shows that the regeneration unit 130 and the softening unit 120 are integrally formed and fig6 b and 6c show that the regeneration unit 130 generates and supplies hydrogen ions ( h + ) to the softening unit 120 to perform regeneration . when the heater 160 is provided before the regeneration unit 130 and the softening unit 120 as shown in fig6 a , raw water heated by the heater 160 is supplied to the regeneration unit 130 such that the raw water is electrolyzed by the regeneration unit 130 . consequently , hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be more easily obtained on the anode 131 a side and regeneration water having a large amount of hydrogen ions ( h + ) through electrolysis may be supplied to the ion exchange material 121 such that a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is easily separated from the ion exchange material 121 . in addition , even when the heater 160 is provided in the vicinity of the regeneration unit 130 and the softening unit 120 as shown in fig6 b , the above effects may be obtained . as previously described , the heater 160 may be provided at the softening unit 120 or the regeneration unit 130 . for example , as shown in fig6 c , the heater 160 may be installed in the vicinity of the softening unit 120 . in this case , room - temperature raw water is supplied to the regeneration unit 130 such that the raw water is electrolyzed by the regeneration unit 130 and regeneration water obtained through electrolysis is supplied to the softening unit 120 such that the regeneration water is heated by the heater 160 . the heated regeneration water may be supplied to the ion exchange material 121 such that a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is easily separated from the ion exchange material 121 . referring to fig7 , the adsorption amount of sodium is greater at high temperature than at low temperature . this is because motive power is thermodynamically increased to the heat at high temperature and , therefore , an ion separation property is increased . the same principle may be applied to calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ). that is , when the ion exchange material 121 is regenerated using high - temperature regeneration water during the regeneration process , an ion separation property of calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) is increased . consequently , calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) may be easily removed from the ion exchange material 121 . referring to fig8 , a dissociation constant of water is abruptly increased when temperature is changed from room temperature to high temperature . consequently , higher concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be obtained at high temperature and , therefore , regeneration may be easily achieved . for example , a dissociation constant of water is 0 . 68 * 10 (− 14 ) at 20 ° c . on the other hand , a dissociation constant of water is 33 * 10 (− 14 ) , which is about 48 times that at 20 ° c ., at 85 ° c . when the heater 160 is installed such that high - temperature raw water is supplied to the ion exchange material 121 containing high concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) during the regeneration process , therefore , calcium ions ( ca 2 + ) and magnesium ions ( mg 2 + ) may be easily separated from the ion exchange material 121 . next , a softening apparatus 100 including a storage tank 170 according to an embodiment will be described in detail . fig9 is a view showing construction of a softening apparatus 100 including a storage tank 170 according to an embodiment . referring to fig9 , the softening apparatus 100 may further include a storage tank 170 in addition to the construction shown in fig1 and a repeated description thereof corresponding to fig1 will be omitted for the convenience of description . the storage tank 170 stores soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 such that the soft water is supplied to the regeneration unit 130 during the regeneration process . in the softening apparatus 100 shown in fig1 and 6 , raw water containing a large amount of a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is supplied to the regeneration unit 130 . however , the regeneration process is performed such that high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated during electrolysis of water are supplied to the ion exchange material 121 . when the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is supplied to the ion exchange material 121 during the regeneration process , therefore , ion exchange may be more effectively performed . in this embodiment , therefore , soft water is stored in the storage tank 170 during the softening process and then the soft water stored in the storage tank 170 is supplied to the regeneration unit 130 during the regeneration process . consequently , the regeneration process may be more easily performed . next , a softening apparatus 100 including a softening unit 120 and a regeneration unit 130 , which are separated from each other , according to an embodiment will be described in detail . fig1 is a view showing a softening apparatus 100 including a softening unit 120 and a regeneration unit 130 , which are separated from each other , according to an embodiment . referring to fig1 , the softening apparatus 100 includes the construction shown in fig1 . however , the regeneration unit 130 is installed before the softening unit 120 . that is , the regeneration unit 130 and the softening unit 120 are separated from each other . consequently , external appearances of the softening unit 120 and the regeneration unit 130 are defined by housings 110 a and 110 b . a bead type zeolite compound is used as the ion exchange material 121 . the ion exchange material 121 fills a gap between the inlet port 101 and the outlet unit 102 inside the housing 110 a of the softening unit 120 . the electrode 131 includes a plate - shaped anode 131 a and a plate - shaped cathode 131 b provided in the housing 110 b of the regeneration unit 130 . the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b are spaced apart from each other in a state in which the diaphragm 160 is disposed between the anode 131 a and the cathode 131 b . operation of the softening apparatus 100 is as follows . during the softening process of the softening apparatus 100 , raw water having passed through the regeneration unit 130 installed before the softening unit 120 is introduced into the softening unit 120 . at this time , electric power is not supplied to the electrode 131 of the regeneration unit 130 . as a result , the raw water introduced into the regeneration unit 130 passes through the regeneration unit 130 and is introduced into the softening unit 120 . the raw water introduced into the softening unit 120 is softened according to the same principle as shown in fig2 . after the softening process is performed several times , it may be necessary to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 of the softening apparatus 100 . during the regeneration process of the ion exchange material 121 , electric power is supplied to the electrode 131 of the regeneration unit 130 such that raw water introduced into the regeneration unit 130 is electrolyzed . when the raw water is electrolyzed , regeneration water having high concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) is obtained . the regeneration water is supplied to the ion exchange material 121 of the softening unit 120 . the hydrogen ions ( h + ) of the regeneration water supplied to the ion exchange material 121 are exchanged with a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) adsorbed by the ion exchange material 121 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 . next , a softening apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described in detail . fig1 is a view showing a cyclone type softening apparatus 100 according to an embodiment . referring to fig1 , the softening apparatus 100 is configured such that the softening unit 120 and the regeneration unit 130 are integrally formed , the housing 110 is designed to have a cyclone structure , and a power type zeolite compound fills the housing 110 . in addition , the inlet port 101 is formed at one side of the housing 110 and the outlet port 102 is formed at the top of the housing 110 . operation of the softening apparatus 100 with the above - stated construction is as follows . when raw water containing a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is introduced into the housing 110 through the inlet port 101 during the softening process , cyclone is generated in the housing 110 . as a result , zeolite particles ( z ) sink and the water , which is lighter than the zeolite particles ( z ), is softened and discharged through the outlet port 102 due to the difference in density between the zeolite particles ( z ) and the water after the softening process is performed several times , it may be necessary to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 of the softening apparatus 100 . when raw water is introduced through the inlet port 101 of the housing 110 and electric power is supplied to the electrode 131 of the regeneration unit 130 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 , the raw water supplied to the regeneration unit 130 is electrolyzed and regeneration water having high concentration of hydrogen ions ( h + ) is obtained . the regeneration water obtained by the regeneration unit 130 is supplied to the ion exchange material 121 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 . next , a washing machine including the softening apparatus 100 shown in fig1 will be described in detail . however , the softening apparatus 100 can be applied to any appliance , for example , a dishwasher or refrigerator , or a device that can benefit from softened water . the washing machine may include a washing device , a softening apparatus 100 , and a controller to control operation of the washing device and the softening apparatus 100 . the softening apparatus 100 may include a regeneration unit 130 to generate regeneration water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ) and a softening unit 120 , including an ion exchange material which is regenerated by the regeneration water , to convert raw water containing a hardness component into soft water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ). the washing machine may include all kinds of apparatuses , such as a washer and a dishwasher , using for washing . hereinafter , a washer will be described in detail by way of example for the convenience of description . fig1 is a view showing a washing machine 200 including the softening apparatus 100 of fig1 and fig1 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 200 shown in fig1 . the washing machine 200 may include any one of the softening apparatuses 100 shown in fig1 , 5 , and 9 to 11 . hereinafter , the washing machine 200 including the softening apparatus 100 shown in fig1 will be described in detail by way of example for the convenience of description . referring to fig1 and 13 , the washing machine 200 includes a softening apparatus 100 , channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 to guide soft water discharged from the softening apparatus 100 , a plurality of valves 140 to allow or block flow of the soft water in the channel units 141 , 142 , and 143 , an input unit 205 to allow input of a command to control the washing machine 200 , a sensor unit 210 to determine regeneration time , a washing tub 290 to perform washing , a drive unit 220 to drive the washing tub 290 and the softening apparatus 100 , and a controller 230 to control operation of the washing tub 290 and the softening apparatus 100 . in addition , the washing machine 200 may further include a drain 190 , which is a discharge passage of wash water discharged from the washing tub 290 and concentrated water and alkali water discharged from the softening apparatus 100 and a detergent supply device 150 to supply detergent to soft water generated by the softening apparatus 100 . the softening apparatus 100 includes a housing 110 having an inlet port 101 and an outlet port 102 , a softening unit 120 having an ion exchange material 121 to convert raw water into soft water , and a regeneration unit 130 to electrolyze water to generate hydrogen ions ( h +) and to supply the generated hydrogen ions ( h + ) to the ion exchange material 121 to regenerate the ion exchange material 121 . hereinafter , a repeated description of the softening apparatus 100 corresponding to fig1 will be omitted for the convenience of description . the input unit 205 is an element to allow input of a control command of the washing machine 200 . the input unit 205 may be of a button type or a touch type . the washing machine 200 may be operated in a sterilization mode , a washing mode , and a regeneration mode . correspondingly , the input unit 205 may include a sterilization mode input unit 205 , a washing mode input unit 205 , and a regeneration mode input unit 205 . the sensor unit 210 may be provided in the housing 110 of the softening apparatus 100 or around the outlet port 102 a to determine regeneration time of the softening apparatus 100 . more specifically , when the softening process is performed for a predetermined amount of water , the regeneration process may be performed to remove impurities from the ion exchange material 121 . the sensor unit 210 senses a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of soft water to determine regeneration time of the softening apparatus 100 . the sensor unit 210 may include at least one selected from among a hardness sensor , an electric conductivity sensor , a capacitive sensor , and a flow rate sensor . the hardness sensor senses a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 . the electric conductivity sensor senses change in electric conductivity based on the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 . the flow rate sensor senses the amount of soft water treated by the softening unit 120 and outputs the sensing result to the controller 230 . the controller 230 controls the washing device to be operated in the sterilization mode , the washing mode , and the regeneration mode . after the softening and regeneration processes , the controller 230 controls flow of soft water and condensed water through the valves 140 . when a sterilization command is input through the input unit 205 , the sterilization mode may be executed . when the washing machine 200 is operated in the sterilization mode , the softening unit 120 may generate soft water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ) such that the soft water is used to sterilize or descale the washing tub 290 . when a washing command is input through the input unit 205 , the washing mode may be executed . when the washing machine 200 is operated in the washing mode , soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 may be mixed with detergent supplied from the detergent supply device 150 such that the mixture is supplied to the washing tub 290 . when a regeneration command is input through the input unit 205 or it is determined according to a predetermined criterion that the regeneration mode is to be executed , the regeneration mode may be executed . when the washing machine 200 is operated in the regeneration mode , the regeneration unit 130 may generate regeneration water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ) and supply the regeneration water to the softening unit 120 to regenerate the ion exchange material . hereinafter , a detailed description will be given of a regeneration time determination method of the washing machine 200 excluding a case in which the regeneration command is input through the input unit 205 . when the sensing result of the hardness sensor is output , the controller 230 may determine a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of soft water according to the output signal of the hardness sensor . when the output of the hardness sensor reaches predetermined first reference hardness , the controller 230 may control the regeneration unit 130 to perform the regeneration process . in addition , when the sensing result of the electric conductivity sensor is output , the controller 230 may determine a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of soft water according to the output signal of the electric conductivity sensor . when the output of the electric conductivity sensor reaches predetermined second reference conductivity , the controller 230 may control the regeneration unit 130 to perform the regeneration process . in addition , when the sensing result of the flow rate sensor is output , the controller 230 may check the amount of soft water treated by the softening unit 120 according to the output signal of the flow rate sensor . when the output of the flow rate sensor reaches predetermined third reference flow rate , the controller 230 may control the regeneration unit 130 to perform the regeneration process . next , a description will be given of a soft water and condensed water flow control process after the softening process and the regeneration process . when the sterilization mode is input , soft water containing hydrogen ions ( h + ) discharge from the softening unit 120 is supplied to a position where sterilization or descaling is needed . as previously described , the soft water is acid water containing a large amount of hydrogen ions ( h + ). consequently , the soft water may be introduced into the washing tub 290 through the second channel unit 142 to sterilize and descale the washing tub 290 . when the washing mode is input , soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 may be mixed with detergent supplied from the detergent supply device 150 such that the mixture is supplied to the washing tub 290 . in this case , soft water containing a large amount of hydrogen ions ( h +) may be used as wash water . when the regeneration mode is input or it is determined that the regeneration mode is to be executed , electric power is applied to the electrode 131 to electrolyze water . regeneration water containing high - concentration hydrogen ions ( h + ) may be obtained through electrolysis of water . concentrated water discharged after completion of the regeneration process may be discharged outside through the drain . hereinafter , an operation method of the washing machine 200 will be described . the operation method of the washing machine 200 includes an operation of supplying raw water containing a hardness component to the softening apparatus 100 to generate soft water containing hydrogen ions and an operation of providing the generated soft water to wash or sterilize the washing device . the operation of providing the generated soft water to wash the washing device may further include an operation of supplying detergent to the generated soft water and providing the soft water containing the detergent to the washing device to wash the washing device . in addition , it may be necessary to periodically regenerate the ion exchange material of the softening apparatus 100 included in the washing machine 200 after the softening process is performed several times . upon determining that the ion exchange material is to be regenerated , an operation of regenerating the softening apparatus 100 may be performed . fig1 is a flowchart showing an operation method of a washing machine 200 according to an embodiment . hereinafter , the operation method of the washing machine 200 as a washer will be described in more detail by way of example . referring to fig1 , when raw water is supplied to the washing machine 200 , the softening unit 120 softens the raw water into soft water . that is , a hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is removed from the raw water while the raw water passes through the softening unit 120 ( 310 and 320 ). the hardness sensor senses hardness of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 . at an early stage of the softening process , the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) is hardly sensed . as the softening process is performed several times , the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) accumulates in the ion exchange material 121 . as a result , hardness having a predetermined value or more may be sensed . consequently , the hardness sensor periodically senses the hardness of the soft water output from the softening unit 120 and outputs the sensing result to the controller 230 ( 330 ). upon receiving the output of the hardness sensor , the controller 230 determines an output value of the hardness sensor . upon determining that the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 has reached the predetermined first reference hardness , the controller 230 controls the regeneration unit to perform the regeneration process . on the other hand , upon determining that the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 has not reached the predetermined first reference hardness , the controller 230 determines whether the sterilization mode has been input ( 340 and 350 ). upon determining that the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 has reached the predetermined first reference hardness , it is determined that the regeneration process is to be performed . consequently , electric power is supplied to the electrode 131 of the regeneration unit 130 such that raw water introduced into the regeneration unit 130 is electrolyzed . when the raw water is electrolyzed , hydrogen ions ( h + ) are generated and the hydrogen ions ( h + ) are exchanged with the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) coupled to the ion exchange material 121 to perform the regeneration process . when the regeneration process is completed , raw water is supplied to the softening unit 120 and the raw water is softened by the regenerated ion exchange material 121 ( 342 , 344 , 310 , and 320 ). concentrated water and alkali water generated during the regeneration process are discharged through the drain 190 via the third channel unit 143 . in addition , prestored soft water may be supplied to perform the regeneration process as previously described with reference to fig9 . upon determining that the hardness component ( ca 2 + or mg 2 + ) of the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 has not reached the predetermined first reference hardness , the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 is supplied to execute the sterilization mode or the washing mode ( 350 ). upon determining that the sterilization mode has been input through the input unit 205 , the soft water discharged from the softening unit 120 is supplied to the washing tub 290 via the second channel unit 142 such that the soft water is used to sterilize and descale the washing tub 290 ( 350 , 352 , and 354 ). upon determining that the sterilization mode has not been input through the input unit 205 , it is determined that the washing mode has been input . consequently , detergent is supplied to the soft water introduced into the first channel unit 141 through the detergent supply device 150 . the soft water containing the detergent is supplied to the washing tub 290 such that the soft water is provided for washing ( 350 , 360 , 362 , and 364 ). the operation method of the washing machine 200 is not limited to that shown in fig1 . the regeneration process may be performed after the washing process or the regeneration process may be directly performed through the input unit 205 . that is , the above - described operation method of the washing machine 200 may include all processes within a scope easily changeable by those skilled in the art . as is apparent from the above description , the softening apparatus and the washing machine according to the embodiments may have the following effects . first , a zeolite compound that has been used to perform ion exchange may be regenerated using hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated using an electrochemical method such that the zeolite compound may be repeatedly used . in addition , the zeolite compound may be continuously regenerated without supply of an additional regeneration agent , thereby improving economical efficiency . furthermore , hydrogen ions ( h + ) generated during a softening process may be used for sterilization and descaling , thereby executing a sterilization mode separately from a washing mode . although a few embodiments have been shown and described , it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention , the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents .	3
a sheet material 10 to be saturated with a fast - reacting saturant 12 passes under trough 14 . the sheet material 10 to be saturated may be any conventional and well known sheet materials such as felt , glass fiber paper , spun - bonded polyester fabric , and woven fabrics of jute or cotton and may be of any desired width . in this example , the sheet material 10 is a carrier felt made by needlepunching two polyester webs with an open - glass scrim between them . this felt contains 9 oz ./ sq . yd . ( 0 . 30 kg / m 2 ) of polyester , with the glass scrim bringing the total weight of the felt to approximately 11 oz ./ sq . yd . ( 0 . 37 kg / m 2 ) and has a length of approximately 21 &# 34 ; ( 53 . 34 cm ) and a thickness in the range of approximately 0 . 120 to 0 . 140 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 304 to 0 . 366 cm ). the fast - reacting saturant 12 in this example is the product of mixing two solutions in an equal unit ratio and is marketed under the trademark poly - chem of poly - chem industries , inc . solution 16 is a formaldehyde - melamine - urea resin solution having the following formula , with one unit having 50 . 8 % solids : solution 18 is a urea - titanium tetrachloride solution having the following formula , with one unit having 57 . 6 % solids : solutions 16 and 18 are stored in any conventional storage tanks 20 and 22 respectively . solutions 16 and 18 are each individually fed to a conventional mixing head 24 in any conventional manner , such as by pumps , gravity , or some other conventional means . although not shown in fig1 and not an essential part of the invention , means for preventing the mixing of solutions 16 and 18 such as valving means in the lines between the storage tanks and mixing head or means for recirculating solutions 16 and 18 back to their individual storage tanks 20 and 22 respectively could be used with this apparatus if it were desired . any conventional valving or recirculation means known to those skilled in the art could be used for this purpose . use of the valving or recirculating means would prevent the solutions from being mixed , and therefore , from forming a fast - reacting saturant having a set - up or cure time of approximately 1 minute at ambient temperature , this time being critical since the saturant 12 must be metered onto the sheet material 10 prior to the passing of this time period . although the poly - chem fast - reacting saturant is described above , other fast - reacting , multiple component saturants such as low viscosity urethanes , epoxies , polyesters , phenols , ureas , or melamines can be used in the method and apparatus of this invention . the mixing head 24 is the mixing head portion of a urethane foam dispensing machine , such as the lake erie machine co ., model 510 unifoam , which has an air - driven impeller . although this mixing head has solenoid controlled valving which could be used in conjunction with a recirculation system , such valving is not an essential part of this invention . in fact , any conventional mixing head known to those skilled in the art which could accommodate the number of components being mixed and provides adequate mixing capability will suffice . when the solutions 16 and 18 are mixed together in the mixing head 24 , they produce the poly - chem fast - reacting saturant 12 which has a water - like consistency . from the time that the saturant 12 is produced in mixing head 24 until the saturant is metered onto the sheet material 10 , the time that elapses should be no greater than the time that it takes for the fast - reacting saturant to set - up or cure . for this reason , it is important that the amount of saturant being mixed in the mixing head be equal to or only slightly greater than the amount being metered onto the moving sheet material . as the saturant 12 exits from mixing head 24 , it enters dispensing hose 26 . this hose 26 has an inside diameter of approximately 1 / 4 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 64 cm ). the opening 28 of dispensing hose 26 is positioned above the threaded rod 30 positioned in trough 14 . at some convenient point between the end of hose 26 attached to mixing head 24 and the end of hose 26 having opening 28 therein , the hose is attached to a conventional reciprocating device 32 . any such conventional device which will cause the opening 28 of hose 26 to reciprocate between ends 34 of trough 14 and which is known to those skilled in the art will suffice as the reciprocating device . the loop 36 represents that excess amount of hose 26 which is needed to allow the end of hose 26 having opening 28 therein to reciprocate between the ends 34 of trough 14 . the trough 14 is positioned above and perpendicularly across the sheet material 10 travelling thereunder . the length of trough 14 should preferably be several inches longer than the width of sheet material 10 . in this example , with a felted fabric sheet material 21 &# 34 ; ( 53 . 34 cm ) wide , the trough is approximately 24 &# 34 ; ( 60 . 96 cm ) long . in this example , the trough is made of copper and has a cross - section of a semi - cylinder having an inside diameter of approximately 2 &# 34 ; ( 5 . 08 cm ). troughs having other cross - sections could also be used so long as there is no portion of the trough which would prevent some of the fast - acting saturant from being allowed to exit through the slot 38 through the bottom of trough 14 . also , the trough can be made of any desired material so long as it is resistant to any corrosive action which may be caused by the saturant 10 . slot 38 in the bottom of trough 14 should preferably be the same length as the width of sheet material 10 . however , if desired , slot 38 could be slightly shorter , by some small distance , approximately 1 &# 34 ; ( 2 . 54 cm ), than the felted fabric being saturated . in this latter situation , an unsaturated selvage would remain at the edges of the felted fabric and would probably require subsequent trimming from the sheet . in this example , slot 38 is approximately 21 &# 34 ; ( 53 . 34 cm ) long , the width of the fabric being saturated . the width of slot 38 may range from approximately 1 / 16 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 159 cm ) to 3 / 16 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 476 cm ). in this example , slot 38 had a width of approximately 1 / 8 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 318 cm ). threaded rod 30 in this example is made of steel , but could be made of any other material which is resistant to any corrosive action caused by being in contact with fast - reacting saturant 12 . although rod 30 has conventional helical threads thereon , any rod having relatively closely spaced circumferential grooves would also suffice as the metering device 30 . the outside diameter of the threaded metering rod 30 may range from about 1 / 4 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 635 cm ) to 7 / 16 &# 34 ; ( 1 . 111 cm ). in this example , threaded metering rod 30 is approximately 3 / 8 &# 34 ; ( 0 . 953 cm ). rod 30 should be only slightly shorter than the length of slot 38 , the clearance between the ends of rod 30 and the ends of slot 38 being minimal . in this example , the metering rod is approximately 21 &# 34 ; ( 53 . 34 cm ) long , the approximate length of slot 38 of trough 14 . threaded metering rod 30 is positioned in slot 38 in the bottom of trough 14 . since rod 30 has a length shorter than the length of slot 38 , rod 30 contacts and is supported by the upper longitudinal edges of slot 38 . although not necessary , it may be desirable to have a hold down means at each end of trough 34 for holding metering rod 30 against the upper longitudinal edges of slot 38 in the bottom of trough 14 . any conventional hold down device known to those skilled in the art can be used for the purpose of holding rod 30 against the bottom of trough 14 . in this example , a rigid strip of metal 40 is fixedly attached to each end 34 of trough 14 . strip 40 extends above the top of trough 14 any conveniently desirable length . a second rigid strip of metal 42 is rotatably fastened at its top to the top of strip 40 with any conventional hinge - type device 44 . another rigid strip of metal 46 is fixedly attached perpendicular to the bottom of strip 42 so that strip 46 is in a horizontal plane when strip 42 is in a vertical plane . the distance between the tops of strips 40 and 42 and the top of threaded metering rod 30 when rod 30 is positioned in the bottom of trough 14 should be the length of strip 42 . when strips 42 and 46 are rotated into the position shown in fig1 they act as a simple hold down means for the threaded metering rod 30 . since strips 42 and 46 can be rotatably moved out of the position shown in fig1 it is a very simple matter to remove threaded metering rod 30 if it is desired for any reason . a new or cleaned metering rod may be inserted into the bottom of the trough just as easily as a used metering rod can be removed therefrom by simply reversing the removal procedure . after the saturant 12 moves through dispensing tube 26 and exits from opening 28 therein , the saturant 12 is dispensed into trough 14 by being dispensed onto the top of metering rod 30 as the dispensing tube is traversing the trough . in this example , the traverse of the dispensing tube is approximately equal to the length of slot 38 which is approximately 21 &# 34 ; ( 53 . 34 cm ). the poly - chem fast - reacting saturant 12 deposited on the top of threaded metering rod 30 from the dispensing tube longitudinally reciprocating over the trough 14 flows approximately equally to both sides of rod 30 . the fast - reacting saturant 12 which has flowed to either side of rod 30 is metered between the upper longitudinal edges of slot 38 and the threaded circumference of metering rod 30 . this metering action between these threads or grooves and upper longitudinal edges tends to break up the stream of material which is dispensed into the trough so that the saturant is uniformly metered through slot 38 onto moving sheet material 10 . it is desirable that approximately the same amount of saturant is metered through the slot and onto the moving web of sheet material as is dispensed into the trough . this keeps to a minimum the possibility that the saturant will set - up or cure before it has been metered onto the moving web . in this example , the sheet material moves over roll 48 , under but in contact with at least the lower longitudinal edges of slot 38 of trough 14 , and over roll 50 . the elevation of rolls 48 and 50 at those points on these rolls at which the sheet material 10 passes over these rolls should be at least the same as the elevation of the lower longitudinal edges of slot 38 of trough 14 . this would assure at least a slight upward pressure of the sheet material against the lower longitudinal edges of the slot . preferably , the elevation of rolls 48 and 50 at those points on these rolls at which the sheet material 10 passes over these rolls should be somewhat higher than the elevation of the lower longitudinal edges of slot 38 of trough 14 . after saturant 12 has been metered onto moving sheet material 10 and the sheet 10 so treated passes over roll 50 , it may be desirable to pass the sheet through a pair of squeeze rolls for further uniformly distributing the saturant within the sheet . it may also be desired to thermally treat the saturated sheet to cure the saturant therein . however , neither of these additional steps are essential for the proper functioning of the apparatus and method of the invention herein . although it is desired that essentially all of the material dispensed into trough 14 be metered through the slot in the bottom of the trough onto the moving sheet material which is to be saturated with the saturant before the saturant cures or sets - up in the trough , over a period of time there may be some buildup of the saturant possibly in the trough but more probably on the metering rod 30 . if such buildup does occur on metering rod 30 , whether the simple hold down means 39 is used or no hold down means are used , the metering rod can easily be removed from the trough for cleaning and a replacement metering rod can immediately be positioned in the bottom of the trough with essentially no interruption to the metering of saturant onto the sheet material .	1
fig1 shows a webtop software module 10 which provides for the customized view of the user files and applications on the internet . the webtop 10 may be housed on any machine that offers dynamic program load over the internet 14 . the dynamic program load may be implemented with a java - enabled web browser . webbase 11 is an internet - accessible server system consisting of some processes and databases , used for the integration and automation of web applications 12 . users may log in to the webbase 11 through the webtop 10 . webbase 11 has means to access web applications 12 controlled by web server 13 and distributed over the internet 14 . web application interface repository 22 contains the definitions of the functional interfaces between the web sites and web applications 12 that may be accessed by the webbase 11 . the webbase 11 acts as an intermediary between users of the webtop 10 and web applications 12 and uses a set of webtop management processes 16 to perform tasks for managing users of webtop 10 and web applications 12 . webtop management processes 16 are shown in detail in fig2 as including : a webtop interface process 40 , a file management process 41 , a webtop application process 42 , and an application registration process 43 . each of the webtop management processes 16 interface with one another and access a set of databases 49 in order to perform the overall webbase management functions . particularly , webbase 11 maintains the following databases : application registry database 47 used to register webbase applications . key parameters required to run an application are registered in this database . similar to a desktop operating system registry , the application registry database 47 contains application specific settings and configuration information . moreover , unlike registry files or initialization files in a desktop system , this database also contains interface information about web sites to be accessed during runtime . local user and application files and folders database 44 includes all the user and application local files and folders . these local files residing in this database 44 are accessed by the file management process 41 and users may perform all the file manipulations from their webtops 10 by using traditional gui methods such as dragging and dropping files into folders . applications may also access and manipulate these files through file management process 41 , which manages a local file system in the webbase 11 . such a file system encompasses information about users , e . g ., folders , user documents and objects , user views , etc ., and applications , such as handles to applications , application state , application code , application interfaces , etc . web tops profile database 45 is a repository for the customized webtop views of individual users . a typical item in this database is the description of the webtop view with types of icons used , their locations , sizes and associations . after the initial login and the authentication process , the most recent webtop view that is used and saved by the user is brought back to the webtop . a user may have multiple webtop views . user profiles database 46 is a repository for the user preference and profile information . a typical item in this database may contain user identification and authentication information , application preferences or passcodes , user location and contact information , user connectivity options , etc . the webtop user interface process 40 provides webtop users with conventional windows , icons , and menus . there are one or more distinguished windows , known as webtop root windows , only one of which may be open at all times . when open , a root window fills the screen display , and which may not be hidden and may not obscure any other window . the webtop 10 offers a special interface to switch among root windows . aside from these root windows restrictions , windows may overlap each other arbitrarily . windows represent ordered icon collections , where icons can represent either web - hosted applications or data objects . the webtop 10 provides means for users to change the order of the icons in a window . icons are arranged in rows for display purposes . icon collections may be nested within each other . a collection within another collection is represented as a folder icon . folders and their contents are stored for each user in the local data store 44 . icons may be dragged from one collection and dropped into another , which signifies a copy from one collection to another . an icon dragged onto an application icon , signifies invocation of the application with the dragged object as a parameter . icon operations include : i . selection ; ii . invocation ; and iii . drag - and - drop . webtop 10 additionally provides means to query the webbase 11 for presentation of a list of allowable operations on the object which may be selected by a user , e . g ., by single - clicking of a computer pointing device such as a mouse . the selected operation may be the input to a future operation , e . g ., through clicking of the right - most mouse button . webbase 11 provides means of associating an icon object with an application from the application &# 39 ; s entry in application registry database 47 . the webbase 11 returns a list of operations that may be performed on the object represented by the selected icon . upon double - clicking on an application icon , the webtop 10 requests that the webbase 11 launch ( invoke , load ) the application represented by the icon . web applications are invoked by the webbase 11 through the execution of automation applications such as macros and batch files . for each webtop 10 web application , there is a corresponding automation application in the webbase 11 that is invoked when the web application is activated from the webtop . the webbase 11 then retrieves the application code from the application registry database 47 , and starts a new web top application process 42 in which the automation application will run . automation applications have two primary purposes . the first purpose is to automate what would otherwise be manual sequences of web requests , such as logging in and navigating through a series of web pages . automation applications have access to user information stored in the webbase , such as application - specific user ids and passwords . the second purpose is to integrate independent web applications by retrieving information from one or more of them , do some intermediate processing on the retrieved data , and invoke other applications using this retrieved data . automation applications may be written in a generally - purpose programming language such a java . as shown in fig2 the webtop interface process 40 manages the interaction between the webtop 10 and the webbase 11 . such an interaction may include the management of user &# 39 ; s sessions , user authentication , webtop capabilities negotiation , handling of user requests and logging user activity . the user requests are received and responses are sent by the webtop interface process 40 . as an example , a user &# 39 ; s request to invoke a web application 12 is first received by the webtop interface process 40 . the request is then passed to application registration processes 43 to check if the web application is registered in application registry database 47 . if the web application 12 ( fig1 ) to be invoked is not registered , then the user &# 39 ; s request to invoke the web application 12 ( fig1 ) is passed to the application registry process 43 . the application registration process 43 handles the registration of web applications 12 ( fig1 ) to the application registry database 47 within the webbase 11 . the application registration process involves storing information in the webbase 11 about the location of the web application 12 ( fig1 ), the protocol , i . e ., a sequence of steps , for accessing such an application , and the interface specification for the application . the registry information is either received directly from the web site or from a repository on the internet . web application interface repository 22 ( fig1 ) is such a repository for accepting and storing the registry information of the web sites . new web applications are registered with the web application interface repository 22 ( fig1 ) to allow fast and effective access to them . if the web application 12 ( fig1 ) is registered in the application registry database 47 , then the application registry process 43 reads the interface requirements of the web application 12 ( fig1 ) from the application registry database 47 as well as the user profile information to be used for invocation from the user profiles database 46 . the information regarding the user and the web site is then passed to the webtop application process 42 which checks in to the web site over the internet 14 on behalf of the user , performs the required transactions , and returns the results to the user &# 39 ; s webtop 10 via webtop interface process 40 . the results may be returned in the form of a web page . if the web site or the web application 12 ( fig1 ) is neither registered to web application interface repository 22 ( fig1 ) nor contains any registry information , then application registration process 43 extracts the application interface information by parsing the html pages that are retrieved from the web application site . if the web application process 42 needs user intervention , it sends a request to user &# 39 ; s webtop regarding the required user information to be filled in by the user . customized webtop application processes 42 may be used to integrate different web applications 12 ( fig1 ). web application process 42 invokes the first application by using the application interface information , that may be retrieved from the application registry database 47 , receives and passes the result of the first invocation to be used as input to the second application . as an example , let first application be an e - mail application . web application process 42 logs in to e - mail web application 12 ( fig1 ), such as yahoo mail , hotmail , usa . net , etc ., retrieves the e - mail on behalf of the user and passes it to the webtop 10 . the user highlights a word that is in the body of the mail and sends a request to the web application process 42 to invoke a second web application to do a search on the highlighted word on a particular search engine . the web application process 42 receives the highlighted word and the name of the search engine , reads the selected search engine application interfaces from the application registry database 47 and invokes the search engine with the highlighted word being the key word . while the invention has been particularly shown and described with respect to illustrative and preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention that should be limited only by the scope of the appended claims .	7
referring now to fig1 one embodiment of the thermostatically controlled valve 10 is illustrated . the three major elements of the valve are an elongated cylindrical shell 12 , a temperature - responsive bellows 14 , and a piston 16 . the bellows 14 is of conventional construction and comprises a fluted expansible member with a fluid hermetically sealed between the bellows and the wall of the shell 12 . the fluid has a high coefficient of expansion , thus causing the bellows assembly to expand and contract along its axis in response to changes in temperature . one end 14a of the bellows is affixed to the shell at a location spaced from the lower end 12a of the cylindrical shell . the other end 14b of the bellows is positioned between the first end 14a and the lower end 12a of the shell . this end of the cylindrical shell 12 is inserted into a fluid stream , the temperature of which is to be sensed . fluid flowing past the thermally conductive surface of the shell 12 causes the fluid between the shell and the bellows to expand or contract as the case may be . a piston rod 20 is affixed to the other end 14b of the bellows assembly 14 and extends upwardly through the bellows 14 and slidably through a divider 22 mounted in the central portion of the cylindrical assembly . the piston rod thus can reciprocate in the divider in reaction to expansion and contraction of the bellows assembly 14 . the piston 16 is mounted for reciprocation in the end of the cylindrical shell that is on the opposite side of the divider 22 from the bellows 14 . the upper end of the cylinder carries a piston ring 24 that seals the upper end of the piston against the walls of the cylinder assembly . an end cap 25 threadably engages the end of the cylindrical shell 12 adjacent the piston 16 . a spring 26 is interposed between the end cap 25 and the top of the piston 16 so as to bias the piston in a downward direction against the upwardly directed expansion force of the bellows 14 to assist the bellows in retracting upon a reduction in temperature of the sensed fluid . ports 28 are located in the cylindrical shell between the end cap 25 and the upper end of the piston 16 . the ports 28 are provided to equalize the pressure in the upper end of the shell 12 with that of the atmosphere so that pressure variances in the upper end of the shell 12 do not inhibit free movement of the piston 16 . first and second control ports 30 and 32 are positioned in the side walls of the cylindrical shell 12 below but adjacent the upper surface 16a of the piston 16 . control port 30 is coupled to a conduit 34 containing a flow restrictor 36 . conduit 34 is coupled to a source ( not shown ) of pressurized control fluid . another conduit 38 is coupled to the first conduit 34 between the control port 30 and the restrictor 36 . the other end of the conduit 38 is coupled to a device ( not shown ) to be controlled by an increase and decrease in the control pressure present in conduit 38 . similarly , the control port 32 is coupled to another conduit 40 containing a restrictor 42 . the conduit 40 is in turn coupled to a source ( not shown ) of pressurized control fluid . another conduit 44 , coupled to a second device ( not shown ) to be controlled , is in turn coupled to the conduit 40 between the control port 32 and the restrictor 42 . referring now to fig1 and 4 , a passage 46 is formed on one of the sides of the piston 16 . passage 46 is notched into the side of the piston 16 so that in this embodiment , the notch begins at a triangular apex 46a spaced axially downwardly from the upper surface 16a of the piston 16 . the bottom end 46b of the passage communicates along the side of the piston with the bottom of the piston . referring to fig5 a similar passage 48 is formed on the opposite side of the piston 16 . the apex 48a of the passage 48 is , however , positioned axially further down the side of the piston than was the apex 46a of the passage 46 . likewise , the bottom 48b of the passage 48 communicates with the bottom end of the piston . referring back to fig1 piston 16 is shown in a lowermost position corresponding to a given low temperature . in this position , both control ports 30 and 32 are blocked by the upper reaches of the piston 16 . as the temperature of the fluid surrounding the shell 12 increases , the bellows 14 will be foreshortened , exerting an upward force on the piston rod 20 and thus raising the piston 16 upwardly against the biasing force of spring 26 toward the position as shown in fig2 . as the piston 16 rises to this position , the apex 46a of the passage 46 is circumferentially positioned on the piston 16 such that it passes across control port 30 . as it does , the pressurized control fluid present in conduit 38 is bled through passage 46 and vented to the atmosphere through ambient vents 50 in the side wall of the cylindrical shell 12 below the piston 16 . similarly , as the temperature continues to increase , the piston rises further toward the position shown in fig3 . the apex 48a of the other passage 48 is circumferentially positioned on the piston 16 such that it passes across the control port 32 , thus bleeding pressurized control fluid from the conduit 44 through passage 48 . in this manner , the elements to be controlled by the pressurized control fluid in conduits 38 and 44 can be actuated in response to a temperature change sensed by the fluid surrounding the bellows 14 . as the temperature of the fluid surrounding the shell 12 decreases , the bellows will increase in length under the influence of the biasing spring 26 . as it does so , the piston 16 travels downwardly first closing control port 32 then control port 30 . when the ports are closed , control fluid pressure once again rises in the conduits 44 and 38 to actuate the devices being controlled . one of ordinary skill will be able to effect various changes , substitutions of equivalents , and other alterations without departing from the broad concepts disclosed . for example , the rate and linearity of bleed - off of pressurized control fluid through the control ports can be varied by varying or changing the shape of the passage 46 . the passages illustrated in connection with the disclosed embodiment initially provide for a slow bleed - off that increases in rate as the temperature increases . if a faster initial control fluid bleed were desired , the passages can be shaped so that a greater area of the control port is initially exposed as the piston rises . as another example , with relatively simple plumbing modifications , the control valve of the present invention can be utilized to cause an increase in control fluid pressure at the device to be controlled in resopnse to a rise in temperature . it is also possible by varying the locations of the passages 46 and 48 to provide for simultaneous control of a plurality of devices , or to vary the interval between control of the devices in response to temperature changes . and as a last example , any desired number of devices can be controlled by increasing the number of passages and corresponding control parts . it is accordingly intended that the scope of letters patent granted hereon be limited only by the definition contained in the appended claims and equivalents thereof .	8
a description will now be given of a cd - rom driver and an operational processing apparatus having such a cd - rom driver therein of a first embodiment according to the present invention with reference to fig4 to 6 . same elements will be designated by the same corresponding reference numerals , and the description thereof will be given once . the operational processing apparatus 10 according to the present invention comprises a housing 10 a , a personal computer ( not shown ) accommodated in the housing 10 a , an accommodation case 12 accommodated in the housing , and a cd - rom driver 11 insertable into the accommodation case 12 and / or projectable therefrom . the cd - rom driver 11 drives a cd - rom 13 when the cd - rom driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 . therefore , it may be said that the cd - rom driver 11 accommodated in the accommodation case 12 corresponds to the cd - rom driver 1 shown in fig1 . the cd - rom driver 11 is projected from the accommodation case 12 when the cd - rom 13 is to be inserted into the cd - rom driver 11 and / or ejected therefrom , and the cd - rom driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 when the cd - rom 13 is to be driven . since the cd - rom driver 11 is integrated and electrically connected with the personal computer in the housing 10 a via the accommodation case 12 , the operational processing apparatus 10 can be located in a relatively small space . since the cd - rom driver 11 and the accommodation case 12 are accommodated in the housing 10 a , a display unit ( not shown ) can be placed on the housing 10 a . moreover , the cd - rom driver 11 uses the top - loading mechanism which is less complicated than the front - loading mechanism so that the cost of the operational processing apparatus is kept inexpensive . a description will now be given of the operation of the cd - rom driver 11 . as shown in fig4 the cd - rom driver 11 is located at a first position where the cd - rom 11 driver is projected from the accommodation case 12 when the cd - rom 13 is to be inserted into the cd - rom driver 11 and / or ejected therefrom . on the other hand , the cd - rom driver 11 is located at a second position where the cd - rom driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 when the cd - rom 13 is to be driven . the cd - rom driver 11 is movable between the first position and the second position . incidentally , the cd - rom driver 11 according to the embodiment has a lid 19 at a top surface thereof , and the cd - rom 13 is inserted into the cd - rom driver 11 and / or ejected therefrom via the lid 19 . whether the lid 19 is provided or not is a matter of choice . the lid 19 can be opened and / or closed around an axis 22 by hand . the cd - rom 13 is placed at a disk table 20 of a driving part 14 , and is driven there . after the cd - rom 13 is placed on the disk table 20 and the lid 19 is closed , then the front part 14 a of the driving part 14 is pushed by hand s that the cd - rom driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 . the cd - rom 13 is fixed on the disk table 20 by a clamper 21 . a description will now be given of the movement between the first position and the second position of the cd - rom driver 11 . the cd - rom driver 11 moves with a rail 15 mounted on a side surface thereof . the accommodation case 12 has rollers 16 which determine a path of the rail 15 . the rollers 16 hold and support the rail 15 from the top and the bottom so that the path of the rail 15 is positioned by the rollers 16 . the cd - rom driver 11 can slide between the first position and the second position by the guidance of the rail 15 and the rollers 16 . the number and the location of the roller 16 can be changable . incidentally , the path of the rail 15 may be determined , not by the rollers 16 , but by a section at an engagement part 12 a of the accommodation case 12 which is engagable with the rail 15 , as shown in fig5 . the cd - rom driver 11 is inserted into the accommodation case 12 and / or projected therefrom via an insertion opening 12 b . the cd - rom driver 11 is attracted to a magnet rod 18 when the cd - rom driver 11 is moved to the second position , as shown in fig6 . the magnet rod 18 is fixed to the accommodation case 12 via the magnet supporter 17 . the magnet rod 18 magnetically fixes the cd - rom driver 11 to protect it from the inclination of the housing 10 a and the external vibration . the cd - rom driver 11 can be moved from the second position to the first position by further pushing the front part 14 a . as shown in fig7 the magnet rod 18 is fixed to the magnet supporter by a latch mechanism . the fixation by the latch mechanism is released by further pushing the magnet rod 18 . therefore , if the front part 14 a is further pushed while the cd - rom driver 11 is located at the second position , the magnet rod 18 is released from the fixation so that it is projected forward , consequently , the cd - rom driver 11 is also projected from the accommodation case 12 . then the cd - rom driver 11 may be moved to the first position by hand . it is possible to move the cd - rom driver automatically from the second position to the first position , and thus open the lid in synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism . a description will now be given of an operational processing apparatus of a third embodiment according to the present invention with reference to fig8 to 10 . the operational processing apparatus 30 of the embodiment comprises a projection mechanism 34 , a spring 27 which forces a lid 28 in an opening direction ( direction a ), a lock mechanism 23 , and a lock release mechanism 40 . in this embodiment , the lid 28 has a hook 26 . the hook 26 is engagable with the lock mechanism 23 to lock the lid 28 in order to keep the lid closed . the spring 27 is engaged with the axis 22 . the projection mechanism 34 is a mechanism for automatically moving the cd - rom driver 29 from the second position to the first position in synchronization with the release of the latch mechanism . the projection mechanism 34 comprises a pin 31 mounted on the side surface 29 a of the cd - rom driver 29 , a pin 32 mounted on the accommodation case 12 , and tension coiled spring 33 stretched between the pins 31 and 32 . the strength of the spring 33 is adjustable by changing the location of the pins 31 and 32 . thus , the cd - rom driver 29 is forced in the direction x 2 as it is moved from the second position to the first position . the projection mechanism 34 may comprise the pin 31 mounted on the accommodation case 12 , the pin 32 mounted on the side surface 29 a , and compression coiled spring stretched therebetween . in addition , a mechanism for reeling a wire by a spring like take - up reel may be applicable to the projection mechanism 34 instead of the using a coiled spring . moreover , another mechanism may be used for the projection mechanism 34 as long as it forces the cd - rom driver 29 in the direction x 2 as it is moved from the second position to the first position . the lock mechanism 23 is a mechanism for locking the lid 28 by cooperating with the hook 26 . the lock mechanism 23 comprises a hook lever 24 to engage with the hook 26 and a spring 25 forcing the hook lever 24 in an engagement direction . in this embodiment , since the engagement direction corresponds to a clockwise direction , the spring 25 forces the hook lever 24 clockwise via a pin 35 . the lock release mechanism 40 is a mechanism for releasing the lock of the lock mechanism 23 . the lock mechanism 40 comprises a projection 44 projecting from the accommodation case 12 in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 b , a lever 42 mounted on the side surface 29 a via a pin 41 , and a connection rod 43 connecting the lever 42 to the hook lever 24 . the lever 42 engages with the projection 44 when the cd - rom driver 29 is approximately moved to the first position . when the lever 42 engages with the projection 44 , as shown in fig1 , the lever 42 rotates clockwise . thus , the lever 42 rotates the hook lever 24 counterclockwise via the connection rod 43 so that the lock of the lock mechanism 23 is released . accordingly , when the cd - rom driver 29 is located at the second position shown in fig9 the lid 28 is locked by the engagement of the hook 26 and the hook lever 24 . and the cd - rom driver 29 is forced in the direction x 2 by the spring 33 . when the front part 14 a is pushed in a direction x 1 , the fixation of the magnet supporter 17 is released . thus , the cd - rom driver 29 is moved in the direction x 2 by the spring 33 until the lever 42 engages with the projection 44 . the engagement of the lever 42 and the projection 44 releases the lock of the lock mechanism 23 . the the lid 28 is opened by the spring 27 in synchronization with the releasing of the lock . therefore , the pushing of the front part 14 a moves the cd - rom driver 29 automatically from the second position to the first position , and opens the lid 28 automatically , too . incidentally , the lid 28 has a bumper ( not shown ) so that the lid 28 is opened and / or closed softly . whether the bumper is provided or not is a matter of choice . it is possible to open and / or close the lid automatically in synchronization with the movement of the cd - rom driver . a description will now be given of a cd - rom driver of a fourth embodiment according to the present invention . in this embodiment , the lid 37 is forced in the opening direction by the spring 27 , as in the third embodiment . and the lid 37 is smoothly closed by rollers 38 in synchronization with the movement of the cd - rom driver 36 from the first position to the second position . the lid 37 has an engagement portion 37 a into which two rollers 38 located in the accommodation case 12 are inserted to be engaged therewith . a plurality of bearings may be provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 b of the accommodation case 12 . fig1 is an enlarged view of a part of the cd - rom driver 36 with a lid 37 closed viewed from the direction b shown in fig1 . each of the rollers 38 is provided in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 b . therefore , the lid 37 gets smoothly closed by the engagement of the lid 37 with the rollers 38 as the cd - rom driver 36 moves from the first position to the second position . incidentally , whether the spring 27 is provided or not is a matter of choice . if the spring 27 is not provided , only the automatic closing of the lid is possible . the cd - rom diver 36 has a concave part 36 a , as shown in fig8 which functions as an opening and / or closing space for the lid 37 . the accommodation case 12 in fig4 comprises , as shown in fig1 , a back surface 12 c having the magnet supporter 17 thereon fixed in the housing 10 a , a top surface 12 d , a bottom surface 12 e , and side surfaces 12 f and 12 g which can be inserted and / or ejected via an mouth 51 of the housing 10 a . it is desirable to position the insertion opening 12 b of the accommodation case 12 at the center of the mouth 51 . accordingly , the present invention also provides a positioning member which positions the insertion opening 12 b at the center of the mouth 51 . a description will be given of a cd - rom driver of a fifth embodiment according to the present invention with reference to fig1 to 19 . in this embodiment , the accommodation case 12 comprises positioning members 52 and 53 in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 b . because of the positioning members 52 and 53 , the accommodation case 12 can be adequately engaged with the mouth 51 in the vicinity of the insertion opening 12 b so that the insertion opening 12 b is located at the center of the mouth 51 . fig1 shows a cd - rom driver 60 of the fifth embodiment according to the present invention . the positioning members 52 and 53 have square pillar shapes made of synthetic resin , respectively , top surfaces which project from the top surface 12 d by “ a ”, bottom surfaces which project from the bottom surface 12 e by “ b ”, side surfaces which project respectively from the side surfaces 12 f and 12 g by “ c ” and by “ d ”, as shown in fig1 to 17 . the spans “ e ” of the positioning members 52 and 53 are equal to the height “ f ” of the mouth 51 and the height “ i ” of the front part 14 a . the distance “ g ” between the side surfaces 52 c and 53 c is equal to the width “ h ” of of the mouth 51 . the width “ j ” of the front part 14 a is equal to the distance “ k ” between the top surfaces 52 a and 53 a . fig1 and 19 show the accommodation case 12 accommodated in the housing 60 a . the top surfaces 52 a and 53 a make contact with the top surface 51 a of the mouth 51 , the bottom surfaces 52 b and 53 b make contact with the bottom surface 51 b thereof , side surfaces 52 c and 53 c contact with the side surfaces 51 c and 51 d thereof , respectively . thus , the aperture 55 between the accommodation case 12 and the housing 10 a is uniformized so that the insertion opening 16 is positioned at the center of the mouth 51 . further , the present invention is not limited to these embodiments , but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention .	6
methods for sensitive measurements of the growth of new blood vessels in the myocardium are accomplished in accordance with this disclosure by administering a polymeric contrast agent to a subject and obtaining at least two images of the heart . the use of polymeric contrast agents and imaging techniques allows for rapid imaging and hence rapid feedback on a course of treatment being administered to treat myocardial angiogenesis . suitable polymeric contrast agents include a paramagnetic entity complexed with a substituted polypeptide carrier molecule . the polymeric contrast agents have a length that is 5 to 500 times greater than their diameter , a net negative charge , and form a worm - like chain conformation with a long persistence length the worm - like configuration of the complex molecule is achieved by attaching a sufficient number of steric hindrance molecules along the polypeptide chain to eliminate or reduce intra - chain ionic bonds as well to allow charge repulsion between chelating moieties to unfold and extend the polymer chain . the amount of substitutions ( also referred to as the degree of conjugation ) thus affects the configuration of the resulting complex , with a higher degree of conjugation providing a more consistent extended structure and better diagnosis . a degree of conjugation of above 90 % is typically required for the proper polymer configuration to be realized in the case of a carrier molecule having a lysine homopolymer backbone . lower degrees of conjugation can be tolerated for certain carrier molecules having an amino acid copolymer backbone , such as , for example , a backbone that is a copolymer containing lysine and either glutamic or aspartic acid . the present carrier molecules include a polymer backbone that is substituted with steric hindrance molecules which facilitate the attachment of a paramagnetic entity and which , due to their physical size , provide a physical restraint on polymer bending . the nature of the polymer backbone is not critical , provided that the polymer has pendant groups which can be reacted with an activated steric hindrance molecule (“ shm ”) as described below to provide a polymer - shm copolymer having an elongated structure . suitable pendant groups which may be present ion the polymer include , but are not limited to amine groups , carboxyl groups and hydroxyl groups . useful polymers include homo - and co - polymers of poly ( amino acids ), poly ( vinyl amine ), poly ( 4 - aminostyrene ), poly ( acrylic acid ), poly ( methacrylic acid ), poly ( carboxynorbomene ), and dextran . preferably , the polymer is a polypeptide . the polypeptide can be an amino acid homopolymer or a copolymer of two or more amino acids . preferably , the polypeptide is selected from the group consisting of polylysine , polyglutamic acid , polyaspartic acid , copolymers of lysine and either glutamic acid or aspartic acid . other polymers may be used provided that after reaction with the shm , the resulting copolymer has an elongated structure characterized by a molecular length that is 5 to 500 times the cross - sectional diameter of the copolymer molecule and a net negative charge in an aqueous environment . in addition , the polymer preferably is of sufficient length to increase the time in which the product circulates in the blood . for polypeptides , the polymer backbone can advantageously be from 35 to 1500 amino acid residues long . because the polymeric backbone is synthetic , the length can be tailored to provide desired residence times in the body . clearance from the blood is rapid for short molecules , resulting in a short plasma lifetime . plasma lifetime increases rapidly as the polymers increase in length . for example , where the polymer is a polypeptide , a plateau is reached for a molecular length of about 500 residues and little further change in lifetime occurs . not only does the use of a synthetic polypeptide provide the ability to modify the polymer length so as to change the blood circulation times to smaller values , but the ability to modify the polymer length to probe small permeability modulations is also provided . where a copolymer forms the backbone of the carrier molecule , the copolymer preferably contains lysine units and either glutamic acid units , aspartic acid units , or both . glutamic and / or aspartic acid units may constitute from about 20 to about 60 percent of the copolymer . preferably , the copolymer is a glutamic acid - lysine copolymer . particularly useful copolymers have glu : lys ratios of about 1 : 4 for long (& gt ; 400 residue ) polymer constructs and ratios of about 6 : 4 for short (& lt ; 200 residue ) polymer constructs . a high content of lysine is believed advantageous for imaging as it allows a high loading of the copolymer with paramagnetic ions . without wishing to be bound by any theory , it is believed that the presence of glutamic acid residues in the copolymer backbone accomplishes two things . first , it is believed that the glutamic acid residues provide a stiffer initial copolymer backbone for the synthesis of the complete construct . second , it is believed that the presence of glutamic acid residues in the copolymer promotes extension of the final polymer through charge repulsion . at least a portion of the polymer backbone have steric hindrance molecules substituted thereon . the steric hindrance molecule (“ shm ”) can be any molecule that by its physical size enforces an elongated conformation by providing steric hindrance between neighboring steric hindrance molecules . preferably the shm is neutral in charge or presents negative charges in an aqueous environment along the polymer chain to assist in keeping the polymer backbone straight through coulombic repulsion . in particularly useful embodiments , the shm contains or chelates an imaging producing entity . suitable imaging producing entities include paramagnetic entities , entities which undergo nuclear reaction resulting in release of detectable radiation . non - limiting examples include ions which release alpha particles , gamma particles , beta particles , or positrons . such image producing entities are known to those skilled in the art . gamma emitters include , for example , 111 in and 153 gd . positron emitters include , for example , 89 zr , which may be employed in positron emission tomography ( pet ) imaging . particularly preferred steric hindrance molecules are molecules that chelate with paramagnetic entities . as those skilled in the art will appreciate , paramagnetic entities include certain transition metals and lanthanide ions . any molecule known to complex with paramagnetic entities and which is of sufficient size to provide steric hindrance against polymer bending can be used as the shm . preferably , the shm has a net negative charge . suitable lanthanide ion chelating molecules include , but are not limited to diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid ( dtpa ), 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraacetic acid ( dota ), 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetrakis ( 2 - propionic acid ) ( dotma ), 1 , 4 , 8 , 11 - tetraazacyclotetradecane - 1 , 4 , 8 , 11 - tetraacetic acid ( teta ), 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetrakis [ 3 -( 4 - carboxyl )- butanoic acid ], 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetrakis ( acetic acid - methyl amide ), 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane , 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetrakis ( methylene phosphonic acid ), and p - isothiocyanatobenzyl - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraazacyclododecane - 1 , 4 , 7 , 10 - tetraacetic acid ( p - scn - bz - dota ). ligands useful for chelating for other ions ( such as , for example , fe ( iii ), mn ( ii ), cu ( ii ), etc .) include bis ( thiosemicarbazone ) and derivatives , porphyrins and derivatives , 2 , 3 - bis ( 2 - thioacetamido ) propionates and derivatives , n , n ′- bis ( mercaptoacetyl )- 2 , 3 - diaminopropanoate , and bis ( aminoethanethiol ) and derivatives . to attach the shm to the polymer , an activating group is provided on the shm . the activating group present on the shm can be any group which will react with a polymer . suitable groups include , but are not limited to mixed carbonate carbonic anhydride groups , succinimidyl groups , amine groups and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide ( dcc ) groups . those skilled in the art will readily envision reaction schemes for providing an activating group on any given shm . in one embodiment , the shm is dtpa and the activating groups are mixed carbonate carbonic anhydride groups . in particularly useful embodiments , a substantially mono - activated shm is provided . the term “ activated ” means that a functional group is present on the molecule which permits covalent bonding of the molecule to appropriate amino acids . by the term “ substantially mono - activated ” it is meant that about 90 % or more of the steric hindrance molecules contain only a single activated site . mono - activation is believed to more consistently result in high levels of conjugation . a typical reaction scheme for activating dtpa and reacting it with a polypeptide backbone is shown in fig1 . as seen therein , a monoanhydride - dtpa is first prepared . specifically , a flask is charged with acetonitrile and dtpa . triethylamine is then added via syringe . the solution is warmed to 60 ° c . under a nitrogen atmosphere . the mixture is stirred until homogeneous . the clear solution is then cooled to − 45 ° c . under nitrogen atmosphere and isobutyl chloroformate is slowly added to result in the mono - anhydride of dtpa . as those skilled in the art will appreciate , dtpa has five acid groups available for conversion to anhydride . however , since substantially mono - activated dtpa is desired , only one of these acid sites should be converted to anhydride . it has unexpectedly been found that the slow addition of the chloroformate while cooling below − 40 ° c . accomplishes this result , i . e ., that about 90 % or more of the dtpa is a monoanhydride of dtpa . the activated shm is then reacted with the polymer backbone . the precise conditions for reacting the polymer with the activated shm will depend upon a number of factors including the particular polymer chosen and the specific shm used . those skilled in the art will readily envision reaction schemes for any given pair of materials to produce the desired substituted polymer product . in a particularly useful embodiment , for example , the monoanhydride - dtpa described above is simply added dropwise to an aqueous solution of polylysine under ambient atmospheric conditions . in another example , where the reactive pendant groups on the polymer backbone are electrophilic groups ( such as , for example , a carboxylic acid groups ), the anhydride of dtpa described above can be reacted overnight with a diamine ( in which the diamine is in large excess to the anhydride ). ethylene diamine is a suitable choice , giving in the end a dtpa linkage of the desired length to achieve proper steric hindrance against polymer chain bending . the product is separated from the diamine and from dtpa which was not reacted , by ion exchange chromatography . the product is substantially mono - amine dtpa . where the substantially mono - activated steric hindrance molecule is the foregoing monoamine - dtpa , it can be linked to a carboxyl group containing polymer ( such as , for example , poly - glutamic acid ) by a carboxyl coupling method . the carboxy acid groups of the polymer are activated by a coupling reagent , such as , for example , 1 ethyl - 3 -( 3 - dimethylaminopropyl ) carbodiimide hydrochloride ( edc ) ( pierce , rockford , ill .). the activated carboxy acid groups on the polymer are then combined with the monoamine - dtpa to produce an amide linkage of the dtpa to the polymer backbone as a sidechain which acts as a steric hindrance straightening the polymer backbone . the resulting polymer - steric hindrance molecule copolymer is then purified . during purification , the polymer - shm copolymer is separated from the volatile solvents and other impurities . any known techniques can be used to purify the polymer - shm copolymers . in a particularly useful embodiment , where a polypeptide backbone is used , a purification scheme is employed which does not result in complete drying of the polymer - shm copolymer . it has unexpectedly been determined that excessive dryness affects the configuration of the copolymer and interferes with the determination of degree of conjugation . a preferred purification scheme involves first exposing the reaction mixture to reduced pressure to remove impurities that are more volatile than water . care should be taken not to remove all water from the reaction mixture during this step . the next step in this preferred purification scheme is to centrifuge the remaining reaction mixture . soluble impurities remain in the supernatant fluid . the retentate from the centrifuge step is resuspended and subjected to dialysis . optionally , ultrafiltration is performed on the dialyzed polymer . techniques for these processes are within the purview of those skilled in the art . the resulting product can then be characterized using any technique known to those skilled in the art , such as , for example , high performance liquid chromatography ( hplc ). once the polymer - shm copolymer is obtained , an image producing entity is incorporated into the conjugated polymer . thus , for example , to achieve a mr active agent , a paramagnetic ion ( such as , for example , gadolinium ) can be incorporated into the product polymer chelating dtpa groups by dropwise addition of a solution containing an gadolinium salt such as , for example , gadolinium chloride or gadolinium citrate . the dropwise addition of gd continues until a slight indication of free gd ( not chelated by available dtpa groups ) is noted ( small aliquots of polymer solution added to 10 micromolar of arzenzo iiii in acetate buffer — free gd turns the dye solution blue ). the gd - loaded highly conjugated polymer is then ready for introduction into a blood vessel of the subject . in certain embodiments , the conjugated polymer can also be used for delivery of a therapeutic agent . it is also contemplated that a therapeutic agent can be attached at a few sites along the substituted polymer chain . the therapeutic entity can be attached to the conjugated polymer using techniques known to those skilled in the art . it is also contemplated that , the polymer backbone can be highly conjugated with a non - therapeutic shm which chelates an imaging agent and a therapeutic agent can be bound to the shm at a few sites along the substituted polymer chain , rather than being bound directly to the polymer backbone . in the event that the pores of the angiogenic blood vessels are not simple channels , a process called reptation allows elongated worm - like molecules to wiggle around obstacles , and to pass through restricted openings , that globular or coiled molecules would be unable to pass through . the present polymeric contrast agent molecules have a cross sectional diameter which is larger than that of the pores of normal blood vessels such that they are contained within the blood vessels in the normal state but have a cross sectional diameter smaller than that of the pores of newly formed vessels produced during angiogenesis such that they may readily pass out of the capillary and into the surrounding tissue . polymeric contrast agents having a diameter of approximate 20 – 50 angstroms ( å ) generally pass through pore structures of the new vessels , but not that of normal vessels . in order to be effective at concentrating outside of angiogenic blood vessels , the polymeric contrast agent molecules also advantageously can have a length long enough to increase the time in which they circulate in the blood , but small enough to pass out of the vessel . once outside the vessel , longer molecules tend to remain there . in addition , very large macromolecular agents may not provide enough signal due to the changes in capillary permeability , while the small agents presently in clinical use penetrate normal capillaries to begin with so that changes would be more difficult to detect . an elongated , worm - like conformation of a macromolecule results in greater uptake than other conformations , such as folded , or globular conformations . conformation may be measured by determining the radius of gyration and persistence length of the molecule . this may be determined by light scattering . conformation is a result of intra - chain charge interaction , and rigidity of the molecule . the polymeric contrast agent molecules are selected to be polypeptides . however , many polypeptides tend to fold into tight random coils due to the relatively free rotation around each peptide bond . also , if each polypeptide is composed of opposite charge amino acids , then intra - chain charge interaction as shown by bond 21 in fig2 . inter - chain charge interaction between chains may also occur as shown by bond 23 of fig2 . if there is significant intra - chain charge interactions , the polymeric contrast agent molecules may assume a globular , or folded , conformation . the conformation attained by the present polymeric contrast agents is that of a worm - like shape being essentially a stretched out , extended chain with little folding . a measure of the “ straightness ” of a molecule is a persistence length . persistence length is related to a radius of gyration , measured by light scattering experiments . a folded polypeptide such as poly - l - lysine ( pll ) with little or no substitution , has a low persistence length of about 10 angstroms ( å ), and is not suitable for monitoring angiogenesis . therefore , the present polymeric contrast agents preferably have a persistence lengths of 100 – 600 å . it is sometimes difficult to measure the persistence length of certain molecules by light scattering to determine their conformation because of the effects of contaminant particles in the test solutions . however , it was found that by measuring the magnetic resonance ( mr ) t 1 relaxation of a paramagnetic entity attached to the carrier , one could infer the conformation of the molecules of interest . this is performed by attaching paramagnetic ions , such as gadolinium , to the chelators along the polymer chain when the carrier molecule is in an elongated conformation , the chelator / mr active entity is free to rotate about its attachment point to the main chain , allowing a long t 1 relaxation time of the surrounding water protons which are the source of the mr signal . when the carrier molecule is in a globular or highly folded conformation , steric hindrance , and molecular crowding causes interaction with the chelator / mr active entity restricting rotation about its bond to the main chain . thus , the chelator / mr active entity moves only with the general slow motion of the carrier molecule . this produces a short t 1 relaxation time . a high relaxivity is associated with a molecule which folds upon itself into a globular conformation , such as albumen , at about 15 sec . − 1 millimolar − 1 ( sec − 1 mm − 1 ). a low relaxivity is associated with an elongated molecule such as highly substituted gd - dtpa pll h in which the gd can rotate rapidly , having a relaxivity of about 8 sec . − 1 mm − 1 . the optimum conformation of the present invention is associated with a relaxivity of 7 – 8 sec . − 1 mm − 1 . when the relaxivity of a peptide agent was high , the uptake coefficient of such an agent was invariably low , evidently due to the absence of the reptation mechanism . since many in - vivo chemical entities have a negative charge , molecules introduced into the subject can advantageously have a net negative charge to reduce agglutination and to allow for stable long circulation in the blood plasma . it is known that negatively charged dextran molecules undergo glomerular filtration at a much slower rate than equivalent dextran molecules of positive charge or neutral charge . the high net negative charge is also desirable since it also assists in the polymeric contrast agent molecules to retaining their elongated , worm - like conformation . in fig3 a polymeric contrast agent having a plurality of side chains substituting the hydrogen atoms is shown . the polymeric contrast agent is comprised of a plurality of amino acids 31 , each linked end to end through a polypeptide bond . a plurality of side residues 33 are attached which cause steric hindrances and repulsion to straighten the copolymer chain . it may be that in some applications , long blood circulation times would be undesirable . the present methods / materials provide the ability to reliably make short polymers of the desired worm - like conformation which allows the possible tailoring of blood circulation time to certain target levels . blood circulation time is directly dependent on polymer chain length . the response is fast ( less than 1 hour ) and the clearance from the blood circulation is rapid for shorter polymer lengths , both of which may be desirable in certain clinical procedures . the polymeric contrast agent molecules used in accordance with certain embodiments of the present disclosure do not normally accumulate in other organs such as muscle , kidney or liver . therefore , the present agents are particularly well suited for imaging of newly formed , angiogenic blood vessels compared to over other imaging agents that are based on globular proteins or coiled polymers , which tend to show accumulation in liver and kidneys of animal models . in order to perform one preferred embodiment of the invention , a subject is first imaged and then the polymeric contrast agent is introduced into the subject by injecting the contrast agent intravenously . the dose of the polymeric contrast agent can be in the range of about 0 . 01 mmoles gd / kg to about 0 . 1 mmoles gd / kg . the myocardium is then imaged . techniques for mr imaging are known and include , for example , the methods disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 121 , 775 . in a particularly useful method , images are obtained beginning immediately after injection and at certain timed intervals . preferably , the timed intervals are shortly after injection ( within 10 minutes ) and up to 1 hour post injection . for highest sensitivity of permeability , an image at 24 hours may also be acquired . to determine changes in blood volume , imaging should take place within 10 minutes of contrast agent injection . fig4 shows the major components of a preferred mri system which can be used in practicing the invention . operation of the system is controlled from an operator console 100 which includes a keyboard and control panel 102 and a display 104 . console 100 communicates through a link 116 with a separate computer system 107 that enables an operator to control the production and display of images on the screen of display 104 . computer system 107 includes a number of modules which communicate with each other through a backplane 120 . these include an image processor module 106 , a central processing unit ( cpu ) module 108 and a memory module 113 , known in the art as a frame buffer for storing image data arrays . computer system 107 is linked to a disk storage 111 and a tape drive 112 for storage of image data and programs , and communicates with a separate system control 122 through a high speed serial link 115 . system control 122 includes a set of modules connected together by a backplane 118 . these include a cpu module 119 and a pulse generator module 121 which is coupled to operator console 100 through a serial link 125 . through link 125 , system control 122 receives commands from the operator which determine the scan sequence that is to be performed . pulse generator module 121 operates the system components to carry out the desired scan sequence , and produces data which determine the timing , strength and shape of the rf pulses to be produced , and the timing and length of the data acquisition window . pulse generator module 121 is coupled to a set of gradient amplifiers 127 , to determine the timing and shape of the gradient pulses to be produced during the scan . pulse generator module 121 also receives patient data from a physiological acquisition controller 129 that receives signals from a number of different sensors attached to the patient , such as electrocardiogram ( ecg ) signals from electrodes or respiratory signals from a bellows . pulse generator module 121 is also coupled to a scan room interface circuit 133 which receives signals from various sensors associated with the condition of the patient and the magnet system . through scan room interface circuit 133 , a patient positioning system 134 receives commands to move the patient to the desired position for the scan . gradient amplifier system 127 that receives gradient waveforms from pulse generator module 121 is comprised of g x , g y and g z amplifiers . each gradient amplifier excites a corresponding gradient coil in an assembly 139 to produce the magnetic field gradients used for position encoding acquired signals . gradient coil assembly 139 forms part of a magnet assembly 141 which includes a polarizing magnet 140 and a whole - body rf coil 152 . a transceiver module 150 in system control 122 produces pulses which are amplified by an rf amplifier 151 and coupled to rf coil 152 by a transmit / receive switch 154 . the resulting signals radiated by the excited nuclei in the patient may be sensed by the same rf coil 152 and coupled through transmit / receive switch 154 to a preamplifier 153 . the amplified nmr signals are demodulated , filtered , and digitized in the receiver section of the transceiver 150 . transmit / receive switch 154 is controlled by a signal from pulse generator module 121 to electrically connect rf amplifier 151 to coil 152 during the transmit mode and to connect preamplifier 153 to coil 152 during the receive mode . transmit / receive switch 154 also enables a separate rf coil ( for example , a head coil or surface coil ) to be used in either the transmit or receive mode . the nmr signals picked up by rf coil 152 are digitized by transceiver module 150 and transferred to a memory module 160 in system control 122 . when the scan is completed and an entire array of data has been acquired in memory module 160 , an array processor 161 operates to fourier transform the data into an array of image data . these image data are conveyed through serial link 115 to computer system 107 where they are stored in disk storage 111 . in response to commands received from operator console 100 , these image data may be archived on tape drive 112 , or may be further processed by image processor 106 and conveyed to operator console 100 for presentation on display 104 . the polymeric contrast agent molecules do not penetrate normal blood vessels . thus if new blood vessels are formed , the neovascularization may be detected by an increase of signal in the tissue being examined over that to be expected from blood volume effects alone in that tissue . thus , the present methods provide clear direct signals of the quantity of interest - namely , the existence and extent of angiogenesis . the present methods can be used with a number of different pulse sequences . an exemplary pulse sequence suitable for use in imaging myocardium is gated fast cardiac inversion recovery sequence available with the ge signa scanner sold by the general electric company , milwaukee , wis . an alternative embodiment employs a fast 3d ( three dimensional ) rf ( radio frequency ) phase spoiled gradient recalled echo pulse sequence , depicted in fig5 , to acquire the nmr image data . the pulse sequence “ 3dfgre ” available on the general electric 1 . 5 tesla mr scanner sold by general electric company , milwaukee , wis ., under the trademark “ signa ” with revision level 5 . 5 system software is used . as shown in fig5 , an rf excitation pulse 220 having a flip angle of from 40 ° to 60 ° is produced in the presence of a slab select gradient pulse 222 to produce transverse magnetization in the three - dimensional ( 3d ) volume of interest as taught in edelstein et al . u . s . pat . no . 4 , 431 , 968 assigned to the instant assignee . this is followed by a slice encoding gradient pulse 224 directed along the z axis and a phase encoding gradient pulse 226 directed along the y axis . a readout gradient pulse 228 directed along the x axis follows , and a partial echo ( 60 %) nmr signal 230 is acquired and digitized as described above . after the acquisition , rewinder gradient pulses 232 and 234 rephase the magnetization before the pulse sequence is repeated as taught in glover et al . u . s . pat . no . 4 , 665 , 365 assigned to the instant assignee . as is well known in the art , the pulse sequence is repeated and the respective slice and phase encoding gradient pulses 224 and 226 are stepped through a series of values to sample the 3d k - space . the acquired 3d k - space data set is fourier transformed along all three axes and a magnitude image is produced in which the brightness of each image pixel indicates the nmr signal strength from each corresponding voxel in the 3d volume of interest . an initial signal is then compared with the signal enhancement observed at selected times , preferably a short time after injection ( within 10 minutes ) and then at several time points up to 60 minutes post injection . for highest sensitivity to measure capillary permeability , a subsequent image at about 24 hours may also be taken . the initial image after injection ( within 10 minutes ) provides a measure of blood volume or microvascular density , for each pixel of the image . subsequent images then establish the rate of passage of the polymeric contrast agent into the tissue surrounding the blood vessel , again on a pixel by pixel basis . maps of blood volume and of neovascularization may then be generated and displayed as an image or overlaid on the mr image directly . both anatomical and physiological features will then be displayed simultaneously , giving radiologists not only the amount of angiogenesis as an average quantity but also its activity as a function of position — a very desirable feature for monitoring the efficacy of myocardial angiogenesis therapy . signal enhancements at the endpoint of about 24 hours , that are below some threshold value , preferably about 10 % ( for the canonical dose of 0 . 025 mmoles gd / kg ), signify minimal angiogenic activity . higher signal values ( preferably 75 %, most preferably 90 %) imply ever increasing angiogenesis . the endpoint signals at 24 hours are due to passage of the polymeric contrast agent through the walls of newly formed blood vessels , as blood concentration levels at that time will be negligibly small for the contrast agents described here , i . e ., the reptating polymeric contrast agents . while specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein , it is realized that modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art . it is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention .	0
in preparing an enhanced reactive vegetable oil wherein the polyoxyalkylene chain contains a propylene oxide , an amount of propylene oxide calculated to provide the desired degree of propoxylation is introduced and the resulting mixture is allowed to react until the propylene oxide is consumed , as indicated by , for example , a drop in reaction pressure . usually , the final product is treated with weak acid to neutralize any basic catalyst residues to provide the commercial product having the primary alcohols on the molecule . in preparing an enhanced reactive vegetable oil wherein the polyoxyalkylene chain contains a ethylene oxide , an amount of ethylene oxide calculated to provide the desired degree of ethoxylation is introduced and the resulting mixture is allowed to react until the ethylene oxide is consumed , as indicated by , for example , a drop in reaction pressure . usually , the final product is treated with weak acid to neutralize any basic catalyst residues to provide the commercial product having the primary alcohols on the molecule . in preparing an enhanced reactive vegetable oil wherein the polyoxyalkylene chain contains a propylene oxide first block and an ethylene oxide second block , an amount of propylene oxide calculated to provide the desired degree of propoxylation is introduced and the resulting mixture is allowed to react until the propylene oxide is consumed , as indicated by , for example , a drop in reaction pressure . a similar introduction and reaction of a calculated amount of ethylene oxide serves to provide the second block that completes the reaction . usually , the final product is treated with weak acid to neutralize any basic catalyst residues to provide the commercial product having the primary alcohols on the molecule . it should be understood that each separate procedure serves to introduce a desired average number of alkylene oxide units per vegetable oil molecule . thus , for example , the initial treatment of an hydroxylated vegetable oil mixture with q moles of propylene oxide per mole of hydroxylated vegetable oil serves to effect the propoxylation of each hydroxy group with propylene oxide to an average of m propylene oxide moieties per hydroxy group on the vegetable oil , although some hydroxy groups will have become combined with more than m propylene oxide moieties and some will have become combined with less than m . in general , the maximum number of propylene units in a single molecule will not exceed 8 and the number of ethylene units in a single molecule will not exceed 30 . the variation in the number of alkylene oxide moieties is not critical as long as the average for the number of units in each block is within the limits set out above . each reaction is conducted at an elevated temperature and pressure . suitable reaction temperatures are from about 120 ° c . to about 220 ° c ., preferably , 130 ° c . to 180 ° c . and more preferably , 140 ° c . to 150 ° c . a suitable reaction pressure is achieved by introducing to the reaction vessel the required amount of propylene oxide or ethylene oxide , each of which has a high vapor pressure at the desired reaction temperature . the pressure serves as a measure of the degree of reaction and each reaction is considered to be complete when the pressure no longer decreases with time . for best results , it is desirable to carry out the reactions under relatively moisture - free conditions and to avoid side reactions that form water . to dry the reaction vessel and connection , they may be swept out with dry , oxygen - free gas , for example nitrogen , before introducing the charge of alkylene oxides . the catalyst or catalyst mixtures should also be dry , or substantially dry . the propylene oxide and ethylene oxide should preferably be purified to remove moisture and any impurities that are capable of entering into side reactions that yield water . catalysts that are useful in this invention are alkali metal hydroxide , such as sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide , sodium ethoxide , sodium methoxides , alkali metal acetates , lewis acids , such as bf 3 , and amines , such as trimethyl amine , or other tertiary amines , and mixtures thereof . preferred catalysts are the alkali metal hydroxides and the sodium ethoxide and sodium methoxide and much preferred catalysts are sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide . catalysts used in this invention should be used in the range of from about 0 . 2 weight % to 1 . 0 weight %, and preferred is a use in the range of about 0 . 3 weight % to 0 . 75 weight %, the amount of catalyst being based on the total amount of the reactive components of the reaction . typically in this invention the catalysts are added to the hydroxylated vegetable oil prior to the introduction of the alkylene oxides . the instant process serves to provide high molecular weight enhanced reactive vegetable oils . what is meant by “ high molecular weight ” for purposes of this invention , is that the final products should have a molecular weight in excess of 2500 average molecular units and ranges up to about 8000 average molecular units . fig1 shows a schematic of a formula for the starting material of this invention wherein the molecular weight of about 1100 average molecular units is shown . a twenty gallon autoclave was charged with a total of 16 , 185 grams ( 13 . 9 mols ) of a material of fig1 and 80 grams of 45 weight % potassium hydroxide solution . an agitator located in the reactor was turned on and set to a speed of 75 rpm . a total of three pressure release cycles to 50 psig were performed with nitrogen and the reactor was heated to about 120 ° c . during the heat up , the nitrogen was sparged through the reaction mass to help remove water that was introduced with the catalytic koh and the starting material . the reactor temperature was held at 120 ° c . for one hour with a nitrogen sparge . by the end of this hold time , the water content of the reaction mass was determined to be 80 ppm . after the reaction mass in example 1 had been dried , the reactor temperature was increased to 155 ° c . and the agitator rate was increased to 300 rpm . once this temperature had been achieved , the reactor pressure was increased to 10 psig with nitrogen , and one pound of propylene oxide was introduced to the reactor through a dip tube . the resulting pressure was 30 psig . after five minutes the reactor pressure started to drop and a mild exotherm was observed . at this point a continuous propylene oxide feed was started at a rate to keep the temperature between 150 ° c . and 160 ° c . and a pressure at or below 75 psig . a total of 33 , 056 grams ( 570 mols ) of propylene oxide was fed to the reactor over a 4 . 5 hour period . this amount provides an average of 38 . 735 moles of propylene oxide per mole of the starting material . each arm of the triglyceride has about 17 . 3 successively linked propylene oxide segments to form the polyether chain , terminating in a secondary alcohol . when the propylene oxide feed was complete , the reaction mass was held at 155 ° c . for one hour . during this hold period the reactor pressure dropped from just under 75 psig to near 10 psig . at this point , a sample was taken and the hydroxyl value of the sample was determined to be 50 . 8 . this is the material shown schematically in fig2 . at this time , the reactor was cooled to 60 ° c . and the reaction mass from example 2 was drained into five gallon pails . a total of 47 , 942 grams of product was recovered . of this amount , 22 , 755 grams of product was returned to the reactor and heated to 155 ° c . after three pressure release cycles with nitrogen were performed . after heating the reactor was then pressured to 10 psig with nitrogen , the agitator was set to 300 rpm and 930 grams of ethylene oxide was charged through the dip tube . the resulting pressure was 60 psig . over a fifteen minute period the pressure in the reactor had returned to 10 psig . the reaction mass was then held at 155 ° c . for an additional 30 minutes . the agitator was slowed to 75 rpm and the reactor was cooled to 90 ° c . when the temperature reached 90 ° c ., 50 grams of glacial acetic acid was introduced into the reactor through the dip tube . this was allowed to react for ten minutes . after this neutralization step , the reactor was again heated to 120 ° c . and a nitrogen sparge was started . the reactor was held at these conditions for one hour then cooled to 60 ° c . and then packaged . a total of 23 , 540 grams of the final product was recovered . this is the material shown schematically in fig3 . ethylene oxide capping provides the polyether chain just as described above , but instead of the chain terminating with secondary alcohol , it terminates with a primary alcohol . primary alcohols are more reactive than secondary alcohols , and provide the correct type of reactivity desired .	2
there are three main puzzles that face designers when creating hardware implementations of montgomery multiplication . the first is the “ true ” multiplication operation internal to the montgomery algorithm . today , most mid - level fpga boards have dedicated logic for several parallel 64 × 64 bit multiplications . similarly , asic implementations of such multipliers are relatively automated . so , one puzzle is how to take advantage of such parallel multipliers efficiently in the context of large inputs . the second significant puzzle is how to manage addition . repeated addition operations are required for montgomery multiplication , wherein the size of the addends is the strength of the encryption system . thus , for 1024 bit rsa encryption , at least two 1024 bit additions are needed per iteration of the main loop of the algorithm , where the number of iterations depends on the radix . the carry propagation for full adders would be a significant bottleneck . hence , the second puzzle is how to avoid carry propagation while adding such large data . the third puzzle is how to keep area requirements at a minimum . in a straightforward implementation of montgomery multiplication , very large and complex circuits are needed to implement the necessary additions . even in an implementation such as the mcivor et al . that exploits carry - save adders , the device uses four separate carry - save adders . the area requirements for these adders is quite high and appears unavoidable in other devices that implement the montgomery multiplication using similar techniques . this invention deals with these three puzzles together by factoring the computation of sub - products into four parts and the computation of an accumulated sum into four carry - save additions . the specific choice of sub - products avoids carries completely and allows the invention to exploit parallel multipliers , while the novel use of carry - save adders does not propagate any carries . furthermore , because the two main sub - computations ( product and carry - save addition ) are factored this way , the device can exploit a pipeline to compute these in parallel , thus allowing a single carry - save adder to be reused for all four additions . the carry - save adder and multipliers are operated in four phases per each word of the input a , i . e ., in l iterations and are configured to avoid all carry - propagation during these iterations . at the end of computation , a partial sum and partial carry are added to generate an approximate result . finally , if needed a final addition is carried out to correct the approximate result . hence , the costly carry propagation of full adders is completely eliminated from the main loop of the algorithm and is incurred at most twice per use of the invention . moreover , the potential second full addition is only needed in case the first addition results in a carry out , not as a result of an expensive comparison to n . in order to understand the present invention , it is helpful to fix notation and terminology and to review the fundamental idea of the montgomery algorithm . throughout this document , we write x ≡ y z to indicate that the natural numbers x and z are congruent modulo the natural number y . that is , x − z is an integer multiple of y . we also write x % y to denote the remainder of division x / y . the residual modular multiplication depends on a predetermined natural number r , referred to as the residual . given a modulus n , a multiplier a , and a multiplicand b , residual modular multiplication seeks a value u with the property u · r ≡ n a · b . to ensure that a · b can be uniquely recovered ( up to congruence ) from u , the modulus and residual must be relatively prime . in most applications , the modulus is assumed to be odd , so a residual that is a power of two guarantees this basic property . in the basic montgomery algorithm , a , b , and u are further required to be less than the modulus n , and the modulus is required to be less than the residual . residual modular multiplication can be used to produce the true modular product of two values . specifically , let x y denote the result of residual modular multiplication . that is ( x y )· r is congruent to x · y . then ( x y ) r 2 is congruent to x · y . hence two uses of residual modular multiplication ( with pre - computed value r 2 ) yields standard ( non - residual ) modular multiplication . this , nevertheless , still eliminates division , so it can be faster than a more direct computation . on the other hand , more complicated modular computations such as exponentiation can be implemented directly on residual representations , thus saving a significant number of divisions . a typical exponentiation algorithm , implemented using a modified “ square - and - multiply ” algorithm , is discussed below . given residual r and modulus n , euclid &# 39 ; s algorithm can be used to produce a value n ′ such that n · n ′+ 1 ≡ r 0 . now setting u ′= a · b +( a · b · n ′% r ) n , the result is clearly congruent to a · b modulo n , and also congruent to 0 modulo r . so setting u = u ′/ r results in a value so that u · r is congruent to a · b modulo n . all that remains is to note that u ′& lt ; n 2 + r · n , so u & lt ; 2n . thus one further subtraction of n may be needed to produce the desired value . the basic montgomery algorithm extends to larger moduli and larger multipliers and multiplicands by representing these inputs in radix r and taking the residual r to be a power of r . this is natural because ( i ) r is a predetermined value and ( ii ) r itself is typically taken to be a very large power of two , so that radix r representation simply means that the inputs are represented as arrays of words . let us assume that a , b , and n are represented as l digit radix r values . we allow for leading 0 &# 39 ; s in these representations as needed . thus , in the above description , r = r l . to be explicit , a is given to us in l values a 0 , a 1 , . . . , a l − 1 so that a = a 0 + a 1 · r + a 2 · r 2 + . . . + a l − 1 · r l − 1 . the values band n are given similarly . to make the following notation simpler , for 0 ≦ j ≦ i ≦ l , we define a ( i , j ]= a j · r j + a j + 1 · r j + 1 + a j + 2 · r j + 2 + . . . + a i − 1 · r i − 1 . in particular , a ( l , 0 ]= a and , as one expects , a ( i , i ]= 0 . the basic algorithm adapts to radix r by computing at each stage i , a value u & lt ; 2n such that u · r i ≡ n a ( i , 0 ]· b . ( 1 ) when i = l , r i = r and a ( i , 0 ]= a . so after l iterations and after adjusting to ensure u & lt ; r , u is the desired result . for this algorithm , we need a value n ′ so that n · n ′+ 1 ≡ r 0 and n ′& lt ; r . the value of n ′ depends only on the least significant word of n and can be computed easily using euclid &# 39 ; s algorithm . now , suppose that u satisfies ( 1 ). let h =( u 0 + a i · b 0 )· n ′% r . by our choice of n ′, must hold . hence setting u ′= u + a i · b + h · n , we have u ′· r i ≡ n u · r i + a i · b · r i . the later is equal to a ( i + 1 , 0 ] by the assumption , so u ′/ r is the desired value . this multi - word version of montgomery &# 39 ; s algorithm is summarized as follows : h =( u 0 + a i · b )· n ′% r , to avoid carry propagation in the above algorithm , this invention uses carry - redundant representations and carry - save adders . that is , for three values x , y , and z and a carry - in c , a carry - redundant representation is a pair of values s and t so that s + t = x + y + z + c . a carry - save adder is a device that produces a carry - redundant representation from these four inputs . typically a carry - save adder is embodied as an array of k parallel one bit full adders , wherein adder number i has inputs x i , y i , and z i and has the sum output to s i and carry output to t i + 1 and by setting t 0 = c . other embodiments of carry - save adders are possible for use in this invention , and are considered equivalent for the purposes of this invention , provided the above invariant is maintained . note that in general , the value twill be one bit longer than s , but under many assumptions about the three main inputs , a carry - save adder may actually be guaranteed not to generate a 1 in the most significant bit of t . this invention uses some number theoretic facts about the multi - word algorithm to simplify the use of a carry - save adder , and to use parallel w × w multiplication to exploit the resources available on most fpgas , asics or custom circuits . the idea is to adapt the invariant of the basic algorithm of fig2 so that at each stage , the following conditions hold : ( s + t ) r i ≡ n a ( i , 0 ]· b suppose we are given s , t , and i satisfying the above conditions . then let h =( s 0 + t 0 + a i · b 0 ) n ′% r . then the same reasoning applies as in the basic multi - word algorithm . that is , two carry - save adders can be used to compute s ′ and t ′ as a carry - redundant representation of the sum s + t + a i · b + h · n , avoiding carry propagation . thus , ( s ′+ t ′) is evenly divisible by r . notice that the least significant digit of s ′ is therefore zero if and only if the least significant digit of t ′ is zero . if this is the case , then ( s ′+ t ′)/ r = s ′/ r + t ′/ r . otherwise , ( s ′+ t ′)/ r =└ s ′/ r ┘+└ t ′/ r ┘+ 1 . if we compute the two products a i · b and h · n in the obvious way , they will also incur carry propagation . take h · n as an example , the result should be h · n 0 + h · n 1 · r + h · n 2 · r 2 + . . . + h · n l − 1 · r l − 1 , but because each sub - product is two words long , this involves carries . on the other hand , if l is even we can put h · n in a form suitable for carry - save manipulation by defining q 1 = h · n 1 + h · n 3 · r 2 + h · n 5 · r 4 + h · n l − 1 · r l − 2 so h · n = q 0 + q 1 · r . none of the sub - products in these sums overlap , so no carries are involved . the sub - products can be computed in parallel within the capability of specific hardware resources . we define p 0 and p 1 similarly for the product a i · b . thus , s + t + p 0 + p 1 · r + q 0 + q 1 · r ≡ n u + a i · b ( 7 ) notice that the terms p 1 · r and q 1 · r can be omitted from equation ( 4 ) because each is congruent to 0 modulo r . the sum s + t + p 0 + p 1 · r + q 0 + q 1 · r can , in principle , be implemented in any of twenty - four orderings of the four partial sub - products . all of these orderings result in alternative embodiments of the invention . however , because the values q 0 and q 1 depend on h =( s 0 + t 0 + p 0 0 )· n % r , the preferred embodiments stage computations so that p 0 is obtained first , so that the least significant word can then be used to compute the value h . this leaves six possible orderings of the above sum . of these , two are preferred : the advantage of ( 8 ) is that computation of m can be implemented in parallel with computation of p 1 · r and its addition . this can reduce latency if the actual number of available hardware multipliers is m + 1 . the disadvantage is that p 1 · r is 2 km + 1 words long . so the carry - save adder must be larger . the advantage of ( 9 ) is that both of the values p 1 · r and q 1 · r can be added after dividing by r . this keeps the size of the carry - save adder as small as possible . the disadvantage is that computation of h must occur prior to q 0 and after the least significant word of p 0 . in both orderings , once q 0 is added ( via a carry - save adder ) the result is a carry - redundant representation that is equivalent to the full sum modulo r . at that point , the carry - redundant form may be shifted down by one word ( that is , divided by r ). to describe the methods determined by ( 8 ) and ( 9 ), we use the following notation : definition list 1 term definition s , t = csa ( x , y , z , c ) ( s , t ) is a carry - redundant representation of the sum x + y + z + c p = pmu ( x , y ) p is the 2 kmw bit result of multiplying the w bit value x by each w bit word of the km word value y h = hu ( x , y , z , v ) h is the result of taking the least significant word of ( x + y + z ) · v x & gt ;& gt ; w x is shifted down by w bits and padded with leading zeros . x & lt ;& lt ; w x is shifted up by w bits with least significant w bits filled with zeros . x 0 ≠ 0 single bit result of comparing least significant word of x to 0 . msb ( x ) most significant bit of x x [ i : j ] bits indexed i , i − 1 , i − 2 , . . . , j the first ordering ( 8 ) leads to a method of computation involving intermediate values s , t , p , hand u having the following bit - widths : value bit width s ( 2 km + 1 ) w t ( 2 km + 1 ) w + 1 p 2 kmw h w u 2 kmw + 1 for i in the range 0 to 2 km − 1 , operate in four phases : the second ordering ( 9 ) leads to a method of computation involving intermediate values s , t , p , h and u having the following bit - widths : value bit width s 2 kmw t 2 kmw + 1 p 2 kmw h w u 2 kmw + 1 for i in the range 0 to 2 km − 1 , operate in five phases : fig1 , 2 , 3 a , 3 b , 3 c , 3 d , and 4 — non - pipeline embodiment orderings ( 8 ) and ( 9 ) lead to embodiments in which the carry - save logic is duplicated , and not pipelined . although the preferred embodiments to follow save area by re - using the carry - save logic , we include a non - pipeline embodiment based on ordering ( 9 ) to illustrate an alternative to pipelining . fig1 shows details of the sub - unit ( 100 ) for calculating the value h . it operates as follows signal multiplexer ( 101 ) to send input labeled a 0 to multiplier ( 103 ), signal multiplexer ( 102 ) to send input labeled b 0 to multiplier ( 103 ), signal demultiplexer ( 104 ) to send output to multiplexer ( 105 ), signal multiplier ( 103 ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 106 ) to send input labeled s 0 to adder ( 107 ), signal multiplexer ( 105 ) to send input from demultiplexer ( 104 ) to full adder ( 107 ), signal demultiplexer ( 108 ) to send output to multiplexer ( 105 ), signal adder ( 107 ) to compute ; signal multiplexer to send input labeled to adder ( 107 ), signal multiplexer ( 105 ) to send input from demultiplexer ( 108 ) to adder ( 107 ), signal demultiplexer to send output to multiplexer ( 102 ), signal adder ( 107 ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 101 ) to send input labeled n ′ to multiplier ( 103 ), signal multiplexer ( 102 ) to send input from demultiplexer ( 108 ) to multiplier ( 103 ), signal demultiplexer ( 104 ) to send output to line output of the unit ( h ). fig2 illustrates computation of the four partial sub - products po , p 1 , q 0 and q 1 . this device operates in 4 k phases , a0 , b0 , c0 , d0 , a1 , b1 , c1 , d2 , etc ., as follows : signal multiplexer ( 201 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 203 ), signal multiplexer ( 203 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 201 ) to multipliers ( 300 ), signal multiplexer ( 202 ) to send input from b 0 to multiplexer ( 204 ), signal multiplexer ( 204 ) to send input b 0 j , signal demultiplexer to send output to p 0 2j + 1 : p 0 2j , signal multipliers ( 301 , . . . ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 201 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 203 ), signal multiplexer ( 203 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 201 ) to multipliers ( 300 ), signal multiplexer ( 202 ) to send input from b 1 to multiplexer ( 204 ), signal multiplexer ( 204 ) to send input b 1 j , signal demultiplexer to send output to p 1 2j + 1 : p 1 2j , signal multipliers ( 301 , . . . ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 203 ) to send input from input labeled h to multipliers ( 300 ), signal multiplexer ( 202 ) to send input from n 0 to multiplexer ( 204 ), signal multiplexer ( 204 ) to send input n 0 j , signal demultiplexer to send output to q 0 2j + 1 : q 0 2j , signal multipliers ( 301 , . . . ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 203 ) to send input from input labeled h to multipliers ( 300 ), signal multiplexer ( 202 ) to send input from n 1 to multiplexer ( 204 ), signal multiplexer ( 204 ) to send input n 1 j , signal demultiplexer to send output to q 1 2j + 1 : q 1 2j , signal multipliers ( 301 , . . . ) to compute . fig3 illustrates in more detail the routing of words to multipliers in fig2 . fig4 shows the overall configuration for the non - pipeline embodiment implementing ordering ( 9 ). in this non - pipeline embodiment , four carry - save adders are configured in a cascade as detailed in fig4 . this operates as follows : signal to hu ( 100 ) to compute , storing result in register h ( 412 ), signal to the pmu control logic ( 200 ) to compute values p 0 , p 1 , q 0 and q 1 , storing results in registers ( 403 ), ( 405 ), ( 407 ) and ( 411 ), respectively , signal csa units ( 404 ), ( 406 ), ( 410 ) and ( 412 ) to compute in sequence , storing result in registers ( 401 ) and ( 402 ), signal finalization unit ( 1000 ) to compute , sending result to output of the device . during operation , the embodiments of fig8 and 9 require calculation of a value h , computation of which can be embodied as a separate unit ( hu ) or by any other functionally equivalent means . in fig5 , a preferred embodiment of the hu operates as follows : signal multiplexer ( 501 ) to send input labeled to full adder ( 503 ), signal multiplexer ( 502 ) to send input labeled s 0 to full adder ( 503 ), signal demultiplexer ( 504 ) to send output of full adder ( 503 ) to multiplexer ( 501 ); signal full adder ( 503 ) to compute ; signal multiplexer ( 501 ) to send input from demultiplexer ( 504 ) to full adder ( 503 ), signal multiplexer ( 502 ) to send input labeled p 0 to full adder ( 503 ), signal demultiplexer ( 504 ) to send output of full adder ( 503 ) to multiplier ( 505 ); signal full adder to compute ; signal multiplier ( 505 ) to compute , recording the lower w bits of the result to output ( h ) of the unit . this embodiment of hu re - uses a single w - bit full adder . other functionally equivalent embodiments may employ two adders in a cascaded configuration . fig6 , 7 a , 7 b , 7 c , and 7 d — plural multiplier unit for preferred embodiments preferred embodiments of fig8 and 9 comprise a plural multiplier unit , which is a sub - system that computes the partial sub - products p 0 , p 1 , q 0 and q 1 . this sub - system can be embodied as a distinct sub - apparatus or any other functionally equivalent means . the plural multiplier unit assumes a predetermined plurality of m hardware multipliers capable of calculating a w × w bit product , where the radix r is 2 w for a predetermined word size w . as noted earlier , we also assume that the bit width is k = 2 kmw for some predetermined value of k . thus , l = 2 km and the radix is 2 w . in this way , the number of w × w bit products that comprise the value p 0 ( as well as the others ) is km = l / 2 . the multiplier unit selects either a i or has a w bit multiplicand . the other multiplicand is selected from either b 0 , b 1 , n 0 , or n 1 as kmw bits . hence , these kmw bits grouped into k blocks of m words each , and are handled in k iterations consecutively . for example , in the case of b 0 , in the j - th iteration multiplier m receives b 0 jm + m − 1 , multiplier m − 1 receives b 0 jm + m − 2 , . . . , multiplier 2 receives b 0 jm + 1 , and multiplier 1 receives b 0 jm . the products of such multiplications are 2 w bits in length each and are grouped together and assigned to the register pas a single l word value . for example , following the above case of b 0 , the corresponding storage locations in p would be p l − 1 : p l − 2 for multiplier m , p l − 3 : p l − 4 for multiplier m − 1 , . . . , p 3 : p 2 for multiplier 2 , and p 1 : p 0 for multiplier 1 . fig6 shows the circuit diagram for this process . the preferred embodiment iterates through k groupings of m words each selecting one group at a time via multiplexer ( 604 ). thus at each iteration , the bit locations advance by mw bits . the results of the multiplications are then sent to the appropriate 2 m words of the output via demultiplexer ( 605 ). fig7 a , 7 b , 7 c and 7 d provide details of the sources and destination of words in this unit . as can be seen , when k & gt ; 1 , the multiplication required completes in k cycles . when k = 1 , all of the multiplications are performed in one cycle , so the multiplexer ( 604 ) and demultiplexer ( 605 ) can be eliminated . the ordering ( 8 ) leads to an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention that is shown in fig8 . 7 . in this embodiment , the apparatus operates as follows : for i in the range 0 to 2 km , operate in four phases : signal multiplexer ( 807 ) to send input from shifted register t ( 804 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 808 ) to send input from shifted register s ( 805 ) to csa ( 711 ), signal multiplexer ( 809 ) to send input from register p ( 803 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 810 ) to send signal from result of the comparison s 0 ≠ 0 to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 601 ) in pmu control logic ( 600 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 603 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 601 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 604 ) to send input from b 0 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 711 ), pmu ( 700 ) and hu ( 500 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 801 ), s ( 802 ), p ( 803 ) and h ( 812 ). signal multiplexer ( 807 ) to send input from register t ( 804 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 808 ) to send input from register s ( 805 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 809 ) to send input from register p ( 803 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 810 ) to send 0 to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 601 ) in pmu control logic ( 600 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 603 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 601 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 604 ) to send input from b 1 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 711 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 801 ), s ( 802 ) and p ( 803 ). signal multiplexer ( 807 ) to send input from register t ( 801 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 808 ) to send input from register s ( 802 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 809 ) to send input from shifted register p ( 803 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from register h ( 812 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 602 ) to send input from n 0 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 711 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 801 ), s ( 802 ) and p ( 803 ). signal multiplexer ( 807 ) to send input from register t ( 801 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 808 ) to send input from register s ( 802 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 809 ) to send input from register p ( 803 ) to csa ( 711 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from register h ( 812 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 602 ) to send input from n 1 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 711 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 801 ), s ( 802 ) and p ( 803 ). signal multiplexer ( 807 ) to send input from shifted register t ( 804 ) to csa ( 811 ), signal multiplexer ( 808 ) to send input from shifted register s ( 805 ) to csa ( 811 ); signal csa ( 811 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 801 ) and s ( 802 ); signal finalization unit ( 1000 ) to compute , sending result to output of the device . the ordering ( 9 ) leads to an embodiment of the apparatus of this invention that is shown in fig9 . in this embodiment , the apparatus operates as follows : for i in the range 0 to 2 km , operate in five phases : signal multiplexer ( 907 ) to send input from register t ( 901 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 908 ) to send input from register s ( 902 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 910 ) to send 0 to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 601 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 603 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 601 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 602 ) to send input from b 0 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 911 ), pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 901 ), s ( 902 ), p ( 903 ) and h ( 912 ); signal hu ( 500 ) to compute , storing result in register h ( 912 ); signal multiplexer ( 907 ) to send input from register t ( 904 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 908 ) to send input from register s ( 905 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 910 ) to send 0 to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from register h to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 604 ) to send input from n 0 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 911 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 901 ), s ( 902 ) and p ( 903 ); signal multiplexer ( 907 ) to send input from register t ( 901 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 908 ) to send input from register s ( 902 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 910 ) to send 0 to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 601 ) to send input from a i to multiplexer ( 603 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from multiplexer ( 601 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 602 ) to send input from b 1 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 911 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 901 ), s ( 902 ) and p ( 903 ); signal multiplexer ( 907 ) to send input from shifted register t ( 904 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 908 ) to send input from shifted register s ( 905 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 910 ) to send input from comparison s ≠ 0 to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 603 ) to send input from register h ( 912 ) to pmu ( 700 ) and signal multiplexer ( 602 ) to send input from n 1 to pmu ( 700 ); signal csa ( 911 ) and pmu ( 700 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 901 ), s ( 902 ) and p ( 903 ); signal multiplexer ( 907 ) to send input from shifted register t ( 904 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 908 ) to send input from shifted register s ( 905 ) to csa ( 911 ), signal multiplexer ( 910 ) to send signal from comparison w - bit s ≠ 0 to csa ( 911 ); signal csa ( 911 ) to compute , storing results in registers t ( 901 ) and s ( 902 ); signal finalization unit ( 1000 ) to compute , sending result to output of the device . the last stage of operation of the above embodiments invokes a finalization sub - unit , which can be embodied as a separate unit or by any other functionally equivalent means . in fig1 , a preferred embodiment of the finalization unit , employing a single full adder , operates as follows : signal multiplexer ( 1001 ) to send input from input labeled t to first input to adder ( 1003 ) and signal multiplexer ( 1002 ) to send input from input labeled s to second input to adder ( 1003 ), signal adder ( 1003 ) to compute ; if either the carry out bit of t or the carry out bit of adder ( 1003 ) is set , signal demultiplexer ( 1004 ) to send output to multiplexer ( 1001 ), otherwise signal demultiplexer ( 1004 ) to send output to the output of the sub - unit ( res ), if demultiplexer ( 1004 ) is set to send output to multiplexer ( 1001 ), then signal multiplexer ( 1001 ) to send input from demultiplexer ( 1004 ), signal multiplexer ( 1002 ) to send input labeled - n , signal adder ( 1003 ) to compute , signal demultiplexer ( 1004 ) to send output to the output of the sub - unit ( res ). in alternative embodiments of finalization , functionally equivalent embodiments may employ a second full adder in a cascaded configuration . the most common use of montgomery multiplication is in application to modular exponentiation . we illustrate the use of this invention in such an application . because the apparatus of the present invention provides a wider range of operability than prior art solutions , the exponentiation algorithm must be modified slightly to account for this difference . the principle difference between this and other solutions is that the intermediate results are not guaranteed to be less than the modulus . thus a final comparison and possible subtraction are needed . for the exponentiation algorithm , recall that n is the modulus . the algorithm computes a value less than n that is congruent to me modulo n . letting monpro ( a , b , n , n ′) denote the result of the present invention , we are guaranteed that monpro ( a , b , n , n ′) r is congruent to a · b modulo n , assuming that values a , b , and n are l word values , n ′ is a single word value and n · n ′ is congruent to − 1 modulo r . also recall that r = 2 lw . for exponentiation , we also require precomputed values r 1 and r 2 so that r 1 is less than r and congruent to r modulo n and r 2 is less than r and congruent to r 2 modulo n . with these , the exponentiation algorithm operates via square — and multiply using residual representations : p = monpro ( p , p , n , n ′)// p is residual representation of ( m 2 ) i if e [ i ] c = monpro ( l , q , n , n ′)// c is congruent to me modulo n and less than r the specific embodiments of the invention that have been described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention , but merely illustrating the feasibility and currently preferred embodiments of this invention . the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents . obvious variations , modifications or improvements to the specified embodiments do not depart from the invention or scope of the appended claims .	6
a back rest for a motor vehicle seat includes two side beams 1 and 2 , which are formed as mirror images of each other relative to the center of the back rest . these side beams 1 and 2 are connected in the vicinity of their lower ends with the upholstery support of the associated seat element by means of a schematically illustrated known hinge fitting in such a manner as to be pivotable and capable of being fixed in a selectable pivot position . the steel sheet side beams 1 and 2 have a c - shaped cross section , as shown in fig3 and 4 , whereby the two shanks 1 &# 39 ; and 1 &# 34 ; and 2 &# 39 ; and 2 &# 34 ; run parallel to each other and are directed toward the other side beam . the yoke portion of the shaped beam , which is relatively wide in relation to the length of the shanks , is stiffened by an inwardly pressed , wide reinforcing crease or groove . the side beams 1 and 2 therefore have a high stiffness ( resistance to bending ) in their pivot direction and a limited stiffness relative to a bending toward the other side beam . as shown in fig2 a bending and kinking resistant spacer 3 is arranged between the two side beams 1 and 2 , whose distance from each other decreases toward their upper ends , at a point near these upper ends . this spacer 3 is inserted between the side beams 1 and 2 from behind and is a plastic injection molded element . the angle of the side surfaces 4 of the spacer 3 is adapted to the angle of the side beams 1 and 2 . the spacer 3 can therefore not be moved upward out of its position between the side beams 1 and 2 , even though it is not connected with the side beams 1 and 2 by means of screws or other connecting elements . respective fillets 5 formed in one piece with the spacer 3 project over the two side surfaces 4 . these fillets 5 are open toward the front for manufacturing reasons and are stiffened by cross members 6 . these fillets 5 , which are identical mirror images and whose rear limiting wall 5 &# 39 ; lies in the surface defined by the rear limiting wall of the spacer 3 , become thinner toward their lower end . the height of the side wall 5 &# 34 ; therefore decreases toward the bottom , as shown in fig5 . the forwardly directed surface of the side wall 5 &# 34 ; of the fillets 5 lies against the rearwardly directed side of the rear shank 1 &# 39 ; and 2 &# 39 ; of the two side beams 1 and 2 . to the extend that these two shanks 1 &# 39 ; and 2 &# 39 ; project into the area of the cross members 6 , these cross members 6 also abut the shanks 1 &# 39 ; and 2 &# 39 ;. the spacer 3 , including the fillets 5 , thus projects over the side beams 1 and 2 toward the rear , namely , in accordance with the thickness of the fillets 5 . as shown particularly in fig3 and 4 , a thin , flexible piece of sheet metal 7 , which in the exemplary embodiment has a thickness of about 0 . 4 mm , lies against the back side of the spacer 3 . the piece of sheet metal 7 is guided over and past the fillets 5 to the side beams 1 and 2 . the rearward projection of the fillets 5 over the side beams 1 and 2 and the distance by which the fillets 5 are displaced toward the center of the back rest relative to the side beams 1 and 2 , i . e ., their distance from each other is smaller than the distance of the side beams 1 and 2 from each other , are selected such that the two sections of the sheet metal 7 extending from the fillets 5 to the adjacent side beam 1 or 2 form an acute angle with the longitudinal center plane of the back rest , which angle has the size necessary for a torsionfree loading of the side beams 1 and 2 . the zones of the sheet metal 7 which experience a deflection by the fillets 5 and the side beams 1 and 2 thus form hinge - like areas which make possible an adjustment of the sheet metal 7 to the correct angle . the sheet metal 7 lies against the side beams 1 and 2 , namely on its edge at the transition from the yoke section by spot welding or in another manner in the area between this shank and the reinforcing crease . by this means , in conjunction with the downward tapering of the fillets 5 , the spacer 3 wedges itself between the side beams and the sheet metal 7 during a downward movement relative to the two side beams 1 and 2 . above all , however , this design has the effect that , even under heavy loads on the back rest from the front , the side beams 1 and 2 are not subjected to any torsional loading but only to a bending load , whereby the spacer 3 prevents the distance between the two side beams 1 and 2 from decreasing , i . e ., from bending toward each other . in this manner , the sheet metal 7 , even under a heavy load from the front , does not appreciably bend toward the rear . as shown in fig1 a step 7 &# 39 ;, which projects rearwardly and extends over the entire width , is provided on the back side of the spacer 3 near its upper edge . this step 7 &# 39 ; lies on the upper edge of the sheet metal 7 . the spacer 3 therefore supports itself on the sheet metal 7 under a load from above . in addition , screws 8 , which penetrate the sheet metal 7 are screwed into the spacer 3 , assure the spacer 3 against a backward shifting . in addition , the screws 8 hold the sheet metal 7 in contact with the back side of the spacer 3 . it would also be possible , however , to angle the upper edge of the sheet metal 7 toward the front in the vicinity of the spacer 3 and to allow these forwardly projecting edge strips to engage in the spacer 3 . another possibility would be to provide a groove in the step 7 &# 39 ; which overlaps the upper edge of the sheet metal 7 , which groove would receive the upper edge . in both instances , in addition to the contact against the back side of the spacer 3 by the tension of the sheet metal 7 , it would also be assured that the upper edge of the sheet metal 7 is always covered by the spacer 3 , even when the step 7 &# 39 ; is provided on the spacer 3 is very narrow , which narrowness is desired for safety reasons . a cap 15 is formed on the upper ends of both fillets 5 , which caps 15 cover the upper ends of the side beams 1 and 2 , so that the side beams 1 and 2 can be open upward . the sheet metal 7 extends downward into the vicinity of that area of the side beams 1 and 2 in which the side beams 1 and 2 support the hinge fitting . in this manner , the sheet metal 7 , together with the side beams 1 and 2 and the spacer 3 , forms a shell - like upholstery support for the upholstery 9 illustrated in fig1 with a broken line . of course , if the upholstery 9 is pulled forward in the lower back and hip area , as shown in fig1 respective side cheek frames or the like can be attached to the side beams 1 and 2 . the spacer 3 includes not only stiffening ribs 10 shown in fig2 and 3 , for stiffening the essentially rectangular front side which faces the back of the seat user , but also , as shown particularly in fig3 and 4 , the spacer 3 is provided with two parallel , vertical guide channels 11 running the full length thereof , in which the support bars of a head rest can be inserted . the guide channels 11 have a square cross section , whereby the side length is selected to be equal to the diameter of the usually round support bars , so that these support bars lie in the guide channels 11 with practically no play . as shown in fig6 toward the front and back , the guide channels 11 are limited by cross members 12 , which lie in the longitudinal channel direction at intervals equal to the cross member width . the cross members 12 arranged thusly on the front side are aligned with the holes between the cross members 12 on the back side and vice versa . this embodiment of the guide channels 11 results in the support bars being able to have relatively large tolerances . the setting of the support bars at the desired height takes place in a known manner by means of respective shank springs , which can engage in the detents in the support bars and which lie on the upper side of the spacer 3 . instead of the guide channels 11 , the spacer 3 could have a mount for a shoulder support , in which corresponding guide channels 11 for the support bars of a head rest could then be provided . in addition , the activating elements necessary in a back rest which can be folded forward to release the locking mechanism that prevents such a folding can be provided in the spacer 3 . these embodiments of the present invention are considered to be illustrative only since other modifications will be readily discerned by those skilled in the pertinent art . in any event , the scope of the invention is intended to be covered by both the letter and the spirit of the claims appended hereto .	1
fig1 shows substrate lens antenna in cross section , comprising a substrate 10 , a conductor layer 12 on substrate 10 and a lens shaped dielectric body 14 and an electrical conductor layer 12 . conductor layer 12 is intersected by a slot 20 . fig2 shows a top view of an embodiment of conductor layer 12 . slot 20 is shown , with a feed 22 at a point in slot 20 , the point corresponding to a focal point of lens shaped dielectric body 14 . slot 20 has two branches extending in mutually opposite directions from feed 22 . lens shaped dielectric body 14 is made of a material that has a dielectric constant that is higher than that of air and of substrate 10 . slot 20 serves as a feed antenna . although an embodiment is shown with a single slot 20 , it should be realized that alternatively other structures may be used as a feed antenna . a pair of parallel slots may be used for example , or a conductor in a dielectric layer instead of conductor layer 12 , or a pair of conductors etc . as may be noted the surface of conductor layer 12 forms a substantially flat plane . this simplifies the construction of the antenna . lens shaped dielectric body 14 may have any shape . lens shaped dielectric body 14 may be cylindrically symmetric around an axis through its focal point and perpendicular to electrical conductor layer 12 . this also simplifies construction . a surface corresponding to an ellipse with its main axis coinciding with the symmetry axis and rotated around that axis may be used , or an approximation of such a surface , as shown in the figure . more generally , the possible shapes of lens shaped dielectric body 14 may be defined in terms of their refractive effect upon notional rays from the feed point . in one embodiment the lens shape is a focussing lens shape . the shape is said to be focussing lens shaped at least if all notional rays from the feed point refract to a direction closer a focus direction ( the direction perpendicular to the upper plane of substrate 10 in the case of the figure ). as is well known refraction obeys snellius &# 39 ; s law in terms of the angle of incidence and refracted angle of the notional ray and the ratio of the dielectric constants of lens shaped dielectric body 14 and that of the space outside the body . for an ideal focussing lens shape , all rays from the feed point refract to rays in the focus direction at the surface of the body . but a non ideal focussing lens shape may be used , wherein all rays merely refract a direction closer a focus direction , or at least when this applies to rays over a range of directions wherein a majority of the radiated power is radiated , in the case of use in transmission . thus , the shape should avoid refracting rays from the fee point away from the focus direction , except possibly at points where little ray intensity occurs . typically , a notional hemispherical surface with its origin at the feed point can be used to define a boundary between surface that have this refractive property and surface that do no have this property . convex surfaces that slope down more rapidly than the sphere at directions away from the apex direction of the sphere have the required refractive effect . instead of an ellipsoidal dielectric body 14 , a dielectric body 14 with the shape of a half sphere on top of a cylinder may be used , or a half - ellipsoid on top of a cylinder . preferably , the cylinder and the half sphere or half ellipsoid of such bodies 14 have corresponding cross - sections where the cylinder meets the half sphere or half ellipsoid . in a further embodiment the lens shaped dielectric body 14 may have the shape of a half sphere only , i . e . without a dielectric cylinder between it and substrate 10 . as in this embodiment the radiated leaky waves reach the surface of such a half sphere perpendicularly to the surface , the radiated waves do not break at the surface , the lens is not a focussing lens . in this way a more omnidirectional pattern may be formed , the half spherical dielectric body serving to enable radiation of the leaky wave from the feed structure , over a very wide bandwidth that can be a plurality of octaves . a generator or receiver may be used to feed or receive signals to or from the antenna at frequencies distributed over such a band of a plurality of octaves , corresponding to non resonant propagation wavelengths that are much smaller ( e . g . at least a factor of five smaller ) than the fundamental resonance wavelength of the feed structure . fig3 shows a communication device comprising a signal generator 30 and an antenna structure 32 according to fig1 and 2 , with an output of signal generator 30 coupled to feed 22 . slot 20 serves as a leaky wave antenna structure . in operation , slot 20 supports excitation of waves at feed 22 by means of the signal from signal generator 30 and propagation of the wave along slot 20 along the two branches of slot 20 in two directions from feed 22 . slot 20 has a length that equal to at least three wavelengths of waves propagating along slot 20 . lens shaped dielectric body 14 has a diameter that larger than six wavelengths and preferably much larger , for example fifty wavelengths . during propagation along the slot , power from the wave leaks out into lens shaped dielectric body 14 . the wave - front direction of this leaking radiation is centred along two virtual cones around slot 20 . the two cones correspond to the waves in the two directions from the feed point . the cones have an axis along slot 20 and the surfaces of the cones extend at an angle to slot 20 that is determined by the speed of propagation in substrate 10 and lens shaped dielectric body 14 . because of its focussing effect , lens shaped dielectric body 14 redirects internal radiation with a direction along the cones to external radiation in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of conductor layer 12 . thus , both cones result in radiation in substantially the same direction , producing a single beam in that direction . as a result , wave propagation in two directions from the feed point can be used to produce an antenna lobe in one direction , broadside from the surface of conductor layer 12 . it may be noted that the cones define the directions of propagation of wave - fronts rather than the direction of rays and that the cones define the direction wherein maximum power wave - fronts occur , rather than lines along which maximum power occurs . however , it has been found that due to the ideal or non - ideal lens shape such wave - fronts will be refracted more closely towards the focus direction everywhere on the wave - front , so that a focussing effect is provided . the refracted wave - fronts from the two cones ( corresponding to the leaky waves in the two directions from the feed point ) will interfere constructively in the direction perpendicular to the plane of substrate 10 . thus an antenna lobe with peak sensitivity is created in this direction and lens shaped dielectric body 14 acts to increase the amplitude of the peak . fig4 shows a further embodiment of a substrate lens antenna . in this embodiment spacers 40 are provided between the surfaces of conductor layer 12 and lens shaped dielectric body 14 that face each other . thus , a gap 42 is realized between these surfaces . gap 42 may be air filled , or vacuum or filled with another gas . gap 42 serves to increase the speed of propagation of the waves along slot 20 , compared to the situation if fig1 where lens shaped dielectric body 14 is placed directly on conductor layer 12 . the increased speed results in increased spread of emerging radiation energy density at the exterior surface of lens shaped dielectric body 14 , which reduces side lobes in the antenna pattern . in the situation of fig1 the energy density is concentrated in two areas on opposite sides of lens shaped dielectric body 14 . radiation from these areas interferes constructively in the direction of the main lobe ( broadside ). but because lens shaped dielectric body 14 has a diameter of many wavelengths , there are also side lobes dues constructive interference at one or more angles relative to the broadside direction . with the increased spread of the energy density due to gap 42 , such constructive interferences are reduced , which reduces the side lobes . the speed of propagation of the waves along slot is determined mainly by the near field of slot 20 ( the capacitive field component ) rather than the far field ( the radiative field component ). the speed of propagation is determined by an average of the bulk speed values of the media directly above and below conductor layer 12 . by using an air filled gap 42 instead of dielectric material directly above conductor layer 12 the speed is increased . of course the same holds for any other medium instead of air , or vacuum , wherein the speed of electromagnetic wave propagation is high . the propagation speed of electromagnetic waves along slot 20 is a function of the height of gap ( the distance between conductor layer 12 and lens shaped dielectric body 14 ). this function may be determined experimentally or by means of model calculations . most of the increase of the propagation speed occurs for small gap heights up to a height of the same order of magnitude as the transversal size of slot 20 . this is because the speed of propagation along slot 20 mainly depends on the properties of the medium in this range of distances to slot 20 . the contribution of properties of the medium at larger distances drops of quickly with distance . the same holds for other propagation structures , such as conductor lines , pairs of slots , etc . : it the gap height is at least equal to the lateral features size of the propagation structure ( i . e . the width of a slot or slots used in the structure , or the width of a conductor or conductors used in the structure ), a significant increase in propagation speed is realized . the height of the gap is preferably selected at a value where a substantial increase of the propagation speed compared to the absence of a gap ( zero height ) is realized , that is at least ten percent of the total increase to the value for a gap with infinite height . more preferably , the height of the gap is selected at a value where the increase is at least fifty percent of the total increase . in an embodiment the distance is at least equal to the lateral size of slot 20 . preferably the height of the gap is kept limited to substantially less than a quarter of the bulk wavelength of the radiated signal in the medium in gap 42 . this reduces the effect of reflection off the lower surface of lens shaped dielectric body 14 , which effect would reduce the front to back ratio of the antenna . in an embodiment a height of less than a tenth of a wavelength is used . in another embodiment the height of the gap is less than ten times and preferably than twice the lateral size of slot 20 . in this way a substantial increase in speed , with the accompanying reduction of the side lobes , can be combined with a high front to back ratio . spacers 40 may be protrusions that for an integral part of lens shaped dielectric body 14 , or integral protrusions from conductor layer 12 , or additional elements inserted between lens shaped dielectric body 14 and conductor layer 12 . although an embodiment is shown wherein the gap extends over most of the surface of conductor layer 12 , it suffices that the gap extends laterally to a distance of at least the height of the gap from slot 20 along a majority of the length of slot 20 . the presence of a gap at a greater distance has little influence on the speed . spacers 40 may be located anywhere in gap 42 , but it is preferred that they are provided a distance at least a size of slot 20 apart from slot 20 , or only at the end or ends of slot 20 . spacers 40 may take the form of a rim around an area that contains conductor layer 12 and slot 20 , but any other form of spacing may be used . although an example of a gas or vacuum in gap 42 has been shown , it should be realized that alternatively solid or even liquid material may be provided in gap 42 , as long as it provides for a material with a higher speed of propagation of electromagnetic waves than of the material of lens shaped dielectric body 14 . in an embodiment signal generator 30 is a wide band signal generator , configured to apply signals at frequencies over at least an octave bandwidth to feed 22 and preferably a plurality of octaves bandwidth . because a leaky wave structure is used as a feed the antenna it is possible to realize a substrate lens antenna that operates efficiently over such a broad frequency range . transmission at these frequencies may be realized by switching between different frequency channels within this bandwidth , or by simultaneously using a plurality of channels at a mutual distance distributed within the bandwidth , or by using wideband modulation techniques etc . where the present specification speaks of wavelengths to define a minimum or maximum size , for the gap size or length of the feed antenna or size of lens shaped dielectric body 14 or other dimensions , the wavelength of the highest frequency channel used by signal generator 30 is intended for maximum sizes and the wavelength of the lowest frequency channel used by signal generator 30 is intended for minimum sizes . although an embodiment with a signal generator 30 has been shown , it should be appreciated that signal generator 30 may be replaced by a signal receiver . in view of reciprocity , the reception and transmission antenna pattern are the same , so that the substrate lens antenna also realized a broadband reception antenna . in this embodiment the signal receiver may configured to receive signals at frequencies over at least an octave bandwidth from feed 22 and preferably a plurality of octaves bandwidth . reception at these frequencies may be realized by tuning the signal receiver successively to different frequencies in this bandwidth , or by simultaneously receiving a plurality of signals at a mutual frequency distance corresponding to the bandwidth , or by using wideband demodulation techniques etc . in a further embodiment a transceiver device may be realized by coupling both a signal generator 30 and signal receiver to feed 22 . this signal generator 30 and signal receiver may be configured to operate simultaneously or successively at transmission and reception frequencies that are at least an octave bandwidth apart from each other , and in a further embodiment a plurality of bandwidths apart . also each of the signal generator 30 and signal receiver may operate at a plurality of frequencies at such a bandwidth . the lateral dimension of slot 20 ( its width ) and the thickness of conductor layer 12 are preferably substantially smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation propagating along slot 20 . this keeps the bandwidth high . although an embodiment has been shown wherein the feed antenna is a single slot , it should be appreciated that other leaky wave type feed antennas may be used . fig5 shows an embodiment wherein a pair of slots 50 , 52 is used as a leaky wave type feed antenna . in this case , when a gap 42 is used , the size of gap 42 is preferably at least equal to a distance between the slots 50 , 52 plus a lateral dimension of the slots 50 , 52 . similarly , other types of feed antenna may be used , for example a single conductor track or a pair of parallel conductor tracks . to realize a large bandwidth the distance between slots 50 and 52 is preferably substantially less than the maximum wavelength . in each embodiment the lateral dimension of the feed antenna is preferably substantially smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation propagating along the length of the leaky wave antenna structure . this keeps the bandwidth high . although an embodiment has been described wherein focussing perpendicular to the plane of the feed antenna is used , it should be appreciated that focussing in other directions is possible . for example , an ellipsoid shaped lens focussed in the direction of the axis through its focal points . by using an ellipsoid that is cut - off through tilted plane through its focal point at a non - perpendicular angle to this axis , a lens may be realized that focuses in a tilted direction . although an embodiment has been described wherein two wave propagation structures ( e . g . slots ) extend in mutually opposite directions from the feed point , it should be realized that a greater number of wave propagation structures ( e . g . slots ) may be used extending starwise from the feed point . also two wave propagation structures may be used that extend at an angle to each other , rather than in mutually opposite directions . when the lens shaped dielectric body is rotationally symmetric , its focussing effect does not depend on the direction component of the leaky wave in the plane of the feed structure .	7
illustrated in fig1 of the drawings is a rapidly flowing liquid portion 3 adjacent a slowly flowing or quiescent portion 4 and separated from the latter by a wall 1 . the wall 1 is provided with an aperture whose rim defines the contact surface 11 between the two liquid portions . generated within the aperture in the wall 1 is a vortex 5 with the aid of a deflector plate 2 which is fastened to the wall 1 . the vortex 5 , which distinguishes itself through intensive velocity components 12 and 13 which extend perpendicular to the contact surface 11 , projects into the region of the flow 3 as well as into the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 . due to the mass exchange between itself and the flowing liquid portion 3 , the vortex takes up the bubble - laden liquid in the zone 6 , conducts this as a result of the velocity component 13 through the aperture in the wall 1 and again gives this up in the region 7 within the context of the mass exchange between itself and the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 . furthermore , within the context of the mass exchange between itself and the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 , the vortex takes up degasified liquid in the region 8 , conducts the liquid through the window due to the velocity components 12 and gives the liquid up in the region 9 within the context of the mass exchange between itself and the flowing liquid portion 3 . the gas bubbles which are received in the region 10 can now rise to the surface of the relatively quiescent liquid portion and naturally or spontaneously separate from the liquid . the possibility also exists that measures can be met so as to conduct away the bubbles appearing in the region 10 into a chamber in which they can spontaneously separate from the liquid . these measures are further elucidated in detail hereinbelow . in fig2 and the subsequent drawing figures , the elements which are identical or similar to each other and / or to those illustrated in fig1 are designated by the same reference numerals . as illustrated in fig2 of the drawings , arranged superimposed in the upper part of a cooler for the liquid circuit of an internal combustion engine , is the flowing liquid portion 3 and the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 . the upper part of the cooler is also designated as the upper radiator . through suitable configuration of the deflector plate 2 , the vortex 5 can rotate only so rapidly that the gas bubbles contained therein can also rise upwardly opposite to the downwardly directed flow in the vortex , so as to ensure that , on the one hand , the gas bubbles rising in the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 will rapidly separate from the vortex zone and thereby there will be reduced the tendency of conductance of the bubbles by the vortex back into the flowing liquid part 3 and , on the other hand , for a slowly revolving vortex 5 the bubbles will separate out of the entire vortex zone and rise to the surface so as to intensify the degasifying procedure . the following possibilities are present for limiting the relatively quiescent liquid portion 4 upwardly : when a larger volume is available through the contact surface 11 , this can be imparted the role of an expansion tank in which there is found the liquid level 15 with the requirement that this liquid level does not fall below the contact surface 11 since , otherwise , gas will enter into the flowing portion 3 . this possibility is illustrated in fig2 . when the space which is available above the contact surface is small , then the entire space can be filled with liquid and the gas bubbles received in the region 10 or in the immediate neighborhood thereof can be conducted away through a side or overhead aperture and through a conduit which is connected to the aperture . illustrated in fig2 is an overhead aperture which is designated by the reference numeral 14 . in the arrangements of the two liquid portions 3 and 4 and of the vortex 5 as illustrated in fig1 and 2 , the vortex 5 as viewed from its inception belongs to the flowing liquid portion 3 , since a part of the flowing liquid portion 3 is diverted by means of the plate 2 . this solution has the drawback that a part of the flowing liquid portion 3 and the energy thereof is required for the generation of the vortex 5 and that thereby through the deflector plate 2 which projects into the flow , there is reduced its flow cross - section whereby there will be produced disadvantageous effects acting on the liquid flow circuit . this drawback is avoided in the embodiment illustrated in fig3 showing the construction of an upper radiator of the cooler for the liquid cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine . assumed hereby is the condition that occurring in each liquid flow circuit are flow deflections or reversals which will produce turbulences by means of which there are sustained losses . in general , through suitable design of the installation it is attempted to hold these losses as small as possible . inventively , there is proposed that in the region of that type of flow deflection in which such a vortex necessarily occurs , through constructional measures there be created flow conditions , such as is illustrated in fig1 or 2 , for the conducting away of the received gas bubbles and to thereby attain the desired goal of bubble separation , without the need to introduce additional flow hindrances and resistances such as , for instance , the deflector plate 2 , into the flow circuit . in the embodiment pursuant to fig3 of the drawings , in an upper part 18 of a cooler for the cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine there is obtained a deflection of that kind in the flow through the arrangement of the liquid inlet aperture in relation to the liquid outlet apertures . thusly , the necessarily generated vortex 5 is a secondary effect of the flow deflection . the vortex can also be designated as a secondary flow . the primary flow is then the liquid portion flowing through the upper radiator . for the conducting away of the gas bubbles received in the region 10 there is utilized a sidewise arranged connector 14a or an overhead arranged connector 14 . the connectors 14 or 14a are connected to a conduit which leads to an expansion tank 16 , which is arranged above the cooler . the expansion tank 16 illustrated in fig4 and the conduit which connects the expansion tank 16 with the upper portion of the cooler , are filled with stationary liquid . the entire reconveyance of degasified liquid into the flowing liquid portion is carried out in the embodiment according to fig4 only on the basis of the mass exchange and the crossflow in the zone of the vortex . the expansion tank 16 which is illustrated in fig5 is connected with the cooling circuit by means of a further conduit 17 . through the further conduit 17 degasified liquid is reconveyed into the flowing liquid portion so as to effect a continual degasifying of the flowing liquid portion . in the embodiment illustrated in fig5 there thus reigns a small flow through the conduit connecting the expansion tank 16 with the upper part of the cooler , through the expansion tank 16 and through the return conduit 17 , in the direction indicated by the arrows . by means of this flow , a liquid - gas mixture which is extensively enriched with gas bubbles is conveyed from the upper portion of the cooler into the expansion tank 16 , in which the gas bubbles will spontaneously separate out of the liquid under the effect of the buoyant force . the liquid flowing through the tank 16 represents only a small portion of the total liquid circulating through the cooling circuit so that in the tank 16 there reign the low flow velocities required for a complete separation of the gas bubbles also for small tank dimension . the liquid which is reconveyed through the conduit 17 is completely free of bubbles . instead of allowing the liquid to flow in the illustrated direction from the upper part 18 of the cooler into the expansion tank 16 , there also exists the possibility to permit the liquid to flow in the reverse direction from the expansion tank into the upper part 18 of the cooler . the flow velocity in the conduit which connects the expansion tank 16 with the upper part 18 of the cooler must thereby be so low that the gas bubbles can still rise in opposition to the flow . however , in general , it is better that the liquid be permitted to flow in the direction illustrated in fig5 of the drawings . the inlet and outlet apertures of the expansion tank 16 may be so arranged adjacent each other that during the passage through the expansion tank 16 there is produced a flow in the tank 16 circulating about a vertical axis . the velocity of the circulating flow is so measured that sufficient time remains for the gas bubbles to rise upwardly under the effect of the buoyant force . in the modified embodiments of the upper cooler part illustrated in fig6 through 10 of the drawings , the expansion tanks are presently closed off by means of a cap . in the embodiments illustrated in fig6 through 8 and 10 , the cap is identified by reference numeral 19 . the cap 20 in the embodiment of fig9 is a combined closure for two apertures . utilized in the embodiment illustrated in fig6 is a relatively large - volumed upper radiator in which the expansion volume is arranged above the separating wall 1 . in the embodiment according to fig7 there is utilized a horizontal radiator of low height without an expansion volume . fig8 indicates a construction with an upstanding radiator of low height and without an expansion volume . in the embodiment according to fig9 the radiator is large - volumed and arranged upstandingly . in this radiator the expansion volume is arranged sideways . fig1 illustrates an embodiment with a horizontally arranged large - volumed radiator in which the expansion volume arranged above the separating wall 1 is enlarged by an auxiliary expansion tank 16 . all described constructions of the upper cooler part have in common that the contact surface 11 is always completely covered with liquid so as to afford a satisfactory separation of the gas bubbles from the liquid . for the conducting away of the gas bubbles or of the liquid gas mixture from the region 10 for a small - volumed radiator , as illustrated in fig3 a connector is preferably utilized , as illustrated in fig1 . this connector has a part 21 located externally of the radiator , which is provided with a circular or elliptical cross - section . the cross - section of the part 21 located externally of the radiator may also be so constructed as to provide a transition from the shape of an ellipse at the radiator into a circular shape at the connector for the connecting conduit leading to the expansion tank . the connector has a part 22 located within the radiator which is fastened to the side wall of the radiator opposite to the inlet so as to impart a high degree of mechanical rigidity to the connector . the part of the connector located within the radiator is so constructed that a cross - section has the shape of a circular segment ( fig1 ) or an elliptical segment ( fig1 ). for the two connector constructions it is valid in that the cross - section of the connector for the conducting away of the received gas bubbles is sufficiently large and that the distance between the edge 26 of the connector and the edge 29 of the outlet from the radiator is sufficiently large in order to allow for the formation of the desired flow relationships . furthermore , the edge 26 of the connector is in the region of the perpendicular axis of the circle or of the ellipse and includes a window 24 which is open over the entire radiator width so as to facilitate the mass passage of gas and liquid . this window 24 is limited by the connector edge 25 , which is arranged as closely as possible to the wall 27 of the radiator . the spacing of the connector from the wall 28 of the radiator , as well as the height of the radiator is hereby so selected that there will be obtained the desired flow relationships . provided in the connector part extending into the radiator , is a small window 23 which has the task to conduct gas out of the radiator during the filling of the installation with liquid and for an idling installation . this window 23 is arranged as closely as possible to the wall 27 of the radiator . in its design the two following criteria must be considered : the window is held so large whereby the gas in an idling installation can escape within a desired time period , and is so small that the desired flow pattern and the gas separation procedure will not be influenced . for this reason the window 23 is also held shorter than the width of the radiator and is arranged as closely as possible on the side wall of the radiator which is located opposite of the connector inlet .	5
in accordance with the present invention biocompatible and hemocompatible polymeric adsorbents having a basically hydrophobic porous interior and a hydrophilic outer covering , are prepared in a “ one - pot ” or “ one - step ”. the inventive method includes preparing an organic phase composed of water insoluble monounsaturated and polyunsaturated comonomers and a porogen ; preparing an aqueous phase composed of a mixture of water soluble monounsaturated and polyunsaturated comonomers ; forming a dispersion of the organic phase and the aqueous phase in a single vessel ; and creating conditions for first polymerizing of said organic phase and formation of said hydrophobic porous core part and thereafter polymerizing of said aqueous phase and formation of said hydrophilic porous shell part which coats said core part . in accordance with the invention the two procedures of formation of the polymeric adsorbent bead and coating of the latter are combined into a simple procedure carried out simultaneously or as a sequence of two steps in one single reactor . in the inventive method polymerization must start within the dispersed phase . otherwise , the spherical shape of the particles will be destroyed or distorted . the crosslinking density of the core must be higher than that of the shell . otherwise , the mechanical stability of the shell is endangered . to meet the first requirement , the radical polymerization initiator is initially added to the dispersed phase , not the dispersion medium . the second radical initiator is added to the dispersion medium only after the major part of the comonomers in the dispersed phase converts into polymeric material . in some cases , no second radical initiator is needed , at all . this is because many growing polymer chains with their chain - end radicals show up at the phase interface and can initiate the polymerization in the dispersion medium . moreover , the first radical initiator , like benzoyl peroxide , generates radicals relatively slowly . this initiator is only partially consumed during the formation of beads even after several hours of polymerization . this initiator easily moves toward the surface of the bead and activates there the surface exposed pendant vinyl groups of the divinylbenzene moiety of the bead , thus initiating the graft : polymerization of the water soluble monomers . the dispersed organic phase contains water immisible organic solvents , porogens . thermodynamically good solvents for the growing polymer chains favor formation of microporous copolymers , θ - solvents favor formation of predominantly mesoporous structure ( pore diameters 2 . 0 to 20 . 0 nm ), whereas non - solvents result in the formation of conventional macroporous beads . all three kinds of the above porogens can be used in the above described simultaneous or step - wise procedures of preparation of the core - shell type adsorbing material . there is a principal difference between the conventional separate - step coating of the beads and the here described one - step or one - pot procedure . the principal difference is the presence of the porogen within the porous beads that form in the dispersed phase . for this reason , the grafting of the polymeric chains from the dispersion medium can only proceed on the outer surface of the bead , whereas in the case of previously used protocols , all larger pores of the pre - formed polymer appear accessible to the monomers to be grafted . therefore , the materials prepared in the conventional separate and the here suggested combined version of grafting polymerization are basically different . the difference mainly results in the full hydrophobicity of macro pores in the product of the combined polymerization conducted in accordance with the present invention . contrary , when receiving the coating in a conventional separate grafting polymerization step , the macropores of the adsorbent get coated as well . finally , it turned to be possible to realize the same one - step and one - pot procedures with inverted “ water - in - oil ” suspensions . aqueous solution that contains water soluble comonomers and crosslinking agent , when dispersed in an organic media , can receive during the polymerization in the dispersed droplets a hydrophobic coating , by grafting hydrophobic comonomers , for example , styrene from the organic dispersion medium . 7 . 2 l of water was placed in 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c ., 13 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 14 . 0 g , of monosodium phosphate , 46 . 8 g of disodium phosphate , 28 . 7 g of trisodium phosphate , 72 g of sodium chloride and 150 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 11 . 1 g of benzoyl peroxide in 935 ml of divinylbenzene , 765 ml of ethylstyrene , 1600 ml of isooctane and 1120 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . after 1 . 5 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . a solution of 54 . 2 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 200 ml of water was added . the polymerization was afterwards carried out for 9 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface area of the polymer amounted to 650 m 2 / g , average pore size ; was 200 å , the polymer was easily wetted with water . 7 . 2 l of water were placed in 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 13 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 14 . 0 g of monosodium phosphate , 46 . 8 g of disodium phosphate , 28 . 7 g of trisodium phosphate , 72 g of sodium chloride and 150 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 11 . 1 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1720 ml of 55 % divinylbenzene , 1600 ml of iso - octane and 1120 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 3 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 15 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 200 ml of water was added . the polymerization was carried out for 6 hours more at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface area if the polymer amounted to 650 m 2 , average pore size was 230_ , the polymer was easily wetted with water . 4 . 9 l of water were placed in 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 12 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 9 . 1 g of monosodium phosphate , 30 . 3 g of disodium phosphate , 17 . 3 g of trisodium phosphate , 47 . 0 g of sodium chloride and 100 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 18 . 6 g of benzoyl peroxide in 945 ml of divinylbenzene , 655 ml of ethylstyrene , 1500 ml of isooctane and 10500 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . after 12 hours of stirring at 80 ° c ., 27 . 3 g of ammonium persulfate were introduced into the aqueous phase . in 5 min the solution of 19 . 6 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 100 ml of water was added . the polymerization was additionally carried out for 3 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface are of the polymer amounted to 650 m 2 / g , the polymer was wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 12 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 50 g of sodium bicarbonate and 200 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 18 . 6 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1500 ml of 63 % divinylbenzene , 1500 ml of iso - octane and 10500 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . afer 12 hours of stirring at 80 ° c ., 27 . 3 g of ammonium persulfate were introduced into the aqueous phase . in 15 min the solution of 26 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 100 ml of water were added . the polymerization was carried out for 3 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer was wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 4 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 12 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 9 . 1 g of monosodium phosphate , 30 . 3 g of disodium phosphate , 17 . 3 g of trisodium phosphate , 47 . 0 g of sodium chloride and 100 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 18 . 6 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1500 ml of 63 % divinylbenzene , 1500 ml of iso - octane and 10500 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 12 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . 27 . 3 g of ammonium persulfate were introduced into aqueous phase . in 10 min the solution of 41 g of acrylamide in 100 ml of water was added . the polymerization was additionally carried out for 3 . 5 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 12 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 25 g of sodium carbonate and 200 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 18 . 6 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1500 ml of 63 % divinylbenzene , 1500 ml of iso - octane and 10500 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 12 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . 27 . 3 g of ammonium persulfate were introduced into the aqueous phase . in 5 min the solution of 41 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 150 ml of water were added . the polymerization was carried out for 3 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wetted with water . 7 . 2 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 13 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 9 . 1 g of monosodium phosphate , 30 . 3 g of disodium phosphate , 17 . 3 g of trisodium phosphate , 47 . 0 g of sodium chloride and 100 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 11 . 1 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1720 ml of 55 % divinylbenzene , 1600 ml of iso - octane and 1120 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 12 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the temperature was lowered to 40 ° c . and the solution of 40 . 6 g ammonium persulfate in 100 ml of water was added . in several minutes 35 ml of tetramethyl ethylene diamine were introduced and afterwards the solution of 54 . 2 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 200 ml of water was added . the grafting was carried out for 2 hours at 40 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 60 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 12 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 25 g of sodium carbonate and 200 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 13 . 5 g of vazo - 52 in 800 ml of styrene , 700 ml of 63 % divinylbenzene , 1500 ml of cyclohexane was dispe sed in the above aqueous phase . in 4 hours of stirring at 60 ° c . the solution of 41 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 150 ml of water were added . the polymerization was carried out for 4 hours at 60 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface area of the polymer amounts to 88 m 2 / g , the polymer contains micropores of about 20 å and mesopores of about 100 å diameter , the polymer is wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 14 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 35 g of sodium carbonate and 200 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 20 g of benzoyl peroxide in 900 ml of buthyl methacrylate , 700 ml of 63 % divinylbenzene , 1250 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 3 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 41 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 100 ml of water was added . the polymerization was carried out for 9 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wetted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 15 . 5 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 25 g of sodium carbonate and 200 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 20 g of benzoyl peroxide in 945 ml of divinylbenzene , 555 ml of ethylstyrene , 3000 ml of iso - octane was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 4 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 41 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 150 ml of water were added . the polymerization was carried out for 3 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface area of the polymer amounts to 560 m 2 / g , average pore size of macropores amounts to 350 å , the polymer is wetted with water . 7 . 2 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 13 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 14 . 0 g of monosodium phosphate , 46 . 8 g of disodium phosphate , 28 . 7 g of trisodium phosphate , 72 g of sodium chloride and 150 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 11 . 1 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1500 ml of trivinylbenzene , 1500 ml of iso - octane and 1000 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in tree hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 54 . 2 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 200 ml of water were added . the polymerization was afterwards carried out for 9 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . inner surface area of the polymer is 900 m 2 / g . the polymer is wetted with water . 7 . 2 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 13 . 0 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 14 . 0 g of monosodium phosphate , 46 . 8 g of disodium phosphate , 28 . 7 g of trisodium phosphate , 72 g of sodium chloride and 150 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 11 . 1 g of benzoyl peroxide in 900 ml of a - methylstyrene , 300 ml of diisopropenylbenzene , 1700 ml of heptane and 930 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in three hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 70 . 3 ml of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone in 200 ml of water was added . the polymerization was afterwards carried out for 9 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wefted with water . 5 l of water were placed in a 14 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature reached 60 ° c . 15 . 5 g of stabilizer , airvol 523 , were added . the stabilizer was dissolved within 40 min on stirring . then 20 g of sodium carbonate and 300 mg of sodium nitrite were added . after complete dissolution of the chemicals the solution of 20 g of benzoyl peroxide in 1000 ml of buthyl methacrylate , 350 ml of ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate , 1800 ml of toluene was dispersed in the above aqueous phase . in 4 hours of stirring at 80 ° c . the solution of 41 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate in 150 ml of water was added . the polymerization was carried out for 3 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , beads were washed rigorously with hot water , methanol and cold water . the beads were filtered out and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer obtained contains mostly micropores of 10 to 20 å in diameter and a small portion of mesopores around 150 å . the polymer is wetted with water . 4 l xylene ( a mixture of isomers ) is placed in a 10 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser and heated to 70 ° c . when the temperature is reached , 10 . 0 g of sorbite monostearate is added . the stabilizer is dissolved within 30 min . then the solution of 31 . 2 g of potassium persulfate , 1300 g of 2 - hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 259 g of methylene - bis ( acryl amide ) in 1500 ml of water is introduced on stirring . in two hours 30 g of azo - bis - isobuthyronitrile are added to the organic phase followed by the addition of 78 g of styrene . the mixture is agitated for 10 hours at 70 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , the beads obtained are washed with xylene and methanol and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer obtained is easily wetted and dispersed in heptane . 4 l xylene ( a mixture of isomers ) is placed in a 10 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser and heated to 50 ° c . when the temperature is reached , 10 . 0 g of sorbite monostearate is added . the stabilizer is dissolved within 40 min . then the solution of 31 . 2 g of potassium persulfate , 1300 g of n - vinyl - 2 - pyrrolidone and 260 g of methylene - bis ( acryl amide ) in 1500 ml of water is introduced on stirring . in 1 . 5 hours the temperature increases till 80 ° c . and 30 g of benzoyl peroxide is added to the organic phase followed by the addition of 63 g of methyl methacrylate in 10 min . the slurry is agitated for 8 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , the beads obtained are washed with xylene , methanol , the mixture of methanol and water and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer obtained is wetted with heptane . 4 l xylene ( a mixture of isomers ) is placed in a 10 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser and heated to 50 ° c . when the temperature is reached , 10 . 0 g of sorbite monostearate is added . the stabilizer is dissolved within 30 min . then the solution of 43 g of potassium persulphate , 1750 g of tris ( hydroxymethyl ) methylacrylamide and 440 g of methylene - bis ( acryl amide ) in 1200 ml of water is introduced on stirring . in 1 . 5 hours the temperature increased till 80 ° c . and 48 g of benzoyl peroxide is added to the organic phase followed by the addition of 21 . 3 g of styrene in 10 min . the slurry is agitated for 8 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , the beads obtained are washed with xylene , methanol , the mixture of methanol and water and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer contains micro - and mesopores around 20 and 160 å in diameter . the polymer is wetted with heptane . 4 l xylene ( a mixture of isomers ) is placed in a 10 l glass vessel equipped with a stirrer and reflux condenser and heated to 50 ° c . when the temperature is reached , 10 . 0 g of sorbite monostearate is added . the stabilizer is dissolved within 30 min . then the solution of 43 g of potassium persulfate , 1750 g of tris -( hydroxymethyl ) methylacrylamide and 87 . 5 g of methylenebis -( acryl amide ) in 1300 ml of water is introduced on stirring . in 2 hours the temperature increases till 80 ° c and 48 g of benzoyl peroxide is added to the organic phase followed by the addition of 21 . 3 g of styrene in 10 min . the slurry is agitated for 8 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , the beads obtained are washed with xylene , methanol , the mixture of methanol and water and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the polymer is wetted with heptane . 50 ml of water is placed in a 100 ml vessel equipped with a stirrer and a reflux condenser and heated till 80 ° c . when the temperature is reached 0 . 2 g of airvol 523 is added . after complete dissolution of the stabilizer 2 mg of sodium nitrite and 0 . 65 g of acrylamide are added . afterwards the solution of 0 . 39 g of benzoyl peroxide and 13 g of pure p - divinylbenzene in 26 ml of toluene is dispersed in the above aqueous phase . the polymerization is carried out for 9 hours at 80 ° c . upon accomplishing the reaction , the beads obtained are washed with hot water , methanol and cold water and dried in oven at 60 to 80 ° c . the beads are wetted with water . what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by letters patent is set forth in the appended claims :	1
neutralized silicone elastomer dispersions useful herein are prepared by adding a basic neutralizing agent to a silicone elastomer dispersion . the neutralizing agent can be added to the elastomer prior to its formation or after its formation in either the gel or paste form . the silicone elastomer dispersions are known in the art and are described in , for example , u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 654 , 362 , 5 , 811 , 487 and 6 , 200 , 581 herein incorporated by reference for their teaching of silicone elastomers and methods of making . many of these silicone elastomer dispersions are commercially available such as ( a ) a dimethicone / vinyldimethicone crosspolymer composition made by reacting in the presence of a catalyst a polymethylhydrogensiloxane with an alpha , omega - divinylpolydimethyl siloxane for which the dimethicone / vinyldimethicone crosspolymer composition is used at a concentration of 4 - 10 % in cyclomethicone ( i . e . ksg - 15 silicone elastomer dispersion from shin - etsu silicones of america , akron , ohio ); ( b ) a cyclomethicone ( and ) dimethicone crosspolymer made with an sih containing polysiloxane and an alpha , omega - diene of formula ch 2 ═ ch ( ch 2 ) x ch ═ ch 2 , where x = 1 - 20 , to form a gel by crosslinking and addition of sih across double bonds in the alpha , omega diene , typically with a nonvolatile content of 8 - 18 % in cyclomethicone ( for example a d4 or d5 cyclomethicone , ( i . e . dow corning ® 9040 elastomer blend from dow corning corporation , midland , mich .) with other types of such silicone elastomers dispersions as described in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 654 , 362 incorporated by reference herein . particular examples of suitable elastomer dispersions are sfe 167 , a cetearyl dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer from ge silicones ( waterford , n . y . ); sfe168 , a cyclomethicone and dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer from ge silicones ; vinyl dimethicone crosspolymers such as those available from shin etsu silicones of america , akron , ohio under trade names ksg - 15 ( cyclomethicone and dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer ), ksg - 16 ( dimethicone and dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer ), ksg - 17 ( cyclomethicone and dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer ), ksg - 18 ( phenyl dimethicone ( and dimethicone / phenyl vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer ); and ksg - 20 ( dimethicone copolyol crosspolymer ; dimethicone / vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer from dow corning corporation , midland , mich . under trade name dow corning 9506 cosmetic powder , dc - 9040 , dc - 9041 , dc - 9045 elastomers in cyclomethicone from dow corning ; and a mixture of cyclomethicone and stearyl - vinyl / hydromethylsiloxane copolymer available from grant industries , inc ., elmwood park , n . j .) under the trade name gransil sr - cyc . one method in particular for producing the silicone elastomer dispersions comprises a crosslinking reaction between ( a ) a multi functional sih containing polysiloxane and ( b ) an c = c containing reactant such as an alpha , omega - diene in the presence of a platinum catalyst in the presence of ( c ) a solvent . the elastomers are swollen with the solvent . one method for making the silicone elastomer dispersion comprises a crosslinking reaction between ( a ) a multi functional sih containing polysiloxane and ( b ) an alpha , omega - diene in the presence of a platinum catalyst in the presence of ( c ) a solvent as described in u . s . pat . no . 5 , 654 , 362 . in this method the sih containing polysiloxane ( a ) is represented by compounds of the formula r 3 sio ( r ′ 2 sio ) a ( r ″ hsio ) b sir 3 designated herein as type a 1 and compounds of the formula hr 2 sio ( r ′ 2 sio ) c sir 2 h or formula hr 2 sio ( r ′ 2 sio ) a ( r ″ hsio ) b sir 2 h designated herein as type a 2 . in these formulas , r , r ′, and r ″, are alkyl groups with 1 - 6 carbon atoms ; a is 0 - 250 ; b is 2 - 250 ; and c is 0 - 250 . the molar ratio of compounds a 2 : a 1 is 0 - 20 , typically 0 - 5 . typically compounds of types a 1 and a 2 are both used in the reaction ; however , it is possible to successfully conduct the reaction using only compounds . the alpha , omega - diene ( b ) is a compound of the formula ch 2 ═ ch ( ch 2 ) x ch ═ ch 2 where x is 1 - 20 . representative examples of suitable alpha , omega - dienes for use herein are 1 , 4 - pentadiene ; 1 , 5 - hexadiene ; 1 , 6 - heptadiene ; 1 , 7 - octadiene ; 1 , 8 - nonadiene ; 1 , 9 - decadiene ; 1 , 11 - dodecadiene ; 1 , 13 - tetradecadiene ; and 1 , 19 - eicosadiene . the addition and crosslinking reaction requires a catalyst to effect the reaction between the sih containing polysiloxane and the alpha , omega - diene . suitable catalysts are group viii transition metals , i . e ., the noble metals . such noble metal catalysts are described in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 923 , 705 , incorporated herein by reference to show platinum catalysts . one preferred platinum catalyst is karstedt &# 39 ; s catalyst , which is described in karstedt &# 39 ; s u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 715 , 334 and 3 , 814 , 730 , incorporated herein by reference . karstedt &# 39 ; s catalyst is a platinum divinyl tetramethyl disiloxane complex typically containing about one weight percent of platinum in a solvent such as toluene . another preferred platinum catalyst is a reaction product of chloroplatinic acid and an organosilicon compound containing terminal aliphatic unsaturation . it is described in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 419 , 593 , incorporated herein by reference . the noble metal catalysts are used in amounts from 0 . 00001 - 0 . 5 parts per 100 weight parts of the sih containing polysiloxane , preferably 0 . 00001 - 0 . 02 parts , most preferably 0 . 00001 - 0 . 002 parts . the reaction between ( a ) and ( b ) is carried out in the presence of a solvent ( c ). typically the solvent is a low molecular weight silicone . the phrase low molecular weight silicone is intended to include ( ci ) low molecular weight linear and cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes , ( cii ) low molecular weight linear and cyclic volatile and non - volatile alkyl and aryl siloxanes , and ( ciii ) low molecular weight linear and cyclic functional siloxanes . typically used are is ( ci ) low molecular weight linear and cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes (“ vms ”). vms compounds correspond to the average unit formula ( ch 3 ) a sio ( 4 - a )/ 2 in which a has an average value of two to three . the compounds contain siloxane units joined by — si — o — si — bonds . representative units are monofunctional “ m ” units ( ch 3 ) 3 sio 1 / 2 and difunctional “ d ” units ( ch 3 ) 2 sio 2 / 2 . the presence of trifunctional “ t ” units ch 3 sio 3 / 2 results in the formation of branched linear or cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes . the presence of tetrafunctional “ q ” units sio 4 / 2 results in the formation of branched linear or cyclic volatile methyl siloxanes . linear vms have the formula ( ch 3 ) 3 sio {( ch 3 ) 3 sio } y si ( ch 3 ) 3 . the value of y is 0 - 5 . cyclic vms have the formula {( ch 3 ) 2 sio } z . the value of z is 4 - 6 . typically , these volatile methyl siloxanes have boiling points less than about 250 ° c . and viscosities of about 0 . 65 - 5 . 0 centistokes ( mm 2 / s ). examples of linear vms are hexamethyldisiloxane ( mm ) octamethyltrisiloxane ( mdm ) decamethyltetrasiloxane ( md 2 m ) dodecamethylpentasiloxane tetradecamethylhexasiloxane ( md 4 m ) and hexadecamethylheptasiloxane ( md 5 m ). examples of cyclic vms are octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane ( d4 ); decamethylcyclopentasiloxane ( d5 ) and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane ( d6 ) examples of branched vms are heptamethyl - 3 -{( trimethylsilyl ) oxy } trisiloxane ( m 3 t ); hexamethyl - 3 , 3 , bis {( trimethylsilyl ) oxy } trisiloxane ( m 4 q ); and pentamethyl {( trimethylsilyl ) oxy } cyclotrisiloxane ( md 3 ). the low molecular weight linear and cyclic volatile and non - volatile alkyl and aryl siloxanes ( cii ) include linear polysiloxanes are compounds of the formula r 3 sio ( r 2 sio ) y sir 3 , and cyclic polysiloxanes are compounds of the formula ( r 2 sio ) z where r is an alkyl group of 1 - 6 carbon atoms , or an aryl group such as phenyl , y has a value of 0 - 80 , typically 0 - 20 and z has a value of 4 - 9 , typically 4 - 6 . these polysiloxanes have viscosities generally in the range of about 1 - 100 centistokes ( mm 2 / s ). examples of ( cii ) are polydimethylsiloxane , polydiethylsiloxane , polymethylethylsiloxane , polymethylphenylsiloxane , and polydiphenylsiloxane . low molecular weight linear and cyclic functional siloxanes ( ciii ) can be represented by acrylamide functional siloxane fluids , acrylate functional siloxane fluids , carbinol functional siloxane fluids , chloroalkyl functional siloxane fluids , epoxy functional siloxane fluids , glycol functional siloxane fluids , ketal functional siloxane fluids , methyl ester functional siloxane fluids , perfluoro functional siloxane fluids , and silanol functional siloxanes . other types of solvents can swell the silicone elastomer . thus , a single solvent or a mixture of solvents may be used . examples of other solvents are those materials used on an industrial scale to dissolve , suspend , or change the physical properties of other materials and include ( civ ) organic compounds , ( cv ) compounds containing a silicon atom , ( cvi ) mixtures of organic compounds , ( cvii ) mixtures of compounds containing a silicon atom , or ( cviii ) mixtures of organic compounds and compounds containing a silicon atom . in general , the organic compounds are aromatic hydrocarbons , aliphatic hydrocarbons , alcohols , aldehydes , ketones , amines , esters , ethers , glycols , glycol ethers , alkyl halides , or aromatic halides . representative of some common organic solvents are alcohols such as methanol , ethanol , 1 - propanol , cyclohexanol , benzyl alcohol , 2 - octanol , ethylene glycol , propylene glycol , and glycerol ; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane , cyclohexane , heptane , vm & amp ; p solvent , and mineral spirits ; alkyl halides such as chloroform , carbon tetrachloride , perchloroethylene , ethyl chloride , and chlorobenzene ; amines such as isopropylamine , cyclohexylamine , ethanolamine , and diethanolamine ; aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene , toluene , ethylbenzene , and xylene ; esters such as ethyl acetate , isopropyl acetate , ethyl acetoacetate , amyl acetate , isobutyl isobutyrate , and benzyl acetate ; ethers such as ethyl ether , n - butyl ether , tetrahydrofuran , and 1 , 4 - dioxane ; glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether , ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate , diethylene glycol monobutyl ether , and propylene glycol monophenyl ether ; ketones such as acetone , methyl ethyl ketone , cyclohexanone , diacetone alcohol , methyl amyl ketone , and diisobutyl ketone ; petroleum hydrocarbons such as mineral oil , gasoline , naphtha , kerosene , gas oil , heavy oil , and crude oil ; lubricating oils such as spindle oil and turbine oil ; and fatty oils such as corn oil , soybean oil , olive oil , rape seed oil , cotton seed oil , sardine oil , herring oil , and whale oil . “ other ” miscellaneous organic solvents can also be used , such as acetonitrile , nitromethane , dimethylformamide , trioctyl phosphate , butyrolactone , furfural , pine oil , turpentine , and m - creosol . the solvent used will depend on the application and whether it is pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable . the neutralized silicone elastomer dispersions are produced by combining sih containing polysiloxane ( s ), c = c containing reactant , the solvent , and the catalyst ; and mixing these ingredients at room temperature until a gel is formed . heat may be applied to the reaction mixture to speed up the process . neutralization can take place prior to , during or after the silicone elastomer dispersion is produced . for example , neutralization may take place prior to the formation of the silicone elastomer dispersion by passing all the reactants through a filter treated with a basic neutralizing agent . or the basic neutralizing agent may be added directly to the reactant ( s ) and thereafter removed by , for example , filtration or centrifuge . when neutralization takes place prior to the formation of the silicone elastomer dispersion the basic neutralizing agent must be such that it does not react or complex with any of the reactants . neutralization may also take place after the silicone elastomer dispersion is produced . for example , it may be desirable to add small amounts of a basic neutralizing agent such as sodium bicarbonate or cysteine to the silicone elastomer dispersion . neutralizing after the reaction may take place with the silicone elastomer dispersion in the gel form or after further processing of the gel into a paste . typically 0 . 001 to 1 . 0 wt % based on the weight of the silicone elastomer dispersion of neutralizing agent is added to the silicone elastomer dispersion . alternatively 0 . 01 to 0 . 1 wt % of the neutralizing agent is used . typically , the neutralized silicone elastomer dispersions are produced using a 1 : 1 molar ratio of sih containing polysiloxane and c = c containing reactant . it is expected that useful materials may also be prepared by carrying out the process with an excess of the sih containing polysiloxane or the c = c containing reactant , but this would be considered a less efficient use of the materials . the remainder of the composition comprises the low molecular weight silicone or other solvent in amounts generally within the range of about 65 - 98 percent by weight of the composition , preferably about 80 - 98 percent by weight . additional amounts of the low molecular weight silicone or solvent can be added to the gel , and the resulting mixture is subjected to shear force to form a paste . any type of mixing and shearing equipment may be used to perform these steps such as a batch mixer , planetary mixer , single or multiple screw extruder , dynamic or static mixer , colloid mill , homogenizer , sonolator , or a combination thereof . other ingredients such as those that complex residual platinum may be added to the silicone elastomer dispersion . these ingredients are taught in u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 977 , 280 and 5 , 929 , 164 herein incorporated by reference . additionally , it might be desirable to use ingredients that can complex residual platinum and also produce by - products that can act to neutralize the acid . the neutralized silicone elastomer dispersions are useful in pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications where an acid sensitive active is used . typically the acid sensitive active is added in amount of 0 . 001 to 5 wt % based on the weight of the silicone elastomer dispersion . typically the acid sensitive active is mixed in with the silicone elastomer dispersions using common mixing techniques . other ingredients may be added to the neutralized silicone elastomer dispersion and acid sensitive active to make the composition suitable for use . for example , the pharmaceutical or cosmetic composition may be in the form of a liquid , paste , gel , cream , or lotion and appropriate ingredients may be added to maintain the neutralized silicone elastomer dispersion / acid sensitive active in that form . the following examples are included to demonstrate embodiments of the invention . it should be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the examples which follow represent techniques discovered by the inventor to function well in the practice of the invention , and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice . however , those of skill in the art should , in light of the present disclosure , appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments which are disclosed and still obtain a like or similar result without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . all weights are given parts per 100 parts in the composition . stability is the loss of active as measured by chromatography . in the following examples the samples were prepared by adding the solvent for the actives into the reaction vessel . to the solvent added active 1 , active 2 and preservative . the mixture was stirred until all of the solids appeared dissolved . the cyclomethicone , elastomer dispersion and sodium bicarbonate were combined and the active mixture was added to this combination . if cysteine was being added to mixtures , the cysteine was added into ethanol and mixed appropriately with the elastomer dispersion . the amounts of the ingredients are given in the tables . table 1 shows the % active loss when no neutralizing agent is present , when only sodium bicarbonate is used , when only cysteine is used and when a combination of cysteine and sodium bicarbonate are used . differing lots of silicone elastomer dispersion were used in the comparative examples ( c2 - c7 ). in example c1 no silicone elastomer dispersion was used to verify if the loss of active was related to the presence of the silicone elastomer dispersion . table 2 shows the results of the time of mixing has on the loss of active . in table 3 the components used in formulating the silicone elastomer dispersion were mixed with the actives to determine if the reactant groups on the components ( i . e . residual sih or c = c ) were causing the loss of active . table 4 demonstrates that the basic neutralizing agent may require an equilibrium time period before adding the active solution to the silicone elastomer dispersion . table 5 shows the results of a study that was carried out to confirm that residual acid in some capacity is responsible for the degradation of the actives . in c18 a commercially available form of the silicone elastomer dispersion was used . in c19 the silicone elastomer dispersion was filtered prior to its use . in c20 the silicone elastomer dispersion was an alsop filtered elastomer . in c21 the silicone elastomer dispersion was an alsop filtered elastomer plus 5 wt % mgso 4 was added . in c22 the silicone elastomer dispersion was an alsop filtered elastomer plus 5 wt % nahco 3 was added . in c23 the silicone elastomer dispersion was an alsop filtered elastomer plus 5 wt % mgso 4 and 5 wt % nahco 3 were added . in example c24 cyclomethicone 5nf was used in place of the silicone elastomer dispersion .	2
[ 0031 ] fig1 shows a block diagram of an architecture for a remote service delivery system 100 that meets the needs of both the service provider and the customer . the architecture of the present invention is modularized to provide broad support for both the customer and the service provider in terms of evolution of service functionality to the architecture and within the architecture . the architecture is broadly comprised of the remote service infrastructure 102 , a group of service modules 103 and a plurality of communications modules 110 . the remote services infrastructure 102 provides reliable remote service delivery and data management . the remote services infrastructure 102 supports the needs of a service creator by focusing the service creator on the needs and the design of the service by eliminating the need for the service creator to be concerned about how data is transferred and managed to and from a customer site . the remote services infrastructure 102 provides an interface to support the development of services that use a set of common service parameters to develop customized services for a specific service provider or customer . the infrastructure 102 is separately segmented from , but actively interacts with , the service modules 103 . within the group of software modules 103 are individual software modules that analyze data collected by the remote services infrastructure 102 and provides service value based on that data to a customer . thus , the remote services infrastructure 102 and the service modules 103 can be differentiated as follows : the remote services infrastructure 102 is concerned with how data is collected , while the service module 103 is concerned with what is done with the data . the remote services infrastructure 102 includes an infrastructure services portion 104 and an infrastructure communications portion 106 . the infrastructure services portion 104 interacts with the plurality of service modules 103 , as described in greater detail below . the remote services infrastructure 102 provides a set of application program interfaces ( api &# 39 ; s ) that are used by a service module developer to leverage common services of the infrastructure such as database access , software delivery and notification services . the infrastructure communications portion 106 includes a plurality of communications modules 110 . the infrastructure services portion 104 interacts with a plurality of service modules 103 . examples of service modules that the remote services architecture may include are an administration and notification interface module 120 , an installation , registration and change management module 122 , an integration into system management platforms module 124 , an integration into existing business systems module 126 and an api &# 39 ; s for service module creation module 128 . the administration and notification interface 120 allows a customer and service provider to control the remote services infrastructure . the installation , registration and change management module 122 supports the infrastructure and service modules deployed on top of the infrastructure . the module 122 may include automatic registration of new software components , delivery of software and detection of changes within an environment . the integration into systems management platforms module 124 provides an integration point to systems management platforms in general . the integration into existing business systems module 126 allows the remote services infrastructure 102 to integrate into existing business systems to leverage data , processing capacities , knowledge and operational process . the module 126 allows the infrastructure 102 to integrate into the required business systems and provides interfaces to the service module creator to use those systems . the api &# 39 ; s for service module creation module 128 allows a service module creator to abstract the complexity of remote data management . the module 128 provides an api of abstracted services to the service module creator . the infrastructure communications portion 106 provides an abstraction of different protocol and physical network options . examples of protocol options include an http protocol and an email protocol . examples of physical network options include internet based communications , private network based communications and fax communications . the different protocol and physical network options are provided to meet the needs of as many customers as possible . the infrastructure communications portion 106 supports a number of plug - in communications modules 110 . examples of the communications modules 110 include a communications authentication module 130 , an encryption module 132 , a queuing module 134 , and a prioritization module 136 . the communications authentication module 130 is related to the communications protocol that is used and provides the customer with authentication of a communication session . the encryption module 132 is related to the protocol being used and provides encryption of the data stream . the queuing module 134 provides the ability of the infrastructure to queue data being sent through the infrastructure to provide data communications integrity . the prioritization module 136 provides the ability for data within the system to be prioritized for delivery . referring to fig2 the remote services infrastructure architecture 205 includes a plurality of components . more specifically , the remote services infrastructure architecture 205 includes a remote services proxy 210 , a remote services system management integrator 212 , a remote services communications module 214 , an intermediate mid level manager ( mlm ) 216 ( which may be a customer mlm or an aggregation mlm ), an applications mlm 218 , a certificate management system 220 , a bandwidth management system 222 , a remote services content generation mlm 224 , a remote services application server 226 . the remote services infrastructure architecture 205 interacts with a plurality of external service modules 103 . the remote services proxy 210 provides an api to the systems management systems . this api supports data normalization to the remote services data format . the remote services proxy 210 also provides receptors for the communications modules and in turn provides communications flow management using queuing . the remote services proxy 210 also manages allocation of remote services identifiers ( id &# 39 ; s ), which are allocated to each component of the remote services infrastructure , and the support instances that are registered with the remote services system 100 . the remote services system management integrators 212 are written to a remote services integrator api supported by the remote services proxy 210 . one remote services proxy 210 can support many integrators ( also referred to as integration modules ). the integration modules provide the glue between the remote services system 100 and the systems management platform . there is at least one integration module for each support systems management platform . the remote services communications modules 214 provide protocol , encryption and communications authentication . these modules plug - in through a semi - private interface into the remote services proxy 210 , the intermediate mlm 216 and the remote services application mlm 218 . the intermediate mlm 216 may be either a customer mlm or an aggregation mlm . the remote services customer mlm is an optional deployable component . the remote services customer mlm provides a higher level of assurance to the customer - deployed environment , providing transaction integrity , redundancy and data queue management . the remote services customer mlm also provides an extensible environment through an api where service module components can be deployed . when no customer mlm is deployed , the aggregation mlm , hosted by the remote services provider and handling multiple customers , provides the data queue management , transaction integrity and redundancy . while the customer mlm is very similar to an aggregation mlm , a customer mlm may be required by a service module that needs to be localized . an aggregation mlm , being shared by multiple customers , may not be customizable . the applications mlm 218 provides a series of functions that can exist on different mlm instantiations as applicable . the applications module provides data normalization , integration with the mail server data flow and integration with the certificate management system 220 . this module acts as the gateway to the remote services application server 226 and controls data access . the certificate management system 220 provides management of certificates to verify connection authentication for the remote services system 100 . the certificate management system 220 may be horizontally scaled as necessary to meet the load or performance needs of the remote services system 100 . the bandwidth management system 222 provides control over bandwidth usage and data prioritization . the bandwidth management system 222 may be horizontally scaled as necessary to meet the load or performance needs of the remote services system 100 . the remote services content generation mlm 224 provides html content based on the data held within the remote services application server 226 . this module provides a high level of html caching to reduce the hit rate on the application server for data . accordingly , visualization of the data is done through the content generation mlm 224 . separating the visualization processing in the content generation mlm 224 from the data processing in the applications server 226 provides two separate scale points . the remote services application server 226 provides the persistent storage of remote services infrastructure information . the application server 226 also provides the data processing logic on the remote services infrastructure information as well as support for the service module api to create service module processing within the application server 226 . the application server 226 provides access to directory services which support among other things , ip name lookup for private network ip management . the application server 226 also provides access to the service modules 103 . in operation , the remote services proxy 210 uses the communication module 214 to connect to the intermediate mlm 216 , whether the intermediate mlm is a customer mlm or an aggregation mlm . the applications mlm 218 and the intermediate mlm 216 use the certificate management system 220 to validate connections from customers . dataflow bandwidth between the intermediate mlm 216 and the applications mlm 218 is controlled by the bandwidth management system 222 . data that has been formatted by the applications mlm 218 is sent on to the application server 226 for processing and persistent storage . the content generation mlm 224 provides visualization and content creation for users of the remote services system 100 . remote services infrastructure administration portal logic is deployed to the content generation mlm 224 to provide users of the remote services system 100 with the ability to manage the remote services system 100 . all of the remote services components are identified by a unique remote services identifier ( id ). a unique customer remote services id is generated at customer registration . for remote services infrastructure components , remote services ids are generated , based on the customer remote services id , at a component registration phase . for remote services entities reporting to a remote services proxy 210 , such as a support instance or an integration module , the remote services id is allocated by the proxy 210 itself , based on the remote services id of the proxy 210 . within the remote services architecture , there are instances where detection , collection and management logic ( also referred to as systems management logic ) may have already been created by another service module . in this instance , the service module creator reuses this functionality . the reuse then creates a more complex relationship within the system to be managed . the segmentation and re - use of data is available within the architecture . instrumentation is made up of a large number of small data types . these data types are shared by the different service modules 103 using a publish and subscribe model . in a publish and subscribe model , the remote services proxies ( and therefore the systems management systems ) publish their data to a service provider . the service modules 103 register interest in specific types of data that are needed to fulfill the respective service module processing . fig3 provides an example of the publish and subscribe model using example data and services . more specifically , data from a systems management instrumentation proxy 306 may include patch information , operating system package information , disk configuration information , system configuration information , system alarms information , storage alarms information and performance information . this information is published via , e . g ., a wide area network ( wan ) to a management tier 310 . various service modules 103 then subscribe to the information in which they are respectively interested . for example , a patch management service module 330 might be interested in , and thus subscribe to , patch information and operating system package information . a configuration management service module 332 might be interested in , and thus subscribe to , the disk configuration information , the patch information , the operating system package information and the system configuration information . a storage monitoring service module 334 might be interested in , and thus subscribe to , disk configuration information and storage alarms information . thus , with a publish and subscribe model , many different types of data are published by a customer using the remote services customer deployed infrastructure . service modules then subscribe to these data types . more than one service module 103 can subscribe to the same data . by constructing the instrumentation data in a well segmented manner , the data can be shared across many services . sharing data across many services reduces duplication of instrumentation . by making data available to newly developed service modules , those service modules need to only identify instrumentation that does not exist and reuse and potentially improve existing instrumentation . sharing data across multiple services also reduces load on customer systems . removing the duplication reduces the processing load on the customer &# 39 ; s systems . sharing data across multiple services also reduces development time of service modules 103 . as more instrumentation is created and refined , service modules 103 reuse the data collected and may focus on developing intelligent knowledge based analysis systems to make use of the data . accordingly , the separation and segmentation of the infrastructure from the service modules enables services to be created in a standardized manner ultimately providing greater value to the customer . referring to fig4 the remote services architecture includes a remote services api 402 which may be conceptualized in two areas , systems management api &# 39 ; s 410 and remote services infrastructure api &# 39 ; s 412 . the systems management api &# 39 ; s 410 includes systems management api &# 39 ; s 418 , integrator 212 and proxy integrators api 430 . the proxy integrator api 430 interfaces with integrator module service logic . the integrator module service logic is a general term for the configuration rules that are imparted on the systems management system to collect or detect the information for the integrator 212 . while the proxy integrator api &# 39 ; s 430 are not technically a part of the remote services system 100 , the proxy integrator api 430 is used within the integration modules which form the boundary between the remote services system 100 and the system management . the integration module creator provides the instrumentation to fulfill the collection and detection needs of the service via the systems management api 418 . the proxy integrators api 430 provides an interface between the systems management system and the remote services infrastructure 102 . this interface provides a normalization point where data is normalized from the system management representation to a remote services standard . by normalizing the data , the remote services system 100 may manage similar data from different systems management systems in the same way . the proxy integrators api 430 interfaces with the remote services proxy 210 as well as the systems management integrator 212 . the remote services infrastructure api &# 39 ; s are used by a service module creator and the systems management integrator 212 . the remote services infrastructure api &# 39 ; s 412 include an intermediate mlm service module api 432 , an applications mlm api 434 and an applications server service module api 436 as well as a content generation mlm service module api 438 . these api &# 39 ; s provide the interface with the remote services infrastructure 102 . the intermediate mlm service module api 432 describes a distributed component of the infrastructure . the intermediate mlm service module api 432 allows modules to be loaded into this distributed component that provides mid data stream services such as data aggregation , filtering , etc . the intermediate mlm service module api 432 provides access and control over the data that flows through the intermediate mlm 216 to the service module provider . the intermediate mlm service module api 432 allows intercept of data upstream and on the back - channel to mutation , action and potential blocking by the service modules 103 . the intermediate mlm service module api 432 interfaces with a service module creator as well as with the intermediate mlm 216 and intermediate mlm based service modules . the applications mlm api 434 allows additional modules to be loaded on the applications mlms . the applications mlm api 424 allows modules to be built into the applications mlms 218 such as data normalization . the applications mlm api 424 interfaces with the applications mlms 218 and modules within the applications mlm 218 . the applications server service module api 436 provides all of the needs of a data processing service module . the applications server service module api 436 provides access to many functions including data collected through a database and access to a full authorization schema . the applications service module api 436 is based around the j2ee api . the applications service module api 436 provides a rich interface for service module creators to interact with and build services based on enterprise java beans ( ejb &# 39 ; s ) and data available to them . the application server service module api 436 interfaces with the remote services application server 226 and the service modules 103 . the content generation mlm api 438 is based around the j2ee web container and provides the service module creator a way of building a browser based presentation . the content generation api 428 interfaces with the content generation mlm 224 as well as with mlm generation based service modules . the remote services infrastructure api &# 39 ; s 412 also include a plurality of communication interfaces which are based around the extendibility of the remote services communications system . the communication interfaces include a communication protocol module 440 , a communication encryption module 442 and an mlm infrastructure services portion 444 . the communications interfaces interface with the remote services proxy 210 as well as all of the remote services system mlm &# 39 ; s . the communications interfaces provide an interface between the communications modules and the components that use the communications modules . the communications protocol module 440 provides support of the application level protocol that is used for the communication through the system . modules of this type interface to support the use of email and http communications protocols . the communication protocol module 440 interfaces with remote services communications engineering personnel . the communications encryption module 442 supports plug - in encryption modules . the plug - in encryption modules can either provide encryption at the protocol level or encryption of the data within the protocol . the communication encryption module 442 interfaces with remote services communications engineering personnel . the mlm infrastructure services portion 444 represent a number of services that are included within the mlm that provide services that are relevant to the infrastructure 102 . these services manage and manipulate the data as it passes through the different parts of the architecture . these services , such as queuing , utilize an api to access and manipulate the api . [ 0070 ] fig5 a and 5b show a more detailed block diagram of the remote services architecture depicted in fig2 . within this more detailed block diagram , the remote services communications modules 214 are shown distributed across the remote services proxy 210 , the intermediate mlm 214 and the applications mlm 218 . the remote services proxy 210 includes a remote services proxy foundation module 510 which is coupled to a communications module 214 as well as to a remote services proxy integrator api module 430 , a remote services proxy id management module 514 and a remote services proxy queuing module 516 . the remote services system management integrator 212 includes a systems management api 418 and a remote services integrator 212 . the remote services integrator 212 is coupled to the remote services proxy integrators api module 430 of the remote services proxy 210 . each communication module 214 includes a communications protocol module 520 and a communications crypto module 522 . a communications module 214 may also include a communications authentication module 524 . the intermediate mlm 216 includes an intermediate remote services mlm foundation module 540 which is coupled between communication modules 214 . the intermediate remote services mlm foundation module 540 is also coupled to a mlm queue and connection management module 542 and an intermediate service module api module 432 . communications modules 214 couple the intermediate mlm 216 to the remote services proxy 210 and the applications mlm 218 . bandwidth management system 222 controls bandwidth usage and data prioritization on the communications between intermediate mlm 216 and applications mlm 218 . certificate management system 220 is coupled between the communications authentication modules 524 for the intermediate mlm communications module 214 and the applications mlm 218 communications module 214 . the applications mlm 218 includes a remote services mlm foundation module 550 that is coupled to the communications module 214 for the applications mlm 218 . the remote services mlm foundation module 550 is also coupled to an mlm queue and connection management module 552 and the applications mlm api module 434 as well as a web server application server plug - in module 554 . content generation mlm 224 includes a composition mlm foundation module 560 . the composition mlm foundation module 560 is coupled to a service content generation module api module 438 and a remote services administration portal 564 as well as a web server application server plug - in module 566 . remote services application server 226 includes an application server module 570 coupled to an application server service module api 436 and an infrastructure data management module 574 . the application server module 570 is also coupled to relational database management system ( rdbms ) 576 . the infrastructure data management module 574 is coupled to a directory services module 578 . the directory services module 578 is coupled to a data authorization system module 580 and user authentication modules 582 . the user authentication modules 582 are coupled to human resources ( hr ) authentication module 590 . the remote services application server 226 is coupled to a plurality of external service modules 230 . [ 0079 ] fig6 , 8 , 9 and 10 show expanded views of the remote services proxy 210 and remote services system management integrator 212 , intermediate mlm 216 , applications mlm 218 , applications server 226 and content generation mlm 224 , respectively . [ 0080 ] fig6 shows a block diagram of the remote services proxy 210 and the remote services system management integrator 212 . the block diagram shows the delineation between the systems management software and the remote services system components as indicated by line 610 . the remote services proxy 210 provides an api via remote services proxy integrators api 430 which communicates using the operating system &# 39 ; s inter - process communication ( ipc ) implementation with the remote services proxy foundation module 510 . this communication allows the api to be implemented with a number of different languages to meet the needs of the systems management developers while leaving a single native implementation of the remote services proxy foundation module 510 . examples of the languages used for the api include java and c ++. the remote services proxy foundation module 510 , together with the api 430 , manage data normalization tasks . this ensures that systems management data is carried independently through the system . for example , an event from one type of service , such as a sunmc service , would have the same structure as an event from another type of service , such as the rasagent service . accordingly , the service modules may deal with the data types that are specific to the respective service and are independent of their source . in the remote services architecture , the integrator 212 and proxy 210 are represented by two separate processes ( e . g ., address spaces ). by representing the integrator 212 and the proxy 210 as two separate processes , a faulty integrator 212 is prevented from taking down the whole proxy 210 . the remote services proxy queuing module 516 allows data to be queued for transmission when communications to the intermediate mlm ( s ) 216 become unavailable . this queuing is lightweight and efficient which in turn reduces the capabilities of length of time data can be queued and of reconnection management . the remote services proxy queuing module 516 provides a number of features that can be used to manage the queue , such as priority and time for data to live . the remote services proxy id management module 514 manages the allocation of unique identifiers for the proxy 210 itself and any support instances that are registered through the api . the remote services system 100 relies on the creation of unique id &# 39 ; s to manage individual support instances . this function is provided within the proxy 210 because there is no unique cross platform identifier available within the remote services system 100 . the proxy 210 manages the mapping between the systems management id ( e . g ., ip address ) and the remote services id , which is keyed off the unique customer id provided at installation time within the deployed system . [ 0086 ] fig7 shows a block diagram of the remote services intermediate mlm 216 . the intermediate mlm may be a customer mlm or an aggregation mlm . the customer mlm is an optional component that can be deployed to support scaling of both support instances and services as well as provide enhanced availability features for a deployed remote services environment . the intermediate mlm 216 receives information via the http protocol from the remote services proxy 210 . this information may optionally be encrypted . connections are not authenticated by default on the server side , as it is assumed that the connection between the intermediate mlm 216 and the proxy 210 is secure . the intermediate remote services mlm foundation module 540 exposes the data flow to the service module api 432 where registered service modules can listen for new data of specific types and mutate the data as required . examples of this function include filtering of certain types of data or data aggregation . the customer mlm does not keep state from an infrastructure perspective . however , the service module could choose to keep persistent state information . the recoverability fail - over support of that state , however , is in the domain of the service module , although the basic session replication features that provide the redundancy features of the infrastructure data flow may be reused . the queue and connection management module 542 provides a highly reliable secure connection across the wide area network to the service provider based mlm farms . the queue manager portion of module 542 also manages back - channel data that may be intended for specific remote services proxies as well as for the applications mlm 218 itself . the intermediate remote services mlm foundation module 540 manages the rest of the mlm &# 39 ; s roles such as session management , fail - over management and shared queuing for the back - channel . aggregation mlm &# 39 ; s , while provided by the service provider , function much the same as customer mlm &# 39 ; s . strong security is turned on by default between such mlm &# 39 ; s and the remote services proxy 210 . accordingly , a communications authentication module 524 is used on the receiving portion of the intermediate mlm 216 . referring to fig8 the remote services application mlm 218 provides several functions ( applications ) for the remote services system 100 . the remote services application 218 hosts applications as well as functioning as a content creation mlm . the host applications within the application mlm 218 include data normalization , customer queue management and remote access proxy . the data normalization application supports normalization and formatting of data being sent to the application server 226 . the customer queue management application handles general connections to and from customer remote services deployments . the customer queue management application also manages back - channel requests and incoming request . the remote access proxy application provides a remote access point as well as functioning as a shared shell rendezvous point . the applications mlm 218 uses the application server plug - in to communicate directly with the application server 226 . the communications authentication module 554 communicates with the certification management system 220 to validate incoming connections from customers . each customer is provided a certificate by default although more granular allocations are available . certificates are distributed at installation time as part of the installation package for both the remoter services proxy module and for the remoter services customer mlm . referring to fig9 the application server 226 manages the persistence and data processing of the remote services infrastructure 102 and the service modules 103 . the application server 226 provides the core service module api 436 to the service module creator . the service module api 436 is based upon the j2ee api . the service module api 436 allows the service module creator to register for certain types of data as the data arrives and is instantiated . this data can then be processed using the support of the application server 226 or alternatively exported from the remote services system 100 for external processing . the infrastructure data is held within the application server 226 and stored within the rdbms 576 associated with the application server 226 . access to this data is available via the service module api 436 and is managed via the infrastructure data management module 574 . the directory services implementation supports user authentication , data authorization and private network data support . user authentication uses a pluggable authentication module ( pam ) so support a plurality of authentication methods such as a lightweight directory assistance protocol ( ldap ) method for service provider employees and a local login method for a remote services based login schema . other methods may be added . the ldap login is processed using a replicated copy of an ldap server running within the remote services infrastructure 102 . data authorization is designed to protect the data held within the application server 226 to specific groups of users . this protection allows customers to grant or deny access to their service data to specific users . this data protection is managed down to the service module granularity . so for example , a customer could grant information about advanced monitoring on a subset of their support instances to members of a service provider monitoring staff . referring to fig1 , the remote services content generation mlm 224 provides html generation bases on the data held within the application server 226 . the content generation mlm 224 provides a service module api 438 for service module creators to develop content composition for their data which is processed by the application server 226 . the content is in the form of j2ee web container which supports java servlets and java servlet pages ( jsp ) api &# 39 ; s . the content generation mlm 224 communicates with the application server 226 using the same netscape api ( nsapi ) plug - in as the remote services applications mlm 218 . instances of these two mlms make up an mlm farm . the composition remote services foundation layer provides support for caching of html pages and associated data to reduce the data request hit back to the application server 226 . the remote services administration portal 564 provides control of the deployed customer infrastructure to the customer and control over the total infrastructure to trusted users . [ 0102 ] fig1 shows a flow diagram of communications within a remote services architecture . in one embodiment , the communications between a customer and a service provider is via a wide area network ( wan ). communications within the remote service architecture includes three tiers , a remote services proxy tier 1110 , an intermediate mlm tier 1112 and an application mlm and server tier 1114 . communication is established and connections are made from the bottom tier ( the remote services proxy tier ) to the top tier . the remote services architecture supports two application protocols for the majority of its services classification support : http and email messaging . there are a plurality of service module classifications that each have specific communications protocol relationships . more specifically , the service module classifications include a data collection classification , a monitoring classification , a remote access classification and an infrastructure administration classification . with the data collection classification , the connection orientation is message based , the physical connection support may be internet , private network or fax , and the protocols supported may be email or http . examples of service modules of this classification include an inventory management service module and a performance management service module . with the monitoring classification , the connection orientation is message based , the physical connection support may be internet , private network or fax , and the protocols supported may be email or http . examples of service modules of this classification include basic self service monitoring and full hardware monitoring with service action . with the remote access classification , the connection orientation is session based , the physical connection support may be internet , private network or fax , and the protocol supported is http . the session based connection orientation is one way initiation from the customer . examples of service modules of this classification include remote dial in analysis and remote core file analysis . with the infrastructure administration classification , the connection orientation is session based or off - line installation , the physical connection support may be internet , private network or fax , and the protocol supported includes http , email or physical ( e . g ., telephone or cd ). the session based connection orientation is one way initiation from the customer and the off - line installation is via , e . g ., a cd . examples of service modules of this classification include remote services administration , installation , updates , configuration and notification . encryption options are related to the protocol . a secure socket layer ( ssl ) protocol , for example , is likely to be the chosen protocol for an http transmission , i . e ., an https transmission . the remote services communication architecture does not enforce this however . so , for example , data could be sent by encrypting the body of an http stream . this provides an advantage when a customer &# 39 ; s https proxy infrastructure is not as resilient as their http proxy infrastructure . email uses an email encryption option such as s - mime or encrypting the body using a third party encryption method such as pgp . encryption is optional at all stages . if the customer does not require encryption , then encryption need not be used . authentication of the remote services communication is standard for all protocols . accordingly , the service provider may validate the sender of data and the customer may validate that the service provider is the receiver . authentication is managed via certificates . certificates are used in both the client and server to authenticate a communications session . client certificates are generated during the customer registration process and are built into the remote services proxy and the customer mlm . by default , each customer is provided a client certificate . the customer can , however , define specific security groups within their service domain and request additional client certificates for those domains . remote services processes include a certificate distribution mechanism , supporting either the creation of a new security group within an existing customer or the redeployment of a new certificate after a certificate is compromised . [ 0112 ] fig1 shows a block diagram of the data blocks that comprise the data that flows through the remote services infrastructure . each system management system conforms to the data definitions that are part of the remote services proxy integrators api 430 . the remote services communications architecture provides a normalized view of the data , regardless of in which systems management framework the data originated . data block header 1202 is common to all data types . data block header 1202 contains items such as source , routing information , time to transmit and source type . data block header 1202 is used to route the data correctly through the remote services system 100 to the correct service module 103 . data block header 1202 is used to provide diagnostic and quality of service measurement built into the system . infrastructure data block 1204 provides data classification service classification specific data . infrastructure data block 1204 removes systems management specific data . service module data block 1206 provides format based on each service classification that drives the system the systems management normalization of the data that flows through the system . for example , alarm data includes general characteristics defined such as severity , state and originating support instance . [ 0116 ] fig1 a and 13b show an example of the component relationships of a remote services system 100 that is configured according to the remote services architecture . various components of the remote services system 100 execute modules of the remote services infrastructure architecture 205 . remote services system 100 includes customer deployment portion 1302 a , 1302 b , network portion 1304 , data access portal 1306 a , 1306 b , mid level manager ( mlm ) portion 1308 , and application server portion 309 . customer deployment portion 1302 a sets forth an example customer deployment . more specifically , customer deployment portion 1302 a includes sunmc server 1310 , wbem agent 1312 , and netconnect agent 1314 . sunmc agents 1316 a , 1316 b are coupled to sunmc server 1310 . server 1310 , agent 1312 and agent 1314 are each coupled to a respective remote services proxy 1320 a , 1320 b , 1320 c . remote services proxies 1320 a , 1320 b , 1320 c are coupled to network portion 1304 , either directly , as shown with proxy 1320 c , or via customer mlm 1322 , as shown with proxies 1320 a and 1320 b . proxies 1320 a and 1320 b may also be directly coupled to network portion 304 without the mlm 1322 present . the sunmc server is a provider specific systems management server ( i . e ., health management server ). the sunmc agents are provider specific systems management agents ( i . e ., health management agents ). the webm agent is a web based enterprise management agent . the netconnect agent is a basic collection agent . customer deployment portion 1302 a illustrates that the systems management may be 2 - tier ( e . g ., agent , console ) or 3 - tier ( e . g ., agent , server , console ). customer deployment portion 1302 b sets forth another example customer deployment . more specifically , customer deployment portion 1302 b includes rasagent 1330 , sunmc agent 1332 , ns server 1334 and netconnect agent 1336 . rasagent 1340 is coupled to rasagent 1330 . sunmc agent 1342 is coupled to sunmc agent 1332 . nsagent 1344 is coupled to netconnect agent 1336 . rasagent 1330 and sunmc agent 1332 are coupled to remote services proxy 1350 a . metropolis server 1334 is coupled to remote service proxy 1350 b . netconnect agent 1336 is coupled to remote services proxy 1350 c . remote services proxies 1350 a , 1350 b , 1350 c are coupled to network portion 1304 either via customer mlm 1352 or directly . the rasagent is a reliability , availability , serviceability agent . the nsagent is a network storage agent and the ns server is a network storage server . both the nsagent and the ns server are reliability , availability , serviceability type devices . network portion 1304 includes at least one interconnection network such as the internet 1354 and / or a private dedicated network 1355 . internet 1354 is assumed to be an existing connection that is reused by the remote services system . the private dedicated network 1355 is a dedicated link that is used exclusively by the remote services system to connect the customer to the service provider . the data to manage the private network is provided by directory services technology held within the application server portion 1308 . the directory services technology handles all of the domain name service ( dns ) services used to manage name to allocated internet protocol ( ip ) information . the remote services infrastructure also offers transmission over fax from the customer &# 39 ; s environment ( not shown ). the fax communication is for service modules where the fax transmission makes sense . for example , fax transmission may be used in a military site which does not allow electronic information to be transmitted from it . data access portal portions 1306 a and 1306 b provide access to the remote services system 100 . more specifically , data access portal portion 1306 a includes a service access portion 1360 , a customer access portion 1362 and a field information appliance ( fia ) 1364 . data access portal portion 1306 b includes a partner access portion 1366 and a system management interface ( smi ) data access portion 1368 . mid level manager portion 1308 includes load balancers 1370 a , 1370 b , mlm webservers 1372 a , 1372 b , 1372 c and communication authentication ( ca ) and de - encryption server 1374 . application server portion 1309 includes a plurality of application servers 1380 a - 1380 f . application servers 1380 a , 1380 b are associated with transactional and infrastructure data storage 1384 a . application servers 1380 c , 1380 d are associated with transactional and infrastructure data storage 1384 b . application servers 1380 e , 1380 f are associated with transactional and infrastructure data storage 1384 c . application server portion 1309 also includes knowledge base 1390 a , 1390 b . application server portion 1309 integrates with service applications as well as via generic data export ( such as , e . g ., xml ). remote services proxies 1320 , 1350 provide a system management integrators api . using this api , system management products can integrate their customized handling of data into the common data format that is used by the remote services architecture . accordingly , the system management component of the overall system is effectively segmented away from the remote services architecture . additionally , by using the remote services proxies 1320 , 1350 , the remote services architecture leverages much of a pre - existing instrumentation and data collection mechanisms that already exist . accordingly , already deployed instrumentation agents within a remote service provider existing system such as those from sunmc and netconnect may be integrated into a remote services system . additionally , third party systems management systems may also be supported and integrated via the remote services proxies . customer deployment portions 1302 a , 1302 b each show an optional customer mlm component deployed to the customers environment . whether to deploy the customer mlm component depends on a number of factors . more specifically , one factor is the number of support instances installed in the customer &# 39 ; s environment and the number of services being utilized by the customer . a deployed mlm component can allow greater scale capabilities . another factor is the type of services deployed within the customer environment . some services are optimized when an mlm component is deployed to the customer environment to support service specific tasks such as filtering and data aggregation . another factor is the quality of service . deploying an mlm component provides a greater level of quality of service because the mlm component provides enhanced data communications technology within the mlm infrastructure modules . the decision of whether to deploy a remote services mlm component ( or more ) to the customer &# 39 ; s environment is a deployment decision . there are a number of architecture deployment classes which are used to meet the varying customer needs . the remote services system communicates via two main protocols , http and email . security considerations for these protocols can be chosen by the customer and plugged into the system . for example , the http protocol may use ssl . additionally , the email protocol may use some well known form of encryption . the connections from the customer deployment portion 1302 feed into mlm farms which reside within the smi service provide environment . these mlm farms are sets of redundant web servers 1372 that are balanced using conventional load balancing technologies . alongside these web servers 1372 are infrastructure servers 1374 which provide specific infrastructure acceleration for decryption and distribution of certificates for communications authentication . these mlm farms provide a plurality of functions . the mlm server farms provide remote proxy connections . in deployments when an mlm is not deployed to the customer , the customer &# 39 ; s proxy connects to the mlm farms within mlm portion 1308 . also , in deployments when a customer mlm 1322 , 1372 is present , the mlm farm communicates and manages communication with the deployed customer mlm 1322 , 1372 . also , the mlm server farms provide data processing capabilities , e . g ., the mlm farms provide application specific tasks to prepare data for passing to the remote services application server portion 1309 . also , the mlm server farms provide access points for the customer and service personnel via browser like connections . the mlm farm generates the html that is presented to the browser . the mlm technology is based upon known web server technology such as that available from sun microsystems under the trade designation iplanet . plug - in functionality is provided by the servlet and jsp interfaces available as part of the web server technology . the remote services application servers 1380 provide data processing and storage for the remote services infrastructure as well as for any hosted service modules . the remote services application servers 1380 are based upon known application server technology such as that available from sun microsystems under the trade designation iplanet application server 6 . 0 . the remote services application server 1380 provides support for horizontal scalability , redundancy and load balancing . thus providing the back - end components of the remote services architecture with a high level of built in assurance and flexibility . application partitioning of the application servers 1380 provides processing distribution to ensure that heavy processing that may be required by more complex services are handled appropriately without affecting the remainder of the remote services architecture . application server portion 1309 provides integration into existing business systems , generic data export and tight integration with existing knowledge base implementations 1390 . data export is handled through structured xml , data can be exported asynchronously by a client registering to receive data of a particular type or synchronously by the application server 1380 accepting a request from a client . the core service module api is provided by the application server 1380 using a j2ee implement api . the basic container services of j2ee are extended to provide remote services specific functions and to create the basis of the api . accordingly , a service module creator can rely on a number of provided for services , such as database persistency , high levels of atomic , consistent , isolated , and durable ( acid ) properties , directory service access , authorization protection for the data and access to the data collected by the remote services infrastructure itself . the creation of a service module , which provides the technology to support a specific remote service , involves at least one of the following components : a creation of detection / collection logic component ; a mid - stream analysis and management of data component ; an analysis and storage of data component ; and , a presentation and management of the data / knowledge component . the detection / collection logic is created within the domain of a systems management toolkit . the mid - stream analysis and management of data is an optional step and effectively provides analysis of the data within the customer &# 39 ; s environment . inclusion of this logic would mean that the mid - stream analysis and management of data service module would have a remote services mlm deployed to the customer &# 39 ; s environment 1302 a , 1302 b . the deployment of the remote services mlm to the customer &# 39 ; s environment reduces and manages the data being sent over the wan to the remote services provider . the analysis and storage of data component is performed within the application servers domain ( the component may be exported ). this analysis and storage of data component turns data into knowledge and service value that can then be presented back to the customer . the presentation and management of the data / knowledge component is where the data and knowledge that is developed from the analysis and storage of data component is presented to the customer or service personnel . the presentation and management of data / knowledge component may include interactive support to provide modification of the data values . the remote services delivery system communication module 214 provides the communications layer for the system . it hides details relating to the underlying technologies from the caller . the communications module 214 takes an xml message as input and delivers it to the appropriate system component . all the parameters , including the identity which should be used , the communication parameters ( protocols , specific settings for firewall or gateway ) and the destination are extracted from the remote services delivery system component &# 39 ; s configuration file and not provided by the caller . the remote services delivery system communication module 214 is used by all remote services delivery system components . when an xml short message is sent , the communication module 214 serves to coordinate transfer of the message to the next infrastructure component . likewise , when an xml short message is received , the communication module 214 serves to forward the message to the appropriate destination software component in the remote service system 100 . the communication module 214 also serves a central function in the coordination of back - channel messages . for example , the communication module 214 coordinates the process of sending or receiving a back - channel message from the proxy &# 39 ; s intermediate mlm . this function is part of the procedure for sending or receiving an xml short message . authentication , data privacy and data integrity in the messaging processes discussed above , are provided by a cryptographic module through the communication module 214 in all remote service delivery system components . the communication module 214 acts as a relay between the local system component it is linked to ( e . g ., system proxy or intermediate mlm ) and the communication module 214 of the remote system component ( e . g ., intermediate mlm , or application mlm ). its function is to transfer data , hiding the complexity of the authentication , session mode type and data privacy from its caller . it provides transport for forward and backward messages , if any back - channel messages were waiting . the following table shows the interaction of local system component and the communication module 214 , while sending or receiving information : remote service system infrastructure component communication function where the module is used provided by the module remote service system proxy sending short message receiving back - channel message intermediate mlm sending short message sending a back - channel message receiving short message receiving back - channel message application mlm sending short message sending a back - channel message receiving short message receiving back - channel message the privacy and authorization process employed in the communication module employs a pluggable cryptographic module , via two function calls , sign ( xml_message ) and encrypt ( xml_message ). sll is used as a built - in cryptographic module working only over a session mode connection . the cryptographic module may implement null encryption or signature , to meet customer or local country law requirements . [ 0141 ] fig1 is a flow chart illustration of the processing step implemented by the communication module 214 in the sending mode . in step 1400 the communication module 214 receives an xml message and information relating to the destination of the message . in step 1402 , a test is conducted to determine whether ssl has been used in connection with the transmission of the message . if the result of the test in step 1402 indicates that ssl was used , processing proceeds to step 1404 where an instruction is issued to “ put xml ” over ssl and the message is directed to the remote service system component in step 1406 . if the test conducted in step 1402 indicates that ssl was not used , processing proceeds to step 1408 where the module executes instructions to “ sign ( xml )” and “ encrypt ( xml )” as discussed above . processing then proceeds to step 1410 where a test is performed to determine whether the message is in http format . if the message is in http format , processing proceeds to step 1412 where the module issues an instruction to “ put encrypted xml ” over http and the message is forwarded to the remote system component 1406 . if the test in step 1410 indicates that the message is in http format , processing proceeds to step 1414 where the message is emailed as an encrypted xml file to the remote system component 1406 . the xml message and status code confirmation is returned to the sender beginning with processing step 1416 where a test is conducted to determine whether ssl was used in transmission of the message . if the test in step 1416 indicates that ssl was not used , processing proceeds to step 1418 where the module issues instructions to “ decrypt ( xml ) and verify ( xml ).” if the test in step 1416 indicates that ssl was used , processing proceeds to step 1420 where the message and status code are returned . the communication module 214 may receive back - channel data while resending data ( client ) but the process is different to when the communication module 214 is used to receive data ( server ). when the communication module 214 is used to receive data , the communication module 214 records the identity claimed by the client at the cryptographic authentication layer in the “ signedby ” xml field to enable upper layer applications to compare it to the xml identification field filled by the sender , thus helping to avoid identity spoofing on the data . [ 0143 ] fig1 is a flowchart illustration of the processing steps followed by the communication module privacy and authorization feature operating in receive mode . a message 1500 is transmitted by a remote system component 1502 and a test is performed in step 1504 to determine whether the message was transmitted using ssl . if the test in step 1504 indicates that the message was not transmitted with ssl , processing proceeds to step 1506 where the module issues instructions to “ decrypt ( xml )” and “ verify ( xmp )” to extract the identity of the sender 1509 returned by “ verify ( )” and processing proceeds to step 1508 . if the test in step 1504 indicates that ssl was used , the identity of the ssl client 1507 is extracted and processing proceeds to step 1508 where the module performs data authentication and verification . processing then proceeds to step 1510 where the message 1500 is forwarded to a remote system mlm 1512 . the “ data authentication verification ” process 1508 discussed above in fig1 is used to prevent “ spoofing ” of the identity of a customer . fig1 is a flow chart illustration of the data authentication verification process 1508 identified in the flow chart illustration of fig1 . an xml message 1600 is tested in step 1602 to determine if the message was forwarded by an intermediate mlm or an application mlm . if the test in step 1602 indicates that the message was forwarded by an intermediate mlm , processing proceeds to step 1604 to determine if “ signedby ” exists . if the result of test 1604 indicates that “ signedby ” exists , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 ; otherwise , processing proceeds to step 1608 for a determination of whether the authentication is a cn or ip . if the test indicates the authentication is an ip , processing continues to step 1610 to determine if the source relates to a customer or an aggregation mlm . if the test in step 1610 indicates the source to be an mlm , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 . if , however , the test in step 1610 indicates the source of the authentication is verified in step 1614 . if the test in step 1608 indicates an authentication cn , processing proceeds to step 1612 to determine if the customer number cn is the source . if the result of this test is negative , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 . if the result of the test in step 1612 indicates that the cn is the source , authentication is verified in step 1614 . returning to the test in step 1602 , if the result of that test indicates that the message was forwarded by an application mlm , processing proceeds to step 1605 to determine whether the source of the message was a proxy or an mlm . if the result of test 1605 indicates that the source was an mlm , processing proceeds to step 1616 which determines whether “ signedby ” exists . if the test in step 1616 indicates that “ signedby ” does exist , an error condition is issued in step 1606 . otherwise , processing continues to step 1618 for a determination of whether the authentication is a cn or ip . if the test indicates the authentication is an ip , processing continues to step 1620 to determine if the cn is the source . if the result of the test is negative , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 . if , however , the result of the test in step 1620 indicates that the cn is the source , authentication is verified in step 1614 . returning to step 1605 , if the result of that test indicates that the source is a proxy , processing continues to step 1622 to determine if “ signedby ” exists . if the result of the test in step 1622 indicates that “ signedby ” does not exist , an error message is returned in step 1606 . otherwise , processing proceeds to step 1624 to determine whether the authentication is a cn or ip . if the test in step 1624 indicates the authentication is an ip , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 . otherwise processing continues to step 1626 to confirm that the source &# 39 ; s mlm group . specifically , this test determines whether the source &# 39 ; s proxy group has a destination that is a mlm group that includes the intermediate mlm identified in the “ verify ( )” call and that the identified mlm group is in the database model . if the result of the test in step 1620 is negative , an error condition is indicated in step 1606 . if , however , the test result is affirmative , authentication is verified in step 1614 .	7
referring to the drawings an embodiment of the present invention will be detailed in the following . fig1 is an internal block diagram of an electronic still camera which is an embodiment of the present invention . in fig1 , the optical system 1 focuses the image of an object on the image pickup device ( not shown in the drawings ) in the image - capturing section 2 . the image - capturing section outputs electric signals from the picked - up image to the image - processing section 3 . the image - processing section 3 receives the electric signals , color - process on the signals is performed , and outputs image signals to the liquid - crystal display section 4 to preview the image on the liquid - crystal display section 4 before the release button ( not shown in the drawings ) is pressed . the liquid - crystal display section 4 displays the inputted image signal on the lcd screen ( not shown in the drawings ). when the release button ( not shown in the drawings ) is pressed , the camera controller 5 comprising a cpu or others detects the operation of the release , and instructs the image - processing section 3 and the image - capturing section 2 to capture a high - resolution image . upon the instruction , the image - processing section 3 takes the data of the high - resolution raw image , temporarily stores the image in the image buffer 6 which comprises sdram or others , performs color - processing and gradation control on the raw image , and displays it as a post - view image on the liquid - crystal display section 4 . images are compressed , for example , in form of the jpeg format and temporarily stored in the image buffer 6 . when the image compression is complete , the image - processing section 3 informs the camera controller 5 of the completion of the image compression . upon the notification , the camera controller reads the compressed image data from the image buffer 6 through the image - processing section 3 and stores the compressed image data of a preset file format in the memory card 8 through the card interface 7 . or when a command is issued in order of image data recording in internal memory , the camera controller 5 stores image data in flash rom 9 , which also contains a program memory area . when the electronic still camera is connected to an external personal computer 20 through usb interface 10 , the camera controller 5 communicates with the personal computer 20 in a protocol through the usb interface 10 . simultaneously , when a command is issued to read image data from the memory card 8 or write image data in the memory card 8 or to read or write built - in image data , the camera controller 5 controls transfer of data to and from appropriate blocks . the cpu work memory block 11 is a memory block such as sram , which can be read -/ write - accessed fast . fig2 is a memory mapping of flash rom of fig1 . conventionally , flash memory ( the flash memory block 9 here ) takes a lot of time to write or erase . so it is impossible to read from flash memory immediately after data is written there . to rewrite programs , external ram is provided . the user rewrites programs after locating an executable program on ram . recently , some flash memory manufacturers have put , on the market , multi - bank type flash memory chips which allows reading from one memory bank while writing or erasing in another memory bank . due to this memory technology , it is possible to locate both program code space and a memory space for storage of images and / or camera control values in manufacturing processes in the same memory device . as an example , functions of a multi - bank flash memory chip , using a 4 mb multi - bank flash memory chip , will be detailed in the following . this example shows that the leading 2m bytes as bank 1 is used to store programs and the trailing 2m bytes as bank 2 is used to store image data and camera control data ( in the manufacturing processes ). the top eight 8k blocks in bank 1 are assigned a booting program to start up the cpu in the camera controller 5 . these blocks are followed by seven 64k blocks ( 448 kb ), which store programs to control the whole electronic still camera . the trailing twenty - four 64kb blocks ( 1536 kb ) of bank 1 contain programs and kind of scriptors for personal computers to install a specific device driver in the personal computer 20 . this storage area for storing scriptors and programs for a personal computer is the first storage area built in the electronic still camera in accordance with the present invention . storage areas called bank 1 and bank 2 are large rewritable storage units ( first and second storage areas ) of the present invention and smaller 64 - and 8 - kb storage blocks are small rewritable storage units . as for large rewritable storage units , one large storage unit can be read while the other large storage unit is written . however , since smaller storage units belong to one large storage unit , one small storage unit cannot be read while another small storage unit is written . the top eight 64k block in bank 2 stores data ( or camera control data ) to compensate a product - specific difference in production of the camera such as correction values due to optical characteristics and sensitivity characteristics of the image - capturing section 2 and driving information for automatic focus control . this camera control data area is followed by an internal image memory area . as this example uses built - in flash memory of a limited storage capacitance , the built - in image memory area is not so wide enough . this is because the flash memory technology has just begun . the low storage capacity , however , has nothing with the effect of the present invention . the most important point here is that the boot program area and the camera control program area are provided in a bank which contains neither the image memory area nor the camera control data area . in other words , the boot program area and the camera control program area are required for the cpu in the camera controller 5 to use continuously . if the camera controller 5 cannot read any program code while rewriting image data or camera control data , the electronic still camera may fall into out - of - order condition . further , another important point is that the camera control data is stored in a block ( small storage area ) outside the image memory area . considering about integrity of data , it is recommended to locate these two areas separately in different banks , but it is not economical . for data integrity , it is enough to locate these two areas separately in different banks . with this , the camera control data essential to the electronic still camera can be protected against damages by unexpected operations from the personal computer . among usb device classes , human interface devices such as mice and keyboards and mass storage devices have bee standardized from earlier stages and supported by various operating systems up to date . the cd - rom devices as one of mass storage devices are often used to install software and have been provided of various functions of automatic installation than the other mass storage devices . particularly , the “ autorun ” function of the cd - rom devices is remarkable . fig3 and fig4 are examples of initial protocols ( descriptors ) used for connection of an electronic still camera which is an embodiment of the present invention to a personal computer 20 through an usb interface 10 . when the electronic still camera is connected to a personal computer 20 through a usb interface block 10 , the personal computer 20 issues a get descriptor command to the electronic still camera after hardware handshaking . in response of receiving this command , the electronic still camera replies the descriptor to the personal computer . fig3 shows an example of initial protocol to report that the electronic still camera is a cd - rom mass storage unit . the detailed explanation of the descriptor is omitted here because people in this field can easily understand the descriptor . only the striking features of the descriptor are described below . in the device descriptor ( the upper table of fig3 ), offset 4 declares that the device class of this device will be described with the interface descriptor . offset 5 and offset 6 specify the required values . offset 10 specifies “ 0 × 0750 ” as the unique usb product id given to the electronic still camera by the manufacturer of the product . ( the manufacturers also should have their unique usb product ids .) the id value is given by “ idvendor ” of offset 8 . when combined with the vendor id , the product id becomes more specific and the os of a personal computer to which the product is connected can easily identify the product by the id . the interface descriptor ( the lower table of fig3 ) describes the device class of the product ( electronic still camera ) according to the content of “ bdeviceclass ” ( offset 4 ) of the device descriptor . offset 5 ( blnterfaceclass ) specifies “ oxo8 ” as the class code of the storage class and offset 6 ( blnterfacesubclass ) specifies that the interface uses the sff - 8020i command set which is widely used by cdroms . offset 7 ( blnterfaceprotocol ) describes that the interface uses the cbi ( control / bulk / interrupt transfer ) function as the usb mass storage protocol . with this , the sff - 8020i command is executed as a cd - rom command with the command contained in bulk transfer packets of the usb . in this way , the electronic still camera is recognized as a cdrom device by the personal computer 20 . fig4 is an example of an initial protocol ( descriptor ) used for initial reconnection of the electronic still camera to the personal computer 20 after the electronic still camera is connected as a cd - rom drive to the personal computer 20 and loads a still - image class device driver ( which is a device class for controlling electronic camera devices ) to the personal computer . an operation to cause the electronic still camera as a device other than the storage device in this embodiment is to install a still - image class device driver to a personal computer . as the device descriptor for installation uses a product id of “ 0 × 0750 ” in primary connection as a cd - rom drive , the device descriptor for the still - image class operation uses a product id of “ 0 × 075 ” to prevent confusion . this product id is a device id code which is referred to by this embodiment . the interface descriptor ( the lower table of fig4 ) specifies a still - image class in offset 5 ( blnterfaceclass ), an image pickup device in offset 6 ( blnterfacesubclass ), and use of a pma 15740 command set in offset 7 ( blnterfaceprotocol ). as explained above , the sample protocols ( descriptors ) of fig3 are used to connect the electronic still camera as a cd - rom drive ( a storage device ) to a personal computer and to cause the personal computer to recognize the electronic still camera as a device ( an electronic still camera ) other than the storage device ). therefore , the camera controller 5 is in charge of operation , processing , and selection in accordance with the present invention . fig5 shows a table of directories of files to be detected by the personal computer when the electronic still camera is connected as a cd - rom drive ( a storage device ) to a personal computer . in this example , the personal computer 20 detects an “ autorun . inf ” file ( 43 bytes long ), a “ setup . exe ” file ( 365123 bytes long ), and a “ setup . ico ” file ( 2238 bytes long ). the “ autorun . inf ” file is a script file for automatic startup . in general , when the operating system ( os ) of a personal computer 20 finds this script file in searching of file information in the cd - rom , the os automatically performs pre - determined operations according to the description . in other words , this function causes a pre - determined operation to be automatically executed by the personal computer when recognized by the personal computer . the camera controller 5 for detecting and executing this internal file is the means for allowing the personal computer to access the first memory area and the means for causing the personal computer to execute programs in accordance with the present invention . although the above example describes an area in the built - in flash memory ( flash rom 9 ) as the first memory area , it is apparent that the first memory area need not be built - in memory , for example , a memory area in an external memory card 8 as far as the memory area is under control of the cpu in the camera controller 5 . in this case , there can be some units ( flash memory rom 9 and memory card 8 here ) equivalent to a cd - rom drive having the “ autorun ” function . it is possible to use a setup menu of the electronic still camera to select the memory area . when a memory area is selected on the setup menu by an operation button ( not shown in the drawings ) and a means is used to determine whether the first memory area is accessed by the personal computer , the camera controller 5 is the setting means . fig6 shows the content of a sample “ autorun . inf ” file . the “ icon =” line in the “[ autorun ]” section specifies to use the icon data ( setup . ico ) as a volume display icon of cd - rom ( flash memory 9 in this example ) and the “ open =” line specifies to execute the setup . exe file in the root directory of the specified cd - rom ( flash memory 9 in this example ). according to this description , the operating system ( os ) of the personal computer 20 runs the setup . exe file , which is the installer of a driver required for operation of the still - image class . fig7 shows possible combinations of bank operations of multi - bank flash memory which is used by an embodiment of the present invention . fig8 shows an operational flow of setting the status of the storage unit of the present embodiment , enabling installation of a driver for a still image device which works differently from the storage unit , detecting interfacing status by cable connection and power setting , and resetting to the original still image device . when the user sets a read mode at step s 101 of fig8 , the camera controller 5 checks whether installation to the personal computer 20 has been selected at step s 102 . if the installation has not been selected , the operation flow ends . when the installation is already selected , the camera controller 5 prepares to cause the personal computer to recognize the program area for the personal computer as cdrom . at step s 104 , the camera controller 5 checks whether a signal is detected from a connector ( not shown in the drawings ), which connects the electronic still camera to the personal computer 20 . if no signal is detected , the camera controller 5 waits for a pre - determined time period at step s 105 , resets to the still - image class , and ends the flow . when detecting a signal indicating the connection between the electronic still camera and the personal computer from the connector , the camera controller 5 makes sure that the connector is not disconnected at step s 107 . ( if the connector is disconnected , the camera controller 5 changes to the still - image class at step s 115 and ends the operation flow .) further the camera controller 5 makes sure that the power supply has not been turned off at step s 108 . ( if the power supply is turned off , the camera controller 5 changes to the still - image class at step s 113 and performs the power - off operation at step s 114 .) furthermore , the camera controller 5 checks whether a pre - determined time period has passed at step s 109 . when the pre - determined time period already passed , the camera controller 5 performs an operation to turn off the connectiontransistor , changes to the still - image class at step s 111 , performs an operation to turn on the connection transistor at step s 112 , and ends the operation flow . the means for detecting the end of connection to cause the personal computer 20 to read data for recognition of a device other than a storage device and for automatically changing to cause the electronic still camera to perform as a device other than a storage device is accomplished by the camera controller 5 which detects connector - off and power - off by the user . further , the cpu ( with a built - in clock ) in the camera controller 5 can work as timer , comparing , switching , and changing means . with these means , the camera controller 5 measures the time passed after the electronic still camera is connected as cd - rom , checks whether the electronic still camera is connected to an os that cannot support the usb connection , the automatic installation failed , or reconnection is not completed although installation is complete when the connection continues longer than the predetermined time period , automatically changes connections , and turns on and off the connection transistor . fig9 shows an operational flow of the personal computer 20 . at step s 201 , the personal computer 20 searches the first memory area of the electronic still camera , which is to be recognized as cd - rom . at step s 202 , the personal computer 20 checks whether the first memory area of the electronic still camera contains the “ autorun . inf ” file and ends the operation flow when finding no “ autorun . inf ” file . when finding the “ autorun . inf ” file , the personal computer executes the install program specified in the “ autorun . inf ” file at step s 203 and installs the still - image class driver to the work memory of the personal computer 20 . with this , the personal computer can read image data from the electronic still camera . fig1 shows sample lcd displays of the electronic still camera for setting a mode to install a still image device driver to a personal computer 20 . the mode switch sw 12 ( shown in fig1 , fig1 ) of the electronic still camera is used to select a setup mode and set an operation mode . when the user selects “ pc install ” on the menu by the menu selection key , the “ execute ” submenu appears . ( shown in fig1 ( a )) select “ execute .” the install mode is set and the electronic still camera can work as a storage device . when the user select “ location set ,” the user can set whether the personal computer 20 is allowed to access the first memory area as the storage area or the other area such as a memory card 8 . when the user select “ execute ” on the menu , a dialog box ( shown in fig1 ( b )) appears on - screen to ensure whether the user actually wants to change modes . the user clicks the ok button b 1 in the dialog box to select installation to the personal computer or the cancel button b 2 to return to the menu screen ( shown in fig1 ( a )). fig1 is a circuit drawings of the usb interface connector 10 and its related parts . when the connector 10 a is connected to a personal computer , the transistor q 2 turns on and activates a connection detected signal . when the transistor q 1 turns on , the d + signal is pulled up and information of connection is delivered to the personal computer ( as a host ). when the transistor q 1 is turned off , the electric connection is canceled . fig1 is an operational flow of selecting images to be removed when the built - in image memory is full and removing the selected images . after taking a picture at step s 301 of fig1 , the camera controller 5 checks whether the image data is to be recorded in the built - in memory at step s 302 . when judging that the image data should not be recorded in the built - in memory ( flash memory rom 9 ), the camera controller 5 saves the captured image data in memory card 8 at step 303 . when judging that the image data should be recorded in the built - in memory , the camera controller 5 as a detecting means checks whether the remaining storage area in the built - in memory ( flash memory rom 9 ) is more than a pre - determined value . when the remaining storage area is enough ( more than a preset value ), the camera controller 5 saves the captured image data in the built - in memory at step s 305 . when the remaining storage area ( flash memory rom 9 ) is not enough ( less than a pre - determined value ), the camera controller 5 searches image data that has been stored in the built - in memory longest ( or image data of the oldest shooting / storage date ) at step s 306 . further at step s 307 , the camera controller 5 as a erasing means checks whether there are two or more image data frames of the same shooting / storage date . when there is only one frame of the oldest date , the camera controller 5 selects it and erases it at step s 311 . when there are two or more image data frames of the same shooting / storage date , the camera controller 5 as a counting means gets read - counts of the frames at step s 308 and compares them by a pre - determined count at step s 309 . if their counts are different , the camera controller 5 selects and removes a image data frame of the less count value at step s 311 . if their counts are the same , the camera controller 5 selects the image data frames of the oldest shooting / storage time at step s 310 and erases them at step s 311 . it is possible to set the prohibit mode by a related menu button ( not visible in the drawings ) and to suppress automatic removal of image data of the oldest shooting / storage date or to output a reconfirmation message such as “ are you sure to delete ?” before the automatic removal of image data and to remove the image data only when the user clicks the ok button . this can protect necessary image data from deletion . fig1 is a perspective view of an electronic still camera which is an embodiment of the present invention . the electronic still camera has a mode switch 12 , a release button 13 , and a power switch 14 on the top of the camera body , a lens assembly 1 , a finder 15 a , and a flash light 16 on the front of the camera body , and a slot 19 for memory card 8 ( shown in fig1 ) and a usb connector 10 a ( not shown in the drawings ) for connection with the personal computer on the side of the camera body . fig1 is a rear view of an electronic still camera which is an embodiment of the present invention . the rear panel of the electronic still camera has a display screen 4 a of the liquid - crystal display section 4 ( shown in fig1 ), a lcd display on / off button 4 b , menu selection keys 4 c , and a finder 15 b . the latest - released general - purpose operating systems ( oss ) have supported common storage device drivers by usb interface . however , in this configuration , image data in the electronic still camera as a storage device is treated only as files on a drive . therefore , this configuration cannot use functions that allow the personal computer to control the electronic still camera directly , for example , by a twain device driver , and a function that allows user to customize the camera operation . further , it is not possible to transfer image data to the personal computer without storing image data in the memory card at the electronic still camera . contrarily , by installing a device driver for a device other than a storage device as stated in this embodiment , the electronic still camera can handle captured image data and enable the personal computer to perform the above added functions . with those and other objects in view , it is to be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments . further it is understood that various changes and modifications , within the scope of the claims , may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention . the first embodiment of the present invention can provide a convenient electronic still camera even when storage capacity is increased . the second embodiment of the present invention can provide in - expensive electronic still camera with compact size and low power consumption . disclosed embodiment can be varied by a skilled person without varying from the spirit and scope of the invention .	7
a mobile radio used in an automotive environment , of which a cellular radiotelephone is a convenient example , provides an appropriate setting for describing the preferred embodiment of the invention . a cellular radiotelephone mobile subscriber unit has two major parts : a control unit and a transceiver unit . the transceiver portion houses the circuits for receiving and transmitting the radio signals and may be mounted in the vehicle remote from the user . the control unit provides the user interface to the transceiver and is typically mounted within the passenger compartment of the vehicle . a control cable couples the units together . the complexity of the control functions may require many control and audio signals to pass between the units ; multiplexing of signals within the control cable reduces the burdens of dense cabling . installations that use multiple control units create particular problems , which the invention also addresses . fig1 shows a typical vehicular radiotelephone installation . box 100 represents the control unit ; box 200 represents the transceiver unit . a microphone 2 transduces voice input and produces electrical output that couples through an audio amplification and signal processing chain to a line driver amplifier 4 . the line driver , operated at a typical quiescent point of 5 vdc , couples an amplified audio signal through resistor 6 and blocking capacitor 8 onto the interconnection cable at 14 . the control unit includes a push button 10 , which can ground resistor 12 . to activate logic circuitry in the transceiver , for example to turn the transceiver on or off , the user momentarily pushes the button . a logic interface circuit 30 in the transceiver detects the momentary contact closure and provides a fast logic output signal ( 36 ) in response . connections to the interface circuit permit audio to be multiplexed with the contact closure signal on the control cable and to be picked - off at point 20 . fig1 shows only the pertinent portions of the transceiver , including connections to the dc power source , designated as &# 34 ; a +,&# 34 ; ( 38 ), and miscellaneous coupling components , ( 22 , 24 , 26 , and 28 ). it shows further that more than one control unit may be coupled to the transceiver at the same time , as indicated by control unit 100 &# 39 ;, output line 14 &# 39 ;, and the dotted connection to cable 16 . the quiescent state of the interface circuit is &# 34 ; off .&# 34 ; resistor 28 ( 100 kilohms nominal ) holds input pin 34 at the a + potential , which is well above the logic threshold of approximately half - supply . closing the push - button pulls resistor 12 ( 4700 ohms ) to ground , which causes input 34 to fall below the logic threshold as capacitor 24 discharges . however , as the input goes below threshold , the interface circuit sources current , from input 34 , which flows through resistor 12 and develops sufficient voltage to maintain a positive bias across capacitor 8 relative to the output voltage of the line driver amplifier 4 . fig2 shows details of the logic interface circuit . the interface circuit has two major parts a threshold circuit , which senses the input voltage at pin 34 and produces an output current at collector terminal 56 ; and a signal conditioner ( 60 ), which speeds up the current transitions generated by the threshold circuit and produces a fast logic output signal at 36 . the incremental input impedance of the threshold circuit has a nonlinear characteristic : for inputs above threshold , it is very high , so the circuit has very little loading effect ; as the input signal falls below threshold , the impedance switches to a very low value that loads the external circuit and prevents the input from being able to fall substantially below threshold . the threshold circuit itself comprises current mirror 40 , devices 48 , 52 , and 54 , resistor 46 ( 50 kilohms nominal ), and resistor 50 ( 100 kilohms nominal ). as input 34 goes below the a + voltage applied to power pin 32 , the current mirror control branch 42 turns on and produces an incremental input impedance equal to the nominal 50 kilohms of resistor 46 in series with diode 48 and the emitter - base diode of mirror branch 42 . mirror current through branch 44 into resistor 50 pulls the base of device 52 upwards . the circuit reaches threshold when the base of device 52 has risen above the voltage at input 34 by approximately two base - emitter diode drops , at which point , devices 52 and 54 turn on , and collector 56 develops output current . as the input goes below threshold , the incremental input impedance of the threshold circuit becomes very low , and it supplies current to the external circuit through the low impedance path of common - collector device 52 in series with the emitter - base junction of device 54 . the ratio between resistor 50 and resistor 46 and the configuration of diode 48 and base - emitter junctions in devices 52 and 54 sets the logic threshold slightly above half - supply this threshold remains at approximately half - supply to provide maximum noise immunity regardless of supply variations . responding to the level of an input signal , rather than to its transitions , provides additional immunity against noise transients and also permits an audio signal of restricted amplitude to be superimposed on the input without triggering the interface circuit . device 52 can supply current to the external circuit through the base - emitter junction of device 54 as necessary to prevent reverse biasing of the control unit blocking capacitor . inherent collector current limiting at about 6 ma in the pnp devices used for this embodiment prevented currents from exceeding safe values . to provide a stable and predictable input threshold , the circuit relies on matching of the respective resistors and semiconductor devices , which a monolithic realization conveniently provides . under such conditions , the input threshold remains at approximately half - supply over a wide range of supply voltages . in particular , the circuit will operate from at least 6 vdc to 16 . 3 vdc . this voltage range allows the circuit to be used in portable transceiver applications , which rely on battery voltages that can reach as low as 6 volts at &# 34 ; end - of - life ,&# 34 ; as well as in vehicular applications , for which high - limit a + voltage is typically specified as 16 . 3 volts dc . the signal conditioner circuit ( 60 ) for this embodiment is an integrated - injection logic ( i 2 l ) design , comprising injector 62 , dual output device 64 , input device 66 , and current sink 68 . feedback through collector 70 provides hysteresis . to turn on the circuit , current from collector 56 must exceed the combination of sink current 68 and the current drawn by collector 70 . once device 66 turns on , it diverts injector current 62 and cuts off collector 70 , so the circuit remains on until input current at 56 falls below the level of sink current 68 alone . hysteresis provides immunity from minor noise fluctuations in the trigger current , causes fast regenerative transitions between , states , and makes the rate of output transitions substantially independent of the rate of input transitions . the components external to circuit block 30 provide additional immunity from the inherent electrical noise of the automotive environment , such as transient loading from engine cranking during engine cranking , the a + voltage may drop by several volts , but diode 26 prevents capacitor 24 from discharging . the voltages on pins 32 and 34 both decrease ; when cranking terminates and the a + voltage suddenly rises to its normal value , both pins follow the increase in voltage . diode 26 , which isolates capacitor 24 , allows the capacitor to remain at the quiescent a + voltage for a considerably longer time than the expected duration of cranking . when the voltage returns to normal , capacitor 24 will not have discharged and , therefore , will not hold pin 34 at a lower voltage . otherwise , the reduced voltage on pin 32 might be sufficiently low to cause the voltage on pin 34 to be below the threshold voltage of the logic interface circuit and would cause a logic output signal to change state . the circuit will also tolerate certain expected overvoltage transients without false triggering or device breakdown . first , if the a + voltage suddenly increases but stays within approximately twice normal value , the half - supply input threshold remains below the voltage at pin 34 , so the circuit will not trigger . second , the circuit configuration allows the various bipolar devices to withstand high voltage transients . in the semiconductor fabrication process used for the preferred embodiment , npn devices typically exhibit breakdown bv ceo of less than 22 volts , whereas bv cbo exceeds 65 volts . in the quiescent state , push - button 10 is open , which allows resistor 28 to apply a + voltage to pin 34 and keep current mirror 40 off . without mirror current flowing , resistor 50 holds the base of device 52 at ground potential . meanwhile , the base of device 54 is at a + potential , so the emitter - base junctions of both devices are reverse biased . upon sudden a + increases , the voltage on pin 32 increases , but that on pin 34 does not , being held by capacitor 24 . this increased voltage appears across the collector / emitter of npn device 52 through the reverse biased emitter - base diode of device 54 . the path through resistor 50 allows device 52 to withstand this voltage in the bv cbo mode and support large transient overvoltage . the other devices subject to a + transients are pnp devices , which , for this process , have greater bv ceo breakdown voltage than do the npn devices . the process specifications illustrated here are merely exemplary ; it will be understood that the invention relates to a circuit configuration that operates devices in a high breakdown voltage mode . the circuit constructed according to this invention draws very little current in the standby mode . when the push - button is open , the interface circuit draws no current through current mirror 40 ; the signal conditioner draws only the small injector current for the i 2 l . the injector current affects the speed of the circuit , but , for a relatively slow signal such as a manual push - button contact , injector current on the order of 1 microampere suffices . during contact closure , the circuit draws additional current momentarily as necessary to prevent reverse biasing of the coupling capacitors . another aspect of the invention is to allow audio information to appear on the control unit line , which is normally biased to a +. this requires that the logic interface circuit neither false trigger nor breakdown in the presence of an ac signal on the trigger line and that it not clip the audio signal at its input . the logic threshold of approximately half - supply allows audio signals on the input to swing below the quiescent voltage a + without triggering the circuit or allowing the current mirror to conduct current and affect the audio signals . as the audio drives the voltage across capacitor 24 above the a + voltage , diodes 26 and 48 and device 54 reverse bias and prevent clipping of the audio . for this embodiment , the base - emitter breakdown voltages were approximately 6v for npn devices and 84v for pnp devices , sufficient for the levels of audio signals . circuitry ( not shown ) in the transceiver can translate an audio signal biased at a + to a quiescent voltage suitable for audio processing in the transceiver . the impedance of resistor 22 in series with capacitor 24 is sufficiently low relative to the source impedance of a control unit that audio levels do not vary appreciably if an additional control unit is coupled in parallel as an additional audio source . the time constant r 6 c 8 matches the time constant r 22 c 24 , which provides flat frequency response over the voice band of 300 - 3000 hz . typical components values are :	7
the utilization of the present invention applies to volatile as well as nonvolatile memories . implementation in stand alone memory devices , soc ( system on chip ), sip ( system in package ), sic ( system in chip ), dimm &# 39 ; s ( dual in line memory modules ), simm &# 39 ; s ( single in line memory modules ) and other combinations are possible . furthermore , “ page ” architecture is widely used in dram &# 39 ; s and flash memories , the operations of the latter being described in detail in the available literature and therefore will not be discussed in any detail here . “ precharge ” is widely used for dynamic devices like dram &# 39 ; s , feram &# 39 ; s ( ferroelectric ram &# 39 ; s ), etc . “ page ” architecture is also expected to influence future memory products like mag ram &# 39 ; s , plastic ram &# 39 ; s , cnt ram &# 39 ; s ( carbon nano tube ), organic memories , phase - change memories , molecular memories and similar products . as such , the implementation of the present invention encompasses all such devices , as well as other memory devices that employ a page architecture . fig1 through 6 illustrate block diagrams of high level architectures for existing dram &# 39 ; s commercially available from micron technology , inc . these block diagrams are merely intended to be representative of known dram architectures , and not a limitation to the discussion and application of the present invention . fig7 depicts one embodiment of the invention , represented as a modification of the architecture of fig1 . in fig7 , a precharge counter ( operable to count ( system ) clock cycles ) is shown as being incorporated in the row path of the memory architecture . the counter is similar in its operation to counters employed in vlsi design , though its function and utility are applied to provide a posted precharge for the dram memory device of fig7 . more specifically , while counters are used in ddr dram &# 39 ; s to refresh data by row and prefetch “ burst ” bits in the column path , the precharge counter of the present invention is placed in the row path to perform a posted precharge operation as described below . the precharge counter of this invention has two basic functions . first , when a row address is latched ( as a result of a bank active command ) and a page is opened , the counter locks into that row address until reset . second , when a posted precharge command is asserted , an internal activation for precharge after ‘ n ’ number of cycles is activated . the value of n can be programmed or fixed . alternatively , n could be set in the mode register set ( mrs ). unlike current dram &# 39 ; s that employ an auto - precharge command to automatically close a page , the posted precharge of this invention enables an open page ( p 1 ) to remain open ( available ) through the use of latches coupled to the sense amplifier associated with the bank on which the page is located , thereby permitting the storage of data read — from or written — to the sense amplifier . for example , a page can be kept open for 100 cycles or more . in this manner , the precharge counter of this invention enables the ‘ current page in a specific bank ( p 1 ) to be open ’ for a set time , while permitting the activation of another bank in the same ic and the opening of a different page in a different bank . in addition , by issuing an appropriate command , the current page open time can be extended further ( without violating other constraints , such as refresh ), by interrupting a posted precharge activation ( internally ) if the memory system decides to extend the current open page . in view of the above , until n number of cycles is completed on the precharge counter , if a need arises to go from a current page p 2 to a previously opened page ( p 1 ), the previously opened page is available as a result of being held open by the precharge counter . after n cycles , if a new row is to be opened in the same bank , the bank goes into precharge after the page ( p 1 ) is closed . the present invention further offers the ability to reset the precharge counter if the same row is accessed in a consecutive bank activation cycle . in this manner , the ‘ n cycle open page ’ can be extended for as long as the memory system requires it . the precharge ( internal ) delay provided by the precharge counter — namely , from the time the precharge command is posted to the time the precharge for that particular bank is initiated — can be programably set to any number of desired clock cycles ( to maximize bus efficiency ). fig8 shows an embodiment of the invention similar to that of fig7 , except that an sram ( static random access memory ) is inserted next to the sense amplifiers . a benefit of this optional feature of the invention is the ability to achieve an ultra low cas ( column address strobe ) latency . in computing systems where sdram &# 39 ; s are used as system memory , there is an overwhelming imbalance between reads and writes ( reads far outweigh writes ), and thus one register dedicated only to reads is preferred . in communication systems where sdram &# 39 ; s are used for packet buffering , reads and writes are balanced ; hence , separate sram registers for reads and writes are recommended . in communications memories where sdram &# 39 ; s are used as table lookup memory , reads dominate writes . graphic memory , 3d mapping , texture memory , and search engine memories in general belong to the “ unbalanced access ” class . although a cpu , npu , or their associated chip set / cache memory ( both on and off - chip ) may contain an sram , placing the sram on the sdram chip itself ( as represented in fig8 ) provides unparalleled effectiveness in reducing power consumption and bus turnaround times by avoiding “ off - dram ” transactions . because the posted precharge function provided by the present invention allows more than one page open per dram ic , bus turnaround times are reduced . fig9 and 10 represent application of the invention to additional ramj devices , with fig1 illustrating the application of the invention to a network centric dram . a specialty case of dram &# 39 ; s is 1t sram &# 39 ; s or pseudo - sram &# 39 ; s that use dram cores but a non - multiplexed sram interface . these specialty ram &# 39 ; s are used mostly in the general field of network memory where random accesses are the dominating type of access . pseudo - sram &# 39 ; s are limited foremost by the row cycle time or the ras pulse width , and usually employ a read — auto - precharge scheme to close the bank as early as possible ( i . e ., after the output of data to the i / o buffers ) in order to speed up such devices by enabling subsequent accesses to different rows . with this operating scheme , a precharge occurs in the background while a different row is in the process of being opened . however , a problem arises if a subsequent read request falls into the same row , in which case the request will collide with the ongoing closing of the bank ( precharge ) and cause the device to malfunction or crash . advantageously , by delaying ( posting ) a precharge with the precharge counter of this invention , any subsequent access of the same bank would find it open and would , therefore , be executed without additional row access latencies while concomitantly pushing out the precharge further . if the subsequent access were to go to a different row , the precharge of the first row would occur after the additive latency of the posted precharge . as such , with the flexible internally - timed posted precharge capability of this invention , it is possible to eliminate a notable problem encountered by pseuo - dram &# 39 ; s , because a subsequent access to the same page simply results in delaying of the precharge . in another embodiment of the invention , instead of an sram register , one can use an additional set of sense amplifiers in each bank . preferably the sense amplifiers are identical , though this is not essential . the ‘ page select addresses ’ operate on one set of sense amplifiers , while the sdram memory bank operates on the other set . there is only one control for both sense amplifier blocks , so that any ambiguity is eliminated . it should be understood that the same concept can be applied to all other sdram &# 39 ; s , including future sdram &# 39 ; s comprising more than 4 or 8 banks and sdram &# 39 ; s of architectures evolving beyond ddr - ii . fig1 and 12 compare the advantages of the present invention to current state - of - the - art dram devices , though it will be understood from the foregoing that the “ multiple open pages ” capability of this invention is easily extendable to flash and other memories . in addition to permitting multiple pages to be held open on different banks , another advantage of this invention is the ability to avoid idle bus cycles . with the memory controller under the supervision of the cpu / npu ( or its chip set ), pages can be opened in the memory subsystem sdram ic &# 39 ; s ahead of processor requirements . pages can also be closed quickly , such as where a speculative instruction execution does not yield the desired result . a counter can also be used to keep track of when a page can be closed , so that a posted precharge can be activated for continuous , peak bandwidth operation . another advantage of this invention is the ability to make a previously accessed page available even while a new bank / row address is presented ( about 3 clock cycles ). this operation improves effective bandwidth when data are written across page boundaries . the invention as described above has the ability to solve most known performance issues of sdram &# 39 ; s ( standalone memory devices and memory modules ). each of the disclosed embodiments can be implemented on a memory controller controlling a memory module containing memory devices . it is also possible to design an asic to be mounted on such a memory module that contains the functions described above . there are numerous nc ( no connect ) pins available in commercial sdram &# 39 ; s for implementing the invention . if it is a 4 - bank sdram , 2 additional page - select pins can be used to switch among open pages within a sdram . an 8 - bank sdram will require use of 3 pins . reads / writes , cas and other commands require no changes . while the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof , it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details are within the scope of the invention . therefore , the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims .	6
fig1 illustrates a system for measuring sub - micron particle size distribution in petroleum fluids . the system includes a container generally designated 10 for holding the fluid while measurements are being taken ( the fluid is not shown ), a fibre optic probe generally designated 50 mounted to side wall 12 of the container , a sub - micron particle analyzer 200 connected to probe 50 by means of a fibre optic cable 205 and to a computer 300 by means of an electrical cable 210 . computer 300 includes a display monitor 305 . sub - micron particle analyzer 200 and associated cables 205 , 210 are commercially available instrumentation and related parts available from brookhaven instrument corp . as noted above . computer 300 may be any suitable pc compatible with the brookhaven instrument and software ( e . g . an ibm 486 dx with math coprocessor ). probe 50 is an optical transceiver . as best seen in fig2 and 3 ( the former of which shows dotted line area 2 of fig1 in more detail ), probe 50 includes an elongated cylindrical housing 55 extending from a first end 56 to a second end 57 . a disk shaped optical window 70 is held proximate to end 57 between a pair of flanges 58 , 59 . a first window surface 71 of window 70 faces outside the housing and a second window surface 72 faces inside the housing . since the probe may be subjected to relatively high temperatures and fluid pressures , housing 50 is fabricated from stainless steel or the like . optical window 70 is fabricated from sapphire , and is relatively thick between surfaces 71 , 72 to withstand high fluid pressures which may be imposed on surface 71 . to facilitate the placement of window 70 during assembly of probe 50 , it will be noted that end 57 of housing 55 has threaded engagement with the remainder of the housing . a sealing ring 65 assists to seal window 70 against the passage of fluid from container 10 into the housing when window surface 71 is immersed by fluid in the container . a sealing means is desirable because , as is discussed in more detail below , the fluid pressure inside container 10 may be substantial . sealing ring 65 , and other sealing rings which are referred to hereinafter , should be fabricated from a material which does not degrade under the conditions of temperature , pressure and fluid type to which it will be exposed . for most petroleum fluid applications , a synthetic polymer material such as viton ® material should be suitable . for more demanding applications such as petroleum fluid containing hydrogen sulphide other material may be required -- for example , a nitrile seal . viton is a trademark of e . i . dupont de nemours and company , inc . probe 50 also includes a transmitting optical fibre means comprising optical fibre line 80 and a receiving optical fibre means comprising optical fibre line 81 . both lines are a part of cable 205 which extends longitudinally into probe 50 through end 56 . line 80 , which includes a portion extending inside housing 55 from end 56 to window 70 , receives input laser light signals from particle analyzer 200 and , as indicated by dashed lines in fig2 directs such signals through the window to a scattering volume centered at point f outside the housing . conversely , line 81 , which includes a portion extending inside housing 55 from window 70 to end 56 , receives as an input light signals scattered back through the window from the scattering volume , and provides the scattered back signals as an output back to particle analyzer 200 . the portion of cable 205 which extends within housing 55 is insulated from the housing by an annular layer of heat insulating material 67 contained just inside inner wall 60 of the housing . such insulation may not be required in all situations . however , in situations where probe 50 is exposed to relatively high temperature fluids in container 10 , heat insulation may be considered desirable to protect lines 80 , 81 or the cable sheath which carries and supports the lines . with the foregoing construction , probe 50 is particularly adapted for use in conjunction with the measurement of particle size distribution in petroleum fluids . more particularly , end 57 of housing 55 together with outer surface 71 of window 70 may be immersed in the fluid . the fluid may be at relatively high temperature and the fluid pressure acting outside the probe on housing end 71 and window surface 71 may be substantially greater than ambient pressure inside housing 55 . such immersability is important because it permits a construction where center point f is established relatively close to window surface 71 of window 70 . as such , the absorption of light signals by the colored or opaque petroleum fluid will be minimized , and the strength of signals scattered back from the scattering volume will be maximized . of course , it will be understood that the light signals are required to have a frequency or wavelength which will pass the fluid . in this regard , the approximately 633 nanometer wavelength signals as produced by a class 3 neon -- helium laser as used in the brookhaven instrument have been found to work suitably for petroleum fluids . the tolerance for relatively high fluid temperatures and pressures is important because it permits measurements to be taken under conditions of temperature and / or pressure which may be found to exist in a petroleum field reservoir or , as well , under conditions of temperature and / or pressure which may be engineered in the design of recovery and processing systems for handling the fluid when extracted from the reservoir . preferably , housing 50 and window 70 should be rated for working pressures up to 10 , 000 psi ( about 70 mpa ). the dimensions of probe 50 are generally not critical . however , to put some perspective on a typical size , the main body of housing 55 may have an outside diameter of about 9 . 525 mm ( viz . about 0 . 375 inches ) and an inside diameter of about 6 . 223 mm ( viz . about 0 . 245 inches ). for a 10 , 000 psi ( 70 mpa ) rating , sapphire window 70 should have a thickness of about 5 mm ( viz . about 0 . 197 inches ). optical lines 80 , 81 may be angled at the window to establish a center point f at about 1 mm ( viz . about 0 . 04 inches ) and preferably not more than about 2 mm ( viz . about 0 . 08 inches ) beyond window surface 71 . probe 50 is designed to be used in substitution for the probe supplied with the brookhaven sub - micron particle analyzer referred to above . the principles which underlie the operation of probe 50 are the same as those of the brookhaven probe . since such principles are known and will be readily understood by those skilled in the art , they will not be described here in any detail . essentially , however , and as indicated by broken lines in fig2 the outward path for light from optical line 80 and the inward path for light scattered back to optical line 81 intersect to define a scattering volume centered at point f . with the longitudinal extent indicated by arrows a 1 , a 2 , the scattering volume may be seen as the intersection of two cylinders having the transverse cross - sectional area of lines 80 , 81 . as best seen in fig2 housing 55 of probe 50 is secured in a partially threaded shouldered opening 13 which extends through side wall 12 of container 10 . threads 14 and two - step shoulder 15 of opening 13 are designed to accept a conventional swagelok ® ` o ` ring straight thread connector fitting 40 having an inside diameter corresponding to the outside diameter of housing 55 . swagelok is a trademark of swagelok , co . of solon , ohio . when fitting 40 is tightened , sealing ring 41 seals opening 13 against the passage of fluid between wall 12 and the fitting . housing 55 is tightly secured in the position shown when nut 42 is tightened against compression ring 43 . compression ring 43 then bears against fitting 40 and radially inward against housing 55 to securely grip the housing . the tightened engagement which results also establishes an effective seal against the passage of fluid between housing 55 and the fitting . container 10 is a high pressure cylindrical vessel and , as in the case of probe 50 , is preferably fabricated from stainless steel rated for working pressures up to about 10 , 000 psi ( 70 mpa ). its volume capacity is not critical , but may typically be in the range of 50 cc to 100 cc . as can be seen in fig1 container 10 includes a top 16 which is removably secured to side wall 12 by means of bolts 11 . a sealing ring 17 is positioned between top 16 and side wall 12 to provide an effective seal under conditions of high pressure . top 16 is removable in order to permit the interior of container 10 to be cleaned and , as well , to allow the positioning of a magnetic stirrer blade 31 inside the container . as shown in fig1 stirrer blade 31 is operated by a magnetic stirrer drive 30 positioned outside the container . both blade 31 and drive 30 are well known apparatus commercially available from various sources ( for example , fisher scientific co . of pittsburgh , pa .). container 10 further includes an inlet port 18 and inlet valve 19 to permit fluid filling and an outlet port 20 and outlet valve 21 to permit fluid draining . as well , it includes a port 22 to receive a temperature sensor 23 . typically , ports 18 , 20 and 22 may have standard npt ( national pipe taper ) threads ( e . g . 0 . 125 inches or about 3 . 175 mm ) for mounting commercially available pressure fittings such as swagelok fittings of the type described above . temperature sensor 23 is a thermocouple sensor which is part of a means for controlling the temperature of fluid within container 10 and which provides a signal corresponding to temperature controller 180 along line 182 . controller 180 in turn provides an on / off signal along line 184 to an electrical heating means 25 depending upon whether the sensed temperature is above or below a value set with the controller . such temperature control apparatus is commonplace . one suitable supplier is omron electronics inc . of schaumburg , ill . the system shown in fig1 also includes an arrangement for pumping petroleum fluid from a high pressure capture cell 100 into container 10 . shown in more detail in fig4 capture cell 100 is a conventional device used in the petroleum industry to transfer samples of petroleum fluid recovered from petroleum field reservoirs . fabricated from stainless steel and preferably rated for working pressures up to about 10 , 000 psi ( 70 mpa ), it includes a cylindrical housing 101 threadingly capped at opposed ends by caps 103 . an opposed pair of valve connectors 102 and an intermediate floating piston 105 are guided within housing 101 along the longitudinal axis of the housing . seals 106 , one each set around the outer perimeter of valve connectors 102 , and two set around the outer perimeter of piston 105 , prevent the passage of air or fluid between the inside wall of the housing and the piston or valve connectors , as the case may be . each valve connector 102 includes an inlet / outlet opening 104 for allowing fluid through an associated valve ( not shown in fig4 ) to be directed into or out of the housing , and each includes a threaded end 107 for connection to the valve . when fluid is directed into cell 100 through an inlet / outlet 104 , piston 105 will be forced towards the downstream end of housing 101 where it will ultimately bear against the valve connector 102 at the downstream end -- the connector in turn bracing against the cap 103 which is at the downstream end . as shown in fig1 capture cell 100 is connected through valve 120 , pipe 130 and valve 19 with inlet port 18 of container 10 . as well , the cell is connected through valve 115 and pipe 135 to the output of a high pressure pump 160 . however , before the connections to pipes 130 and 135 have been made , the cell must first be filled with a petroleum fluid sample . in practice , this normally will be achieved at a well site where fluid recovered under pressure from an underlying petroleum field reservoir is transferred to the cell . cell 100 , with valves 115 and 120 attached and initially closed , will be placed in fluid connection with the recovery tool . then , the valves will be opened to permit the cell to fill with fluid via valve 120 . once the cell has been filled , the valves will be closed until the connections shown in fig1 have been made . with fluid in capture cell 100 and valves 115 , 120 and 19 open , pump 160 then serves to transfer the fluid from the cell to container 10 . as well , pump 160 serves to maintain a desired pressure such as reservoir pressure in the container . however , in order to establish and maintain elevated pressures with a piston driven capture cell as shown in fig4 it will be understood that the initial volume of fluid within the cell must be more than sufficient to fill container 10 and backwards through pipe 130 into housing 101 . otherwise , if piston 105 is driven to the full end of its piston stroke by pump 160 , the piston will be unable to apply increasing pump pressure to the fluid . various commercially available pumps are suitable for this application ; for example , the 100d syringe pump manufactured or supplied by isco , inc . of lincoln , nebr . thus , it will be apparent that the apparatus shown in the figures is particularly suitable for the measurement of particle size distribution in petroleum fluids , including the distribution which exists under reservoir conditions . as a first step , a fluid sample is recovered from the reservoir . then the sample is transferred to capture cell 100 under conditions of pressure prevailing in the reservoir . the cell is then connected in line between pump 160 and container 10 , and the sample is then pumped from the cell to the container . in the process , the end of probe 50 which extends inside the container ( including outer surface 71 of window 70 ) becomes immersed by the fluid . the output pressure of the pump is set to correspond to the reservoir pressure . using the temperature control and heating means described above , the temperature within the container is set to correspond to that of the reservoir . while in the container , the fluid sample is agitated by operation of magnetic stirrer drive 30 and blade 31 to better maintain the suspension of solids in the fluid . with the end of probe 50 immersed by the fluid sample in container 10 , a laser light signal generated by particle analyzer 200 is transmitted over cable 205 ( line 80 ) and directed at the sample from the probe . light scattered back from the sample is detected by the probe and carried back to particle analyzer 200 over cable 205 ( line 81 ). particle size distribution is then determined by particle analyzer 200 working with computer 300 in a conventional way obviously , the pressure of fluid within container 10 need not be the reservoir pressure . likewise , the temperature need not be the reservoir temperature . other values , including ambient values , may be established . further , under any conditions of temperature and pressure which may be established , the apparatus may be used to measure particle size distribution in a petroleum fluid which has been mixed with a solvent . in this regard , it is well known to those skilled in the art that various selected solvents when mixed with a petroleum fluid may have an effect on asphaltene particle size . depending upon the circumstances , the effect may be one which would serve to enhance petroleum recovery . one convenient way to measure and study the effect of a selected solvent on asphaltene particle size is illustrated in fig5 which represents a minor modification to the apparatus shown in fig1 . here , a pipe tee 195 and a valve 190 connected to one side 196 of the tee is interposed between pipe 130 and valve 19 . the other side 197 of tee 195 is connected through another valve 191 to a source of solvent s ( not shown ). stem 198 of the tee is connected to valve 19 . when valves 19 and 190 are open and valve 191 is closed , petroleum fluid may be added to container 10 in the same manner as previously described using pump 160 . similarly , when valves 19 and 191 are open and valve 190 is closed , the selected solvent then may be added to container 10 from the solvent source . of course , the actual amount of solvent will be dependent upon the size of the petroleum fluid sample within container 10 and the desired concentration of solvent in the resulting mixture . as well , in those cases where measurements are to be taken with the contents of container 10 under pressure , it will be understood that the solvent must from source s must be added under pressure to the container . for this purpose , a pumping arrangement the same as that described above for the petroleum fluid may be used . thus the apparatus shown in fig1 may be used to examine petroleum fluids and measure particle size distribution under a wide variety of temperature , pressure and / or solvent mixture conditions including not only those which may prevail in a petroleum reservoir but also under controllable conditions which are engineered in recovery and processing systems designed to handle the fluid . of course , in those situations where the conditions of pressure of immediate interest are ambient conditions , then the use of a high pressure vessel such as container 10 and related equipment may be avoided . however , the use of probe 50 supported by an appropriate means to ensure that outer surface 71 of window 70 is immersed in the fluid when measurements are taken will remain important in order to maximize the amount of light which is scattered back to the probe . the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics . the apparatus and methodology which have been described are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not as restrictive . while such apparatus and methodology are particularly illustrative in relation to the measurement of particle size distribution in petroleum fluids , it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications are possible not only for measurements in relation to petroleum fluids but also for measurements in relation to other fluids including other fluids which are colored or opaque and strongly absorptive of incident light . accordingly , the scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description . all changes or modifications which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are considered to be embraced within their scope .	6
the method of the present invention preferably involves using a conventional magnetron sputter deposition chamber within the following process parameters : the operation of the magnetron sputter deposition chamber generally involves applying the direct current power between the cathode ( in this case the aluminum target ) and the anode ( substrate ) to create the plasma . the chamber is maintained within the above pressure range and with an appropriate mixture of argon gas and hydrogen gas . the aluminum - containing films resulting from this method have between about a trace amount and 12 % ( atomic ) oxygen in the form of aluminum oxide ( al 2 o 3 ) with the remainder being aluminum . it is believed that the primary hillock prevention mechanism is the presence of the hydrogen in the system , since it has been found that even using the system with no oxygen or virtually no oxygen present ( trace amounts that are unmeasurable by present equipment and techniques ) results in a hillock - free aluminum - containing film . it is also believed that the presence of oxygen in the film is primarily responsible for a smooth ( less rough ) aluminum - containing film , since roughness generally decreases with an increase in oxygen content in the film . it is understood that the sputter deposition system of the present invention will usually always have a trace amount of oxygen . this trace amount of oxygen will be incorporated into the aluminum containing film in the presence of hydrogen , even though the very low amount of oxygen within the aluminum film cannot be detected by present analysis equipment . this trace amount of oxygen may come from two potential sources : incomplete chamber evacuation and / or inherent trace oxygen contamination in the argon or hydrogen gas feeds . the first source , incomplete chamber evacuation , comes from the fact that no vacuum is a perfect vacuum . there will also be some residual gas in the system , whether a purge gas or atmospheric gas , no matter how extreme the vacuum evacuation . the second source is a result of inherent trace gas contamination in industrial grade gases , such as the argon and hydrogen used in the present invention . the oxygen impurity content specification for the argon gas used is 1 ppm and the hydrogen gas is 3 ppm . thus , a high flow rate of the argon and hydrogen into the system will present more trace oxygen to be scavenged from the gas streams and integrated into the aluminum - containing film . therefore , even though present equipment cannot measure the content of the oxygen in the aluminum - containing film when it exists below 0 . 1 %, a trace amount below 0 . 1 % may be incorporated into the aluminum - containing film . a control sample of an aluminum film coating on a semiconductor substrate was formed in a manner exemplary of prior art processes ( i . e ., no hydrogen gas present ) using a kurdex — dc sputtering system to deposit aluminum from an aluminum target onto a soda - lime glass substrate . the substrate was loaded in a load lock chamber of the sputtering system and evacuated to about 5 × 10 − 3 torr . the load lock was opened and a main deposition chamber was evacuated to about 10 − 7 torr before the substrate was moved into the main deposition chamber for the sputtering process . the evacuation was throttled and specific gases were delivered into the main deposition chamber . in the control deposition , argon gas alone was used for the sputtering process . once a predetermined amount of argon gas stabilized ( about 5 minutes ) in the main deposition chamber , about 2 kilowatts of direct current power was applied between a cathode ( in this case the aluminum target ) and the anode ( substrate ) to create the plasma , as discussed above . the substrate was moved in front of the plasma from between about 8 and 10 minutes to form an aluminum - containing film having a thickness of about 1800 angstroms . table 1 discloses the operating parameters of the sputtering equipment and the characteristics of the aluminum film formed by this process . the measurements for the characterization parameters and properties were taken as follows : thickness — stylus profilometer and scanning electron microscopy ; stress — tencor flx using laser scanning ; roughness — atomic force microscopy ; resistivity — two point probe ; grain size — scanning electron microscopy ; and hillock density — scanning electron microscopy . fig1 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the aluminum film produced under the process parameters before annealing . fig2 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the aluminum - containing film produced under the process parameters after annealing . both fig1 and 2 show substantial hillock formation ( discrete bumps on the aluminum film surface ) both before and after annealing two test samples ( test sample 1 and test sample 2 ) of an aluminum film coating on a semiconductor substrate were fabricated using the method of the present invention . these two test samples were also formed using the kurdex — dc sputtering system with an aluminum target depositing on a soda - lime glass substrate . the operating procedures of the sputtering system were essentially the same as the control sample , as discussed above , with the exception that the gas content vented into the main deposition chamber included argon and hydrogen . additionally , the pressure in the main deposition chamber during the deposition and the thickness of the aluminum - containing film was varied from the control sample pressure for each of the test samples . table 2 discloses the operating parameters of the sputtering equipment and the characteristics of the two aluminum films formed by the process of the present invention . fig3 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the test sample 1 before annealing . fig4 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the test sample 1 after annealing . fig5 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the test sample 2 before annealing . fig6 is an illustration of a scanning electron micrograph of the surface of the test sample 2 after annealing . as it can be seen from fig3 - 6 , no hillocks formed on either sample whether annealed or not . a number of aluminum - containing films were made at different ratios of ar / h 2 and various system pressures were measured for oxygen content within the films . the power was held constant at 2 kw . the oxygen content was measure by xps ( x - ray photoelectron spectroscopy ). the results of the measurements are shown in table 3 . an xps depth profile for sample 3 ( ar / h 2 ( sccm )= 50 / 90 , pressure = 1 . 27 ) is illustrated in fig7 which shows the oxygen content to be on average about 3 % ( atomic ) through the depth of the film . fig8 illustrates the roughness of the two aluminum - containing film samples . as fig8 generally illustrates , the higher the amount of hydrogen gas delivered to the sputter deposition chamber ( i . e ., the lower the ar / h 2 ratio — x - axis ), the smoother the aluminum - containing film ( i . e ., lower roughness — y - axis ). it is noted that the “ jog ” in the graph could be experimental error or could be a result of the difference in the amount of argon introduced into the system or by the difference in the system pressure for sample number 3 . fig9 illustrates a thin film transistor 120 utilizing a gate electrode and source / drain electrodes which may be formed from an aluminum - containing film produced by a method of the present invention . the thin film transistor 120 comprises a substrate 122 having an aluminum - containing gate electrode 124 thereon which may be produced by a method of the present invention . the aluminum - containing gate electrode 124 is covered by an insulating layer 126 . a channel 128 is formed on the insulating layer 126 over the aluminum - containing gate electrode 124 with an etch stop 130 and contact 132 formed atop the channel 128 . an aluminum - containing source / drain electrode 134 which may be produced by a method of the present invention is formed atop the contact 132 and the insulating layer 126 , and contacts a picture cell electrode 136 . the aluminum - containing source / drain electrode 134 is covered and the picture cell electrode 136 is partially covered by a passivation layer 138 . fig1 is a schematic of a standard active matrix liquid crystal display layout 150 utilizing column buses 152 and row buses 154 formed from an aluminum - containing film produced by a method of the present invention . the column buses 152 and row buses 154 are in electrical communication with pixel areas 156 ( known in the art ) to form the active matrix liquid crystal display layout 150 . having thus described in detail preferred embodiments of the present invention , it is to be understood that the invention defined by the appended claims is not to be limited by particular details set forth in the above description , as many apparent variations are possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof .	8
fig3 is a block diagram of a multi - pass printer system in accordance with the invention . the system 300 includes a host 310 , an image processor 320 , a band buffer 330 , a band buffer manager 340 and a print engine 350 . the host 310 can be a personal computer ( pc ) or workstation with a screen to display pictures for communication with a user . to print a picture that is displayed on the screen , the host 310 sends the picture data to the image processor 320 for conversion rgb format into cmyk format and producing halftone data to print . the image processor 320 sends halftone data to the band buffer 330 . before storing the data to the band buffer 330 , the data is masked . the band buffer manager 340 reversely masks data in the band buffer 330 in accordance with the data to be printed and then sends it to the print engine 350 for printing . fig4 is a block diagram of a band buffer 330 of fig3 in accordance with the invention . as shown , a four - pass print is given as an example . as shown in fig4 , the band buffer 330 consists of first to fifth sub - band buffers 331 – 335 . sub - band buffers 331 and 332 have a size of ¼ swath buffer each , sub - band buffers 333 – 335 have a respective size of 3 / 16 , 2 / 16 and 1 / 16 swath buffer . after passing image processor 320 , the data to be printed are performed with masking operation follows in accordance with the number of masks used by a multi - pass print . for example , for n - pass , n - time masking is processed independently to each other without any correlation . in each mask , only ¼ ( 1 / n ) mask elements are logic 1 and the remaining mask elements are logic 0 , thus and operation is performed only on the input data and a respective mask element with logic 1 . fig5 shows four - pass operation of input data and masks in accordance with the invention . the input data has a size of 4 × 4 . a printer prints the four - pass result on a paper , wherein each pass has a respective mask to perform an and operation on the printed input data . at first pass , an and operation is performed on the input data and the respective mask , which results in partial input data of acik . at second pass , an and operation is performed on the input data and the respective mask , which results in partial input data of fhnp . similarly , the remainder of the input data is obtained at third pass and fourth pass respectively . at last , a four - pass result is obtained by combining all printing input data and thus the input data is printed completely . each of partial input data ( masked data ) is stored in a respective buffer such that for each pass , the respective buffer can be empty for another data store when the respective masked data is read and reconstructed to the respective original data , thereby reducing required memory . fig6 – 9 show data flows in the band buffer 330 with a four - pass print in accordance with the invention . the band buffer manager 340 applies a first band data ‘ abcdefghijklmnop ’ to first to fourth masks for masking operation , thereby respectively obtaining four masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’, ‘ bdjl ’, ‘ egmo ’. the four masked data is written in the first sub - band buffer 331 and copied to the second sub - band buffer 332 . after the data copy is complete , the manager 340 signals the print engine 350 to print . in this case , the third to fifth sub - band buffers 333 – 335 have no data , so as to only data of egmo is printed after the fourth mask is applied . in fig7 , the manager 340 copies masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’, ‘ bdjl ’ that are not printed from the second sub - band buffer 332 to the third sub - band buffer 333 and also discards the data of egmo printed . as such , the size of third sub - band buffer 333 can reduce 1 / 16 swath as compared to the size of second sub - band buffer 332 . further , the band buffer manager 340 applies a second band data ‘ abcdefghijklmnop ’ to the first to fourth masks for masking operation , thereby respectively obtaining four masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’, ‘ bdjl ’, ‘ egmo ’. the four masked data is written in the first sub - band buffer 331 and copied to the second sub - band buffer 332 . after the data copy is complete , the manager 340 signals the print engine 350 to print . in this case , data of bdjl is printed that was masked by the third mask and data of ‘ egmo ’ is printed that was masked by the fourth mask . in fig8 , the manager 340 copies masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’ not printed from the third sub - band buffer 333 to the fourth sub - band buffer 334 and discards the data of bdjl printed . as such , the size of fourth sub - band buffer 334 can reduce 1 / 16 swath as compared to the size of third sub - band buffer 333 . the manager 340 further copies masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’, ‘ bdjl ’ not printed from the second sub - band buffer 332 to the third sub - band buffer 333 and discards the data of egmo printed . further , the band buffer manager 340 applies a third band data ‘ 1r2sv5w63t4u7x8y ’ to the first to fourth masks for masking operation , thereby respectively obtaining four masked data of ‘ 1234 ’, ‘ 5678 ’, ‘ rstu ’, ‘ vwxy ’. the four masked data is written in the first sub - band buffer 331 and copied to the second sub - band buffer 332 . after the data copy is complete , the manager 340 signals the print engine 350 to print . in this case , data of ‘ fhnp ’ that is masked by the second mask is printed , data of ‘ bdjl ’ that is masked by the third mask is printed , and data of ‘ vwxy ’ that is masked by the fourth mask is printed . in fig9 , the manager 340 copies masked data of ‘ acik ’ that is not printed from the fourth sub - band buffer 334 to the fifth sub - band buffer 335 and discards the data of ‘ fhnp ’ printed . as such , the size of fifth sub - band buffer 335 can reduce 1 / 16 swath as compared to the size of fourth sub - band buffer 334 . the manager 340 further copies masked data of ‘ acik ’, ‘ fhnp ’ from the third sub - band buffer 333 to the fourth sub - band buffer 334 and masked data of ‘ 1234 ’, ‘ 5678 ’, ‘ rstu ’ that are not printed from the sub - second band buffer 332 to the third sub - band buffer 333 . further , the manager 340 applies a fourth band data ‘ zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz ’ to the first to fourth masks for masking operation , thereby respectively obtaining four masked data of ‘ zzzz ’, ‘ zzzz ’, ‘ zzzz ’, ‘ zzzz ’. the four masked data is written in the first sub - band buffer 331 and copied to the second sub - band buffer 332 . after the data copy is complete , the manager 340 signals the print engine 350 to print . in this case , data of ‘ acik ’ of the first band data that is masked by the first mask is printed , data of ‘ fhnp ’ of the second band data that is masked by the second mask is printed , data of ‘ rstu ’ of the third band data that is masked by the third mask is printed , and data of ‘ zzzz ’ of the fourth band data that is masked by the fourth mask is printed . such a printing can be continued in the same manner . fig1 shows a masking implementation on a four - pass print , which has different masks applied to different band data for each pass print . as shown in fig1 , the first pass prints the data of ‘ egmo ’ obtained by applying the fourth mask to the first band data for masking operation . the second pass prints both the data of ‘ bdjl ’ obtained by applying the third mask to the first band data for masking operation and the data of ‘ egmo ’ obtained by applying the fourth mask to the second band data for masking operation . the third pass prints the data of ‘ fhnp ’ obtained by applying the second mask to the first band data for masking operation , the data of ‘ bdjl ’ obtained by applying the third mask to the second band data for masking operation , and the data of ‘ vwxy ’ obtained by applying the fourth mask to the third band data for masking operation . similar operations are applied to the remaining data . fig1 shows a memory management applied in fig1 . upon analysis of fig4 , required buffer is a total size of 14 / 16 swath buffer ([ 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 4 ]/ 16 = 14 / 16 ). accordingly , a memory is divided into 14 equal parts ( mem 1 to mem 14 ), each having a size of 1 / 16 swath buffer , such that each band data is partitioned into p 1 to p 4 ( such as notations of b 1 p 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 , b 1 p 4 ) in accordance with the masks required by the passes when storing in the memory . in this case , the input data must be a unit of a band , which occupies four memory parts . for example , the first band data ( i . e ., notations of b 1 p 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 , b 1 p 4 ) uses memory parts of mem 1 to mem 4 to input . as shown , data read status of each pass is represented in a horizontal direction , and x black represents a memory area has been released . at first pass , only the first band data ( b 1 p 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 and b 1 p 4 ) is ready to output . when outputting pass 4 data ( b 1 p 4 ) of the first band data ( b 1 p 4 ), the second band data ( b 2 p 1 , b 2 p 2 , b 2 p 3 , b 2 p 4 ) is also ready to output . accordingly , at second pass , when outputting pass 3 data ( b 1 p 3 ) of the first band data and pass 4 data ( b 2 p 4 ) of the second band data , the third band data ( b 3 p 1 , b 3 p 2 , b 3 p 3 , b 3 p 4 ) is also ready to output . at third pass , when outputting pass 2 data ( b 1 p 2 ) of the first band data , pass 3 data ( b 2 p 3 ) of the second band data and pass 4 data ( b 3 p 4 ) of the third band data , the fourth band data ( b 4 p 1 , b 4 p 2 , b 4 p 3 , b 4 p 4 ) is also ready to output . however , the fourth band data has to be stored in previous used memory , e . g ., mem 3 and mem 4 in this embodiment , thereby achieving memory use efficiency . the remainders on memory management are alike . fig1 shows another masking implementation on a four - pass print , wherein different passes have respective masks and accordingly each band data is masked based on the passes . as shown , at first print , data of ‘ acik ’ obtained by applying the first mask to the first band data for masking operation is printed . at second print , both data of ‘ bdjl ’ obtained by applying the second mask to the first band data for masking operation and data of ‘ fhnp ’ obtained by applying the second mask to the second band data for masking operation are printed . at third print , data of ‘ fhnp ’ obtained by applying the third mask to the first band data for masking operation , data of ‘ bdjl ’ obtained by applying the third mask to the second band data for masking operation , and data of ‘ rstu ’ obtained by applying the third mask to the third band data for masking operation are printed . the remainders are alike . fig1 shows a memory management applied in fig1 . upon analysis of fig4 , required buffer is a total size of 14 / 16 swath buffer ([ 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 4 ]/ 16 = 14 / 16 ). accordingly , a memory is divided into 14 equal parts ( mem 1 to mem 14 ), each having a size of 1 / 16 swath buffer , such that each band data is partitioned into p 1 to p 4 ( such as notations of b 1 p 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 , b 1 p 4 ) in accordance with the masks required by the passes when storing in the memory . in this case , the input data must be a unit of band , which occupies four memory parts . for example , the first band data ( i . e ., notations of bip 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 , b 1 p 4 ) uses memory parts of mem 1 to mem 4 to input . in the figure , data read status of each pass is represented in a horizontal direction , and x black represents a memory area has been released at first pass , only the first band data ( b 1 p 1 , b 1 p 2 , b 1 p 3 and b 1 p 4 ) is ready to output . when outputting pass 1 data ( b 1 p 1 ) of the first band data ( b 1 p 4 ), the second band data ( b 2 p 1 , b 2 p 2 , b 2 p 3 , b 2 p 4 ) is also ready to output . accordingly , at second pass , when outputting pass 2 data ( b 1 p 2 ) of the first band data and pass 2 data ( b 2 p 2 ) of the second band data , the third band data ( b 3 p 1 , b 3 p 2 , b 3 p 3 , b 3 p 4 ) is also ready to output . at third pass , when outputting pass 3 data ( b 1 p 3 ) of the first band data , pass 3 data ( b 2 p 3 ) of the second band data and pass 3 data ( b 3 p 3 ) of the third band data , the fourth band data ( b 4 p 1 , b 4 p 2 , b 4 p 3 , b 4 p 4 ) is also ready to output . however , pass 3 and pass 4 data in the fourth band data has to be stored in previous used memory , e . g ., mem 1 and mem 2 in this embodiment , thereby achieving memory use efficiency . the remainders on memory management are alike . the invention is described in a given example of 4 - pass for bettering understanding , not for limit , and accordingly required buffer is a total size of 14 / 16 swath buffer ([ 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 4 ]/ 16 = 14 / 16 ). therefor , the invention can also be applied for other multi - pass prints such as 6 - pass and 8 - pass prints . required buffer for a 6 - pass print is a total size of 27 / 36 swath buffer ([ 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 6 ]/ 36 = 27 / 36 ). required buffer for an 8 - pass print is a total size of [ 1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 ]/ 64 = 44 / 64 swath buffer . in view of the foregoing , the invention discards printed data , other than stored in the prior art until four passes are complete . accordingly , the invention has more efficient management method of buffer than the prior art , and thus hardware cost is relatively reduced . although the present invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment , it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed .	6
[ 0019 ] fig1 is a frontal view of the musical bench 100 . the bench has an enclosed radio component attached to one backing 110 . two speakers are present ; one speaker occupies the same enclosure as the radio component 110 , while the other speaker occupies a separate enclosure 120 located on an opposite backing . the speakers may face forward , or may face inward . each enclosure is attached to the bench , either by a highly non - degradable adhesive , or by metal screws . an amplifier is also present , and may be located in either enclosure , but is typically located in the same enclosure as the radio . three wire leads extend from the amplifier ; one lead is the input signal from the radio , while the other two leads each extend to a speaker . the amplifier lead that extends from the enclosure where the amplifier is located , to the other enclosure , passes inside one of the backing panels 130 , of the bench to the other speaker . in another embodiment , one enclosure contains an amplifier and speaker , while the other enclosure contains a speaker . the amplifier receives a signal input through an adapter from an external source , such as , a cd player or cell phone . in another embodiment , the enclosures 210 , 220 are mounted top to bottom as shown in fig2 . the radio consists of a single chip fm , am or both , tuner chip such as the om5 6 1 0 from phillips . the tuner is mounted on a printed wire circuit board ( pcb ) with controls interfaced to the case of an electronics module , for example the 1000 model produced by dca of cushing , okla . this is accomplished by building a wiring harness with switches that mate directly to the molded housing . an alternate method is to connect the harness to the membrane control panel that integrates the basic functions . the typical operating environment for the musical bench is outdoors , for example , as patio or lawn furniture . the musical bench is designed to operate in all seasons . one design goal is to ensure that the radio can operate in a temperature range from 0 to 70 ′ c . the radio , amplifier and speaker unit ( unit ) can fail in several ways , two of which are , electrical circuitry failure or speaker failure . the power source consists of a battery source providing an input voltage from 2 . 7 - 9 . 0 volts . a voltage from 2 . 7 - 9 volts is ideal to prevent overheating of the circuitry at extremely high temperatures ( discussed infra ). the batteries can be three lithium batteries . in another embodiment , nicad batteries are used . the nicad batteries are continually recharged by solar panels attached to the top of the backrest of the bench 140 . the solar panels are attached to the nicad batteries through copper wires . the copper wires pass from the solar panels , through holes within the backrest , through holes in the back of the enclosure , to the location of the batteries within the enclosure . typically , the batteries are located in the upper portion of the enclosure . an automatic switch prevents charging of the batteries when they have reached a full charge . a zener diode is present to prevent a reverse current from damaging the solar panels . electrical failure occurs when the circuitry overheats causing melting ; or if the circuitry drops to too low a temperature , then the circuitry can become brittle and crack . there are twp main forms of heat transfer , conduction and convection . the enclosure is formed out of plastic , typically abs plastic or fiberglass . plastic has a low conductance , thus heat or cold from the metal portions of the bench will have a low conductance to the radio circuitry inside the enclosure . the enclosure is also designed to be air and watertight . keeping moving air out , reduces hot or cold convective elements from affecting the radio circuitry . the air tightness also prevents moisture from entering the enclosure . moisture causes shorts , in addition to frost damage . the circuitry can also be vacuum - sealed in an impermeable plastic wrap . the speaker is constructed to resist cracking , and for superior sound quality . polypropylene is a type of plastic that provides good acoustical performance while also having good weather resistance . also , a weather resistant epoxy resin such as epoxy systems product # 401 urethane coating can be used to adhere the polypropylene to the frame . the speaker is mounted within the enclosure by screws or is adhesively attached by a weather resistant epoxy . the speaker 310 is typically located on the lower portion of the enclosure as shown in fig3 . in another embodiment , the speaker has an attachable front grill 320 . the front grill is designed to fit shapely with the frontal area of the enclosure . the front grill also contains a contoured portion on the backside of the grill where the front portion of the speaker 310 may rest upon . the contoured portion prevents movement of the speaker in the vertical and horizontal direction . the perimeter 330 of the front grill is lined with rubber so that a watertight seal is formed . the contoured portion of the grill that holds the speaker also has a rubber watertight seal . [ 0029 ] fig4 illustrates another embodiment , where flat panel speakers 420 are used . unlike conventional speakers which use a magnet to vibrate a membrane as a whole , flat panel speakers use an electronic “ exciter ” 410 on the back of a speaker material . the exciter sends electronic “ taps ” along the surface of the speaker material . by changing and regulating each electronic tap , the exciter creates different volumes and frequencies that vibrate through the panel . the resulting vibrations are heard as sound . the flat panel speakers are integrated with the front cover 400 of the enclosure . the outer perimeter 440 of the front cover is composed of plastic , while the inner area 450 is a weather resistant material such as plastic or polypropylene . a side 460 of the cover is hingedly affixed to a side of the enclosure . an exciter 410 is attached to the center of the cover . in operation , the exciter receives a signal and reproduces the signal by tapping the inner area of the cover . [ 0031 ] fig5 illustrates another embodiment , where the exciter 510 is attached to the backrest portion 520 of the bench 500 . the backrest 520 is typically constructed of iron , steel , aluminum , or wood . the exciter 510 taps along the surface of the backrest 520 to produce sound . multiple exciters may be used to improve sound quality . when multiple exciters are used with wood , the differences in material density should be mapped to ensure proper placement . since different densities produce different sounds or tonal qualities , each exciter should be placed to account for the changes . with proper placement of the exciters , an accurate reproduction of the input signal will be achieved . for example , in fig6 the bench backrest is constructed of wood . the right portion of the upper bar has a higher density , lower resonance than the left portion . to compensate , two exciters 611 , 612 are place on the right side while only one exciter 613 , is placed on the left . the result is balanced stereo sound . alternatively , the multiple exciters 711 , 712 , 713 , 714 can be placed in uniform positions , such as the shape of a square as shown in fig7 a . to achieve an accurate signal reproduction , each exciter is calibrated to compensate for the variations in density . for example , in fig7 b , a wooden knot 740 , lies close to an emitter 724 . the wooden knot is higher in density than the rest of the backrest , and the higher density causes a lower resonance response for low frequency is vibrations . the wooden knot does not effect higher frequency vibrations . thus , lower frequency sounds , such as bass , will be difficult to produce at the knot &# 39 ; s location . the high frequency signals of the four exciters are calibrated to interact with each other based upon the shape of the square that they form . this produces a uniform sound for high frequencies . however , the low frequency signals are calibrated to be produced mainly by three exciters 721 , 722 , 723 , which are not in close proximity to the high - density wood knot 740 . this produces a uniform sound for lower frequencies . [ 0036 ] fig7 c , illustrates another embodiment , where the exciters are calibrated to produce concentrated volume nodes around the wooden knot 740 . concentrated volume nodes can be produced where peak values of intersecting sound waves 771 , 772 , 773 , 774 meet . the emitters 761 , 762 , 763 , 764 are designed to produce signals such that their sound waves will have intersecting peak values at predetermined locations . the distribution of several volume nodes around the wooden knot 740 will compensate for the low resonance area , and produce an even sound reproduction . in another embodiment , the musical bench contains an integrated sensor chip that is integrated with the unit . the sensor chip is used to detect when someone is sitting on the bench . attached to the sensor chip is a sensor device . one type of sensor device is an infrared sensor . the infrared sensor has an infrared emitter and receiver . fig8 illustrates how the emitter 810 and receiver 815 are placed on the side of each enclosure 820 , 830 , facing each other . the emitter 810 emits an infrared beam so the receiver 815 can receive the beam . when a user sits on the bench 100 , he causes the beam stream to break . when the receiver no longer receives the beam , it causes a trigger in the sensor ship . this trigger turns on the radio . in another embodiment , the unit has a receiver for receiving a microchip containing prerecorded sounds . the prerecorded sounds can consist of music , but a typical application would be a recorded nursery rhyme . when integrated with the sensor embodiment , a child can merely sit on the bench and hear a prerecorded nursery rhyme . the unit also contains a memory that can bookmark a position on the nursery rhyme . if the play of a nursery rhyme ends before it is finished , the memory will save the position and will start from that saved position when activated again . in another embodiment , the unit has microphone and rca inputs so that an external signal can be input from an external source such as a tape recorder or cd player . an auxiliary switch on the unit is used to switch to an auxiliary mode . in auxiliary mode , the external input signal is amplified and played through the unit &# 39 ; s amplifier and speakers . there is also an adapter so that a signal from a cell phone can be played on the unit &# 39 ; s speakers . in another embodiment , a radio transmitter / receiver ( tr ) is integrated with the unit . the unit can receive external data flow from a personal digital assistant ( pda ) or from a computer through a connector means such as a serial , parallel , or t - based connector . the tr is compliant with mobile phone protocols , thus a user can connect a computer to the tr and connect to the internet through a dial - up process . in another embodiment the unit acts as a wireless intercom . the tr can be configured to communicate with a local intercom system . the intercom system is enabled to receive radio signals produced by the tr , and the intercom system also sends radio signals that are received by the tr . both the unit and intercom system , are set to receive when they are not transmitting . the unit is set to transmit either by the depression of an on button , or may have a voice activated on switch . although the invention is described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment , one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . accordingly , the invention should only be limited by the claims included below .	7
fig2 is a flow diagram for explaining routing optimization according a preferred embodiment of the invention . specifically , the process illustrated in fig2 concerns optimization of an initial global routing . however , it should be understood that the present invention also is applicable to optimization of detailed routing and to any other situation where an initial routing is provided . briefly according to fig2 the initial routing is input , together with an iteration parameter ; initial areas are specified ; area - nets are defined ; a counter k is initialized ; for each shift of several different shifts , the area - nets are re - routed and the previous areas are shifted to obtain new area - nets ; and finally , after all iterations of k have been completed , the nets are re - created from the area - nets . in more detail , in step 72 the initial routing description and an iteration parameter are input . preferably , the initial routing description is a global routing description which was generated using a maze routing technique , such as the maze routing technique described in the &# 39 ; 246 application . however , the present invention is not limited to such an initial routing , and initial global routing generated by any other technique , such as a steiner tree based technique , instead be used . similarly , the invention may also apply to an initial detailed routing . the input iteration parameter is described in more detail below . in step 74 , a surface area of the integrated circuit chip is divided into initial areas . in the preferred embodiment , the initial areas are all rectangular - shaped , contiguous and identical in dimensions . thus , in the preferred embodiment , the initial areas can be specified by superimposing a regular rectangular grid over the desired surface area of the chip . preferably , the characteristic size ( e . g ., with respect to a rectangle , the length and the width ) of each of the areas is chosen to be approximately twice the average expected net size in each corresponding dimension . division of a portion of the chip in this manner is illustrated in fig3 a . specifically , in fig3 a , chip area portion 130 is divided into 9 rectangular areas , such as areas 132 to 136 . located in portion 130 of the ic chip is a net which includes net pins 141 to 153 , as well as wire or trace segments 165 that interconnect the net pins . it should be noted that while rectangular - shaped areas are preferred , any other shapes may instead be used . referring again to fig2 in step 76 an area - net is defined within each of the areas for each net that is at least partially located in that area . an area - net is generally described as the portion of a net lying in the subject area , together with any boundary pins ( described below ). as an intermediate step in defining an area - net , boundary points are located where the net intersects boundaries of the areas . each of these boundary points is then defined as a boundary pin for each area whose boundary the boundary point lies on . the net pins and boundary pins within a given area for a particular net , together with the interconnections between such boundary pins and net pins , constitute an area - net . an example of the application of step 76 is shown in fig3 b . specifically , fig3 b illustrates the chip portion and the net illustrated in fig3 a , and shows how some of the area - nets corresponding to that net are defined . initially , points 181 to 185 are identified where the net intersects the area boundaries . because boundary point 181 lies on the boundary between area 134 and area 136 , a boundary pin 181 is included in each of areas 134 and 136 . similarly , because boundary points 182 and 183 are located on the boundary between areas 134 and 135 , boundary pins 182 and 183 are included in each of such areas . therefore , the area - net corresponding to the depicted net for area 134 includes net pins 146 to 149 , boundary pins 181 to 183 , and all the interconnections between those net pins and boundary pins . it is noted that all such interconnections also lie within area 134 . in a similar manner , the area - net corresponding to the illustrated net for area 136 includes net pins 142 to 145 , boundary pins 181 and 184 , and the interconnections between these net pins and boundary pins . once again , it is noted that all such interconnections lie within area 136 . returning again to fig2 in step 78 a counter k is initialized to 0 , beginning a loop which will be repeated a number of times specified by the iteration parameter input in step 72 . in step 80 , a loop is begun which will repeat for each of a right shift , down shift , left shift and up shift , as such shifts are described below . in step 82 , the area - nets in each area are re - routed . in particular , in the preferred embodiment , those portions of the area - nets passing through overly congested areas are re - routed . preferably , the re - routing in this step is performed using a technique similar to the technique used to generate the initial routing . thus , in the preferred embodiment , re - routing is performed using a maze routing technique , such as the technique described in the &# 39 ; 246 application . however , other types of re - routing may instead be used . preferably , if a connection needs to be re - routed , but can not be adequately re - routed within the subject area , the connection is re - routed to a position nearer to the edge of the subject area . this will tend to facilitate further movement of the problem connections in later steps of the processing . it is also preferable that each area is processed in this step independently of the processing performed in other areas . accordingly , in the preferred embodiment , each area can be re - routed at the same time using a different processor . during re - routing of the area - nets , all of the pins in a given area remain fixed while the interconnections are re - routed within that area . it is noted that use of boundary pins in the manner described above insures that the nets can be reconstructed upon completion of such parallel re - routing processing . in step 84 , the boundaries of the current areas are shifted so as to obtain new areas . in the preferred embodiment , as indicated above , the current shift depends upon which pass of the loop begun in step 80 the process is currently performing . thus , in the first pass all of the current boundaries are shifted to the right ; in the second pass , all of the current boundaries are shifted down ; in the third pass , all of the current boundaries are shifted to the left ; and in the last pass all of the current boundaries are shifted up . preferably , the amount of each shift is equal to approximately one - half of the dimension of each area in the shifting direction . more preferably , the amount of the shift is equal to exactly one - half of this dimension . accordingly , in the preferred embodiment , when the boundaries are shifted to the right ( i . e ., in the x direction ), the shift amount is equal to one - half of the x dimension of one of the areas . as noted above , in the preferred embodiment the new areas are generated by shifting the boundaries of the previous areas . however , that particular method of generating new areas is not essential and various . other methods of generating a different area pattern may instead be used . in any event , it is preferable that each new area overlaps at least two of the previous areas and each previous area overlaps at least two of the new areas . as will be seen below , this will help ensure that congested areas near boundaries also will be appropriately re - routed . once the new areas have been located , new area - nets also are defined in this step . in order to define the new area - nets in this step , the boundary pins corresponding to the previous areas are first eliminated . thus , if the net includes a connection routed from net pin a to boundary pin b and another connection routed from boundary pin b to net pin c , the foregoing arrangement is replaced by a single connection from net pin a to net pin c . thereafter , new boundary pins are identified at the boundary points where the nets intersect the boundaries of the new areas . then , the new area - net for a given net and a given area is defined as the net pins within that area , the new boundary pins within that area , and all interconnections between such net pins and new boundary pins . in step 86 it is determined whether the current shift is the last shift ( i . e ., “ up ” in the preferred embodiment ). if it is not the last shift , then processing proceeds to step 82 to re - route the new area - nets . otherwise , processing proceeds to step 88 . in order to clarify the foregoing process , the area shifting pattern according to the preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to fig4 a through 4d . specifically , fig4 a illustrates the initial area pattern for a portion of an integrated circuit chip , in which the subject chip portion is divided into 9 different initial areas . one such initial area is area 200 having boundaries 201 , 202 , 203 and 204 . other initial areas include areas 208 and 209 . according to the preferred embodiment of the invention , each of the areas depicted in fig4 a is processed independently so as to re - route the area - nets contained in it . in the first pass of the loop , the areas shown in fig4 b are obtained by right shifting the boundaries of the areas shown in fig4 a by a distance equal to one - half of the length of one of the areas in the x dimension . thus , for example , fig4 b shows new areas 211 and 212 , as well as a portion of new area 213 . for reference purposes , the initial boundaries 201 to 204 of initial area 200 are also shown in fig4 b . as can be seen by referring to fig4 b , the space previously occupied by area 200 is now occupied by areas 211 and 212 . moreover , boundary 202 of previous area 200 now lies in the middle of area 212 and boundary 204 of previous area 200 now lies in the middle of area 211 . in the second pass , the areas shown in fig4 c are generated by shifting the boundaries of the areas shown in fig4 b down by a distance equal to one - half the length of an area in the y dimension . as shown in fig4 c , the space previously occupied by area 200 is now occupied by four different areas , i . e ., areas 221 to 224 . in the third pass , the boundaries of the areas shown in fig4 c are shifted left a distance equal to one - half the length of an area in the x dimension , so as to provide the areas shown in fig4 d . as shown in fig4 d , the space previously occupied by area 200 is now occupied by areas 231 and 232 . finally , in the fourth pass the boundaries of the areas shown in fig4 d are shifted up one - half the length of an area in the y direction , so as to generate the original area pattern shown in fig4 a . by shifting areas in this manner , spaces on the surface the integrated circuit chip are covered by different pre - defined areas . accordingly , if it is not possible to re - route within a particular initial area , it may be possible to re - route in a new area during a subsequent pass . specifically , use of different area configurations according to the invention can permit routing to be dispersed over a larger area . moreover , repeating the pattern a number of times equal to the iterations parameter generally will permit even greater dispersion of congested routing . thus , even if all congestion still can not be cleared up using immediately adjacent areas , repeating the pattern of different area configurations a sufficient number of times generally will permit enough routing to be dispersed far enough away from the congested areas so as to result in an acceptable solution . returning to fig2 in step 88 it is determined whether the current iteration is the last . if not , processing proceeds to step 90 to increment the k counter and then to step 80 to begin the shift pattern for the new iteration . otherwise , processing proceeds to step 92 . it is noted that in the preferred embodiment a pre - defined fixed number . of iterations of the chosen shift pattern is utilized . however , the pattern may instead be repeated until one or more end criteria have - been satisfied . in the preferred embodiment , the number of iterations preferably is determined empirically as a trade - off between speed of optimization and quality of the final result . a typical number of iterations is 3 , although more iterations might provide better results . in step 92 , the nets are re - created from the area - nets by eliminating the boundary pins in a manner similar to that described in step 84 . by dividing nets in the manner described above , the present invention an permit different pre - defined areas on a surface to be re - routed independently , regardless of the configurations of individual nets included in the initial routing . in addition , dividing nets in this manner will often significantly reduce the aggregate processing time required to re - route large nets , particularly when techniques such as maze - type techniques are utilized . in this regard , it will generally be faster to , process a number of small matrices than a single large matrix . in addition , by utilizing different area configurations as described above , over a number of iterations the present invention typically will disperse routing away from overly congested areas . accordingly , the present invention can permit re - routing using parallel processing on different pre - defined areas , while at the same time frequently permitting connections to be re - routed to different regions of the chip , largely unconstrained by the boundaries of the areas assigned to individual processors . finally , the present invention has been described above with respect to re - routing wire connections during integrated circuit design . however , it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to routing optimization for other types of initial wire routings , such as wire routing on a printed circuit board . moreover , the invention is applicable not only to wire routing optimization , but to any other routing optimization problem as well . thus , while the terms “ cell ”, “ net ”, “ pin ” and “ netlist ” have been described above in the context of integrated circuit design , unless otherwise expressly limited to that context , those terms should be understood in their most general sense . for instance , a “ pin ” might be any connection terminal , a “ cell ” might be any type of device or object that includes at least one connection terminal , a “ net ” might be any group of connected pins , and a “ netlist ” might be a list of any type of cells and nets . generally , the methods described herein with respect to ic design will be practiced with a general purpose computer , either with a single processor or multiple processors . fig5 is a block diagram of a general purpose computer system , representing one of many suitable computer platforms for implementing the methods described above . fig5 shows a general purpose computer system 450 in accordance with the present invention . as shown in fig5 computer system 450 includes a central processing unit ( cpu ) 452 , read - only memory ( rom ) 454 , random access memory ( ram ) 456 , expansion ram 458 , input / output ( i / o ) circuitry 460 , display assembly 462 , input device 464 , and expansion bus 466 . computer system 450 may also optionally include a mass storage unit 468 such as a disk drive unit or nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and a real - time clock 470 . cpu 452 is coupled to rom 454 by a data bus 472 , control bus 474 , and address bus 476 . rom 454 contains the basic operating system for the computer system 450 . cpu 452 is also connected to ram 456 by busses 472 , 474 , and 476 . expansion ram 458 is optionally coupled to ram 456 for use by cpu 452 . cpu 452 is also coupled to the i / o circuitry 460 by data bus 472 , control bus 474 , and address bus 476 to permit data transfers with peripheral devices . i / o circuitry 460 typically includes a number of latches , registers and direct memory access ( dma ) controllers . the purpose of i / o circuitry 460 is to provide an interface between cpu 452 and such peripheral devices as display assembly 462 , input device 464 , and mass storage 468 . display assembly 462 of computer system 450 is an output device coupled to i / o circuitry 460 by a data bus 478 . display assembly 462 receives data from i / o circuitry 460 via bus 478 and displays that data on a suitable screen . the screen for display assembly 462 can be a device that uses a cathode - ray tube ( crt ), liquid crystal display ( lcd ), or the like , of the types commercially available from a variety of manufacturers . input device 464 can be a keyboard , a mouse , a stylus working in cooperation with a position - sensing display , or the like . the aforementioned input devices are available from a variety of vendors and are well known in the art . some type of mass storage 468 is generally considered desirable . however , mass storage 468 can be eliminated by providing a sufficient mount of ram 456 and expansion ram 458 to store user application programs and data . in that case , rams 456 and 458 can optionally be provided with a backup battery to prevent the loss of data even when computer system 450 is turned off . however , it is generally desirable to have some type of long term mass storage 468 such as a commercially available hard disk drive , nonvolatile memory such as flash memory , battery backed ram , pc - data cards , or the like . a removable storage read / write device 469 may be coupled to i / o circuitry 460 to read from and to write to a removable storage media 471 . removable storage media 471 may represent , for example , a magnetic disk , a magnetic tape , an opto - magnetic disk , an optical disk , or the like . instructions for implementing the inventive method may be provided , in one embodiment , to a network via such a removable storage media . in operation , information is input into the computer system 450 by typing on a keyboard , manipulating a mouse or trackball , or “ writing ” on a tablet or on position - sensing screen of display assembly 462 . cpu 452 then processes the data under control of an operating system and an application program , such as a program to perform steps of the inventive method described above , stored in rom 454 and / or ram 456 . cpu 452 then typically produces data which is output to the display assembly 462 to produce appropriate images on its screen . expansion bus 466 is coupled to data bus 472 , control bus 474 , and address bus 476 . expansion bus 466 provides extra ports to couple devices such as network interface circuits , modems , display switches , microphones , speakers , etc . to cpu 452 . network communication is accomplished through the network interface circuit and an appropriate network . suitable computers for use in implementing the present invention may be obtained from various vendors . various computers , however , may be used depending upon the size and complexity of the opc tasks . suitable computers include mainframe computers , multiprocessor computers , workstations or personal computers . in addition , although a general purpose computer system has been described above , a special - purpose computer may also be used . it should be understood that the present invention also relates to machine readable media on which are stored program instructions for performing the methods of this invention . such media include , by way of example , magnetic disks , magnetic tape , optically readable media such as cd roms , semiconductor memory such as pcmcia cards , etc . in each case , the medium may take the form of a portable item such as a small disk , diskette , cassette , etc ., or it may take the form of a relatively larger or immobile item such as a hard disk drive or ram provided in a computer . although the present invention has been described in detail with regard to the exemplary embodiments and drawings thereof , it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various adaptations and modifications of the present invention may be accomplished without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention . accordingly , the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in the drawings and described in detail above . therefore , it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended hereto . in the following claims , those elements which do not include the words “ means for ” are intended not to be interpreted under 35 u . s . c . § 112 ¶ 6 .	6
hereinafter , an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings . as shown in fig1 , a communication system according to this exemplary embodiment includes a core network ( 3gpp network ), and a plurality of mtc ues 10 which connect to the core network through a ran ( radio access network ). while the illustration is omitted , the ran is formed by a plurality of base stations ( i . e ., enbs ). the mtc ues 10 attach to the core network . the mtc ues 10 can host one or multiple mtc applications . the corresponding mtc applications are hosted on one or multiple ass ( application servers ). further , the core network includes , as network elements , an mme 30 , an hss 40 and an mtc - iwf 50 . the mtc - iwf 50 serves as a gateway to the core network for an scs 60 . the hss 40 stores subscription information on a group of mtc ues . the mme 30 , as well as an sgsn and an msc relay traffic between the mtc ues 10 and the mtc - iwf 50 . furthermore , a group gw 20 shown in fig2 and 3 serves as a gateway to the core network for the mtc ues 10 . the group gw 20 may be an independent node placed within the core network or the ran , or may be a logical function installed in the enb , mme , sgsn , msc , hss or mtc - iwf . next , operations in this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig2 and 3 . fig2 and 3 gives detailed message sequence description of how the scs 60 activates a group of devices ( mtc ues ) which are pre - configured with a local group id . step s 1 : scs 60 has stored the external group id . step s 2 : hss 40 has subscription information of a group and its member ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n ( n ≧ 2 ). step s 3 : each of ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n in the group has pre - configured local group id and optionally public group key . step s 4 : scs 60 sends a trigger to mtc - iwf 50 , with trigger type of activate group , including external group id , scs id and trigger id . step s 5 : mtc - iwf 50 sends subscriber information request , reuse the message disclosed in npl 1 , with external group id , indication of activate group request and the source scs id . step s 6 : hss 40 performs the verification of whether the external group id is valid , whether any data available about this group , if scs can trigger to activate the group , is there already a local group id mapped to it . step s 7 : after proper verification , hss 40 sends the subscriber information response message to mtc - iwf 50 , with local group id and serving mmes . step s 8 : optionally , hss 40 can send information necessary for the verification and mtc - iwf 50 performs the verification . step s 9 : mtc - iwf 50 forwards the trigger message to mme 30 , with local group id and trigger method of broadcast . step s 10 : mme 30 retrieves the mtc ue subscription data and the private group key . step s 11 : mme 30 forwards the trigger to group gw 20 . step s 12 : group gw 20 broadcast the trigger , with a trigger type of e . g . callattach , which ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n can understand . the trigger includes local group id and trigger id . step s 13 : when each of ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n receives the trigger , it verifies if the local group id in the broadcast trigger is the same with the one it has pre - configured . if not , it ignores the broadcast . if the group id is the same , each of ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n starts the attach procedure . step s 14 : ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n which have the same local group id send attach request with imsi as in standardized attach request and also the trigger id it received . step s 15 : group gw 20 sends a concatenated attach request to mme 30 , it contains the attach request messages from all the ues . step s 16 : mme 30 performs the verification of whether the timer of response is expired , whether the ues whom responded belong to the group and which are the ues have not responded yet . step s 17 : mme 30 sends authentication request ( reusing standardized message disclosed in npl 2 , but in a concatenated message . step s 18 : group gw 20 distributes the authentication request to the ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n , this can be optionally protected by private group key such that ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n can verify whether the group gw 20 is an authenticated network element , with their pre - configured public group key . step s 19 : each of ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n responds authentication response . step s 20 : group gw 20 sends authentication response from all the ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n in a concatenated message . step s 21 : mme 30 performs authentication for the ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n . step s 22 : mme 30 sends authentication reject messages to ue , if the authentication failed . steps s 23 and s 24 : mme 30 reports authentication failure to scs 60 through mtc - iwf 50 . step s 25 : nas ( non access stratum ) and as key management according to standardized procedure disclosed in npl 2 , with mme 30 sending the concatenated message and group gw 20 distributing it to ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n for downlink and group gw 20 concatenating the messages from ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n and sending to mme 30 for uplink . step s 26 a : mme 30 sends nas smc ( security mode command ) messages in concatenated message which includes the new group keys encrypted by nas key . step s 26 b : group gw 20 distributes the nas smc message containing encrypted new group keys to the ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n . step s 27 a : mme 30 sends attach accept messages in concatenated message which includes the new group keys . step s 27 b : group gw 20 distributes the attach accept message with new group keys to the ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n . note that the new group keys in step s 26 and step s 27 are the same as in our previous patent file ptl 1 , that they are a pair of keys for confidentiality and integrity protection . next , configuration examples of the mtc ue 10 , the group gw 20 , the mme 30 , the hss 40 , the mtc - iwf 50 and the scs 60 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described with reference to fig4 to 9 . note that in the following explanation , there will be described only elements which specific to this exemplary embodiment . however , it will be understood that the mtc ue 10 , the group gw 20 , the mme 30 , the hss 40 , the mtc - iwf 50 and the scs 60 also include elements for functioning as typical mtc ue , gw , mme , hss , mtc - iwf and scs , respectively . as shown in fig4 , the mtc ue 10 includes an inclusion unit 11 . the inclusion unit 11 includes the received trigger id in the attach request message as shown at step s 14 in fig3 . this inclusion unit 11 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the scs 60 through the core network , and a controller such as a cpu ( central processing unit ) which controls this transceiver . as shown in fig5 , the group gw 20 includes at least one of an addition unit 21 and a protection unit 22 . the addition unit 21 adds the indication of trigger type =“ callattach ” to the trigger message as shown at step s 12 in fig2 . the protection unit 22 protects the authentication request message with the private group key as shown at step s 18 in fig3 . note that these units 21 and 22 are mutually connected with each other through a bus or the like . these units 21 and 22 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the mtc ue 10 , and a controller such as a cpu which controls this transceiver . as shown in fig6 , the mme 30 includes at least an inclusion unit 31 . for example , the inclusion unit 31 includes the new group keys in the attach accept message as shown at step s 27 in fig3 . alternatively , the inclusion unit 31 includes the new group keys in the nas smc message as shown at step s 26 in fig3 . in the latter case , it is preferable that the mme 30 further includes an encryption unit 34 . the encryption unit 34 encrypts the new group keys with the nas keys . in addition to or as a substitute for the encryption unit 34 , the mme 30 can include a concatenation unit 32 and a send unit 33 . the concatenation unit 32 concatenates the messages addressed to the mtc ues 10 _ 1 to 10 — n as shown at steps s 17 and s 25 in fig3 . the send unit 33 sends the concatenated message to the group gw 20 . note that these units 31 to 34 are mutually connected with each other through a bus or the like . these units 31 to 34 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the mtc ue 10 through the group gw 20 , and a controller such as a cpu which controls this transceiver . as shown in fig7 , the hss 40 includes a verification unit 41 which performs the verification as shown at step s 6 in fig2 . this verification unit 41 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the mtc - iwf 50 , and a controller such as a cpu which controls this transceiver . as shown in fig8 , the mtc - iwf 50 includes an instruction unit 51 . the instruction unit 51 instructs the group gw 20 to broadcast the trigger message , for example by using the indication of trigger method =“ broadcast ” as shown at step s 9 in fig2 . this instruction unit 51 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the group gw 20 through the mme 30 , and a controller such as a cpu which controls this transceiver . as shown in fig9 , the scs 60 includes a send unit 61 . the send unit 61 sends , to the mtc - iwf 50 , the trigger message includes the indication of trigger type =“ activate group ” as shown at step s 4 in fig2 . this send unit 61 can be configured by , for example , a transceiver which conducts communication with the mtc ue 10 through the core network , and a controller such as a cpu which controls this transceiver . note that the present invention is not limited to the above - mentioned exemplary embodiment , and it is obvious that various modifications can be made by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the recitation of the claims . the whole or part of the exemplary embodiment disclosed above can be described as , but not limited to , the following supplementary notes . introduced a new trigger type “ activate group ” in the trigger message , which is sent over interface tsp , t5 , and the interface between mme / sgsn / msc and ue . introduced trigger field in the broadcasting message to indicate it is to call mtc ue to start attach procedure . new function for hss of verification to determine whether the external group is valid . or sending the new group keys in attach accept message which has nas security protection . this application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from japanese patent application no . 2012 - 267255 , filed on dec . 6 , 2012 , the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference .	7
fig1 ( prior art ) is a schematic diagram illustrating a conventional setup for multiple - breath inert gas wash - in / wash - out tests for determination of frc and ventilation distribution ( lci ) as known in the art . the setup includes a bias flow of a mixture containing a non - resident inert tracer gas for wash - in in the flowpast assembly 107 . a test subject 101 having the nose occluded with a nose clip 102 breathes through a mouthpiece 103 , a bacterial filter 104 , a respiratory flowmeter 105 and a non - rebreathing valve assembly 106 . the gas reservoir 108 is coupled to a flowpast assembly 107 via a gas line . flowmeter connection ( s ) 109 and a gas sample line 110 are also part of the setup . to perform a multiple - breath inert gas wash - in / wash - out test , the test subject 101 inspires the non - resident inert tracer gas from the flowpast assembly 107 through the non - rebreathing valve assembly 106 . the non - rebreathing valve assembly 106 is constructed by one - way valves allowing gas to flow in one direction only . because of the construction of the valve 106 , the test subject does not breathe the non - resident inert tracer gas back to the flowpast assembly 107 during exhalation . instead the test subject expires to the surrounding air . the test subject 101 may use a face mask instead of nose clip 102 and mouthpiece 103 . the analyser unit 111 consists of a measuring apparatus comprising flowmeter electronics and at least one gas analyser . a typical test consists of a period where the test subject inspires from the flowpast and exhales to the surrounding air a number of times until the concentration of the tracer gas is constant e . g . below a predetermined threshold fluctuation ( wash - in period ) followed by a period where the test subject is breathing fresh air ( wash - out period ). during the testing ( both during the wash - in and the wash - out period ) the concentration in the inhaled and / or exhaled air of the inert gas in the mixture is measured by a fast responding gas analyser . instead of gas concentration the gas analyser may equally well measure the partial pressure of the gas . the partial pressure can be obtained from the fractional concentration of dry gas or any other measure of gas concentration or pressure using appropriate conversion factors as known in the art . also the flow of the inhaled and / or exhaled air is measured by means of the flowmeter 105 . these measurements are made continuously . fig2 ( prior art ) outlines a curve from a conventional multibreath wash - in / wash - out test from where lci can be determined . the insoluble gas , sf 6 , has become the gas of choice for measurement of lci . the concentration of sf 6 is monitored and when the concentration is constant ( below a predetermined threshold fluctuation ) 201 , the first time period called wash - in 202 is over . hereafter the wash - out period 203 begins where the concentration of sf 6 is monitored until the concentration has reached 1 / 40 of the concentration in the beginning of the wash - out period 204 . the cumulative expired volume ( v ce ) required to clear the lungs of the gas down to 1 / 40 of its start concentration can then be used in combination with the functional residual capacity ( frc ) to determine the lci of the test subject . in the conventional mbw test the frc is calculated from the net volume of inert gas exhaled divided by the difference in end - tidal concentration at the start and end of the wash - out : as the net volume of inert gas exhaled ( numerator ) is obtained by integration of the product of respiratory flow and tracer gas concentration ( i . e . expired and re - inspired tracer gas volumes on a breath - by - breath basis ), accurate determination of the frc requires a rapid dynamic response and data acquisition rate of the gas analyser . proper alignment in time of the respiratory flow signal and tracer gas concentration prior to the calculation is also critical . this makes demands on the performance of the gas analyser and the calibration of the equipment . fig3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a setup for wash - in / wash - out tests using inert gas rebreathing for determination of frc and ventilation distribution ( lci ) as used in conjunction with the disclosed invention . a test subject 301 having the nose occluded with a nose clip 302 breathes through a mouthpiece 303 , a bacterial filter 304 , a respiratory flowmeter 305 and one port 306 of a rebreathing valve assembly 307 . a rebreathing bag 308 is connected to the valve assembly and evacuated and pre - filled with a gas mixture from a gas reservoir 309 via a gas line 310 . flowmeter connection ( s ) 311 and a gas sample line 312 are also part of the setup . to perform a rebreathing test the valve assembly 307 is switched ( e . g . automatically by controlling line 313 ) to allow the test subject 301 to inspire and rebreathe to and from the bag 308 for a certain amount of time until the valve assembly 307 is switched back again . the test subject 301 may use a face mask instead of nose clip 302 and mouthpiece 303 . the control system 314 of the measuring apparatus consists of flowmeter electronics 315 , at least one gas analyser 316 , a valve control unit 317 ( unless the valve assembly is manually driven ) and a gas control unit 318 ( unless the bag is prepared manually ). a control unit 319 is also included , comprising a computing / processing unit ( cpu ) 320 with control interfaces 321 , one or more program and data storage devices 322 and user interfaces for example comprising a display 323 and a keyboard , touch screen or similar input device 324 . a data input / output module 325 may also be included . the processing unit ( cpu ) can e . g . comprise processing means for determining lci of the lungs of a test subject using the obtained fractional concentration of the inert tracer gas measured by the gas analysers and the gas flow measured by the flowmeter and associated flowmeter electronics . also , the processing unit can e . g . comprise processing means for determining frc based on gas analysis alone and processing means for determining v ce required to clear the inert tracer gas concentration from the lungs below 1 / 40th of the starting concentration . prior to the rebreathing tests the rebreathing bag is filled with a known volume of an inert gas mixture . during the testing the test subject is breathing through the respiration valve , which allows switching from breathing air to rebreathing the inert gas mixture from the bag and switching back again . a typical test consists of a period where the test subject is breathing to and from the bag ( rebreathing period ) followed by a period where the test subject is breathing fresh air ( wash - out period ). during the testing ( both during the rebreathing and the wash - out period ) the concentration in the inhaled and / or exhaled air of the inert gas in the mixture is measured by a fast responding gas analyser 316 . instead of gas concentration the gas analyser may equally well measure the partial pressure of the gas . the partial pressure can be obtained from the fractional concentration of dry gas or any other measure of gas concentration or pressure using appropriate conversion factors as known in the art . also the flow of the inhaled and / or exhaled air is measured by means of the flowmeter 315 . these measurements are made continuously . fig4 is an example comparing the wash - in curve of an inert tracer gas by conventional multibreath wash - in 401 ( dotted line ) with the wash - in curve of an inert tracer gas by rebreathing wash - in 402 ( solid line ) as used in conjunction with the disclosed invention , respectively . the simulation is based on the single compartment lung model and the example is performed using the following input values : frc = 3 . 0 l , deadspace v d = 0 . 2 l , and bag volume v rb = tidal volume v t = 0 . 8 l . it can be seen that the rebreathing wash - in method 402 reaches equilibration 404 much faster , 5 - 10 times ( ratio between wash - in breaths n mbw / n rb = 6 in this example ), than the conventional multibreath wash - in 401 , 403 , and since the conventional open - circuit wash - in phase lasts longer than the subsequent wash - out phase this means a reduction of total test time by typically more than 50 %. fig5 is a typical example of a test sequence as used in conjunction with one embodiment of the disclosed invention comprising two pulmonary gas exchange techniques for determination of lci . lci represents the number of lung volume turnovers ( i . e . frcs ) that the subject must breathe to clear the lungs from the tracer gas ( by convention , to an end - tidal concentration of 1 / 40th of the starting concentration over three subsequent breaths ). disregarding the correction for external dead space the equation is : inert gas rebreathing manoeuvre 501 is used for rapid wash - in of the inert tracer gas followed by a subsequent multiple - breath wash - out period 502 . the concentration of the inert tracer gas is monitored and when the concentration is constant 503 ( below a predetermined threshold value regarding the fluctuation of the concentration ), the first time period called wash - in 501 , is over . hereafter the wash - out period 502 begins where the concentration of the inert tracer gas is monitored until the concentration has reached 1 / 40 of the concentration in the beginning of the wash - out period 504 . the wash - in period is used for accurate determination of the functional residual capacity ( frc ) which is calculated by inert gas dilution alone according to the equation below : v rb = initial rebreathing bag volume c rb , i = initial fractional concentration of insoluble gas in the rebreathing bag c eq , i = equilibrium fractional concentration of insoluble gas obtained after mixing in the interest of brevity dead spaces on each side of the valve are not accounted for , but these can easily be incorporated . the multiple - breath wash - out ( mbw ) is used for determination of the cumulative expired volume ( v ce ) required to clear the inert tracer gas from the lungs . v ce is determined by integrating the part of the wash - out flow curve which has a sign corresponding to expiration ( e . g . all positive flow signals ) over time . by integrating flow ( l / s ) over time ( s ), a volume ( l ) is obtained . the gas dilution technique by inert gas rebreathing is more robust than the traditional wash - out technique for determination of frc , because it is independent of the critical time alignment between gas analyser and flowmeter signals . further , it relaxes the requirements to rise time of the gas analyser because only end - tidal concentrations are needed in determining the gas dilution , whereas in the open - circuit method a short rise time and accurate time alignment prior to integrating the product of flow and gas concentration signals are important in order to obtain accurate values of the flux of sf 6 in the rapid transitions during the beginning of expiration ( phase ii of the breath ) and inspiration . it should be noted that the above - mentioned means of implementation illustrate rather than limit the invention , and that those skilled in the art will be able to suggest many alternative means of implementation without departing from the scope of the appended claims . rather , the words used in the specification are & lt ; words of description rather than limitation , and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention . the word ‘ comprising ’ does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed in a claim . the invention can be implemented by means of hardware and software comprising several distinct elements , and by means of a suitably programmed computer . in a device claim enumerating several means , several of these means can be implemented by one and the same item of hardware or software . the mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage .	0
[ 0042 ] fig1 depicts the system architecture of billboard based video license utilization system ( bbvlu ) consisting of multiple local license distributors ( lld ) and a global license distributor ( gld ). the main objectives of bbvlu are to provide billboard based services to the subscribers for real time selection of movies made available by different llds , to achieve efficient overall utilization of licenses available with different llds by distributing the licenses to subscribers across different llds , to get a fair price for the surplus licenses traded by the llds , and to retain subscriber loyalty to the billboard services by providing any movie selected by the subscriber from those shown on billboard on best effort basis . some of the bb services ( 102 ) include current booking , advance booking , and plan booking . billboard guaranties a subscriber to provide with a billboard view whenever the subscriber logs on to the billboard service . each billboard view consists of a pre - determined number of movie posters with the relevant information related to the movies . billboard provides the subscriber with an option to request for a preview of any movie shown on the billboard or select a movie for viewing . the subscriber may also choose to view a new set of posters by clicking on “ browse posters ” button . each lld is associated with a local billboard subsystem ( lbb ) ( 104 ), which directly interacts with billboard subscribers and with the central billboard . lbb creates customized billboards for each subscriber who has logged on to the billboard service based on the past viewing history of the subscriber . the past viewing data that is logged is based on specific permissions granted by the subscriber and further , the use of past viewing history to customize the billboard is also based on the permissions granted by the subscriber . the process of customization uses the viewing history to select movies for the billboard views such that the subscriber is not shown any of the movies , which the subscriber has already viewed . further , a movie poster shown during a billboard session is not repeated in the same session , thereby enhancing the subscriber &# 39 ; s interest in the billboard service . lbb manages the movie distribution to different billboards of subscribers in response to the fresh logins and logouts . lbb also manages the licenses being released by different billboards as a result of time expiry of billboard views . lbb manages the subscribers who are currently logged on to the system by providing appropriate responses to their actions such as preview requests , movie selections , or cancellation of selected movies . lbb performs the license management to suit the consequences arising out of the subscriber actions . one of the aspects of the license management is to ensure that the licenses are available when the subscriber selects a movie from the billboard . in order to achieve this , the licenses related to the posters of a billboard are held bound to this subscriber and released either based on explicit subscriber actions such as “ browse posters ” or log out . also , when the subscriber chooses to preview a movie , the licenses related to the other posters of the billboard are released so as to optimally utilize the available licenses . central billboard ( cbb ) ( 106 ) facilitates the collection of surplus licenses from different llds and distribution of them to lbbs for providing them to the billboard subscribers . the objective of cbb is to achieve efficient utilization of licenses available with different llds by addressing the real time demands generated by the billboard service across different llds . cbb provides a platform for trading of surplus licenses between the llds . each of the surplus licenses is assigned a factor signifying the time left before the license expires . to minimize the non - utilization of licenses , the licenses with immediate expiry are required to be distributed on priority , and such licenses are traded between llds through regulated trading in which the cbb regulates the prices of the licenses . rest of the licenses that have no immediate license expiry are traded between llds as part of unregulated trading in which the final prices are decided by demand - supply situation prevailing at that time . cbb conducts the unregulated trading between the llds . cbb uses the price history database to estimate current market price that is used to regulate the license price for regulated trading . cbb also does the collection of licenses from the llds for serving the demands arising from the fresh logins . even after the on - demand collection of licenses , if the requirement for licenses is not completely fulfilled , then cbb requests additional licenses from the gld . in order to ensure a continuous activity to maximize license utilization , cbb periodically requests llds to provide such licenses that can be traded across multiple llds to achieve better distribution . the periodicity , also called as “ slot ,” is a configurable parameter and indicates the following : at the beginning of every slot , cbb requests for licenses from llds to be distributed to llds to trade as part of the billboard services in the next immediate slot ; slot duration also indicates the maximum time within which the streaming of movies , related to current booking requests through billboard , are initiated ; further , at the beginning of every slot , llds receive additional licenses from cbb and use the same to achieve better distribution of movies to billboards . license assessment subsystem ( las )( 108 ) is a part of every lld and manages the trading related functions of individual llds . every lld participates in the trading of licenses either in the role of a buyer , seller or as both , and depending on these roles , las performs appropriate trade related functions for the lld . las identifies the surplus of licenses and the identification is based on the assessment of the current license allocation plan for the confirmed demand , the forecasted license demand , and assessment of the available licenses and their expiry information . the license allocation plan and forecasting are related to meet the demand for licenses arising due to non - billboard distribution services . further to the identification of the surplus , las assigns perishability factors to each of these licenses , based on “ time to expire ” of licenses and the current license utilization plan , to enable an efficient of utilization of available licenses . in both buyer and seller roles , the llds are required to quote a price for the licenses they wish to trade . las estimates the price for each of the licenses . price estimation is based on several factors such as the base price at which the lld acquired the license from gld , the perishability factor , and the risk associated with selling and repurchasing of the licenses . this estimated price is quoted as the starting price for trade negotiation between buying and selling llds . las facilitates price negotiation between buying and selling llds via cbb to close the deal to the satisfaction of buyers and sellers . [ 0052 ] fig1 a provides a brief description of a few important elements of bbvlu databases . 120 represents subscriber information related database and consists of information such as percentage of free movies that can be viewed through billboard and time restrictions on the usage of billboard . note that these two elements are a part of subscriber - specific sla . 122 represents login information related database and consists of information such as number of posters in the current billboard and cumulative provisioning delay . the first element is used to either increase or decrease the number of posters in a billboard based on the number of available licenses . the second element is used ensure fairness when there is a shortage of licenses . 124 represents license information related database and consists of number of licenses with pf being 0 and pf not being 0 obtained from several llds for different movies . 126 represents movie viewing information related database and consists of information such as date and time of a movie viewed by a subscriber along with whether billboard was used to request for the movie . 128 represents price information related database and consists of details of every deal in terms of the type of license and the deal price . 130 represents demand schedule information related database and consists of information such as the availability of licenses in various slots taking into account confirmed and expected demands . the availability of licenses takes into account two different kinds of licenses , namely , group and unit licenses where a group license is a packaging of n unsplittable unit licenses . 132 represents configuration database and consists of information related to various configurable parameters . [ 0053 ] fig1 b describes typical workflows related to bbvlu system . 140 describes a typical subscriber - related workflow providing registration and billboard interaction scenarios . 142 describes a typical lbb - related workflow involving buying and selling of licenses . 144 describes a typical cbb - related workflow facilitating trading of licenses . [ 0054 ] fig2 describes overall network architecture of the bbvlu system consisting of multiple branch operators and one central operator . the system comprises of multiple subscribers connected to local license distributor ( lld ) ( 202 ) through a local network and such multiple llds are connected to a global license distributor ( gld ) ( 204 ) through a global network . an lld , using lbb and las , manages the billboard display to subscribers who are part of the same local network and manages the database that is used to compute surplus licenses to be traded during each slot , buying / selling of licenses to meet near video on demand requests , and to construct subscriber - specific most preferred billboards . gld , using cbb and pld , interacts with llds who are part of the same global network to obtain licenses for trading purposes and manages the database to facilitate trading of obtained licenses . [ 0055 ] fig3 describes the procedure for billboard subscription which consists of three distinct tasks , one , a subscriber &# 39 ; s registration for billboard services , two , sla modification which can be done by a subscriber at any time , and three , unregistration of a subscriber when the subscriber desires not to avail billboard services . subscriber &# 39 ; s registration consists of determining the type of subscription desired by the subscriber ( 302 ) followed by obtaining the response of the subscriber on the percentage of free movies that can be viewed using billboard ( 304 ) and this is dependent on the type of subscription . as part of the registration , the subscriber can negotiate with the operator regarding the possible time slots for billboard access ( 306 ). the total time allowed for a subscriber per day and the time slots for billboard access depends on the sla type of the subscription . on completion of the registration procedure , the subscriber database and the sla database are updated ( 308 ). as part of the sla modification , the subscriber can modify the percentage of the free movies the subscriber can view through the billboard ( 314 ) and modify the options on billboard access time ( 316 ) after a negotiation with the operator . the modifications are updated onto the sla database ( 318 ). when the subscriber unsubscribes the billboard services , the same is updated onto the subscriber database ( 320 ). [ 0059 ] fig4 describes billboard management related to subscriber interactions . step 402 is a procedure for handling subscriber action on “ browse posters .” in step 404 , lbb recovers the licenses related to the currently displayed billboard and in step 406 , a new billboard is created and displayed . this billboard creation involves the selection of subscriber - specific posters and the number of posters depend on the availability of licenses with lbb at that point of time . step 408 is related to the action taken by the system if there is prolonged subscriber inactivity . the system waits for a pre - specified idle time ( 410 ) before recovering the licenses ( 404 ) and initiating the creation of new billboard ( 406 ). step 412 is related to the action taken by the system when a subscriber chooses to preview a poster . in step 414 , lbb recovers the licenses of the movies related to the poster other than the selected poster for redistribution purposes . a preview associated with a poster consists of multiple preview clips and based on the subscriber prior previewing sessions , a most appropriate preview clip is selected ( 416 ). lld initiates the streaming of the selected preview ( 418 ) and waits for further actions of the subscriber ( 420 ). if subscriber chooses “ browse posters ,” the system creates and displays a new billboard ( 406 ). on selecting to view a movie , step 422 checks whether the subscriber intends to view the movie right away ( current booking ) or would like to make an advance booking . in case of advance booking , lld checks the availability of license for the requested date and time ( 424 and 426 ) and if available , lld notifies the confirmation of the booking and updates the license and schedule related databases ( 428 ). if the license is not available , lld negotiates with the subscriber for an alternative movie / slot ( 430 ). on the other hand , in case of current booking , lld initiates buying negotiation for obtaining the license from cbb for the selected movie ( 432 ). if license cannot be obtained , step 430 is performed . if license is obtained from cbb , lld generates relevant billing information to the selling lld ( 436 ), updates license information database with the current transaction details ( 438 ), and schedules the streaming of the movie at the next immediate slot ( 440 ). step 442 is related to the action taken by the system when a subscriber chooses to view a movie . in step 444 , lbb recovers the licenses of the movies related to the billboard other than the selected poster for redistribution purposes and performs from step 422 onwards . during the course of interaction , if a subscriber chooses to cancel a previously made selection ( 446 ), lld , if necessary , initiates the procedure for the cancellation of billing transaction ( 448 ) and creates and displays a new billboard ( 449 ). [ 0063 ] fig4 a describes steps involved in the creation of a billboard . in step 452 , lbb receives a new login request requiring the creation of billboard . in step 454 , lbb needs to create a billboard in response to subscriber &# 39 ; s action of selecting to browse posters . similarly , in step 456 , lbb creates a billboard when subscriber cancels a selection made to view a movie . in step 458 , lbb calculates the number of licenses along with their multiplicity ( la ) and the determination of multiplicity is essential as a subscriber is not shown the same poster of a movie in the same session . in step 460 , lbb determines the number of current number of subscribers who logged into the billboard service ( n ). this step is performed in order to ensure that each subscriber is shown a number of poster that is in between t 1 , and t 2 parameters . in step 462 , lbb computes the average number ( p ) of posters per subscriber based on la and n . steps 464 - 468 are performed to ensure that the poster of a recently watched movie by a subscriber is not shown as part of the billboard being created . in step 464 , lbb obtains the list of movies viewed by the subscriber for a predefined number of past weeks ( w p ) and in step 466 , lbb obtains information related to previews already shown to the subscriber in the current billboard session . in step 468 , lbb filters movies are viewed by the subscriber in the recent past ( w p ) and the previews that have already been shown from the available list of licenses . finally , in step 470 , lbb creates a billboard for the subscriber either with p posters or with a number that is between t 1 , and p . [ 0064 ] fig5 describes the login / logout management . when a subscriber logs into the system ( 502 ), lbb updates the count of subscribers logged in ( 504 ) and this information is communicated to cbb ( 506 ). in step 508 , lbb checks if the number of available licenses is less that t 2 * m ( number of currently logged in subscribers ) where m is the multiplication factor . if adequate licenses are available , lbb creates a billboard and displays the same ( 510 ). on the other hand , if adequate number of licenses are not available , lbb requests cbb for additional licenses ( 512 ). if obtained ( 512 ), lbb proceeds to step 510 , else lbb enables only plan booking option ( 516 ). whenever a subscriber logs out ( 520 ), lbb recovers all the licenses allotted to the current billboard ( 522 ). in step 524 , lbb updates the count of number of subscribers logged in and in step 526 , this information is communicated to cbb . in step 530 , lbb identifies the movies that are in excess of t 3 m ( number of subscribers currently logged in ) and returns them to cbb . [ 0065 ] fig6 describes the license management performed by lbb . on recovering licenses from a billboard due to the events such as logout ( 602 ), on receiving licenses from cbb at the beginning of a slot ( 604 ), or on receiving licenses from cbb in response to a demand ( 606 ), lbb updates license information database ( 608 ). let the total number of available licenses be l . in step 610 , lbb determines the current number of logged in subscribers ( s ) and in step 612 , lbb estimates the limit number of required licenses ( s 1 ) as s m * t 3 where m is the multiplicity factor and t 3 is the limit number of posters per billboard . if l & gt ; s 1 ( 614 ), then this indicates that there are excess number of licenses and hence , lbb releases these excess licenses to cbb . lbb orders licenses in the decreasing order of number of currently logged in subscribers to whom the associated posters have been shown ( 616 ) and in step 618 , lbb releases the top l − s 1 licenses to cbb . [ 0066 ] fig7 describes two distinct ways of identifying licenses for trading purposes . in step 702 , lbb analyses and identifies the surplus licenses periodically at the beginning of each slot and in step 704 , lbb identifies surplus licenses in response to a demand for licenses from cbb . [ 0067 ] fig7 a describes proactive license identification by lbb . in step 710 , lbb identifies surplus licenses at the beginning of billboard slot that is the next immediate slot and in step 712 , lbb estimates the price for each of these licenses . finally , in step 714 , lbb communicates surplus licenses and their related information to cbb . [ 0068 ] fig7 b describes the steps involved in on - demand surplus license identification by lbb . on receiving request for l licenses from cbb ( 720 ), in step 722 , lbb updates license information and determines the number of available licenses ( l 1 ). in step 724 , lbb determines the number of subscribers currently logged in ( s ) and in step 726 , lbb estimates the maximum number of required licenses as s 1 = s * m * t 2 where m is the multiplicity factor and t 2 is the maximum number of posters per billboard . if the number of available licenses ( l 1 ) is greater than the required number of minimum licenses ( s 1 ) ( 728 ), then in step 730 , lbb orders the available licenses in the decreasing order of number of currently logged in subscribers to whom the associated posters have already been shown . if the number of excess licenses is greater than the required number of licenses ( l ) to be made available to cbb ( 732 ), then in step 733 , lbb releases top l licenses and execution proceeds to step 750 . on other hand , if only some portion of l can be made available , then in step 734 , lbb releases this excess portion ( l 1 − s 1 ). in step 735 , l is set to the remaining number of licenses that need to be released to meet the demand from cbb ( l ← l −( l 1 − s 1 )) and execution to proceeds step 736 . on the other hand , in step 728 , if it is determined that the number of available licenses is less than or equal to the required minimum number of licenses , then in steps 736 through 752 , lbb computes the surplus beyond what it would have computed at the beginning of the current slot . in step 736 , the surplus computation begins from next immediate slot , namely , bb - slot . in step 738 , lbb identifies surplus for bb - slot , and let this number be m . if the required number of licenses ( l ) is greater than m ( 740 ), then a check is made to ensure that the number of iterations so far doesn &# 39 ; t exceed a pre - specified threshold ( 742 ). in step 744 , surplus is identified for the next subsequent slot and total surplus is accumulated in m . in step 746 , under the condition that the pre - specified number of iterations are completed , if m is zero , then lbb indicates to cbb that it cannot release any license ( 747 ). if , on the other hand , m & gt ;, then lbb indicates to cbb it cannot meet the demand completely and in step 750 , lbb estimates the price of the surplus licenses . finally , in step 752 , lbb communicates the surplus license and the related information to cbb . if in step 740 , if the number of licenses required is less than the surplus , cbb performs steps 750 and 752 to price and release the demanded number of licenses . [ 0070 ] fig8 describes the procedure involved in the surplus license identification for a given slot . gld distributes licenses to multiple llds and each of these llds uses the licenses to meet the subscriber demands . gld does two kinds of license distribution : distribution to meet demand due to billboard services ; distribution to address non - billboard services . non - billboard services provide subscribers an opportunity to plan their movie viewing needs and lld appropriately plans and obtains licenses from gld . the billboard service is offered to subscribers as an additional service through which the subscriber can place near video on demand requests . the procedure described in fig8 makes use of license - related planned ( including both confirmed and expected ) and utilization information , and derived license inventory information that contains consolidated license allocation information and information such as expiry date . one of the objectives of surplus identification procedure is to identify all the unallocated licenses that shall , if unused , expire in the next k slots . billboard system is used for trading these surplus licenses amongst llds based on the demands from the subscribers who are the users of the billboard system . in step 802 , surplus licenses are identified based on the nature of license allocation information . in this step , group licenses that have been committed to particular slots but are partially being used are identified and the unused licenses of group licenses are marked as surplus . specifically , if a group license has been marked to be used in the current slot and the confirmed requests account for about 60 % of the number of licenses , then it is appropriate to identify the remaining licenses as surplus to enhance the utilization of the available licenses . note that “ current slot ” mentioned above is the slot in which near video on demand requests from the subscribers through billboard system are streamed and is , typically , the next immediate slot . in step 804 , licenses that are allocated but not used during the previous slots are marked as surplus . in this step , the past allocation plan is analyzed based on the up - to - the - minute requests to identify those requests that were expected but were not received . these licenses are used to meet the online demand requests from the subscribers through billboard system . in step 806 , licenses that are about to expire in the next immediate slot , also called as billboard slot , are identified as surplus . in step 808 , lld calculates the average variation in the past predicted demand and actual license utilization and in step 810 , lld calculates the revised demand projection based on the above calculation . the excess , if any , arising due to over planning and the revised projection are marked as surplus . gld distributes licenses to each of the llds . let { n 1 , n 2 , . . . , n 1 }, where n i denotes licenses of i th movie , be the licenses allotted to an lld for a particular slot . based on the demand for the slot and possible future demands , gld distributes adequate number of group and unit licenses to each lld . each lld maintains a demand schedule table that contains the slot - wise , inclusive of both confirmed and predicted , demands . let { d 1 , d 2 , . . . , d k }, where d i denotes the predicted and confirmed demands for i th slot , be the licenses predicted for usage in k slots . lld also maintains license utilization table that contains slot - wise actual license usage data . let { a 1 , a 2 , . . . , a k }, where a i denotes the licenses that were used in i th slot , be the actual license usage for k slots . the difference between actual usage and demand schedule gives the deviation from prediction . in step 508 , this deviation from prediction is calculated . let { δ 1 , δ 2 , . . , δ k }, where δ i = d i − a i , be the deviation from the prediction for k slots . let δ be the average deviation from the prediction for k slots . in step 810 , the revised demand schedule table based on δ correction is constructed . by using the revised demand schedule table and the license inventory information , a license allocation plan is derived and is used to compute possible surplus licenses . in step 812 , lld uses the license inventory information ( that indicates the latest status on the availability of licenses ) to identify and consolidate the surplus licenses in steps 814 through 820 . las assigns perishablility factor ( pf ) for each unused license depending on license expiration information . a license with pf of 0 means that the license , unless used , will expire in the billboard slot and a license with pf of 1 will expire unless used in the billboard or the next immediate time slot . in the case of usage of a group license of a movie in a slot , all the unused unit licenses will expire if sufficient demand in that slot for that movie doesn &# 39 ; t exist . in step 814 , all the unused unit licenses of a group license slotted for the billboard slot are assigned pf of 0 . in step 816 , all the unit licenses that are expiring in the billboard slot are assigned pf of 0 . in step 818 , all the other licenses expiring in the subsequent k ( s a ) time slots are assigned pf from 1 to k depending on expiration time of the licenses . considering a license as surplus and submitting the surplus license to billboard means the lld decides to utilize that license through billboard system . k is a configurable parameter and denotes that the lld identifies the license the number of time slots before the expiry of the license as surplus and to be utilized through billboard system . in step 822 , all the licenses with pf less than or equal to k are considered as surplus . [ 0075 ] fig9 describes the steps involved in pricing the identified surplus licenses . completion of surplus identification triggers a sequence of steps for price estimation ( 902 ). as first step , the pf value of the license is checked ( 904 ) and if it is zero , then instead of estimating the price , lld sets selling price as blank and the license along with price is submitted to cbb ( 908 ). in step 904 , if pf value of the license is non - zero , then lld checks if the license is to be sold on priority for reasons such as an expected fall in demand in the near future ( 906 ). in case the lld chooses to sell the license on priority , then it sets the selling price as blank indicating that it is ready to sell the license at the best possible price and in this case , the market demand will decide the price of the license and the license along with price is communicated to cbb ( 928 ). if no such priority exists , then lld further checks if the necessary data required for price estimation of the license is available ( 910 ) and if the data is not available , lld sets the selling price as blank ( 928 ). if sufficient data is available , lld proceeds with further steps in estimating the selling price for the license . lld obtains the base price , the price at which the lld procured the license from gld ( 912 ). lld then calculates the profit factor for the license ( 914 ) which is based on the pf of the license . a license with higher pf means that it doesn &# 39 ; t expire too soon and hence , there is more opportunity for trading . as a consequence , the profit factors can be high indicating that the selling lld is not desperate to sell the license . for similar reasoning , the licenses with lower pf value will tend to have lower profit margins . lld calculates the risk factor associated with selling of the license ( 916 ). this risk is in terms of selling the license at a price and being required to buy a license for the same movie at a later time at a higher price . this calculation is based on the predicted demand for this license in the next few slots and the average deviation of the prediction from the actual usages in the past . let { δ 1 , δ 2 , . . , δ k }, where δ i = d i − a i , be the deviation from the prediction for k slots . let δ be the average deviation from prediction for k slots . risk factor is calculated as an inverse proportion of the calculated deviation : risk factor ( r f )= c / δ i where c is a configurable parameter specific to an lld . as a next step ( 918 ), lld calculates the inventory price as the sum of the base price and a price based on the above factors . lld obtains the current market price for the license ( 920 ) and further compares the computed inventory price with the current market price ( 922 ). if the computed inventory price is greater than the current market price , the inventory price is set as the initial selling price ( 924 ) and lld submits the license along with price to cbb ( 926 ). on the other hand , in step 922 , if the computed inventory price is less than or equal to the current market price , then lld sets the selling price as market price ( 923 ) and the license is submitted to cbb ( 926 ). [ 0076 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in pricing a license of the movie selected by a subscriber using billboard . in step 1002 , subscriber selects a movie for viewing for which the lld has to negotiate with cbb for the purchase of the same . in step 1004 , lld checks if a license ought to be purchased based on factors such as sla type of the subscriber and unavailability of licenses . if so , lld sets the buying price as blank ( 1022 ) and submits the bid to cbb ( 1024 ). in step 1006 , lld checks and determines if sufficient data is available for calculating the buying price . if sufficient data is not available , then lld sets the buying price as blank ( 1022 ) and submits the bid to cbb ( 1024 ). on the other hand , if sufficient data is available ( 1006 ), in step 1008 , lld obtains the base price and in step 1010 , lld calculates the risk factor . this risk is in terms of buying the license at a price and being required to sell a license for the same movie at a later time at a lower price . in step 1012 , the inventory price is computed as the sum of the base price and a price based on the above risk factor . in step 1014 , lld obtains the market price from cbb and checks if the inventory price is less than or equal to the current market price ( 1016 ). if so , lld sets the initial buying price as inventory price ( 1018 ) and submits the bid to cbb ( 1024 ). on the other hand , if it is cheaper to buy at current market price ( 1016 ), then in step 1020 , lld sets the initial buying price as current market price ( 1020 ) and the bid is submitted to cbb ( 1024 ). [ 0077 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in the negotiation to buy a license of a movie during trading process . in step 1102 , lld submits a bid with an initial buying price ( bp ) and waits for a notification from cbb . if the bid is accepted ( 1104 ), lld receives a notification from cbb about the allotment of the movie license from the selling lld ( 1106 ). in step 1108 , lld updates the billing information based on deal price and in step 110 , lld establishes connection with selling lld for initiating the movie streaming . on the other hand , if the bid is not accepted ( 1104 ), lld initiates the buy price negotiation to close the deal as quickly as possible . in step 1112 , lld determines the available time ( tn ) for negotiation . note that the buying lld is keen to get a license before the end of the current time slot so that the subscriber &# 39 ; s request to view a movie in the next time slot can be met . if there is still time for negotiation ( 1114 ), then in step 1116 , lld computes negotiation margin ( nm ) as the difference between inventory price and current market price . in step 1118 , lld computes buy price increment ( bi ) based on nm and tn . in step 1120 , lld computes the revised buy price ( rbp ) as the sum of bp and bi . in step 1122 , a check is made to determine whether the increments in the buying price has resulted in a case where the inventory price is lower than the buying bid price . if it is not so , then in step 1124 , lld submits the revised bid price to cbb . if on the other hand , if it is the case that the inventory price is lower than the buy price , then in step 1126 , a check is made to determine whether the lld can make use of its own license . this is because of the reason that using the license from lld &# 39 ; s own inventory has become more profitable than obtaining the same from cbb . if the license is available , then lld stops the bidding process and uses the license from its inventory ( 1128 ). on the other hand , if the license is not available locally ( 1126 ), then in step 1130 , a check is made if license is available with cbb and if available , in step 1132 , the bid price is set to blank so as to obtain the license at any cost and this revised bid is submitted to cbb . if license is not available even globally , then in step 1134 , lld negotiates with the subscriber to choose an alternative slot and / or movie . if there is no more time for negotiation ( 1114 ), then the steps 1126 through 1134 are performed . [ 0078 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in the negotiation to sell a license of a movie during trading process . in step 1202 , lld submits a bid with an initial selling price ( sp ) and waits for a notification from cbb . if the bid is accepted ( 1204 ), lld receives a notification from cbb about the allotment of the movie license to the buying lld ( 1206 ). in step 1206 , lld updates the billing information based on deal price and in step 1210 , lld makes provision for streaming of the allotted movie in the allotted slot to the buying lld . on the other hand , if the bid is not accepted ( 1204 ), lld initiates the sell price negotiation to close the deal as quickly as possible . in step 1212 , lld determines the available time ( tn ) for negotiation . note that the selling lld is keen to sell the license before any possible license expiry . if there is still time for negotiation ( 1214 ), then in step 1216 , lld computes negotiation margin ( nm ) as the difference between current market price and base price . in step 1218 , lld computes sell price decrement ( sd ) based on nm and tn . in step 1220 , lld computes revised sell price ( rsp ) as the difference of sp and sd . in step 1222 , a check is made to determine whether the increments in the selling price has resulted in a case where the selling bid price is lower than the base price . if it is not so , then in step 1224 , lld submits the revised bid price to cbb . if on the other hand , if it is the case that the revised sell price is lower than the base price , then in step 1226 , lld sets the selling price as blank , thereby claiming market dynamics advantage if any . in step 1228 , lld submits the revised bid to cbb . if there is no more time for negotiation ( 1214 ), then the steps 1226 and 1228 are performed . [ 0079 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in obtaining licenses from different llds by cbb . there are two distinct ways by which cbb obtains the licenses ( 1302 ). the first way is to obtain the licenses at the beginning of a slot ( 1304 ). at the beginning of a slot , llds identify the surplus licenses , assign pf factor to them , and communicate these surplus licenses to cbb for trading purposes . in step 1306 , cbb updates surplus license db ( 1328 ) that contains information related to the surplus licenses such as the associated movie , owner lld , license kind , and available number of licenses . the second way of obtaining licenses is to demand for surplus licenses from llds and is described in the steps 1308 through 1328 . in step 1308 , whenever there is an event of a subscriber logging into to the system , cbb determines the total number of currently logged in subscribers ( s ). in step 1310 , cbb determines the number of available licenses ( l ). this number indicates the licenses that are available and can be allocated to the subscribers requesting for a movie through billboard . in step 1312 , cbb determines , heuristically , whether l is adequate . this is done by computing t 2 * m * s where t 2 is the number of posters per billboard and m is the multiplicity factor . m indicates the impact of having multiple licenses for the same movie and hence cannot as flexibly used as multiple single licenses for distinct movies . if adequate licenses are available , cbb does not demand additional licenses from llds . on the other hand , if the number of licenses available falls short , cbb , in step 1314 , determines overall license requirements based on the number of subscribers logged in per lld ( t 2 * m * number of logged in subscribers ). in step 1316 , cbb calculates the number of licenses to be requested from each lld . one of the ways of computing is to apportion the need based on the portion of the number of licenses currently distributed to the llds . alternatively , the required number of licenses can be distributed equally among the llds . in step 1318 , cbb requests llds to provide the computed number of licenses . in step 1320 , cbb receives the licenses from the llds . in step 1322 , a check is made to determine whether sufficient licenses were received from llds . if not , in step 1324 , cbb requests gld to provide the remaining number of licenses . finally , in step 1326 , cbb updates surplus license db . [ 0080 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in distributing the licenses to the various llds . in step 1402 , at the beginning of a slot , cbb determines the number of logged in subscribers per lld . in step 1404 , on the event of new logins , cbb determines the number of logged in subscribers per lld . and in step 1406 , on the event of logouts , cbb determines the number of logged in subscribers per lld . in step 1408 , cbb determines the number of licenses available for distribution using surplus license db . in step 1410 , cbb determines average number of licenses ( a l ) with an lld based on the number of subscribers logged in and number of licenses presently allotted to the lld . in step 1412 , cbb computes the number of licenses to be distributed to each lld so as to equalize the average number ( a l ) of licenses across llds . this will ensure that the available licenses are distributed in a fair manner to the competing llds . in step 1414 , cbb determines the most appropriate licenses on per lld basis and distributes licenses to each lbb . one of the ways to ensure appropriateness is to avoid providing the license of a movie to an lld that already has one or more licenses for that movie . [ 0081 ] fig1 describes the steps involved in pricing of licenses by cbb . in step 1502 , different ways of global pricing of a license of a movie are described . in step 1504 , pricing of licenses with pf equal to 0 is described . in step 1506 , the base price of a license is determined . in step 1508 , the number of licenses of the movie with pf equal to 0 is determined . in step 1510 , discount factor for the movie with pf equal to 0 is determined . this discount is computed based on factors such as the number of license of the movie with pf = 0 that are currently available in the market . this factor is in direct proportion to the number of licenses available in the market indicating that if currently there are large numbers of these licenses , then the discount has to be set higher to stimulate the demand for such licenses . in step 1512 , the number of licenses with pf greater than 0 is determined and in step 1514 , pf discount factor is computed . the pf discount factor is estimated as a function of the number of license of the movie with pf not equal to zero that are currently available in the market . this factor is in direct proportion to the number of licenses available in the market indicating that if currently there are large number of these license , then the discount has to set higher to stimulate the demand for such licenses . in step 1516 , total discount , pf 0 and pf discounts , is computed and the pf 0 price of the license is determined as the difference of the base price and the total discount . in step 1520 , market price for a license of a movie is computed . this market price is used in trading whenever the buy or sell price is set to blank by bidders . in step 1522 , cbb obtains the past k sale prices of a license of the movie during past trading sessions where k is a configurable parameter . if sufficient data is available for analysis ( 1524 ), then in step 1526 , cbb calculates the weighted average of above k values and cbb sets current market price of the movie to this average price ( 1528 ). on the other hand , if sufficient data is not available ( 1524 ), then in step 1530 , cbb sets current market price of the movie to the price obtained from gld . [ 0083 ] fig1 describes the various steps involved in trading . in step 1602 , cbb receives buyer &# 39 ; s bids . the trading is initiated whenever one or more buyers submit their bids . in step 1604 , cbb checks the availability of licenses with pf equal to zero . if such licenses are not available , then in step 1606 , cbb analyses the bids from multiple sellers and selects a least bidding seller on first come first served basis . if there is no bid with blank sale bid ( 1608 ), then in step 1610 , cbb analyses the bid from the buyer . if this bid is not blank , then in step 1612 , cbb checks whether the buyer &# 39 ; s bid exceeds the seller &# 39 ; s bid . if so , then in step 1614 , cbb assigns buyer &# 39 ; s bid price as deal price and selects the seller with least bid price as a winner . if there are multiple sellers with the same least bid price , the winner is selected based on first - come - first - served basis . in step 1616 , cbb notifies the deal price to the buying and selling llds and in step 1618 , cbb updates surplus license db with the deal information . on the other hand , if in step 1612 , the buyer &# 39 ; s bid did not exceed any of the sellers &# 39 ; bids , then in step 1620 , cbb notifies deal failure to the buying and selling llds inviting them to revise their bids . on the other hand , in step 1610 , if the buyer &# 39 ; s bid is blank , then in step 1622 , cbb selects the least sale bid as the deal price , selects the seller with the least bid price as the winner , and performs the steps 1616 and 1618 . on the other hand , in step 1608 , if there is a sale bid with blank price , then if the buyer &# 39 ; s bid is not blank ( 1624 ), then in step 1626 , cbb assigns the buyer &# 39 ; s bid price as the deal price and performs steps 1616 and 1618 . otherwise , that is , the buyer &# 39 ; s bid price is also blank ( 1624 ), then in step 1628 , cbb assigns the current market price as the deal price and performs the steps 1616 and 1618 . on the other hand , in step 1604 , if there are some licenses with pf equal to zero , then in step 1630 , cbb assigns pf 0 price as the deal price , selects the seller on first - come - first - served basis , and performs the steps 1616 and 1618 . thus , a system and method for maximizing video license utilization based on billboard service to centrally manage available licenses in real - time has been disclosed . although the present invention has been described particularly with reference to the figures , it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may appear in any number of systems that perform video license distribution . it is further contemplated that many changes and modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention .	6
the embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description . rather , the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art can appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention . fig1 and 2 depict one embodiment of the polymeric or composite veneering product of the present invention comprising a veneering panel 10 including a front surface 12 having relief and / or texture and a back surface 14 having one or more attachment platforms 16 for securing the veneering panel 10 to a surface . it is noted that the attachment platforms 16 may be alternatively adjoined to the sides of the panel 10 rather than positioned on the back surface 14 depending on the type of attachment means or panel designs . the front surface 12 of the veneering product may comprise one or more colors , textures , degrees of relief and / or designs . for example , as depicted in fig1 , one embodiment of the veneering panel 10 may appear as a single cut stone . in many embodiments of the present invention , the front surface design is obtained by imaging a natural surface , such as stone , rock , wood or brick . imaging a natural surface provides a panel that simulates the natural surface and give the most aesthetic appearance . an explanation of imaging is provides below . fig2 , 3 and 4 depict three embodiments of a back surface 14 of the veneering panels 10 of the present invention . in various embodiments of the present invention , the back surface 14 may be cored or hollowed , thereby reducing the amount of raw material , such as plastic resin , bulk molding compound and / or fiberglass utilized in the panel 10 . the coring of the back surface 14 further provides channels 18 and reservoirs 20 for the free movement of air behind each panel . such channels 18 and reservoirs 20 assist in preventing the presence and buildup of moisture behind the veneering product , which may deteriorate the building materials positioned behind each panel 10 . in some embodiments of the present invention the hollowed back surface may be filled with a sound deadening and / or insulating material . for example , an insulating foam ( e . g . a polyurethane foam ) may be sprayed or applied to the back surface of each panel to provide additional sound and / or thermal insulation . in various embodiments of the present invention , the back surface 14 may be cored or hollowed in a similar replica image of the front surface 12 by including a back surface plate in the mold that has at least a partial replica image of the front surface 12 of the panel 10 . in production , the melted resin would be injected between the front and back surface plates to form each panel 10 . as previously mentioned , the hollowing of the back surface 14 reduces raw materials and in some embodiments provides a substantial uniform thickness for the panel , thereby maintaining the strength and durability of the panel 10 . the uniform thickness also provides benefits in molding the panels 10 by evening the cooling of all portions of the panel 10 during molding . in other embodiments of the present invention the cored back surface 14 may further include one or more ribs 22 , as depicted in fig5 , that extend from the top of the panel 10 to the bottom of the panel and / or from one side to the other side . such ribs 22 allow for additional stability and structure to the panel and provides additional durability to address unwanted impacts with the panel 10 . the general plastic thickness of the panels of the present invention may vary depending upon the desired rigidity and also the manufacturing process ( e . g . panels of structural foam will generally be thicker than panels that are high pressure injection molded ). however , various embodiments of the panels of the present invention will have an average thickness of approximately 50 mils to 500 mils . in various embodiments the average thickness will be approximately 80 mils to 300 mils . in additional embodiments the average thickness of the panels will be approximately 120 mils to 250 mils . it is noted that portions of the panel , such as the attachment platforms or ribs , may be of a greater thickness , but a majority of the panel 10 will generally include the thinner wall thickness . furthermore , the front surface of each panel 10 may include various degrees of relief , thereby in some embodiments , providing the appearance of natural cut stone , rock or wood . the degrees of relief generally highlight the texture of the surface and are exhibited by the peaks and valleys present . the degrees of relief may vary depending upon the desired appearance . for example , various embodiments of the present invention may include large amounts of relief ( e . g . up to 10 cm from high point to low point ) providing a very rough texture . in other embodiments , the relief may be of average degree ( e . g . up to 5 cm ). and in yet other embodiments , the relief may be somewhat mild ( e . g . up to 1 . 5 cm ). in various embodiment of the present invention , the front surface 12 of the panel 10 may be flat , rounded or beveled . the front surface 12 of this embodiment may include a beveled front having one or more bends , slants or creases in the front surface 12 . in some embodiments the beveled front surface 12 takes on a tri - panel appearance , such as a beveling or slanting down at the edges . it is noted that the front surface 12 may also be rounded , substantially flat and / or include positions of relief to provide a more natural appearance . as previously mentioned , embodiments of the front surface may be flat , rounded , include texture and relief and / or beveled to accommodate molding or fabrication ( e . g . lamination , painting , photo or thermal activated coating ) to provide the desired appearance . in various embodiments of the present invention the front surface is produced by imaging an actual natural surface , such as natural stone , rock , brick or wood . the imaging of the natural surface can be performed by processes such as cast imaging of the natural surface or by digital scanning the natural surface . when cast imaging the natural surface a mirror image of the surface can be produced by providing a casting material , such as silicone , ceramics or fine sand , and casting it over and / or around the natural surface . once the casting material sets or has formed a mirror image of the natural surface the object casted is removed from the newly formed mold of the natural surface and an opposite image or negative of the natural surface has been produced . next the negative image can be cast again with a solidifying material to produce the positive image of the natural surface . such a process produces a casting that captures the texture and relief of the natural surface . once the casted mirror images ( i . e . positive and negative ) are produced , a mold and / or a mold insert manufactured from a suitable mold material , such as aluminum , steel or a ceramic , can be produced for mass manufacture by administering the mold material to the positive and / or negative casting to form the production mold . in various embodiments of the present invention sand or ceramic is used to provide a detailed negative and / or positive image thereby providing the desired detail found in the natural surface which then can be transferred to a more durable steel or aluminum production mold for mass manufacture of panels having one or more natural surface images . cast imaging of the natural surface may be performed by a cast foundry . foundries that may be used to prepare such castings include but are not limited to arrow pattern and foundry company , 9725 south industrial drive , bridgeview ill . and wk industries , 6120 millett ave ., sterling heights , mich . alternatively , a mold may be prepared by digitally scanning the natural surface , such that the surface of a stone , brick or piece of wood . once scanned , a mold can be produced from a suitable mold material for mass manufacture of the front panels or fascias having a front surface supporting the scanned image . it is noted that the core side of the mold may be produced by either digitally scanning or casting the natural surface . such imaging provides a core that will substantially mirror the front surface of the mold and thereby provide a manufactured panel 10 that is relatively uniform in thickness . as previously mentioned the panels of the present invention may take on the image of a single stone , brick or piece of wood . alternatively , as depicted in fig5 a - c , the veneering panel 10 may have the appearance of multiple stones . for example , a single panel may appear as a ledgestone configuration having a plurality of cut stones as depicted in fig5 a . in yet another embodiment , as depicted in fig5 b and 5 c the veneering panel 10 may appear to include a plurality of field stones or a plurality of cut stones in a random ashlar pattern . additionally , as previously suggested , the front surface 12 may include one or more colors , textures and / or degrees of relief to provide a natural stone , brick or wood appearance . when covering a wall with panels that have the image of multiple items , such as stones , wood or brick , it is important to avoid the appearance of a reoccurring pattern . when utilizing such products it is not uncommon that visually unacceptable straight lines are formed when individual items , such as stones , are aligned , thereby forming long vertical or horizontal breaks in the wall wherein a series of stones or wood planks end in the same location . such breaks are perceived as being an unacceptable pattern . therefore , embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide imaged items , such as stones , brick or wood planks , in positions which break designated fields or planes . in such embodiments , individual stones are positioned on a majority of the panels ( e . g . & gt ; 50 % of the panels or in other embodiment & gt ; 75 % of the panels ) so as to break at least two or more fields / planes that extend partially along the perimeter of the panel , but also pass through the interior of the panel . in other embodiments of the present invention , individual stones are positioned on a majority of the panels ( e . g . & gt ; 50 % of the panels or in other embodiment & gt ; 75 % of the panels ) so as to break at least three or more fields / planes that extend partially along the perimeter of the panel , but also pass through the interior of the panel . in yet other embodiments of the present invention , individual stones are positioned on a majority of the panels ( e . g . & gt ; 50 % of the panels or in other embodiment & gt ; 75 % of the panels ) so as to break at least four or more fields / planes that extend partially along the perimeter of the panel , but also pass through the interior of the panel . if such fields are not broken by a strategically placed stone a reoccurring break pattern on the wall may become recognizable . fig5 a depicts a t - unit panel 10 that includes four fields or planes that extend along the periphery of the panel 10 , but also pass through the interior of the panel . in the t - unit depicted in fig5 a at least one individual stone is found to break each of the four fields . the fields are designated by dashed lines and the field breaks are outlined with boxes . for example , stone 2 breaks field 1 ; stone 4 breaks field 2 ; stone 3 breaks field 3 and stones 3 and 5 break field 4 . fig5 b depicts another embodiment of the present invention wherein individual imaged items , such as stones , are positioned on a z - unit panel 10 . the z - unit panel of this embodiment generally has 3 fields / units wherein one or more imaged items breaks each of the fields . for example , stone 1 breaks field 1 ; stone 2 breaks field 3 and stone 3 breaks field 2 . the fields are designated with dashed lines and the breaks are designated in the boxes . finally , fig5 c depicts a partial wall having at least 4 different z - unit panels 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 and a few finishing panels a , b , c , d and i , ii , iii . as can be seen in the wall , a wall constructed utilizing a majority of panels that break the fields avoid the unacceptable straight line breaks in the wall . various embodiments of the panels of the present invention may further include interlocking members that allow the panels to overlap and / or secure to each other . fig6 a depicts one embodiment of the present invention wherein the panel 10 includes a front overlap 30 and a back overlap 32 . it is noted that such interlocking panels may also be found on the sides of the panels 10 rather than or in addition to being positioned on the top and bottom of the panels 10 . additionally , the front overlap 30 and back overlap 32 may have fastening devices to mechanically interconnect the panels to each other . examples of fastening devices include , but are not limited to snaps , peg and slots , clips , adhesives , screws , rivets , nails and combinations thereof . in various embodiments screws , adhesives and combinations of these are utilized to secure the panels to the substrate . further explanation of such panels are identified below . fig6 b - 6 g depict embodiments of the present invention that may be secured to a substrate , such as a wall with adhesives alone or with adhesives and screws , nails or rivets . as depicted in fig6 b and 6 c a t - unit panel 10 having a front surface 12 and an attachment platform 16 may be secured to a substrate , such as a wall , with one or more strips of adhesive 15 and secured to the panel above with a second strip or strips of tape / adhesive 17 . alternatively , rather than utilizing adhesive to secure each panel to the substrate , screws , nails , or rivets may be used to secure each panel 10 to the substrate by passing the screw , nail or rivet through one or more fastening apertures 19 positioned on the attachment platform 16 . in various embodiments , screws , nails or rivets can simply be passed through the polymer attachment platform 16 without fastening apertures 19 . it is noted that a depression 13 approximately the same width as or slightly greater in width than the attachment platform 16 may be positioned on the back bottom side of the panel 10 to nest the extra width of the tape 17 and / or attachment platform 16 of the adjacent panel , thereby allowing for a more flush system . a back perspective view that illustrates the depression 13 is depicted in fig6 c . fig6 d and 6 e depict another embodiment of the present invention , wherein a z - unit panel 10 having a front surface 12 and an attachment platform 16 may be secured to a substrate with one or more strips of adhesive / tape 17 and secured to the panel above with a second strip or strips of adhesive 17 . alternatively , similar to the t - unit described above , screws , nails , or rivets may be utilized to secure each panel 10 to a substrate by passing the screw nail or rivet through one or more fastening apertures 19 positioned on the attachment platform 16 . in various embodiments , screws , nails or rivets can simply be passed through the polymer attachment platform 16 without fastening apertures 19 . similar to the t - unit embodiment , a depression 13 approximately the same width as or slightly greater in width than the attachment platform 16 may be positioned on the back bottom side of the panel 10 to nest the extra width of the tape and fastening ridge of adjacent units thereby allowing for a more flush system . a back perspective view that illustrates the depression 13 on a z - unit panel is depicted in fig6 e . other embodiments of the present invention may be secured to a wall or substrate utilizing one or more mechanical fasteners , such as screws , nails , rivets and / or clips . fig7 and 7 a depict other embodiments of the present invention wherein securing spacers 34 are adjoined to the sides of the panels 10 to provide another means for attachment of the panel 10 to a wall or substrate and further to provide the desired spacing when a mortared wall appearance is desired . the spacer 34 may include one or more securing apertures 36 for passing a screw through the spacer 34 , thereby securing the panel to the wall or support . the spacers 34 may also function to provide adequate spacing between panels to accommodate the application of a grout caulk between the panels to provide the appearance of a mortared wall . any tile or grout caulk may be utilized with the present invention . for example an acrylic or silicone grout caulk ( e . g . a sanded tile and grout caulk ), such as one manufactured by colorfast industries , inc ., 350 west h street , colton , calif . 92324 may be utilized with the present invention . additionally , one or more of the spacers 34 , as depicted in fig7 may further include a spacer ridge 40 for setting the distance between panels by acting as a stop when inserting such spacers 34 into spacer apertures 38 . the spacer apertures may be generally positioned on an adjacent panel 10 to accept and interlock the panels being adjoined . fig7 b depicts a bottom view of the panel embodiment of fig7 , wherein the panel 10 further includes a spacer aperture 38 for accommodating the insertion of one of the spacers 34 positioned on the top side of such a panel 10 . such apertures 38 are generally utilized when adjacent rows of panels 10 are staggered thereby requiring the nesting of the top portion of a t - shaped spacer in a panel positioned above . the spacer apertures may be include in any embodiment of the present invention to provide the potential to establish a morterless appearance . it is noted that all such embodiments may further include securing platforms , similar to those depicted in fig2 , 4 and 5 for either securing the panels 10 with an adhesive , such as glue or two sided tape , or securing the panels 10 with both adhesives and screws , rivets or nails . fig7 c and 7 d depict yet another embodiment of a panel of the present invention , wherein the panel 10 further includes spacers 34 that may be utilized to provide spacing for grout application or that may be inserted substantially within apertures 38 of adjacent panels 10 to provide a stone on stone appearance ( no grout ). in such embodiments , each panel 10 includes spacers 34 and spacer apertures 38 that can accommodate the spacing and interlocking of adjacent panels 10 . in various embodiments , the spacers may include a spacer ridge 40 that may butt up against an adjacent panel to provide for proper spacing when grouting is desired . alternatively , the spacer 34 may be pushed pass the ridge 40 and further into the aperture to accommodate a stone on stone appearance . additionally , the spacers may include securing apertures 36 for passing a screw , rivet , nail or other securing means into the wall or substrate behind each panel . each spacer 34 may further include a score line 42 for breaking off the spacers 34 if they are not utilized . fig8 a depicts another embodiment of the invention that includes a tongue and groove panel attachment . the z - unit panel 10 of fig8 a includes attachment platform 16 on the male end 11 and a depression 13 for accepting the attachment platform 16 positioned on the female end 15 of the panel 10 . the attachment platform 16 may include one or more apertures 19 that are configured to accept screws , nails or rivets for securing the panel 10 to a substrate , such as a wall . fig8 b depicts a side view of the panel of fig8 a wherein the panel 10 includes a tongue 21 positioned on the female end 15 and a groove 23 positioned on the male end 11 . it is noted that the tongue 21 may comprise multiple tabs rather than a single elongated tongue that extends along the majority of one or more sides of the panel 10 . furthermore , the groove 23 may be a series of apertures positioned along one or more sides of the panel 10 rather than a groove 23 that extends across the entire length of the one or more sides . however , it is generally recommended that the groove 23 extend along the entire length of the one or more sides to provide more forgiveness in assembly . during assembly of a wall using the embodiment depicted in fig8 a - b , a first panel 10 is positioned over a second panel that has been secured onto a wall . next , the tongue 21 of the first panel is inserted into the groove of the second panel and the first panel is pushed down into the groove until the panel is in the proper positions . next the first panel is secured to the wall by adhering the attachment platform 16 to the substrate , such as a wall , with adhesive / tape or by screwing , nailing or riveting the attachment platform 16 to the substrate with screws , nails or rivets . other embodiments may utilize securing clips to attach panels of the present invention to a wall or substrate . fig9 - 14 c depict embodiments of the present invention , wherein the panels 10 are secured to a wall or substrate with a securing clip . in various embodiments of the present invention , the securing clip is a barb clip 44 . fig9 a - d depict various views of one embodiment of a panel 10 of the present invention that utilize a barb clip for securing the panels to a substrate , such as a wall . fig9 a and 9 b depicts front and back views of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the panel 10 includes a front surface 12 with beveled edges and a back surface 14 . a ridge 48 extends along the periphery of two or more sides of the panel 10 thereby creating a slot 50 positioned between the front surface 12 and the ridge 48 . see fig9 c and 9 d . the ridge 48 and slot 50 provide a means for inserting the ridge 48 between the barbs of one or more barb clips 44 , thereby securing the panel to the wall or substrate and the adjacent panels 10 . it is noted that in other embodiments , the ridge 48 may include one or more barbs that can be utilized to further secure the panel to the barb clip 44 . fig1 a - 10 c depict one embodiment of a barb clip 44 that may be utilized in securing the panels 10 of the present invention to a wall or substrate and to adjacent panels . the barb clip 44 of this embodiment generally includes a front plate 52 including one or more barbs 54 operably adjoined to a backing plate 56 by a clip spacer 58 . in such embodiments , the clip spacer 58 adjoins the front plate 52 and back plate 56 to form a channel 72 for accepting the ridge 48 of the panel 10 . the front plate 52 and back plate may further include an aperture or depression 62 positioned to accept a securing fastener 60 , such as screws , rivets , nails and the like . however , other securing means may be utilized such as adhesives ( e . g . glues or two sided tapes ). the barb clip may be made of any suitable material such as plastics , ceramics , metals , alloys and the like . for example , the barb clip 44 may be manufactured with a metal or alloy , such as aluminum or stainless steel , a plastic , such as a polyester or a polycarbonate , or bulk molding compound ( thermoset ). additionally , in various embodiments the spacing of the barbs 54 on the front plate 52 may be utilized to set the spacing of the panels 10 during installation . for example , by inserting the ridge 48 past the first or second barbs 54 , a panel 10 may be spaced from existing panels at the proper distance to accept grout caulk between . each barb 54 acts to restrict the further movement of the panel in a direction closer to the adjacent panels . alternatively , by inserting the ridge 48 past the last barb 54 on the barb clip 44 , a panel 10 may be positioned contiguously against the side of the adjacent panels 10 . fig1 a - 11 c depict a starter clip 63 , which operates in a similar way to the barb clip 44 previously described , but may be utilized at wall or substrate edges . the starter clip 63 generally includes a front plate 52 that includes one or more barbs 54 operably adjoined to a backing plate 56 with a clip spacer 58 . similar to the barb clip 44 , in various embodiments , the starter clip 63 may be secured to a wall or substrate by passing a fastener , such as a screw , nail or rivet , through an aperture or depression 62 . alternatively , the starter clip 63 may be secured to the substrate with an adhesive , such as a sealant or two sided tape . in operation , as depicted in the back view of fig1 , a panel 10 of this embodiment is secured to a substrate , such as a wall , by inserting the ridge 48 of the bottom of a panel 10 into the channel 72 of one or more starter clip ( s ) 63 that have been already secured to the substrate . next , the ridge 48 on the top of the panel 10 is inserted into the channel ( s ) 72 between the front plate 52 and backing plate 54 of one or more barb clip ( s ) 44 . once the barb clips 44 are secured to the panel ( s ) 10 , the clips 44 are secured to the wall or substrate with one or more fasteners 60 , such as screws or adhesives . this process is repeated until the bottom row of the wall is secured to the substrate , such as a wall . once the bottom row is secured , a panel 10 of this embodiment is secured to a wall or substrate by inserting the ridge 48 of on the top of a panel 10 into the channel 72 of a barb clip 44 and next inserting the ridge 48 on the bottom of the panel 10 into the channel 72 between the front plate 52 and backing plate 54 of the barb clip ( s ) secured to the panel ( s ) positioned below . next a fastener 60 is placed in the aperture of the first barb clip 44 positioned on the top of the panel 10 and the barb clip 44 is fastened to the wall or substrate , thereby securing the panel 10 to the wall or substrate . this process is continued until the wall is covered with panels 10 . it is noted that this process may be altered by securing the panels 10 from the top of the wall or substrate downward or securing the panels on one side of a wall or substrate and moving to the other side of the wall or substrate . fig1 a - 13 e depict one embodiment of a corner panel 64 that may be utilized with the panels 10 and barb clips 44 described above . in this embodiment , the corner panel 64 generally includes a plurality of stones 66 molded into the front surface 12 . however , in other embodiments , the corner panel 64 may also be molded to feature only a single stone . in some embodiments that include a plurality of stones in a single panel , the panel may include a stone projection 68 that may be positioned between two panels 10 and / or a recess 70 that may receive a regular panel 10 . it is noted that the corner panel projection 68 may be inserted into a corner panel recess 70 to complete the covering of a wrap around corner . similar to the panels described above , the corner panels 64 may include ridges 48 that extend along one or more sides of the corner panel 64 that may be inserted into barb clips 44 or starter clips 63 to adjoin the corner panels 64 to adjacent panels 10 and secure the corner panels 64 to the substrate . fig1 a - 14 c depict the corner panel 64 incorporated into a wall assembly with a wrap around corner that includes a plurality of panels 10 adjoined by barb clips 44 . as previously suggested , each corner panel 64 and / or each panel 10 of the present invention may take on the appearance of a single stone , rock , timber and the like or may take on the appearance of a plurality of stones , rocks , timbers and the like . fig1 - 24 e depict embodiments of the present invention , wherein the panels 10 are secured to a wall or substrate with a securing clip in the form of a radius clip . fig1 a - c depict various views of one embodiment of a panel 10 of the present invention that utilize a radius clip for securing the panels 10 to a substrate , such as a wall . fig1 a - 15 c depicts back perspective , side and top views of one embodiment of the present invention wherein the panel 10 includes a front surface 12 with beveled edges and a back surface 14 . in various embodiments of the present invention , a plurality of sockets 74 extend across the periphery of two or more of the top , bottom and / or sides of the panel 10 thereby creating a plurality of attachment points to adjoin each panel 10 with the wall or substrate . the sockets 74 may be of any shape or size , but all provide a means for securing the panel 10 to the wall or substrate and also to the adjacent panels 10 . in various embodiments of the present invention the sockets are circular or elliptical in shape and have a radius of approximately 1 inches to 2 . 5 inches . in various embodiments the radius of the sockets 74 approximately 15 inches to 1 . 5 inches and in other embodiments the radius of the sockets are 0 . 3 inches to 1 inch . it is noted that any socket shape may be utilized . for example , shapes such as polygonal , rectangular , square may be utilized as socket shapes . fig1 a - 16 c depict one embodiment of a radius clip 76 that may be utilized in securing the panels 10 of the present invention to a wall or substrate and to adjacent panels . the radius clip 76 of this embodiment generally includes two or more attachment members 78 adjoined by a clip neck 80 . each attachment member 78 is generally shaped and sized to be accepted by the sockets 72 positioned on the edges of the panels 10 . furthermore , the attachment members 78 may further include an aperture or depression 62 positioned to accept a securing fastener 60 , such as screws , rivets , nails and the like . however , other securing means may be utilized such as adhesives ( e . g . glues / sealants or two sided tapes ). the radius clip 76 may be made of any suitable material such as plastics , ceramics , metals , alloys and the like . for example , the radius clip 76 may be manufactured with a metal or alloy , such as aluminum or stainless steel , a plastic , such as a polyester , polyethylene , polypropylene or a polycarbonate , or a fiberglass or bulk molding compound ( thermoset ). in various embodiments , the radius clip 76 may be of a length that positions panels 10 in a proximate position to adjacent and / or surrounding panels 10 , thereby providing little to no gaps between panels . however , in other embodiments , the radius clip 76 may be of a longer length to provide gaps between adjacent panels . when utilizing the longer radius clips 76 , the gaps may be filled with a grout caulk to provide a mortared wall appearance . fig1 a - 17 c depict one embodiment of a radius clip 76 that may be utilized to provide the desired gaps between adjacent panels 10 . in this embodiment , the clip neck 80 is extended to provide additional length to the radius clip 76 thereby providing the desired gaps when the panels 10 are assembled on the wall or substrate . additionally , in various embodiments , as depicted in fig1 a and 17 a , the clip neck 80 has a width that is less than the width of the attachment members 78 . fig1 a - 18 c depict one embodiment of a molding panel 82 , which operates in a similar way to the radius clip panels previously described , but may be utilized at wall or substrate edges ( e . g . top , bottom , sides ). the molding panel 82 generally includes a front surface 12 and a back surface 14 . the back surface 14 of this embodiment supports a plurality of sockets 74 that may be utilized to accept one or more attachment members for securing the molding panel 84 to the wall , substrate and / or adjacent panels . finally , as depicted in fig1 a - 18 c , corner moldings 86 may be utilized to provide borders on the various corners of a wall or substrate . it is noted that all embodiments , including the barb clip embodiments , may include molding panels and corner moldings to provide a border on the wall or substrate . in operation , as depicted in the back view of fig2 , a molding panels ( not shown ) and corner panels ( not shown ) are secured to the base , top and / or side of a wall by radius clips 76 . once the molding is secured , a panel 10 of this embodiment is secured to a wall or substrate by first inserting one or more attachment members 78 of one or more radius clips 76 into one or more sockets 74 on the top and / or side ( s ) of the panel 10 . it is noted the radius clip ( s ) 76 may optionally be adjoined to the wall or substrate first prior to inserting the attachment members 78 into the sockets 74 of the molding panels 84 , corner moldings 86 or panels 10 . once the clips 76 are secured to the panel ( s ) 84 , 86 , 10 , the panels are secured to the radius clips adjoined to the molding panels and corner panels and the radius clips 76 on the top and side surfaces of the panels 10 are secured to the substrate , such as a wall , with one or more fasteners 60 . this process is repeated until the bottom row of the wall is secured to the wall or substrate . once the bottom row is secured , another one or more radius clips 76 are inserted into the sockets 74 on the top edge of another panel of this embodiment and that panel is secured to a wall or substrate by inserting the attachment member 78 secured to the wall or substrate into a socket 74 on the bottom edge of a panel 10 to be attached to the wall or substrate . next a fastener 60 is placed in the aperture of the radius clip 76 positioned on the top of the panel 10 and the radius clip 76 is fastened to the wall or substrate , thereby securing the panel 10 to the wall or substrate . this process is continued until the wall is covered with panels 10 . it is noted that this process may be altered by securing the panels 10 from the top of the wall or substrate downward or securing the panels on one side of a wall or substrate and moving to the other side of the wall or substrate . in yet another embodiment of the present invention , a radius clip snap grid 88 may be secured to the wall or substrate and a panel 10 or wall cap may be secured to the snap grid 88 . fig2 a and 21 b depict one embodiment of a snap grid 88 that may be utilized with the present invention . in general , the snap grid 88 of this embodiment includes a sheet 90 having a plurality of sockets 74 aligning one or more edges . the snap grid may be secured to the wall or substrate by any means know in the art including but not limited to screws , nails , rivets , adhesives and the like . once secured to the wall , a panel 10 or wall cap may be adjoined to the snap grid 88 with one or more radius clip ( s ) 76 . fig2 a - 22 c depict one embodiment of a wall cap 92 that may be secured to a snap grid of the present invention . in various embodiments , the wall cap 92 includes a front surface 12 and a back surface 14 . in the depicted embodiments , the back surface 14 includes a plurality of ribs 94 to provide additional stability and structure to the wall cap 92 . in some embodiments , a plurality of radius clips 76 may be secured to the back surface 14 and / or ribs 94 of the wall cap 92 and subsequently snapped into the snap grid 88 already positioned on the wall . fig2 a - 23 e depict one embodiment of a corner panel 64 that may be utilized with the panels and radius clips 76 described above . in this embodiment , the corner panel 64 generally includes a plurality of stones 66 molded into the front surface 12 . however , in other embodiments , the corner panel 64 may also be molded to feature only a single stone . in some embodiments that include a plurality of stones in a single panel , the panel may include a stone projection 68 that may intersect with one or more regular panels 10 or a recess 70 of another adjacent corner panel when covering a wrap around wall . it is noted that the recess 70 may be used to receive a regular panel 10 when covering a corner . similar to the panels described above , the corner panel 64 includes sockets 74 that extend along the top , bottom and / or one or more sides of the corner panel 64 that may be utilized to adjoin the corner panels 64 to adjacent panels 10 . fig2 a - 24 d depict the corner panel 64 incorporated into a wall assembly that includes a plurality of panels 10 adjoined by radius clips 76 . as previously suggested , each corner panel 64 and / or each panel 10 of the present invention may take on the appearance of a single stone , rock , timber and the like or may take on the appearance of a plurality of stones , rocks , timbers and the like . various embodiments of the present invention may be formed in a single part by processes that have manufacturing benefits , such as injection molding , structural foam molding ( e . g . low pressure multi - nozzle structural foam ), injection molding using chemical and other foaming agents , extrusion , blow molding or thermoforming . in many embodiments of the present invention , the panels 10 are foamed panels manufactured utilizing a foaming process , such as structural foam molding ( e . g . low pressure multi - nozzle structural foam , or injection molding using chemical and other foaming agents . such foamed panels provide a sturdy and rigid structure that establishes a protective barrier to the substrate and is capable of sustaining high impact . other embodiments of the present invention may be wall covering systems formed with multiple parts . for example , a veneering system may include a plurality of panels of the present invention adjoined to a grid system or backing that has been attached to a substrate surface , such as a wall surface . in certain circumstances it may be beneficial to attach a grid system or backing , such as an attachment grid , snap grid , plywood , particle board or drywall , to the surface of a wall or other structure to support one or more panels of the present invention . for example , a wall that is uneven , such as a corrugated metal sided building or an old brick or concrete building , may require a grid system , such as metal or plastic grid , snap grid , plywood or drywall , to be attached to its surface to better accept the panels of the present invention . however , it is again noted that such a grid system or backing may not be necessary . furthermore , a grid system or backing may be utilized to protect the substrate beneath when it is desired to limit the damage to such a substrate . for example , a grid system may be secured to drywall or a plastered wall in a limited number of attachment locations rather than the multiple locations required to adjoin a plurality of panels to the same drywall or plastered wall . fig2 depicts one embodiment of a grid system or backing 24 of the present invention . the grid system 24 of this embodiment includes a grid 26 comprising a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical members . the grid system 24 may be attached to a substrate , such as a wall , by utilizing one or more substrate fasteners 28 . examples of substrate fasteners 28 include , but are not limited to screws , bolts , adhesives , rivets , nails , and combinations thereof . in the example depicted in fig7 , the grid system 24 is adjoined to the wall surface with a plurality of screws , bolts or rivets that function as the substrate fastener 28 . fig2 depicts another alternative grid system or backing 24 that may be utilized in the present application . the grid system 24 comprises a peg board that functions in a similar fashion as the receiving portion of legos ®. the panels 10 used in this embodiment would include a plurality of pegs ( not shown ) that would be received by the peg board of this embodiment . in an alternate , but similar embodiment of the present invention , the substrate 24 and panels 10 may include the male and female components that are similar to velcro ®. fig2 depicts another embodiment of a grid system 24 that may be secured to a wall or other surface . in this embodiment , a grid system comprised of a series of tracks including a top slide bracket 34 and bottom slide bracket 36 are positioned on a substrate , such as a wall . the top slide bracket 34 and bottom slide bracket 36 are generally configured to receive one or more top slide members 38 and bottom slide members 40 positioned on the back surface 14 of a panel 10 as depicted in fig2 . it is noted that in various embodiments the one or more sets of top slide brackets and bottom slide brackets may be secured directly to the wall or surface being covered rather than securing them first to a substrate . the panels of the present invention may take the form of any shape and may be of any size . for example , as previously mentioned , the panel may be shaped in a rectangle , circular , elliptical or “ z ” configuration . panels may also be shaped to wrap around corners or fit into or onto irregular shapes . fig2 and 30 depict two embodiments of corner panels 64 that can be utilized in outside and inside 90 degree corners . the panels 10 and corner panels 64 may also be of varying size . in some embodiments of the present invention the panels 10 are greater than eight square feet . in yet other embodiments of the present invention the panels 10 are approximately two to eight square feet . in still other embodiments the panels 10 are approximately ¼ to four square feet or are ½ to 3 square feet . additionally different size panels may be utilized to provide an irregular pattern ( e . g . ashlar or ledgestone patterns ). as previously identified , any wall may be covered with the veneering product of the present invention . for example , segmental retaining wall block may be adapted to accept and secure a veneering panel of the present invention . such a panel would provide additional durability , deterioration resistance and aesthetic appearance to the normally problematic concrete product . fig3 a - e depict one embodiment of the panel 10 that may be utilized to cover a concrete block . the panel 10 of this embodiment of the present invention , generally includes a front face 12 adjoined to one or more groove attachments 96 . the front face 12 may be molded and / or fabricated as described herein to include a colored and textured surface that replicates a natural appearances , such as stone or wood . for example , in various embodiments of the present invention , a stone or wood plank may be imaged to capture the desired face and then coated with one or more polymer paints to capture the natural appearance . it is noted that other fabrication processes , such as in - mold decoration or solid surface coating , may be utilized in manufacturing the block panels of the present invention . in this embodiment , the panel 10 may extend around the side of a concrete block 100 wherein the one or more groove attachments 96 are configured to insert and secure into a groove 98 positioned on the concrete block 100 . the groove attachments 96 and accepting grooves 98 may be of a variety of shapes and sizes . another example of a panel 10 that may be utilized to cover concrete blocks is depicted in fig3 a - c . in this embodiment , the groove 98 and groove attachment 96 are in the shape of a dove tail or dogbone , thereby providing for the secure attachment of the panel 10 . fig3 b depicts the back view of a panel that includes two groove attachments 96 that are shaped in a dogbone configuration and a panel 10 that includes wrap around edges 102 . each of the panels of the present invention may be textured and include color and / or other additives ( e . g . u . v . inhibitor , texture enhancer , metal or glass particulates and the like ) to provide protection to the panels and / or provide the desired natural appearance . generally , the surface visible to the observer will include a molded and / or fabricated texture and / or pattern in the deterioration resistant material . in various embodiments of the present invention the exposed surface of the panel 10 will have a natural appearance . for example , the exposed surface of the front surface 12 may be textured and colored to have the appearance of rock , natural stone , sand , soil , clay , wood , trees and foliage , water , or any other natural earthen appearance . additionally , in other embodiments , the exposed surface of the veneering product , such as the front surface 12 may further include one or more designs ( e . g . symbols , company names , logos , images ) that may be positioned in the natural appearance texture and color ( e . g . a company logo embedded in a stone color and texture ). also , in other embodiments of the present invention , the front surface 12 may further include a design , such as the appearance of multiple bricks , stones , timbers or blocks . this allows for the installation of larger panels in a wall that appear to include a multitude of bricks , stones , blocks , timbers and the like . in many embodiments of the present invention , the appearance of the front surface 12 the other portions of the panel 10 that are intended to be seen , generally include a natural appearance . this may be accomplished in a number of ways including but not limited to thermal molding , lamination and / or coating ( e . g . solid surface coating , such as u . v . activated coating , or polymer painting ). for example , the relief , texture and color of each panel 10 may be formed by thermal molding one or more resins that include colors and other additives in a mold that has a desired texture . such a process may be performed by any process known in the art , such as thermoforming , extrusion , rotomolding , injection molding , structural foam molding , injection molding using chemical and other foaming agents , vacuum molding or any combination thereof . in many embodiments of the present invention the panels 10 are formed using a foamed process , such as structural foam molding or injection molding using foaming agents . such parts made by using a foamed process provides a part that is durable , rigid and possesses a desirable texture . in other embodiments , the texture may also be imprinted on the panel 10 in a secondary process after formation of the panel 10 by rolling a die that imprints the texture on the polymeric front surface 12 . in other embodiments of the present invention , the natural appearance can be achieved through a lamination process . in various embodiments , a sheet of polymeric material having the desired natural appearance and including the desired color and additives ( e . g . uv inhibitor , natural or synthetic stone particles . . . ) is laminated over the portions of the panel 10 , such as the front face 12 . in various embodiments of the present invention a sheet of polymeric material may include natural or synthetic particles ( e . g . granite , marble , aluminum trihydrate , aluminum oxide . . . ). generally , in the lamination process , the front surface 12 may have a sheet of polymeric material heat welded or adhered to the front surface 12 . such a lamination step may happen in a secondary step after formation of the panel 10 . alternatively , the laminated plastic sheet may be inserted into the front side of a mold and formed over the resin that is administered into the mold . for example , a sheet of polymeric material may be placed in the front end of an injection molding mold and subsequently thermoformed or vacuum formed to the front surface of the mold prior to filling the mold with resin when manufacturing the panel 10 . next , melted resin is shot into the injection mold , thereby integrating the laminated sheet into the front of the panel 10 and optionally top of the other parts of the panel 10 intended to be seen . in yet other embodiments of the present invention , the natural appearance may be achieved by utilizing a solid surface coating . the solid surface coating generally includes one or more natural mineral or fiber fillers , one or more polymeric binder resins and one or more initiators . the natural mineral or fiber fillers may include but are not limited to natural stone or rock filler ( e . g . granite , marble , quartz , limestone , shale particles ), wood fiber , hydrated alumina ( e . g . aluminum trihydrate ), ground silica , acrylic chips , calcium carbonate , aluminum oxide with pigmented polymer coated quartz , sand , and any other filler that would provide a natural stone , brick or wood appearance . various embodiments of the present invention include one or more polymerizable binder resins . in one embodiment , the present invention provides a system comprising initiators and one or more polymerizable binder resins , each binder resin bearing one or more polymerizable groups . in accordance with this embodiment , the photoinitiator group serves to initiate polymerization of the polymerizable groups , thereby forming a polymeric coating , e . g ., in the form of a layer covalently bound to the front surface of the panel via the one or more initiators . as used herein , “ polymerizable group ” shall generally refer to a group that is adapted to be polymerized by initiation via free radical generation , and more preferably by photoinitiators activated by visible or long wavelength ultraviolet radiation . suitable polymerizable compounds are selected from monomeric polymerizable molecules ( e . g ., organic monomers ), and macromeric polymerizable molecules ( e . g ., organic macromers ). as used herein , “ macromer ” shall refer to a macromolecular monomer having a molecular weight of about 250 to about 25 , 000 , and preferably from about 1 , 000 to about 5 , 000 . for purposes of the present invention , and unless specified otherwise , the term “ monomer ” when used in this respect shall generally refer to monomeric and / or macromolecular polymerizable molecules . in yet another embodiment , the polymerizable monomer compounds of the present invention comprise macromeric polymerizable molecules . suitable macromers can be synthesized from monomers such as those illustrated above . according to the present invention , polymerizable functional components ( e . g ., vinyl groups ) of the macromer can be located at either terminus of the polymer chain , or at one or more points along the polymer chain , in a random or nonrandom structural manner . examples of some polymerizable binder resins that may be utilized in the present invention include , but are not limited to , polyurethanes , polyepoxides , epoxy - acrylates , epoxide and epoxy resins , urethane acrylates , methacrylates , unsaturated polyesters , polyols , acrylics and monomers and oligomers having similar backbone structures of these resins . the coatings also include one or more initiators . generally the initiators are polybifunctional reagents of the invention carry one or more pendent latent reactive ( e . g . photoreactive or thermoreactive ) moieties covalently bonded to the resin . various embodiments of the coatings of the present invention include one or more photoreactive moieties that are sufficiently stable to be stored under conditions in which they retain such properties . latent reactive moieties can be chosen that are responsive to various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum , with those responsive to ultraviolet and visible portions of the spectrum ( referred to herein as “ photoreactive ”) being particularly preferred . photoreactive moieties respond to specific applied external stimuli to undergo active specie generation with resultant covalent boding to an adjacent chemical structure , e . g ., as provided by the same or a different molecule . photoreactive moieties are those groups of atoms in a molecule that retain their covalent bonds unchanged under conditions of storage but that , upon activation by an external energy source , form covalent bonds with other molecules . the photoreactive moieties generate active species such as free radicals and particularly nitrenes , carbenes , and excited states of ketones upon absorption of external electric , electromagnetic or kinetic ( thermal ) energy . photoreactive moieties may be chosen to be responsive to various portions of the electromagnetic spectrum , and photoreactive moieties that are responsive to e . g ., ultraviolet and visible portions of the spectrum are preferred and are referred to herein occasionally as “ photochemical ” moiety . photoreactive aryl ketones , such as acetophenone , benzophenone , anthraquinone , anthrone , and anthrone - like heterocycles ( i . e ., heterocyclic analogues of anthrone such as those having n , o , or s in the 10 - position ), or their substituted ( e . g ., ring substituted ) derivatives are utilized in some embodiments of the present invention . the functional groups of such ketones are preferred since they are readily capable of undergoing the activation / inactivation / reactivation cycle described herein . benzophenone is one photoreactive moiety that may be utilized , since it is capable of photochemical excitation with the initial formation of an excited singlet state that undergoes intersystem crossing to the triplet state . the excited triplet state can insert into carbon - hydrogen bonds by abstraction of a hydrogen atom ( from a support surface , for example ), thus creating a radical pair . subsequent collapse of the radical pair leads to formation of a new carbon - carbon bond . if a reactive bond ( e . g ., carbon - hydrogen ) is not available for bonding , the ultraviolet light - induced excitation of the benzophenone group is reversible and the molecule returns to ground state energy level upon removal of the energy source . photoactivatable aryl ketones such as benzophenone , thioxanthone , camphorpyinone and acetophenone are of particular importance inasmuch as these groups are subject to multiple reactivation in water and hence provide increased coating efficiency . other initiator may include one or more photointiated reagents including four or more reactive groups . examples of such initiators include tetrakis ( 4 - benzoylbenzyl ether ), the tetrakis ( 4 - benzoylbenzoate ester ) of pentaerythritol , and an acylated derivative of tetraphenylmethane . the azides constitute another class of latent reactive moieties and include arylazides ( c 6 r 5 n 3 ) such as phenyl azide and particularly 4 - fluoro - 3 - nitrophenyl azide , acyl azides (— co — n 3 ) such as benzoyl azide and p - methylbenzoyl azide , azido formates (— o — co — n 3 ) such as ethyl azidoformate , phenyl azidoformate , sulfonyl azides (— so 2 — n 3 ) such as benzenesulfonyl azide , and phosphoryl azides ( ro ) 2 pon 3 such as diphenyl phosphoryl azide and diethyl phosphoryl azide . diazo compounds constitute another class of photoreactive moieties and include diazoalkanes (— chn 2 ) such as diazomethane and diphenyldiazomethane , diazoketones (— co — chn 2 ) such as diazoacetophenone and 1 - trifluoromethyl - 1 - diazo - 2 - pentanone , diazoacetates (— o — co — chn 2 ) such as t - butyl diazoacetate and phenyl diazoacetate , and beta - keto - alpha - diazoacetates (— co — cn 2 — co — o —) such as t - butyl alpha diazoacetoacetate . other photoreactive moieties include the aliphatic azo compounds such as azobisisobutyronitrile , the diazirines (— chn 2 ) such as 3 - trifluoromethyl - 3 - phenyldiazirine , the ketenes (— ch ═ c ═ o ) such as ketene and diphenylketene . the solid surface coating may be applied to the surface of the veneering product of the present invention by any type of process that would provide substantial coverage of the product surface and secure attachment of the coating , such as spray coating , dip coating and the like . in various embodiments of the present invention , the solid surface coating may be administered to the product surface in a one step or two step process . for example , in a one step process , a substantially homogenous mixture of the filler , polymerizable resin and initiators are administered to the surface of the product and the initiators then subsequently activated to polymerize the resin and attach the coating to the surface . alternatively , a two step or grafting process may be utilized to administer the solid surface coating . in such a process , the initiator is first administered to the surface and activated to attach the initiator to the surface . once the initiator is attached , a substantially homogenous mixture of the filler and polymerizable resin is administered to the surface and the initiator is again activated to polymerize the resin and attach the mixture to the surface . it is noted that in various embodiments of the present invention , a tie - in layer may be applied to the surface to facilitate better attachment of the solid surface coating . for example , one or more layers , such as a silane , siloxane and / or parylene layer ( s ) may be applied to the surface prior to administration of the solid surface coating . in other embodiments of the present invention , the veneering products may be colored and further textured utilizing a painting process . one such painting process that may be used with various embodiments of the present invention is a polymer adhesion painting process wherein a polymer adhering paint is applied to the surface of the veneering product . in some embodiments of the present invention the polymer adhering paint is applied to the front surface 12 after the front surface 12 has been flame treated or plasma or corona treated . alternatively , adhesion promoters may be utilized to promote adhesion of the polymer paints rather than flaming , plasma or corona treatment . however , it is noted that the adhesion promoter may be included in the base coat or may be the base coat applied to the front surface 12 . in various embodiments of the present invention the polymer adhering paint may be a solvent or water based paint . examples of such paints are identified below . however , many of the embodiments of the present invention utilize a polymer adhering paint that has a very low gloss . for example , in embodiments of the present invention the gloss rating of the paint utilizing a 60 ° gloss meter is less than 5 and may be between 0 and 4 . in various embodiments the gloss is between 1 and 3 . in one polymer adhesion painting method , the front surface 12 of the panel 10 is manufactured utilizing a process , such as injection molding , structural foam molding ( e . g . low pressure multi - nozzle structural foam ), injection molding using chemical and other foaming agents , rotomolding , thermoforming , extrusion or any other process . next , all surfaces of the panel 10 intended to be painted may be flame treated , plasma or corona treated or treated with adhesion promoter prior to applying paint . the flame treating may be performed with any gas torch system , such as propane , acetylene and the like . plasma treatment may also be performed by any device that forms a gas plasma that can be directed to the polymeric surface . the flame or plasma treated surface should be painted within 24 hours , optionally within 8 hours and further optionally within 5 hours . once the surface has been flame , plasma , corona , or adhesion promoter treated , a polymer adhering paint , such as a polyurethane based paint mixed with a crosslinker or a waterbase paint is applied to the surface or surfaces of the panel 10 . it is noted that the polymer adhering paint mixture should be applied shortly after mixing ; in some embodiments almost immediately . one example of the types of polymer paints that may be utilized with embodiments of the present invention is a two - component polyurethane that generally includes a mix ratio of three to five parts colored paint with one to two parts crosslinker ( e . g . xl - 003 crosslinker or an isocynate ). two examples of two such polyurethane based paints are as follows : medium solids allphatic polyurethane 121 series description the 121 series is a medium solids , low temperature cure two component polyurethane for use on metal and plastic . it is used for industrial and automotive applications . this system has excellent chemical , stain , and water soak resistance . it has good adhesion to many substrates with good mar and abrasion resistance and it has 2h hardness . characteristics density - lbs / gal : 7 . 92 - 11 . 0 solids , wt . %: 45 - 67 solids , volume : 37 - 48 viscosity : 45 sec zahn # 2 flash point ° f . 78 application method : hvlp ; conv . reduction for application : 4 - base ; 1 - xl009 5 - base ; 1 - xl003 pot life : 2 hrs @ 70 ° f . cure schedule : 35 min @ 160 ° f ., air dry tack free 40 min gloss 60 °: flat to 96 voc as supplied - lbs / gallon : 3 . 6 - 4 . 3 voc as applied - lbs / gallon : 3 . 37 - 4 . 0 both polymer adhesion paints of examples 1 and 2 are manufactured and distributed by : prime coatings 1002 hickory street pewaukee , wis . 53072 www . primecoatings . net telephone : ( 262 ) 691 - 1930 alternative polymer adhesion paints that may be utilized with the present invention include solvent based paints and waterborne paints produced for low surface energy polymers , such as polypropylene and polyethylene . examples of such solvent and water based paints that may be utilized with the cells of the present invention include , but are not limited to the polyurethane based paints ( e . g . 2k high solids urethane base coat products ) produced by redspot paint & amp ; varnish company , inc . of evansville , ind . or the polyurethane , waterborne or powder based paints , such as polane ® polyurethane systems , polane ® or kem ® aquawaterborne systems , powdura ® powder coating systems , all produced by sherwin williams . two examples of waterborne paints that do not require flame , plasma or corona treatment of the panel surface prior to application are as follows : low voc waterborne coating for use on metal and plastic . it is used chemical , stain , and water soak resistance . it has good adhesion to nubond ™ description the nubond ™ ( id code : awor - 2447 ) is a medium solids , low voc waterborne coating for use on metal and plastic . it is used for industrial and automotive applications . this system has excellent chemical , stain , and water soak resistance . it has good adhesion to many substrates with good mar and abrasion resistance . code awor - 2447 description one - component waterborne coating for tpo name of product stone gray color no . n / a packaged viscosity 30 - 40 seconds # 3 zahn ( ez ) cup weight / gallon 9 . 25 ± 0 . 50 % weight solids 42 . 60 ± 2 . 00 % volume solids 34 . 85 ± 2 . 00 % gloss 2 . 0 - 2 . 2 on a 60 ° glossmeter package v . o . c . 1 . 85 ± 0 . 15 lb / gal ( minus exempt ) 0 . 85 ± 0 . 15 lb / gal ( including exempt ) method of application hvlp or conventional spray application viscosity as is reduction up to 5 % with water thinner water substrate tpo and / or polypropylene clean - up thinner water until dry / switch to mek curing conditions 30 minutes @ 200 ° f . flash time 3 - 5 minutes dry film thickness 1 . 0 ± 0 . 2 mils both polymer adhesion paints of examples 3 and 4 are manufactured and distributed by : united paint , inc . 24671 telegraph road southfield , mich . 48033 - 3035 tel : 248 . 353 . 3035 fax : 248 . 353 . 4865 www . unitedpaint . com the polymer adhering paints may further include one or more additives to provide additional beneficial characteristics . for example , additional texture may be applied to the surface of a panel 10 by including additives to the paint in fine , medium or course particulate form . such particulate additives may be selected from any suitable texture additives such as mica , sand , perlite , pumice , silica , metal , acrylic or glass beads and fibers , or any other paint texture additive . the paint additives may be included in the paint or applied in the painting process . for example , paint textures such as mica , sand , pumice and the like may be propelled ( e . g . propelled toward the surface using a device , such as a sandblaster ) or sifted ( e . g . sprinkled onto the surface using a sieve ) onto the surface of the panel while simultaneously applying the base coat and / or secondary coat ( s ) of paint . such a process disperses and entraps the texture in the coating , thereby giving a fine , medium or course textured surface . the polymer adhesion paints may be applied in any manner known in the art including , but not limited to , spraying , dipping , brushing , sponging and any other paint application method . in various embodiments polymer adhesion paint is applied by spraying . generally , less than 10 mils of paint are applied to the surface intended to be painted . in other embodiments less than 5 mils of paint is applied and in other embodiments less than 5 mils of paint is applied to the surface intended to be painted . in various examples , approximately 0 . 2 to 2 . 5 mils or 0 . 5 to 1 . 5 mils dry film thickness of base color was applied to the entire surface of panels . once the base paint has been applied , secondary colors may optionally be applied to the wet or dry base coat as desired . such secondary colors may be applied in similar ways as the base paint , such as spraying , dipping , brushing , sponging and any other spray technique known in the art . it is also noted that a primer layer may be applied to the substrate surface prior to applying the paints described herein . for example , a coating of binel , parylene or another primer coat may be applied to the surface prior to applying the paint to promote optimum adhesion . once the paint has been applied to the desired surface of the veneering panels , the product is then cured . in various embodiments of the present invention , the product is oven cured following painting at a temperature of 220 ° f . and less ( e . g . 175 ° f . to 220 ° f . ); in other embodiments 185 ° f . and less ( e . g . 150 ° f . to 185 ° f . ); and in still other embodiments 160 ° f . and less ( e . g . 100 ° f . to 150 ° f .). in various embodiments the paint , is cured at the above mentioned temperatures for a period of 2 minutes to 4 hours ; in other embodiments 5 minutes to 2 hours and in still other embodiments 5 minutes to 30 minutes . the product is then allowed to air dry . once air dried , the veneering products are ready for installation . it is noted that the curing process may be performed at room temperatures , but the curing time usually will be lengthened accordingly . again , as previously mentioned the solid surface coating , a polymeric sheet or polymer adhesion paint may be administered or laminated to any veneering product comprised of a deterioration resistant material ( e . g . plastic resin , thermoset , fiberglass , etc .). in such embodiments , the solid surface coating , polymeric sheet or polymer adhesion paint is applied to one or more surfaces of the veneering product . as previously mentioned , the veneering products of the present invention may be manufactured from a deterioration resistant , substantially rigid composite or polymeric material including , but not limited to , plastic ( e . g . recycled or virgin ), a rubber composition , fiberglass , or any other similar material or a combination thereof . preferable materials comprise light - weight and slightly flexible polymers , such as high and low density polyethylene ( hdpe or ldpe ) and polypropylene ( pp ). it is noted that a polypropylene copolymer may be utilized with the present invention , but it is recommend that the polypropylene copolymer have a polyethylene content no greater than 30 % polyethylene and in other embodiments no greater than 20 % polyethylene . however , other plastics may also be used . examples of other plastics include , but are not limited to acrylonitrile - butadiene - styrene ( abs ), poly ( butylene terephthalate ) ( pbt ), poly ( cyclohexanedimethylene terephthalate ) ( pct ), styrene - acrylonitrile copolymers ( san ), polystyrene , polycarbonate , polyvinyl chloride ( pvc ), polyurethane , copolymers and combinations thereof . it is also noted that the deterioration polymeric materials may also be utilized with filler materials or recycled filler materials , such as titanium , carbon fibers , talc , glass , saw dust , cellulose fibers , paper byproducts and the like . generally , the embodiments of the present invention may comprise any type of material that would have the similar characteristics to plastic , vinyl , silicone , fiberglass , rubber or a combination of these materials . one other material that may be utilized with the present invention may be a thermoset . for example , a bulk molding compound ( bmc ) or thermoset that includes one or more polyester resins , glass fibers and other additives may be utilized to manufacture one or more components of the present invention . various embodiments of thermosets and bmc is manufactured and / or molded by bulk molding compounds , inc . 1600 powis court west , chicago ill . 60185 and kenro incorporated , a carlisle company , 200 industrial drive , fredonia , wis . 53021 . it is noted that the material utilized in the present invention should be rigid enough to hold its form upon installation , impact and / or when placed in contact with other objects . another material may be comprised of a material similar to that utilized in the production of some types of garbage cans or the utilization of recycled rubber from objects such as tires . such materials would be capable of holding rigidity and still offer flexibility upon impact . also , such materials have the ability to regain its original form when the impact force has been removed or completed . embodiments of the present invention may also vary in appearance . since embodiments of the present invention may be manufactured by a process such as injection molding , structural foam molding , injection molding using chemical and other foaming agents , extrusion , thermo - forming , compression molding , roto - molding and the like , the molds may include any type of design , size and shape . furthermore , the front surfaces 12 of the panels 10 could be molded in almost any type of texture , relief and / or configuration . for example , the panels may be designed to appear like a plurality of field stones , cut stones , bricks , wood planks , or any other natural wall construction material . in other embodiments , multiple panels 10 could be molded to include designs that , when positioned on a retaining wall , would complete a larger single design , such as the spelling of a company or school name in large letters or the completion of a large image . it is noted that embodiments of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with other wall products , such as vinyl siding , bricks , stones and the like . furthermore , since the present invention may be manufactured from and / or include a number of different products , such as plastic , a rubber composition or fiberglass , the panels may include any color or a multitude of colors . the utilization of any color or a multitude of colors in the veneering products of the present invention allows ease in matching colors with the conventional wall building materials or surroundings because the materials utilized to manufacture the present invention can be colored and designed to match virtually any type of wall construction material or surrounding environment . for example , the panels of a wall installed in a beach setting may be manufactured of a plastic or rubber product and be colored to take on the appearance of sand or natural stone walls . as previously suggested the veneering product of the present invention may be utilized in the construction of any type of wall or surfacing project wherein a natural appearance , such as stone , brick or wood , is desired . in application , a substrate surface may be veneered with various panel 10 embodiments of the present invention by applying one or more of the panels to a surface of a substrate . in a number of embodiments of the present invention the process begins by preparing the substrate to be resurfaced by cleaning the substrate surface . the substrate surface may be a wall , such as an existing wall that is substantially planar and made of one or more materials , such as wood , drywall , masonry , sheathing , sheet metal , insulation ( e . g . foam insulation ), poured concrete , cinder and concrete block , segmental retaining wall block , brick and the like . in other embodiments , the substrate may be prepared by securing a grid system or backing to the substrate surface . upon identifying the substrate , one or more panels are administered to the surface of the substrate or an attached grid system or backing previously applied to the substrate surface . in various embodiments of the present invention a pattern can first be placed on the substrate surface to be covered with panels of differing shapes . for example , a pattern , such as an ashlar pattern may be applied to the wall by a rubbing or stencil , thereby leaving an image of the desired placement positions of the various shaped panels . once the stencil pattern is administered to the wall or surface , the equivalent shaped and sized panel is applied to the pattern similar to the placement of puzzle pieces in a jigsaw puzzle . it is noted that more than one pattern may be applied to the same wall thereby giving a random final appearance . the panels of the present invention may be administered to the surface or the grid system or backing by one for more fasteners , such as adhesives , rivets , screws , nails , two sided tapes , ball and socket attachments , snaps , hook and pile attachments , sliding brackets , clipping devices ( e . g . barb clip and radius clips ) sliding brackets , structural velcro ® or other attachment means known in the art that would secure the panels of the present invention to the substrate or grid system or backing . it is noted that combinations of the fasteners may also be utilized to secure the panels of the present invention . for example , various embodiments may utilize a combination of screws , nails or rivets with one or more adhesives to secure the panels to a substrate or the grid system or backing . in a number of embodiments of the present invention each panel is adhered to the substrate and / or adjacent panel with a two sided tape that includes an adhesive that has an affinity to polymeric materials . for example various embodiments of the panels may be secured with adhesives , such as the two sided vhb and acrylic or polyurethane foam tapes produced by 3m . in such embodiments of the present invention , the two sided tape may be adhered to the attachment platforms on the back surface of each panel . the backing of the two sided tape is removed and the panel is attached to the wall or substrate in the desired location . examples of such tapes that may be utilized with the panels 10 of the present invention include 4952 , 5952 , 5925 and 5962 vhb two sided adhesive tapes manufactured by 3m , 3m center , st . paul , minn . 55144 - 1000 . another adhesive tape that may be utilized includes , but is not limited to , the 4466w double coated polyethylene foam tape manufactured by 3m . other examples of suitable two sided tapes that may be utilized with the panels of the present invention include , but are not limited to , 3m ® double coated polyethylene foam tape 4492w and 4462w , 3m ® vhb ® acrylic foam tape 5952 and 5925 and 3m ® double coated urethane foam tape 4016 . additionally adhesive sealants , such as the 4000 and 5200 sealants produced by 3m may also be used to secure the panels 10 to a substrate , such as a wall . the sealants may be applied on the substrate surface or on the back surface of the panel prior to pressing the panel to the surface of the substrate by any means known in the art ( e . g . spraying or spreading ). however , it is important that the adhesive ( e . g . tape or sealant ) utilized be appropriate to adhere a resin based product . the examples listed above provide this feature . in general , the curing of the adhesive properly affixes the panel to the substrate . curing times vary depending on the adhesive , but many will cure within less than 72 hours . while the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description , such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character , it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected .	8
in the following description of the preferred embodiment , reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof , and in which is shown by way of illustration a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced . it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention . in fig3 , a block diagram of an example implementation of a broadband cable network (“ bcn ”) 300 utilizing common bit - loading within a customer premises (“ cp ”) 302 is shown . the cp 302 may be a building such as a home or office having a plurality of customer premises equipment (“ cpe ”) 304 , 306 and 308 in signal communication with the bcn 300 via a plurality of corresponding cpe signal paths 310 , 312 and 314 . the bcn 300 may be in signal communication optionally with an external antenna ( not shown ), cable provider ( not shown ) and / or direct broadcast satellite (“ dbs ”) provider ( not shown ) via external bcn path 316 . the bcn 300 may include a point - of - entry (“ poe ”) 320 , a splitter network 322 and a plurality of nodes such as node a 324 , node b 326 and node c 328 . the splitter network 322 may be in signal communication with the poe 320 , via signal path 330 , and the plurality of nodes 324 , 326 and 328 via signal paths 332 , 334 and 336 , respectively . the nodes 324 , 326 and 328 may be in signal communication with the cpes 304 , 306 and 308 via signal paths 310 , 312 and 314 , respectively . in an example operation , the bcn 300 receives input radio frequency (“ rf ”) signals from optionally the external antenna ( not shown ), cable provider ( not shown ) and / or direct broadcast satellite (“ dbs ”) provider ( not shown ) at the poe 320 via external bcn path 316 . the bcn 300 then passes the input rf signals from poe 320 to the splitter network 322 , via signal path 330 , and the splitter network 322 splits the input rf signal into split rf signals that are passed to the nodes 324 , 326 and 328 via signal paths 332 , 334 and 336 , respectively . it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the bcn 300 may be implemented as a coaxial cable network utilizing coaxial cables and components . in fig4 , a functional diagram 400 showing the communication between various nodes 402 , 404 and 406 corresponding to the nodes in the bcn 300 , fig3 , is shown . the nodes 402 , 404 and 406 may be interconnected between node pairs utilizing corresponding inter - node channels between the node pairs . it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that even if the nodes are individually connected with one another via a signal inter - node channel between the node pairs , each inter - node channel between node pairs may be asymmetric . therefore , inter - node channels between node a 402 , node b 404 and node c 406 may be asymmetric and therefore utilize different bit - loading modulation schemes depending on the direction of the signals between the nodes . as a result , the typically asymmetric inter - node channels between node a 402 , node b 404 and node c 406 may be described by the corresponding direction - dependent node channels ab , ba , ac , ca , bc and cb . as an example , node a 402 is in signal communication with node b 404 via signal paths 408 and 410 . signal path 408 corresponds to the ab channel and signal path 410 corresponds to the ba channel . additionally , node a 402 is also in signal communication with node c 406 via signal paths 412 and 414 . signal path 412 corresponds to the ac channel and signal path 414 corresponds to the ca channel . similarly , node b 404 is also in signal communication with node c 406 via signal paths 416 and 418 . signal path 416 corresponds to the bc channel and signal path 418 corresponds to the cb channel . in this example , the ab channel corresponds to the channel utilized by node a 402 transmitting to node b 404 along signal path 408 . the ba channel corresponds to the reverse channel utilized by node b 404 transmitting to node a 402 along signal path 410 . similarly , the ac channel corresponds to the channel utilized by node a 402 transmitting to node c 406 along signal path 412 . the ca channel corresponds to the reverse channel utilized by node c 406 transmitting to node a 402 along signal path 414 . moreover , the bc channel corresponds to the channel utilized by node b 404 transmitting to node c 406 along signal path 416 . the cb channel corresponds to the reverse channel utilized by node c 406 transmitting to node b 404 along signal path 418 . in example of operation , in order for node a 402 to transmit the same message to both node b 404 and node c 406 using the ab channel along signal path 408 and ac channel along signal path 412 , node a 402 will need to transmit ( i . e ., “ unicast ”) the same message twice , once to node b 404 and a second time to node c 406 because channel ab and channel ac may utilize different bit - loading modulation schemes . in fig5 , another functional diagram 500 showing the communication between various nodes 502 , 504 and 506 corresponding to the nodes in the bcn 300 , fig3 , is shown . in fig5 , node a 502 may transmit a message in a broadcast mode ( also known as a “ multicast ” mode ) simultaneously to node b 504 and node c 506 using an a - bc channel via signal path 508 . the message transmission utilizing the a - bc channel , along signal path 508 , is the equivalent of simultaneously transmitting a broadcast message from node a 502 to node b 504 via an ab channel along signal path 510 and to node c 506 via an ac channel along signal path 512 in a fashion that is similar to transmission described in fig4 . however , in order to insure that both node b 504 and node c 506 receive the transmissions broadcast signal from node a 502 , node a 502 utilizes a bit - loading modulation scheme that is known as a common bit - loaded modulation scheme . the common bit - loaded modulation scheme transmitted via the a - bc channel , along signal path 508 , is a combination of the bit - loading modulation scheme transmitted via the ab channel , along signal path 510 , and the ac channel , along signal path 512 . it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the different channels typically utilize different bit - loading modulation schemes because the channels are physically and electrically different in the cable network . physically the channels typically vary in length between nodes and electrically vary because of the paths through and reflections from the various cables , switches , terminals , connections and other electrical components in the cable network . bit - loading is the process of optimizing the bit distribution to each of the channels to increase throughput . a bit - loading scheme is described in u . s . utility application ser . no . 10 / 322 , 834 titled “ broadband network for coaxial cable using multi - carrier modulation ,” filed dec . 18 , 2002 , which is incorporated herein , in its entirety , by reference . the bcn may operate with waveforms that utilize bit - loaded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing ( ofdm ). therefore , the bcn may transmit multiple carrier signals ( i . e , signals with different carrier frequencies ) with different qam constellations on each carrier . as an example , over a bandwidth of about 50 mhz , the bcn may have 256 different carriers which in the best circumstances would utilize up to 256 qam modulation carriers . if instead the channel is poor , the bcn may utilize bpsk on all the carriers instead of qam . if the channel is good in some places and poor in others , the bcn may utilize high qam in some parts and lower types modulation in others . as an example , in fig6 , a block diagram of an example implementation of the bcn 600 is shown . the bcn 600 may be in signal communication with a cable provider ( not shown ), satellite tv dish ( not shown ), and / or external antenna ( not shown ) via a signal path 602 such as a main coaxial cable from the customer premises to a cable connection switch ( not shown ) outside of the customer premises . the bcn 600 may include a poe 604 and main splitter 606 , a sub - splitter 608 , nodes a 610 , b 612 and c 614 , and stbs a 616 , b 618 and c 620 . within the bcn 600 , the poe 604 may be in signal communication with main splitter 606 via signal path 622 . the poe 604 may be the connection point from the cable provider which is located external to the customer premises of the bcn 600 . the poe 604 may be implemented as a coaxial cable connector , transformer and / or filter . the main splitter 606 may be in signal communication with sub - splitter 608 and node c 614 via signal paths 624 and 626 , respectively . the sub - splitter 608 may be in signal communication with node a 610 and node b 612 via signal paths 628 and 630 , respectively . the main splitter 606 and sub - splitter 608 may be implemented as coaxial cable splitters . node a 610 may be in signal communication with stb a 616 via signal path 632 . similarly , node b 612 may be in signal communication with stb b 618 via signal path 634 . moreover , node c 614 may be in signal communication with stb c 620 via signal path 636 . stbs a 616 , b 618 and c 620 may be implemented by numerous well known stb coaxial units such as cable television set - top boxes and / or satellite television set - top boxes . typically , the signal paths 602 , 622 , 624 , 626 , 628 , 630 , 632 , 634 and 636 may be implemented utilizing coaxial cables . as an example of operation , if node a 610 transmits a message to node b 612 , the message will propagate through two transmission paths from node a 610 to node b 612 . the first transmission path 640 travels from node a 610 through signal path 628 , sub - splitter 608 and signal path 630 to node b 612 . the second transmission path includes transmission sub - paths 642 and 644 . the first sub - path 642 travels from node a 610 through signal path 628 , sub - splitter 608 , signal path 624 , main splitter 606 and signal path 622 to poe 604 . the second sub - path 644 travels from poe 604 , through signal path 622 , main splitter 606 , signal path 624 , sub - splitter 608 and signal path 630 . the first transmission path 640 is typically very lossy and experiences a high amount of attenuation because of the isolation between the outputs of sub - splitter 608 . the second transmission path , however , does not experience the attenuation of the first transmission path 640 . the second transmission path results from the transmission of message signal 646 from node a 610 to the poe 604 along the first sub - path 642 which results in a reflected message signal 648 from the poe 604 . the reflected message signal 648 results from impedance mismatches between the poe 604 and the rest of the bcn 600 . as another example , in fig7 , another block diagram of an example implementation of the bcn 700 is shown . similar to fig6 , in fig7 , the bcn 700 may be in signal communication with a cable provider ( not shown ), satellite tv dish ( not shown ), and / or external antenna ( not shown ) via a signal path 702 such as a main coaxial cable from the customer premises to a cable connection switch ( not shown ) outside of the customer premises . the bcn 700 may include a poe 704 and main splitter 706 , a sub - splitter 708 , nodes a 710 , b 712 and c 714 , and stbs a 716 , b 718 and c 720 . within the bcn 700 , the poe 704 may be in signal communication with main splitter 706 via signal path 722 . the poe 704 may be the connection point from the cable provider which is located external to the customer premises of the bcn 700 . the poe 704 may be implemented as a coaxial cable connector , transformer and / or filter . the main splitter 706 may be in signal communication with sub - splitter 708 and node c 714 via signal paths 724 and 726 , respectively . the sub - splitter 708 may be in signal communication with node a 710 and node b 712 via signal paths 728 and 730 , respectively . the main splitter 706 and sub - splitter 708 may be implemented as coaxial cable splitters . node a 710 may be in signal communication with stb a 716 via signal path 732 . similarly , node b 712 may be in signal communication with stb b 718 via signal path 734 . moreover , node c 714 may be in signal communication with stb c 720 via signal path 736 . stbs a 716 , b 718 and c 720 may be implemented by numerous well known stb coaxial units such as cable television set - top boxes and / or satellite television set - top boxes . typically , the signal paths 702 , 722 , 724 , 726 , 728 , 730 , 732 , 734 and 736 may be implemented utilizing coaxial cables . as an example of operation , if node a 710 transmits a message to node c 714 , the message will propagate through two transmission paths from node a 710 to node c 714 . the first transmission path 740 travels from node a 710 through signal path 728 , sub - splitter 708 , signal path 724 , main splitter 706 and signal path 726 to node c 714 . the second transmission path includes transmission sub - paths 742 and 744 . the first sub - path 742 travels from node a 710 through signal path 728 , sub - splitter 708 , signal path 724 , main splitter 706 and signal path 722 to poe 704 . the second sub - path 744 travels from poe 704 , through signal path 722 , main splitter 706 , and signal path 726 to node c 714 . the first transmission path 740 is typically very lossy and experiences a high amount of attenuation because of the isolation between the outputs of sub - splitter 708 and main splitter 706 . the second transmission path , however , does not experience the attenuation of the first transmission path 740 . the second transmission path results from the transmission of message signal 746 from node a 710 to the poe 704 along the first sub - path 742 which results in a reflected message signal 748 from the poe 704 . the reflected message signal 748 results from mismatches between the poe 704 and therest of the bcn 700 . as still another example , in fig8 , another block diagram of an example implementation of the bcn 800 is shown . similar to fig6 and 7 , in fig8 , the bcn 800 may be in signal communication with a cable provider ( not shown ), satellite tv dish ( not shown ), and / or external antenna ( not shown ) via a signal path 802 such as a main coaxial cable from the customer premises to a cable connection switch ( not shown ) outside of the customer premises . the bcn 800 may include a poe 804 and main splitter 806 , a sub - splitter 808 , nodes a 810 , b 812 and c 814 , and stbs a 816 , b 818 and c 820 . within the bcn 800 , the poe 804 may be in signal communication with main splitter 806 via signal path 822 . the poe 804 may be the connection point from the cable provider which is located external to the customer premises of the bcn 800 . the poe 804 may be implemented as a coaxial cable connector , transformer and / or filter . the main splitter 806 may be in signal communication with sub - splitter 808 and node c 814 via signal paths 824 and 826 , respectively . the sub - splitter 808 may be in signal communication with node a 810 and node b 812 via signal paths 828 and 830 , respectively . the main splitter 806 and sub - splitter 808 may be implemented as coaxial cable splitters . node a 810 may be in signal communication with stb a 816 via signal path 832 . similarly , node b 812 may be in signal communication with stb b 818 via signal path 834 . moreover , node c 814 may be in signal communication with stb c 820 via signal path 836 . stbs a 816 , b 818 and c 820 may be implemented by numerous well known stb coaxial units such as cable television set - top boxes and / or satellite television set - top boxes . typically , the signal paths 802 , 822 , 824 , 826 , 828 , 830 , 832 , 834 and 836 may be implemented utilizing coaxial cables . as an example of operation , if node c 814 transmits a message to node b 812 , the message will propagate through two transmission paths from node c 814 to node b 812 . the first transmission path 840 travels from node c 814 through signal path 826 , main splitter 806 , signal path 824 , sub - splitter 808 and signal path 830 to node b 812 . the second transmission path includes two transmission sub - paths 842 and 844 . the first sub - path 842 travels from node c 814 through signal path 826 , main splitter 806 , and signal path 822 to poe 804 . the second sub - path 844 travels from poe 804 , through signal path 822 , main splitter 806 , signal path 824 , sub - splitter 808 and signal path 830 to node b 812 . the first transmission path 840 is typically very lossy and experiences a high amount of attenuation because of the isolation between the outputs of sub - splitter 808 and main splitter 806 . the second transmission path , however , does not experience the attenuation of the first transmission path 840 . the second transmission path results from the transmission of message signal 846 from node c 814 to the poe 804 along the first sub - path 842 which results in a reflected message signal 848 from the poe 804 . the reflected message signal 848 results from mismatches between the poe 804 and rest of the bcn 800 . in fig9 , a plot 900 of the maximum bit - loading constellation 902 versus frequency 904 is shown for the channel path utilized by node a to transmit to node b and the channel path utilized by node a to transmit to node c . line 906 represents the ab channel and line 908 represents the ac channel . the ab channel has a null 910 that represents the reflection distance from the poe to node b . the ac channel has nulls 912 and 914 . null 912 represents the reflection distance from the poe to node c and null 914 represents a harmonic that is a multiple value of the value of null 912 . in general , the nulls are caused by the properties , e . g ., amplitudes and time delays , that are unique to each transmission path in the network . returning to fig5 , the bcn , in order to insure that both node b 504 and node c 506 are able to receive a broadcast signal transmitted from node a 502 , utilizes a bit - loading modulation scheme that is known as the common bit - loaded modulation scheme . the common bit - loaded modulation scheme transmitted via the a - bc channel , along signal path 508 , is a combination of the bit - loading modulation scheme transmitted via the ab channel , along signal path 510 , and the ac channel , along signal path 512 . therefore , in fig1 a , a plot 1000 of carrier frequency signals of various bit - loading constellations 1002 versus carrier number 1004 for the ab channel path between node a and node b is shown . line 1006 represents the ab channel and follows an envelope of the constellation sizes of the 8 different carrier number signals within the ab channel . as an example , within the ab channel carrier number signals 1 and 8 may transmit at a constellation size of 256 qam , carrier number signals 2 , 3 and 7 may transmit at a constellation size of 128 qam , carrier number signals 4 and 6 may transmit at a constellation size of 64 qam , and carrier number signal 5 may be off ( i . e ., no carrier signal of any constellation size may be transmitted because of the null in the channel characteristics ). similarly in fig1 b , a plot 1008 of carrier frequency signals of various bit - loading constellations 1010 versus carrier number 1012 for the ac channel path between node a and node c is shown . line 1014 represents the ac channel and follows an envelope of the constellation sizes of the 8 different carrier number signals within the ac channel . as an example , within the ac channel carrier number signals 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 and 8 may transmit at a constellation size of 128 qam , carrier number signal 5 may transmit at a constellation size of 256 qam , and carrier number signals 3 and 7 may be off ( again , no carrier signals may be transmitted because of nulls in the channel characteristics ). in fig1 c , a plot 1016 of the common carrier frequency signals of various bit - loading constellations 1018 versus carrier number 1020 for the a - bc channel path between node a and nodes b and c is shown . in this example , plot 1016 shows that within the a - bc channel , carrier number signals 1 , 2 and 8 may transmit at a constellation size of 128 qam , carrier number signals 4 and 6 may transmit at a constellation size of 64 qam , and carrier number signals 3 , 5 and 7 are off . these carrier number signal values are the result of comparing the carrier number signals from the ab channel in fig1 a and the corresponding carrier number signals from the ac channel in fig1 b and choosing the lowest corresponding modulation value for each carrier number . the resulting common carrier frequency signals in fig1 c graphically represent signals utilizing the common bit - loaded modulation scheme . these signals would be able to transmit information from node a to node b and node c simultaneously . fig1 shows a flowchart 1100 illustrating the method performed by the bcn shown in fig3 . in fig1 , the process starts in step 1102 . in step 1104 , a transmitting node transmits a probe signal from the transmitting node to a plurality of receiving nodes . in response , the receiving nodes receive the probe signal from the transmitting node . in step 1106 , a receiving node of the plurality of receiving nodes receives the probe signal through the appropriate channel path of transmission . the receiving node then determines the transmission characteristics of the channel path from the transmitting node to the receiving node in step 1108 and in response to the determined transmission characteristics of the channel path , the receiving node determines a bit - loaded modulation scheme for the transmission characteristics of the channel path in step 1110 . it is appreciate by those skilled in the art that the transmission characteristics of the channel path may be determined by measuring the metric values of the channel path . examples of the metric values may include the signal - to - noise ratio ( also known as the “ snr ” and “ s / n ”) and / or the bit - error rate (“ ber ”) or product error rate ( per ), or power level or similar measurement of the received signal at the corresponding remote device . additionally , other signal performance metric values are also possible without departing from the scope of the invention . the receiving node then , in step 1112 , transmits a response signal to the transmitting node , informing the transmitting node of the recently - determined bit - loaded modulation scheme . the transmitting node then receives a plurality of response signals , in step 1114 , from the corresponding receiving nodes wherein each of the response signals informs the transmitting node of the corresponding bit - loaded modulation scheme determined by each of the plurality of receiving nodes . in response to receiving the plurality of response signals , the transmitting node , in step 1116 , compares the plurality of bit - loaded modulation schemes from the corresponding received plurality of response signals and , in step 1118 , determines the common bit - loaded modulation scheme . once the transmitting node determines the common bit - loaded modulation scheme , the transmitting node , in step 1120 , transmits a broadcast signal relaying the common bit - loaded modulation scheme to the plurality of receiving nodes . this broadcast signal may either contain handshake information from the transmitting node to the plurality of receiving nodes or it may actually be a communication message containing information such as video , music , voice and / or other data . in decision step 1122 , if all the nodes in bcn have performed the handshake process that determines the common bit - loaded modulation scheme in steps 1102 through 1120 , the handshake process is complete and process ends in step 1124 , at which time the bcn may begin to freely transmit information between the various nodes . if instead , there are still nodes in the bcn that have not performed the handshake process that determines the common bit - loaded modulation scheme in steps 1102 through 1120 , the process then returns to step 1126 . in step 1126 , the bcn selects the next node in the bcn and the process steps 1102 to 1122 repeat again . once all the nodes in the bcn have preformed the handshake process , the handshake process is complete and process ends in step 1124 at which time the bcn may begin to freely transmit information between the various nodes . the process in fig1 may be performed by hardware or software . if the process is performed by software , the software may reside in software memory ( not shown ) in the bcn . the software in software memory may include an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementing logical functions ( i . e ., “ logic ” that may be implemented either in digital form such as digital circuitry or source code or in analog form such as analog circuitry or an analog source such as an analog electrical , sound or video signal ), may selectively be embodied in any computer - readable ( or signal - bearing ) medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system , apparatus , or device , such as a computer - based system , processor - containing system , or other system that may selectively fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system , apparatus , or device and execute the instructions . in the context of this document , a “ computer - readable medium ” and / or “ signal - bearing medium ” is any means that may contain , store , communicate , propagate , or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system , apparatus , or device . the computer readable medium may selectively be , for example but not limited to , an electronic , magnetic , optical , electromagnetic , infrared , or semiconductor system , apparatus , device , or propagation medium . more specific examples , that is “ a non - exhaustive list ” of the computer - readable media , would include the following : an electrical connection ( electronic ) having one or more wires , a portable computer diskette ( magnetic ), a ram ( electronic ), a read - only memory “ rom ” ( electronic ), an erasable programmable read - only memory ( eprom or flash memory ) ( electronic ), an optical fiber ( optical ), and a portable compact disc read - only memory “ cdrom ” ( optical ). note that the computer - readable medium may even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed , as the program can be electronically captured , via for instance , optical scanning of the paper or other medium , then compiled , interpreted or otherwise processed in a suitable manner if necessary , and then stored in a computer memory . while various embodiments of the invention have been described , it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of this invention .	7
a simplified sectional side view drawing of the bill receiving and payout device 20 is shown in fig1 having a bill validation passage 22 with its associated sensors and circuitry placed the general location 24 for the validation of inserted bills . within the elongate portion 26 of the device 20 , a validated bill is directed upward in a passage first direction 28 along the one side of a first bill receiving chamber 30 having a bill payback outlet 32 . the passage first direction 28 is redirected around at path 34 and extends in the opposite passage second direction 36 along the rear side of the first bill receiving chamber 30 . the second bill receiving chamber 38 extends along the outer side of the passage second direction 36 across from , and aligned with the first bill receiving chamber 30 . the bill conveying apparatus for conveying a bill to the passage first or second directions 28 or 36 is accomplished by belts ( not shown ) moved along the passageways by pulleys 40 through 60 which support the left portion of the bills . a corresponding set of pulleys and belts ( not shown and directly behind ) are located to support the right portion of the said bills . the space between the left and right belt supported edges is sufficient to transfer bills out from the bill passage way 28 or 36 and into the first or second bill receiving chamber 30 or 38 , respectively . a bill pushing member 62 ( slightly less in width than the space between the bill supported edges in the passages ) moves in a reciprocating motion across the passage first direction 28 to place a bill in the first bill receiving chamber 30 when the bill is positioned in front of the bill pushing member 62 , and is controlled by the scissor mechanism 64 and driven by the motor / gear reciprocating device ( not shown ) in location 66 . a bill is pushed in the second bill receiving chamber 38 when it is in a predetermined position in the passage second direction 36 by the bill pushing member 70 located at the rear of the first bill receiving chamber 30 . the bill pushing member 70 is moved by the bill pushing member 62 pushing the stacked bills of the first bill receiving chamber 30 with its projection 72 pushing the scissor mechanism 74 . this moves the pushing member 70 ( which is slightly less in width than the unsupported central portion of the bill ) to move the bill from the passage 36 and into the second receiving chamber 38 . typically only the lowest denomination bills are stacked in the first receiving chamber 30 for bill payback . this is provided by removing a rearmost stacked bill 96 ( shown in fig4 in more detail ) from the first bill receiving chamber 30 by moving it through the bill payback outlet 32 via the path 78 to the passages 34 , 28 and the bill validation passage 22 by operating the bill conveying apparatus in the reverse direction to convey the bill out to the bill inlet 80 for customer payback . the driving rollers 82 and 84 are geared together with the conveying apparatus of first and second passages 28 and 36 by pulley 40 to convey the bill while in the validation passage 22 . the idler rollers 86 and 88 maintain a bill &# 39 ; s contact with the driven pulley 82 when being moved between the passages 28 and 22 . idler roller 85 maintains a bill &# 39 ; s contact with driving roller 84 . the cross sectional left side view of the preferred embodiment in fig2 shows further details of the bill inlet 80 , the conveying belt 90 with its pulleys 40 and 42 , and pressure rollers 92 and 94 . the conveyer belt 90 is directed around the pulleys and rollers 40 , 42 , 92 , 94 , to convey the bill along the passage first direction 28 . the second conveyor belt 91 is positioned for the redirected passage 34 and the opposite passage second direction 36 controlled by pulleys and rollers 44 through 60 . the pulleys 82 and 84 with pressure rollers 86 and 88 are geared with the driven pulley 40 to transport the bill between the bill inlet 80 ( outlet ) at the validation passage 22 and passage first direction 28 . the belts , pulleys and rollers for conveying the bill &# 39 ; s right edge is directly behind the ones shown herein for the left side . the bill pushing member 62 connected to the scissor mechanism 64 ( shown in repose position ) is driven by the motor / gear reciprocating device in location 66 to transfer a bill from the passage first direction 28 to the first bill receiving chamber 30 . the press plate 95 is provided for pushing bills received in the bill receiving chamber 30 inwardly by the force of spring 97 . in fig3 the scissor mechanism 64 is shown in the extended position moving its bill pushing member 62 to transfer a bill 96 into the first bill receiving chamber 30 which also pushes the spring loaded press plate 95 with its projection 72 to operate the scissor mechanism 74 at the rear of the receiving chamber 30 . this moves the pushing member 70 and will transfer a bill when it is conveyed to the passage 36 for transferring into the second receiving chamber 38 . the rollers 98 , 100 and 102 will extract the rearmost bill 96 to the path 78 as will be detailed next . fig4 is a cross sectional left side view just past the left conveying belts showing the bill rollers for paying out bills from the first bill receiving chamber 30 . the separation cam roller 98 is geared with driving rollers 100 and 102 and geared with the payout motor located at the location 108 . during the first step for bill payback , the bill stack 104 is pushed against the upper bill retainer 106 by the pusher plate 62 ( shown in fig3 ) and places the rearmost bill 96 in close relationship to the separation cam roller 98 which has a contact surface which consists of a material of a large coefficient of friction such as rubber . in fig5 the second step for bill payback occurs with the separation cam roller 98 rotating clockwise ( together with rollers 100 and 102 ) to engage and retract the upper portion of the rearmost bill 96 from between the bill stack 104 and the upper bill retainer 106 until it extends around and below it to break a light beam coming from the emitting surface 109 and entering the sensor surface 110 . this guarantees that the bill 96 edge 97 has been removed from between the upper bill retainer 106 and the bill stack 104 . in fig6 the third step for bill back starts by rotating the separation cam roller 98 in the counterclockwise direction which moves the released upper edge of the bill 96 upward to enter between the roller 100 and its idler roller 112 . the upper bill retainer 106 serves to guide the upper edge of the extracted bill 96 that then continues upwards to the drive roller 102 and its idler roller 114 , and outwards through the passages 78 , 34 , 28 and into the validation passage 22 ( shown in fig2 ). the diverter gate 116 moves to open the path to the passage way 34 during payback by friction from the driving roller 102 , and close it during the time that the bills are being directed to the bill receiving chamber 38 ( shown in fig3 ). the conveying belts are operated in the reverse direction during the three steps of bill payback until the bill 96 extends out from the bill entrance 80 ( fig2 ) sufficiently to be received by the customer yet retained to prevent accidental discharge . fig7 is a side view showing the modularity feature of the preferred embodiment with its center module 118 having the first bill receiving chamber 30 , with the payback and conveying provisions . the bill validation and stacking module 120 consists of the bill entry 80 , microprocessor , primary stacker plate 62 , conveyor assembly , interconnection fingers 121 and other associated components . the left module 122 is the bill receiving chamber 38 with its spring biased bill plate and has simple means to be attached to the center module 118 attachment fingers 119 . this feature provides for the conversion of the bill validator with bill payback to one without , by simply disconnecting the center module 118 , and connecting only a bill receiving module like the left module 122 . the right and left surfaces 124 and 126 of the center module 118 are at the passage first direction 28 along the one side of a first bill receiving chamber 30 having a bill payback outlet 32 , and the opposite passage second direction 36 along the rear side of the first bill receiving chamber 30 . when the center module 118 is not used , and the bill receiving module 38 is attached to the bill receiving and validation module 120 , only the passage first direction 28 is reinstated with the primary stacker plate 62 stacking the bills directly into the bill receiving module 38 . in this instance the bill receiving module may be of a larger expandable type . conversion from validating and stacking of bills only , to include the bill payback provision of module 118 , is likewise made very easily . the following describes a defense mechanism to deter theft due to fishing a bill validator when power is removed from the unit . the theft scenario could be described as follows . a customer modifies a valid bill with a loop made of material that is difficult to detect by the bill validator and does not prevent validation of the bill . this bill is inserted and accepted by the bill validator and the customer receives credit for the bill and ultimately change or product from the vending machine . the customer then removes power from the machine by pulling the ac power cord . while the machine and thus the unit are un - powered , the customer inserts a “ hook ” tool in the inlet , up to the cash box and hooks the loop on the previously inserted bill . this allows the customer to pull the bill out of the cash box and the bill inlet . the operation for this improved level security is that while the unit is “ idle ”, the primary stacker plate 62 is moved into a position that blocks the path to the cash box used to insert the hook tool but still allows the cash box to be removed while in this position . this prevents the customer from “ fishing ” an un - powered unit . fig8 is an isometric view of the lower section of the validator inlet in the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the skew sensors 1 , validation and position sensors 2 , cross channel sensors 3 , position rear clear sensors 4 . after receives power the validator conducts a “ power on ” self test ( post ) that cycles the primary stacker plate 62 to verify proper operation . this cycle returns the plate to the “ home ” position . the home position is defined as the position of the plate which allows a bill to transport through the unit without obstruction . in this position the plate is fully retracted into main housing 66 . once post has been completed , the primary stacker plate 62 will be moved forward a predetermined number of tachometer steps . the number of steps will be chosen with the assumption that the path 26 to the cash box is blocked and the cash box is capable of being removed . because there is no sensor that allows the software to accurately locate this “ blocking ” position , the resting position of the plate for blocking purposes will vary depending on the unit and environmental conditions . under normal operations if the unit detects either of the skew sensors are broken it starts transporting the bill for data collection which places a significant amount of the bill is in the cash box . at the same time the primary stacker plate 62 will have to be retracted before the bill moves to the data collection process . the primary stacker plate 62 remains retracted until the bill is returned or stacked . if the bill is returned , the primary stacker plate 62 will be placed in the blocking position by moving it forward the predetermined number of tachometer steps . if the bill is stacked , the primary stacker plate 62 is returned to home and then moved to the blocking position . the following describes an improvement to the cross channel sensor used to protect the unit against bills with an attached string . a bill validator device capable of detecting the presence of a string or other object attached to a bill with the intention of extracting the bill after it passes the bill validator validation sensors and credit was given is known from the u . s . pat . no . 6 , 441 , 891 . the bill validator comprises a bill passageway having a first side and a second side , a light source positioned at the first side , the light source for emitting light across the passageway , a reflecting surface positioned at the second side , and a detector device positioned at the first side , the detector device for receiving light reflected from the reflecting surface . the light source apparatus , the reflective surface and the detector portion , being so positioned relative to one another that a bill traveling through the passageway will obstruct the passage of light across the passageway and a trailing foreign object attached to the bill will obstruct at least some portion of the light being laterally transmitted and reflected across the passageway , whereby the continuing obstruction of at least a portion of the light after the bill has moved past said system is indicative of the presence of a trailing foreign object connected to a bill . the cross channel sensor is susceptible to being blocked by water droplets condensing on the inlet housings of the validator . in other conditions fine icing could occur and have a similar effect . this condensation causes a false position where the validator reacts as thought it is being cheated and enters a defense state . in this state the primary stacker plate 62 is positioned in the cash box blocking the bill path . after a waiting period expires the primary stacker plate 62 is retracted and normal operation resumes . however , if the condensation still blocks the cross channel sensor the unit will immediately re - enter the defense state . the condensation literally places the unit out of service . the present method uses the dollar bill presented at the inlet to wick or displace the condensation in an attempt to put the unit back in service . the bill would be transported and moved back and forth in the unit . fig8 is an isometric view of the lower section of the validator inlet in the preferred embodiment of the invention showing the skew sensors 1 , validation and position sensors 2 , cross channel sensors 3 , position rear clear sensors 4 . when the validator is in the defense state and the primary stacker plate 62 is positioned in the stacker box , it will continue to monitor all the sensors that detect the bill position ( skew sensors 1 , locations sensors 4 ) and optical characteristics ( validation sensors 2 ). the inlet leds will remain in operation such that the inlet is illuminated giving the appearance that the unit is enabled . when the skew sensors 1 are broken and the validation sensors 2 are unblocked , the validator will start to transport the dollar bill forward into the unit . when the leading edge of the bill breaks the bill position sensors 2 the bill will be moved a predetermined number of tachometer steps then stopped . this number will place the leading edge of the bill past the cross channel sensor but not to the rear clear sensor . the bill is then moved in reverse until the leading edge of the bill clears the position sensors 2 . this forward then backwards movement is repeated two more times for a total of six passes past the cross path sensor area . the bill is then returned . if after the bill is returned all the position sensors ( skews 1 , cross path 3 , position 2 and rear clear 4 ) are un - broken , the plate is retracted and the unit resumes normal operation . the forgoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description . it 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 . it is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by the details of the embodiments presented in this description . the above specification , examples provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the invention . many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .	6
according to the embodiment ( s ) of the present invention , various views are illustrated in fig1 - 3 and like reference numerals are being used consistently throughout to refer to like and corresponding parts of the invention for all of the various views and figures of the drawing . also , please note that the first digit ( s ) of the reference number for a given item or part of the invention should correspond to the fig . number in which the item or part is first identified . one embodiment of the present technology comprising method for manufacturing pork sausage teaches a novel method for manufacturing pork sausage from a butcher hog using certain portions of the butcher hog as part of a hot bone pre - rigor process . the details of the invention and various embodiments can be better understood by referring to the figures of the drawing . referring to fig1 , fig2 and fig3 the picnic / jowl meat can be hot boned 102 where the temperature of the meat is at 97 ° to 105 ° fahrenheit ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). during the hot bone process , the temple meat 206 can be removed from the head and collected for hot chopping at a temperature at about 87 ° to 90 ° fahrenheit ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the head back meat 204 and pate meat 202 can be removed from the head and collected for hot chopping at a temperature at about 90 ° to 93 ° fahrenheit ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the cheek meat 208 can be removed from the head and collected for hot chopping at a temperature at about 94 ° to 95 ° fahrenheit ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the hot meat can be passed on to a bowl chopper or similar device for processing 104 the pre - rigor meat . the temperature of the picnic jowl at chopper can be about 94 - 95 ° f . ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the temperature of the temple at the chopper can be about 83 - 86 ° f . ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the temperature of the head back at the chopper can be about 86 - 88 ° f . ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). the temperature of the cheek meat at the chopper can be about 88 - 89 ° f . ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 80 °- 110 ° f .). after chopping the hot meat can then be salted and chilled 106 in the chopper to less than 45 °. the chilled , chopped , and salted pre - rigor blend is conveyed to the blender and further chilled 108 to about approximately 27 ° f . ( however the temperature of the meat can be within approximately the range of about 20 °- 35 ° f .). the method for pre - rigor collection and bowl chop can generally include a lean chopper collection step and a fat chopper collection step . the output collected from these steps can be blended 108 in the desired proportions . in the lean chopper collection step , lean is separated and collected from specific portions , including the hot de - bone picnic ; and the hot de - bone cheek meat . the lean can be collected from these portions for about approximately 60 - 90 minutes post mortem ( however , the range can be about approximately 30 - 120 minutes post - mortem ). the lean meat block formulation can include about approximately 50 % ( however the range can be about approximately 30 - 70 %) picnic and 50 % ( however the range can be about approximately 30 - 70 %) cheek lean meat . the lean can be scaled by proportion and added to the bowl chopper and the chopping process can begin . salt can be added to the lean during this process of chopping at about approximately 1 . 5 % ( however the range can be about approximately 0 - 2 %) of total batch weight . the chopping process can continue until piece size of the lean is at about approximately ½ ″. the chopped lean can be chilled with co 2 to about approximately 30 - 35 ° f . the chilled lean can be discharged into a combo and held for up to 72 hours prior to inputting into the final blend . the target can be in the range of about approximately 10 - 14 % blend fat . in the fat chopper collection step , fatty portions can be collected from specific portions including the hot de - bone pate , including trimming ear cartilage and glands , the hot de - bone head back , the hot de - bone temple , the hot de - bone trace lean . the fatty portions can be separated and similarly collected for about approximately 60 - 90 minutes post mortem ( however the range can be about approximately 30 - 120 minutes post - mortem ). the fat meat block formulation can include about approximately 21 . 2 % ( however can be in the range of about 15 - 25 %) head back , 24 . 8 % ( however can be in the range of about 15 - 25 %) temple , 35 . 4 % ( however can be in the range of about 25 - 40 %) trace lean ( which targets the natural fall ). the fatty portions are scaled and added to the bowl chopper . the chopping begins and salt at 1 . 5 % ( however can be in the range of about range 0 - 2 %) of total batch weight can be added during the chopping process . chopping can continue until the piece size of the fatty portions are at about approximately ½ ″. the chopped fatty portions can be chilled with co2 to 30 - 35 ° f . the chopped and chilled fatty portions can be discharged into a combo and held for up to 72 hours . the target range can be at about approximately 24 - 28 % ready to use ( rtu ) fat . rtu denoting already chopped and salted . alternate method identified due to improved operational efficiency . the method for pre - rigor collection and bowl chop can generally include a natural fall chopper collection step . the output collected from this step can be blended in the desired proportions . in the natural fall chopper collection step , pre - rigor meat is separated and collected from specific portions , including the hot de - bone picnic , hot de - bone jowl , hot de - bone cheek meat , hot de - bone pate , hot de - bone head back and the hot de - bone temple . the meat can be collected from these portions for about approximately 60 - 90 minutes post mortem ( range 30 - 120 minutes post - mortem ). the meat block formulation can include about approximately 72 . 3 % picnic , 17 . 71 % jowl , 5 . 16 % cheek meat , 1 . 39 % pate , 1 . 59 % head back and 1 . 85 % temple . the components can be scaled by proportion and added to the bowl chopper and the chopping process can begin . salt can be added to the meat during this process of chopping at about approximately 1 . 5 % ( range 0 - 2 % salt ) of total batch weight . the chopping process can continue until piece size of the lean is at about approximately ½ ″. the chopped pre - rigor meat can be chilled with co 2 to about approximately 30 - 35 ° f . the chilled lean can be discharged into a combo and held for up to 72 hours prior inputting into the final blend . the target can be in the range of about approximately 21 . 7 - 25 . 7 % rtu fat . various blends and percentages of the outputs from the lean chopper collection and the fat chopper collection or natural fall collection steps can be utilized and will vary primarily based on the type of product being produced , including producing a sausage patty product , a sausage link product , a sausage chub , a sausage grind and a dinner brat sausage link product . for the sausage patty process , the procedure can include dumping the pre - rigor lean meat into the holding hopper , and dumping the pre - rigor fat meat into the holding hopper and measuring the fat % of the components . pre - rigor lean and pre - rigor fat can be added to the final blender targeting about approximately 22 % ( or in the range of about 5 - 26 %) meat block fat . at this time various seasoning , salt and water can be added . the inputs can be blended for about approximately 1 to 5 minutes and then chilled to about approximately 27 ° f . ( or in the range of about 20 °- 35 ° f .). the blended and chilled product can be discharged into a stuffer having an in - line grind to about approximately 2 to 4 mm . the product can be stuffed into slicing slicks having a target of about approximately 1 . 5 ″ to 4 ″ diameter . the slicks can be chilled to about approximately 19 - 26 ° f . the casing can be removed and the slicks can be placed into a slicer . the product can be sliced to about approximately 1 . 0 oz to 4 . 0 oz . the slice patties can be placed on a tray and overwrapped with a label and place in the master case . for the breakfast sausage link process , the pre - rigor lean meat can be dumped into the holding hopper and the pre - rigor fat meat can be dumped into the holding hopper . the fat % of the components can be measured . pre - rigor can be added to the blender and the blend can have a 22 % ( or in the range about 18 - 50 %) target meat block fat . seasoning , salt and water can be added and the product can be blended for about approximately 1 to 5 minutes . the blended product can be chilled to about approximately 27 ° f . ( range 20 - 35 ). the blended and chilled product can be discharged into the stuffer having an in - line grind to 2 . 0 to 4 . 0 mm . the product can be stuffed into a 18 to 25 mm collagen casing and having a target length of about approximately 3 . 0 ″ to 4 . 0 ″ and a target weight of about approximately 0 . 8 oz to 2 . 0 oz . the links can be place on a tray and overwrap , labeled and place in the master case . for the sausage chub process the pre - rigor lean meat can be dumped into the holding hopper . frozen trace lean can be course ground at about approximately ½ ″, and fresh lean trim can be course ground at about approximately ½ ″. pre - rigor meat , frozen fat and fresh lean can be added to the blender with a target at about approximately 34 % ( in the range of about approximately 20 - 50 %) meat block fat and at a target of about approximately 82 % ( or in the range of about approximately 60 - 100 %) pre - rigor meat . seasoning , salt and water can be added when blending and can blend for about approximately 1 to 5 minutes . the product can be discharged into the stuffer having an in - line grind to 2 to 4 mm and stuffed having a length at about approximately 5 ″ to 12 ″, and a diameter at about approximately 2 . 50 - 2 . 60 ″, and a weight at about approximately 16 to 32 oz . the chubs can be placed in the master case . for the sausage grind process , the procedure can include dumping the pre - rigor lean meat into the holding hopper , and dumping the pre - rigor fat meat into the holding hopper and measuring the fat % of the components . pre - rigor lean and pre - rigor fat can be added to the final blender targeting about approximately 22 % ( or in the range of about 18 - 26 %) meat block fat ( maximum blend fat of 50 %). at this time various seasoning , salt and water can be added . the inputs can be blended for about approximately 3 minutes ( or in the range of about 1 - 5 minutes ) and then chilled to about approximately 27 ° f . ( or in the range of about 20 °- 35 ° f .). the blended and chilled product can be discharged into a stuffer having an in - line grind to about approximately 3 . 5 mm ( or in the range of about 2 . 0 - 4 . 0 mm ). the product can be extruded onto a tray , overwrapped , labeled , frozen and placed in the master case . for the dinner brat process , the procedure can include dumping the pre - rigor lean meat into the holding hopper , and dumping the pre - rigor fat meat into the holding hopper and measuring the fat % of the components . pre - rigor lean and pre - rigor fat can be added to the final blender targeting about approximately 22 % ( or in the range of about approximately 18 - 50 %) meat block fat . at this time various seasoning , salt and water can be added . the inputs can be blended for about approximately 1 to 5 minutes and then chilled to about approximately 27 ° f . ( or in the range about approximately 20 °- 35 ° f .). the blended and chilled product can be discharged into a stuffer having an in - line grind to about approximately 2 . 0 to 4 . 0 mm . the natural hog casing can be pre - soaked in water overnight . the casings can be placed into warm water prior to stuffing . the product can be stuffed into a 28 - 37 mm hog casing having a target length of about approximately 5 . 0 ″ to 7 . 0 ″ and having a target weight of about approximately 3 oz to 5 oz . the brats can be placed on a tray and overwrapped , labelled and placed in the master case . various tests were perform using the disclosed and claimed technology and various observations were noted regarding the test product including total color change over a selected period of time ( delta e ), generally calculated as δe =[( δl ) 2 +( δa ) 2 +( δb ) 2 ] ½ , and color saturation — chroma c . the following observations were made . 1 . initial steady ph decline beginning 0 . 75 hours post - mortem . picnic was higher in ph than cheek meat . at time 2 hours , a more rapid ph decline begins . a . picnic had a steady ph decline up to 1 . 5 hours to ph 6 . 51 . had a few outstanding data points before stabilizing at ph range of 6 . 56 - 6 . 62 b . cheek meat had a steady ph decline up to 1 hour to ph 6 . 39 . rapid decline began at 2 hours from 6 . 42 - 6 . 19 at 4 hours post - mortem . 2 . initial rise in meat temperature at 1 hour , then steady decline until temperature equilibrium is reached . a . picnic temperature equilibrium at 1 . 5 hours and 87 - 93 ° f . b . cheek meat temperature equilibrium at 1 . 5 hours and 83 - 86 ° f . c . temple temperature equilibrium at 1 . 5 hours and 81 - 85 ° f . d . head back temperature equilibrium at 1 . 5 hours and 81 - 86 ° f . e . pate temperature equilibrium at 2 . 5 hours and 79 - 80 ° f . f . trace lean temperature equilibrium at 2 . 5 hours and 82 - 83 ° f . 3 . initial increase in l values then a slow decline of values exhibited up to 4 hours post - mortem . a . picnic had an increase in l * value at 1 hour to 53 . 77 then steady decline to 46 . 84 at 4 hours post - mortem . b . cheek meat had an increase in l * value at 1 . 5 hours to 51 . 86 then a steady decline to 47 . 56 at 4 hours post - mortem . 4 . initial decline in a * values then a slow increase of values exhibited up to 3 . 5 hours post - mortem . a . picnic had a decrease in a * value at 1 . 5 hour to 16 . 55 then steady incline to 19 . 29 at 3 . 5 hours post - mortem . b . cheek meat had an increase then decrease in a * value at 1 . 5 hours to 15 . 69 then a steady incline to 19 . 39 at 3 . 5 hours post - mortem . 5 . initial increase in b * values then a rapid decline to 1 . 5 hours and stabilization to 4 hours post - mortem . a . picnic had an increase in b * value at 1 hour to 14 . 73 then declined to 12 . 37 at 4 hours post - mortem . b . cheek meat had an increase in b * value at 1 hour to 14 . 83 then declined to 13 . 47 at 4 hours post - mortem . 6 . initial decrease in δe values to 1 hour and stabilization to 4 hours post - mortem . a . picnic had a decrease in δe value at 1 hour to 11 . 92 indicating at 1 hour post - mortem the color of picnics is closest to the target . following the suggested + 2 . 3 for just noticeable difference in δe by the human eye , picnic can be collected for up to 3 hours post - mortem and be within this range . b . cheek meat had a decrease in δe value at 1 hour to 13 . 33 indicating at 1 hour post - mortem the color of cheeks is closest to the target . following the suggested + 2 . 3 for just noticeable difference in δe by the human eye , cheek can be collected for up to 1 . 5 hours post - mortem and be within this range . 7 . chroma values indicate the intensity of the principle hue in the product . a higher number indicates more intensity . a . picnic had an increase in chroma value at 1 . 5 hours and began a slow decline in value to 3 . 5 hours post mortem . optimal hue intensity occurs at 1 . 5 and 4 hours . b . cheek meat had a decrease in chroma value at 1 hour and began a rapid incline to a maximum value at 1 . 5 hours . optimal hue intensity occurs at 1 . 5 hours . 8 . δl * values are an indication of how far the sample deviates from the target color when reviewing white / black . a . at 1 . 5 hours , the picnic sample had a δl * score of − 4 . 19 indicating this is the optimal time for l * value of picnics to be the closest to target . b . at 1 . 5 hours , the cheek meat sample had a δl * score of − 6 . 59 indicating this is the optimal time for l * value of picnics to be the closest to target . 9 . δa * values are an indication of how far the sample deviates from the target color when reviewing green / red . a . at 3 . 5 hours , the picnic sample had a δa * score of − 6 . 38 indicating this is the optimal time for a * value of picnics to be the closest to target . this may indicate oxygenation of the muscle . b . at 3 . 5 hours , the cheek meat sample had a δa * score of − 6 . 28 indicating this is the optimal time for a * value of picnics to be the closest to target . this may indicate oxygenation of the muscle . 10 . δb * values are an indication of how far the sample deviates from the target color when reviewing blue / yellow . a . at 1 hour , the picnic sample had a δb * score of − 7 . 45 indicating this is the optimal time for b * value of picnics to be the closest to target . b . at 1 hour , the cheek meat sample had a δb * score of − 8 . 15 indicating this is the optimal time for b * value of picnics to be the closest to target . the various implementations of the method shown above illustrate a method for processing pork sausage from a butcher hog ; barrow ( a male pig that has been castrated ) or gilt ( female pig less than six months old that has never been pregnant ), ( a pig approximately 285 lbs live weight , 6 months old and ready for market with no abnormalities ). a user of the present technology may choose any of the above implementation , or an equivalent thereof , depending upon the desired application . in this regard , it is recognized that various forms of the subject process for the manufacture of pre - rigor sausage could be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention . as is evident from the foregoing description , certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular details of the examples illustrated herein , and it is therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications , or equivalents thereof , will occur to those skilled in the art . it is accordingly intended that the claims shall cover all such modifications and applications that do not depart from the sprit and scope of the present invention . other aspects , objects and advantages of the present invention can be obtained from a study of the drawings , the disclosure and the appended claims .	0
in the following description the term intelligent bookmark is used to refer to an associated collection of information , including an address ( e . g ., a url ) for a document ( e . g ., web page ) or other hyper - media enabled item and selected other information ( referred to herein as identifier information ). typically , the document in question is a webpage , and the description which follows assumes such is the case . however , it will be understood by one skilled in the art that the document may also be an item stored locally on a user &# 39 ; s computer , such as a word processing , spreadsheet , or presentation document , etc . accordingly , the following is by way of example , and not intended to be a limitation on the spirit and scope of the present invention . fig1 illustrates a sample , representative internet webpage 4 , displayed in a window 6 by a web browser application . using a mouse , pen and tablet , or other computer interface means ( not shown ), a user may capture a selectable area , 10 , which the user may wish to bookmark . that is , area 10 may contain information such as text , picture , audio , video , etc ., which the user may wish to quickly recover ( among other options which are discussed further below ) at a later time . the captured area becomes the source for data which will form an intelligent bookmark according to the present invention . by default , the image captured in the process of constructing the intelligent bookmark is the whole screen the user is currently viewing ( although this may be set to other selection choices by the user in appropriate applications of the present invention ). once the page is captured , the process of creating identifier information by extracting portions of the page in the best - suited manner is initiated . for example , text and html information that can be extracted from the webpage are identified and saved at 14 . keywords 16 may be identified and extracted from text 14 or other portions of the webpage . one method for identifying relevant keywords is disclosed in u . s . pat . no . 6 , 470 , 307 titled “ method and apparatus for automatically identifying keywords within a document ” which is incorporated herein by reference . see also u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 659 , 730 , and 7 , 082 , 427 for other such techniques ( each of which also being incorporated herein by reference ). the url of the website 18 and the parent site 20 are extracted . other metadata information 22 , present in the webpage may also be extracted based on page metaheaders 24 . for example , date and time stamp information 26 can be extracted from the metaheader 24 . images and non - textual information 28 may be identified and extracted . based on the available information , a category or categories 30 may automatically be assigned . further , the bookmark can also be manually categorized , and keywords can be added by the user . based on user - selectable preferences , the user can also choose to have images and non - textual information 28 scanned by ocr ( optical character recognition ) to extract further text and information . further integration can be incorporated in the intelligent bookmark to generate pdf files from the website text 14 to attach to the intelligent bookmark , if necessary . advertisements 32 ( or links thereto ) can be blocked , removed , or maintained , while creating bookmarks as well . the user can manually rate the bookmark at 34 depending on his / her interest . the bookmarked site can be checked for a community rating at 36 as well , allowing for the user to further update the community rating . other features may include capturing animation / video or other display data that dynamically changes on the screen . there are a variety of cots products that capture screen animation / video by recording the screen . an example of screen capture and recording software is camtasia available from techsmith . com ( http :// www . techsmith . com / camtasia . asp ). if the user would like to capture such information , a “ record ” functionality would allow a video screenshot of such information to be stored in the intelligent bookmark . this type of “ record ” functionality can also allow for user interaction with certain websites to be recorded and bookmarked as well . interface preferences allowing creation of bookmarks with some or all of the aforementioned features will be set as a function of the desired level of complexity of the intelligent bookmarks ( i . e ., how much information should be extracted / stored , or if special functions needed to be performed ) the greater the demand on the computing resources required for a feature ( e . g ., applying optical character recognition to an image files is considered a moderately high demand feature ) the more a user benefits from disabling that feature unless truly required . collectively , the details captured above are referred to as identifier information 40 , and the address 42 and associated identifier information 40 are collectively referred to as an intelligent bookmark 44 , as shown in fig2 embodied as a database record . while the above has provided examples of certain identifier information , virtually any data which may be extracted from a document or added by a user may qualify as identifier information . thus , the concept that an address has associated with it identifier information is not intended to be limited by the foregoing . an intelligent bookmark 44 is typically stored in a data base , either on - line or off - line ( discussed further below ), which can interact with a user &# 39 ; s browser software . fig3 illustrates an interface 46 in which a user may create , view , edit , preview , etc . intelligent bookmarks . based on preferences , the user interface 46 allows the user to edit the intelligent bookmark 44 by modifying , adding or deleting the various elements of the identifier information . for example , a user may create custom categorization and keywords , adding them to those automatically generated as identifier information discussed above , the user may decide if the taken screenshot / video capture adequately contains the content to be stored , etc . this functionality can permit a user to fetch links as well . for example , a web page viewed by a user may itself contain multiple hyperlinks . in addition to bookmarking the viewed page , the user may be prompted to bookmark the pages pointed to by the hyperlinks . this is useful in cases where the user wants to gather information from a informative directory type page . additionally , the user may right - click on a link ( or take another similar action ) to “ fetch ” that link , and “ preview ” how the link would look if the user accessed the page and were to bookmark it . before the actual bookmarking , the user can preview the possible bookmarks of the hyperlinks one after another to decide which , if any , should be bookmarked . based on this , the user can save the bookmark , open the bookmark to edit , visit the actual link to bookmark manually ( screenshot / video capture ), or discard the bookmark . essentially the user is permitted to bookmark a page without accessing it manually , allowing the user to choose to bookmark selected links ( with selected identifying information ) present on a website being viewed . this allows the user to browse websites more efficiently , without having to visit pages in separate windows or pop - ups . a user can easily search through and sort intelligent bookmarks based on identifier information 40 . for example , the text / html 14 captured in the intelligent bookmark 44 may be searched . additionally , users may sort and group links based on categories 30 , or websites ( e . g ., parent website 20 ). users can also search and sort intelligent bookmarks by the frequency they have been visited or the time frame of those visits . the time frame / frequency of the visits is the number of times the user accesses the bookmark / visits the url after the bookmark has been created . the time of creation would be a time - stamp of the bookmark . users can view intelligent bookmarks in a time - line type display , illustrated in fig4 which sorts bookmarks based on the data and time stamp on the bookmark ( for example filtered by a keyword , bookmark rating , etc .) once created , an intelligent bookmark can be saved and accessed offline , fig5 a , or online , fig5 b . in the offline software model shown in fig5 a , a bookmark database 50 resides directly on the user &# 39 ; s computer 52 . the user can access intelligent bookmarks stored directly on his or her computer 52 . by being on the user &# 39 ; s machine , the software accessing the intelligent bookmarks would be able to execute commands and process information quickly without network latency . in the online model shown in fig5 b , the user &# 39 ; s computer 52 is connected to a remote server 56 . the bookmark database 58 resides on the server 56 . the software itself may be operating system - independent , allowing it to reside on a separate device 60 such as a portable usb device , an mp3 player or a bluetooth enabled device . an application that does not depend on the computer &# 39 ; s operating system directly can be portable , which allows the user the option of running it on a computer that does not have the software installed or available , such as a borrowed or public computer . this way , a user may have access to intelligent bookmark information from a number of sources , local , remote or a combination of the two . based on the device , the user can choose what resolution in which to access bookmarks or bookmark metadata . that is , a bookmark may be presented differently depending on the platform from which it is accessed . for example , accessing an intelligent bookmark via a mobile device such as a smart phone , the url and a small version of the screenshot is likely all that would be desired or prudent to display . yet accessing that same bookmark on a powerful , networked desktop pc may produce a high resolution , large format screenshot as well as a number of identifier information items . knowing the type and capabilities of the device accessing a bookmark may also permit certain specific tool behavior . for example , knowing that a bookmark is being accessed from a smartphone may cause the bookmark to be displayed with easily identified phone numbers , one - touch dialing of those phone numbers , etc . therefore the type of presentation and operational logic for bookmarks may depend upon the interface device . this also means that the information captured and stored as part of the intelligent bookmark can anticipate specific device types , and the various access formats can be preset , allowing fast access of such information without further burdening computing time with reformatting display formats , etc . in the online server model , the user &# 39 ; s computer 52 could run a pre - installed software application that communicates with the server 56 to access the remotely stored intelligent bookmark database 58 . other embodiments may include plug - ins , toolbars or flash - based applications that could run on the user &# 39 ; s computer 52 ( such as in conjunction with a web browser application ) allowing communication with the online server 56 . the user can access an interface to view , add or modify the intelligent bookmarks . this feature allows for users to easily have files accessible from the internet for later use . intelligent bookmarks on the server 56 may easily be interlinked based on category , keywords , ratings , and other metadata . essentially , users form directories or run queries to view similar intelligent bookmarks . recommendation technologies , such as disclosed in u . s . pat . nos . 7 , 113 , 917 , 6 , 266 , 649 , and 6 , 064 , 980 , each incorporated herein by reference , would be a way ( when applied to bookmarks ) to conceptually relate bookmarks for recommendations . the server ( or an element of the db management software ) may also prevent duplicate intelligent bookmarks . in such cases , when users want to contribute information to the bookmark , ratings , keywords , articles , pictures , video , similar websites , and other information may be contributed . besides the identifying information 40 , other relevant metadata such as the member &# 39 ; s location and other geographical factors may be used to group or categorize intelligent bookmarks . a combination of the offline ( fig5 a ) and online ( fig5 b ) model may be utilized , allowing the user to synchronize the offline data base 50 and online database 58 . since server database 58 can be accessed from a network , a user may be provided a degree of flexibility in accessing the intelligent bookmarks . referring now to fig6 , an on - line model in which a number of users 62 , 64 , 66 are in communication with a server 68 , which is in turn in communication with intelligent bookmark database 70 , is illustrated . in such a model , a community of users may share , edit , add , etc . individual intelligent bookmarks or collections of intelligent bookmarks . for example , a user 66 can initiate access to intelligent bookmarks stored in database 70 through use of a community portal ( software , not shown ) resident on server 68 . user 66 can then search , browse , copy , follow links in , etc . the intelligent bookmarks stored in database 70 . each intelligent bookmark in database 70 can include properties allowing a creator of such a bookmark to permit or deny third parties from editing or deleting the bookmark once stored . user 66 may contribute to a community rating 36 of the intelligent bookmarks in database 70 according to a rating system , designed for example to help users quickly narrow a search to relevant material . in searching by keywords , metadata , dates , ratings , etc ., urls of sites others have found relevant to a topic are more efficiently and quickly identified . a user may then follow the urls to the underlying document or site at which the information the user seeks will likely be found . the interlinked intelligent bookmark system present on a community server thus facilitates finding information through the use of the stored intelligent bookmarks . by incorporating appropriate filters , the community server can also ensure that spam and other harmful items do not reach the server , for example based on examining the individual intelligent bookmarks and the urls to which they point . furthermore , the community server can track whether links are alive and mark bookmarks as obsolete , current , new , etc . while the community aspect of the present invention is , in one sense , an adjunct to traditional web searches , the community server may itself have search engine type technology to make searches for intelligent bookmarks very efficient . intelligent bookmarks can be set to automatically expire or be archived from their database ( e . g ., 50 , 58 ). users may be prompted before such expiration or archiving depending on set preferences . archiving or deleting old bookmarks or non - relevant bookmarks preserves the wealth of information in the offline or online database 50 , 58 . fig7 presents process 80 by which a user can share an intelligent bookmark with others . sharing is typically initiated at step 82 from within an interface through which a user may interact with the intelligent bookmarks . once a user selects one or more intelligent bookmarks to share at step 84 , the user can export , share , publish or select from a number of other sharing options as follows . the user interface will typically control converting the bookmark into an appropriate format , so that a user can most easily select the appropriate sending option . while in the following we refer to the sending of an intelligent bookmark , it will be understood that the actual item delivered may be the database record representing the intelligent bookmark , a pointer to the database record located on a server or networked computer , or a combination of the two . first , an intelligent bookmark can be sent by e - mail at 86 to a user - specified address . the bookmark may be an attachment to the email message or may be a portion of the email note itself . an intelligent bookmark can be sent using instant messaging at 88 . intelligent bookmarks can either be directly instantly messaged to another , or the bookmark can be inserted as an attachment . an intelligent bookmark can be sent using a web log ( blog ) system at 90 . users can create the blog post within their bookmarks . for example , a user could comment on the selected bookmarks as they would do in a blog . this blog entry could be stored on the bookmarks as well in another metadata category . the bookmark can be activated by an html script , or by cutting and pasting into the online blogging interface provided by the blog provider . this way , users can share their blog with comments and attach the bookmarks to the post . an intelligent bookmark may be shared through internet communities at 92 , as previously discussed . again , there is significant value in providing intelligent bookmarks to an appropriate networked community , with its members able to search , rate , add to , etc . those bookmarks . the server software will typically control the uploading of bookmarks online , such as to the community database . there may be links from the community bookmark to individual bookmarks depending on whether or not the user wants the bookmark to be accessible after updates or deletion . the community may allow users to have automatic ratings of bookmarks and to find similar bookmarks based on topics , categories , etc . intelligent bookmarks may include private data and public data , and the creator of such intelligent bookmarks provided with the ability to control third party access to the private data . an intelligent bookmark can also be exported , from a client machine or a server , and saved as other types of documents at 94 . for example , a bookmark can be saved in the form of a word , excel , powerpoint , pdf , html or some other document tool or other standard . once a user selects one or more intelligent bookmarks at 84 the user may also generate bibliographic information at 96 based on the identifier information . the bibliography or other useful reference information can be easily copied and pasted into other documents . this simplifies the use of bibliographic and reference data from a bookmark . users may also import information into their bookmark database at 98 . while a typical intelligent bookmark interface will permit fetching urls from a file and generating identifier information therefrom , users may also import intelligent bookmarks from the community or other users . intelligent bookmarks may be downloaded , received via im or email , taken from a blog , or manually copied from storage media . information from intelligent bookmarks within a user &# 39 ; s database can be used to create a user profile 100 as shown fig8 . this type of profile generation does not require user accounts to be created and the profile generated can be non - personal material . fig8 shows some of the areas from which a user profile is developed . different categories 102 , topics 104 , and keywords 108 listed in the user &# 39 ; s bookmarks can provide insight into which areas are of interest to the user . based on the interaction with the user &# 39 ; s bookmarks , such as the frequency of visit which is captured at 112 and time spent which is captured at 114 , a count of the number of types of links ( e . g ., a weighting factor ) captured at 116 , and other data , behavior data 110 may be generated . also , any specific characteristics 106 of the websites bookmarked can be further informative of the user profile . the information available from the user &# 39 ; s bookmark database may be analyzed by the server and compared to other databases to derive certain conclusions on generating a user profile . profile information may also be manually set or controlled by users . once a user profile 100 is created , the user can be notified of internet websites and advertisements that might be of interest to the user . having a user profile makes it very easy for users to get suggestions to topics of interest from the community in an effective manner . in an embodiment , there may be a browsing companion ( e . g ., a plug - in software module ) on the user &# 39 ; s browser which can offer similar website and topics the user can browse based on his / her profile . as with topics of interest , advertisements and other sponsored material may be sent to users in a non - intrusive manner by the browsing companion . the user receives such targeted ad information from the server which combines user profile information with current browsing or bookmark information . this would allow for more location and demographic based advertisements as well . fig9 depicts one embodiment according to the present invention of how a category can automatically be assigned to an intelligent bookmark by referencing other databases that may reside remotely or on a user &# 39 ; s computer . these various databases may contain keyword ratings and categories , website ratings and categories , advertisement indexes , etc ., and may be updated periodically for improvement , accuracy , content , etc . depending on the embodiment , this metadata may be gathered from other third - party sources as well which may interface with the intelligent bookmark for purposes of categorization , organization and other functionalities . that is , it is possible to provide recommendations , narrow searches , and provide other services based on extrinsic data . by accessing this extrinsic data , one can use existing relational information to provide categorization , organization , recommendations , etc ., of or for information . for example , if a third party maintains a database that says that most people that like blues music will like jazz as well , this third party ( i . e ., extrinsic ) knowledge can help associate bookmarks or underlying information about blues with bookmarks or underlying information about jazz . as another example relating to articles , there may be a automatic categorization based on extrinsic categorization of frequently available keywords . if an article mentions “ c ++” and other sites frequently categorize c ++ as science & amp ; technology → computers , the system could employ that as a “ suggestion ” to similarly categorize that topic . fig1 depicts one embodiment according to the present invention of how an intelligent bookmark is created . a user begins the process 140 of creating an intelligent bookmark by accessing a bookmark interface ( bi ) at 142 . the bookmark interface may be a stand - alone software program or may be part of another program , such as a web browser application . the bookmark interface may reside on the user &# 39 ; s computer , or may be resident on a remote server . at 144 the bookmark interface captures the url of the website or document of interest . at 146 - 156 the identifying information is obtained . for example , at 146 the user may capture certain elements of the screenshot of the page of interest with a selection tool provided by the interface . a user may then drag - and - drop the selection to a desired location , representing for example storage of those selected image or image portions . users may also be able to use pull - down menus to create the intelligent bookmark . additionally , the browser may include a tool bar or button that automatically creates a fixed or customizable bookmark for a particular web page . other drag - and - drop functionalities may assist the user in changing the metadata or data fields of the intelligent bookmarks . users may drag - and - drop bookmarks from certain categories to others to have the data fields automatically reflect such changes . the bookmark interface may provide for timeline views which let a user see bookmarks chronologically , and slideshow view which allows a user to see bookmarks as a slideshow . in addition or as an alternative to drag and drop abilities and menu commands , the user may capture information via capture tools . image selecting and cropping tools may be available for user &# 39 ; s to highlight which area of the website should be in the screenshot . while default settings may simply capture as much information as possible and automatically recognize the important information of the webpage ( distinguish between menu items , advertisements , article content , etc . ), a user may use selecting and cropping tools to highlight only certain text to be captured ( or to be ignored , such as certain images , advertisements , etc .) intelligent bookmarks may also be used within documents and internet content that may be on the user &# 39 ; s computer ( not within a browser window ). this is grounded in the concept that a bookmark need not necessarily be to a web page , or even a networked document , but may in fact be the address of a local document or portion of a document . this allows a user to capture and store various content through one interface , making it easy to deal with gathering information . a tool such as a capture button is provided within the context of an application such as microsoft word . the user bookmarks content within the word document , for example by highlighting a section of the document and clicking on the capture button , which stores the bookmark to the highlighted section in the bookmarks database . this permits a user the option of capturing information while reviewing many different types of document , such as word processing documents , data bases , spreadsheets , etc . as previously mentioned , according to one embodiment of the present invention a system for creating and employing intelligent bookmarks includes a “ record ” functionality that allows the user to capture interactions and video / animation content as a video screenshot . this type of capturing functionality allows a user to bookmark video and dynamic content in addition to articles and other static elements of websites . another type of capturing interface , such as a submit button , allows users to submit bookmarks to an online server to be processed remotely . once submitted , a server may analyze the website for categorization , keywords , etc and store it in the online database . layering may also be added to intelligent bookmarks , such as present in image and video editing applications . for example , it is possible to annotate an intelligent bookmark with handwriting or highlighting on a “ layer ” above the bookmark itself , such that the addition of the annotation does not change the underlying bookmark . a view of the bookmark with or without one or more layers is possible . this layering allows users to collaborate on intelligent bookmarks as well . being able to markup information gathered from the internet in a digital version ( as opposed to printed material ) allows users to interact more efficiently with research material . such layering , highlighting , and markup allow some of the unique aspects of tablet pcs and pdas , such as pen - based interactions with content , to be employed . essentially , users are able to treat internet content as printed material by being able to easily markup and highlight the material . being digital , however , allows users all the functionality of being to hide / save / undo changes and easily communicate them to others . document versioning may also be integrated to keep track of changes in the intelligent bookmarks to reflect changes of the original website . also , document versioning may be used to allow for multiple versioning of highlights and markups to the intelligent bookmarks . while a plurality of preferred exemplary embodiments have been presented in the foregoing detailed description , it should be understood that a vast number of variations exist , and these preferred exemplary embodiments are merely representative examples , and are not intended to limit the scope , applicability or configuration of the invention in any way . for example , while the foregoing describes certain aspects of creating , using , sharing , etc . intelligent bookmarks via a computer such as a pc , there is nothing in the various aspects of the present invention precluding its use with portable or handheld devices such as tablet computers , personal digital assistants ( pdas ), and appropriately enabled cell phones . thus , the foregoing detailed description provides those of ordinary skill in the art with a convenient guide for implementation of the invention , and contemplates that various changes in the functions and arrangements of the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention defined by the claims thereto .	6
example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings . referring to fig1 there is shown a system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure . the system is well suited to sensing the presence and / or absence of equipment at each u location within an equipment rack 12 . in this example the equipment rack has eight u locations labeled u 0 - u 7 . locations u 0 , u 2 , u 3 and u 5 have assets positioned therein . the assets may be servers , network switches , an integrated keyboard / display system , etc . it is also possible that one asset may take up two or more u locations in the rack 12 , although for this example the assets are all shown as each taking up a single u location . each asset further includes an rfid tag 14 positioned thereon . the rfid tags are each positioned on a common side of the asset , in this example along the left side of each asset and preferably near either a forward edge of the asset or a rear edge of the asset . preferably , the rfid tags 14 are generally vertically aligned with one another when the assets are fully inserted into the u locations of the rack 12 . each rfid tag 14 may be programmed in advance with various information about the asset to which it will be attached . various information such as make , model number , type of device , serial number , power requirements , warranty information , etc ., may be encoded onto each rfid tag 14 . the system 10 further makes use of a plurality of switchable antenna systems 16 0 - 16 7 , which are positioned on the rack 12 to correspond to u locations 0 - 7 . by that it is meant that they are aligned with their respective u location such that when , for example , an asset is inserted into the u 0 location , the switchable antenna system 16 0 will be in close proximity to the rfid tag on the asset and will be able to wirelessly sense or “ read ” the data encoded onto the rfid tag 14 . it will be appreciated that wherever the rfid tags 14 are located on their respective assets , the wireless reception range will be quite limited , preferably on the order of about one meter , and more preferably less than one meter . more preferably still , the rfid tags will be selected and / or configured such that a transmission range of each is on the order of only an inch or two , which eliminates the possibility of one antenna picking up wireless signals from two different rfid tags . it will also be appreciated that , preferably , there will be one antenna system for each u location of a rack . thus , if a rack with 10 u locations is being used , then there would be ten antenna systems 16 employed . it is possible , however , that if one knows in advance that a rack will be using one or more components that each take up 2 u locations in the rack 12 , that a correspondingly lesser number of antenna systems could be employed . but a separate antenna system 16 should be used for each component that will be placed in the rack 12 . each of the switchable antenna systems 16 0 - 16 7 may incorporate an antenna element 16 a and a switch 16 b . the antenna element 16 a may take any variety of forms , for example a trace antenna on a printed circuit board ( pcb ). the switch 16 b may also take a variety of forms but in one preferred form may be an rf fet switch . when the switch 16 b is open , the antenna element 16 a is disabled , meaning it is not able to pass any sensed data from an adjacent rfid tag 14 on to an rfid reader subsystem 18 of the system 10 . when the switch 16 b is closed , then the antenna element 16 a is active and will be providing any wirelessly sensed information from an adjacent rfid tag to other components of the system 10 . an rfid reader subsystem 18 is able to decode the signals received from each of the antenna systems 16 and to pass the decoded signals on to a processing system 20 . together the rfid reader subsystem 18 and the processing system 20 form a subsystem for obtaining and using the information collected via the antenna systems 16 from the rfid tags 14 . referring further to fig1 , the system 10 may include a controller 22 responsive to the processing system 20 , or as part of the processing system 20 , for controlling activation of each of the antenna systems 16 0 - 16 7 via an associated control line 21 . more specifically , the controller 22 may be a microcontroller that selectively opens or closes the switches 16 b of each antenna system 16 0 - 16 7 via its associated control line 21 , one at a time , so each antenna system 16 0 - 16 7 may wirelessly sense and obtain any information from an adjacently positioned rfid tag 14 on an asset . the controller 22 may turn on the antenna systems 16 0 - 16 7 sequentially while incorporating a suitable delay between the turn on of adjacent antenna systems , or the antenna systems may be activated in any desired order . it is not imperative that the sensing of each u location be accomplished at very short time intervals . since the system 10 is using newly obtained information and comparing it to previously obtained information for a given u ( i . e ., shelf location ) to detect whether a change in equipment configuration has occurred in the rack 12 ( i . e ., either the insertion of a new component into a u location or the removal of a component at a given u location ), and since these actions will not be happening several times per second , it would be sufficient if each antenna system 16 0 - 16 7 is turned on possibly only 1 or more times per hour throughout the day . however , virtually any desired frequency of checking the u locations could be employed . optionally , a display 24 may also be used by which the processing system 20 can use a suitable software program to display information on the assets present in each and every equipment rack in the data center . the information could be displayed in a list format , or possibly in a graphical format , or even a combination of the two . turning now to fig2 , a flowchart 100 illustrating one example of a sequence of operation will be described for the system 10 shown in fig1 . initially at operation 102 the controller 22 is used to initiate a polling cycle by turning on the antenna system 16 0 at rack location u 0 . at operation 104 the rfid reader 18 is then used to read the information obtained by the antenna element 16 a . at operation 106 a check is then made to see if all the u locations of the rack 12 have been checked during the current polling cycle . if the answer to this check is no , then the u location is incremented by 1 , as indicated at operation 108 , and operations 104 and 106 are repeated . if the check at operation 106 indicates that all the u locations of the rack 12 have been checked during a single polling cycle , then a check is made at operation 110 to determine if there are more racks 12 to check . if the answer at operation 110 is “ no ”, then the routine may end , or may be altered to immediately start over checking the first numbered rack . if the check at operation 110 indicates that there are additional racks to check , then at operation 112 the rack number of the next rack to check is incremented by 1 , and then operations 102 - 108 are repeated . it will be appreciated that a suitable software system may be running on the processing system 20 which has information coded into it that indicates the total number of racks in the data center that need to be checked . the methodology shown in fig2 could also allow the system 10 to go to any specific rack in the data center and make a check of the components within every u location of the chosen rack . still another feature that could be easily implemented would be a component lookup feature where the user types in a component identifier ( serial number , model number , etc . ), and the system 10 indicates ( either graphically or via a list ) the location ( or locations ) of any and all such components present in the data center . those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other enhancements could be made to accommodate specific data center needs . a significant advantage of the system 10 is that only a single rfid tag needs to be used for the u location sensing to be accomplished . this may result in a significant cost savings over asset identification / tracking systems that require the use of two rfid tags for each u location of a rack . also , no manual action is required by a data center person to collect or track asset information . the system 10 will automatically sense when a component is inserted into a rack , as well as when a component is removed from a rack , and will record this information for data center personnel to use . by “ automatically sense ” it is meant that the insertion of an asset in the rack or removal of an asset from the rack will be detected by the system 10 during its polling of the antenna elements 16 and its comparisons of newly obtained information with previously obtained information for each u location of the equipment rack . the foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure . individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment , but , where applicable , are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment , even if not specifically shown or described . the same may also be varied in many ways . such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure , and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure .	6
fig1 schematically illustrates an example gas turbine engine 10 including ( in serial flow communication ) an inlet section 14 , a centrifugal compressor 18 , a combustion section 26 , a turbine wheel 30 , and a turbine exhaust 34 . the gas turbine engine 10 is circumferentially disposed about an engine centerline x . during operation , air is pulled into the gas turbine engine 10 by the inlet section 14 , pressurized by the compressor 18 , mixed with fuel , and burned in the combustion section 26 . the turbine wheel 30 extracts energy from the hot combustion gases flowing from the combustion section 26 . in a radial turbine design , the turbine wheel 30 utilizes the extracted energy from the hot combustion gases to power the centrifugal compressor 18 . the examples described in this disclosure are not limited to the radial turbine auxiliary power unit described and may be used in other architectures , such as a single - spool axial design , a two spool axial design , and a three - spool axial design . that is , there are various types of engines that could benefit from the examples disclosed herein , which are not limited to the radial turbine design shown . referring to fig2 - 4 with continuing reference to fig1 , within the combustion section 26 of the engine 10 an example combustor liner 50 is secured relative to a turbine nozzle 54 . the combustor liner 50 establishes a combustion area 58 . a fuel nozzle 62 is configured to spray fuel into the combustion area 58 . air is delivered to the combustion area 58 through apertures 66 in the combustion liner 50 . as known , the air pressure within the combustion area 58 is less than the air pressure outside the combustion area 58 . an igniter 70 ignites a mixture of fuel and air within the combustion area 58 to generate hot combustion gases g that are forced through the turbine nozzle 54 . the hot combustion gases g drive turbine wheel 30 . in this example , eight fuel nozzles 62 are circumferentially arranged about the engine centerline x . the fuel nozzles 62 are arranged such that the spray pattern of fuel from one of the fuel nozzles 62 slightly overlaps the spray pattern of fuel from an adjacent one of the fuel nozzles 62 . arranging the fuel nozzles 62 in this manner facilitates evenly driving the turbine wheel 30 with the hot combustion gas g moving through the turbine nozzle 54 . the combustor liner 50 and the turbine nozzle 54 meet at an interface 74 . in this example , the turbine nozzle 54 provides an annular opening that is defined by spaced apart , concentric outer and inner walls 64 and 65 . the annular opening of the turbine nozzle 54 is configured to receive inner and outer collar portions 80 and 81 of the combustor liner 50 . in this example , the inner and outer collar portions 80 and 81 are placed within the annular turbine nozzle 54 between the outer and inner walls 64 and 65 . the inner collar portion 80 is placed adjacent to a radially outer surface 75 of the inner wall 65 in this example . a flange 78 extends from a radially inward face of the combustor liner 50 and is configured to hold a plurality of axially aligned sealing rings 82 , such that the inner wall 65 of the turbine nozzle 54 is positioned radially between the inner collar portion 80 and the sealing rings 82 . in this example , a portion of the flange 78 is secured directly to the combustor liner 50 . welding secures the flange 78 to the combustor liner 50 in this example . other adhesion techniques are used in other examples . the flange 78 is also formed from a single sheet of material , which , in this example , is the same type of material used to manufacture the combustor liner 50 . another portion of the flange 78 establishes a channel 86 that facilitates holding the sealing rings 50 . in this example , the flange 78 has a j - shaped portion 88 that establishes the channel 86 . the sealing rings 82 are not secured directly to the flange 78 in this example and are thus moveable within the channel 86 . in this example the inner collar portion 80 , the outer collar portion 81 , the outer wall 64 , and the inner wall 65 are aligned with the engine centerline x . the higher air pressure outside the combustion area 58 exerts forces f on the sealing rings 82 , which urges the sealing rings 82 against the flange 78 and the turbine nozzle 54 to seal the interface 74 . more specifically , the sealing rings 82 are urged against the flange 78 and an inner surface 83 of inner wall 65 . in one example , the inner surface 83 is machined to facilitate maintaining the seal with the sealing rings 82 . referring to fig5 , the example sealing rings 82 have a break 90 . that is , the example sealing rings 82 are not continuous rings . as known , the interface 74 is exposed to extreme temperature variations , which can cause the sealing rings 82 , and surrounding components , to expand and contract . the break 90 accommodates movements of the sealing rings 82 as the sealing rings 82 expand and contract due to temperature fluctuations within the engine 10 . in another example , the sealing rings 82 are a continuous spiral snap ring . in this example , the break 90 of one of the sealing rings 82 is circumferentially offset from the break 90 of another of the sealing rings 82 . offsetting the breaks in this manner prevents the break 90 from becoming a significant leakage path for air through the interface 74 . that is , area of the break 90 in one of the sealing rings 82 is sealed by another of the sealing rings 82 . two sealing rings 82 are shown in this example . other examples include using more or fewer sealing rings 82 . five sealing rings 82 may be arranged together , for example . the radially outer and radially inner faces 94 of the example sealing rings 82 are rounded . in this example , the radially outer face facilitates sealing the sealing rings 82 against the turbine nozzle 54 . pointed faces or flattened faces are used in other examples . in one example , an axially directed face 98 of the sealing rings 82 includes features such as grooves or ribs that limit rotation of the sealing rings 82 relative to each other . the example sealing rings 82 are made of a carbon - based material . other examples include sealing rings 82 made of other materials . the example sealing rings 82 have a radial thickness tr of about 0 . 25 inches ( 0 . 6 cm ) and an axial thickness ta of about 0 . 08 inches ( 0 . 2 cm ). the diameter of the example sealing rings 82 is about 12 inches ( 30 . 5 cm ). features of the disclosed examples include using a sealing ring to seal an interface between a combustor and a turbine nozzle . using the sealing ring facilitates assembly of the interface between the combustor and the turbine nozzle because the sealing ring can be moved relative to the combustor liner . if leaks are found when using the sealing ring , the leaks are typically more predictable and uniform than leaks at interfaces in the prior art designs . controlled leakage amounts can also be created by the sealing rings . another feature of disclosed examples includes using breaks in the sealing rings to accommodate expansions and contractions . although a preferred embodiment has been disclosed , a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention . for that reason , the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention .	5
the preferred embodiments may be used with rake - type receivers of spread spectrum communications which have two or more time tracking units . the preferred embodiments exploit the ability of each of the time tracking units to have knowledge of the relative timing of the remaining demodulated paths and to then cancel out interfering paths which have time differences within the non - zero portion of the unit &# 39 ; s discriminator characteristic from the decision statistics forming that characteristic ( s - curve ). a look - up table , with a number of finite values equal to the number of samples per chip interval , may be used for the cancellation computations in order to provide a code auto - correlation value for time separation corresponding to a specific number of samples that is less than the total number of samples per chip . fig1 summarizes the first preferred embodiments . note that interim standard is - 95 and the wideband cdma ( wcdma ) proposals include a pilot signal which is much stronger than the data signals and can be used for time ( code ) tracking . a code time tracking unit as illustrated in fig3 has various design parameters which are further defined immediately after their presentation . these parameters provide differing unit control characteristics . the first preferred exemplary embodiment tracks a pilot signal and has the following parameters for the case of 8 samples per chip interval : ( b ) decision statistics formed with coherent averaging followed by non - coherent averaging . ( e ) early / late offset of 2 samples for path distances of at most 12 samples and offset of 4 samples otherwise . other parameter values can be readily chosen to those skilled in the art . the decision statistics ( b ) are formed by first coherently averaging the known symbol stream of a pilot signal or of a demodulated data signal for a time period over which the phase distortion introduced by the channel remains approximately constant . the non - coherent averaging that follows provides the simplest implementation for the removal of the phase dependence from the decision . non - coherent averaging is basically performed by averaging the magnitude of the coherently averaged signal . for a qpsk modulated signal , this is equivalent to computing i 2 + q 2 , where i is the in - phase component and q is the quadrature component , and averaging its value over several coherent averaging periods . alternatively , an approximation to { square root }{ square root over ( i 2 + q 2 )} may be evaluated because of simpler implementation . the threshold ( c ) for the decision statistic ( the value of the s curve of fig4 at which a delay of one sample is inserted or removed in order to adjust the timing synchronization ) and the offset ( e ) are related and selected as follows . the objective is to achieve and maintain an absolute average time error with an average value smaller than half sample period and maximum value less than 1 sample . therefore , the tracking unit should respond to time errors close to or larger than 0 . 5 sample and do so before the time error approaches 1 sample ( note that the time adjustment can only be a multiple of a sample ). notice that a time correction of 2 or more samples will necessarily introduce or have to tolerate time errors larger than 1 sample . since most frequently the time error will be less than 1 sample , the time correction should be one sample . this specifies the choice of parameter ( d ). moreover , the threshold should be such that it provides some immunity to the variations of the decision statistics due to fading and noise . therefore , since a large snr provides immunity to noise and non - coherent averaging ( large update period in the order of 10 msec ) provides relative immunity to fading , the threshold value should be within the decision s curve values for time errors in the range of 0 . 4 to 0 . 7 samples . for non - coherent averaging , the s curve value when the time error is t and the early / late offset is 6 is computed as s =( r ( t + δ ) 2 − r ( t − δ ) 2 )/ 2 r ( t ) 2 where r is the autocorrelation ; for a bandlimited signal r ( τ )= sin ( πτ / t c )/ πτ / t c . thus computing the values of s for various offsets ( 1 , 2 , 3 , or 4 samples ) and various time errors ( 0 . 5 , 1 , 2 , and 3 samples ) indicates that the best discriminator characteristic occurs for a threshold ( c ) in the range [ 0 . 12 , 0 . 20 ] ( based on { square root }{ square root over ( i 2 + q 2 )}) and an offset ( e ) of 4 samples . however , this needs to be modified for the case that the multipaths are separated by 12 samples or less ( i . e ., close to one chip ) in order to account for the presence of interference . it is preferable to decrease the discriminating ability of the s - curve by having an early / late offset smaller than 4 samples in order to reduce the non - zero range of the s - curve , increase the time separation between the early or late instant and the interfering path , and thereby decrease the effect of the interference on the decision statistics of the tracking unit . thus , if paths separated by 12 or less samples are assigned to rake fingers , a preferable value for the early / late offset is 2 samples . this value still maintains good discriminating ability for the s - curve , relative to a value of 1 sample , while providing better interference immunity than a value of 3 or 4 samples . the choices for ( f ), the duration of the coherent and non - coherent averaging periods , are determined by the phase stability properties of the channel and the update rate ( g ), respectively . the latter depends on the total time drift ( due to the clock error and the doppler shift ) and on the performance of the time tracking unit . the phase stability of the channel is about 50 - 100 microseconds for frequencies around 2 ghz and about twice as large for frequencies around 1 ghz . the phase stability also depends on the mobile &# 39 ; s speed with the channel changing faster for higher speeds . the number of non - coherent averaging periods is determined by the update rate . assuming a time clock accuracy after correction of 0 . 3 ppm and a maximum speed of 200 km / h , the maximum time drift , including the doppler shift , of the mobile &# 39 ; s clock is 0 . 5 ppm . thus , after each update period the maximum time error in samples is for an update period of 10 milliseconds , 20 milliseconds , and 40 milliseconds , the sample time error is 0 . 056 , 0 . 112 and 0 . 224 samples , respectively . the main consideration in choosing the update rate value is to provide immunity to the decision statistics of the time tracking unit from the deep fades that may be experienced by the signal as it is transmitted through the channel . the smaller the mobile speed , the longer the fade lasts , and the duration may exceed 20 milliseconds for relatively small mobile speeds . if the doppler shift is roughly estimated at the receiver , the update rate can be adjusted according to the expected fade duration . this is because the doppler shift is related to the mobile speed and the expected fade duration . however , the update rate cannot become as large as for the time drift between update periods to approach or exceed 0 . 5 chips . therefore , the update rate is lower bounded by the requirement to provide immunity to the decision statistics against fading and it is upper bounded by the requirement for the time drift between successive update rates to be adequately smaller than 0 . 5 samples . the latter requirement takes precedence of the former whenever both of them cannot be fulfilled . moreover , if the time drift during each update period is smaller than half sample , a second order time tracking loop is generally not needed . otherwise , a second order time tracking loop is needed in order to accommodate the large time drift and account for the doppler and clock shift after every update period . the update period can then be made large enough to overcome most channel fades . in urban and indoor areas the path separation can be very small , as small as 1 chip ( 8 samples ) or less , and the decision statistics of a time tracking unit with a large early / late offset may be considerably affected by the presence of other paths . this can cause noticeable performance degradation and even loss of lock . indeed , if two paths are separated by just one chip ( or slightly more ), the early statistic of the weaker path may be dominated by a stronger path that arrives on the early side and the same applies for the late statistic when the stronger path arrives on the late side . the presence of the stronger path may overwhelm the actual statistics generated for the weaker path or even change the correct sign of the early / late difference . if no provisions are taken in this case , the time tracking unit of the weaker path may gradually shift the perceived “ on time ” instant towards the stronger path and the two paths will be perceived as collapsing into one . one approach to avoid the above problem is to disregard time updates that cause the time difference of two paths to become smaller than one chip . if the time difference between two paths actually becomes smaller than one chip , the energy estimate will indicate that event by producing a signal - to - interference ratio at the time instant of 1 chip , relative to the stronger path , that is too small to be useful . then , the weaker path may be disregarded and the corresponding demodulation element may be labeled free for assignment to another path , if one exists . otherwise , the weaker path may still be considered to exist at 1 chip distance from the stronger path . paths that are actually separated by much less than a chip should not be tracked because they cannot be perfectly distinguished after despreading ( mutual interference cannot be adequately suppressed ) and the degree of diversity is reduced since the two paths are no longer completely independent . in that case , only the tracking of the stronger path should continue . the provision to prohibit the “ on time ” instants of two or more paths from coming closer than one chip may not avoid a significant increase in the time error unless one of the paths , preferably the stronger one , is allowed unconstrained time updates . for example , consider two paths separated by 1 chip interval ( or another time separation anywhere in the non - zero range of the s - curve ). if the weaker path arrives later ( earlier ) and the time drift , due to clock mismatch and doppler , is positive ( negative ), the time tracking unit of the weaker path will try to follow the clock drift but it will be inhibited from the interference from the stronger path which will in effect indicate the opposite time direction . constraining the time updates to be such that the two paths do not come closer than 1 chip may prohibit the time tracking unit of the stronger path from making the correct decision . this is because the time tracking unit of the weaker path may not be able to move the perceived “ on time ” instant and increase the perceived minimum path distance to 9 samples in order to allow the tracking unit of the stronger path to make the correct decision . obviously , the larger the early / late offset , the more prominent those effects will be . this can be avoided by always allowing the stronger path to move without constraints , enforce on a weaker path a relative distance from the stronger path that is always 1 chip or larger ( that is , time tracking updates bringing the weaker path closer than 1 chip to the stronger one are neglected ), and determine the actual existence of the weaker path at the presumed offset by the resulting sir measurement at that offset . this provision may be avoided by employing cancellation of the effect from the interfering path ( s ) on the statistics of the affected time tracking units . this is discussed in detail later in the invention . the first preferred embodiment may also exploit the ability of each time tracking unit of a rake - type receiver to have knowledge of the relative timing of paths tracked by the other time tracking units . this information can be provided by the software through knowledge of the pn code offsets used for despreading of the received signal paths and the sample taken for each signal path ( out of a total of say 8 samples , 1 sample is selected as the one being “ on time ”). the pn code offset and the selected sample depends on the relative arrival time of the paths and on the accumulated time correction associated with each time tracking unit . alternately , each time tracking unit can maintain the relative time information itself through inter - unit communication of the time updates among all time tracking units . fig1 illustrates the first preferred embodiment method for the cancellation of the interference effects from other demodulated paths on the decision statistics of the time tracking loop . it assumes that the paths causing interference are separated by 1 chip interval or less . in particular , the look - up table contains the energy - independent effects of the interfering paths on the decision statistic of each individual time tracking unit . those effects are described by a vector whose elements have a one - to - one correspondence with the discrete relative delay ( in number of samples ) of an interfering path . the actual effect from interfering paths on the s - curve of the time tracking unit of another path can be fully determined if the relative delay and the energy of the interfering paths are known . the relative delay if initially obtained using the knowledge of the offsets of the pn code used for despreading the multiple paths and the selected sample . the time information is subsequently maintained at each tracking unit by using its own time updates and importing the time update information from the other time tracking units . alternately , the software can provide the relative time information by comparing the pn code offsets used for despreading the paths and the selected samples . the energy of the multiple paths can also be provided by the respective tracking units because each tracking unit requires and obtains knowledge of the energy for the path it tracks . this energy estimate is used to normalize the decision statistic of the time tracking unit as it was previously described ( square value of the “ on time ” correlation ). once the energy of the interfering path and its relative time delay from the reference path are known , its effect on the decision statistics ( s - curve ) of the reference time tracking unit can be fully determined . the sign of the net effect of the interfering path &# 39 ; s contribution ( negative or positive ) depends on how the decision statistic is formed and whether each interfering path arrives earlier or later . for example , a path arriving later than the reference path will have a greater effect on the “ late ” part of the decision statistic of the tracking unit . thus if the decision statistic is formed as “ late ” minus “ early ” correlations , the later - arriving path will influence the decision statistic by increasing its actual value . this is because the paths are assumed to be separated by less than 1 chip . therefore , the correlation value of the interfering path with the late decision statistic of the time tracking unit will always be positive and greater than the correlation values with the early and “ on time ” decision statistics . the effect of the interfering path is quantified by the correlation value scaled by the interfering path energy . the signal used for time tracking is assumed to be demodulated ; this is the case when a pilot signal is used or when the data signal is used after tentative decisions are made on the data symbols in order to remove the data uncertainty and provide a known symbol stream . the effect of the interfering path can then be subtracted from the late statistic of the time tracking unit of the reference path , or from the “ on time ” and early statistics if the corresponding correlation value is also non - zero . same arguments apply for the early decision statistic when the interfering path arrives earlier than the reference path . if the path separation is small enough for the interfering path to be separated by less than 1 chip from both the early , late , and “ on time ” instants , its effect should be subtracted from all corresponding statistics . the functionality of the invention can be summarized as follows . the conventional approach is used for time tracking when all paths assigned to rake fingers are separated in time by an amount that is large enough so that no path affects the decision statistics of the time tracking unit of another path . typically , time separation larger than 1 . 5 chip intervals is adequate for the previous condition to be met . for paths separated in time by more than 1 chip and their time tracking unit decision statistics experience interference from other paths , the interference effect can be mitigated or completely avoided by reducing the early / late offset of the affected time tracking units below its normal ( optimally designed ) value . for example , reducing the early / late offset from half chip to quarter chip will remove any effect that an interfering path , separated in time by 1 . 25 to 1 . 5 chips from the reference path , has on the time tracking unit decision statistics of the reference path . for paths separated in time by more than 1 chip and , for the selected early / late offset value , interference with the time tracking unit decision statistics cannot be avoided , one option is to neglect time updates for the weaker path is they bring the paths closer than 1 chip interval in time . time updates for the stronger path are allowed and the existence of the weaker path is determined by an sir measurement at 1 chip interval away from the stronger path ( in the direction of the weaker path ). another option is to allow all time updates and if the paths are deemed to be separated by 1 chip interval or less , perform cancellation of the interference from one path on the time tracking decision statistics of the other . the following code excerpt illustrates a preferred embodiment interfering path correction for the simple situation of two paths . it is assumed that the interfering path affects only the late decision statistic while the effect on the “ on time ” statistic is either zero or negligible ( time separation of 7 or 8 samples ). in this code the prefix s indicates a state variable which may change , the prefix p indicates a parameter set for a simulation , and the prefixes i and o indicate input and output during iterations . the second path is assumed to arrive later than the first path and consequently , its correlation increases the value of the late statistic . dstat = i_earlylate − s_corr [ s_dist − i_tm2 ] * i_ontime2 ; if ( \| dstat \| & gt ; p_threshold * i_ontime1 ) { if ( dstat & gt ; 0 ) { o_dtime = p_step ; s_dist = s_dist − p_step − i_tm2 ; } else { o_dtime = p_step ; s_dist = s_dist + p_step − i_tm2 ; } } in the foregoing code the first line defines the decision statistic “ dstat ” to be the usual “ late ” offset correlation minus the “ early ” offset correlation for the first - arriving path timing ( i_earlylate = i_late − i_early ) minus an interfering contribution from the second - arriving path made up of the product of two terms : s_corr [ s_dist − i_tm2 ] * i_ontime2 . the other lines of code adjust these state variables in response to changes in the timings . the variable s_dist is the distance ( number of samples ) from the first - arriving path time to the second - arriving path time . i_ontime2 is the energy of the second - arriving path . i_tm2 is an adjustment of the time for the second - arriving path ; this comes from the time tracking unit for the second - arriving path and is sent to the time tracking unit of the first arriving path ( or is done in the receiver software ). i_tm2 is equal to p_step if the decision to move the “ on time ” instant towards the early instant is made , it is equal to − p_step if the decision to move the “ on time ” instant towards the late instant is made , and it is equal to zero if the decision to make no correction is made . the vector s_corr [ . . . ] component index ( s_dist − i_tm2 ) relates to the distance ( time separation ) of the second - arriving path from the first - arriving path using the current timing . vector s_corr [ . . . ] comprises of correlation values from the second arriving path for various relative delays in samples . for example , for 8 samples per chip , s corr [ . . . ] may have the following component values : s_corr [ 0 ]= 1 . 00 , s_corr [ 1 ]= 0 . 95 , s_corr [ 2 ]= 0 . 81 , s_corr [ 3 ]= 0 . 62 , s_corr [ 4 ]= 0 . 41 , s_corr [ 5 ]= 0 . 22 , s_corr [ 6 ]= 0 . 09 , s_corr [ 7 ]= 0 . 02 , and s_corr [ n ]= 0 . 00 for all n ≧ 8 . the absolute value of statistic “ dstat ” exceeding the threshold ( p_threshold * i_ontime ) implies a needed adjustment to the timing of the first - arriving path ; and o_dtime is the output time adjustment . for “ dstat ” positive , o_dtime is negative , and for “ dstat ” negative , o_dtime is positive ( o_dtime will form i_tm1 to perform time tracking for the second path ). p_step is the number of samples in a time adjustment ; typically , p_step = 1 . because the tracking unit for the stronger path makes the more reliable time correction , the tracking unit of the weaker path may use the time correction from the current update period for the stronger path while the tracking unit of the stronger path may use the time correction from the previous update period for the weaker path . as a heuristic example , consider the decision statistic for a normalized first - arriving path y ( n ) using an offset of 2 samples and a pseudo - noise code c ( n ), the desired decision statistic is : however , a delayed second - arriving path ay ( n − k ), with a the relative amplitude and k the positive delay in samples , k being smaller than the number of samples per chip , yields a received signal y ( n )+ ay ( n − k ) and the tracking loop generates : σ c ( n )[( y ( n − 2 )+ ay ( n − k − 2 ))−( y ( n + 2 )+ ay ( n − k + 2 ))]= σ c ( n )[ y ( n − 2 )− y ( n + 2 )]+ aσc ( n )[ y ( n − k − 2 )− y ( n − k + 2 )] ≅ σ c ( n )[ y ( n − 2 )− y ( n + 2 )]− aσc ( n ) c ( n − k + 2 ) because aσc ( n ) y ( n − k − 2 ) is negligible compared to aσc ( n ) y ( n − k + 2 ) for k positive , and y ( n − k + 2 )≅ c ( n − k + 2 ) if the second path timing is accurate . thus the correction for interference should subtract aσc ( n ) c ( n − k + 2 ). hence , the decision statistic , including interference cancellation , equals σ c ( n )[ y ( n − 2 )+ ay ( n − k − 2 ))−( y ( n + 2 )+ ay ( n − k + 2 ))]− aσc ( n ) c ( n − k + 2 ) ≅ σc ( n )[ y ( n − 2 )− y ( n + 2 )] where the first sum is just i_earlylate , a corresponds to i_ontime2 , the second sum is s_corr [ s_dist + i_tm2 ] for s_dist = k − 2 , and i_tm2 = 0 reflects the accurate second path timing ( no correction ). the code for the functionality of the second time tracking unit is similar to that of the first , but with the interference effects now applying to the opposite decision statistic ( early instead of late ). the first preferred embodiments could be varied in how they modify the decision statistic to account for nearby paths . in particular , a weighted combination of simultaneous multiple early - late offset cross - correlations with corresponding nearby path corrections could be used for the decision statistic . the preferred embodiments can be modified in various ways while retaining the features of a correction to the decision statistic of a tracking unit based on the states of one or more of the other tracking units in a multipath receiver . for example , the s_corr [ . . . ] vector could have different component values ; the time tracking units may have different selections for their parameter values , the decision statistics may be formed coherently , the sampling rate may be different than 8 samples per chip , etc .	7
preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . fig3 shows an optical system of an optical pickup according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention . referring to fig3 , when a laser diode light source 31 operates , the 650 nm wavelength light emitted in the divergent form from the light source 31 is sequentially reflected and transmitted by a first polarization beam splitter 32 and a second polarization beam splitter 33 . the light transmitted by the second polarization beam splitter 33 is incident to a collimating lens 34 . when a laser diode light source 40 operates , the 780 nm wavelength light emitted in the divergent form from the light source 40 is reflected by the second polarization beam splitter 33 and then , is incident to the collimating lens 34 . the collimating lens 34 collimates the light beam incident from the second polarization beam splitter 33 to be parallel to an optical axis perpendicular to the surface of a variable aperture 35 , and the collimated light is selectively transmitted by wavelength by the variable aperture 35 . referring to fig7 a and 7b , the variable aperture 35 has a region 3 for transmitting both the 780 nm wavelength light and the 650 nm wavelength light and a region 4 for transmitting only the 650 nm wavelength light . the region 4 has a hologram structure . the hologram structure includes a diffraction grating portion whose diffraction efficiency is maximized with respect to the 780 nm wavelength light having a diffraction order of non - zero and whose diffraction efficiency is 100 % with respect to the 650 nm wavelength light having the diffraction order of zero . therefore , the 650 nm wavelength light can be transmitted without diffraction by the hologram structure . referring to fig1 showing the diffraction efficiency of zero - order diffracted light corresponding to the groove depth of the diffraction grating portion , when the groove depth is 3 . 8 μm , the 650 nm wavelength light has the diffraction efficiency of 100 % as shown in a solid line overlapped with the symbol “++”, and the 780 nm wavelength light has the diffraction efficiency of 0 % as shown in a solid line overlapped with a circle . therefore , the region 4 of the variable aperture 35 is designed with the diffraction grating portion having a groove depth of 3 . 8 μm . in this embodiment , a na of 0 . 5 is used for partitioning the regions 3 and 4 . therefore , the region 3 is the portion having a na of 0 . 5 or below , and the region 4 is a portion having a na more than 0 . 5 . thus , according to the embodiment of the present invention , the light beam transmitting the portion having a na not more than 0 . 6 coinciding with the diameter of the objective lens 37 is selectively transmitted in the regions 3 and 4 of the variable aperture 35 according to the wavelengths . the variable aperture shown in fig7 b which is constructed with a hologram pattern of an asymmetric shape , eradicates a feedback noise produced by the light proceeding to an optical detection portion . the light beam transmitting the variable aperture 35 transmits through a phase plate 36 ( to be described later with reference to fig4 ), and then is incident to an annular shielding objective lens 37 . the objective lens 37 according to the present invention is designed to be focussed on an information recording surface of the dvd 8 . if the phase plate 36 of the present invention is not used , the size of the light spot formed in the information recording surface of the cd - r 9 becomes 1 . 8 μm or above when changing the disk currently in use from the dvd 8 to the cd - r 9 . however , since the conventional size of the light spot which is used in the cd - r 9 is generally 1 . 4 μm , information cannot be recorded on or read from the cd - r 9 via a light spot having a size of 1 . 8 μm . therefore , the present invention uses the phase plate 36 in order to reduce the size of the light spot so that information can be recorded or read on or from the cd - r 9 . the phase plate 36 is , as shown in fig3 , positioned between the variable aperture 35 and the objective lens 37 . the phase plate 36 includes an annular groove 361 ( see fig4 ) which is concave inwards from the surface closer to the variable aperture 35 and has a predetermined width and depth . the annular groove 361 is manufactured by injection molding or conventional molding using an etch or metal mold , in which the depth d is determined by the following equations ( 1 ) and ( 2 ). here , m is an integer , n ′ and n denote a refractive index at wavelength λ ′ ( 650 nm ) and λ ( 780 nm ), respectively . in the above equations ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), if m ′= 3 and m = 2 , the depth d of the annular groove 361 becomes about 3 . 9 μm . the phase plate 36 having the annular groove 361 of the depth d phases - shifts the 780 nm wavelength light by 180 ° and phase - shifts the 650 nm wavelength light by 360 ° when the two wavelengths proceed to the objective lens 37 from the variable aperture 35 . fig1 is a graphical diagram showing phase variation of the two wavelengths according to the depth d of the annular groove 361 on the phase plate 36 , in which a solid line represents the phase variation with represents that with respect to the 780 nm wavelength light . when d is 3 . 9 μm , the 780 nm wavelength light has the phase of 180 ° and the 650 nm light has the phase of 360 °. thus , the 780 nm wavelength light which is phase - shifted by 180 ° has a substantially super - resolution effect and passes through an aperture compared with the case when the phase plate 36 is not used . by using the phase plate 36 , the size of the light spot formed on the information recording surface in the cd - r 9 is reduced to a degree such that information can be recorded or read on or from the cd - r 9 , to thereby remove any spherical aberration . the phase plate 36 can be modified into a protrusion form having a predetermined width and height protruding outwards from the surface closer to the variable aperture 35 . since such a modification is apparent to one having an ordinary skill in the art who knows the function of the phase plate , the detailed description thereof will be omitted . the objective lens 37 , to which the light transmitting the phase plate 36 is incident , includes an annular shielding portion 371 as shown in fig4 . the annular shielding portion 371 shields part of the light transmitting the region 3 . thus , the spherical aberration due to the changing of the dvd 8 to the cd - r 9 is reduced , and the sensitivity of the focus error signal in the focus servo system ( not shown ) is increased . the light beam reflected from the information recording surface of the dvd 8 or cd - r 9 proceeds to a light detection lens 38 from the objective lens 37 , and is focussed in the light detector 39 by the light detection lens 38 . thus , the fig3 apparatus can record or read information on or from both the dvd 8 and cd - r 9 . fig6 shows an objective lens 47 which is constructed by combining a phase plate 36 and an objective lens 37 of fig3 into a single unit . fig5 shows an optical system of an optical pickup having such an objective lens 47 . the fig6 objective lens 47 includes an annular groove 471 which is concave inwards from the surface closer to the variable aperture 35 and has a predetermined width and depth . the objective lens 47 , which is engraved with such an annular groove 471 , phase - shifts the 780 nm wavelength light by 180 ° as in the phase plate 36 and phase - shifts the 650 nm wavelength light by 360 ° . thus , among the 780 nm wavelength light incident to the objective lens 47 from the variable aperture 35 , the light beam diffracted by the annular groove 471 serves to decrease the spherical aberration with respect to the cd - r 9 . the annular groove 471 removes the spherical aberration when the dvd 8 is exchanged with the cd - r 9 . accordingly , a beam spot of a small size is formed on the information recording surface so that information can be recorded or read on or from the cd - r 9 with respect to the 780 nm wavelength light . the fig5 optical pickup includes a single unit 49 combining a light source 491 with a light detector 493 for the 780 nm wavelength light , in addition to a light source 31 , a light detection lens 51 and a light detector 53 for the 650 nm wavelength light . the fig5 optical pickup further includes a hologram type beam splitter 48 for the light output from the light source 491 of the unit 49 and the light incident to the light detector 493 . since the construction and operation of the fig5 apparatus is apparent to a person skilled in the art who can fully understand the fig3 apparatus through the above - described explanation , the detailed description thereof will be omitted . the annular groove 471 formed in objective lens 47 as shown in fig6 can be modified into a protrusion form which protrudes outwards from the surface of the objective lens 47 and has a predetermined width and depth . fig7 a and 7b are views showing a single structure combining a phase plate with a variable aperture according to the present invention . referring to fig7 a and 7b , a phase variation region contained in the region having a na of 0 . 5 or below has a ring - shaped structure . since the phase variation region performs the same function as that of the phase plate 36 , the detailed description thereof will be omitted . fig8 is a graphical diagram showing a reduction efficiency of a spot size and a side lobe . in fig8 , a curve ( a ) indicates when a conventional optical pickup optimized for a dvd is used for a cd - r , in which the spot size formed in the information recording surface of the cd - r is 1 . 53 μm . a curve ( b ) indicates when an optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention is used , in which the spot size is 1 . 33 μm . a curve ( c ) indicates when an conventional optical pickup is used for a cd - r , in which the spot size is 1 . 41 μm . it can be seen from fig8 that the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention reduces the size of the spot by about 8 % compared with the conventional optical pickup . also , as the size of the side lobe is smaller at the time of the disk recording and reproduction , it can be seen that an amount of light in the peripheral portion of the spot which is called a side lobe , is reduced with respect to an optical pickup having a desirable optical characteristic . fig9 shows that the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent characteristic with respect to a focus servo signal during reproduction of the cd - r , when the optical pickup apparatus detects an optical signal in the astigmatism manner , as shown by a relatively lower graph . the above - described embodiments have been described with the structure including a variable aperture , a phase plate and an annular shield objective lens . however , using only a phase plate , the spherical aberration due to a disk exchange is reduced and an optical spot appropriate for the cd - r can be formed on the information recording surface . the above - described embodiments have been described in connection with a infinite optical system which is made by the collimating lens 34 . however , the present invention can be applied to a finite optical system which has no collimating lens located between a beam divider and an objective lens , as is apparent to one skilled in the art . as described above , the optical pickup apparatus according to the present invention uses a phase plate . accordingly , the present invention can provide an optical pickup which is used compatibly with a dvd and a cd - r with a single objective lens , without using a conventional optical apparatus which creates a problem in a manufacturing process . while only certain embodiments of the invention have been specifically described herein , it will apparent that numerous modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention .	6
the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the figures , in which like parts are identified with the same reference characters . in the following description , for purposes of explanation and not limitation , specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention . however , it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details . in other instances , detailed descriptions of well - known methods , devices , and circuits are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention . in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention , the present invention will be described below in connection with object - oriented programming concepts . the description of the present invention in connection with object - oriented programming concepts is intended to be merely illustrative and is not meant to limit the present invention in any manner . in traditional object - oriented programming , a particular object has a state , a behavior , and an identity . the state of an object is generally considered to be the condition of the object , or a set of circumstances describing the object . a behavior can be considered as how an object acts and reacts in terms of its state changes . the identity of an object is a given value that identifies the particular object . it should be noted that the present invention takes advantage of the distributed object paradigm which allows objects to be distributed across a heterogenous network , and allows each of the components to inter - operate as a unified whole . in accordance with the present invention , the state of a user is the total amount of information sent to other users . the state of the user ( object ) can be comprised of images , personal information , 3d graphics models , position information in 3d space , and live video and audio . the behavior of a user ( object ) includes both low level functions and high level functions . low level functions include the ability to send various types of multimedia content to other clients . high level functions relate to an end user &# 39 ; s ability to understand the information and can include computer vision face analysis algorithms and other measurement tools which are used for measuring an end user &# 39 ; s ability to understand the multimedia content . the identity of an object consists of a user &# 39 ; s name and terminal identification , e . g ., in internet protocol the terminal identification can be the ip address of the terminal , while for a mobile phone , the terminal identification information can be a phone number of the mobile phone . through the exchange of state , behavior and identity information two or more users ( objects ) can individually negotiate the type and amount of multimedia content to be communicated to a particular user which provides the best understanding of the content of the multimedia data . to provide the best use of bandwidth given the concepts that one wishes to communicate , the present invention uses a set of communication heuristics that will produce the optimal state to be presented to the receiving user given a set of behaviors supported by the transmitting user . it should be noted that the heuristics are also constrained by the receiving user &# 39 ; s ability to realize the transmitted state , i . e ., the receiving user &# 39 ; s ability to reproduce the appropriate format of the multimedia content . fig2 illustrates the factors used to establish the channel mode in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention . as illustrated in fig2 , the present invention uses communication heuristics which account for network bandwidth , terminal performance , and user behavior to establish a channel mode for communication of the multimedia content to a user terminal . as will be described in more detail below , the present invention employs the maximum entropy method as the communication heuristic . since communication channels are typically bidirectional , the present invention advantageously employs two different channel modes , one for each user . accordingly , each user can be provided with the type of multimedia content needed for understanding the content therein regardless of the reproduction abilities of the other user &# 39 ; s terminal , i . e ., the present invention is not limited by the lowest common denominator between the two terminals . a user with a terminal with high processing power and a high bandwidth connection which is communicating with a terminal with a lower processing power and lower bandwidth , can receive a “ richer ” state of the other user , i . e ., more multimedia content can be provided to this user . on the other hand , the user with the lower processing power and lower bandwidth connection will receive less multimedia content . in accordance with the present invention , the maximum entropy method is used to select an optimal behavior from the list of media and media formats combinations . the formats can be e . g . given mpeg video rate , or size and compression rate of an jpeg image . first , each media format &# 39 ; s entropy is calculated . for each different combination , the entropies of its components must be added to produce its total entropy value . the combination with the largest associated total entropy value is chosen as the optimal behavior . in accordance with the present invention , entropy which conventionally is an indication of the amount of information transferred , is used to indicate the level of understanding of an end user . to determine how to efficiently produce modes of communication with various levels of detail , the maximum entropy method is employed by the present invention . in general , the maximum entropy method can be represented by the following formula : h = - ∑ i = 0 n ⁢ p i ⁢ log ⁢ ⁢ p i ( 1 ) wherein p 1 is the probability of receiving the ith piece of information in a set of n pieces of information . accordingly , entropy , h , is the amount of bits , provided log base 2 is employed , necessary to represent a given piece of information in a system . it will be recognized that the equation above results in a maximum h provided that h is 0 when there exists an i such that p 1 is equal to 1 . to account for the real - time delivery of multimedia content , time should be considered in the determination of entropy . the following formula provides a maximum entropy method which accounts for time : h ′ = - m ⁢ ∑ i = 0 n ⁢ p i ⁢ log ⁢ ⁢ p i ( 2 ) wherein m is the rate at which the symbols are sent across the channel . accordingly , the calculation of total entropy can be determined provided that there is an approximation of the probability distribution for the set of symbols or pieces of information to be transmitted . this distribution can be easily achieved by assuming that each probability of a symbol in a set of symbols is the same as every other , or more accurately by taking examples of each type of media and measuring the relative occurrence of the symbols present . these examples can be acquired in real - time or off - line depending upon the requirements of a particular application . once each media &# 39 ; s entropy per second has been calculated , they are summed to provide an estimate for the amount of entropy for the given media combination . for example , the following formula illustrates an estimate for the amount of entropy for a media combination of video , audio and 3 - dimensional models . h ′ total = h ′ video + h ′ audio + h ′ 3 d — model ( 3 ) fig3 illustrates an exemplary method for implementing the present invention . when a communication session is initially established high level and low level behavior information of terminals participating in the communication session are collected ( step 310 ). next information regarding user preferences of each of the terminals is collected ( step 320 ). the behavior information received from each of the terminals are compared to determine the behaviors common between all participating terminals to establish a filtered list of behaviors ( step 330 ). using the filtered list of behaviors and respective user preferences the maximum entropy method is employed to determine the optimal object behavior ( channel mode ) for each terminal ( step 340 ). each participating terminal then communicates multimedia content in accordance with the established channel modes ( step 350 ). it will be recognized that the description of the collection of high level and low level behaviors and the collection of user preferences in the method described above was broken into separate steps for ease of explanation . however , it will be recognized that these two steps can be combined into a single step . further , the collection of information and establishment of channel modes for each of the terminals can be performed in a central network location such as a server or gateway , or it can be performed in each terminal . fig4 illustrates an exemplary network including two users in accordance with the present invention . assume that user a is a terminal with a large amount of processing power and has a large bandwidth connection to the network and user b is a terminal with a small amount of processing power and a low bandwidth connection to the network . as discussed above , at the initiation of the communication session , user a and user b exchange information regarding their own behavior . assume that user a &# 39 ; s behavior includes video formats mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , audio formats pulse code modulation ( pcm ) and mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , image format jpeg and 3 - d modeling support and user a has a preference for mpeg 4 video and audio format . further assume that user b &# 39 ; s behavior includes support for video formats mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , audio formats pcm and mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , and image format jpeg and user b has a preference for pcm and jpeg . accordingly , the behavior lists of users a and b are filtered to include only those behaviors which the users have in common . for users a and b this is video formats mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , audio formats pcm and mpeg 1 - mpeg 4 , and image format jpeg . using the filtered list , the user preferences are taken into consideration . this results for user a in a list of combinations of different formats ( qualities ) of mpeg 4 for sound and video , and for user b in a list of combinations of different formats of jpeg and pcm . the resulting lists must be further scrutinized for an optimal behavior . first , each media format &# 39 ; s entropy is calculated . for each different combination , the entropies of its components must be added to produce its total entropy value . the combination with the largest associated total entropy value is chosen as the optimal behavior . accordingly , user a will appear to user b in a mpeg 4 image and audio format ( with optimal combination of video and audio qualities ) and user b will appear to user a as a jpeg image along with associated pcm audio ( with optimal combinations of image and audio qualities ). it will be recognized that the user preference needed is not be explicitly set by a user . for example , a computer vision feature tracking algorithm in user b &# 39 ; s terminal may determine that user b is not facing the monitor of user b &# 39 ; s terminal . detecting that user b is not facing the monitor , the computer vision feature tacking system can set user b &# 39 ; s preference to audio since video information will not provide user b with any information because user b is not facing the monitor . although the present invention has been described above as establishing channel modes at the initiation of a communication session , it will be recognized that due to changes in the communication environment , it may be desirable to reevaluate the established channel modes during a communication session . for example , in third generation ( 3g ) wireless networks , the bandwidth can vary between 384 kbits / s to 2 mbits / s . a user that is changing his location may become eligible for more bandwidth , and in turn , may be able to receive more types of multimedia content , or “ richer ” multimedia content . accordingly , the channel mode may be reestablished when a user moves into a location which supports a higher bandwidth connection . although the present invention has been primarily described above as establishing channel modes when a communication session is established between two users , it will be recognized that the present invention is equally applicable for establishing channel modes for communication sessions between more than two users . in addition , the present invention can be implemented such that additional users can join an existing communication session . when a new user wishes to join an existing communication session , the users of the existing communication session have three possible choices as to how to allow the new user to join the communication session . first , the users of the existing communication session can accept the new user and all users must reestablish their channel mode based upon behaviors common between all users . for example , if the existing communication session employed live video for communication and the new user does not support live video , the existing users would not be able to continue to communicate using live video . if the existing users do not want to give up their “ rich ” communication , but still wish for the new user to join , the new user can maintain passive communication with one or more of the existing users . in this situation , bandwidth and processing cycles remaining after the existing users communicate will be used to support communication with the new user . negotiation can then take place between each of the existing users and the new user . the final alternative is that the existing users can reject the new user . in the embodiments of the present invention the object is to establish some method for relating the concepts one wishes to express with the media available . the proposed method is a more “ humanistic ” approach to scaling media than the piece - wise , or per media , approach traditionally accepted . it should be noted that the described scheme does not contrast from traditional compression methods but employs those results to enhance communication . the effects of entropy related in specific media help to compare the different media and thus , provide a better communication solution for the end user . the invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments . however , it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it may be possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those described above . this may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention . embodiments described above are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way . the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims , rather than the preceding description , and all variations and equivalents which fall within the range of the claims are intended to be embraced therein .	7
the following description of the preferred embodiment ( s ) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention , its application , or uses . referring to fig1 there is shown an alternator / inverter system 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention . the system 10 is ideally suited for use in a portable electric power generator , however , it will be appreciated that the invention is not so limited and may find utility in a variety of related power generating applications . the system 10 includes two identical alternator / inverter sections or subsystems 12 and 14 . alternator / inverter section 12 includes a three phase permanent magnet generator ( pmg ) 16 for providing a three phase ac output signal to a full wave bridge rectifier circuit 18 . rectifier circuit 18 is coupled across dc bus lines 20 and 22 which form a dc bus . coupled across the dc bus is a first , full h - bridge circuit 24 comprised of four identical power switching devices 26 a - 26 b . an inductor 28 and a capacitor 30 are coupled across points 32 and 34 and form an lc filter for attenuating harmonic distortion in the output waveforms generated by the h - bridge 24 . point 36 forms a first output and point 34 forms a second output . each of the power switching devices 26 a - 26 d may comprise a variety of suitable power switching components , but in one preferred form comprise insulated gate bi - polar transistors ( igbts ). a dc bus capacitor 38 is also coupled across the dc bus . the second alternator / inverter section 14 is identical in construction to the first alternator / inverter section 12 and includes a three phase permanent magnet generator 40 providing an ac output to a full wave bridge rectifier circuit 42 . bridge rectifier circuit 42 is coupled across dc bus lines 44 and 46 and across dc bus capacitor 48 . the dc output from the rectifier 42 drives a second , full h - bridge circuit 50 having four power switching devices , which in this example are illustrated as igbts 52 a - 52 d . coupled between points 54 and 56 are a capacitor 58 and an inductor 60 which form an lc filter for attenuating harmonic distortion in the output waveforms produced by the h - bridge 50 . point 54 forms a third output point and point 62 forms a fourth output point . a first ac power receptacle , in this example a 120 volt ac receptacle 64 , is coupled across first output point 36 and the second output point 34 by the connection to ground . a second ac power receptacle , illustrated as a 120 volt ac receptacle 66 , is similarly coupled between the fourth output point 62 and the third output point 54 , via the connection to ground . coupled across output points 36 and 62 is a third ac receptacle , which in this example is illustrated as a 240 volt ac receptacle 68 . 240 volt ac receptacle 68 also has coupled in parallel with it a power relay 70 which is controlled by a controller 72 . the controller 72 operates to switch the contacts of the power relay 70 between an open condition , wherein the 240 volt ac receptacle 68 receives the output across points 36 and 62 , and a closed position in which the receptacle 68 is shorted by the power relay 70 . a user switch 74 allows a user to provide a signal to the controller 72 to select whether the 240 volt ac receptacle 68 is switched “ on ” for use or not . the controller 72 also provides pulse width modulated ( pwm ) control signals to each of the h - bridges 24 and 50 to control switching of the igbts 26 and 52 to produce the desired ac output waveforms across points 34 , 36 and 54 , 62 . in operation , a dc bus voltage of preferably around 200 - 220 volts is provided across the dc bus lines 20 , 22 and 44 , 46 . the controller 72 controls the first h - bridge 24 such that igbts 26 a and 26 b are switched on while igbts 26 c and 26 d are off . igbts 26 a and 26 b are then turned off while igbts 26 c and 26 d are turned on . the second h - bridge 50 is controlled in the same fashion by first turning on igbts 52 a and 52 b while igbts 52 c and 52 d are turned off , and then turning on igbts 52 c , 52 d while igbts 52 a and 52 b are turned off . the controller 72 switches the h - bridges 24 and 50 on and off using a well known sine wave pwm pattern that produces a constant frequency sine wave output . in the present embodiment , this provides 120 volts ac across capacitor 30 and 120 volts ac across capacitor 58 . when the power relay 70 is in the closed position , the first ac receptacle 64 and the second ac receptacle 66 are coupled in parallel . thus , each ac receptacle 64 and 66 is able to receive the full ampere output from the system 10 . by that it is meant that the full ampere generating capacity of the system 10 is available to either ac receptacle 64 or 66 . if both ac receptacles 64 and 66 are used , then the full current generating capacity of the system 10 will be split between the ac receptacles 64 and 66 according to the loads imposed by the devices coupled to the ac receptacles 64 and 66 . the 240 volt ac receptacle 68 is shorted and inoperable when the power relay 70 is closed . when a 240 volt ac load is to be driven by the system 10 , the user selects switch 74 , which in turn sends a signal to the controller 72 to open the switch contacts of the power relay 70 . in this condition ( shown in fig1 ), the 240 volt ac receptacle 68 is then effectively placed across output points 36 and 62 . the controller 72 also controls the second . h - bridge 50 such that the 120 volt ac output across capacitor 58 is 180 ° out of phase with the 120 volt ac output across capacitor 30 . thus , a 240 volt potential difference exists between output points 36 and 62 . it will be appreciated , however , that the first h - bridge 24 could also be controlled by the controller 72 such that its output is changed in phase by 180 ° instead of the output of the second h - bridge 50 . when the 240 volt ac receptacle 68 is operable , only one half of the total ampere generating capacity of the system 10 will be available to each of the first ac receptacle 64 and the second ac receptacle 66 . importantly , the system 10 adheres to the wiring convention used in north america which provides for one leg of each 120 vac receptacle 64 and 66 to be tied to ground . the system 10 also provides 4 - blade ( 120 - 240 volt ) twist - lock compatibility . the use of inverters provides a faster response to load changes than would otherwise be possible with a conventional synchronous alternator with its typically large field inductance . the use of inverter technology also allows the system 10 to be made smaller and lighter than what would be possible with a conventional synchronous alternator . referring now to fig2 an alternator / inverter 100 in accordance with an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown . the alternator / inverter 100 is identical in construction to the alternator / inverter 10 with the exception of a pair of voltage regulation circuits 180 and 182 . for convenience , the components of system 100 identical to those of system 10 have been labeled with reference numerals increased by 100 over those used in connection with system 10 . the overall operation of the two alternator / inverter circuits 112 and 114 is identical to that provided in connection with the description of operation of system 10 , and will therefore not be repeated . furthermore , since the components of each of the voltage regulation circuits 180 and 182 are identical in construction and operation , only the construction and operation of circuit 180 will be described . it will be appreciated that good voltage regulation is an important attribute of any electric power generation system . since the user will generally be using power at the end of an extension cord , it is desirable to compensate for the voltage drop in the electrical power cable . this can be done by monitoring the ac output voltage and current in the inverters 124 and 150 , but measuring dc currents and voltages is easier and can be done faster . thus , the voltage regulation circuits 180 and 182 operate to control the dc bus voltage of each alternator / inverter section 112 and 114 independently and compensate for not only the voltage drop of the extension cord , but the drops caused by the inverters 124 and 150 as well . referring further to fig2 a plurality of three silicon controlled rectifiers ( scrs ) 118 a are substituted for three of the conventional diodes used with rectifier 18 of system 10 . each of the scrs 118 a has its gate 118 b coupled to an output of a gate driver circuit 186 . the gate driver circuit 186 receives an output from a microcomputer 188 , which in turn receives a signal from a conventional current sensing circuit ( i . e ., shunt ) 190 and a differential dc voltage signal representing the potential difference between the two dc bus lines 120 and 122 . the microcomputer 188 preferably comprises an 8 - bit microcontroller such as the mc68hc08mr4 available from motorola , but it will be appreciated that a variety of other suitable controllers could be implemented as well . in operation , the current sensing circuit 190 senses a change in the dc current flowing in dc bus line 122 and provides an output indicative of same to the microcomputer 178 . simultaneously , the microcomputer 188 measures a differential voltage between bus lines 120 and 122 via circuit lines 192 and 194 . the microcomputer 188 includes an internal look - up table for providing a “ v ref ” value needed to adjust the dc output voltage of the system 100 . the v ref vs . dc current look - up table is constructed using an assumed value of internal resistance ( h - bridge and ac filter ) and an assumed value of extension cord resistance . an exemplary table , as shown below , increases the v ref ( and , therefore the dc bus voltage ) such that the output voltage of the system 100 increases linearly with increased current until the output voltage reaches 126 volt ( a limit set by regulatory agencies ). at this point , the slope of the dc bus voltage vs . current curve changes so as to maintain the 126 volts at the output terminals of the h - bridge 124 . the voltage at the end of the cable will equal the output voltage minus the ir drop of the particular cable used . the output of the current sensing circuit 190 “ i ” is a measure of the “ ir ” drop due to the resistance of the cables coupled to the outlets 164 , 166 orf 168 , and the voltage drop due to the losses associated with the inverter 112 and the output filter formed by inductor 128 and capacitor 130 . the microcomputer 188 uses the measured dc current “ i ” to obtain the current value for v ref from its internal look - up table . the microcomputer also measures the dc bus voltage , “ v bus ” between the two dc bus lines 120 and 122 . when the microcomputer 188 detects that the dc bus voltage , “ v bus ”, is lower than the current value of v ref , then it signals the gate driver circuit 186 to turn on the scrs 1118 a , thus charging the dc bus capacitor 138 . the rectifier 118 functions as a normal six diode bridge when the scrs are on . when the microcomputer 188 detects that the dc bus voltage exceeds the present value for v ref , then it signals the gate driver circuit 186 to turn off the scrs 118 a . in this manner , the microcomputer 188 continuously monitors and adjusts the dc bus voltage to compensate for the above - described losses . the pwm duty cycle of the signal used to control h - bridge 124 is not changed during the process of adjusting the scrs 118 a to compensate for changes in the dc bus voltage . referring to fig3 another alternative preferred embodiment 200 of the present invention is shown . embodiment 200 is also identical in construction and operation to the system 100 of fig2 with the exception of the use of a pair of analog voltage regulation systems 280 . again , the components in common with the system 10 are designated by reference numerals increased by 200 over those used in connection with fig1 . the voltage regulation system 280 comprises a current shunt 282 , a voltage divider network 284 , a gate driver circuit 285 , and a “ v + ir ” compensation circuit 286 . the current shunt 282 is inserted into the lower dc bus rail 222 to measure dc current (“ i ”). the voltage across the lower resistor of the divider network 284 is a fraction of the dc bus voltage . the center node of the divider network is connected to the inverting input of a comparator 288 of the compensation circuit 286 . the current signal from the left side of the shunt 282 will be negative with respect to the signal ground when the bus capacitor 238 is supplying power to the h - bridge 224 . therefore , the current signal is inverted and amplified via an inverting amplifier 290 of the compensation circuit 286 , with a gain of “ r ”. the “ ir ” signal is added to a fixed voltage reference “ v ref ”. the output of an adder 292 of the compensation circuit 286 ( v ref + ir ) is fed to the non - inverting input of the comparator 288 . when the dc bus voltage ( vbus ) across the dc bus capacitor 238 exceeds the value of “ v ref + ir ”, the comparator 288 sends a low signal to the gate driver circuit 285 which turns off all the scrs 218 a . when the dc bus voltage is lower than the value of “ v ref + ir ”, then the comparator 288 sends a high signal to the gate driver circuit 285 &# 39 ; which turns on all of the scrs 218 a . the 3 - phase bridge rectifier circuit 218 then recharges the dc bus capacitor 238 . referring to fig4 the system 200 is shown with simplified voltage regulation circuits 300 and 302 incorporated . since the circuits 300 and 302 are identical in construction and operation , only circuit 300 will be described . circuit 300 represents an even less complicated means for implementing the “ v + ir ” control described above . circuit 300 includes a current shunt 304 which is inserted into the bottom rail 222 of the dc bus to measure current (“ i ”). a resistor divider network 306 is again coupled across the dc bus lines 220 and 222 , but now it is located to the left of the current shunt 304 . the signal ground on the bottom dc bus rail 222 is still to the right of the current shunt 304 . the center node of the divider 306 is still connected to an inverting input of a comparator 308 . the “ i ” signal from the left side of the shunt 304 still will be negative with respect to the signal ground when the dc bus capacitor 238 is supplying power to the h - bridge 224 . the “ ir ” drop of the current shunt 304 will be negative with respect to the dc voltage ( vbus &# 39 ;) at the center node of the divider 306 . therefore , the signal to the inverting input of the comparator 308 will be “ vbus &# 39 ;− ir ”. the non - inverting input of the comparator 308 is connected to the reference voltage (“ v ref ”). when “ vbus &# 39 ;− ir ” is greater than v ref , the comparator 308 sends a low signal to a gate driver circuit 310 which turns off all the scrs 218 a . when “ vbus &# 39 ;− ir ” is less than v ref , the comparator 308 sends a high signal to the gate driver circuit 310 which turns on all the scrs 218 a . however , “ vbus &# 39 ;− ir ”& gt ; than v ref is equivalent to vbus &# 39 ;& gt ; v ref + ir , and vbus &# 39 ;− ir & lt ; v ref is equivalent to vbus &# 39 ;& lt ; v ref + ir . thus , the same function is achieved with fewer parts . the voltage regulation circuits 180 , 280 and 300 thus provide a means for controlling the dc bus voltage of each of the inverters of the present invention to thereby compensate for losses associated with electrical cabling coupled to the ac receptacles , as well as internal losses of each of the inverters . the various preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide for an alternator / inverter system which meets the grounding convention used in north america , as well as providing compatibility with the 4 - blade twist lock wiring convention . the inverters of the present invention provide excellent control over total harmonic distortion of the output waveforms produced , and are able to respond faster to load changes than conventional synchronous alternators . those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms . therefore , while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof , the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings , specification and following claims .	7
in the following , an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings . in the present embodiment , an automobile is described as an example of a transport apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention . fig1 is a block diagram of a control system relating to safety driving support of automobile 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention . as illustrated in fig1 , an automobile 1 includes a radar module 10 and a safety driving support operation section 20 . the radar module 10 is , for example , a millimeter - wave radar of a fmcw ( frequency modulated continuous wave ) type which uses a millimeter wave of 79 ghz band . the radar module 10 is disposed at a front bumper and / or a rear bumper of an automobile as illustrated in fig2 , for example . fig2 illustrates detection ranges in the case where the radar modules 10 are disposed at a center portion of a front bumper in the vehicle width direction , and both side portions of the rear bumper in the vehicle width direction . with this configuration , a target object which is present at blind spots of the driver can be detected . the radar module 10 detects the surrounding environment of the automobile 1 ( for example , other automobiles , pedestrians , obstructing objects and the like around the automobile ), and outputs the information relating to the surrounding environment to the safety driving support operation section 20 . the information relating to the surrounding environment includes the presence / absence of the target object , the distance to the target object , and the identification result of the target object ( whether the target object is a human or not ). the safety driving support operation section 20 performs a safety driving support operation for avoiding unsafe situation or reducing the degree of the unsafe situation based on the information relating to the surrounding environment output from the radar module 10 . details of the safety driving support operation will be described later . fig3 is a block diagram of the radar module 10 to be mounted in the automobile 1 . as illustrated in fig3 , the radar module 10 includes a signal source 11 , a transmission section 12 , a transmission antenna 13 , a reception antenna 14 , a reception section 15 , a signal processing section 16 , an external interface 17 and the like . in the radar module 10 , it is possible to apply a one - chip ic in which the signal source 11 , the transmission section 12 , the reception section 15 , the signal processing section 16 , and an i / o port ( not illustrated ) are disposed on one substrate . the transmission antenna 13 and the reception antenna 14 are , for example , composed of a copper foil pattern formed on a printed circuit substrate . a one - chip ic having the signal source 11 and the like , an ic external component , the external interface 17 and the like are mounted to the printed circuit substrate provided with the transmission antenna 13 and the reception antenna 14 . this printed circuit substrate is covered with a shield , and thus the configuration of the radar module 10 is obtained . signal source 11 generates a frequency modulation ( fm ) transmission signal by adding triangular wave modulation signal to a control voltage of a voltage controlled oscillator ( vco : voltage controlled oscillator ). the transmission section 12 includes a directional coupler which outputs a transmission signal to the transmission antenna 13 , and distributes a part of the transmission signal to the reception section 15 , for example . the transmission antenna 13 radiates a transmission signal as a transmission wave to the surrounding regions of the automobile 1 . when reaching the target object , the transmission wave is reflected in accordance with the reflectance of the target object . the reception antenna 14 receives a reflection signal generated by reflection at the target object and outputs the signal to the reception section 15 . the reception section 15 includes a mixer which mixes a reflection signal output from the reception antenna 14 and a transmission signal output from the transmission section 12 ( directional coupler ) to generate a beat signal ( reception signal ), for example . the reception section 15 outputs the generated beat signal to the signal processing section 16 . the signal processing section 16 includes a frequency analysis section 161 , an object detection section 162 , and a human determination section 163 . the frequency analysis section 161 performs frequency analysis by executing processes such as fast fourier transform ( fft ) on a beat signal digitized with an ad convertor ( not illustrated ). on the basis of the frequency distribution ( the peak of beat frequency ) of the beat signal calculated at the frequency analysis section 161 , the object detection section 162 detects a target object , and calculates the distance to the detected target object and the relative speed with respect to the target object . the human determination section 163 determines whether the detected target object is a human based on the reception power of the beat signal of the detected target object . the object identification process in the human determination section 163 will be described later . the information relating to the surrounding environment generated at the signal processing section 16 is output to the safety driving support operation section 20 through the external interface 17 . fig4 is a flowchart of an example object identification process of the human determination section 163 . the object identification process of fig4 is started when object detection section 162 detects a new target object , for example . it is to be noted that the beat signal input to the signal processing section 16 is stored in a storage section ( not illustrated ) for a predetermined period . at step s 101 , the human determination section 163 acquires multiple pieces of reception power p r of the beat signal of the detected target object . to acquire a stable distribution of the reception power p r , the number of the data to be acquired is preferably seven or more . at step s 102 , the human determination section 163 calculates average value e of the reception power p r . at step s 103 , the human determination section 163 calculates variance value v of reception power p r . at step s 104 , the human determination section 163 compares the square of average value e and variance value v . when determination index e 2 / v obtained by dividing the square of average value e by variance value v is smaller than first reference value s1 , the process is advanced to step s 105 . when determination index e 2 / v is greater than first reference value s1 , the process is advanced to step s 106 . the “ first reference value s1 ” is a value used for identification of the target object by determination index e 2 / v , and is set to 1 or a value approximately equivalent to 1 . at step s 105 , the human determination section 163 determines that the detected target object is “ human .” at step s 106 , human determination section 163 determines that the detected target object is “ artificial object .” incidentally , the reception power p r of a radar in a free space is as expressed in expression ( 1 ). p r = p t g 2 λ 2 σ /( 4 n ) 3 r 4 ( 1 ) p t : transmission power g : antenna gain λ : wavelength σ : radar cross section ( rcs ) r : distance to target object in expression ( 1 ), the items other than the radar cross section ( rcs ) σ are considered to be constant values , and therefore the reception power p r is proportional to rcs . when the target object is a human , rcs is not a constant value and varies since the surface of a human is vibrating . when it is assumed that rcs is set in accordance with the exponential distribution , the reception power p r is also set in accordance with the exponential distribution . here , it was confirmed by experiment that the reception power p r is close to the exponential distribution in the case where the target object is a human . fig6 is a histogram showing measurement results ( distribution ) of the reception power in the case where the target object is a human and an artificial object ( here , a reflector ). it can be said from fig6 that the distribution of the measurement data of a reflector is close to rice distribution , and the distribution of the measurement data of a human is close to rayleigh distribution . in view of this , it can be said that the reception power p r in the case where the target object is a human is set in accordance with the exponential distribution . accordingly , ideally , the square of an average value e and a variance value v of the reception power p r are equal to each other , that is , e 2 / v = 1 when the target object is a human . this relationship does not change regardless of snr as illustrated in fig5 . on the other hand , it is considered that rcs is a constant value in the case where the target object is an artificial object ( a vehicle or the like ) other than a human . in this case , the difference of the reception power p r varies in accordance with snr , and the square of the average value e of the reception power p r is obviously greater than the variance value v , that is , e 2 / v & gt ; 1 ( see fig5 ). in view of this , when the ratio e 2 / v of the square of the average value e to the variance value v of the reception power p r is used as a determination index , it is possible to accurately determine whether the target object is a human or an artificial object other than a human . in addition , as illustrated in fig5 , a determination index e 2 / v of the case where the target object is a human and the determination index e 2 / v of the case where the target object is an artificial object are largely different from each other , and therefore a proper first reference value s1 can be readily set . as described , the radar module 10 includes : the transmission antenna 13 , the reception antenna 14 , the signal source 11 configured to generate a transmission signal , the transmission section 12 configured to send the transmission signal to a target object through the transmission antenna 13 , the reception section 15 configured to receive a reflection signal generated by reflection of the transmission signal on the target object through the reception antenna 14 , the signal processing section 16 configured to perform signal processing based on a reception signal ( beat signal ) output from the reception section 15 ; and the external interface 17 configured to output information obtained at the signal processing section 16 . the signal processing section 16 ( the human determination section 163 ) calculates the average value e and the variance value v of the reception power p r of the reception signal , and identifies the target object by use of the calculated average value e and the calculated variance value v . to be more specific , the signal processing section 16 ( the human determination section 163 ) compares the square of the average value e and the variance value v of the reception power pr , and determines that the target object is a human when the determination index e 2 / v which is obtained by dividing the square of average the value e by the variance value v is smaller than the first reference value s1 which is set to 1 or a value approximately equivalent to 1 . since the radar module 10 uses the average value e and the variance value v of the reception power p r of the reception signal to identify the target object by utilizing a fact that rcs of a human has an exponential distribution , it is possible to accurately determine whether the target object is a human or not even under low snr environments . the identification result of the target object obtained at the human determination section 163 of the radar module 10 is output to the safety driving support section 20 as information relating to the surrounding environment together with the presence / absence of the target object , the distance to the target object and the like . the safety driving support operation section 20 performs the safety driving support operation for avoiding unsafe situation or reducing the degree of the unsafe situation based on the information relating to the surrounding environment . as illustrated in fig1 , the safety driving support operation section 20 includes a stop operation section 21 , a driving operation section 22 , and a warning section 23 . the stop operation section 21 supports a stop operation of the automobile 1 based on the information relating to the surrounding environment . to be more specific , under the control of a stop control section 211 , a brake 212 is activated , and the automobile 1 is automatically decelerated or stopped . with this configuration , the unsafe situation can be quickly avoided . a driving operation section 22 supports a driving operation of the automobile 1 based on the information relating to the surrounding environment . to be more specific , under the control of a driving control section 221 , a wheel 222 is activated , and the travelling direction of the automobile 1 is automatically changed . with this configuration , the unsafe situation can be quickly avoided . a warning section 23 issues a warning to a passenger or outside based on the information relating to the surrounding environment . to be more specific , under the control of a warning control section 231 , a seatbelt 232 is automatically wound up to stimulate the passenger . the passenger can recognize the unsafe situation by perceiving the change of the touch of the seatbelt 232 . in addition , under the control of the warning control section 231 , a seat 233 vibrates to stimulate the passenger . by perceiving the change of the touch on passenger which is caused by the seat 233 , the passenger can recognize the unsafe situation . in addition , under the control of the warning control section 231 , a display section 234 issues a warning on the display . applicable examples of the display section 234 include a liquid crystal display of a car navigation system and the like , a front glass , eyeglasses or a head up display of the passenger , a rear - view monitor and the like . the display section 234 issues a warning to the passenger by indicating the direction of a human on the display section 234 in 2d , and / or by changing the color of the display ( background color ) of the display section 234 in accordance with the distance to a human ( blue ( safe ), yellow ( intermediate ) or red ( unsafe )), for example . the passenger can visually recognize the unsafe situation . in addition , under the control of the warning control section 231 , a sound output section ( speaker ) 235 issues a warning with a sound . the passenger can recognize the unsafe situation by the sense of hearing . in addition , under the control of the warning control section 231 , a radio communication section 236 sends warning information to a mobile terminal ( for example , a smartphone ) owned by the passenger or the pedestrian . when the mobile terminal receives the warning information , a warning is issued with an indication on the display or a sound . the passenger or the pedestrian can recognize the unsafe situation from the information from his or her mobile terminal . in addition , under the control of the warning control section 231 , an odor generation section 237 generates odor . the passenger can recognize the unsafe situation by the sense of smell . furthermore , unsafe situations may be indicated with flashing of the head light , or a horn . in addition , the way of illumination of the head light may be changed in accordance with the distance to the target object or the direction of the target object . in the automobile 1 , safety the driving support operation section 20 performs the above - described operation based on the information relating to the surrounding environment , and thus not only the safety of the automobile itself , but also the safety of the other automobiles and pedestrians is remarkably ensured . while the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments , it is not intended to limit the present invention to the above - mentioned preferred embodiments but the present invention may be further modified within the scope and spirit of the invention defined by the appended claims . for example , as the determination index for determining that the target object is a human , a value obtained by subtracting the variance value v from the square of the average value e of the reception power p r ( e 2 − v ) may also be used . in this case , when the determination index ( e 2 − v ) is smaller than a second reference value which is set to 0 or a value approximately equivalent to 0 , it is determined that the target object is a human it should be noted that the difference between the determination index ( e 2 − v ) of the case where the target object is a human and the determination index ( e 2 − v ) of the case where the target object is an artificial object is smaller than that of the case where the determination index of e 2 / v is used , and appropriate setting of the second reference value becomes difficult , and therefore , it is preferable to use e 2 / v as the determination index . in addition , the radar module 10 of a pulse type or an fsk ( frequency shift keying ) type may also be used as well as the radar module 10 of the fmcw type . in addition , the radar module according to the embodiment of the present invention may be mounted in a transport apparatus such as a railroad vehicle , a ship , and a plane , or a road side machine installed on a road as well as in an automobile . other radar modules ( for example , a 76 - ghz millimeter - wave radar ) and a sensor such as a stereo camera which are combined together may also be mounted in a transport apparatus . when a plurality of sensors are mounted , the surrounding environment of the transport apparatus can be more correctly determined . the embodiment disclosed herein is merely an exemplification and should not be considered as limitative . the scope of the present invention is specified by the following claims , not by the above - mentioned description . it should be understood that various modifications , combinations , sub - combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof . although embodiments of the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail , it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustrated and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation , the scope of the present invention being interpreted by terms of the appended claims . this application is entitled to and claims the benefit of japanese patent application no . 2014 - 072291 dated mar . 31 , 2014 , the disclosure of which including the specification , drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety .	6
in a first embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula ( i ): r 1 is selected from h or nhr 1a ; c 1 - c 8 alkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkenyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkynyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 3 - c 8 cycloalkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )- substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said hetero cyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , and c 1 - c 6 alkyl substituted with a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4r 1c ; r 1c is h , halogen , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 2 is selected from h or c 1 - c 10 alkyl ; r 3 and r 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 6 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 7 cycloalkyl , and aryl substituted with 0 - 2 r 3a ; r 3a is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , no 2 , and nr 3b r 3c ; r 3b and r 3c are each independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , aryl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , and heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 r 3d ; r 3d is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; r 5a is selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 4 alkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkoxy ) carbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , and c 3 - c 6 alkenyl ; a is a single or double bond , with the proviso that if a is a double bond , it is not simultaneously substituted with r 3 and r 4 ; r 6 is selected from the group consisting of h , cf 3 , cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 1 - c 8 perfluoroalkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , c 1 - c 6 alkyloxy , aryloxy and aryl substituted with 0 - 5 r 6c ; r 6c is selected from the group consisting of h , halo , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , nr 6d r 6e , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 6d and r 6e are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , or heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; with hydrogen under a suitable pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a compound of formula ( i ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof . in a preferred embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( i ), wherein : said hydrogenation catalyst is selected from the group consisting of palladium on carbon , palladium hydroxide on carbon , palladium on calcium carbonate and platinum on carbon . in a more preferred embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( i ), wherein : r 1 is selected from h or nhr 1a ; r 1a is — c (═ o )— o — r 1b or — so 2 — r 1b ; c 1 - c 8 alkyl substituted with 0 - 1 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkenyl substituted with 0 - 1 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkynyl substituted with 0 - 1 r 1c , c 3 - c 8 cycloalkyl substituted with 0 - 1 r 1c , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )- substituted with 0 - 3 r 1c , a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , and c 1 - c 6 alkyl substituted with a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c ; r 1c is selected from the group consisting of h , halogen , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 2 is h or c 1 - c 10 alkyl ; r 3 and r 4 are h or c 1 - c 6 alkyl ; r 5 is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy , c 1 - c 10 alkyloxy , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyloxy , c 6 - c 10 aryloxy and c 7 - c 11 arylalkyloxy ; r 6 is selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 6 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 7 cycloalkyl , c 1 - c 8 perfluoroalkyl , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , c 1 - c 6 alkyloxy , aryloxy , aryl substituted with 0 - 2 r 6c ; r 6c is h , halogen , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , nr 6d r 6e , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; and r 6d and r 6e are independently selected from h or c 1 - c 10 alkyl ; a is a single or double bond , with the proviso that if a is a double bond , it is not simultaneously substituted with r 3 and r 4 . in an even more preferred embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( i - a ): r 1a is — c (═ o ) och 2 ( ch 2 ) 2 ch 3 or 3 , 5 - dimethyloxazol - 4 - yl - sulfonyl ; wherein r 6 is h , methyl , ethyl , propyl , butyl , pentyl , hexyl c 7 - c 8 arylalkyloxy , c 1 - c 5 alkyloxy , aryloxy or aryl ; with hydrogen under a suitable pressure from about 20 to about 50 psi in the presence of palladium on carbon , in the range of about 1 % to about 10 % by weight of compound ( iv ), to form a compound of formula ( i ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof . in a second embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula ( iv ) or a salt thereof comprising : with an acylating agent of formula r 6 co — o — cor 6 or r 6 cox , wherein x is fluorine , bromine , chlorine or imidazole , in a suitable solvent to form a compound of formula ( iv ) or a salt thereof . in a preferred second embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( iv ), wherein : r 1a is — c (═ o ) och 2 ( ch 2 ) 2 ch 3 or 3 , 5 - dimethyloxazol - 4 - yl - sulfonyl ; in a third embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula ( iii ), comprising : with a salt of hydroxyl amine in the presence of a suitable base to form a compound of formula ( iii ). in a preferred third embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( iii ), wherein said salts of hydroxyl amine are hydroxylamine hydrochloride and hydroxlyamine sulfate . in a more preferred third embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( iii ), wherein : r 1a is — c (═ o )— o — ch 2 ( ch 2 ) 2 ch 3 or 3 , 5 - dimethyloxazol - 4yl - sulfonyl ; h , c 1 - c 6 alkyl , c 7 - c 8 arylalkyloxy , c 1 - c 5 alkyloxy , aryloxy and aryl ; in a fourth embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula ( i ): r 1 is selected from h or nhr 1a ; c 1 - c 8 alkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkenyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkynyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 3 - c 8 cycloalkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )- substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , and c 1 - c 6 alkyl substituted with a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4r 1c ; r 1c is h , halogen , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 2 is selected from h or c 1 - c 10 alkyl ; r 3 and r 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 6 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 7 cycloalkyl , and aryl substituted with 0 - 2 r 3a ; r 3a is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , no 2 , and nr 3b r 3c ; r 3b and r 3c are each independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , aryl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , and heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 r 3d ; r 3d is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; r 5a is selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 4 alkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkoxy ) carbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , and c 3 - c 6 alkenyl ; r 6 is selected from the group consisting of h , cf 3 , cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 1 - c 8 perfluoroalkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , aryloxy and aryl substituted with 0 - 5 r 6c ; r 6c is selected from the group consisting of h , halo , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , nr 6d r 6e , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 6d and r 6e are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , or heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; a is a single or double bond , with the proviso that if a is a double bond , it is not simultaneously substituted with r 3 and r 4 ; for a time sufficient , and to a temperature sufficient to form a compound of formula ( v ): and ( b ) contacting said compound of formula ( v ) with hydrogen under a suitable pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a compound of formula ( i ) or a salt thereof . in a preferred fourth embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( i ), wherein : said hydrogenation catalyst is selected from the group consisting of palladium on carbon , palladium hydroxide on carbon , palladium on calcium carbonate and platinum on carbon ; said sufficient temperature is from about 30 ° c . to about 120 ° c . ; said sufficient time is from about 10 minutes to about 24 hours ; wherein an amount of catalyst loaded on carbon is from about 1 % to about 10 % by weight ; and wherein an amount of a hydrogenation catalyst is from about 1 % to about 30 % by weight of compound ( iv ). in a more preferred fourth embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of a compound of formula ( i ), wherein : r 1a is — c (═ o )— o — ch 2 ( ch 2 ) 2 ch 3 or 3 , 5 - dimethyloxazol - 4yl - sulfonyl ; h , methyl , ethyl , propyl , butyl , pentyl , hexyl , c 7 - c 8 arylalkyloxy , aryloxy , c 1 - c 5 alkoxy and aryl ; said sufficient temperature is from about 50 ° c . to about 120 ° c . ; said sufficient time is from about 10 minutes to about 3 hours ; wherein an amount of catalyst loaded on carbon is from about 3 % to about 5 % by weight ; and wherein an amount of palladium on carbon is from about 3 % to about 7 % by weight of compound ( iv ). in a fifth embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of the formula ( i ): r 1 is selected from h or nhr 1a ; c 1 - c 8 alkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkenyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 2 - c 8 alkynyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , c 3 - c 8 cycloalkyl substituted with 0 - 2 r 1c , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )- substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4 r 1c , and c 1 - c 6 alkyl substituted with a 5 - 10 membered heterocyclic ring system having 1 - 3 heteroatoms selected independently from o , s , and n , said heterocyclic ring being substituted with 0 - 4r 1c ; r 1c is h , halogen , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 2 is selected from h or c 1 - c 10 alkyl ; r 3 and r 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 6 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 7 cycloalkyl , and aryl substituted with 0 - 2 r 3a ; r 3a is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , no 2 , and nr 3b r 3c ; r 3b and r 3c are each independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , aryl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , and heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 r 3d ; r 3d is selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; r 5a is selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 4 alkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkoxy ) carbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , and c 3 - c 6 alkenyl ; a is a single or double bond , with the proviso that if a is a double bond , it is not simultaneously substituted with r 3 and r 4 ; z is selected from r 6 so 2 — or ( r 7 ) 3 si —; r 6 is selected from the group consisting of h , cf 3 , cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 1 - c 8 perfluoroalkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 2 - c 6 alkynyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , aryloxy and aryl substituted with 0 - 5 r 6c ; r 6c is selected from the group consisting of h , halo , cf 3 , cn , no 2 , nr 6d r 6e , c 1 - c 8 alkyl , c 2 - c 6 alkenyl , c 3 - c 11 cycloalkyl , c 4 - c 11 cycloalkylalkyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 6 alkyl )-, c 1 - c 6 alkoxy , and c 2 - c 5 alkoxycarbonyl ; r 6d and r 6e are independently selected from the group consisting of h , c 1 - c 10 alkyl , c 2 - c 10 alkoxycarbonyl , c 2 - c 10 alkylcarbonyl , c 1 - c 10 alkylsulfonyl , aryl , aryl ( c 1 - c 10 alkyl ) sulfonyl , arylsulfonyl , heteroaryl ( c 1 - c 4 alkyl ) sulfonyl , heteroarylcarbonyl , heteroarylsulfonyl , or heteroarylalkylcarbonyl , wherein said aryl and heteroaryl are optionally substituted with 0 - 3 substituents selected from the group consisting of c 1 - c 4 alkyl , c 1 - c 4 alkoxy , halo , cf 3 , and no 2 ; r 7 is selected independently from c 1 - c 10 alkyl or aryl substituted 0 - 3 r 7a ; and with hydrogen under a suitable pressure in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a compound of formula ( i ) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof . in a sixth embodiment , the present invention provides a process for the preparation of compounds of formula ( vi ): z is r 6 so 2 — or ( r 7 ) 3 si —; r 7 is selected independently from c 1 - c 10 alkyl or aryl substituted 0 - 3 r 7a ; and in the presence of a suitable acid scavenger in a suitable solvent to form a compound of formula ( iv ) or a salt thereof . in a seventh embodiment , the present invention provides a compound of formula ( iii - i ): in a eighth embodiment , the present invention provides a compound of formula ( iv - i ): in a ninth embodiment , the present invention provides a compound of formula ( v - i ): the reactions of the synthetic methods claimed herein are carried out in suitable solvents which may be readily selected by one of skill in the art of organic synthesis , said suitable solvents generally being any solvent which is substantially nonreactive with the starting materials ( reactants ), the intermediates , or products at the temperatures at which the reactions are carried out , i . e ., temperatures which may range from the solvent &# 39 ; s freezing temperature to the solvent &# 39 ; s boiling temperature . a given reaction may be carried out in one solvent or a mixture of more than one solvent . depending on the particular reaction step , suitable solvents for a particular reaction step may be selected . suitable halogenated solvents include : carbon tetrachloride , bromodichloromethane , dibromochloromethane , bromoform , chloroform , bromochloromethane , dibromomethane , butyl chloride , dichloromethane , tetrachloroethylene , trichloroethylene , 1 , 1 , 1 - trichloroethane , 1 , 1 , 2 - trichloroethane , 1 , 1 - dichloroethane , 2 - chloropropane , hexafluorobenzene , 1 , 2 , 4 - trichlorobenzene , o - dichlorobenzene , chlorobenzene , fluorobenzene , fluorotrichloromethane , chlorotrifluoromethane , bromotrifluoromethane , carbon tetrafluoride , dichlorofluoromethane , chlorodifluoromethane , trifluoromethane , 1 , 2 - dichlorotetrafluorethane and hexafluoroethane . suitable ether solvents include : dimethoxymethane , tetrahydrofuran , 1 , 3 - dioxane , 1 , 4 - dioxane , furan , diethyl ether , ethylene glycol dimethyl ether , ethylene glycol diethyl ether , diethylene glycol dimethyl ether , diethylene glycol diethyl ether , triethylene glycol dimethyl ether , anisole , or t - butyl methyl ether . suitable protic solvents may include , by way of example and without limitation , water , methanol , ethanol , 2 - nitroethanol , 2 - fluoroethanol , 2 , 2 , 2 - trifluoroethanol , ethylene glycol , 1 - propanol , 2 - propanol , 2 - methoxyethanol , 1 - butanol , 2 - butanol , i - butyl alcohol , t - butyl alcohol , 2 - ethoxyethanol , diethylene glycol , 1 -, 2 -, or 3 - pentanol , neo - pentyl alcohol , t - pentyl alcohol , diethylene glycol monomethyl ether , diethylene glycol monoethyl ether , cyclohexanol , benzyl alcohol , phenol , or glycerol . suitable aprotic solvents may include , by way of example and without limitation , tetrahydrofuran ( thf ), dimethylformamide ( dmf ), dimethylacetamide ( dmac ), 1 , 3 - dimethyl - 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 - tetrahydro - 2 ( 1h )- pyrimidinone ( dmpu ), 1 , 3 - dimethyl - 2 - imidazolidinone ( dmi ), n - methylpyrrolidinone ( nmp ), formamide , n - methylacetamide , n - methylformamide , acetonitrile , dimethyl sulfoxide , propionitrile , ethyl formate , methyl acetate , hexachloroacetone , acetone , ethyl methyl ketone , ethyl acetate , sulfolane , n , n - dimethylpropionamide , tetramethylurea , nitromethane , nitrobenzene , or hexamethylphosphoramide . suitable hydrocarbon solvents include : benzene , cyclohexane , pentane , hexane , toluene , cycloheptane , methylcyclohexane , heptane , ethylbenzene , m -, o -, or p - xylene , octane , indane , nonane , or naphthalene . suitable carboxylic acid solvents include acetic acid , trifluoroacetic acid , ethanoic acid , propionic acid , propiolic acid , butyric acid , 2 - butynoic acid , vinyl acetic acid , pentanoic acid , hexanoic acid , heptanoic acid , octanoic acid , nonanoic acid and decanoic acid . suitable pressures range from atmospheric to any pressure obtainable in a laboratory or industrial plant . suitable hydrogenation catalysts are those which facilitate the delivery of hydrogen to the n — o bond of an n - acylated hydroxylamine . such hydrogenation catalysts by way of example and without limitation are palladium on carbon , palladium hydroxide on carbon , palladium on calcium carbonate poisoned with lead and platinum on carbon . as used herein , suitable acid scavengers include those compounds capable of accepting a proton from a hydroxyamidine during either an acylation , sulfonation or silation reaction without reacting with the agent reacting with the oxygen of the hydroxyamidine . examples include , but are not limited to tertiary bases such as n , n - diisopropylethylamine , 2 , 3 -, 2 , 4 -, 2 , 5 -, 2 , 6 -, 3 , 4 -, 3 , 5 - lutidine , triethylamine , 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - picoline , pyrrole , pyrrolidine , n - methyl morpholine , pyridine and pyrimidine . as used herein , suitable bases include those soluble in the reaction solvent and capable of free - basing hydroxylamine . examples include , but are not limited to : lithium hydroxide , sodium hydroxide , potassium hydroxide , lithium carbonate , sodium carbonate , potassium carbonate , imidazole , ethylene diamine , n , n - diisopropylethylamine , 2 , 3 -, 2 , 4 -, 2 , 5 -, 2 , 6 -, 3 , 4 -, 3 , 5 - lutidine , triethylamine , 2 -, 3 -, or 4 - picoline , pyrrole , pyrrolidine , n - methyl morpholine , pyridine , pyrimidine or piperidine . as used herein , acylating agent refers to an acid halide or anhydride , which , when reacted with a hydroxyamidine results in o - acylation of the hydroxyl amidine . such acylating agents by way of example and without limitation are of the general structure r 6 cox or r 6 co — o — cor 6 , as defined above in the specification . by way of further example , and without limitation , where x is fluorine , chlorine , bromine or imidazole , r 6 is h , cf 3 , cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , methyl , ethyl , propyl , butyl , ethenyl , allyl , ethynyl , cyclopropyl , phenyl , benzyl , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , c 1 - c 10 alkyloxy or aryloxy . as used herein , agent refers to a compound of the formula z - x , which , when reacted with a hydroxyamidine results in placement of the z group on the oxygen of the hydroxyamidine . by way of further example , and without limitation , where x is fluorine , chlorine , bromine or imidazole , z is either r 6 so 2 — or ( r 7 ) 3 si —, r 6 is h , cf 3 , cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , cf 2 cf 2 cf 2 cf 3 , methyl , ethyl , propyl , butyl , ethenyl , allyl , ethynyl , cyclopropyl , phenyl , benzyl , c 7 - c 10 arylalkyloxy , or aryloxy , and r 7 is independently selected from c 1 - c 10 alkyl or aryl substituted with 0 - 3 r 7a , and r 7a is c 1 - c 10 alkyl . the compounds described herein may have asymmetric centers . unless otherwise indicated , all chiral , diastereomeric and racemic forms are included in the present invention . many geometric isomers of olefins , c ═ n double bonds , and the like can also be present in the compounds described herein , and all such stable isomers are contemplated in the present invention . it will be appreciated that compounds of the present invention that contain asymmetrically substituted carbon atoms may be isolated in optically active or racemic forms . methods on how to prepare optically active forms from optically active starting materials are known in the art , such as by resolution of racemic forms or by synthesis . all chiral , diastereomeric , racemic forms and all geometric isomeric forms of a structure are intended . when any variable ( for example but not limited to r 1b , r 1c , r 3a , r 3b , r 3c , r 6c , etc .) occurs more than one time in any constituent or in any formula , its definition on each occurrence is independent of its definition at every other occurrence . thus , for example , if a group is shown to be substituted with 0 - 2 r 3a , then said group may optionally be substituted with up to two r 3a and r 3a at each occurrence is selected independently from the defined list of possible r 3a . combinations of substituents and / or variables are permissible only if such combinations result in stable compounds . by stable compound or stable structure it is meant herein a compound that is sufficiently robust to survive isolation to a useful degree of purity from a reaction mixture , and formulation into an efficacious therapeutic agent . the term “ substituted ”, as used herein , means that any one or more hydrogen on the designated atom is replaced with a selection from the indicated group , provided that the designated atom &# 39 ; s normal valency is not exceeded , and that the substitution results in a stable compound . as used herein , “ alkyl ”, is intended to include both branched and straight - chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon groups having the specified number of carbon atoms ; for example , c 1 - c 4 alkyl includes methyl , ethyl , n - propyl , i - propyl , n - butyl , i - butyl , s - butyl , and t - butyl ; for example c 1 - c 10 alkyl includes c 1 - c 4 alkyl , pentyl , hexyl , heptyl , octyl , nonyl , decyl , and isomer thereof . as used herein , any carbon range such as “ c x - c y ” is intended to mean a minimum of “ x ” carbons and a maximum of “ y ” carbons representing the total number of carbons in the substituent to which it refers . for example , “ c 3 - c 10 alkylcarbonyloxyalkyloxy ” could contain one carbon for “ alkyl ”, one carbon for “ carbonyloxy ” and one carbon for “ alkyloxy ” giving a total of three carbons , or a larger number of carbons for each alkyl group not to exceed a total of ten carbons . “ alkenyl ” is intended to include hydrocarbon chains of either a straight or branched configuration and one or more unsaturated carbon - carbon bonds which may occur in any stable point along the chain , such as ethenyl , 1 - propenyl , 2 - propenyl , 1 - butenyl , 2 - butenyl , 3 - butenyl , 1 , 3 - butadienyl and the like . “ alkynyl ”, is intended to include hydrocarbon chains of either a straight or branched configuration and one or more triple carbon - carbon bonds which may occur in any stable point along the chain , such as ethynyl , propynyl , butynyl and the like . “ aryl ” is intended to mean phenyl or naphthyl . the term “ arylalkyl ” represents an aryl group attached through an alkyl bridge ; for example aryl ( c 1 - c 2 ) alkyl is intended to mean benzyl , phenylethyl and the like . as used herin , “ cycloalkyl ” is intended to include saturated ring groups , including mono -, bi -, or poly - cyclic ring systems , such as cyclopropyl , cyclobutyl , cyclopentyl , cyclohexyl , cycloheptyl , cyclooctyl , and adamantyl . as used herein , “ alkyloxy ” or “ alkoxy ” represents an alkyl group of indicated number of carbon atoms attached through an oxygen bridge , for example methoxy , ethoxy , propoxy , i - propoxy , butoxy , i - butoxy , s - butoxy and t - butoxy . the term “ aryloxy ” is intended to mean phenyl or naphthyl attached through an oxygen bridge ; as used herein , “ carbonyl ” means a carbon double bonded to oxygen and additionally substituted with two groups through single bonds ; “ carbonyloxy ” means a carbon double bonded to oxygen and additionally bonded through a single bonds to two groups , one of which is an oxygen . as used herein , “ sulfonyl ” is intended to mean a sulfur bonded through double bonds to two oxygens and bonded to two additional groups through single bonds . as used herein , “ hydroxy ” means a group consisting of an oxygen and a hydrogen bonded to another group through the oxygen . “ halo ” or “ halogen ” as used herein refers to fluoro , chloro , bromo and iodo . as used herein , the term “ heterocycle ” or “ heterocyclic ” is intended to mean a stable 5 - to 10 - membered monocyclic or bicyclic or 5 - to 10 - membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring which may be saturated , partially unsaturated , or aromatic , and which consists of carbon atoms and from 1 to 3 heteroatoms independently selected from the group consisting of n , o and s and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized , and the nitrogen may optionally be quaternized , and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above - defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring . the heterocyclic ring may be attached to its pendant group at any heteroatom or carbon atom which results in a stable structure . the heterocyclic rings described herein may be substituted on carbon or on a nitrogen atom if the resulting compound is stable . examples of such heterocycles include , but are not limited to , pyridyl ( pyridinyl ), pyrimidinyl , furanyl ( furyl ), thiazolyl , thienyl , pyrrolyl , pyrazolyl , imidazolyl , tetrazolyl , benzofuranyl , benzothiophenyl , indolyl , indolenyl , isoxazolinyl , quinolinyl , isoquinolinyl , benzimidazolyl , piperidinyl , 4 - piperidonyl , pyrrolidinyl , 2 - pyrrolidonyl , pyrrolinyl , tetrahydrofuranyl , tetrahydroquinolinyl , tetrahydroisoquinolinyl , decahydroquinolinyl or octahydroisoquinolinyl , azocinyl , triazinyl , 6h - 1 , 2 , 5 - thiadiazinyl , 2h , 6h - 1 , 5 , 2 - dithiazinyl , thianthrenyl , pyranyl , isobenzofuranyl , chromenyl , xanthenyl , phenoxathiinyl , 2h - pyrrolyl , pyrrolyl , imidazolyl , pyrazolyl , isothiazolyl , isoxazolyl , oxazolyl , pyrazinyl , pyridazinyl , indolizinyl , isoindolyl , 3h - indolyl , 1h - indazolyl , purinyl , 4h - quinolizinyl , phthalazinyl , naphthyridinyl , quinoxalinyl , quinazolinyl , cinnolinyl , pteridinyl , 4ah - carbazole , carbazole , β - carbolinyl , phenanthridinyl , acridinyl , perimidinyl , phenanthrolinyl , phenazinyl , phenarsazinyl , phenothiazinyl , furazanyl , phenoxazinyl , isochromanyl , chromanyl , imidazolidinyl , imidazolinyl , pyrazolidinyl , pyrazolinyl , piperazinyl , indolinyl , isoindolinyl , quinuclidinyl , morpholinyl or oxazolidinyl . also included are fused ring and spiro compounds containing , for example , the above heterocycles . as used herein , the term “ heteroaryl ” refers to aromatic heterocyclic groups . such heteroaryl groups are preferably 5 - 6 membered monocylic groups or 8 - 10 membered fused bicyclic groups . examples of such heteroaryl groups include , but are not limited to pyridyl ( pyridinyl ), pyrimidinyl , furanyl ( furyl ), thiazolyl , thienyl , pyrrolyl , pyrazolyl , imidazolyl , indolyl , isoxazolyl , oxazolyl , pyrazinyl , pyridazinyl , benzofuranyl , benzothienyl , benzimidazolyl , quinolinyl , or isoquinolinyl . as used herein , “ pharmaceutically acceptable salts ” refer to derivatives of the disclosed compounds wherein the intermediates or final compound are modified by making acid or base salts of the intermediates or final compounds . examples of pharmaceutically acceptable salts include , but are not limited to , mineral or organic acid salts of basic residues such as amines ; alkali or organic salts of acidic residues such as carboxylic acids ; and the like . the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the intermediates or final compounds include the conventional non - toxic salts or the quaternary ammonium salts from non - toxic inorganic or organic acids . for example , such conventional non - toxic salts include those derived from inorganic acids such as hydrochloric , hydrobromic , sulfuric , sulfamic , phosphoric , nitric and the like ; and the salts prepared from organic acids such as acetic , propionic , succinic , glycolic , stearic , lactic , malic , tartaric , citric , ascorbic , pamoic , maleic , hydroxymaleic , phenylacetic , glutamic , benzoic , salicylic , sulfanilic , 2 - acetoxybenzoic , fumaric , toluenesulfonic , methanesulfonic , ethane disulfonic , oxalic , isethionic , and the like . the pharmaceutically acceptable salts are generally prepared by reacting the free base or acid with stoichiometric amounts or with an excess of the desired salt - forming inorganic or organic acid or base in a suitable solvent or various combinations of solvents . the pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the acids of the intermediates or final compounds are prepared by combination with an appropriate amount of a base , such as an alkali or alkaline earth metal hydroxide e . g . sodium , potassium , lithium , calcium , or magnesium , or an organic base such as an amine , e . g ., dibenzylethylenediamine , trimethylamine , piperidine , pyrrolidine , benzylamine and the like , or a quaternary ammonium hydroxide such as tetramethylammoinum hydroxide and the like . as discussed above , pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds of the invention can be prepared by reacting the free acid or base forms of these compounds with a stoichiometric amount of the appropriate base or acid , respectively , in water or in an organic solvent , or in a mixture of the two ; generally , nonaqueous media like ether , ethyl acetate , ethanol , isopropanol , or acetonitrile are preferred . lists of suitable salts are found in remington &# 39 ; s pharmaceutical sciences , 17th ed ., mack publishing company , easton , pa ., 1985 , p . 1418 , the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference . the present invention is contemplated to be practiced on at least a multigram scale , kilogram scale , multikilogram scale , or industrial scale . multigram scale , as used herein , is preferably the scale wherein at least one starting material is present in 10 grams or more , more preferably at least 50 grams or more , even more preferably at least 100 grams or more . multikilogram scale , as used herein , is intended to mean the scale wherein more than one kilogram of at least one starting material is used . industrial scale as used herein is intended to mean a scale which is other than a laboratory scale and which is sufficient to supply product sufficient for either clinical tests or distribution to consumers . the methods of the present invention , by way of example and without limitation , may be further understood by reference to scheme 1 . scheme 1 details the general synthetic method for synthesis of compounds of formula ( i ). compound ( ii ) can be prepared by methods described in j . org . chem . 1997 , 62 , 2466 - 2470 , and tetrahedron lett . 1996 , 37 , 4455 - 4458 . it is understood to one skilled in the art that the anhydride or acid chlorides used in the acylation step can be prepared by conversion of carboxylic acid derivatives as described in advanced organic chemistry , march , 4th edition , john wiley and sons , inc ., 1992 , p . 401 - 402 and p . 437 - 438 . in reaction 1 , a compound of formula ( ii ) is dissolved in about 10 liters of suitable solvent per kilogram of compound ( ii ). a suitable salt of hydroxyl amine is added . while a wide range of solvents such as halogenated , protic , aprotic , hydrocarbon , or ethers can be used , protic solvents such as methanol , ethanol and isopropanol are preferred , of which methanol is most preferred . suitable salts of hydroxyl amine include phosphate , sulfate , nitrate and hydrochloride salts ; a most preferred salt is hydroxyl amine hydrochloride . the hydroxyl amine salt is free - based with about 1 . 0 to about 2 . 0 equivalents of an appropriate base . preferrable bases are tertiary amines ; most preferred is triethyl amine . the reaction mixture can then be heated for a time sufficent to form a compound of form ( iii ). by way of general guidance , compound ( ii ) may be contacted with free - based hydroxyl amine at about 40 ° c . to about 65 ° c . for about 1 to about 5 hours to produce compound ( iii ). preferred temperatures are from about 55 ° c . to about 65 ° c . preferred reaction times are from about 2 to about 4 hours . the product precipitates as a white solid during the course of the reaction . the solids can then be filtered and the cake washed with a solvent , the choice of which is readily understood by one skilled in the art . the product is dried to afford pure compound ( iii ). in reaction 2 , a vessel is charged with compound ( iii ). the solids are dissolved in a suitable solvent followed by the slow charging of the vessel with a second solution made by dissolving a suitable acylating agent in the solvent being used for the reaction . preferably , the addition of the acylating agent solution should be done over a period of about 15 minutes to about one hour . while a wide range of reaction solvents such as halogenated , aprotic , hydrocarbon , ether , or organic acids are possible , preferred solvents are acetic acid , trifluoroacetic acid , pyridine , chloroform , dichloromethane , dichlorobenzene , acetonitrile , and tetrahydrofuran . most preferred are carboxylic acids which are structural derivatives of the acylating agent being used . by way of general example , acetic acid would preferably be used as the solvent when acetic anhydride is the acylating agent , whereas triflouroacetic acid would be preferably used when trifluoroacetic anhydride is the acylating agent . certain solvents such as aprotic , ether , halogenated and hydrocarbon solvents may require the addition of an acid scavenger . preferred acid scavengers include tertiary bases such as triethyl amine , diisopropyl ethylamine , n - methyl morpholine and pyridine . most preferred is triethyl amine . solvents capable of reacting with the acylating agent , such as alcohols , water and the like are not preferred as is readily understood by one skilled in the art . preferred acylating agents are anhydrides . most preferred is acetic anhydride . further , the acylating agent ( and preferable solvent ) can be strategically chosen to form the desired salt of the reaction product . by way of general example , acetic anhydride would be selected as the acylating agent if the acetate salt of the product is desired . the choice of acylating agent and solvent in this regard is readily understood by one skilled in the art . after the addition of the acylating agent , the reaction progression can be monitored by hplc analysis performed on an aliquot of the reaction solution . the acylation reaction is considered finished when compound ( iii ) is completely consumed . typical reaction times are in the range of about 5 minutes to about 24 hours . preferred reaction times are about 5 minutes to about 3 hours . the product can be isolated by the removal of the solvent via distillation and precipitation of the product through the addition of a suitable aprotic solvent . preferred aprotic solvents are ethers . the choice of precipition solvent and the methods of isolation are readily understood by one skilled in the art . preferably , the product is carried forward without isolation . reaction 3 , comprises the hydrogenation of the o - substituted hydroxyamidine . this reaction can be carried out without isolation of compound ( iv ), by the addition of a slurry of a suitable hydrogention catalyst in the solvent used in the preceding reaction . if compound ( iv ) is isolated , the hydrogenation can be carried out in protic , aprotic , hydrocarbon , ether , or organic acid solvents . the preferred solvents are methanol , ethanol , 2 - propanol , dimethylformamide , ethyl acetate , anisole , acetic acid and trifluoroacetic acid . most preferred is a mixture of methanol and acetic acid . while numerous hydrogenation catalysts are possible , palladium on carbon is most preferred . the amount of catalyst loaded on the carbon ranges from about 0 . 5 % to about 30 %. the preferred amount of catalyst on carbon is about 1 % to about 10 %. most preferred is about 3 % to 5 %. the total weight of the catalyst and carbon per gram of starting material is preferably about 1 % to about 10 %. most preferred is about 3 % to 7 %. the total weight of catalyst and carbon is based on the weight of the o - alkylated hydroxyamidine . the reaction solution is then subjected to a hydrogen atmosphere under a suitable pressure . preferred pressures range from about 1 psi to 100 psi . most preferred is 20 psi to 50 psi . the reaction time of the hydrogenation is dependent on cumulative factors , including the amount of catalyst present , the reaction temperature and the hydrogen pressure . by way of general example , an acetylation reaction containing 10 . 0 kilograms of compound ( iii ) required the use of 0 . 5 kilograms of 3 % palladium on carbon , under 5 psi of hydrogen at room temperature to reach completion in about 5 hours . varying any one of these conditions will effect reaction time which is readily understood by one skilled in the art . reaction completion can be monitored by hplc analysis performed on aliquots of the reaction mixture . the reaction is considered complete when compound ( iv ) has been completely consumed . after the reaction is judged complete , the catalyst is filtered off and washed with reaction solvent . the filtrate is concentrated , and the product precipitated by the addition of a suitable aprotic solvent . the most preferred solvent for precipitation is acetone . the choice of precipition solvent and the methods of isolation are readily understood by one skilled in the art . the product is then filtered and dried to give pure compound ( i ). in reaction 4 , the resultant reaction solution of step 2 is heated to form compound ( v ). the heating range is from about 30 ° c . to the reflux temperature of the solvent . preferred temperatures are from about 30 ° c . to about 120 ° c . preferred solvents for the cyclization are acetic acid , trifluoroacetic acid , pyridine , chloroform , dichloromethane , dichlorobenzene , acetonitrile , and tetrahydrofuran . the most preferred solvent for the cyclization is acetic acid . the preferred time of reflux is solvent dependent due to the limitations of boiling points . by way of general example , the use of acetic acid as the solvent required a heating time of about 3 hours . the product can be isolated by the removal of the solvent via distillation followed by the drying of the solids . preferably , compound ( v ) is carried forward without isolation . in reaction 4 , compound ( v ) is hydrogenated under the identical conditions of reaction 3 to give compound ( i ). the present invention may be further exemplified without limitation by reference to scheme 2 . the following examples are meant to be illustrative of the present invention . these examples are presented to exemplify the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the inventors scope . a 100 gal stainless steel reactor was charged with methanol ( 87 kg ), compound ( ii - i ) ( 11 kg ), hydroxylamine hydrochloride ( 3 . 6 kg ), and triethylamine ( 5 . 2 kg ). the reaction mixture was heated at 60 ° c . for 3 h and a large amount of solid precipitated during the reaction . after cooling to 0 - 5 ° c ., the solid was filtered through a nutsche filter and the cake was washed with a mixture of methanol and water ( made from 20 kg of methanol and 25 kg of water ). after dried the cake , the product ( 11 . 8 kg ) was obtained . a 50 gal stainless steel reactor was charged with acetic acid ( 63 kg ) and ( r )- methyl - 3 [[[ 3 [ 4 [ amino ( hydroxyimino ) methyl ] phenyl ]- 4 , 5 - dihydro - 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- n ( butoxy - carbonyl )- l - alanine ( batch 1 : 10 . 0 kg ; batch 2 : 10 . 0 kg .) a solution of acetic anhydride ( batch 1 : 2205 g ; batch 2 : 1983 g ) in acetic acid ( 21 kg ) was charged into the reactor slowly over 30 min from a pressure cylinder using nitrogen pressure at rt ( 22 ° c .). additional 5 . 3 kg of acetic acid was then used to rinse the cylinder . after stirring at 22 ° c . for 30 min or until a clear solution was attained , a small sample was taken for hplc analysis . after the reaction was complete as determined by hplc . a slurry of pd / c ( batch 1 : 3 % pd / c , 0 . 5 kg ; batch 2 : 5 % pd / c , 0 . 4 kg ) in acetic acid ( 5 l ) was added and the resulting mixture was hydrogenated under 5 psi hydrogen pressure for 4 - 5 h . after the reaction was complete as determined by hplc , the catalyst was filtered off and washed with acetic acid ( 21 kg ) to give a solution of the product . anisole ( 80 kg ) was then added to the filtrate and the resulting mixture was concentrated at about 70 ° c . under vacuum ( 40 mm hg or lower ) in a 100 gal reactor . the distillation was stopped until that the distillate was about 148 l or the solid became visible in the batch . cooled the reactor to 40 ° c ., 72 kg of acetone was added over 30 - 90 min . the slurry was stirred at ambient temperature for 1 h and the 0 - 5 ° c . for another 1 h . the solid was collected on a rosenmund filter / dryer and the cake was washed with 10 % methanol in acetone ( made from 6 kg of methanol and 57 kg of acetone ). the solid cake was dried until lod & lt ; 1 %. a hot ( 80 ° c .) mixture of acetonitrile ( 27 kg ) and acetic acid ( 18 kg ) was charged into the filter to dissolve the cake and the hot solution was then transfer back to 100 gal reactor . the transfer line was washed with a mixture of acetic acid ( 0 . 9 kg ) and acetonitrile ( 1 . 4 kg ). after the solution was cooled to 40 - 45 ° c ., acetone ( 65 kg ) was added within 10 min . the resulting slurry was stirred gently at 25 ° c . for 1 h and then 0 - 5 ° c . for another 1 h . the solid was filtered by the rosenmund filter / dryer and the cake was washed with 10 % methanol in acetone ( prepared from 5 . 5 kg methanol and 50 kg of acetone ). after drying the cake until lod & lt ; 0 . 1 %, the product was obtained ( batch 1 : 6 . 3 kg . batch 2 : 6 . 8 kg ). heels from both batches in the rosenmund filter / dryer were dissolved in acetonitrile and acetic acid and combined , which was crystallized in the kilo lab to give additional 2 . 86 kg of product . to a suspension of ( r )- methyl - 3 -[[[ 3 -[ 4 -[ amino ( hydroxyimino ) methyl ] phenyl ]- 4 , 5 - dihydro - 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- n -( butoxycarbonyl )- l - alanine ( 11 . 76 g ) in acetic acid ( 50 ml ) was added acetic anhydride ( 3 . 6 g ) dropwise . after the completion of addition , the reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature 15 min . the reaction mass became clear . ether ( 200 ml ) was added slowly and a thick slurry formed . the resulting mixture was then stirred for another 1 . 5 h at room temperature and the solid was filtered . the cake was washed with ether ( 50 ml ) and dried to give ( r )- methyl - 3 -[[[ 3 -[ 4 -[( acetyloxyimino ) aminomethyl ] phenyl ]- 4 , 5 - dihydro - 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- n -( butoxycarbonyl )- l - alanine ( 12 . 3 g ). to a suspension of ( r )- methyl - 3 -[[[ 3 -[ 4 -[ amino ( hydroxyimino ) methyl ] phenyl ]- 4 , 5 - dihydro - 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- n -( butoxycarbonyl )- l - alanine ( 1 . 05 g ) in acetic acid ( 7 ml ) was added acetic anhydride ( 0 . 35 g ) dropwise . after the completion of addition , the reaction mixture was refluxed for 3 h . the solvent was distilled under vacuum and the solid was dried to give ( r )- methyl - n -( butoxycarbonyl )- 3 -[[[ 4 , 5 - dihydro - 3 -[ 4 -( 5 - methyl - 1 , 2 , 4 - oxadiazol - 3 - yl ) phenyl ]- 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- l - alanine ( 1 . 05 g ). a mixture of ( r )- methyl - n -( butoxycarbonyl )- 3 -[[[ 4 , 5 - dihydro - 3 -[ 4 -( 5 - methyl - 1 , 2 , 4 - oxadiazol - 3 - yl ) phenyl ]- 5 - isoxazolyl ] acetyl ] amino ]- l - alanine ( 70 mg ) and 3 % pd / c ( 30 mg ) in methanol ( 3 ml ) and acetic acid ( 0 . 5 ml ) was stirred under hydrogen atmosphere for 3 h . the catalyst was filtered off and washed with methanol ( 4 ml ). the combined filtrate and wash was concentrated to small volume . acetone ( 2 ml ) was added slowly and a slurry was formed . after stirred for 30 min , the solid was filtered and the cake was washed with 10 % methanol in acetone ( 4 ml ) and dried to give the product ( 25 mg ). hplc conditions column : eclipse xdb - c8 4 . 6 × 250 mm mobile phase : a : 0 . 1 % trifluoroacetic acid / 0 . 1 % triethylamine in hplc grade water b : tetrahydrofuran ( unstabilized - suitable for liquid chromatography )/ 0 . 1 % trifluoroacetic acid gradient : t = 0 min 85 % a 15 % b t = 10 min 85 % a 15 % b t = 32 min 50 % a 50 % b t = 40 min 50 % a 50 % b flow rate : 1 . 5 ml / min injection volume : 10 microliters stop time : 40 minutes post time : 10 minutes oven temp . : 40 ° c . detector : uv ( 280 nm , 230 nm , 260 nm ) sample prep . : dissolve approximately 0 . 5 mg of sample ( dry solids weight ) per ml in 50 % tetrahydrofuran 49 . 9 % h 2 0 / 0 . 1 % acetic acid . filter any undissolved solids through an acrodisc 0 . 45 micron nylon filter .	2
in one embodiment , the present invention provides an apparatus for nasally delivering a supraglottic jet ventilation , comprising : a . an elongated flexible tube having : i . an annular cylindrical wall defining at least one tube lumen extending substantially the entire length thereof , a cylindrical wall having external and internal surfaces and having proximal and distal ends , ii . a first catheter lumen extending lengthwise within a cylindrical wall between an external surface and an internal surface and along a dorsal region thereof , the first lumen having a first opening through the external surface of a cylindrical wall adjacent the proximal end thereof and a second opening through the internal surface of a cylindrical wall adjacent the distal end thereof , iii . a second catheter lumen extending lengthwise within the cylindrical wall along a ventral region thereof , the lumen having a first opening through the external surface of the cylindrical wall adjacent the proximal end thereof and a second opening through a distal face of the aid cylindrical wall at the distal end of the cylindrical wall ; b . a first catheter extending dorsally through the first catheter lumen , the first catheter having a proximal end extending outside of the cylindrical wall through the first opening and having a distal end extending into the tube lumen through the second opening ; and c . a second catheter ventrally through the first catheter lumen , the second catheter having a proximal end extending outside of the cylindrical wall through the first opening and having a distal end extending through the second opening . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that an apparatus for nasally delivering a supraglottic jet ventilation is a device of the invention . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that an apparatus for nasally delivering a supraglottic jet ventilation comprises ( see fig1 ) proximal end of the jet nasal airway ( away from the patient &# 39 ; s vocal cord ) and an adaptor for connecting to conventional mechanical ventilation ( 100 ); proximal end of the built - in end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter / jet catheter ( 2 ); distal end of the built - in end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter / jet catheter ( 3 ); proximal end of the built - in jet catheter / end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter ( 4 ); distal end of the built - in jet catheter / end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter ( 5 ); proximal end of the jet nasal airway ( close to the patient &# 39 ; s vocal cord ) ( 6 ). in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the length of jet nasal airway is 2 - 20 cm . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the length of jet nasal airway is 2 - 5 cm . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the length of jet nasal airway is 4 - 10 cm . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the length of jet nasal airway is 10 - 20 cm . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the id and od for nasal jet airway are 1 - 10 mm and 2 - 12 mm respectively . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the id for jet catheter or end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is 0 . 1 - 2 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the present invention provides that the jet catheter is used as an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter and vice versa depending on the condition to achieve maximum chest rise and end - tidal co 2 . in another embodiment , the first catheter is adapted to accommodate a jet ventilator . in another embodiment , the first catheter is adapted to accommodate a jet device . in another embodiment , the first catheter is adapted to accommodate an oxygen insufflation . in another embodiment , the first catheter is adapted to accommodate a co 2 monitoring means . in another embodiment , the second catheter is adapted to monitor co 2 . in another embodiment , the second catheter is adapted to accommodate a jet ventilator . in another embodiment , the second catheter is adapted to accommodate a jet device . in another embodiment , the second catheter is adapted to accommodate an oxygen insufflation . in another embodiment , the cross - sectional area of the jet catheter lumen is smaller than the cross - sectional area of the tube lumen . in another embodiment , the jet catheter extends to the point adjacent the distal end of the tube . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of between about 0 . 1 mm and 2 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the co 2 monitoring catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of between about 0 . 1 mm and 2 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the tube lumen has a cross - sectional area of between about 1 mm and 10 mm . in another embodiment , the apparatus further comprises a visual monitoring means for observing the vocal cord . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means is positioned within said tube lumen . in another embodiment , the apparatus further comprises a jet ventilation source for providing jet ventilation through the jet catheter and / or co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the apparatus have a length of between about 2 and 20 cm . in another embodiment , the jet ventilation source is controlled for jet pulse frequency , pulse pressure , inspiratory / expiratory ratio ( i / e ) ratio , and the oxygen concentrations in the jet pulse . in another embodiment , the present invention further provides a method of ventilating a subject afflicted with a pathology resulting in compromised breathing , comprising the steps of : a . within a nasal airway of a subject , positioning an apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air or oxygen at various concentrations : an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end , a distal end , an external surface , an internal surface and a wall portion defining at least one lumen extending substantially the entire length of the tube , an opening through the external surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the internal surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the distal end and a lumen therebetween , an opening through the external surface of the tube located ventrally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the wall portion of the tube located ventrally adjacent to the distal end and a lumen therebetween ; a jet catheter extending between the dorsally located external opening and dorsally located internal opening , the first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the dorsally located external opening ; and a co 2 monitoring catheter extending between the ventrally located opening and wall portion opening , the second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the ventrally located external opening ; and b . initiating jet ventilation through the jet catheter tube or co 2 monitoring catheter using a jet ventilator or device . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of adjusting the position of the jet pulse in the nasal airway to obtain the maximum end - tidal co 2 with a capnogram having a stable plateau . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of observing the patient &# 39 ; s vocal cord ( s ) by at least one visual monitoring means . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means is laryngoscope or a regid laryngoscope or a fiber - optic scope . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of changing jet ventilation through the jet catheter to the co 2 monitoring catheter , and using jet catheter for co 2 monitoring . in another embodiment , the choice of the catheter function depends on best chest rise and maximum end - tidal co 2 obtained with use of each of two catheters . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of capping the proximal end of the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of capping the proximal end of the co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of providing conventional ventilation using a breathing bag to the subject through the first tube . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of delivering medication to the subject through the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of delivering medication to the subject through the co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the step of applying suction forces to the nasal airway in a subject through the jet catheter or co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the pathology is respiratory depression , apnea , hypoxia , hypercapnia , or any combination thereof , or during the placement and / or removal of an oral and / or nasal endotracheal tube . in another embodiment , the present invention further provides a system for ventilating a subject afflicted with a pathology resulting in compromised breathing , comprising : an apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air or oxygen at different concentrations , comprising : i . an elongated flexible tube having : 1 . an annular cylindrical wall defining at least one tube lumen extending substantially the entire length thereof , the cylindrical wall having external and internal surfaces and having proximal and distal ends , 2 . a first catheter lumen , extending lengthwise within the cylindrical wall between the external surface and the internal surface and along a dorsal region thereof , the first lumen having a first opening through the external surface of the cylindrical wall adjacent the proximal end thereof and a second opening through the internal surface of the cylindrical wall adjacent the distal end thereof , 3 . a second catheter lumen extending lengthwise within the cylindrical wall along a ventral region thereof , the lumen having a first opening through the external surface of the cylindrical wall adjacent the proximal end thereof and a second opening through the internal surface adjacent to a distal end of the cylindrical wall ; i . a first catheter adapted to deliver a jet pulse or to monitor end - tidal co 2 extending dorsally through the first catheter lumen , the first catheter having a proximal end extending outside of the cylindrical wall through the first opening and having a distal end extending into the tube lumen through the second opening ; and ii . a second catheter adapted for monitoring co 2 levels or for providing jet ventilation ventrally through the first catheter lumen , the second catheter having a proximal end extending outside of the cylindrical wall through the first opening and having a distal end extending through the second opening ; b . a jet ventilator or device ; and c . a co 2 monitoring device . in another embodiment , the system further comprises means for viewing a vocal chord . in another embodiment , the jet ventilator is any device that generates jet pulses . in another embodiment , the co 2 monitoring means is capable of monitoring end - tidal co 2 . in another embodiment , the means of viewing vocal cords is a fiber optic scope . in another embodiment , the system further comprises means for applying suction to the apparatus through the tube lumen . in another embodiment , the system further comprises central control means . in another embodiment , the central control means comprises a sensor of breathing , a computer to integrate breathing signal and provide triggering signal for jet ventilator to synchronize the jet pulse from jet ventilator with spontaneous breathing of subject . in another embodiment , provided herein a jet nasal airway device ( fig2 ) comprising a nasal airway unit ( 1 ) comprising : a tube ( 7 ) having a proximate end ( 9 ), a distal end ( 6 ), an anterior surface ( 10 ), and a posterior surface ( 11 ), a first tube wall ( 15 ) and a second tube wall ( 16 ) enclosing a tube lumen ( 8 ); a jet catheter ( 4 ) partially enclosed within the first tube wall ( 15 ) having proximate end ( 12 ), a distal end ( 5 ) and comprising a first jet catheter wall and a second jet catheter wall ( 13 and 17 , respectively ) enclosing a jet catheter lumen ( 14 ), wherein the proximate end ( 12 ) of jet catheter extends outwards from the first tube wall ( 15 ), wherein the distal end ( 5 ) of jet catheter extends inwards from the first tube wall ( 15 ) into the tube lumen ; an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter ( 2 ), partially enclosed within the second tube wall ( 16 ) having proximate end ( 18 ), a distal end ( 3 ) and comprising a first end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter wall and a second end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter wall ( 19 , 20 ) enclosing an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter lumen ( 21 ), wherein the proximate end ( 18 ) of an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter extends outwards from the second tube wall ( 16 ), wherein the distal end ( 3 ) of an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is located within the second tube wall ( 16 ). in another embodiment , the proximal end of the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the terms “ apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air ” and “ jet nasal airway device ” are used interchangeably . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the co 2 monitoring catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the co 2 monitoring catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the first catheter is adapted to accommodate an air jet . in another embodiment , the second catheter is adapted to monitor co 2 . in another embodiment , the second catheter is an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the cross - sectional area of the jet catheter lumen is smaller than the cross - sectional area of the tube lumen . in another embodiment , the jet catheter extends beyond the distal end of the tube . in another embodiment , the first tube wall ( 15 ) has a protruding end . in another embodiment , the second tube wall ( 16 ) has a protruding end . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen ( 14 ) has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 1 mm to 4 mm . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 5 mm to 1 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 11 mm to 2 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of 1 mm to 3 mm . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of 2 . 5 mm to 3 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the jet catheter lumen has a cross - sectional area of 2 . 5 mm to 4 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter ( 21 ) has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 1 mm to 4 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 5 mm to 1 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter has a cross - sectional area of 0 . 1 mm to 2 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter has a cross - sectional area of 1 mm to 3 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter has a cross - sectional area of 2 . 5 mm to 3 . 5 mm . in another embodiment , the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter has a cross - sectional area of 2 . 5 mm to 4 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 1 mm to 12 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 1 mm to 9 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 1 mm to 3 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 2 mm to 4 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 3 mm to 5 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 4 mm to 6 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 5 mm to 7 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 6 mm to 8 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 7 mm to 9 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 3 mm to 8 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 2 mm to 5 mm . in another embodiment , the tube &# 39 ; s lumen has a cross - sectional area of 6 mm to 9 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device further comprises a visual monitoring means for observing the vocal cord . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means comprises an optic fiber . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means is attached to the jet nasal airway device . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means is comprised within the jet nasal airway device . in another embodiment , the visual monitoring means is positioned within the tube &# 39 ; s lumen . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device further comprises a bendable , shape - retaining stylet for shaping the jet nasal airway device . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device is compressible . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device is flexible . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device is elastic . in another embodiment , the terms “ apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air ” and a “ jet nasal airway device ” are used interchangeably . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device further comprises a jet ventilation source for providing jet ventilation through the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device further comprises an inflatable insufflation cuff . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 2 - 20 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 2 - 5 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 4 - 8 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 5 - 10 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 8 - 12 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 10 - 15 mm . in another embodiment , the jet nasal airway device of have a length of 12 - 20 mm . in another embodiment , the device is an implantable device that is positioned within an anatomical cavity of the nose . in another embodiment , the device is an implantable device that is positioned within the anatomical cavity of the nose . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of a biocompatible material . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of a combination of biocompatible materials . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of a biocompatible material that provides the necessary physical properties for the device of the invention . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of a polymeric material ( both natural and synthetic ), a polymeric fiber , a ceramic material , a composite material , a metal , a metal oxide , and combinations thereof . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of amylose and amylopectin derivatives , polyamides , polyvinyl alcohol , polyvinyl acetals , polyvinylpyrrolidone , polyacrylates , epoxy resins , and polyurethanes ( mixtures thereof , blends with other ingredients , or copolymers thereof ) and combinations thereof . in another embodiment , the device is coated . in another embodiment , the device is coated with a polymer or coating composition . in another embodiment , the device is coated with hyaluronic acid . in another embodiment , the device is coated with perylenem ™. in another embodiment , the device is coated with heparin . in another embodiment , the device is coated with a lubricant . in another embodiment , the device is coated with a thrombo - prevention compound . in another embodiment , the device is coated with an anti - bacterial compound . in another embodiment , the device is coated with an anti - inflammatory compound . in another embodiment , the device is cross - linked or bound to a drug by gamma irradiation , chemical binding ( as with binder or crosslinking molecules such as n - hydroxysuccinimide ), or any other method . in another embodiment , the device is capable of the controlled release of a drug such as a surfactant , lubricant , antibiotic , anti - acid , antifungal agent , anti - inflammatant , or the like . in another embodiment , the device is formed in part or in whole from a number of materials . in another embodiment , the materials are typically selected so as to ensure optimal device performance given the particular construction and / or geometry of the device . in another embodiment , the materials are tailored to the environment conditions to which the device may be exposed . in another embodiment , the environmental conditions of the nose may vary according to a number of factors , e . g ., the particular temperature of the animal whose nose is to receive the device , whether the animal is healthy or diseased , whether pus or other bodily fluids are present , edema of the mucosa , etc . in another embodiment , the device is substantially uniform in composition . in another embodiment , the device comprises of a plurality of regions that form an integrated whole . in another embodiment , the device is comprised of an interior region and a peripheral region , wherein the regions exhibit different compositions . in another embodiment , the peripheral region is formed from a biocompatible material . in another embodiment , the microstructure of the materials used with the invention is controlled in order to produce a device of controlled mechanical properties ( e . g ., tensile strength , elasticity ). in another embodiment , the material is typically synthetic or man - made . in another embodiment , naturally occurring composition are used . in another embodiment , biocompatibility requires a material purity of a pharmaceutically acceptable grade . in another embodiment , the material is a hydrophilic polymer . in another embodiment , the material hydrophilic polymers include polyethylene glycol , polyoxyethylene , polymethylene glycol , polytrimethylene glycols , polycinylpyrrolidones , and derivatives thereof . in another embodiment , the polymers are linear or multiply branched . in another embodiment , the material is polyethylene glycol ( peg ) containing compound . in another embodiment , the material is a polyvinyl alcohol , polyacrylic acid , polyglycolic acid , polydioxanone . in another embodiment , the material is a biodegradable material such as polyesters of an α - hydroxy acids , lactic acid , glycolic acid , lactic esters , caprolactone , polyether - polyester combinations especially of polyethylene glycol ( peg ) and aliphatic polyesters like poly ( lactic acid ), poly ( glycolic acid ) and poly ( caprolactone ), either as a blend or as a copolymer , in order to increase the hydrophilicity and degradation rate . in another embodiment , the material is a biodegradable polyanhydrides or polyorthoesters having labile backbone linkages . in another embodiment , the material is a polysaccharide . in another embodiment , the material is hyaluronic acid . in another embodiment , the material is cyclodextrin . in another embodiment , the material is hydroxymethylcellulose . in another embodiment , the material is cellulose ether . in another embodiment , the material is a glycan . in another embodiment , the material is a collagen and other collagenic ( collagen - like ) materials in another embodiment , the device is used in conjunction with pharmaceutical technologies known in the art . in another embodiment , a pharmacologically active constituent is bound to the device member or may be eludable . in another embodiment , such pharmacologically active constituents may promote healing and may include , for example , antibiotics , antifungal agent , anti - inflammatory , or the like . in another embodiment , the biocompatible material may be free from any pharmacologically active constituents . in another embodiment , the device comprises a pharmaceutical substance that treats or prevents a microbial infection , the substance delivered may comprise pharmaceutically acceptable salt or dosage form of an antimicrobial agent ( e . g ., antibiotic , antiviral , antiparacytic , antifungal , etc . ), a corticosteroid or other anti - inflammatory ( e . g ., an nsaid ), a decongestant ( e . g ., vasoconstrictor ), a mucous thinning agent ( e . g ., an expectorant or mucolytic ), an agent that prevents of modifies an allergic response ( e . g ., an antihistamine , cytokine inhibitor , leucotriene inhibitor , ige inhibitor , immunomodulator ), etc . in another embodiment , the device is inserted for a long period of time . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for a long period of time . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least one year . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least two years . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least three years . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least one year . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least a month . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least three months . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least four months . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least five months . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least seven months . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least an hour . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least a day . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least three days . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least four days . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least a week . in another embodiment , the device remains in the nose for at least two weeks . in another embodiment , the device is degraded at a programmed rate . in another embodiment , the device is designed to degrade at a rate wherein structure may be completely removed by aqueous solution flushing . in another embodiment , the device maintains sufficient structural integrity to maintain patency for a designed period of time . in another embodiment , the period of treatment may be for a period between two weeks , two months , six months , twelve months or more . in another embodiment , a measure of the ability to maintain structural integrity would be that the device can sustain a radially applied force without breaking ( after the defined period of time ) that is at least one - half of the structural force that can be sustained prior to implantation or immersion in a test environment . in another embodiment , it is well - known in the art that chemical materials , including lubricants , medicaments , and the like , may be dissolved or dispersed in a polymer and this will bloom or exude or migrate from the polymer for local delivery of the material . in another embodiment , the device provides high frequency jet ventilation ( hfjv ) or low frequency jet ventilation ( lfjv ) characterized by its opening system , low tidal volume and low airway pressure . in another embodiment , the device maintains effective oxygenation and / or ventilation . in another embodiment , provided herein a method of ventilating a subject afflicted with a pathology resulting in compromised breathing , comprising the steps of : i . within a nasal airway of the subject , positioning an apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air comprising : an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end , a distal end , an external surface , an internal surface and a wall portion defining at least one lumen extending substantially the entire length of the tube , an opening through the external surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the internal surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the distal end and a lumen therebetween , an opening through the external surface of the tube located ventrally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the wall portion of the tube located ventrally adjacent to the distal end and a lumen therebetween ; an air jet catheter extending between the dorsally located external opening and dorsally located internal opening , the first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the dorsally located external opening ; and a co2 monitoring catheter extending between the ventrally located opening and wall portion opening , the second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the ventrally located external opening ; and ii . initiating jet ventilation through the air jet catheter tube using a jet ventilator . in another embodiment , provided herein a method of ventilating a subject afflicted with a respiratory depression , apnea , hypoxia , hypercapnia , or any combination thereof comprising the steps of : a . within a nasal airway of a subject , positioning an apparatus for nasally delivering a jet of air comprising an elongated flexible tube having a proximal end , a distal end , an external surface , an internal surface and a wall portion defining at least one lumen extending substantially the entire length of the tube , an opening through the external surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the internal surface of the tube located dorsally adjacent the distal end and a lumen therebetween , an opening through the external surface of the tube located ventrally adjacent the proximal end , an opening through the wall portion of the tube located ventrally adjacent to the distal end and a lumen therebetween ; a jet catheter extending between the dorsally located external opening and dorsally located internal opening , the first catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the dorsally located external opening ; and a co 2 monitoring catheter extending between the ventrally located opening and wall portion opening , the second catheter having a proximal end and a distal end , wherein the proximal end is extending from the ventrally located external opening ; and b . initiating jet ventilation through the air jet catheter tube using a jet ventilator . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the co 2 monitoring catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the co 2 monitoring catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , provided herein a method of ventilating a subject afflicted with a respiratory depression , apnea , hypoxia , hypercapnia , or any combination thereof comprising the steps of : a . within a nasal airway of a subject , positioning a device for nasally delivering a jet of air comprising a nasal airway unit ( 1 ) comprising : a tube ( 7 ) having a proximate end ( 9 ), a distal end ( 6 ), an anterior surface ( 10 ), and a posterior surface ( 11 ), a first tube wall ( 15 ) and a second tube wall ( 16 ) enclosing a tube lumen ( 8 ); a jet catheter ( 4 ) partially enclosed within the first tube wall ( 15 ) having proximate end ( 12 ), a distal end ( 5 ) and comprising a first jet catheter wall and a second jet catheter wall ( 13 , 17 ) enclosing a jet catheter lumen ( 14 ), wherein the proximate end ( 12 ) of jet catheter extends outwards from the first tube wall ( 15 ), wherein the distal end ( 5 ) of jet catheter extends inwards from the first tube wall ( 15 ) into the tube lumen ; an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter ( 2 ), partially enclosed within the second tube wall ( 16 ) having proximate end ( 18 ), a distal end ( 3 ) and comprising a first end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter wall and a second end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter wall ( 19 , 20 ) enclosing an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter lumen ( 21 ), wherein the proximate end ( 18 ) of an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter extends outwards from the second tube wall ( 16 ), wherein the distal end ( 3 ) of an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is located within the second tube wall ( 16 ); and i . initiating jet ventilation through the jet catheter tube using a jet ventilator . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the tube is flared . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is capped . in another embodiment , the proximal end of the jet catheter is cuffed . in another embodiment , the co 2 monitoring catheter is an end - tidal co 2 monitoring catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises adjusting the position of the distal end of the jet catheter to obtain the maximum end - tidal co 2 with a capnogram having a stable plateau . in another embodiment , the method further comprises observing the patient &# 39 ; s vocal cord ( s ) by at least one visual monitoring means . in another embodiment , the method further comprises observing the patient &# 39 ; s vocal cord with a fiber - optic scope . in another embodiment , the method further comprises monitoring the chest rise and breath sound of the patient on the subject &# 39 ; s exterior chest wall . in another embodiment , the method further comprises shaping the jet nasal airway device within the nasal airway . in another embodiment , the method further comprises discontinuing jet ventilation through the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises discontinuing jet ventilation through the jet catheter , and providing ventilation to the subject through the tube . in another embodiment , the method further comprises capping the proximate end of the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises sealing the proximate end of the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises providing conventional ventilation to the subject through the first tube . in another embodiment , the method further comprises providing jet ventilation to the subject through the tube . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the delivery of medication to the subject through the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises the delivery of medication to the subject through the tube . in another embodiment , the method further comprises applying suction forces to the nasal airway through the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the method further comprises applying suction forces to the nasal airway through the tube . in another embodiment , the device is controlled for pulse frequency , pulse pressure , pulse waveform , amount of air or oxygen at various concentrations per pulse , or their combination . in another embodiment , the nasal airway unit is controlled for pulse frequency , pulse pressure , pulse waveform , amount of air per pulse , or their combination . in another embodiment , provided herein a system comprising a jet nasal airway device . in another embodiment , provided herein a system comprising a device as described herein . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a co 2 level monitoring means . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a tank comprising a composition of compressed gasses . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a tank comprising compressed air . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a tank comprising a composition of compressed oxygen . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a tank comprising compressed oxygen . in another embodiment , the system further comprises an ecg . in another embodiment , the system further comprises at least one visual monitoring means . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a fiber - optic scope . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a cap fitting the proximate end of the jet catheter . in another embodiment , the system further comprises a medication delivery unit . in another embodiment , the system further comprises means providing suction . the prototype of the jet nasal airway is shown in fig3 . its concept has been tested in patients using a regular nasal airway together with a suction catheter as a jet catheter connected to a sander &# 39 ; s manual jet ventilator ( fig3 ). the inventor of the instant application has tested the concept in at least 50 patients receiving procedures of colonoscopy , upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ( ercp ) under heavy sedation with the continuous intravenous infusion of propofol ( 100 - 150 mcg / kg / min ). in a preliminary study , a regular nasal airway as shown in fig3 is inserted in one of the nostril in patients . a jet catheter with id around 2 mm is placed into the lumen of the regular nasal airway with its distal end parallel to the distal end of nasal airway and proximal end connected to a manual jet ventilator . jet ventilation was performed with respiratory rate of 15 / min , driving pressure of 15 psi and i / e ration of 1 : 2 . patients were monitored for sao2 , heart rate , breathing rate , blood pressure and end - tidal co 2 ( petco2 ). the inventor has found that supraglottic jet ventilation using this setting up significantly improved oxygenation in patients under heavy sedation , with obvious chest rising and increase of sao 2 to a desirable level (& gt ; 96 %). there were no significant complications in these patients using supraglottic jet ventilation . this work demonstrates how to use a regular nasal airway and a jet catheter in its lumen for improving oxygenation in obese patients receiving upper gastrointestinal endoscopy or colonoscopy under heavy sedation with intravenous propofol infusion . having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings , it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments , and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims .	0
referring to fig1 the gyratory crusher 1 embodying the invention includes a lower frame 2 provided with a vertical hub 3 , an upper frame 4 supporting a crusher bowl or liner 5 , a spider - like frame 6 mounted on the upper frame 4 , and a centrally located gyratable head shaft 7 carrying a crusher head or cone 8 in spaced relation to the interior of the bowl to provide an annular crushing zone or gap 9 between the bowl and the crusher cone . the head shaft 7 , which is carried on an axial thrust bearing 10 supported by a piston and cylinder unit 11 mounted on the lower frame 2 beneath the shaft , is rotatably journaled within an eccentric sleeve bearing carried within the vertical hub 3 to direct the gyratory movement of the shaft . as shown in fig1 the sleeve bearing includes an eccentric sleeve 12 having an outer cylindrical surface 13 journaled within the hub 3 and an eccentrically disposed internal bore 14 which receives the shaft 7 along an axis inclined to the external surface of the sleeve . the eccentric sleeve is carried by a supporting bearing 15 on the lower frame 2 and includes a ring gear 16 secured about its periphery which is driven by a driving pinion 17 mounted on a horizontally extending drive shaft 18 journaled within the lower frame 2 . the drive shaft 18 is connected with a suitable rotary drive ( not shown ) which in turn rotates the sleeve 12 through the ring gear 16 and pinion 17 to effect gyratory movement of the head shaft about the bushing 19 mounted in the spider - like frame 6 as is well known in the art . the piston and cylinder unit 11 includes an outer cylindrical casing 20 having an open upper end and a closed lower end which is enclosed by a removable cover plate 21 secured to the casing by bolts 22 or the like . as shown in the drawings , a pair of cylindrical pistons 23 and 24 are reciprocably mounted within the cylindrical casing 20 to form a gas chamber 25 and a hydraulic chamber 26 , it being noted that piston rings or seals 27 and 28 are secured in associated annular grooves about the respective peripheries of the pistons to seal each of the chambers 25 and 26 within the casing . the gas chamber 25 is connected with a conventional gas storage cylinder 29 through a valved inlet 30 in the cover plate 21 secured to the lower end of the casing . this arrangement accommodates precharging of the gas chamber 25 with air , or preferably nitrogen , to form a fluid cushion urging the lower piston 24 against a fixed cylindrical bushing 31 secured in the casing above the piston 24 . the upper piston 23 , which is sized to reciprocate within the bushing 31 and the outer cylindrical wall 32 of the lower piston 24 , cooperates with the lower piston 24 to contain the hydraulic chamber 26 . hydraulic fluid is supplied to the hydraulic chamber 26 from a hydraulic reservoir 33 by a reversible pump 34 connected via conduit 35 having a pressure relief valve 36 to a port 37 in the wall of the casing . the port 37 opens into an external annular groove 38 about the circumference of the outer cylindrical wall 32 which in turn opens into an internal annular groove 39 about the inner face of the wall 32 through a plurality of ports 40 spaced about the circumference of the wall , and the internal groove 39 communicates with the hydraulic chamber 26 through a series of ports 41 spaced about the circumference of the cylindrical wall 42 of the upper piston 23 . thus , by using the reversible pump 34 to vary the quantity of hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber 26 , an operator can adjust the axial spacing between the upper piston 23 carrying the head shaft 7 and the normally stationary lower piston 24 to maintain the desired crushing gap between the crusher head and the crusher bowl , and , in the event a particularly large piece of tramp iron becomes jammed in the crushing gap causing the lower piston 24 to bottom - out in the cylinder , the pressure relief valve 36 accommodates evacuation of hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic chamber 26 to allow the upper piston and thus the crusher head to drop to prevent damage to the crusher head and driving mechanism . additionally , it should be noted that the upper piston 23 includes a duct 43 for directing lubricant to the thrust bearing 10 from a lubricant port 44 including an interiorly opening annular groove in the wall of the bushing 31 through an exterior groove 45 in the periphery of the upper piston . the lower piston 24 includes a closed housing 46 affixed to the piston head 47 which provides a pressure relief chamber 48 contained within the lower piston . the pressure relief chamber 48 communicates with the gas chamber 25 through the piston head 47 by means of a check valve 49 which accommodates one - way flow of gases from the gas chamber 25 into the pressure relief chamber 48 , and through an open gas return port 50 which is sized to throttle or attenuate a return flow of gases into the gas chamber 25 to prevent the development of &# 34 ; water hammers &# 34 ; within the system as will be described . as shown in fig2 the check valve 49 is preferably of a conventional ball and spring design which is adapted to open only when the pressure in the gas chamber 25 exceeds the pressure in the pressure relief chamber 48 . referring to fig1 and 2 , during normal crushing operations , the upper and lower pistons 23 and 24 are supported in the positions shown by the precharged gases in the gas chamber 25 and the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber 26 . as can be seen from the drawing , the upper piston 23 is shown in its lowermost position relative to the lower piston 24 . this position generally corresponds to the position of the upper piston after a new , unworn mantel has been installed on the crusher head . since the rock passing through the crusher wears down the mantel after extended use , without some means of adjusting the position of the crusher head relative to the crusher bowl , the crushing gap will continue to grow until it is necessary to replace the mantel in order to continue crushing operations . as shown in fig5 the present arrangement deals with this problem by providing a system wherein hydraulic fluid can be periodically pumped into the hydraulic chamber 26 to lift the upper piston 23 relative to the normally stationary lower piston 24 until the desired spacing between the crusher head and the bowl is obtained . conversely , if it is desired to enlarge the crushing gap to produce a larger aggregate size , this process is reversed . when a piece of tramp iron jams in the crushing gap , the crusher head is forced down by the jammed tramp iron . this forces upper piston 23 carrying the head shaft 7 downwardly in the casing 20 as generally shown in fig6 until the tramp iron has passed through the crushing gap . since the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic chamber 26 maintains a relatively constant spacing between the upper and lower pistons , both pistons are driven downward in concert . thus , as the lower piston moves down in the casing to compress the precharged gas in the gas and pressure relief chambers 25 and 48 , these chambers function as an accumulator within the casing which essentially minimizes the time required to lower the crusher cone enough to allow the tramp iron to pass through the crushing gap as well as the time necessary to lift the cone back into its normal operating position . typically , as the lower piston 24 is driven down in the casing 20 , the gas pressure in both the gas and pressure relief chambers 25 and 48 increases to about 900 - 1000 psi from a normal operating pressure of 400 - 500 psi . since the one - way check valve 49 provides negligible resistance to the gases as they flow into the pressure relief chamber to equalize the pressures in those chambers , the present arrangement has essentially eliminated any increase in the system &# 39 ; s response time due to frictional losses such as those encountered in the hydraulic pressure relief systems discussed above in regard to the prior art . after the tramp iron has passed through the crushing gap , the compressed gases in the gas chamber 25 act on the lower piston 24 to begin moving the pistons upwardly within the chamber and to return the crusher head to its normal operating position . the resulting pressure drop in the gas chamber 25 induces a return flow of gases from the pressure relief chamber 48 into the gas chamber 25 through the return port 50 until the crusher head has returned to its normal operating position . in that position the pressures in the gas and relief chambers are substantially the same . it should be particularly noted that the throttling or flow attenuating feature of the return port 50 enhances the stability of the system both during the compression or tramp iron relief stroke as well as during the return stroke . specifically , when the gyrating crusher head encounters a piece of tramp iron in the crusher bowl , it tends to create pulsing pressure surges or &# 34 ; water hammers &# 34 ; within the gas chamber 25 . this phenomenum is described in detail in the assignee &# 39 ; s u . s . pat . no . 4 , 060 , 205 which is discussed above in regard to the prior art . in the present arrangement , this problem is effectively eliminated by throttling the backflow of gases through the return port 50 during the relief or compression stroke , and by attenuating the gas flow through the return port as the crusher head returns to its normal operating position .	1
example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings . example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough , and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art . numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components , devices , and methods , to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure . it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed , that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure . in some example embodiments , well - known processes , well - known device structures , and well - known technologies are not described in detail . the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting . as used herein , the singular forms ‘ a ,’ ‘ an ,’ and ‘ the ’ may be intended to include the plural forms as well , unless the context clearly indicates otherwise . the terms “ comprises ,” “ comprising ,” “ including ,” and “ having ,” are inclusive and therefore 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 method steps , processes , and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated , unless specifically identified as an order of performance . it is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed . it &# 39 ; s well known in the art that certain salts mixed with water will naturally regulate humidity . typical humidity control devices either add moisture or remove moisture . in one embodiment of the present invention , the humidity control device performs both functions , monitoring the rh ( relative humidity ) inside the container and regulating to the specific rh engineered into the humidity controlled package . in one embodiment , the humidity control device does not need to be activated or maintained . in one embodiment , as shown in fig1 and 2 , the humidity control device is a boveda 2 - way humidity control pack , however , any suitable two - way and non - two - way humidity pack may be used without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention . in one embodiment , humidity control device 30 includes a case with a plurality of openings , a polymeric pouch having walls sufficiently thin to permit migration of water through the film in the form of water vapor and yet thick enough to prevent the escape of liquid water , and a solution including an organic or an inorganic solute ( e . g ., salt or sugar ), vegetable gum and water . the saturated solution contains excess solute ( e . g ., salt or sugar crystals ) and is preferably made more viscous with a thickening agent . in some select situations , a fungicide or inhibitor as well as a small amount of a buffering salt mixture may be necessary . continuing with the illustrated embodiment of fig1 and 2 , humidity control device 30 of the present invention may be constructed of any polymeric material such as polyethylene , polystyrene , polyvinylchloride , polybutylene , polycarbonate , cellophane , microporous polyethylene , microfiberous polyethylene and the like that will provide the porosity necessary for the movement of the water vapor and retention of liquid water . the most suitable materials are polyvinylchloride , e . g . shrink wrap , polyvinylchloride , microporous polyethylene and microfibrous polyethylene . other suitable materials are k - resin , low density polyethylene if less than 0 . 3 mil thick , cellophane , and polystyrene films of 0 . 5 mil or less , and thin polycarbonate . typically the film from which the pouch is constructed will have a thickness of 0 . 25 to 1 . 0 mils . the film may be as thin as 0 . 15 mils or thinner . depending upon the polymer from which the pouch is made , the film may have a thickness of 1 mil or greater , providing sufficient moisture migration can take place through the film . as a general matter , thinner film is preferred providing the strength of the film is sufficient to avoid rupture during normal use . the solution of the illustrated humidity control device 30 may be any suitable solute which has a saturated solution at 20 % solute in water as a minimum and any solute that will provide a saturated solution at 75 % solute in water as a maximum . the preferred range of solubility is 25 to 50 %. the preferred saturated solution contains 50 % solute and 50 % water , however , the maximum range contemplated in the present invention provides a saturated solution at 5 % solute and as high as 90 % solute by weight . a suitable solution may include a 50 / 50 combination of ammonia nitrate and calcium chloride , this solution will provide a relative humidity slightly under 70 %. some sugars may be suitable . sucrose is suitable , but works at a slower rate than salts . glucose and fructose work well for disposable pouches . these two sugar solutions work for five to ten cycles . sodium chloride is a preferred salt which is used in a large range of applications because of its humidity ( ca 75 %), good solubility ( 25 %), non - toxicity , and cost . other salts or solutes would be used if a different humidity is desirable . cedar spills , or cedar splits , are an historic and traditional method for lighting a cigar . use of the cedar spill helps preserve and protect the taste and / or flavor of the cigar . the user lights the cedar spill and then carefully lights the open tip of the cigar by rotating the cigar over the flame . alternatively , matches or butane lighters may be used to light the cigar , but these lighting devices frequently scorch or contaminate the tobacco , oils and water within the cigar upon lighting giving the cigar an off - taste . traditionally , cedar spills are produced from a cedar sheet which is commonly provided with the cigars in a cigar box . the cedar spills are made by folding the cedar sheet to a desired width and breaking the spill or strip off at the fold seam . keeping cigars at a constant humidity level can help keep them fresh and the flavor truly at its peak . the type of wood used can have a big effect on the overall aging process and results . in one embodiment , spanish cedar is used . spanish cedar is frequently used to line the inside of cases or used for humidor trays is because it is absorbent and helps stop moisture from building up and developing bacteria or mold , which is an important factor in keeping cigars fresh and flavorful . another reason spanish cedar is chosen is due to the strong smell . tobacco worms are drawn to a tasty cigar . the strong odor of spanish cedar drives them away . in addition , the smell of spanish cedar is strong enough to impart a light woody flavor and aroma to the stored cigars , a flavor that many people enjoy . reference is first made to fig3 in which a cedar spill constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally noted by the character numeral 10 . the cedar spill 10 has a first end or lighting end 12 , a second end or finger end 14 , and a body 16 . further , the cedar spill 10 defines a length l . spanish cedar wood is highly recommended for production of the cedar spill 10 of the present invention because it has a continuous and even burn rate that leaves only the burnt ash and minimal embers . however , any wood that with an even burn rate may be used to manufacture the spill 10 of the present invention . in a preferred embodiment , the cedar spill 10 is made from spanish cedar wood . the cedar spill depicted in the figure is selected solely for the purposes of illustrating the invention . other and different cedar spills may utilize the inventive features described herein as well . the illustrations are not intended to be representative with respect to dimensions . one of the reasons cigar smokers prefer a spill over a match or lighter is that , when lit , the cedar strip imparts a slight cedar flavor to the tobacco . plus , cedar is “ cleaner ” than typical matches , and since spills are longer , you have more time to properly light your cigar . in addition , a cedar spill is specifically designed for the cigar smoker to get the most out of their cigar by enabling the ignition process to start slowly . this enables the true flavors and aromatics of the tobaccos to come forth as the cigar maker intended . moreover , spanish cedar burns quickly and hot and provides a vibrant flame for lighting the actual cigar . the cedar is used to light the cigar as would be any other implement , the cigar is rotated , the smoker puffs until an even and hot cherry is generated . referring initially to fig1 and 2 , a preferred exemplary embodiment of the humidity controlled package 20 and humidity control device 30 of the present invention is illustrated in front and back views respectively . the humidity controlled package 20 includes a front side 22 and back side 24 , which are joined together to create the air tight seal and create a humidity controlled environment ( not shown ) within the package . a cigar would be placed in the humidity controlled environment prior to sealing the humidity controlled package 20 off from the environment . a key aspect of the present invention is that the front side 22 and back side 24 are formed in such a manner that an “ airtight seal ” is maintained to create the humidity controlled environment within the humidity controlled package 20 . a substantially hermetic seal is maintained between the front side 22 and back side 24 by sealing a foil material . the humidity controlled package 20 may be sized to receive a single cigar or a plurality of cigars . in operation , one or more cigars , a cedar spill and a humidity control device are placed within the humidity controlled environment of the humidity controlled package . the foil material is then hermetically sealed to create isolate the cigar , cedar spill and humidity control device from the environment . the humidity control device maintains the relative humidity in the humidity controlled package at the predetermined level , such as 65 , 69 , 72 , 75 or 84 % to name a few non - limiting examples . the humidity controlled package 20 may include a cigar cutter in addition to the one or more cigars , cedar spill and humidity control device . while the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof , those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations , combinations , and equivalents of the specific embodiment , method , and examples herein . the invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment , method , and examples , but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention .	1
reference now should be made to the drawings in which the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numbers throughout the different figures . the fifth wheel mounting assembly , which is shown in the drawings , is constructed to be mounted on a tractor frame behind the rear of the cab of a tractor . the structure of the tractor and the frame on which the apparatus shown in the drawings is mounted is unimportant to an understanding of the invention . consequently , only a portion of the tractor frame in the form of the two parallel longitudinal side frame members 10 and 11 , to which the conventional fifth wheel assembly normally is attached , have been shown in the drawings . in place of mounting the fifth wheel assembly directly on top of these frame members 10 and 11 , as is common practice , the fifth wheel mounting assembly shown in the drawings is used . reference first of all should be made to the embodiment shown in fig1 and 3 . a generally u - shaped base plate 15 has a pair of edges or legs 16 and 17 which overlie and extend along the length of the tractor frame members 10 and 11 . the plate 15 is a flat plate , preferably made of steel , such as t - 1 steel having a thickness of 3 / 4 inches . mounting holes 18 are spaced at uniform intervals along both of the legs 16 and 17 to accomodate mounting bolts 19 which pass through matching holes 20 drilled through the flat top surfaces of the frame members 10 and 11 . typically , the holes 18 and 20 are spaced apart at 4 inch intervals , although other intervals could be used , if desired . in mounting the assemblies shown in the drawings on a truck frame , the desired location of the fifth wheel for the particular trailer to be towed by the tractor is selected by longitudinally adjusting the position of the plate 15 on the frame members 10 and 11 . when the desired proper position is determined by aligning the holes 18 with appropriate holes 20 in the frame members 10 and 11 , the bolts 19 are passed through the holes and secured in place . as an alternative to this manual adjustment of the plate 15 , hydraulic or air - driven positioning of the plate 15 relative to the tractor frame members 10 and 11 may be provided . to facilitate the positioning of the plate 15 by whatever method is selected , suitable lubricants or lubricating surfaces may be provided between the undersurface of the legs 16 and 17 and the upper surface of the frame members 10 and 11 contacted by the legs . a fifth wheel support plate 25 , which also may be made of t - 1 steel having a thickness of 3 / 4 inches , is pivotally mounted on the base plate 15 . this is accomplished by means of pivot mounting blocks 26 and 27 welded or otherwise attached to the base plate 15 near the left - hand end , as viewed in fig1 of the drawings . corresponding mounting blocks 30 and 31 are welded or otherwise attached to the upper surface of the plate 25 , and a pair of heavy duty steel pivot rods 33 and 34 pass through corresponding openings in the respective pairs of blocks 26 / 30 and 27 / 31 . the pivot rods 33 and 34 are held in place by any suitable conventional means to permit pivoting of the upper fifth wheel support plate 25 about the rods 33 and 34 relative to the base support plate 15 . depending upon the particular configuration used and the manner of mounting a fifth wheel on the support plate 25 , it may be desirable in some cases to use a single pivot rod passing all of the way through all of the support blocks 26 / 30 and 27 / 31 . the manner of operation , however , is the same as described for the embodiment shown in fig1 . there also is shown in fig1 in dotted lines , a conventional fifth wheel mounting on the top of the plate 25 . whenever a fifth wheel is mounted on the plate 25 , however , it is always in the same fixed location on the plate 25 illustrated in fig1 . all longitudinal adjustments of the fifth wheel position relative to the tractor frame members 10 and 11 is effected in the manner described above by longitudinally locating the entire base plate 15 in alignment with appropriate holes 20 in the frame members 10 and 11 , and thereafter securing the base plate 15 in the selected position to the frame members 10 and 11 by means of the bolts 19 . this ability to adjust the entire unit longitudinally on the tractor frame with the fifth wheel mounting always being on the same position on the plate 25 permits a maximum utilization of an air bag suspension isolation of the trailer with respect to the tractor in the manner generally described in assignee &# 39 ; s prior u . s . pat . no . 4 , 279 , 430 . to achieve a fifth wheel hitch between the tractor and the trailer which allows the trailer to float independently of the tractor , the lower side of a pneumatic suspension bag or air bag 35 is mounted on the top of the base plate 15 ( as shown most clearly in fig2 ). a protective steel cylindrical section or ring 37 , approximately 3 / 8 inches thick , completely surrounds the air bag 35 and is welded to or otherwise attached to the upper surface of the plate 15 . a circular opening is formed in the top of the fifth wheel support plate 25 , and a corresponding slightly larger steel cylindrical section or ring 39 is welded or otherwise securely attached to the circular opening to overlap the ring 37 in a manner most clearly shown in fig2 . the circular opening on the top of the ring 39 then is closed with a circular support plate 40 , which also is welded to or otherwise securely attached to the upper edge of the ring 39 . the top of the air bag 35 then is attached to the plate 40 in a conventional manner . the air suspension bag 35 is of a type similar to those used as the heavy duty air suspension springs or cushioning members for railroad cars and the like . it is shown in fig2 in its inflated position , where the plate 25 is rotated counterclockwise ( as shown in fig1 and 2 ) relative to the base plate 15 to elevate the plate 25 two and one - half to three inches above the plate 15 in the region of the central axis of the air bag 35 . air for inflating the air bag 35 is obtained from the conventional tractor air supply system through a supply line 42 under the control of an electrically - operated valve 43 . whenever a trailer is to be hitched or unhitched from the tractor , air is released from the air bag 35 , causing the right hand end of the plate 25 to rotate clockwise until the plate 25 rests on top of the extensions 16 and 17 of the base plate 15 . as mentioned previously , a standard tractor trailer fifth wheel assembly is attached to the plate 25 to center it over the axis of the air bag 35 . the entire assembly then is positioned to cause the fifth wheel location to be the same as it would normally occupy if it were attached in a standard manner directly to the frame members 10 and 11 of the tractor . it should be noted that the trailer is not elevated any significant amount above the height which it has for a conventional tractor trailer fifth wheel structure , where the fifth wheel assembly is attached directly to the frame of the tractor . the only difference is the thickness of the two plates 15 and 25 ( 11 / 2 inches for the present example , where each of these plates is 3 / 4 inches thick ). this is a relatively insignificant height difference . consequently , if is necessary for the tractor trailer combination to pass under low overhead structures , the suspension system can be deflated to permit the plate 25 to rest directly on the top surface of the extensions 16 and 17 . normally , however , the air bag 35 is inflated under control of the operation of the valve 43 to a point where the fifth wheel assembly mounted on the plate 25 for supporting the trailer is elevated to the position shown in fig2 . in this position , the weight of the trailer is carried by the air bag 35 which assumes the general shape shown in fig2 . this provides significant isolation between the trailer and the tractor to enable the tractor and trailer to work relatively independently of one another . consequently , the shock normally transmitted between the tractor and trailer through the fifth wheel assembly is significantly reduced , prolonging the mechanical life of the equipment and reducing the possibility of damage to freight carried within the trailer . to prevent overinflation of the air bag 35 , conventional sensors and limit switches may be employed to sense the inflation of the bag or the height of the plate 25 . in addition , safety pin stops or other limit devices may be provided to prevent lifting of the plate 25 beyond some maximum height . this is important if a driver forgets to release the air from the bag 35 and proceeds to unhitch the trailer . without some limit to the elevation of the plate 25 relative to the plate 15 , significant damage could result to the air bag 35 , as well as to other components of the system . consequently , a simple safety pin stop or pair of stops ( not shown ) may be provided to preclude any possibility of damage occurring in such an event . as is readily apparent from an examination of fig2 the rings 37 and 39 , in conjunction with the upper surface of the plate 15 and the circular plate 40 completely enclose the air bag 35 . this prevents the air bag 35 from being damaged by flying rocks and from undergoing premature deterioration due to sunlight or chemicals , such as salt and the like , which are widely used in colder climates to remove ice and snow from roadways on which the tractor and trailer may be travelling . in addition to providing this protection for the air bag 35 , the circular rings 37 and 39 are located with a close spacing ( approximately 1 / 8 inch ) between them . this space may be provided with or filled with grease or other suitable lubricant , and whenever the relative movements of the tractor and trailer cause forces other than perpendicular forces to occur between the tractor and trailer , the rings 37 and 39 act as wear plates and stabilizing members for twisting forces in any direction which may otherwise subject the air bag 35 to damaging stresses . the rings 37 and 39 stabilize the entire tractor / trailer combination as it moves down the road over rough or uneven terrain , or whenever it is subjected to strong wind forces in any direction . in addition to the rings 37 and 39 , however , a pair of vertically extending flat wear plates 50 and 51 extend downwardly from the ends of the legs 16 and 17 , respectively , for engaging , in a close sliding relationship , corresponding wear plates 53 and 54 which are welded to openings or cut - outs in the right - hand end of the plate 25 and depend downwardly from it . the orientation of these pairs of wear plates relative to one another is shown most clearly in fig3 ; and , as shown in fig1 and 2 , these plates extend longitudinally parallel to the frame members 10 and 11 of the tractor . a pair of conventional shock absorbers 57 and 58 interconnect each of the respective pairs of wear plates 50 / 53 and 51 / 54 to dampen oscillations of the air bag spring 35 which take place in the operation of the system . reference now should be made to fig4 and 5 which illustrate an embodiment similar in all respects to the embodiment shown in fig1 and 3 , except in which the upper surface of the fifth wheel mounting plate 25 is flat and the air bag 35 is mounted below the plate 15 on a circular support member 60 below a corresponding circular hole in the base plate 15 and attached to a circular ring 61 . located in sliding relationship to the ring 61 is a smaller cooperating ring 62 welded or otherwise suitably attached to the underside of the plate 25 to encase the air bag 35 . the rings 61 and 62 cooperate in the same manner as the rings 37 and 39 for the same purposes described above in conjunction with the embodiment of fig1 through 3 . in all other respects , the embodiment of fig4 and 5 operates in the same manner as the embodiment described previously and shown in fig1 and 3 . from a consideration of both of the embodiments described above , it also will occur to those skilled in the art that , for some applications , it may be desirable to mount the entire unit on the underside of the front of the trailer . to accomplish this , a provision may be made to spring - load the plate 25 or otherwise bias the plate 25 into engagement with the plate 15 and extensions 16 and 17 when the unit is turned upside down . then , instead of mounting a fifth wheel assembly on the plate 25 , the trailer &# 34 ; kingpin &# 34 ; would be mounted on the plate 25 over the central axis of the air bag 35 for interconnecting a trailer so equipped with a conventional tractor fifth wheel . the operation of the various parts which have been described and their function would be the same as for the fifth wheel plate assembly described above and shown in the two embodiments of fig1 through 3 and fig4 and 5 , respectively . the fifth wheel mounting assemblies which have been described above and which are shown in the drawings should be considered illustrative of the invention only and are not to be considered limiting . for example , in the embodiments illustrated , the axis or pivot for the plate 25 is located near the rear end of the tractor frame . this pivot also may be located near the forward or cab end of the tractor frame , if desired . the suspension of the fifth wheel above the frame on the plate 25 , by virtue of the operation of the air bag 35 , provides the desired isolation between the trailer and the tractor , irrespective of the location of the hinged or pivoted end of the assembly . various other changes and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art , without departing from the true scope of the invention .	1
referring now to fig1 , a snowboard 10 has a top surface 12 extending between a nose 14 of the snowboard 10 and a tail 16 where a direction of normal travel 18 of the snowboard is in the direction of the nose 14 . two bindings 20 may be attached to the top surface 12 , a first binding 20 a attached to the binding rotational system 22 of the present invention to swivel between a skateboarding orientation 24 shown in solid lines along skateboarding angle 27 , and a regular snowboarding orientation 26 shown in dotted lines along snowboarding angle 28 . in the skateboarding orientation 24 , the front of the foot faces the nose 14 , while in the snowboarding configuration , the front of the foot extends along a snowboarding angle 28 extending generally along a transverse axis 29 . the rear binding 20 b extends along the transverse axis 29 at a fixed stance angle according to conventional technique . referring to fig2 , a snowboard 10 may also be used in so - called “ goofy ” mode in which the front of the bindings 20 a and 20 b and hence the foot orientation extends along the transverse axis 29 to the left as viewed in fig2 rather than the right as viewed in fig1 . the present invention provides swivel mounting for both regular and goofy stances . referring now to fig3 , the binding rotational system 22 of the present invention provides a swivel connector 30 that may be attached to the top surface 12 of the snowboard 10 and that provides an upper swivel section and lower swivel section that freely rotate with respect to each other about a vertical axis perpendicular to the top surface 12 of the snowboard 10 . radially outwardly extending teeth 112 on the upper swivel section of the swivel connector 30 are received by corresponding radially inwardly extending teeth 42 of a central bore 40 of a base plate 38 so as to lock the two together preventing rotation or lifting of the base plate 38 when the swivel connector 30 is attached to the snowboard 10 . radially outwardly extending teeth 119 on the upper swivel section of the swivel connector 30 are received by corresponding inwardly extending teeth in a central bore 114 in the upper surface of a skateboard plate 62 . the root of the teeth 119 also engage a lip 111 of a bore 114 in the upper surface of the skateboard plate 62 retaining the skateboard plate 62 toward the snowboard 10 when the swivel connector 30 is attached to the snowboard 10 . the top of the swivel connector 30 includes four threaded holes 32 for attaching a binding 108 ( shown in fragment ) to the top of the swivel connector 30 and four access holes 34 providing access to series of recessed mounting holes 36 a and 36 b to be described below , that are used ( with bolts ) to attach the swivel connector 30 to the snow snowboard 10 . referring momentarily to fig4 , the recessed mounting holes 36 a and 36 b together provide standard bolt hole patterns 31 for different snowboards 10 having different threaded hole spacing patterns . recessed holes 36 a allow use of either a four bolt patterns or use of three hole patterns found in the base simply by rotating the upper swivel portion of the swivel connector 30 so as to expose the desired bolt hole pattern the base plate 38 is a circular disk approximately nine and a quarter inches in diameter with a single lateral protrusion for mounting the lock 45 on vertical mounting pegs , rising from the eighth of an inch high base . as noted above , the base plate 38 includes a central bore 40 having inwardly extending teeth 42 sized to engage the outwardly extending teeth of the tooth portion 112 so as to lock the base plate 38 to the top surface 12 of the snowboard together as a single fixed unit . the lock 45 has a lock lever 46 is attached to the periphery of the base plate 38 as will be described below . referring again to fig4 , the interengagement of teeth 42 and teeth 112 allow the base plate 38 to be positioned at a variety of rotational angles with respect to the lower portion of the swivel connector 20 . because the base plate 38 is immovably mounted on the snowboard it controls the location of the lock 45 . as will be described , this fixed position allows a stance selector plates 50 and skate plate 62 to rotate their respective notches 54 and 64 into a lock position with pawl 86 to achieve a hard - lock position of the snowboarding stance angle 28 as will be understood from the description below . stance - selector plate 50 is of comparable dimensions to base plate 38 , but includes regular and goofy hard - lock notches 54 a and 54 b and wider regular and goofy clearance notches 56 a and 56 b , the latter centered approximately forty - five degrees from corresponding notches 54 a and 54 b . each of these notches 54 is in the periphery of the stance - selector plate 50 . generally , one of notches 54 a and 54 b may engage with the lock 45 to define the hard - lock angular position of stance - selector plate 50 with respect to base plate 38 for the snowboarding stance angle 28 . as shown in fig3 , a partial ring gear 58 extends from the upper surface of the stance - selector plate 50 having upwardly extending teeth 60 . slots 59 extending through the partial ring gear 58 allow a t - nut 61 to slide along the slots 59 , the t - nut 61 fitting below the stance - selector plate 50 and exposing a threaded nut opening through the slot 59 accessible from above the stance - selector plate 50 . referring now to fig3 and 5 , a skateboard plate 62 has dimensions similar to that of base plate 38 and stance - selector plate 50 , but includes soft - lock goofy notches 64 b and soft lock regular notches 64 a flanked by clearance notches 66 a and 66 b , each comparably spaced to the notches 54 and 56 on ride stance - selector plate 50 . skateboard plate 62 likewise has a central bore 68 fitting about a cylindrical axle portion of the swivel connector 30 to turn co - axially with the swivel connector 30 . as shown in fig5 , the undersurface of the skateboard plate 62 has a partial ring gear 70 having downwardly extending teeth 72 that may engage the upwardly extending teeth 60 of the ring gear 58 when skateboard plate 62 is placed on top of ride stance - selector plate 50 . the interengagement of teeth 60 and 72 allow the relative positions of stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 to be locked in any of a variety of rotative positions to rotate jointly with the upper portion of the swivel connector 30 . the relative positions of stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 define the separation between the soft lock notches 64 and the hard lock notches 54 ( for either regular or goofy stance ), and thus allow adjustment of the separation of the snowboarding and skating stance angles . one of the notches 66 in the stance - selector plate 50 overlaps a notch 54 so as to prevent interference of notch 54 by the skateboard plate 62 , and likewise one of the notches 56 in the stance - selector plate 50 overlaps a notch 64 in the skateboard plate 62 so as to prevent interference of notch 64 by the stance - selector plate 50 . the particular angle of relative rotation between stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 may be read off of a scale 74 printed on a flange 76 between notches 54 and 56 of the stance - selector plate 50 where it is exposed at one edge of notch 66 a or 66 b . ring gear 70 may flex upward slightly to disengage with ring gear 58 allowing easy adjustment of the relative positioning of the stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 . the ring gear 70 may then be engaged with ring gear 58 by tightening an adjustment screw 80 exposed at the top of the skateboard plate 62 and visible in fig3 . the adjustment screw 80 fits through slot 59 in the stance - selector plate 50 to engage the t - nut 61 . the screw 80 is accessible even when the binding is in place to allow simple adjustment on the slope or the like through a coin which will engage with the slot of screw 80 . referring still to fig5 , the lock 45 provides a lever 46 attached to a pawl 86 which may engage notches 54 a or 64 a ( e . g ., for regular stance ) to cause the co - rotation of the stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 to stop at those positions as the pawl 86 engages those notches 54 a or 64 a . the pawl 86 is spring loaded by spring 88 and pivots about an offset pivot 90 so that the pawl 86 is self - disengaging with clockwise rotation 92 of the notches 54 a or 64 a , but self - engaging with counterclockwise rotation 94 of the notches 54 a or 64 a . that is , sufficient force in a clockwise direction ( absent the stops to be described ) will cause the pawl 86 to rise up a slope side of the notches 54 or 64 a to disengage from them by compressing the spring 88 and rotating about the pivot 90 whereas with counterclockwise rotation , the forces are such as to further engage the pawl 86 with the notch 54 a or 64 a . a hard stop at notch 54 a is provided by providing a mechanical stop 100 extending upward between notches 54 a and 54 b that prevents further clockwise rotation when the pawl 86 is engaged with notch 54 a despite the natural self - disengaging mode of the lever 46 . similarly , a stop 102 is placed between notches 64 a and 64 b . the pawl 86 may be a split pawl , one level engaging the stance - selector plate 50 and the other engaging the skateboard plate 62 and having a stop engaging , non - retractable member positioned therebetween the levels to engage the stops 100 and 102 . accordingly hard stop or soft stop locations may be created at selected of the notches 54 a and 64 b with notch 54 a providing a hard stop and notch 64 a providing a soft stop . a hard stop means that the pawl cannot be disengaged from the hard stop at notch 54 a without manual movement of the lever 46 , whereas when the pawl is engaged with the soft stop location of notch 64 a sufficient force in torque is on the stance - selector plate 50 , and skateboard plate 62 will disengage the pawl from the notch allowing the plates to freely move with the swivel connector 30 . it will be understood that relative rotation of the skateboard plate 62 with respect to the stance - selector plate 50 allows adjustment of the separation distance in angle 106 between hard stop and soft stop locations , and thus the ability to move the base plate 38 together with the ability to adjust the relative positioning of the stance - selector plate 50 with respect to the skateboard plate 62 , allows complete freedom of adjustment of both the hard - and soft - lock positions of snowboarding and skateboarding at angles 28 and 27 per fig1 . referring again to fig3 , the upper surface of the skateboard plate 62 may have the binding 108 ( shown in fragment ) that may be attached to the swivel connector 30 to retain the two together against the top surface 12 of the snowboard 10 with the plates 38 , 50 and 62 captured there between . the attachment is such as to allow free movement of the stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 when released from the lock 45 . referring now to fig6 , the present invention provides for symmetry of stance - selector plate 50 and skateboard plate 62 with mirror symmetric notches 54 b and 56 b serving for the goofy stance on stance - selector plate 50 and mirror symmetric notches 54 a and 56 a serving for regular stance . a first orientation of skateboard plate 62 with notch 64 a to the right and notch 66 a to the top , provide for the combination of the detent positions for regular stance whereas when the notches 64 b and 64 b are positioned to the left and top , respectively , detents are provided for goofy stance . referring also to fig5 , the lever 46 , spring 88 , and pivot 90 as held in a cartridge held within the lock 45 may be flipped to positions shown in fig4 as lever 46 ′, spring 88 ′, and pivot 90 ′ as to provide for a goofy lock 45 shown in fig6 or a regular lock 45 also shown in fig6 reversing the hard and lock functions with respect to rotational directions as is required . it is specifically intended that the present invention not be limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein , but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims .	0
studies were conducted in which several overlapping sequences of the amino acids in naf were synthesized . two peptides made of sequences contained within naf were found to interfere with the chemotactic activity of the native molecule . neither of these peptides was chemotactic . peptides naf ( 3 - 25 ) and naf ( 44 - 72 ) were both found to reduce the action of native naf and were found to be approximately additive in their effects . the respective structures of these peptides are kelrcqciktyskpfhpkfikel and sdgrelcldpkenwvqrvvekflkraens . this is the first demonstration that a peptide containing a portion of the amino acid sequence of naf is both an antagonist of naf without detectable neutrophil chemotactic activity . five overlapping peptides were synthesized and designated according to their correspondence to the native molecule . the peptide sequences were as follows : naf ( 3 - 25 ), kelrcqciktyskpfhpkfikel ; naf ( 19 - 32 ), pkfikelrviesgp ; naf ( 25 - 43 ), lrviesgphcanteiivkl ; and naf ( 35 - 55 ), anteiivklsdgrelcldpke ; naf ( 44 - 72 ), sdgrelcldpkenwvqrvvekflkraens . naf ( 19 - 32 ) was synthesized at the university of texas health center at the tyler ( uthct ) core facility by dr . d . k . blumenthal . the other peptides were synthesized by advanced chem tech , inc . ( louisville , ky .). each of the peptides was synthesized using t - boc solid phase methodology . each peptide eluted in a single peak from a reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography column under the influence of a linear gradient . ( solvent a : 0 . 1 % trifluoroacetic acid ( tfa ), solvent b : 90 % acetonitrile / water + 0 . 09 % tfa , gradient 0 % b to 60 % b in 30 min ). the amino acid sequences were confirmed on an applied biosystems model 477a liquid pulse sequencer with an on - line 120a amino acid analyzer ( foster city , calif .) by the protein biochemistry core facility of the uthct . a total of five overlapping peptides naf ; ( 3 - 25 ), naf ( 19 - 32 ), naf ( 25 - 43 ), naf ( 35 - 55 ) and naf ( 44 - 72 ) were synthesized . each of the peptides was assayed for its ability to induce the directed migration of neutrophils towards itself . neutrophils exhibit random , chemokinetic movement when incubated in rpmi - 1640 medium plus albumin alone . the distances migrated by the cells , under the influence of the various peptides , was therefore expressed as a percentage of the distance travelled in rpmi tissue culture medium alone . in the first experiments the effect of native naf on the cells was compared to that of fmlp ( fig . i ). both of these peptides increase the cell migration at a peptide concentration of 1 × 10 - 9 m and both peptides exhibit a prophase at higher concentrations ( fig1 ). none of the synthetic peptides induced chemotaxis either alone or in combination with one another when the synthetic peptides were examined under the same conditions ( fig2 ). the peptides were examined to determine if any of the peptides could block the action of the native molecule . in these experiments the attractant in the lower well of the boyden chamber contained both native naf ( 1 × 10 - 8 m ) and one or more synthetic peptide ( s ) ( 1 × 10 - 6 m ) table 2 . the migration of the cells in rpmi tissue culture medium alone , or under the influence of native naf or the individual peptides was also examined in each experiment . two of the peptides naf ( 3 - 25 ) and naf ( 44 - 72 ) were both found to reduce the action of native naf . the mean migration of native naf was an average of 79 % ( s . d .= 3 ) above that of buffer alone , while the mean migration towards native naf in the presence of naf ( 3 - 25 ) was 32 % ( s . d .= 10 ) and the mean migration towards native naf in the presence of naf ( 44 - 72 ) ( s . d .= 13 ) was 52 % above control migration ( table 2 ). these reductions are statistically significant at p & lt ; 0 . 002 by student &# 39 ; s t test . these two peptides inhibited naf induced migration by 59 and 34 % respectively . when naf was incubated in the presence of both peptides the mean migration towards native naf was 24 % ( s . d .= 3 ) above controls for a total inhibition of naf activity of 70 %. therefore , the inhibitory effects of the peptides were approximately additive . if the neutrophils were pre - incubated for ten minutes at room temperature before being added to the upper chamber the cells were found to be chemotactically unresponsive to the native naf molecule . furthermore , the inhibition was specific and the peptides did not interfere with the chemotaxis induced by fmlp , complement component c5a , or leukotriene b 4 . human blood was anticoagulated with heparin . neutrophils were separated by dextran sedimentation and erythrocyte lysis by the method of boyum 17 as modified in earlier studies . 18 - 20 previous studies 18 showed that cell preparations containing 80 - 90 % purity gave the same results as cells isolated to 90 % purity by the boyum method . table 2______________________________________inhibition of naf - inducedneutrophil chemotaxis . sup . a distance moved inhibitionchemotaxis (% of control ) (%) ______________________________________rpmi - 1640 100naf 179 ± 3naf ( 3 - 25 ) 100 ± 6naf ( 19 - 32 ) 100 ± 11naf ( 25 - 43 ) 94 ± 11naf ( 35 - 55 ) 100 ± 2naf ( 44 - 72 ) 97 ± 6naf + naf ( 3 - 25 ) 132 ± 10 59 ± 13 . sup . bnaf + naf ( 19 - 32 ) 187 ± 8 -- naf + naf ( 25 - 43 ) 181 ± 13 -- naf + naf ( 35 - 55 ) 190 ± 6 -- naf + naf ( 44 - 72 ) 152 ± 13 34 ± 16 . sup . bnaf + naf ( 3 - 25 ) + 124 ± 3 70 ± 4 . sup . bnaf ( 44 - 72 ) naf + naf ( 3 - 25 ). sup . c 97 ± 11 104 ± 14 . sup . bfmlp 180 ± 17fmlp + naf ( 3 - 25 ) 190 ± 18 -- ______________________________________ . sup . a concentrations of naf = 1 × 10 . sup .- 8 m , fmlp = 5 × 10 . sup .- 9 m , and peptide = 1 × 10 . sup .- 6 m . sup . b significantly different from naf alone ( p & lt ; 0 . 002 ) by ttest of means . sup . c neutrophils were preincubated with naf ( 3 - 25 ). chemotaxis was performed using the leading front method as described by zigmond and hirsch . 21 the test material was placed in the lower well of a blind well chemotaxis chamber . 22 a five micron pore size , and 100 μl aliquot of the neutrophil preparation ( 1 × 10 6 cells / ml ) in rpmi - 1640 containing 1 % albumin was added to the top of the filter and incubated at 37 ° c . for 30 min . ( in some experiments neutrophils were pre - incubated in the presence of peptide for 10 min at room temperature before being added to the upper chamber .) the filter was then fixed and stained and mounted on a glass microscope slide . the leading front was determined by the position of the leading two cells . the distance that the leading two cells had moved through the filter was measured for six fields on each filter . the measurements were made with two filters for each set of conditions . neutrophil enzyme release was measured by a modification of the method of goldstein and colleagues . 23 cytochalasin b ( sigma chemical co ., st . louis , mo .) was stored in dimethylsulphoxide at a concentration of 5 mg / ml and diluted to a concentration of 100 μg / ml in hanks &# 39 ; balanced salt solution ( hbss ) immediately before use . neutrophils were prepared as described and incubated at a cell density of 5 × 10 6 cells / ml for ten minutes at room temperature in the presence of cytochalasin b ( 10 μg / ml ). aliquots of 100 μl of the primed cell suspension were then distributed into the wells of a 96 - well microtiter plate and 100 μl of stimulant was added . the cells were then incubated at 37 ° c . for 30 min . the plates were centrifuged at 850 rpm for 5 min , and 100 μl of supernatant was removed . the supernatants were assayed for β - d - glucuronidase activity . the ability of native naf and the synthetic peptides to induce the release of β - d - glucuronidase from cytochalasin b primed neutrophils was examined using a microtiter plate technique . after incubating the primed cells with the peptides the supernatant was examined for β - d - glucuronidase in a dose dependent manner . neither naf nor any of the synthetic peptides caused the cells to degranulate ( fig3 ). β - d - glucuronidase was measured by determining the change in absorbance of phenolphthalein β - d - glucuronide ( sigma chemical co .) at 540 nm by the method of gianetto and deduve . 24 the results were expressed as picomoles of substrate hydrolysed per hour . patients with the adult respiratory distress syndrome ( ards ) were identified by high permeability pulmonary edema characterized by rapidly developing diffuse lung infiltrates and an inability to oxygenate the arterial blood as a result of a massive insult such as sepsis or trauma in the absence of left - sided heart failure . bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from these patients were provided by drs . t . maunder and r . martin from the university of washington in seattle . fluids which were directly aspirated from the lungs of patients with high permeability pulmonary edema and cardiogenic pulmonary edema were provided by dr . m . mathay , university of california , san francisco . naf was measured in lung wash fluids from patients with ards . early in the disease , when the neutrophils were high , the naf concentration was also high ( table 3 ). the mean concentration of naf in normal subjects was 2 . 26 × 10 - 8 m ( s . e .= 0 . 35 ). in patients with early ards , bronchoalveolar lavage fluid naf concentration was 16 . 68 × 10 - 8 m ( s . e .= 0 . 64 ). the concentration of naf was statistically significantly higher in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids obtained early in the patients course than late ( table 3 ). the patients with early ards included both survivors and non - survivors , while the patients with late ards included only survivors . the cell population in the patients with early ards was predominantly neutrophils , but the cell population in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients with late ards ( survivors ) had returned to a macrophage population . in a separate study , naf was measured in fluids aspirated without the addition of washing fluid directly from the lungs of patients with ards or with hydrostatic pulmonary edema . the patients distributed into a bimodal distribution . the patients with high permeability pulmonary edema had higher concentrations than the patients with hydrostatic pulmonary edema ( fig4 ). neutrophils in the fluids corresponded to the naf concentration . in these studies , overlapping peptides were synthesized which spanned nearly the entire sequence of naf . none of these peptides had the ability to attract neutrophils or to release azurophilic granule enzymes from them . the synthetic peptides did not induce chemotaxis , but two of them inhibited chemotaxis . these data suggested the possibility that naf requires two binding sites to induce full chemotaxis . tanaka et al . 25 who synthesized three inactive peptides corresponding to residues ( 7 - 37 ), ( 30 - 72 ) and ( 17 - 37 ) of the naf sequence did not find that any of their synthetic peptides inhibited chemotaxis . however , in the present invention , two of the peptides , naf ( 3 - 25 ) and naf ( 44 - 72 ), were able to reduce neutrophil chemotaxis due to the whole recombinant naf molecule . table 3______________________________________naf concentration in lung washes ( molar concentration × 10 . sup . 8 ) ards normal early late n = 12 n = 10 n = 10______________________________________mean 2 . 26 16 . 86 * 2 . 43 ** std . error 0 . 35 7 . 25 0 . 64______________________________________ * a t test of the differences between means showed that naf concentration was significantly greater in early ards than in normal lung lavages ( p = 0 . 019 ) ** a t test of the differences between means showed that naf concentration in late ards was not significantly different from normal ( p = 0 . 404 ), but was significantly lower than in early ards lung lavage fluids ( p = 0 . 0314 these observations are not readily explained , however , the larger peptides may fold into tertiary structures which are unlike the native molecule . furthermore , recently published data 26 suggest that the amino - terminal end of naf is important for its function . in addition , native naf failed to release β - d - glucuronidase from cytochalasin b - treated neutrophils . this observation is similar to the findings of willems and colleagues 14 but different from those of schroder and colleagues . 7 there are many examples in the literature of functions which were imputed to cytokines which were purified from cells , but which could not be demonstrated using recombinant cytokines . the most likely explanation is that &# 34 ; purified &# 34 ; naf contained contaminants . however , it is possible that recombinant naf may be processed differently from native naf by the cells which synthesize it . measurement of naf in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from normal subjects and subjects with ards showed that naf was higher in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids from patients with early ards who had large numbers of neutrophils but not from patients with late ards who had a dominantly macrophage cell population . in addition , when fluid was aspirated from the airways without adding washing fluid , patients with high permeability pulmonary edema had larger amounts of naf than patients with hydrostatic pulmonary edema . therefore , naf coincides with the high neutrophil counts in high permeability pulmonary edema . the dominant theory about one of the causes of lung injury in patients with ards is that the enzymes and oxidants released from neutrophils injure the lungs . 27 - 29 most animal models of ards require neutrophils to cause the lung injury . 30 , 31 therefore , it is very possible that patients with ards would benefit from treatment with the peptides described herein which inhibit the chemotactic effects of naf . if other forms of inflammation are also caused by naf , they also may be benefited by therapy with these peptides . the citations appearing in the application and to which full references are given below are hereby incorporated by reference into this application . 1 m . thelen , p . peveri , p . kernen , v . von tscharner , a . walz , m . baggiolini , faseb j . 2 , 2702 ( 1988 ). 2 t . yoshimura , k . matsushima , s . tanaka , et al ., pnas 84 , 9233 ( 1987 ). 3 a . walz , p . peveri , h . aschauer , m . baggiolini , biochem . biophys . res . commun . 149 , 755 ( 1987 ). 4 j . van damme , j . van veeumen , g . opdenakker , a . billiau , j . exp . med . 167 , 1364 ( 1988 ). 6 j . j . oppenheim , k . matsushima , t . yoshimura , e . j . leonard , r . neta , agents actions 26 , 134 ( 1989 ). 7 j .- m . schroder , u . mroweitz , e . morita , e . christophers , j . immunol . 139 , 3474 ( 1987 ). 8 c . g . larsen , a . o . anderson , e . appella , j . j . oppenheim , k . matsushima , science 243 , 1464 ( 1989 ). 10 n . mukaida , m . shiroo , k . matsushima , j . immunol . 143 , 1366 ( 1989 ). 11 j . kowalski , d . t . denhardt , mol . cell . biol . 9 , 1946 ( 1989 ). 12 k . matsushima , k . morishita , t . yoshimura , et al , j . exp . med . 167 , 1883 ( 1988 ). 13 p . peveri , a . walz , b . dewald , m . baggiolini , j . exp . med . 167 , 1547 ( 1988 ). 14 j . willems , m . joniau , s . cinque , j . van damme , immunology 67 , 540 ( 1989 ). 15 i . lindlay , h . aschaver , j : m . seifert , c . lam , w . brunowsky , e . kownatzki , m . thelen , p . peveri , b . dewald , v . von tscharner , a . walz , m . baggioliri , proc . natl . acad . sci . usa 85 , 9199 ( 1988 ). 16 sticherling , m ., j .- m . schroder , e . christophers , j . immunology 143 , 1628 ( 1989 ). 17 a . boyum , scand . j . clin . lab . invest . 21 , ( 1968 ). 18 a . b . cohen , d . e . chenoweth , t . e . hugli , am . rev . respir . dis . 126 , 241 ( 1982 ). 19 c . k macarthur , e . j . miller , a . b . cohen , j . immunol . 139 , 3456 ( 1987 ). 20 a . b . cohen , c . macarthur , s . idell , et al , am . rev . resp . dis . 137 , 1151 ( 1988 ). 21 s . zigmond , j . hirsch , j . exp . med . 137 , 387 ( 1973 ). 22 r . snyderman , m . c . pyke , in : in vitro methods in cell mediated and tumor immunity , b . r . bloom , j . r . david , eds . ( academic press , new york , 1976 ), pp . 651 - 661 . 23 i . goldstein , s . hoffstein , j . gallin , g . weissmann , proc . nat . acad . sci . usa 70 , 2916 ( 1973 ). r . gianetto , c . deduve , biochem . j . 59 , 433 ( 1955 ). 25 s . tanaka , e . a . robinson , t . yoshimura , k . matsushima , e . j . leonard , e . appella , febs lett . 236 , 467 ( 1988 ). 26 k . suzuki , a . koshio , m . ishida -- okawaja et al ., biochem . biophys . res . commun . 163 , 1298 ( 1989 ). 27 w . mcguire , r . g . spragg , a . b . cohen , c . g . cochrane , j . clin . invest . 69 , 543 ( 1982 ). 28 s . idell , a . b . cohen , clinics in chest med . 6 , 459 ( 1985 ). 29 s . idell , u . kucich , a . fein , et al , amer . rev . resp . dis . 132 , 1098 ( 1985 ). 30 l . j . carpenter , k . j . johnson , r . g . kunkel , r . a . roth , tox . and appl . pharmacol . 91 , 22 ( 1987 ). 31 r . b . fox , j . r . hoidal , d . m . brown , j . e . repine , am . rev . resp . dis . 123 , 521 ( 1982 ).	2
fig1 shows a schematic view of an attachment 1 in a vehicle ( not shown in detail ), for example a toolbar of a tractor . the attachment 1 has a hydraulic cylinder 2 , which in the present embodiment is made as a single - acting cylinder . however , it is also possible to use a double - acting cylinder instead of a single - acting cylinder 2 . a control device 3 , which will be explained in detail in the following , controls the cylinder 2 . a load 4 is attached to attachment 1 to show that the attachment must be able to lift a corresponding load . the load 4 can , for example , be a plough , which must be pulled by a tractor . this plough must have a certain penetration depth into the earth . this penetration depth is achieved in that the attachment 1 is set to a certain height position , in the following called “ position ”. in fig1 , this position is shown by “ x ”. however , it is not sufficient to set this position once . when the tractor changes its driving direction , and the plough has to throw the blocks in different directions , or when the tractor leaves the field , the plough must be lifted . after reassuming the work , the plough has to be lowered to the desired position again . for this purpose , the control device 3 has a 3 - way , 3 - direction control valve 5 in the form of a proportional valve . by means of the control valve 5 it is possible to let hydraulic fluid flow from a pressure connection p to the inlet a of the hydraulic cylinder 2 to lift the load . or the load 4 can be lowered by means of the control valve 5 by connecting the inlet a of the cylinder 2 with a tank outlet r 1 . alternatively , the control valve 5 can also be divided into two valves , as known , for example , from u . s . pat . no . 6 , 058 , 343 . in this case , one valve serves the purpose of lifting the load 4 and one serves the purpose of lowering the load 4 . in the case of a double - acting cylinder , a valve can be used , which controls four ways and three directions . also such a valve can be divided into two valve parts or four valve parts for the separate control of the individual functions , as known from u . s . pat . no . 5 , 960 , 695 . the hydraulic system , which comprises the cylinder 2 and the control device 3 , has a pilot - controlled non - return valve 6 , which can be used , when it is desired to avoid a leakage from the connection a , so - called zero - leakage . in this connection , fig1 shows that a pilot pressure pf is supplied to the pilot - controlled non - return valve 6 via the control valve 5 . alternatively , the pilot pressure can be supplied directly or via a solenoid valve . this causes that the non - return valve 6 can be controlled independently of the position of the control valve 5 . this may be advantageous in cases involving a control , in which the dynamics of the pilot - controlled non - return valve 6 plays a role . for the inlet control is used a pressure control valve 7 , which produces a constant pressure drop over the control valve 5 . thus , in wide limits , a load - independent lifting behaviour of the cylinder 2 can be achieved . for the outlet control is used a pressure sensor 8 and a microcontroller 9 . the pressure sensor 8 produces an output signal , which can be evaluated by the microcontroller 9 . the pressure compensation can be made in different ways , for example by means of a feedback linearisation or with a flow estimation function and control . the microcontroller 9 also serves as position sensor , that is , it detects the position “ x ”. this is shown schematically by a line from “ x ” to the microcontroller 9 . fig2 shows the principle of the feedback linearisation . the measured pressure drop δp , that is , the pressure difference between the connection a of the cylinder 2 and the outlet r 1 , is led back to an inverted model 10 of the valve 5 , which results in a linearised feedback system , in which the desired flow q r is equal to the flow q , independently of the load pressure . k is a valve constant . fig3 shows a model , which uses an estimation function to control the outlet of fluid from the cylinder 2 . the estimated flow q est is fed back and compared with the specified reference flow q r in a controller r . this flow is simply estimated in that the pressure difference δp between the connection a of the cylinder 2 and the return connection r 1 , and the valve control signal u , are converted with a throttling behaviour . also in this case it can be achieved with good proximity that the flow q leaving the cylinder 2 is in fact equal to the desired flow q r . when a double - acting cylinder is used instead of the hydraulic cylinder 2 , and for this reason the inlet control and the outlet control is separated , for example with two or four control valves , then the outlet pressure and the inlet pressure must be controlled to avoid that the load 4 runs away . however , in many cases the separation is not required . when a 4 - way , 3 - direction valve ( 4 / 3 - valve ), which is controlled on the basis of the flow ( meter - in flow controlled valve ), is used to control the double - acting cylinder , the flow in both directions is proportional to the control signal , provided that the valve has been dimensioned correctly for the maximum load . in this case a return - flow measuring ( meter - out ) is not required . as the flow control device produces a linear function between the desired flow value inlet q r and the speed of the load dx / dt , the fastest movement time , as shown in fig4 , between the positions x 0 and xf is the time t min ( in seconds ), v max being the maximum speed at completely open valve 5 and a load pressure δp . when a lower speed v set is desired , the opening time t set of the valve 5 must be longer to achieve the same movement . theoretically , the linear profiles shown require an indefinitely large acceleration . in practice , the pressure δp limits the acceleration , with large loads it may , however , happen anyway that the front wheels leave the ground , because the inertia forces are too large . for this reason , an acceleration limit is introduced , as shown in fig4 . the acceleration profile has a maximum a and a minimum − a . the position of the load is simply found in that the acceleration profile is integrated twice and the desired speed v set is included , that is , is used as integration limit . this gives a controlled acceleration , which , however , causes a somewhat longer movement time tf . the profile is optimal in that it gives the shortest movement time for a predetermined maximum acceleration and a maximum speed . the speed can also be replaced by a time specification . a further integration will convert the speed profile to a trajectory for the movement of the load 4 or the attachment 1 , respectively . this is obvious to a person skilled in the art and therefore not shown in detail . when other acceleration limits are chosen , the speed course will change . however , in any case it can be avoided that a maximum acceleration is exceeded . when a monitoring of both acceleration and speed is wanted , the desired trajectory gets somewhat more complicated . for this reason , a follower is expedient . fig5 shows a first embodiment of such a follower . as described above , a trajectory generator 11 produces a trajectory , that is , the individual positions x over the time , as shown , for example in fig4 . the control has a directly connected part , which represents an inverted model 12 of the attachment 1 . the transfer function from x r ( specification ) to x will thus be 1 . this does not necessarily mean that x r = x , and also not that x approaches the course x r . as , however , the attachment system itself is unstable , a position control with a controller c is additionally used . the immediate position x of the load 4 is supplied to this controller c . the effect of this measure is that x approaches the specification x r and that the control system gets stabler in relation to parameter variations and interferences . in a preferred embodiment , the model approaches the attachment with a constant and an integrator in such a manner that the inverted model becomes a constant and a differentiator . the approach simplifies the control and is sufficiently accurate for moderate accelerations . the controller c is dimensioned so that the control system has a predetermined stability area . it is expedient to arrange a dead - band compensator 14 between the outlet control 13 , as shown , for example , in fig2 or fig3 , and the system of the attachment 1 , in order to compensate a dead - band db , which is required in the valve 5 to let the load - sensing and pilot pressure signals pass . of course , the system described can be used in both directions , that is , both when lifting and when lowering a load . during lifting , the outlet control 13 will play no role . an alternative method for combining an outlet control and a follower is shown in fig6 . this embodiment comprises an adaptive follower . in this case an outlet control is not absolutely necessary , when the load is constant or changes slowly . the adaptive follower adapts the inverted model of the system of the attachment 1 .	0
fig1 shows a schematic side view of a traveller assembly 10 . the traveller assembly 10 comprises a basic body 12 and a first group of guide member units comprising guide member units 14 and a second group of guide member units comprising guide member units 16 ; in fig1 only the guide member unit 16 lying in front of a guiding raceway or track 20 can be seen . the guide member units 14 , 16 lie against a respective abutment face f of the basic body 12 with respective counterfaces g . a further guiding raceway 22 is arranged between the guide member units 14 of the first group and extends substantially perpendicular with respect to the guiding raceway 20 . in accordance with the extension of the respective guiding raceways 20 , 22 the guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , are arranged on the basic body 12 such , that they extend in a respective longitudinal direction of the corresponding guiding raceway 20 and 22 , respectively . i . e . also the respective guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , of the different groups are arranged on the basic body 12 substantially perpendicular with respect to each other . the guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , lie against the guiding raceways 20 , 22 via guiding members , for example guiding rollers , as discussed later , and via guiding wires 24 and 26 , respectively , provided on the respective guiding raceways . as can be seen in fig1 a plurality of positioning tracks in the form of profile grooves 28 are provided on the basic body 12 and , as discussed later , in the region of these profile grooves 28 , the respective guide member units 14 , 16 can be attached to the basic body 12 in a positionally variable manner . with respect to fig2 and 3 , it can be seen that the respective guide member units 16 are fixed to the basic body 12 by means of support members , such as fastening bolts 30 . the fastening bolts 30 are threaded bolts having external threads , i . e . at least in both end portions thereof they are provided with external threaded portions , and they penetrate respective passage openings 32 in the guide member units 16 . in the respectives grooves 28 , groove blocks 34 are received . the groove blocks 34 serve as positioning track engagement elements and have such a cross - sectional profile that they can be displaced in the substantially t - shaped grooves 28 in a positioning direction p , but cannot be turned within the grooves and cannot drop off the grooves . each of the groove blocks 34 has an internal threaded opening 36 into which the fastening bolts 30 can be screwed with their external threads . for fixing a guide member unit 16 to the basic body 12 , the following measures are taken : at first the respective groove blocks are positioned approximately in the desired position on the basic body 12 , i . e . the associated groove 28 . thereupon a fastening bolt 30 is screwed into each of the groove blocks but only so far that it does not abut the groove bottom 40 with its end portion 38 . for screwing the fastening bolts 30 into the groove blocks 34 at the other ends 42 thereof a tool engagement arrangement 43 , for example in the shape of a hexagon opening 43 or the like , is provided . as in such a position the fastening screws 30 do not abut against the groove bottom 40 with their ends 38 the groove blocks 34 can still be displaced together with the fastening bolts 30 within the grooves 28 . if a desired coarse positioning or fine positioning has been carried out , the guide member units 16 are pushed over the fastening bolts 30 with their passage openings 32 . in fig2 this for example can be done with simultaneously arranging the guiding raceway 20 with the guiding wires 24 between the guide member units 16 . next the fastening bolts 30 are further screwed into the groove blocks 34 by means of a tool until the ends 38 thereof press against the groove bottom 40 , such that in a corresponding manner the groove blocks 34 are displaced from the groove bottom 40 and press against faces or undercut faces 46 ( see fig1 ) of the groove 28 with respective clamping faces or undercut clamping faces 44 . if the fastening bolts 30 are tightened fixedly , due to the generated clamping action a secure fixation of the fastening bolts 30 to the basic body 12 is obtained . after or before such a fixing of the fastening bolts 30 nuts 48 can be screwed to the fastening bolts 30 in the region of the ends 42 thereof , but only so far that only an unintended dropping of the guide member units 16 off the fastening bolts 30 is prevented but the guide member units 16 still are not finally fixed to the basic body 12 . as can be seen in fig2 advancement devices generally indicated by 50 are associated to the respective fastening bolts 30 , by means of which advancement devices the guide member units 16 can be advanced against the guiding raceway 20 , i . e . the guiding wires 24 thereof , with the support of the fastening bolts 30 , in order to set a desired clearance of motion . the basic construction and the function of such advancement devices is described in the following with reference to fig6 . in fig6 a sectional view of the guide member unit 16 having a guiding roller 52 is shown , which guiding roller is arranged between two passage openings 32 . the guide member unit 16 comprises a body 54 having a recess 56 , and a lining 58 turnably receiving a guiding roller 52 therein is accommodated in the recess 56 . the lining 58 constitutes a lubricant pocket for the guiding roller 52 , such that the guiding roller 52 can be moved along the guiding raceway 20 in a lubricated manner . at both axial ends of the body 54 passage openings 60 extending substantially perpendicular to the guiding raceway 20 are arranged , which openings in a portion 62 proximate to the guiding raceway 20 have a bigger cross - section and in a portion 64 remote from the guiding raceway 20 and coaxial to the portion 62 have a smaller cross - section . the portion 64 having the smaller diameter is an internal threaded portion . in each of the passage openings 60 an adjustment element 66 is arranged , comprising a spool - like first portion 70 having a bigger diameter and being fixedly connected or integrally provided with an external threaded portion 72 having a smaller diameter . the portion 72 having the smaller diameter is an external threaded portion screwed into the portion 64 of the passage opening 60 . the passage opening 32 for the fastening bolt 30 and the passage opening 60 are substantially perpendicular with respect to each other and are arranged such that they partly overlap . this leads to a partial engagement of the fastening bolt 30 into the circumferential groove 74 of the portion 72 of the adjustment element 66 , such that the fastening bolt 30 is engaged by the circumferential flange portions 76 , 78 on both sides in an direction of advancement v , as can be seen in fig6 . the passage opening 60 is open to the backside 82 of the body 56 remote from the guiding raceway 20 in its portion 64 , such that a tool can be introduced into a tool engagement arrangement 80 provided on the portion 72 of the adjustment element 66 , for example a hexagonal opening . by turning the tool and thereby turning the adjustment element 66 the adjustment element 66 is displaced in the direction of the direction of advancement v . since the circumferential flanges 76 , 78 engage both sides of the fastening bolt 30 the fastening bolt 30 received in the passage opening 32 with a clearance of motion in the direction of advancement v is displaced with respect to the body 54 in the direction of advancement v of such a displacement of the adjustment element 66 . however , since the fastening bolt 30 is fixed to the basic body , such a relative displacement between the fastening bolt 30 and the body 54 of the guide member unit 16 leads to a movement of the body 54 in a plane of advancement e constituted by the drawing plane in fig6 ( see fig2 ). by appropriately operating the both adjustment elements 66 within the body 54 , a desired advancement of the guide member unit 16 against the guiding raceway 20 and therefore the desired adjustment of the clearance can be carried out . since the direction of advancement v is substantially perpendicular with respect to the guide axis a of the guiding raceway 20 the advancement is carried out with maximum efficiency . in order to allow the above advancement of the guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , towards the respective guiding raceways 20 and 22 , respectively , with the use of the supporting action of the fastening bolts 30 , as already discussed , the fastening bolts 30 are secured in the respective grooves 28 against displacement in the positioning direction p . this is of particular importance for the guide member units 16 shown in the upper part of fig1 since for these guide member units 16 the direction of advancement v , which is perpendicular with respect to the drawing plane in fig1 and therefore to the guiding axis a , extends parallel to the grooves 28 which also are orthogonal with respect to the drawing plane in fig1 . if the fastening bolts were not secured against displacement within the grooves 28 as discussed above the advancement of the guide member units 16 due to the supporting function of the fastening bolts 30 would lead to a displacement of the fastening bolts 30 within the grooves 28 . also with the guide member units 14 shown in the lower part of fig1 for which the guiding grooves 28 extend perpendicular with respect to the direction of advancement v provided for the guide member units , the fixing of the fastening bolts within the guiding grooves 28 is advantageous since even in this case a lateral tilting of the fastening bolts 30 can be avoided , which might occur because the groove blocks 34 have a clearance of motion . after the respective adjustment elements 66 have been operated for generating the desired advancement and therefore the guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , have been positioned in their desired relative position with respect to the guiding raceways 20 , 22 , the nuts 48 can be tightened and the guide member units 14 and 16 , respectively , can be finally fixed to the basic body 12 . after that a correction of the position can be carried out by loosening the nuts 48 , i . e . loosening the clamping engagement of the fastening bolts 30 at the groove bottom 40 . in fig4 and 5 an alternative embodiment is shown which with respect to its construction substantially corresponds to the one described with reference to fig2 and 3 . therefore the respective components are indicated by the same reference signs having the appendix &# 34 ; a &# 34 ;. in the following only the differences with respect to the embodiment according to fig2 and 3 are described . as can be seen in fig4 a groove strip 90a is provided instead of the groove blocks 34 , and the groove strip is associated to both guide member units 16a . the groove strip 90a again comprises internal threaded openings 36a for the fastening bolts 30a . in this embodiment the fastening bolts 30a are normal screw bolts having a head 92a . for fixing the groove strip 90a within the respective guiding groove 28a the groove strip 90a comprises further internal threaded openings 94a , into which clamping screws 96a are screwed . for fastening the guide member units 16a to the basic body 12 , the following measures are taken : first the or every groove strip 90a is brought into the desired position and the clamping screws 96a are tightened by means of a tool , such that they press against the groove bottom 40a . thereby a displacement of the groove strip 90a within the guiding groove 28a is obtained , as already explained above , until the groove strip 90a abuts against the undercut face of the groove 28a and thereby is clamped within the groove 28a . next the guide member units 16a , for example having the guiding raceway 20a disposed therebetween , are attached to the basic body 12 by means of the fastening bolts 30a , which are screwed into the internal threaded openings 36a . the fastening bolts 30a are screwed in only so far that an advancement of the guide member units 16a by means of the advancement devices 50a can still be carried out . the advancing procedure corresponds to the procedure as described with reference to fig6 . after the advancement has been carried out to the desired extent , the fastening bolts 30 are further tightened , such that the guide member units 16a are fixed to the basic body 12a . the fastening screws 30a are dimensioned such that upon completely fixing the guide member units 16a to the basic body 12 they do not abut against the groove bottom 40a , which possibly could prevent a sufficiently fixed clamping action for the guide member units 16a of the basic body 12a . instead of that , even in a condition in which the fastening bolts 30a are completely tightened a sufficient clearance is provided between the ends 38a and the groove bottom 40a . of course , such groove strips 90a can be provided for each of the fastening bolts provided for the respective guide member units 16a . for enhancing the security against displacement of the fastening bolts 30 and 30a , respectively , in the embodiment shown in fig1 - 6 a profile can be provided on the undercut clamping faces 44 and 44a , respectively , of the groove blocks 34 and the groove strips 90a , respectively , for example in the shape of ribs extending perpendicular with respect to the positioning direction p and biting into the opposing undercut faces 46 on the basic body 12 , if the fastening bolts 30 and the clamping screws 96a , respectively , abut against the groove bottom 40 and 40a , respectively , such that a displacement of the groove blocks 34 and the groove strips 90a in the positioning direction p can be substantially impeded . a variation of the embodiment according to fig2 and 3 is shown in fig7 a and 8b . screws 30b having a head 100b and a threaded shaft 104b are used instead of the groove blocks 34b , and the head 100b is introduced into the grooves 28b . the introduction can be carried out from the open end of the respective groove 28b , or the head 100b of the screw can be pushed through the groove opening extending transversely to the positioning direction at an intermediate portion of the groove 28b and can then be turned into a rotation locking position defined by the abutment of a locking portion of the head 100b of the screw against a wall of the groove , which position for example corresponds to the position shown in fig7 . the locking portion can be constituted by a portion of the screw head 100b radially projecting with respect to a longitudinal axis of the screw . the screws 30b can then be moved , i . e . displaced , to the desired position within the respective grooves 28b ; thereupon the guide member units 16b are pushed with their passage openings over the screws 30b and are fixed by means of nuts 48b which are to be attached to the screws 30b . in order to provide security against displacement of the screws 30b in the positioning direction p the undercut clamping faces 44b of the screws 30b are provided with profile ribs 102b , which upon the insertion of the hammer - shaped screw head 100b in the associated groove 28b extend transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the groove and therefore transversely with respect to the positioning direction p . for fixing the guide member unit 16b to the basic body 12b the following measures are taken : first the necessary screws , for example the hammerhead bolts or screws 30b shown in fig8 a and 8b are introduced into the respective grooves 28b with their heads 100b and are coarsely moved to the desired position . thereupon the guide member units are pushed with their passage openings over the screw shafts 104b , as discussed above , and the nuts 48b are screwed to the screws . in this condition the screws 30b , which until now have not been tightened , can still be moved with respect to the basic body 12b together with the guide member unit 16b held thereon . after the desired position has been reached the nuts 48b are further tightened such that the profile ribs 102b bite into the undercut faces 46b in the basic body 12b and therefore prevent the displacement of the screws 30b in the positioning direction due to the positive coupling of the screw heads 100b and the basic body 12b . however , the nuts 48b are only tightened so far , that -- although there is generated a positive coupling between the screws 30b and the basic body 12b -- an adjustability of the guide member unit by means of the respective advancement device in the respective direction of advancement is still possible . i . e ., the frictional force acting between the guide member units 16b and the basic body 12b during a displacement in the direction of advancement has to be lower than the frictional coupling or the positive coupling acting between the screw heads 100b and the basic body 12b . after the advancement has been carried out the nut or all the nuts 48b can be further tightened in order to finally fix the guide member unit 16b to the basic body 12b . even with this embodiment an arbitrary positioning of the guide member unit 16 along the respective groove 28b can be obtained and the possibility of advancing and of using the fastening bolts as a support can be maintained . various modifications can be carried out to the above embodiments . for example it is possible that the grooves 28a do not have the shown t - shaped profile but have a dove - tailed profile , in which case the groove blocks and the grooves strips , respectively , have a complementary dove - tailed profile . further a dowel - like fixation of the fastening bolts in the grooves is possible . by means of the traveller assembly according to the present invention the construction of a working machine working in two or more coordinate directions can be carried out in an easy manner . in particular a high freedom for the design of a moving system can be obtained due to the displaceability of the guide member units on the respective basic bodies . since the fastening bolts according to the present invention are secured within the guide grooves against displacement it is not necessary for the grooves to be defined such that they extend perpendicular with respect to the direction of advancement v on each side of the basic body 12 , in order to prevent an undesired displacement of the fastening bolts when advancing the guide member units . instead in all sides of the basic body 12 guide grooves 28 extending parallel to each other can be provided . this allows the easy and inexpensive manufacturing of the basic body 12 from plastics material or aluminum or the like in an extrusion process by means of a correspondingly shaped extrusion head . therefore , additional working steps for generating the undercut grooves in the basic body are not necessary .	5
the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings . fig2 is a sectional view of a piezoelectric resonator utilizing a short side spreading vibration mode , in accordance with the invention ; and fig3 is a perspective view of essential components of the piezoelectric resonator . the piezoelectric resonator is a small one having a high resonance frequency . in fig2 reference numerals 1 and 1 &# 39 ; designate the upper and lower halves respectively , of a case 3 of synthetic resin . each of the upper and lower halves is in the form of a shallow box which is open on one side . the case 3 is formed by combining the upper and lower halves 1 and 1 &# 39 ; in such a manner that the open surfaces are put together . as shown in fig3 a piezoelectric element 2 has an integral frame 4 which is formed by subjecting a permanently elastic metal plate of material , such as those sold under the tradenames &# 34 ; elimvar &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; imvar &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; coelimvar &# 34 ;, to pressing or etching . the frame 4 is such that a vibrating plate 5 whose main part 5a is substantially rectangular as viewed from above is supported by a rectangular holding frame 7 through a pair of coupling pieces 6 and 6 &# 39 ; which extend from the centers of the short sides of the vibrating plate 5 . a piezoelectric film 8 of zinc oxide ( zno ) is fixedly formed over a predetermined area of one main surface of the frame 4 ; i . e ., the entire surface of the vibrating plate 5 and the region which is extended from the vibrating plate through the coupling piece 6 to a predetermined corner of the holding frame 7 , by sputtering or the like . furthermore , a vibrating electrode film 9 overlying the vibrating plate 5 , and a leader 10 are vacuum - deposited on the piezoelectric film 8 . the leader 10 extends from the electrode film 9 through the one coupling piece 6 to a predetermined corner of the holding frame 7 . the vibrating electrode film 9 is of aluminum or the like . in fig3 reference numerals 11 and 11 &# 39 ; respectively designate two lead wires extending from the integral frame 4 . lead wire 11 is connected to the end of the leader 10 , while the lead wire 11 is connected to the holding frame 7 . both sides of the piezoelectric element 2 thus constructed are covered by the above - described upper and lower halves 1 and 1 &# 39 ; of case 3 , and then the upper and lower halves are sealingly joined together by welding or by using adhesive . with the integral frame 4 situated in the case 3 as described above , then the four corners of the holding frame 7 are clamped by protrusions 12 which are extended from the inner surfaces of the halves 1 &# 39 ; in such a manner that the protrusions 12 are in point - contact with the holding frame . thus , the integral frame 4 is held in place in the case 3 . reference numeral 13 ( fig3 ) designates compensation parts ( described later ). fig4 is a plan view of the vibrating plate 5 . in fig4 the region a ( indicated by the oblique lines ), which is located between the pair of coupling pieces 6 and is not vibrated even when it is electrically energized , because the forces of support of the two coupling pieces 6 and 6 &# 39 ; are applied to the region a . in order to compensate for the dead region a where no vibration takes place , according to the present invention the compensation parts 13 extend outwardly from peripheral parts ( i . e ., both ends ) of the piezoelectric element 2 in the direction of vibration , of the vibrating plate 5 . the configurations of the compensation parts 13 correspond to those which are obtained by dividing the dead region a into two symmetrical ( equal ) parts with respect to the centers of the short sides of the vibrating plate main part 5a . in other words , each compensation part 13 configured as is a pair of right - angled triangles which are symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the long sides of the vibrating plate main part 5a . the length l of the short side of the vibrating plate 5 is determined according to the following expression : where lef is the effective length in the direction of the short side ( or the length , in the direction of the short side , of the middle of the vibrating plate ), and t is the width of each coupling piece 6 and 6 &# 39 ;. in the vibrating plate 5 thus determined in dimension , the resonance resistance becomes minimum and the quality factor ( q ) maximum as indicated in fig5 a characteristic diagram . in the above - described embodiment , the technical concept of the invention is applied to the piezoelectric resonator operating in the spreading vibration mode utilizing the short sides of the vibrating plate 5 whose main part 5a is rectangular . however , the technical concept of the invention is applicable to a piezoelectric resonator whose vibrating plate is square . furthermore , even in the case of a vibrating plate having more than two coupling pieces 6 and 6 &# 39 ;, compensation parts can be provided for each dead region a . the present invention is also applicable to a piezoelectric resonator shown in fig6 . the piezoelectric resonator has a pair of coupling pieces 6 and 6 &# 39 ; extending outwardly from the centers of the long sides of the vibrating plate 5 having a rectangular main part 5a , such resonator utilizing the spreading vibration mode of the long sides of the vibrating plate . the foregoing describes a spreading vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator which has a piezoelectric element and is supported through at least one pair of coupling pieces by a holding frame . compensation parts for compensating the dead region of the piezoelectric element formed between the coupling pieces extend outwardly from the peripheral parts of the piezoelectric element . such spreading vibration mode piezoelectric vibrator may be miniaturized for high resonance frequency applications . moreover , the resonance resistance of the piezoelectric element is appropriately decreased , and the quality factor ( q ) is appropriately increased . in addition , the fluctuations in the resonance frequency characteristic of the piezoelectric vibrator and other characteristics of the vibrator are decreased . although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described , many variations and modifications will now be apparent to those skilled in the art , and it is therefore preferred that the instant invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein , but only by the appending claims .	7
the trap for catching animals of the present invention is indicated generally at reference numeral 10 . trap 10 is received within a sleeve 12 which is provided with an open end 14 and a closed end 16 . in a presently preferred embodiment the sleeve 12 is constructed of a relatively stiff and preferably dark colored cardboard , but it can also be constructed of plastic or fabric , as is known in the art . the sleeve 12 can be extended forward so as to completely enclose and hide from view the body of an animal entrapped therein ( not shown ). the function of sleeve 12 is that sleeve 12 causes the mouse or other small animal to approach a bait 18 through and within the base jaw 20 and spring jaw 22 of trap 10 . in a presently preferred embodiment , the bait 18 functions as a trigger to release the trap . bait 18 is preferably a dried , formed pasta or other bait such as an edible plastic or hard candy . generally mice and other rodents prefer to eat hard , protein - rich foods . the applicant believes that one of the foods mice especially like to eat is dry pasta . dry pasta satisfies a mouse &# 39 ; s need to chew on hard foods . if the pasta is made with nutritious or aromatic oils or other flavorings and high protein grain flours such as the commonly used semolina or triticale wheat , the pasta appears to be a preferred mouse food . in the applicant &# 39 ; s experience a mouse will choose to eat pasta rather than other available foods . in tests conducted by the applicant , the pasta bait trigger 18 of the present invention easily attracts mice although other appropriate baits can be used . the applicant has also observed that mice are extremely inquisitive . mice tend to investigate dark enclosures containing food . thus , the dark colored funnel - like sleeve 12 containing the trap 10 and jaws 20 and 22 of the present invention provides an excellent opportunity for a mouse to both investigate and feed . referring to fig3 the bent and twisted wire construction of the invention is shown as it appears within sleeve 12 . the trap 10 constructed according to the teachings of the present invention is formed of a high tension wire such as tempered steel wire . other types of wire can be used in constructing trap 10 , as is known in the art . the presently preferred construction of trap 10 is unitary , such that the trap 10 is formed of a single piece of wire , the wire having bends at 26 , 28 , 30 , 32 , 34 , 36 , 38 , 40 , 42 , 44 , 46 and 48 , a total of twelve bends in the wire . beginning at end 24 of the wire , a bend at 26 forms a hook 50 upon trigger arm 52 for engaging the bait 18 thereon . second and third bends 28 and 30 form and define latch receptacle 54 . latch receptacle 54 includes bends 28 and 30 and the portion of the wire therebetween . trigger arm 52 includes hook 50 , latch receptacle 54 , and the portion of wire therebetween . bend 32 is a downward and inward bend in base jaw 20 , and bend 34 within base jaw 20 bring the wire of trap 10 into a broad v - shaped configuration . a u - notch 56 is formed at bend 36 . base spring 58 extends between bend 38 adjacent u - notch 56 and end bend 40 in the wire forming trap 10 . torsion spring 60 is twisted relative to base spring 58 . although the presently preferred embodiment of the invention is formed of a single piece of wire , it can be formed of more than one piece of wire as is known to those of skill in the art . torsion spring 60 extends between end bend 40 and bend 42 in the wire forming trap 10 . bend 42 joins torsion spring 60 and spring jaw 22 . spring jaw 22 is formed in a u - configuration between bend 42 and bend 46 of the wire . spring jaw 22 is provided with an intermediate bend 44 which forms spring jaw 22 in a u - configuration . opening 62 is formed between spring jaw 22 and base jaw 20 when trap 10 is set with bait 18 and biased in a first open position shown in fig1 - 3 . a final bend 48 in the wire forming trap 10 is provided in close proximity to end 49 of the wire . bend 48 forms a latch 64 which is releasably set adjacent latch receptacle 54 when trap 10 is baited and set . the pasta bait 18 is slipped onto the torsion spring 60 and base spring 68 at an end 66 of the bait 18 , and is slidably received at a second end 68 on the hook 50 upon trigger arm 52 . bait 18 can be held between trigger arm 52 and springs 58 and by string or other attachment means ( not shown ). both base spring 58 and torsion spring 60 are spring biased apart from each other and both function as torsion springs . the trap 10 is released by breaking of the bait 18 , which would normally occur when the bait 18 is nibbled by the animal to be caught . to nibble on the bait 18 , the animal must approach the bait through opening 62 , placing the head and the body within the trap 10 and between the jaws 20 and 22 of the trap 10 . upon release of the trap 10 by breaking bait 18 , the jaws 20 and 22 of the trap almost instantaneously are spring biased together and impelled closed by the now - released tension in the torsion spring 60 , and , in an opposing direction , the now released tension in the base spring 58 . to use trap 10 , trap 10 is baited with bait 18 which is set so as to exert forces on trigger arm 52 and base jaw 20 . those forces exerted on trigger arm 52 and base jaw 20 bend trigger arm 52 downwardly from latch receptacle 54 and bend base jaw 20 toward the interior of trap 10 . with trap 10 biased in the first open position shown in fig1 - 3 , the aforementioned downward and inward bending of trigger arm 52 and base jaw 20 , respectively causes latch receptacle 54 to force and hold latch 64 closely adjacent bend 30 . when the forces exerted by bait 18 are eliminated by the breaking of bait 18 , trigger arm 52 and base jaw 20 are able to slide upwardly and exteriorly from the interior of trap 10 . such sliding or trigger arm 52 and base jaw 20 releases latch 64 from engagement with trigger arm 52 . once latch 64 is so released , spring jaw 22 and base jaw 20 are able to close opening 62 since bends 44 and 32 are then able to move towards each other and since spring jaw 22 is pivotable within u - notch 56 of base jaw 20 . thus the jaws 20 and 22 of the trap 10 close instantly around the head or body of the intruding animal ( not shown ). it should be noted that the pasta bait 18 does not hold the force of the jaw 20 , 22 . rather , the pasta bait 18 holds bend 30 of latch receptor 54 in close engagement with latch 64 . such close engagement , in turn , holds torque of base spring 58 opposite torque of torsion spring 60 through the points of engagement between latch receptacle 54 and latch 64 . the spring arm 22 pivots within u - notch 36 adjacent to the base jaw 20 . when the trap 10 is in a set position , the spring arm 22 is both slidably and pivotally received within the u - notch 56 of the base jaw 20 , and the latch 64 is slidably abutted adjacent latch receptacle 54 . as can be understood from the foregoing , a mouse or other animal will be caught humanely and quickly in the trap 10 as the spring jaw 22 and base jaw 20 close towards each other trap 10 . the entire trap 10 within sleeve 12 can then be discarded if desired , and a user of trap 10 is not required to touch the entrapped animal at any time , or even to see the entrapped animal if the sleeve is extended ( not shown ) beyond the jaws 20 and 22 of the trap 10 . as can be seen from the description of the invention , the trap can be re - set and re - baited if desired . referring to fig2 a set trap 10 having bait 18 is shown from the mouse &# 39 ; s eye view . a hungry mouse smells the pasta 18 within trap 10 , and enters trap 10 between base jaw 20 and spring jaw 22 to investigate within the interior of sleeve 12 . when the hungry mouse has gnawed on the pasta 18 sufficiently to break the pasta 18 , the forward tension of base jaw 20 is released , permitting base jaw 20 to slide forward so that latch 64 is disengaged from latch receptacle 54 , and base jaw 20 and spring jaw 22 close around the animal . the animal is caught within trap 10 , and held between base jaw 20 and spring jaw 22 as it dies quickly from asphyxiation or a severed spinal cord . although the invention has been described in conjunction with the foregoing specific embodiment , many alternatives , variations and modifications are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art . those alternatives , variations and modifications are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims .	0
referring to the drawing , a toaster 10 is shown with an outer casing body 11 defining an upper access opening 12 to a vertically arranged toasting compartment 13 . the compartment 13 includes resistance heating elements 31 arranged on either side of the toasting compartment 13 in any conventional or known array . the casing body 11 illustrated is a non burnable plastic material , however , it is clearly also possible to use any other non burnable material such as sheet metal . the casing body 11 , however , provides a substantially enclosed inner space accessed only through the upper access opening or slot 12 . arranged within the toasting compartment 13 is a product supporting carriage 14 movable between an upper product receiving position and a lowered position ( fig2 ) for a toasting cycle . at one end of the compartment 13 , the carriage 14 is moved corresponding to movement of the lug 19 . alternatively a motorized movement mechanism could be provided to move the carriage 14 between the upper and lower positions . a conventional or known brownness selection knob 16 is provided together with any suitable and known toasting control system . obviously the system should preferably include features adapted to minimize the likelihood of fires commencing , however , these features are not relevant to the present invention and are not further discussed hereinafter . as shown in fig1 and 2 , a flameproof member in the form of a cover flap 17 is provided hinged at 18 along one side of the access slot 12 so that it can be pivoted from an access providing position ( fig1 ) to a second position overlying the slot 12 as shown in fig2 . the flap member 17 may be formed from any other material that prevents a flame passing outwardly from the toasting compartment 13 . one possible form of linkage connection means is shown in fig2 although it should be appreciated that other arrangements could also be employed . the mechanism is shown outwardly of the body 11 in schematic fashion although normally the mechanism would be located within the body 11 adjacent one end of the toasting compartment 13 . as shown in fig2 a lost motion link 60 is provided so that it slides up and down on a stationary substantially vertical guide member 20 . an upper end of the link 60 is pivoted at 21 to a transversely extending part 22 of the cover 17 . a carriage supporting member 23 is moved up and down on the guide member 20 by actuation of the external lug 19 . the member 23 is generally urged upwardly by a spring element 66 so that the carriage 14 is normally located in its upper position . a lower end 25 of the member 23 mechanically latches with a catch member 26 when the member is moved to lower the carriage 14 to the lowered toasting position . in so doing a wake up or power actuating switch 27 is activated to enable power supply to the toasting elements for commencement of a toasting cycle . alternatively a separate manually operable toasting cycle start up switch could be employed for reasons discussed hereinafter . as illustrated in fig2 the member 23 includes a portion 61 which is adapted to engage opposed abutment parts 62 and 63 . thus with the cover flap 17 in an open position ( fig1 ) the lug 19 and therefor the member 23 must be moved downwardly a certain distance before the portion 61 engages the abutment part 63 to thereafter automatically move the cover flap 17 from the position shown in fig1 to the closed position shown in fig2 . similarly there is a certain distance of travel of the lug 19 upwardly from the position shown in fig2 before the portion 61 engages the part 62 to commence opening of the cover flap 17 . this arrangement enables the cover flap 17 to be manually moved to the closed position ( fig2 ) without movement of the lug 19 for storage purposes . in an alternative arrangement , if the wake up switch 27 is omitted and a separate start up switch is used , then the lug 19 can be moved to its lowered position so that the end 25 catches with catch member 26 to lower the cover flap 17 for storage without the need of any lost motion mechanism as illustrated in fig2 . it is , however , desirable with this latter configuration that some separate means be provided to ensure that the separate start up switch does not commence a toasting cycle with the cover flap 17 in an open position . in accordance with a preferred aspect of the present invention , the latch mechanism 32 identified illustratively in fig2 by members 25 , 26 form an automatic mechanical latch which must be manually delatched to enable the cover flap 17 to be only operable by a person upon completion of a toasting cycle . thus , in the unlikely event of a fire having ignited in the chamber , the cover flap 17 will not have automatically opened by the toaster mechanism ( when unattended by the operator ) to allow flames to escape from the compartment 13 . fig3 to 8 illustrate a second preferred embodiment of the present invention . in this embodiment , the toaster 10 also has an outer casing 11 ( preferably formed from a non - burnable plastics material , metal or the like ) having an upper access slot 12 adapted to receive a product to be toasted and to ultimately eject a toasted product therethrough after completion of a toasting cycle . as can be seen in fig4 and 5 , an inner enclosure 64 is provided ( conveniently produced from sheet metal ) within the outer casing 11 , the inner enclosure also has a generally rectangular upper access opening 65 substantially aligned with the access slot 12 in the outer casing . the inner enclosure 64 defines a toasting compartment 13 with heating elements of any known configuration ( not shown ) located adjacent the inner face of each longitudinal side wall 15 , 16 directing radiant and convection heat inwardly of the toasting compartment 13 when energized . similar to fig1 a lug 19 capable of being operatively gripped is provided which is directly connected to a product support carriage 14 located at least partially within the toasting compartment 13 . the product support carriage 14 is mounted on a vertical slide post ( not shown ) so that it is capable of movement upwardly and downwardly thereon . a spring 66 is provided to normally urge the carriage 14 upwardly but against which an operator can move the carriage 14 down to a lowered toasting position by gripping the member 19 and moving same downwardly in the slot 67 in the outer casing 11 . the product supporting carriage 14 has a part 23 located outwardly of the toasting chamber 13 and a part 24 located within the toasting chamber on which a slice of bread or the like is supported during a toasting cycle . the part 24 extends through a vertical slot 68 in an end wall 69 of the inner enclosure 64 . as shown in fig3 to 6 , a closure means 70 is provided arranged to overly the access openings 12 , 14 to the toasting compartment 13 . in the preferred embodiment illustrated , the closure means is conveniently located generally between the outer casing 11 and the inner enclosure 64 and comprises a pair of cover members 28 , 29 . each cover member 28 , 29 comprises an upper plate 30 covering approximately half of the access opening 65 when closed , a longitudinally extending side plate 31 adapted to extend downwardly from the access opening 65 outwardly of one of the inner enclosure side walls 15 , 16 and a pair of end plates 32 , 33 adapted to extend downwardly and outwardly of the end walls of the inner enclosure 64 . one of the cover members 28 , 29 preferably has an inwardly ( or outwardly ) located laterally extending lip 34 adapted to overly the small longitudinally extending space between the cover members 28 , 29 when closed as illustrated in fig4 . conveniently , if the cover members 28 , 29 are to be identically shaped ( as may be desirable for manufacturing purposes ) the lip 34 may extend over only half the length of the cover member 28 or 29 so that in an assembly , the overlying lip extends from each cover member over half the length of the cover member with an overlying obstruction thereby extending the full length of the access opening 65 . by this means , the escape of flame is prevented from the toasting chamber 13 between the cover members 28 , 29 . an operating mechanism 36 for moving the cover members 28 , 29 from the generally closed ( illustrated ) position to an open position is best seen in fig5 to 8 of the annexed drawings . each end plate 32 , 33 of the cover members has a downwardly depending hinge plate member 37 so as to locate a fixed hinge connection 38 to an end wall 69 of the inner enclosure 64 downwardly of the lower edge of the cover members 28 , 29 and outwardly spaced from the central dividing line 42 between the cover members 28 , 29 . in addition a floating hinge connection 39 is provided acting between the two cover members 28 , 29 . the floating hinge connection is formed by tab members 40 , 41 located at the lower edge of the members 28 , 29 adjacent the dividing line 42 between the cover members 28 , 29 . each tab member 40 , 41 has a first portion 43 extending outwardly from and at the same level as the lower edge of the cover member and a second portion 44 extending downwardly and towards or across the dividing line 42 . one or both of the portions 44 includes a slot 45 and a hinge pin 46 extends through portion 44 connecting same together with a downwardly directed link member 47 . movement of the link member 47 downwardly or upwardly causes the hinge pin 46 to move downwardly or upwardly . as a result the cover members pivot about hinge pins 38 and also tend to move outwardly when opening or inwardly when closing because of the floating hinge 39 caused by the slot or slots 45 . thus the cover members 28 , 29 can be arranged to completely close the access opening 65 to the inner enclosure 64 ( when closed ), or open this access opening 65 with the cover members 28 , 29 moving to a position between the outer casing 11 and the inner enclosure 64 . the operating link member 47 is divided along most of its length from its lower end to form a first part 48 and a second part 49 . the first part 48 has a lateral tab 50 at its lowermost end which is engaged by he carriage part 23 on its downward travel near to the end of its downward travel and in so doing the final downward movement of the carriage part 23 drags with it the link member 47 and thereby the pivot pin 46 to close the cover members 28 , 29 . fig7 shows the carriage part 23 at its uppermost position whereas fig8 shows the carriage part 23 at its lowered toasting position . in the lowered toasting position , the carriage part 23 has been stopped by a physical limit ledge 51 and a manual latch member 52 has been engaged to prevent the carriage part 23 from moving upwardly from the position shown in fig5 whether or not a toasting cycle has been completed . moreover in the lowered toasting position ( fig8 ), a dowel pin 53 carried by the carriage part 23 is engaged in a recess 54 formed in the lower end of the second part 49 of the link member 47 and is locked therein by fixed cam ledge 55 . thus when the carriage part 23 is moved upwardly at the end of a toasting cycle and after delatching the member 52 , the dowel pin 53 drives the second link 49 upwardly ( and thereby the link member 47 and hinge pin 46 ) to immediately open the cover members upon the carriage 20 starting its upward eject motion . a slot 59 is formed in the part 48 of the link member 47 and the carriage part 24 extends through the slot 59 and slot 25 into the toasting chamber 13 . the carriage part 24 through spring 66 keeps the link 47 in its up position in the absence of external manipulation . as will be apparent from the foregoing , the latch member 52 and latch 51 form an automatically engaged manual latch which must be manually delatched to enable the cover members 28 , 29 to be opened and necessarily requires the attention of a person at the toaster when this event occurs . thus in an unlikely event of a fire having ignited in the chamber , the cover members 28 , 29 will not have been automatically opened by the toaster mechanism ( when unattended by the operator ) thereby allowing flames to escape from the toasting chamber 13 . conveniently , to assist operation of the toaster , visual and / or audible indicators 71 , 72 may be provided to show that a toasting cycle has commenced and separately has been completed . although the foregoing description has been given with reference to a toaster having a carriage 23 moved manually down and a spring 66 to eject the toasted product , it should of course be appreciated that any known mechanism for driving or moving the carriage 23 might also be employed .	0
the present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments . it is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purposes of illustration and description only ; it is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed . please refer to fig2 , which is a block diagram showing the ac power supply testing circuit for a main board in the preferred embodiment of the present invention . the ac power supply circuit includes a single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 , a relay 22 , a main board 23 , an ac power supply 24 , a system power supply 25 , two led display devices 26 and a dip switch 27 . the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 is connected with the dip switch 27 , the two led display devices 26 , the relay 22 and the gpio device on the main board . the relay 22 is also connected with the ac power supply 24 and the system power supply 25 . the dip switch 27 is used to configure a system power on / off time in the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 in consideration of a specific time required for the power contained in a capacitor of the system power supply 25 to be fully discharged between a power - off state and a power - on state . the single - chip 8051 processor 21 functions as the coordinating part for the ac power supply testing upon booting , and is responsible for storing the system power on / off time , displaying the system power on / off time on the led display device 26 , counting down the system power on / off time , controlling the on / off of the relay 22 , and receiving a signal from the main board 23 to inform it of the successful completion of the ac power supply testing . the relay 22 functions as a channel between the ac power supply 24 and the system power supply 25 . the ac power supply 24 can only supply power to the system power supply 25 of the main board 23 when the relay 22 is at an on state . then the system power supply 25 supplies power to the main board 23 , and the booting procedures and the ac power supply testing are carried out . when the ac power supply testing is completed , the bios ( not shown ) drives the gpio device to send a signal to the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 for notification . the components included by dash lines shown in fig2 and the corresponding functions are mastered by the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 . what the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 replaces in the conventional ac power supply testing configuration is the function of the controller 3 in fig1 . meanwhile , the floppy driver 2 and the com port 4 are also eliminated . instead , new components such as the gpio device and the relay 22 are introduced . in addition to the structural difference , the functions between fig1 and fig2 differ in that ( 1 ) the single - chip 8051 microprocessor 21 has more precise control over time , not only reading the power on / off time upon booting and displaying the count - down value of the power on / off time , controlling the timing and ensuring the event occurrence when the time is out , but also utilizing the relay 22 to precisely control the on and off states of the ac power supply 24 ; ( 2 ) the bios directly controls the gpio device so as to support the main board 23 having no super io interface ; ( 3 ) the bios provides a single - step diagnostic procedure specific to the respective chipset and the components dedicated for the control over the ac power loss of the chipsets ; ( 4 ) the large voltage and small voltage in the circuit are isolated and converted . due to the existence of the relay 22 , when the main board 23 is switched off and the ac power supply ( 110 v ) is not supplying power , the power left in the capacitor of the system power supply 25 can still be supplied to components operated with small voltages ( 3v , 5 . 5v , 12v , etc .). when a system power on / off time expires , the residual power in the capacitor is roughly used up . in the meantime , the relay 22 is switched on so that the ac power supply 24 supplies power to the system power supply 25 . as such , the large voltage and small voltage in the circuit can be isolated and converted , thereby ensuring a safe operation of the circuit . please refer to fig3 , which is a flow diagram showing the ac power supply testing method for a main board in the preferred embodiment of the present invention . the ac power supply testing method includes the following steps : ( 1 ) the system power on - off time is set up and read out ( step 31 ), in this step , the dip switch can be used to set up the required system power on / off time in the single - chip 8051 microprocessor for it to read ; ( 2 ) the system power on / off time is displayed ( step 32 ); in this step , the single - chip 8051 microprocessor displays the system power on / off time on an led display device ; ( 3 ) the count - down of the system power on / off time is initiated ; in this step , the single - chip 8051 microprocessor initiates its timer to count down the system power on / off time ( step 33 ); ( 4 ) the count - down value of the system power on / off time is displayed ( step 34 ); in this step , the single - chip 8051 microprocessor displays the real - time count - down value of the system power on / off time on the other led display device ; ( 5 ) the count - down value of the system power on / off time is determined ( step 35 ); this step fulfills a logic judgment on the real - time count - down value of the system power on / off time ; ( 6 ) the step ( 35 ) is executed if the count - down value of the system power on / off time is not zero ; ( 7 ) the current state ( on / off ) of the relay is determined if the count - down value of the system power on / off time in step ( 35 ) is zero ( step 36 ); ( 8 ) the relay is shut off if the current state of the relay is on ( step 37 ) and then the step ( 33 ) is executed ; the consideration of shutting off the relay is to ensure that the residual system power of the main board is fully consumed and / or released under the condition that the ac power supply supplies no power ; ( 9 ) the relay is powered on if the current state of the relay is off ( step 38 ); ( 10 ) the ac power supply is used to supply power to the system power supply of the main board via the relay ( step 39 ); in this step , as the relay is switched on , the ac power supply automatically supplies power to the main board ; ( 11 ) the system power supply of the main board is tested ( step 310 ); in this step , the system power supply testing procedures for each chipset and the relevant components on the main board are carried out ; ( 12 ) whether the system power supply testing is completed is determined ( step 311 ); in this step , the testing can be deemed completed unless the power supply testing for all chipsets and the relevant components are all passed ; ( 13 ) a system power diagnostic procedure is performed if the testing in step 310 is not finished ( step 312 ); in this step , the power supply testing procedure stays at an idle state , detect the error manually and with instruments and perform debugging ; after the error is identified and corrected , skip the idle state and return to step 310 ; basically , the aforementioned procedures can form a single - step diagnostics ; ( 14 ) the bios on the main board is used to instruct the gpio device on the main board to send a signal to the 8051 microprocessor for reporting the completion of the system power supply testing if the testing in step 310 is completed ( step 313 ); and ( 15 ) jump back to step ( 33 ). in summary , the present invention provides a design using an external single - chip 8051 microprocessor and an external relay to address an ac power supply testing method upon booting a main board , which is free of the com port and floppy drive , so as to control the gpio device on the main board using the bios . in contrast to the prior art designed with a controller , a floppy drive and a com port , the ac power supply testing method of the present invention saves the space allocated for testing , operates without additional programs , supports various operating platforms , shortens the testing time by closely controlling the testing progress with the testing status displayed on the led display device through the 8051 microprocessor , and provides a single - step diagnostic means during the testing procedures to clearly isolate and solve the issues on a step - by - step basis . consequently , the simplification of the circuit configuration , the compact size implemented by the single - chip design , good performance and low cost make the present invention innovative , progressive and practical . while the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments , it is to be understood that the invention need not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment . on the contrary , it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims , which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures .	6
referring to fig1 a co - extrusion combining adapter assembly is shown including a plug type flow diverter 10 . the flow diverter 10 is apparatus in which polymer flows from multiple extruders are each divided into a plurality of discrete flows exiting it at a plurality of discrete flow paths . such a flow diverter is shown u . s . pat . no . 4 , 839 , 131 or u . s . pat . no . 4 , 784 , 815 , previously mentioned . the flow diverter provides a plurality of feeds in generally parallel feed paths into an intermediate height adjusting block 12 for delivery , without modification , to a transitional aspect ratio block 14 . the block 14 is provided with a plurality of polymer inlets , corresponding to the polymer outlets of the flow diverter 10 , for delivery of the converging flows of polymer to the inlet of a flow velocity profile block 20 made in accordance with this invention . the block 20 may be set into a recess of an extruder die 22 or other forming apparatus and accurately delivers multiple layers of extrudate to a combining region immediately or substantially immediately at the inlet 23 of a die or other utilization apparatus . the improved flow velocity profiler or block 20 of this invention is best seen in fig2 - 4 . it is formed essentially ( apart from its inserts ), of three components : a central block - like cartridge body 30 having opposite side faces closed by a pair of essentially identical side plates 32 and 33 . the shape of the block 20 may be liken to that of an inverted truncated pyramid with an outlet 34 at the smaller end as a final feed into a die or the like , such as the die 22 . the body 30 is provided with a plurality of parallel slot type inlets 40 , as best seen in fig4 at the base face or wall 41 of the adapter . these inlets are aligned with corresponding polymer passageways at the exit face of the transitional or aspect ratio block 14 , fig1 . also , while fourteen passageways or flow paths are shown , it will be understood that this is only illustrative of the concept , and fewer or greater number of flow passageways may be provided as known in the art , at the flow diverter 10 with corresponding suitable passageways provided in the blocks 12 and 14 . the truncated end of the body 30 is in the plane of a combining region and forms a common combined outlet 34 ( fig5 ). when one of the side plates 32 or 33 is removed , it exposes the construction of the cartridge body 30 , and this construction is shown in sectional view in fig5 . the inlet slots 40 are shown as being paired , two each opening into an end of an insert - receiving cavity 45 . since there are fourteen such inlets shown , seven of the cavities 45 are shown with proximal ends intercepting a pair of inlet passages 40 and with remote ends closely grouped together at the outlet 34 . each cartridge cavity 45 is identical and each is of uniform size throughout the width or thickness of the body 30 . however , each cavity tapers from a maximum width at the proximal end intercepting the passageways 40 to a narrower width at the remote end , and the cavities are separated from each other by intermediate tapered walls 48 of the body 30 with the outer most cavities tapered inwardly so that their remote ends are closely grouped together immediately at the outlet 34 , while the intermediate separating walls 48 terminate at pointed ends inwardly of the outlet 34 . the cavities 45 are identical , are uniformly arranged about centerline 49 , and are configured each to receive one of the precision cartridge inserts 60 as shown in fig6 - 8 . the cartridge inserts have spaced enlarged ends or rails 62 designed to fit precisely within one of the cavities 45 . between the rails 62 , material has been removed to define a center web 63 with tapering side walls 64 , 65 . the walls of the web 63 define , with the cartridge walls 48 and the outer cartridge walls , the passageways of precisely controlled dimensions which passageways converge along the walls 64 , 65 to a joining region point 66 . these joining points are in close proximity to corresponding points or terminal ends of the tapered dividing walls 48 . the upper or proximal end of the web 63 is formed with a dimension which extends arcuately fully between the pair of inlet slots 40 so that the slots are fully isolated from each other by the inserts . the cartridge inserts 60 are removably received within the cartridge body 30 by removing one or both of the side caps 32 or 33 and sliding the insert transversely of the length of the respective cavity 45 . the height of the insert corresponds to the full width of the cartridge body so that the enlarged rail ends of the insert , at the outer flat surfaces 68 of the insert 60 are co - planer with the side surfaces of the cartridge body and co - planer with the adjacent enclosing surfaces of an side cap . the insert 60 may be tailored to provide controlled flow paths through the combining adapter or may be made identical so that layer thicknesses can be controlled by combining polymer flows at the combining adapter , as required . where fourteen such flow paths are shown , as in the drawings , each passage way defined between the insert and one of the confining walls of the cartridge body provides about 7 . 14 % of the total thickness of the laminate . where desired , a “ blank ” insert may be inserted having a profile that fills the cavity 45 entirely , that is , with no side relief or defining passage ways , thereby closing off one or both of the inlets 40 associated with the cavity 45 . one or more electric heater recesses 80 may be formed in the cartridge body 30 as required to receive rod type heat elements and maintain the flow temperature of the polymers . the side caps close the left and right sides of the cartridge body , with the inserts in place , and these are retained by screws 84 as shown in fig3 . precise adjustments may be made by opening the block 20 by removing one or both of the covers or caps 32 and 33 and replacing one or more of the inserts 60 with other inserts that provide different flow paths , in terms of thickness or flow area . however , it is an important feature of the invention that the flow paths define on either side of the body of the insert 60 within the recesses 45 , are of the same length and assuming the pressures and the flow rates are the same , the flow velocities at the joining region at the outlet 34 of the several layers are substantially the same , and the degree to which each layer of material is subjected to shear will be substantially the same as that of the other layers . in a further aspect of the invention , as illustrated in fig9 and 10 , provision is made by which the individual flow passages from the aspect ratio transitioning block . such as the block 14 in fig1 is delivered to a novel flow combiner block 70 through a plurality of inlet passageways 72 . at least some or all of the passageway 72 are controlled in width by pairs of mutually adjustable flow control divider blades 75 , as best seen in fig1 . the blades 75 extend into the ends of the parallel passageways 72 and control the feed area of the respective passageway leading into the flow combining block 70 . the block 70 maybe used in place of the block 20 in the description of the embodiments of fig1 - 8 , however , the embodiment as shown in fig9 and 10 lack the flexibility , convenience , and advantages of interchangeable divider cartridges 60 . rather , the flow combining adapter includes a plurality of flow defining walls , including intermediate dividers 78 leading to a common joining region 80 . however , the advantages of this embodiment may also be applied to the flow velocity profile adapter 20 and further advantages thereby realized . the employment of pairs of moveable flow blocking blades 75 may be controlled , for example , to totally block off outside feed passageways to the flow combiner which may be opened , as desired , in cases where the die width increases , for the purpose of improving layer uniformity . further , the blades 75 may be adjusted , in a very repeatable manner , moving toward or away from each other , either together or individually , as shown by the arrows 82 , for the purpose of controlling a flow velocity in any one of the plurality of inlets 72 and thereby provides an adjustable flow combining cassette in which the width of one or more of the flow passages leading between the flow divider plates , may be adjusted . this creates the effect of preferentially promoting polymer flow of adjacent polymers towards the end of the die . further , if desired , the combiner block 70 may be provided with dividers which are shaped , by shaping the intermediate defining walls or plates 78 for adjusting non - linear flow anomalies . while fig1 shows ten feed passageways in which blade pairs are provided in six of the passageways , it will be understood that this is for the purpose of illustration only , and fewer or greater number of blades 75 may be employed as desired .	8
further objects , features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following description and the accompanying drawing in which : the single figure is a schematic drawing of the automatic control system incorporated into a direct current shunt motor . referring to the drawing , the automatic control system of the present invention , indicated generally at 10 , functions to regulate the field of a direct current shunt motor 12 to maintain or change the speed of the motor to a desired value . the direct current shunt motor 12 is provided with an armature 14 and a shunt field winding circuit 16 connected in parallel with the armature 14 . the shunt field circuit 16 has reversing switches 18 and 20 at its terminals to provide for reversal of motor rotation . a direct current power source comprising a battery 22 provides electrical energy to the armature 14 and the field circuit 16 . the negative pole of the battery 22 is connected to ground . an armature voltage controller , in the form of a chopper circuit 24 , provides a variable input voltage to the armature 14 to control the speed of the motor 12 . the chopper circuit 24 comprises a controlled rectifier 26 connected in series with the armature 14 to provide a time - average voltage to the armature 14 to control the motor speed . the controlled rectifier 26 is fired by an oscillator 28 at a pulse rate of the oscillator 28 . the oscillator circuit includes a variable resistor 30 for adjusting the oscillator frequency . the wiper 32 of the variable resistor is connected by suitable means to a manual control device such as an accelerator pedal 34 positioned on a vehicle such as a forklift truck . the operator of the vehicle controls the motor speed by varying the output of the oscillator 24 through movement of the wiper 32 when the accelerator pedal 34 is depressed or released . the oscillator circuit also includes a fixed resistor 36 in series with the variable resistor 30 . a shorting switch 38 is connected across the resistor 36 and is activated by a plugging relay 40 , referred to below . the chopper circuit 24 is provided with a turn - off 42 which momentarily bypasses the rectifier 26 to terminate conduction in the rectifier 26 after it has been fired for a predetermined length of time . a free wheeling or fly - back diode 44 is connected across the armature 14 and provides a current path during the fly - back voltage with the controlled rectifier 26 turned off . the fly - back diode 44 has its anode connected to the junction 46 between the armature 14 and the controlled rectifier 26 and its cathode is connected to the other terminal of the armature 14 through the plugging relay 40 . the voltage across the diode 44 during the off time of the controlled rectifier 26 varies with the amount of armature current in the motor 12 . in the illustrated embodiment , this voltage varies between approximately 0 . 7 and 2 volts . the chopper circuit 24 has an output that varies between 40 and 200 pulses per second . when the chopper circuit 24 is operated in the low frequency ranges , the fly - back current flow through diode 44 may cease before the successive turn - on of the controlled rectifier 26 . a diode 48 having its anode connected to the negative pole of the battery 22 and its cathode connected to the armature 14 provides a path for current flow when the motor 12 operates as a generator during regenerative braking . when the counter emf becomes greater than the applied voltage , power is directed back to the battery 22 thus reclaiming a portion of the energy required to drive the vehicle . the motor 12 generates energy when the speed of the vehicle is increased as a result of external forces such as when it descends a decline . a comparator circuit , indicated generally at 50 , functions to compare a control voltage with a reference voltage and in response to a difference between those voltages produces a field demand or command signal which controls the field strength to in turn control the speed of the motor 12 . the control voltage is a function of the motor counter emf , the armature current , and the duty cycle of the chopper circuit 24 . the reference voltage has a magnitude corresponding to torque demand and is changed when the operator of the vehicle depresses the accelerator pedal 34 . the comparator circuit 50 includes transistors 52 , 54 and 56 . it is a comparator having one input at the base of transistor 52 and the other input at the base of transistor 54 , and an output , which corresponds within limits to the voltage difference of the inputs , is derived from the emitter - collector circuit of transistor 56 . the control voltage is developed by control voltage means 58 connected with the armature circuit across the voltage controller 24 . the control voltage means comprises a voltage divider network including resistors 60 , 62 and 64 connected between the junction 46 and ground . the control voltage is derived across resistor 64 at junction 66 and a capacitor 68 is connected across resistors 62 and 64 to smooth the control voltage . the control voltage applied to the base of transistor 52 is a time - average value corresponding to the instantaneous voltage at the junction 46 . the reference voltage is developed by a reference voltage means comprising a potentiometer 70 which has its terminals connected to a constant voltage source through the resistors 72 and 74 . a constant voltage is provided across the zener diode 76 which is connected through a resistor 78 across the battery 22 . the reference voltage signal is obtained at the wiper contact 80 on the potentiometer 70 and is applied to the base of transistor 54 . as shown in the drawing , the wiper contact 80 and the wiper contact 32 on the variable resistor 30 are coincidentally controlled by suitable means through actuation of the accelerator pedal 34 . referring to the comparator circuit 50 , the transistors 52 , 54 and 56 function as an absolute value amplifier of the difference between the control voltage and the reference voltage at the bases of transistors 52 and 54 , respectively . the output circuit of transistor 56 from emitter to collector is connected across the zener diode 76 through resistors 82 and 84 . the collectors of the transistors 52 and 54 are connected to the base of transistor 56 . the emitter of transistor 52 is connected to the base of transistor 54 and to junction of resistors 82 and 84 through a diode 86 . similarly , the emitter of the transistor 54 is connected to the base of transistor 52 and to the junction between the resistors 82 and 84 through a diode 88 . diodes 86 and 88 provide a negative feedback to the transistors 52 and 54 to stabilize the amplifier . because of the biasing characteristics of the transistors 52 and 54 , i . e . the base - to - emitter voltage requirements , base current will not flow in transistor 56 unless there is a predetermined difference between the reference and the control voltages , having a magnitude , for example , greater than 0 . 6 volt . when a difference greater than 0 . 6 volt occurs , the transistor having the lower voltage value will be cut off and the other transistor will be conductive and allow emitter to base current flow in transistor 56 . output current will flow through transistor 56 and produce an output across resistor 82 having a voltage of approximately twice the value of the base voltage of the conducting transistor . this output is the field demand or command signal and is applied to a field current controller 90 which will be described presently . the field current controller 90 comprises a transistor 92 and a shunt resistor 94 connected in series with the field winding 16 . the transistor 92 has its collector connected to the field winding circuit 16 and its emitter connected to ground . the resistor 94 is connected across the collector and emitter of the transistor 92 ; when the transistor 92 is shut off , the current flow in the field is limited by the resistor 94 thereby limiting field strength to a minimum level . thus , current flow through the transistor 92 strengthens the field and the degree of conductivity through transistor 92 regulates current flow above the minimum level . a plug sensing circuit 96 comprising a diode 98 , a transistor 100 , and a resistor 102 is provided to control the output of transistor 56 when the motor is plugged ; that is , when the motor is rotating in one direction and current flow through the field winding 16 is reversed as a result of reverse positioning of the switches 18 and 20 . the sensing circuit 96 also affects the value of the control voltage applied to the base of transistor 52 when a high armature current exists as a result of full depression of the accelerator 34 , for example . diode 98 has its anode connected to the junction 46 and has its cathode connected to the emitter of transistor 100 which in turn has its base connected to the positive pole of the battery 22 . resistor 102 connects the collector of transistor 100 to the junction of resistors 60 and 62 . when current flow through diode 44 is of a sufficient magnitude so that the voltage drop across the diode 44 and relay 40 is raised to a predetermined value , for example , 1 . 4 volts , conduction through diode 98 will occur and transistor 100 will conduct . as a result , an increased control voltage is applied to the base of transistor 52 . a diode 104 is connected between the base of transistor 52 and the emitter of the transistor 56 . in normal operation , the diode 104 remains back - biased by the voltage across the zener diode 76 . when armature current is high , the sensing circuit 96 applies an increased control voltage to the base of transistor 52 to thereby increase the output of transistor 56 which in turn increases current flow through transistor 92 to increase the field strength . as a result , the motor 12 is accelerated to the desired speed . during plugging , however , the output of the sensing circuit 96 is great enough to forward bias diode 104 and cut off transistor 56 which terminates conduction in transistor 92 to provide minimum field strength . assume that the forklift is at a standstill . the operator depresses the accelerator 34 to a desired position to accelerate the forklift to a desired speed . when the accelerator 34 is depressed , the wiper 32 on the variable resistor 30 is moved to a position to increase the frequency output of the oscillator 28 thereby increasing the voltage applied to the armature 14 . simultaneously , the wiper 80 on the potentiometer 70 is moved to a position to lower the reference voltage applied to the base of transistor 54 . because the counter emf of the motor 12 is at a minimum due to low motor speed , the control voltage applied to the base of transistor 52 will have a magnitude greater than the reference voltage applied to the base of transistor 54 and this magnitude will exceed the bias voltage required to operate the absolute amplifier in its linear amplification range . transistor 54 will be shut off and collector current will flow in transistor 52 thus causing current flow through transistor 56 . the output of transistor 56 is proportional to the absolute value of the difference between the control voltage and the reference voltage . transistor 92 is conductive in accordance with the field demand signal and increases the current through the field winding circuit 16 thereby increasing the strength of the field . as a result of increased field strength , the motor torque is increased to accelerate the motor 12 to the desired speed . as the motor speed increases , the counter emf also increases thus reducing the control voltage applied to the base of transistor 52 . as the control voltage gradually decreases , the output of transistor 56 decreases thereby decreasing conduction through transistor 92 and weakening the field . when the motor 12 has achieved a speed in accord with the load and the torque demand set by the operator , the control voltage at the base of transistor 52 will stabilize at a given value and a steady state conduction through transistor 56 will maintain the field at the desired strength . assume that the forklift truck is operating at the desired speed and it begins to travel down a decline . in this operating mode , the kinetic energy of the vehicle tends to increase the motor speed above the desired level so that the motor is driven as a generator and the counter emf increases above the supply voltage . the motor is now in a regenerative braking mode with current flowing through diode 48 through the armature 14 and back to the battery 22 . the increased counter emf further drives down the control voltage at the base of transistor 52 below the reference voltage at the base of transistor 54 . transistor 52 is thus cut off and collector current flows through transistor 54 and transistor 56 becomes conductive and increases the field demand signal at transistor 92 which increases the current in the field circuit 16 . as a result , there is an increase in the torque which opposes the rotation of the armature . as the vehicle decelerates to the desired speed , the control voltage at the base of transistor 52 gradually increases toward the voltage at the base of transistor 54 until a state of equilibrium is reached . the operator commonly initiates reverse energization of the motor 12 before it is brought to a standstill . this is plugging of the motor and is produced by reversing the switches 18 and 20 in the field winding 16 to reverse current flow therethrough . it is important that a smooth , continuous deceleration occur to avoid operator injury and equipment damage . for this purpose , the sensing circuit 96 functions to weaken the field so that the deceleration is reduced . when the field is reversed , the counter emf in the armature 14 is reversed thereby increasing voltage across the armature 14 and the current through diode 44 . the voltage drop across the diode 44 and the relay 40 is increased sufficiently so that current flows in diode 98 allowing current flow in transistor 100 to develop an increased control voltage applied to the base of transistor 52 . this voltage is sufficient to forward bias diode 104 and transistor 56 is turned off . transistor 92 is consequently turned off and current flow through the field 16 is limited by the resistor 94 . consequently , minimum field strength is produced to enable a continuous smooth slow - down of the motor 12 . the relay 40 is connected in series with the diode 44 and is activated in response to a value of current through diode 44 which indicates that the motor 12 is being plugged . the relay 40 is connected to the normally closed switch 38 which shorts the resistor 36 that is connected in series with the variable resistor 30 . when the relay 40 is activated , the switch 38 is opened causing the frequency of the oscillator 28 to decrease and thereby reduce the voltage applied to the armature 14 . thus , both the field and the armature 14 have reduced current flow to decrease the deceleration during plugging . as the motor speed decreases , the current through the diode 44 decreases . transistor 56 will remain turned off until diode 104 becomes reversed biased . a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed . the invention , however , is not to be limited to the specific structure shown , but rather is to be limited only by the following claims .	8
the detailed description , as set forth below , is intended as a description of the composition and method of the preferred embodiment of the invention , and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or operated . it is to be understood that the invention may be practiced by other different embodiments , which are also encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention . the preferred embodiment of this invention provides a method for protecting bath tubs , whirlpools , shower stalls , tile , marble , glass , metal , and other smooth non - porous surfaces during construction work surrounding such surfaces . this embodiment provides a protective surface coating composition and portable method which can be quickly and easily applied and removed once the construction activity upon or around the surface , selected to be guarded from such activity , has ceased . this embodiment further provides a protective surface coating that is both durable and applied in a portable single spray application for any permanent coating after the surface has been treated with a primary sprayed release agent for removable coating applications . because of the method of application , this embodiment is equally easily applied to vertical as well as horizontal surfaces . it has been found through testing and experimentation that for general purposes the preferred coating formulation for the present invention is a 49 %— 52 % mixture by weight or volume of a pre - polymer mixture to correlative percentage of a curative mixture , resulting in a mixture of within 3 % equal parts by volume or weight of the two ingredients . for the preferred embodiment , this mixing of ingredients is accomplished at the disposable spray nozzle of a portable spray applicator . such spray applicators are known in the art and provide separate product reservoirs which feed through separate , heated flow lines to the spray nozzle . the heated flow lines allow for the optimal application temperature of the coating material of 120 degrees fahrenheit . this preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided by using a composition of a prepolymer polyurethane from the isocyanate terminated prepolymer family and a curative polyurethane from the hydroxyl terminated polyether polyol chemical family . the preferred embodiment of the present invention uses a blended silicone solution as a releasing agent . these preferred embodiment ingredients provide optimal results when applied to surfaces between ambient temperatures of 45 degrees fahrenheit and 85 degrees fahrenheit . the prepolymer polyurethane of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a mixture of from 35 % to 75 % polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate , preferably 70 %; from 7 % to 35 % 4 , 4 - diphenylmethane diisocyanate , preferably 25 %; and less than 8 % trischloropropyl phosphate , preferably 5 %. the curative polyurethane of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a mixture of : less than 76 % hydroxl terminated poly ( oxyalkylene ) polyethers , preferably 74 %; less than 17 . 5 % butanediol , preferably 17 %; less than 9 % diethyltoluenediamine , preferably 8 . 1 %; and less than 1 % of organotin catalyst , preferably 0 . 9 %. one possible releasing agent of the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a mixture of : less than 2 % stoddard solvent , preferably 1 . 5 %; 90 % aliphatic hydrocarbon ; and less than 10 % silicone blend , preferably 8 . 5 %. an alternate releasing agent for the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes 90 % aliphatic hydrocarbon and 10 % silicone blend . another embodiment of the present invention uses a composition of a prepolymer polyurethane from the isocyanate chemical family which includes a mixture of : less than 1 % of toluene diisocyanate , preferably 0 . 5 %; from 20 % to 67 % isocyanate terminated prepolymer , preferably 45 %; from 4 % to 10 % diphenylmethane diisocyanate , preferably 7 %; from 2 % to 4 . 5 % higher oligomers of mdi , preferably 2 %; up to 13 % parafinic and naphthenic petroleum blend , preferably 5 %; from 16 % to 58 % chlorinated hydrocarbon , preferably 38 %; and from 2 % to 3 % hydrophobic silica , preferably 2 . 5 %. this embodiment of the present invention uses a composition of a curative polyurethane which includes a mixture of : less than 0 . 6 % of an organomercury catalyst , preferably 0 . 5 %; from 10 % to 17 % petroleum hydrocarbon , preferably 15 %; from 38 % to 45 % polyether polyols , preferably 43 %; from 26 % to 37 % calcined kaolin , preferably 35 %; and from 8 % to 12 % hydrophobic silica , preferably 6 . 5 %. the coating materials of either embodiment of the present invention are applied by a portable spray method which takes advantage of the near equal parts pre - polymer to curative ratios and the point of application mixing afforded by the spray application . the preferred method includes inspection of the surface to be coated to insure that the surface is free from dust , dirt , abrasive materials , oil , moisture , and any other condition that would interfere with the application process . thereafter , the boundaries of the surface to be coated are masked with a suitable material , such as masking tape . any standard sized functional opening in the application surface for temporary coatings is likewise protected by applying convex polyvinyl molds over such opening prior to the application of coating materials . non - standard sized functional openings are protected using polyvinyl film known in the art . when the ambient temperature is between the optimal range for the coating materials to be used , a releasing agent is applied to the surface to be coated for temporary applications . permanent coating applications do not require application of a releasing agent . prepackaged equal amounts of the coating materials selected for use are loaded into the portable spray applicator which is fitted with a disposable mixing spray nozzle . the selected coating materials are then heated to 120 degrees fahrenheit . once the coating materials reach this preheated temperature , they are applied to the surface to be coated by use of the portable spray applicator . for temporary coating applications , the vertical surface coating thickness is typically from { fraction ( 1 / 32 )} to { fraction ( 1 / 16 )} of an inch . for temporary coating applications , the horizontal surface coating surface is typically from { fraction ( 1 / 16 )} to { fraction ( 3 / 32 )} of an inch . for permanent coating applications , the application coating thickness is adjusted to suit each particular permanent application . after the initial application of heated coating materials have been applied , said applied protective material coating can be adjusted by reapplying said protective material as necessary . the coated surface is allowed to cure , a period which ranges between 10 minutes and 15 minutes , depending upon the ambient temperature , relative ratios of pre - polymer and curative , and atmospheric pressure . once the protective coating has cured , the desired activities to be performed upon or around the protective coating and the protected surface can commence and be completed . if the protective coating is temporary , the protective coating and masking materials are easily removed upon completion of the desired activities . similarly , the convex molded coatings and the underlying convex polyvinyl molds over any functional openings can be easily located and cut open by tradesmen needing to access the opening for repairs while the protective coating covers the protectively coated surface . with respect to the above description then , it is to be realized that the optimum compositional relationships and methods for the invention , to include variations in size , materials , shape , form , function and manner of operation , assembly , manufacture , and use , are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art , and all equivalent relationships to described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention . therefore , the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention . additionally , since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art , it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact composition and methods described , and further , all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to , falling within the scope of the invention .	1
as shown in fig1 the invention relates to an assembly 1 intended for an injection mould represented solely by the matrix 2 . the injection assembly 1 is secured to the matrix 2 , for example by spindles 3 entering into corresponding accommodating means of the matrix 2 . the assembly 1 is then rendered integral with the matrix 2 to form just one part which remains integral while the matrix is in use . the assembly 1 may be removed from the matrix 2 to allow operations to be performed on the injection nozzle , or to allow them to be replaced , or the control thereof to be acted upon . the assembly 1 consists of a bearing plate 4 which bears nozzles 5 , in general of different lengths , with or without a shutter , depending on the part to be injected . the nozzles 5 pass through the passages ( which are not shown ) which are provided in the matrix 2 to reach the interior of the moulding cavity of the matrix , at locations which have been predetermined by the moulder as a function of the part to be produced . by convention , in fig1 the rear face 4a of the bearing plate 4 is located on the left , and the front face 4b on the right , and , in the same manner , the rear face 2a of the matrix 2 is on the left and the front face on the right . the assembly of the assembly 1 and the matrix 2 is performed by means of the faces 4b and 2a . the front face 4b of the bearing plate is machined to come into contact with the rear face 2a of the matrix 2 and the rear face 2a of the bearing plate is shaped , by machining , to come to be laid flat on the machine bed - plate ( which is not shown ). the cavity of the mould is located on the right of the front face 2b . schematically , the matrix comprises a part 2c in relief corresponding to the shape of the part to be injected . these injecting nozzles 5 , 5a ( fig7 ) receive the plastics material via the central nozzle 5b ( fig9 ), via a network of ducts which are , in general , heated , and which are not shown in fig1 . these ducts are formed of a heating distributor supporting the nozzles which is , itself , secured to the bearing plate . this distributor will be described in a more precise manner with reference to fig4 and 6 . the single nozzles 5 , without a shutter , discharge the material to be injected , with which they are supplied ; whilst the nozzles with a shutter only open and close on command ; they are controlled by hydraulic fluid ; the heating is performed by a heat - exchanging fluid or , preferably , by an electric heating cord , for heating all the parts in the vicinity of the ducts of the plastics material , ie . the heating distributor and the nozzles themselves ; the branchings of the various fluids and the electrical branchings being regrouped on the side of the bearing plate 4 , in the vicinity of a connection plate 6 . fig2 and 3 show , in a more precise manner , an embodiment of a bearing plate 4 and of the location 8 accommodating the heating distributor . fig4 and 6 show a heating distributor 20 intended to be mounted in the bearing plate 4 . as shown in fig2 the bearing plate 4 , laid on its rear face 4a , horizontally , is a cast iron or moulded steel part provided with reinforcing ribs 9 leaving , between them , cavities 9a and a reserved space 8 corresponding to the location intended for the accommodation of the heating distributor ( which is not shown in fig2 and 3 ). the base of the reserved space 8 comprises passages 10 for the injection nozzles and a passage 11 for the supply nozzle . in the example shown , the passages 10 are stepped and their opening into the reserved space 8 is bordered by a supporting face 13 . the base of the reserved space 8 also comprises internal screw threads 17 for the securing screws of the distributor . this reserved space 8 likewise comprises passages 10 for the distribution nozzles 5a and for the passage 11 for the central nozzle 5b , ie . the nozzle against which the output of the barrel extruder supplying the plastics material is to be positioned . these various passages 10 , 11 are provided with precise locations intended for the injection nozzles . these locations are selected by the moulder as a function of the part to be produced , ie . its shape , its geometry , its volume and the properties of the plastics material being used . bosses , which surround the passages , are produced in the reserved space corresponding substantially to the shape of the distributor . this hollow part 8 comprises , in the vicinity of the location of the nozzles , supporting faces 13 connected by the bosses shaped to accommodate the heating distributor in a precise manner . the bearing plate 4 is a cast iron or moulded steel part , of which only the reference faces are machined . this is , for example , the face 4b by means of which the bearing plate 4 is supported on the matrix 2 and , depending on the case , the lower or rear face 4a pressed against the bed - plate of the machine ( fig1 ). the supporting face 13 surrounding the locations of the nozzles are likewise machined , in the same manner as the passages for the nozzles ( 10 , 11 ). the peripheral edge 16 and the ribs 9 of the bearing plate are designed to confer the necessary rigidity on the bearing plate 4 , whilst leaving empty spaces which are as large as possible to lighten the assembly . preferably , the bearing plate has a thickness which allows injection nozzles and their control means ( valves ), which are borne by the bearing plate or directly by the heating distributor , to be accommodated , as well as the various fluid ducts and the electric cables . as shown in fig4 the heating distributor 20 , which forms part of the assembly according to the invention , shown by way of example , is likewise a cast iron or moulded steel part . the heating distributor 20 is a mechanical support independent of the bearing plate 4 ; it bears the injection nozzles 5a and the central nozzle 5b connected to the injection nozzles 5a by a network of ducts through which the molten plastics material passes . the shape of the heating distributor 20 is designed as a function of the distribution of the position of the injection nozzles 5a . the central nozzle 5b is positioned by the moulder to ensure the shortest and most uniform distribution possible of the plastics material between the various injection nozzles 5a taking into consideration the proper operation of each nozzle . in general , the heating distributor 20 has a shape radiating outwards from the centre , formed by the location 21 of the central nozzle 5b . the branches 22 which connect the location 21 to the locations 23 of the injection nozzles 5a are , in general , direct ; they may , however , likewise have branchings 22 &# 39 ;. in more detail , the heating distributor 20 consists of connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ;, for the positioning of central nozzles 5b and injection nozzles 5a . the connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ; of the injection nozzles are connected to the connector 24 &# 34 ; of the central nozzle by branches 22 , 22 &# 39 ;. in this example , the connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ;, 24 &# 34 ; have standard stepped apertures 25 , 25 &# 39 ; accommodating the nozzles which are not shown and the branches 22 connecting them are provided with ducts 26 opening out into the apertures 25 , 25 &# 39 ; of the connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ;, 24 &# 34 ;. in the foundry , the distributor 20 is provided with grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; along the contour of the branches 22 and the connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ;, 24 &# 34 ;. these grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; are provided on the upper face and on the lower face of the distributor 20 to accommodate an armoured and closed electrical resistance intended to keep the distributor at the temperature which is necessary for the fluidity of the plastics material . the heating distributor 20 is likewise provided , at the foundry , with perforated tabs 28 allowing the distributor 20 to be screwed onto its location in its reserved space 8 of the bearing plate 4 where inner threads 17 are provided to accommodate the screws . the connectors 24 , 24 &# 39 ;, 24 &# 34 ; which accommodate the injectors , which are not shown , have a contour largely formed of a type of revolution ; they are provided with an aperture 25 , 25 &# 39 ;, preferably a stepped aperture , forming a chamber . each injector is secured in a leaktight manner in its connector in such a manner as to communicate with the chamber , which itself communicates with a duct 26 connected to the central nozzle 5b . since the heating distributor is a cast iron or moulded steel part , the ducts 26 are produced by apertures opening out at the exterior ( 26 &# 39 ;); these perforated parts 26 &# 39 ; are covered so that only the ducts 26 remain , these ducts connecting , for example , the central nozzle 5b to the corresponding distribution nozzle 5a . the heating distributor 20 is connected to the bearing plate 4 only in the vicinity of the supports 13 with the interposition of insulating washers to avoid a heat bridge between the distributor 20 and the bearing plate 4 . the view in section in fig5 passing through the connector 21 &# 34 ; of the central nozzle 5b and the connector 24 of an injection nozzle 5a shows the stepped aperture 25 accommodating the central nozzle ( which is not shown ) opening out via the rear face of the distributor 20 ( loser face in fig5 ). this aperture 25 &# 39 ; communicates with a duct 26 connected to the stepped aperture 25 of the connector 24 of the injection nozzle . this aperture opens out from the distributor via the extension 26 &# 39 ;, having served to produce the duct 26 . all the nozzles 5a , 5b are mounted in the standard threaded accommodating means . the branches 22 , containing the ducts 26 , have a rectangular section as is shown in fig6 . this rectangular section shows the duct 26 and the grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; in the faces , for example the top and bottom faces of the branch 22 . these grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; accommodate the armoured and closed electrical resistances . fig7 is a partial section of the injection assembly 1 connected to the matrix 2 , in the vicinity of an injection nozzle 5a , the assembly being shown in a vertical position as in fig1 . the heating distributor 20 is provided , in the vicinity of the connector 24 , with an elbow 29 extending beyond the rear face of the distributor to accommodate an insulating washer 30 separating the distributor 20 from its support 13 at the base of the bearing plate 4 . the distributor / bearing plate assembly is connected by screws 31 . the elbow 29 opens out into the duct 26 of the distributor , the grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; of which are provided with armoured and closed electrical resistances . the armoured and closed upper and lower electrical resistances 32 , 32 &# 39 ; are located in the corresponding grooves 27 , 27 &# 39 ; of the connector 24 . the passage 33 for the nozzle 5a in the matrix 2 of the mould is terminated at the front by an aperture 34 for centering and for supporting the front end 35 of the nozzle , simultaneously ensuring the leaktightness . at the rear , the nozzle 5a comprises a threaded part 51a screwed into the inner thread 231 of the location 23 of the nozzles on the distributor 20 . the threaded part 51a is preceded by a hexagonal part 52a forming a nut for the screwing of the nozzle 5a into the distributor 20 . this figure also shows the temperature sensors 53a , 54a . this section shows the thermal decoupling between , on the one hand , the heating distributor 20 and its nozzle 5a , and , on the other hand , the bearing plate 4 and the matrix 2 . fig8 is a sectional view analogous to that in fig7 but corresponding to a variant of the embodiment , and of the mounting of the heating distributor 120 and of the injection nozzle 105a . the injection assembly 101 is connected to the matrix 102 by means which are not shown . for the mounting of the nozzle 105a in the distributor 120 , the location 123 is a non - stepped through aperture accommodating a head 129 with a passage in the form of an elbow to connect the duct 126 of the distributor 120 to the nozzle 105a . this head 129 allows simplification of the shape and the embodiment of the distributor 120 , the nozzle locations of which , such as the location 123 , are simple through apertures , not stepped and not threaded . the head 129 , which is identical for all the injection nozzles 105a , irrespective of the length thereof , is a cylindrical part terminated on one side by a threaded part 1291 and on the other side by a frustoconical skirt 1292 , closing at its base , a supporting face 1293 corresponding to the rear face 104b of the bearing plate 104 to come to be supported against the front face 102a of the matrix 102 , about the passage 133 accommodating the nozzle 105a in the matrix 102 . the body 1294 of the head 129 has a circular cylindrical shape adapted to the aperture 123 ; the length of the body corresponds substantially to the thickness of the distributor 120 . the skirt 1291 forms a shoulder at its connection to the body 1294 to support the head against the corresponding face of the distributor 120 (&# 34 ; lower &# 34 ; face ). the other threaded face 1292 accommodates a nut 130 ensuring the clamping of the head 129 on the bearing plate 120 and acting for the support of the distributor against the base of the bearing plate 104 . this nut 130 is preferably produced of a material which is of low heat conductivity to insulate the distributor in relation to the bearing plate 104 . the skirt 1292 is provided with passages 1295 for the passage of the cables of the sensors 153a of the nozzle 105a . in the interior , the skirt 1292 is provided with a threading 1292 for accommodating the threaded end 151a of the nozzle 105a . the head 129 comprises a passage 1297 communicating with the passage 154a of the nozzle 105a . the part 129 reduces the heat bridges to a minimum . the mounting of the nozzles in the distributor 120 simplifies , considerably , the construction thereof which has a constant thickness and through apertures which are not stepped and not threaded . this likewise facilitates the operations on the distributor and , more generally , on the assembly 101 . the materials of the distributor 120 and the heads 129 are selected in a more precise manner according to their functions ; the part 129 may be treated so as to be resistant whereas this is not essential for the distributor 120 . as is the case in the preceding embodiment , the distributor comprises heating resistances 132 accommodated in grooves 127 . lastly , the distributor 120 is connected to the bearing plate 120 by a bolt 131 , with the interposition of an insulating washer 1311 . fig9 is a partial section of the injection assembly 1 and of the matrix 2 passing via the axis of the central nozzle 5b . to the right of the central nozzle 5b , the heating distributor 20 comprises a centering and bearing pin 36 engaged in an accommodating means 37 of the distributor and an aperture 38 in the matrix 2 . the central nozzle 5b is held in the passage 39 of the bearing plate 4 by its edge 40 at the inner side and by its cap 41 in a countersinking 42 of the rear face of the bearing plate 4 . in a variant which is not shown , the central nozzle may likewise be mounted in the distributor 20 as is the case in the example shown in fig8 for the injection nozzle , by adapting the duct produced in the head 129 to cause it to open out via the face of the threaded end 1291 and by closing the end at the interior of the skirt 1292 . this allows all the locations of the nozzles to be rendered uniform and standardised , irrespective of the supply or the injection , and likewise allows the shape of the distributor to be simplified . the assembly 1 is produced of cast iron or moulded steel for the bearing plate 4 and the heating distributor 20 . the bearing plate 4 is cast in a mould and then its reference faces 14 , 15 are machined in the same manner as the passages 10 , 11 of the nozzles and the supporting faces 13 of the heating distributor and the threadings 17 . the supports 13 for the distributor 20 are produced by a hollow at the base of the impression acting as the mould of the bearing plate 4 . the arrangement of the ribs 9 takes the shape of the heating distributor 20 into account . the heating distributor 20 is produced from a mould obtained with the aid of a core formed of modular elements : these modular elements are the elements the shape of which corresponds to the connectors and that of the branches connecting the connectors . the branches are profiled sections , cut to length and assembled . the core which is produced in this manner forms the impression of the mould of the distributor . the machining of the distributor is restricted to that of the reference faces , the apertures forming the ducts and the stepped apertures , through which the nozzles may or may not pass . the assembly of the injection assembly 1 consists in mounting the nozzles 5a , 5b , in connecting the supplies of the valves , in the case of controlled nozzles , on the heating distributor and in positioning the armoured and closed electrical resistances 32 , 32 &# 39 ; and the electrical branching thereof , as well as the temperature sensors . after the mounting thereof , the distributor 20 is secured in the bearing plate 4 which is , itself , connected to the matrix 2 .	1
in the embodiment described hereinafter , the finding that a limitation of outer size of a wrapper tube becomes critical at a portion of the wrapper tube which faces to nearly the middle of a nuclear fuel stack in a nuclear fuel rod , and that both upper and lower portions from the critical portion have spaces to accommodate some expansion was obtained with fundamental consideration on thermal output power and removal of the thermal output power in a reactor core of a fast breeder reactor and investigation on elimination of useless space in a conventional fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor , and a fuel assembly which comprises a wrapper tube having a reverse tapered shape in both outer and inner width from the portion which faces to the middle of the nuclear fuel stack in the nuclear fuel rod toward both upper and lower ends of the wrapper tube was devised . in considering of horizontal expansion of the wrapper tube caused by swelling etc . during the reactor operation , while a uniform gap between each wrapper tubes is necessary to be maintained at the middle portion of the reactor core fuel stack , that is a heat generation part of a nuclear fuel rods bundle , the gap between each wrapper tubes can be reduced in other portions . according to the understanding described above , a pressure drop of coolant can be reduced by enlarging a flow area of coolant by reducing the gap between the wrapper tubes at the portion other than the middle portion of the reactor core fuel stack and enlarging both of the outer and inner width of the wrapper tube larger than the width at the middle portion of the reactor core fuel stack in considering that the enlargement of the wrapper tube at a portion which faces to the gas plenum portion of the nuclear fuel rod , that is no heat generating part , does not have any problem in heat removal . especially , a fuel assembly for a fast breeder reactor has a trend to be longer in length with advancement of nuclear fuel for high burnup , and the present invention can contribute preferably to the reduction of head loss of the fuel assembly described above . hereinafter , embodiments of the present invention wherein the invention were applied to fuel assemblies for the fast breeder reactor are described in detail in referring fig1 and 2 . fig1 is a vertical cross section of a fuel assembly related to an embodiment of the present invention . in fig1 fuel rods 1 having a small diameter are bundled and inserted into a wrapper tube 2 , a means of fuel containment . in the bundling of the fuel rods , the external surface of the cladding 4 of each fuel rod 1 is wound with a wire spacer 5 to keep a constant gap between adjacent fuel rods . the fuel rod 1 having a small diameter is composed of a stack of fuel pellets 3 inserted into a cladding 4 . a gas plenum portion to accommodate gas pressure which is generated with burning of the fuel pellets 3 is formed in the lower part of the cladding 4 . while , fuel pellets 3 are consisted with two type of fuels , driver fuel pellets 10 and blanket fuel pellets 11 , and the driver fuel pellets 10 are stacked in the reactor core region 12 which is a heat generating region and the blanket fuel pellets 11 are stacked in each of upper and lower blanket region 13 , 14 . at the upper end of the wrapper tube 2 , an upper shield 6 for neutrons is fixed by welding , and a lower shield 7 is fixed by welding in a same way at the lower end of the wrapper tube 2 . the lower shield 7 has an inlet for coolant conducting to the inside of the wrapper tube 2 , and the upper shield 6 has an outlet for coolant . the outer diameter of the fuel rod 1 is 7 . 6 mm , and the minimum inner and outer width between faces of the portion of the fuel assembly 2 coincident to the portion of the fuel pellets stack ( at the middle of the fuel pellets stack ) are 150 mm and 158 mm . and the arrangement pitch between the wrapper tubes 2 which are composing the reactor core by standing together vertically in the reactor is 164 mm . as shown in fig3 a wrapper tube 2 of a conventional fuel assembly has a uniform inner and a uniform outer width which are partly enlarged at positions of pads 8 for restriction of fuel assemblies at the outer side of upper blanket fuel portion . on the other hand , an embodiment of the present invention is characterized in a wrapper tube 2 of a fuel assembly having both of a partly larger inner width and a partly larger outer width at positions facing to upper and lower part of a reactor core region 12 than an inner and outer width at a position facing to the reactor core region 12 . in the present embodiment , the inner and the outer width of the wrapper tube 2 at the portion facing to the gas plenum part 9 are 154 mm and 162 mm each , and the minimum inner and the outer width or diameter of the wrapper tube 2 at the portion facing to the reactor core region 12 are 150 mm and 158 mm . and the wrapper tube 2 has a shape having both of the inner and the outer widths or diameters enlarged continuously and gradually from the minimum inner and outer width or diameter to 154 mm , and 162 mm respectively , so that the wrapper tube may be considered to have an hourglass shape . consequently , in the embodiment of the present invention , the pressure drop of coolant of the fuel assembly relating to the present invention could be reduced about 29 % as compared with the pressure drop of coolant of the conventional fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor as shown in table 1 . and a reactor core comprising the fuel assembly having the reduced pressure drop of coolant as an element consequently has a reduced pressure drop of coolant as a whole , and a capacity of a pump which circulates coolant to the reactor core can be reduced . further , the reduction of the capacity of the pump makes it possible to use a smaller pump , and hence , a reduction in size of the reactor vessel of the fast breeder reactor including the small pump becomes possible . moreover , the reduction of the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core enhances natural circulation of coolant in the reactor core after stopping the operation of the pump , and the enhancement of the natural circulation of coolant can contribute to cooling of the reactor core and raises safety of the reactor . table 1______________________________________ presentfuel assembly prior art invention______________________________________length in axial direction ( mm ) upper blanket portion 300 300reactor core fuel stack portion 1000 1000lower blanket portion / 1700 1700gas plenum portioninner width of wrapper tube ( mm ) upper blanket portion 150 154middle of fuel stack portion 150 150upper and lower ends fuel 150 154stack portiongas plenum portion 150 154pressure drop of coolant ( kg / cm . sup . 2 ) 3 . 8 2 . 7 (%) 100 71 ( reduced 29 %) ______________________________________ in the embodiment of the present invention , enlargement of the width by expansion of the wrapper tube 2 is done all over the outer fringe , but in case of a wrapper tube having a hexagonal horizontal cross section , it is possible to increase structural strength of the wrapper tube by leaving thick wall thickness only at portions of the hexagonal corners of the wrapper tube 2 as it is without an enlarging procedure . and in the embodiment of the present invention , expansion of the width of the wrapper tube 2 is done at the portion faced to the gas plenum portion 9 , but as the expansion of the wrapper tube 2 by burning of nuclear fuel at the portion faced to the lower blanket portion 14 is smaller than the expansion at the portion of the wrapper tube 2 faced to the reactor core region 12 , it is possible to enlarge the width of the wrapper tube 2 and the portion faced to the lower blanket portion just as same as the expansion at the portion faced to the gas plenum 9 portion . the present case is effective especially for the reduction of pressure drop of coolant at the region of 1 . 7 meters in 3 meters of the total length of the fuel rod . further , in the embodiment of the present invention , the gas plenum portion 9 is provided at the lower part of the reactor core region 12 , but in a case when the gas plenum portion 9 is placed at upper part of the reactor core region 12 , the present invention also can be applicable . and the fuel assembly related to the present invention has an effect to enable to distribute coolant flow to the reactor core by being loaded into a part of the reactor core . that is , by using the enlarged wrapper tube 2 related to the present invention for the fuel assembly in the high power region of the reactor core and regulating of pressure drop of coolant at the fuel portion of the reactor core by changing the enlarging rate of the width of the wrapper tube depending on the change of thermal output , it becomes possible to distribute the flow of coolant most properly to each region of the reactor core . as the result , it is not necessary to use extra orifices for flow distribution which are conventionally installed at the inlet portion of coolant . fig2 is a vertical cross section of the fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor relating to the another embodiment of the present invention . the fuel assembly shown in fig2 has a wrapper tube 2 having an upper shield 6 and a lower shield 7 which are welded to the wrapper tube the same as the fuel assembly shown in fig1 . the outer width of the fuel rod is 7 . 6 mm , and the minimum inner and outer width of the wrapper tube at the portion of narrowest width of the near middle of the fuel stack portion are 150 mm and 158 mm . and the pitch of arrangement of the wrapper tubes is 164 mm . in this embodiment , the width of the wrapper tube 2 has the minimum value at the middle of the reactor core fuel stack portion wherein the expansion of the wrapper tube 2 in horizontal direction is large , and as going up and going down to another portion ( vertical direction ) wherein the expansion of the wrapper tube is relatively small , the inner and the outer width of the wrapper tube 2 is continuously enlarged and the thickness of the wrapper tube 2 is reduced . the maximum inner and the outer width of the wrapper tube 2 at the portion faced to the upper and the lower blanket portion 13 , 14 are 154 mm and 162 mm , and the inner and the outer width of the wrapper tube 2 at the portion faced to the most expanded gas plenum portion 9 are 158 mm and 162 mm . consequently , in the embodiment of the present invention , pressure drop of coolant of the fuel assembly related to the present invention can be reduced about 42 % in comparison with a conventional fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor by prior art as shown in table 2 . and the total pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core using the fuel assemblies relating to the present embodiment can be reduced as a whole . as a result , power for the coolant circulating pump can be saved , and reduction of pump size and reactor vessel becomes possible . table 2______________________________________ presentfuel assembly prior art invention______________________________________length in axial direction ( mm ) upper blanket portion 300 300reactor core fuel stack portion 1000 1000lower blanket portion / 1700 1700gas plenum portioninner width of wrapper tube ( mm ) upper blanket portion 150 158middle of fuel stack portion 150 150upper and lower ends fuel 150 158stack portiongas plenum portion 150 158pressure drop of coolant ( kg / cm . sup . 2 ) 3 . 8 2 . 2 (%) 100 58 ( reduced 42 %) ______________________________________ in all of the present embodiments , a portion of a wrapper tube 2 faced to a reactor core region 12 is exposed to the environment of the highest temperature during reactor operation and is yielded the largest swelling . therefore , in considering that the portion of the wrapper tube 2 faced to the reactor core region 12 has the largest swelling , the width of the portion is determined as nearly equal to a width of a conventional wrapper tube which is less than the maximum width of the wrapper tube . with the method described above , even though the width of the wrapper tube 2 is expanded horizontally at the portion faced to the reactor core region 12 , any of mutual interference accident with adjacent wrapper tubes will not be occurred . and as the other portion of the wrapper tube 2 except the portion faced to the reactor core region 12 has small expansion coefficient , any of mutual interference with adjacent wrapper tubes will not be occurred even though the width of the wrapper tube 2 is enlarged . accordingly , the reactor core having the fuel assembly relating to the embodiment of the present invention as an element , it is not necessitated to widen the gap between fuel assemblies , and enlarging of the reactor size is not necessary . in all of the present embodiments , an effect to use distributed coolant without any leakage , and to provide a fuel assembly for a fast breeder reactor which enable to reduce the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core without any enlarging in size in composing of the reactor core of the fast breeder reactor is produced . by composing of a reactor core with a plurality of fuel assemblies , which are manufactured in any of the embodiments of the present invention , standing together vertically in the reactor core of a fast breeder reactor , an effect to provide the reactor core for the fast breeder reactor which enable to use distributed coolant to each of fuel assemblies without any leakage , and to reduce pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core without enlarging the size of the reactor core is obtained . by loading at least one fuel assembly which is manufactured in any of the embodiments of the present invention into a reactor core region , wherein the thermal output is relatively large , of the fast breeder reactor for increasing coolant flow at the region , an effect to average the thermal output of the reactor core is obtained . in the embodiments of the present invention , even though the minimum width portion of the wrapper tube , which is a means to contain fuel rods , has the same width as of the conventional wrapper tube , the width of another portion of the wrapper tube is larger than the width of the conventional wrapper tube , and an effect to provide a means of fuel containment which can contribute to achieve reduction of pressure drop of coolant of the fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor without enlarging the size of the reactor core together with preventing the fuel assembly from contact with adjacent fuel assemblies by expansion with swelling of the wrapper tube during reactor operation is obtained . especially in the embodiment of the present invention wherein the wall thickness of the means of fuel containment is reduced at the portion which faces to the gas plenum portion , in addition to an effect to provide a fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to use distributed coolant for cooling of the reactor core without leakage and to reduce the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core without enlarging the core size in the composition of the reactor core of the fast breeder reactor , another effect to provide the fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to reduce further the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core by enlarging of coolant flow area as much as equivalent to the reduction of wall thickness of the means of fuel containment are obtained . especially in the embodiment of the present invention wherein the width of the means of fuel containment increases continuously from the middle of the axial length of the means to both ends of the means , in addition to an effect to provide a fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to use distributed coolant for cooling of the reactor core without leakage and to reduce the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core without enlarging the core size in the composition of the reactor core of the fast breeder reactor , another effect to provide the fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to reduce the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core even at the middle of the axial length of the means of fuel containment because of enlarging of the coolant flow area continuously from the middle of the means to both ends of the means of fuel containment are obtained . especially in the embodiment of the present invention wherein the wall thickness of the means of fuel containment decreases continuously from the middle to both ends of the axial length of the means of fuel containment , in addition to an effect to provide a fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to use distributed coolant for cooling of the reactor core without leakage and to reduce the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core without enlarging the core size in composition of the reactor core of the fast breeder reactor , another effect to provide the fuel assembly for the fast breeder reactor which is able to reduce further the pressure drop of coolant of the reactor core even at the middle of the axial length of the means of fuel containment because of enlarging of the coolant flow area by reducing the extra wall thickness of the means of fuel containment are obtained . by using a fuel assembly manufactured in one of the embodiments of the present invention as an element of the reactor core of a fast breeder reactor and designing the fuel assembly so as to have different rate of enlarging of the coolant flow area in the means of fuel containment , an effect to regulate difference in thermal output between regions in the reactor core by regulating the distribution of coolant flow between fuel assemblies composing the reactor core with the shape of the fuel assembly itself without using any other members is obtained .	6
the present invention is applicable to any of the transparent resinous copolymers of the type above specified . the present invention is particularly preferred for the high impact branched resinous copolymers . examples of methods of making such copolymers are disclosed in u . s . pat . nos . 3 , 639 , 517 ; 4 , 091 , 053 ; and 4 , 120 , 915 , the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference . the present invention is also applicable to transparent compositions comprising blends of branched resinous copolymers such as disclosed in u . s . pat . nos . 4 , 080 , 407 ; and 4 , 104 , 326 , the disclosures of which are also incorporated herein by reference . the flame retardants useful for preparing the transparent compositions of this invention include those compounds having 6 to 21 carbon atoms and at least 3 bromine atoms per molecule and the formula wherein r is hydrogen , methyl , ethyl , or bromine , n is an integer of from 1 to 5 and y is selected from the group consisting of ## str1 ## examples of such suitable flame retardant materials for addition to the resinous block copolymers include tris ( 2 - bromoethyl ) phosphate , tris ( 2 , 3 - dibromopropyl ) phosphate , tris ( 2 - bromopropyl ) phosphate , tris ( 2 , 3 , 4 - tribromobutyl ) phosphate , tris ( 2 , 3 - dibromo - 2 - methylpropyl ) phosphate , tris ( 3 - bromo - 2 - ethylbutyl ) phosphate , tris ( 2 - bromoethyl ) isocyanurate , tris ( 2 , 3 - dibromopropyl ) isocyanurate , tris ( 2 - bromoisopropyl ) isocyanurate , tris ( 5 , 6 - dibromohexyl ) isocyanurate , and mixtures thereof . the amount of flame retardant employed with the resinous block copolymers can vary widely depending , of course , on the nature of the flame retardant , the flammability of the original resinous block copolymer and the desired flammability of the resultant flame retarded composition . generally , the inventive compositions will contain from about 1 to about 50 parts by weight of above - described flame retardant per 100 parts by weight of resinous block copolymer , and preferably from 3 to about 15 parts by weight flame retardant per 100 parts by weight resinous block copolymer . with tris ( 2 , 3 - dibromopropyl ) phosphate as the flame retardant it is currently preferred to use about 10 to about 40 parts by weight of the phosphate per 100 parts by weight of the resinous block polymer . with tris ( dibromopropyl ) isocyanurate , it is currently preferred to use about 10 to about 20 parts by weight per hundred parts by weight of said copolymer . other well known suitable additives may be employed in the inventive compositions so long as such additives do not interfere with the transparency of the final composition . such ingredients include stabilizers , antioxidants , lubricants , plasticizers , pigments , and the like and mixtures thereof . the above - described flame retardant and other optional additives can be incorporated into the resinous block copolymer by any means which are well known in the art , such as hot - mixing or solution blending . the aspects of this invention and its advantages over the prior art are illustrated by the following example . in this example , a series of known flame retardants were combined with a commercial resinous branched block copolymer sold by phillips petroleum company as kro3 type k - resin ® polymer , k - resin is a trademark of phillips petroleum company . the copolymer is a 75 / 25 styrene / 1 , 3 - butadiene branched copolymer product in accordance with a method described in the aforementioned u . s . pat . no . 3 , 639 , 517 . each flame retardant was mixed with the copolymer in a mill at 138 ° c . the mixed compositions were then molded into slabs ( 6 . 35 cm × 10 . 16 cm × 3 . 18 mm ) at 177 ° c . the molded slabs were inspected for transparency and were tested for oxygen index according to astm d 2863 . the results are recorded in the following table . table__________________________________________________________________________ amt oxygenrun no . additive php . sup . 1 appear . index . sup . 8__________________________________________________________________________1 ( comp .) none 0 clear 18 . 82 ( inv .) tris ( 2 , 3 - bromopropyl ) phosphate . sup . 2 10 clear 22 . 03 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 13 . 3 clear 21 . 0 ( 21 . 6 ) 4 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 20 clear 24 . 4 ( 22 . 9 ) 5 ( inv .) 30 clear 24 . 46 ( inv .) 40 clear 25 . 57 ( inv .) tris ( dibromopropyl ) isocyanurate 5 hazy 19 . 88 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 10 clear 21 . 6 ( 22 . 2 ) 9 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 13 . 3 clear 23 . 310 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 20 clear 23 . 3 ( 24 . 4 ) 11 ( inv .) &# 34 ; 30 partly 24 . 6 hazy12 ( comp .) hexabromobiphenyl . sup . 3 5 clear 19 . 213 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 10 clear 19 . 614 ( comp .) tris ( 1 , 3 - dichloro - 2 - propyl ) phosphate . sup . 4 10 clear 20 . 215 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 13 . 3 clear 20 . 016 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 20 clear 20 . 817 ( comp .) pentabromoethylbenzene 5 clear 19 . 618 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 10 clear 20 . 219 ( comp .) decabromodiphenyl ether 13 . 3 white 20 . 820 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 20 white 21 . 621 ( comp .) chlorinated paraffin . sup . 5 13 . 3 clear & amp ; 20 . 2 yellow22 ( comp .) &# 34 ; 20 clear & amp ; 20 . 4 yellow23 ( comp .) chlorinated polycyclic . sup . 6 15 white 19 . 424 ( comp .) chlorinated polycyclic . sup . 7 15 hazy 21 . 6__________________________________________________________________________ . sup . 1 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of polymer . . sup . 2 firemaster t23p ( michigan chemical corp .). . sup . 3 firemaster bp6 ( michigan chemical corp .). . sup . 4 firemaster t33p ( michigan chemical corp .). . sup . 5 chlorowax 70 ( diamond shamrock chemical co .). . sup . 6 dechlorane plus ( hooker chemical corp .). . sup . 7 dechlorane 604 ( hooker chemical corp .). . sup . 8 oxygen index is defined in d 2863 as the minimum concentration of oxygen ( expressed in volume percent ) in a mixture of oxygen and nitrogen that will just support flaming combustion of a test specimen . thus , highe numbers are indicative of greater flame resistance . the data in the above table show that use of tris ( 2 , 3 - dibromopropyl ) phosphate and tris ( dibromopropyl ) isocyanurate in resinous butadiene / styrene block copolymer results in compositions which are transparent and exhibit improved flame resistance compared to compositions containing other known halogenated flame retardants which compositions are deficient in transparency or in flame resistance .	2
the objective of the invention is to provide a system and method capable to extract dynamics in properties of a scattering medium . the use of the invention &# 39 ; s system and method has several applications including , but not limited to , medical imaging applications . although the methods described herein focus on tomographic imaging the dynamic properties of hemoglobin states and tissue using optical tomography , with an imaging source generating multiple wavelengths in the nir region , it is appreciated that the invention is applicable to any medium that is able to scatter the propagating energy from any energy source , including external energy sources such as those sources located outside the medium and / or internal sources such as those energy sources located inside the medium . for example , other media includes , but are not limited to , medium from mammals , botanical life , aquatic life , or invertebrates ; oceans or water masses ; foggy or gaseous - atmospheres ; earth strata ; industrial materials ; man - made or naturally occurring chemicals and the like . energy sources include , but are not limited to , non - laser optical sources like led and high - pressure incandescent lamps and lasers sources such as laser diodes , solid state lasers such as titanium - sapphire laser and ruby laser , dye laser and other electromagnetic sources , acoustic energy , acoustic energy produced by optical energy , optical energy , and any combinations thereof similarly the means to detect the signal produced by the energy source is not limited to photodiode implementation discussed in one of the preferred embodiments further described herein . other detectors can be used with the principles of the present invention for the purpose of tomographic imaging the dynamic properties of a medium . such detectors include for example , but are not limited to , photo - diodes , pin diodes ( pin ), avalanche photodiodes ( apd ), charge couple device ( ccd ), charge inductive device ( cid ), photo - multiplier tubes ( pmt ), multi - channel plate ( mcp ), acoustic transducers and the like . the present invention builds upon previous disclosures in u . s . pat . nos . 5 , 137 , 355 (“ the &# 39 ; 355 patent ”) entitled “ method of imaging a random medium ” (“ the &# 39 ; 355 patent ”) and u . s . pat . no . 6 , 081 , 322 (“ the &# 39 ; 322 patent ”) entitled “ nir clinical opti - scan system ”, the disclosures of both the &# 39 ; 355 and &# 39 ; 322 patents are incorporated herein by reference . disclosed in these patents is an approach to optical tomography , and the instrumentation required to accomplish the tomography . the modifications in the present invention provide fast data acquisition , and new imaging head designs . fast data acquisition allows accurate sampling of dynamic features . the modification in the imaging head allows accommodation of different size targets ( e . g ., breast ); the stabilization of the target against motion artifacts ; conforming the target to a simple well - defined geometry ; and knowledge of source and detector positioning on or about the target . all of the enumerated features listed above for the imaging head is crucial for accurate image reconstruction . additionally , the present invention uses detector circuitry that allows quick adaptation of the measurement range to the signal strength thereby increasing the over - all dynamic range . “ dynamic range ” for the purposes of this description means the ratio between the highest and lowest detectable signal . this makes the circuitry suitable for use with source - detector distances that can vary significantly during the data collection , thereby allowing fast data acquisition over wide viewing angles . for instance , we are aware that dynamic features of dense scattering media may be extractable from measurements using a single source and single detector at a fixed distance between each other . depending on the implementation , such an arrangement could be made using a detector of relatively small dynamic range . although we are aware of the possible usefulness of such a measurement , our invention allows the measurement of dynamics in optical properties of dense scattering media using source - detector pairs over a wide range of distances ( e . g ., greater than or about 5 cm ). such fall tomographic measurements allow for improved accuracy in image reconstruction . depending upon the implementation , it is within the scope of the present invention to include those embodiments using a restricted source detector distance and therefore not requiring fast gain adjustment . for example , in one embodiment , the system of the present invention can also be operated using detector channels of low - dynamic range ( e . g ., 1 : 10 . 00 ) when detector fibers of a fixed distance from the source are being used for the measurement ( e . g ., the detector opposite the source ). the data collection scheme of the present invention disclosed herein provides time - series of raw data sets that provide useful information about dynamic properties of the scattering medium without any further image reconstruction . for example , by displaying the raw data in a color mapping format , features can be extracted by sole visual inspection . in addition to that , analysis algorithms of various types such as , but not limited to , linear and non - linear time - series analysis or pattern recognition methods can be applied to the series of raw data . the advantage of using these analytical methods is the improved capability to reveal dynamic signatures in the signals . in another implementation , image reconstruction methods may be applied to the sets of raw data thereby providing time series of cross - sectional images of the scattering medium . for these implementations , analysis methods of various types such as , but not limited to , linear and non - linear time - series analysis , filtering , or pattern recognition methods can be applied . the advantage of using such analysis is the improved extraction of dynamic features and cross - sectional view , thereby increasing diagnostic sensitivity and specificity . these methods are explained in detail in the &# 39 ; 355 and &# 39 ; 322 patents , which were previously described and incorporated in as reference . the invention reveals measurements of real - time spatiotemporal dynamics . depending on the implementation , an image of dynamic optical properties of scattering medium such as , but not limited to , the vasculature of the human body in a cross - sectional view is provided . the technology employs low cost , compact instrumentation that uses non - damaging near infrared optical sources and features several alternate imaging heads to permit investigation of a broad range of anatomical sites . in another implementation , the principles of the present invention can be used in conjunction with contrast agents such as absorbing and fluorescent agents . in another variant , the present invention allows tie cross - sectional measurements of changes in optical properties due to variations in temperature . the advantage of this variant is seen , but not restricted to , the use of monitoring cryosurgery . a system using the modified instrumentation and described methods of the instant invention is capable of producing cross - sectional images of real - time events associated with vascular reactivity in a variety of tissue structures ( e . g ., limbs , breast , head and neck ). such measurements permit an in - depth analysis of local hemodynamic states that can be influenced by a variety of physiological manipulations , pharmacological agents or pathological conditions . measurable physiological parameters include identification of local dynamic variations in tissue blood volume , blood oxygenation , estimates of flow rates , and tissue oxygen consumption . it is specifically noted that measurements of several locations on the same medium can be taken . for example , measurements may be taken of the leg and arm areas of a patient at the same time . correlation of data between the different locations is available using the methods described herein . the invention also provides both linear and non - linear time series analysis to reveal site specific functionality of the various components of the vascular tree . thus the response characteristics of the major veins , arteries and structures associated with the microcirculation can be evaluated in response to a range of stimuli . fast data collection methods are particularly helpful because there are many disease states with specific influences on the spatial - dynamic properties of vascular responses . accordingly , it is understood that significantly greater contrast mechanisms are definable , with much greater diagnostic sensitivity . this is accomplished by collecting and evaluating data in the time domain . these results are not available by performing static imaging studies . the importance of dynamic properties follows directly from an understanding of the well known physiological reactivity of the vascular system . control of the peripheral vasculature is mediated by neural , humoral and metabolic factors . neural control is principally through autonomic activity . the details of these properties are well known to many , and can be found in any one of several medical physiology texts . loss of autonomic control occurs in a variety of disease processes , especially in diabetes . invariably , this loss of control will adversely influence local perfusion states . the current invention has the capacity to directly evaluate the concept known as vascular sufficiency . this tern takes into account the fact that , among its many roles , the vasculature is uniquely responsible for the delivery of essential nutrients to tissue , in particular , oxygen , and for the removal of metabolic waste products . imbalances between supply and demand lead to relative hypoxic states , which often are clinically significant . fig1 illustrates one embodiment of the invention . shown is a system 100 comprising medium 102 . the medium can be any medium in which the propagation of the used source energy is strongly affected by scattering . from a source module 101 energy is directed to the medium 102 from which the exiting energy is measured by means of detector 106 , further discussed below . as previously discussed , there is a variety of sources , media , and detectors that may be used with the principles of the present invention . the following is a discussion of a sampling of such elements with the intention to describe how the invention is realized . in no way are these examples meant , nor do they intend to limit the invention to these implementations . a variation of elements as described herein may also utilize the principles of the present invention . in one implementation , measurements of dynamics in the optical properties of the medium is accomplished by using optical source energy and performing rapid detection of the acoustic energy created by absorption processes in the medium . this can be implemented using both pulsed and harmonic modulated light sources , the latter allowing for lock - in detection . detectors can be , but are not limited to , piezo - electric transducers such as pzt crystals or pvdf foils . in another variant , a timing and control facility 104 is used to coordinate source and detector operation . this coordination is further described below . a device 116 provides acquisition and storage of the data measured by the detector 106 . depending on the implementation , control and timing of the system &# 39 ; s components is provided by a computer , which includes a central processor unit ( cpu ), volatile and non - volatile memory , data input and output ports , data and program code storage on fixed and removable media and the like . each main component is described in greater detail below . fig2 illustrates another implementation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention . shown is a system and method that incorporates at least one wavelength measurement . depending upon the implementation , this measurement is accomplished by alternately coupling light from diode lasers into transmitting fibers arranged in a circular geometry . referring again to fig2 a system 200 includes an energy source , which in this implementation includes one or more laser 101 . a reference detector 202 is used to monitor the actual output power of laser 101 and is coupled to a data acquisition unit 116 . such laser may be a laser diode in the nir region . the laser is intensity modulated by a modulation means 203 for providing means of separation of background energy sources such as daylight . the modulation signal is also sent to a phase shifter 204 whose purpose is described further below . the light energy generated by the laser 101 is directed into an optical de - multiplexing device 300 further discussed in detail below . using a rotating mirror 305 , the light is directed into one of several optical source fiber bundles 306 that are used to deliver the optical energy to the medium 102 . to provide good optical contact and measurement fidelity , one of several possible imaging heads 206 as described further below is used . a motor controller 201 is coupled to the de - multiplexing device 300 for controlling the motion of the rotating mirror 305 . the motor controller 201 is also in communication with a timing control 104 for controlling the timing of the motion of mirror 305 . the measuring head 206 comprises the common end of a bifurcated optical fiber bundle , whose split ends are formed by the source fiber bundle 306 and detector fiber bundle 207 . source fiber bundle 306 and detector fiber bundle 207 form a bulls eye geometry at the common end with the source fiber bundle in the center . in other embodiments , source and detector bundles are arranged differently at the common end ( e . g ., reversed geometry or arbitrary arrangement of the bundle filaments ). the common end of a bifurcated optical fiber bundle , preferably comes in contact with the medium , however , this embodiment is not limited to contact with the medium . for example , the common ends may simply be disposed about the medium . the signal is transmitted from the detector fiber bundle 207 to a detector unit 106 that comprises at least one detector channel 205 further described herein . the detector channel 205 is coupled to the data acquisition unit 116 and the timing control unit 104 . depending on the implementation , a phase shifter 204 may or may not be used , and is coupled to the detector unit 106 for the purposes of providing a reference signal for the purposes of filtering the signal received from bundle 207 . depending on the implementation , illustrated in fig3 is a device for the measurement of the dynamic properties of a scattering medium . this measurement is performed by sequentially reflecting light 302 off of a rotatable front surface mirror 306 , mounted at a 45 degree angle to the incident source , into source fibers 306 arranged in a circular geometry about the rotating optic . the rotation is done by a motor 308 with a shaft 307 to which the mirror is attached . this embodiment has an advantage of enabling fast switching among the transmitting fibers . in particular , it provides the ability to introduce beam shaping optics between the reflective mirror and transmitting fibers thereby allowing fine adjustment of the illumination area available for coupling into the fibers . this is useful because it allows independent adjustment of the rotation speed of the reflective optic ( i . e ., switching speed ), and the illumination time allowed for each transmitting fiber bundle . thus , a range of illumination frequencies can be employed while allowing fine adjustment of the illumination time at each source position to permit collection of data having a suitable signal - to - noise ratio . light from laser 101 is transmitted to unit 300 by means of transmitting optics 303 including , but not limited to , fiber optics and free propagating beams . further beam shaping optics 301 may be used to optimize in coupling efficiency into the transmitting fibers . units 303 and 301 are under mechanical fine adjustment in their position with respect to the mirror 309 . motor 308 is operated under control of motion control 201 to allow for precise positioning and timing . by this means , it is possible to operate the motor under complex motion protocols such as in a start - stop fashion where the motor stops at a desired location thereby allowing the stable coupling of light into a transmitting fiber bundle . after the measurement at this source location is performed , the motor moves on to the next transmitting fiber . motion control is in two - way communication with the timing control 104 thereby allowing precise timing of this procedure . motion control allows the assignment of relative and / or absolute mirror positions allowing for precise alignment of the mirror with respect to the physical location of the fiber bundle . the mirror 306 is surrounded by a cylindrical shroud 309 in order to shield off stray light to prevent cross - talk . the shroud comprises an aperture 310 through which the light beam 302 passes toward the transmitting fiber . it is recognized and incorporated herein other schemes which may be used ,( e . g ., use of a fiber - optic switching device ) to sequentially couple light into the transmitting fibers . in an equivalent embodiment , fast switching of source positions is accomplished by using a number of light sources , each coupled into one of the transmitting fibers 306 which can be turned on and of each independently by electronic means . the device employs the servo - motor control system 308 in fig3 with beam steering optics , described above , to sequentially direct optical energy emerging from the source optics onto about 1 mm diameter optical fiber bundles 306 , which are mounted in a circular array in the multiplexing input coupler 300 . the transmitting optical fiber bundles 306 , which are typically 2 - 3 meters in length are arranged in the form of an umbilical and terminate in the imaging head 206 . depending on the implementation , the apparatus of the present invention required for time - series imaging , employs the value of using a geometrically adaptive measurement head or imaging head . the imaging head of the present invention provides features that include , but are not limited to , 1 ) accommodating different size targets ( e . g ., breast ); 2 ) stabilizing the target against motion artifacts ; 3 ) conforming the target to well - defined geometry ; and 4 ) to provide exact knowledge of locations for sources and detectors . stability and a known geometry both contribute to the use of efficient numerical analysis schemes . there are several different embodiments of the imaging head for data collection that may utilize the principles of the present invention . for example the use of an iris imaging head previously disclosed in the &# 39 ; 322 and &# 39 ; 355 patents , which are incorporated by reference in this disclosure , may be used with the principles of the present invention . described below are two exemplary imaging heads with the understanding that the invention may or may not use any type of imaging head , and if an imaging head is used , it would provide the features previously described . as illustrated in fig4 the iris unit can be employed as a parallel array of irises 402 , 404 , 406 enabling volume imaging studies . fig4 illustrates how this can be configured for studying a medium 410 , in this example a human breast , using an imaging head 408 . as described previously , the medium used in the present invention can be any medium , which allows scattering of energy . in one implementation , the imaging head illustrated in fig5 is a flexible pad configuration . this planar imaging unit functions as a deformable array and is well suited to investigate body structures too large to permit transmission measurements ( e . g ., head and neck , torso , and the like ). using this type of imaging head , optical measurements are made in a back - reflection mode . optical fiber bundles 502 originating from the optical multiplexing input coupler 112 ( described elsewhere ) terminate at the deformable array or flexible pad 500 . the pad can be made of any flexible material such as black rubber or the like . the optical fiber bundles may be bifurcated and have ends 504 that both transmit and receive light . more than one pad may or may not be used , although an additional pad is not necessary for the purpose of the present invention , or for measurement application to other portions of the medium or to the same medium . for example , in the case of a breast exam , both pads maybe applied to the same breast having one pad above and one pad below the breast . in addition , one pad maybe applied to the right breast by having the pad deformed around the breast . similarly , the other pad may be applied to the left breast . this configuration would allow both breasts to be examined at the same time . in addition , information may be correlation between the data collected from the two different members of the body . again , the invention can be applied to other media and is not limited to portions of the human body . thus , correlation between different media may be collected using this technique . as further shown in fig5 the additional pad would have similar functions as the pad previously described and would have optical fiber bundles 503 , flexible pad 505 , and bifurcated optical fiber bundle ends 501 similar to the previous pad described . the array itself can be deformed to conform to the surface of a curved medium to be imaged ( e . g . portion of the torso ). the deformable array optical energy source and receiver design includes , depending on the implementation , a 7 × 9 array ( 63 total bundles ) of optical fiber bundles as illustrated in fig6 . in one variant , each bundle is typically 3 mm in diameter . depending on the implementation , eighteen ( 18 ) of the sixty - three ( 63 ) fiber bundles may be arranged in an array to serve as both optical energy sources or energy transmitters , and receivers to sequentially deliver light to a designated target and receive emerging optical energy . in this implementation , the remaining forty - five ( 45 ) fiber bundles act only as receivers of the emerging optical energy . the geometry of the illumination array is not arbitrary . the design shown in fig6 as an exemplary illustration has been configured , as have other implementations , to minimize the subsequent numerical effort required for data analysis while maximizing the source - density covered by the array . the fiber bundles are arranged in an alternating pattern as described by fig6 and shown here with the symbols “ x ” and “ 0 ”. in one implementation , a pattern of 00x000x00 , x000x000x can be used on the imaging head . ‘ x ’ denotes a source / receiver fiber bundle , and ‘ 0 ’ is a receiver only . fig6 indicates 2d imaging planes formed by multiple source / detector positions along a line that can be used with this particular pattern . the labels refer to the numbers of sources / detectors found along those lines of optical fiber ends on the pad using the following nomenclature : “ s ” followed by a number indicates the number of source positions along that line ; “ d ” followed by a number indicates the number of detection points along that line . for instance ; “ s3 - d3 ” indicates an imaging plane formed by three source positions and three detection points . basically , the design allows for the independent solution of two dimensional ( 2 - d ) image recovery problems from an eighteen ( 18 ) point source measurement . as a result , a composite three dimensional ( 3 - d ) image can be computed from superposition of the array of 2 - d images oriented perpendicular to the target surface . another advantage of this geometry is that it readily permits the use of parallel computational strategies without having to consider the entire volume under examination . the advantage of this geometry is that each reconstruction data set is derived from a single linear array of source - detector fibers , thereby enabling solution of a 2 - d problem without imposing undue physical approximations . the number of source - detector fibers belonging to an array can be varied . scan speeds attainable with the 2 - d array illustrated in fig6 are the same as for other imaging heads with 2 - d arrays since the scan speed depends only on the properties of the input coupler . thus , faster scan speed are available for the creation of a 3 - d image . in another implementation , illustrated in fig7 is an imaging head based on a “ hoberman ” sphere geometry . in a hoberman structure , the geometry is based on the intersection of a cube and an octahedron , which makes a folding polyhedron called a trapezoidal icosatetrahedron . this structure has been modified and implemented in a form of an imaging head of a hemispherical geometry . for many purposes of the instant invention , it is appropriate to use design features of smoothly varying surfaces based on the hoberman concept of expanding structures . depending on the implementation , other polygonal or spherical - type shapes may also be used with the principles of the present invention for other imaging head designs . adjustment of the device in fig7 causes uniform expansion or contraction , thereby always preserving a hemispherical geometry . imaging head 700 illustrates one example of modification to the “ hoberman ” geometry . a receptacle for the fiber bundles 701 is disposed about imaging head 700 . target volume 702 is where the medium would enter the imaging head in this implementation . this geometry is well suited for the investigation of certain tissues such as the female breast or the head . depending on the implementation , attachment of optical fibers to the vertices of the hemisphere allows for up a seventeen ( 17 ) source by seventeen ( 17 ) detector measurement . the folding structure can be extended to accommodate a more “ tear drop ” or “ bullet ” shape of the target medium by attaching additional circular iris - like structures on top that expand and contract with the hemisphere . fig7 shows the combination of the hemisphere with one top iris comprising receptacles for 8 additional fiber bundles leading to an overall number of 25 source by 25 detector positions at the main vertices for this configuration . more than one iris can be attached to the top of the hemisphere . the diameter of the additional top irises may or may not differ from the hemisphere diameter . the detectors or energy receivers may be disposed about the imaging head and the detectors are located on the inner aspect of the expanding imaging head . additional fiber bundles can be attached to the interlocking joints , permitting up to a 49 source by 49 detector measurement for the hemisphere only and up to 16 source / detector positions per added iris . depending on the implementation , light collected from the target medium is measured by using any of a number of optical detection schemes . one embodiment uses a fiber - taper , which is bonded to a charged coupled detector ( ccd ) array . the front end of the fiber taper serves to receive light exiting from the collection fibers . these fibers are preferably optical fibers , but can be any means that allows the transmission and reception of signals . the back end of the fiber taper is bonded to a 2 - d charge - coupled - detector ( ccd ) array . in practice , use of this approach generally will require an additional signal attenuation module . an alternate detection scheme employs an array of discrete photo detectors , one for each fiber bundle . this unit can be operated in a phase lock mode thereby allowing for improved rejection of ambient light signals and the discrimination of multiple simultaneously operated energy sources . in another embodiment , in order to fulfill the demands posed by the desired physiological studies on the instrument , the following features characterize the detector system : scalable multi - channel design ( up to 32 detector channels per unit ); high detection sensitivity ( below 10 pw ); large dynamic range ( 1 : 10 6 minimum ); multi - wavelength operation ; ambient light immunity ; and fast data acquisition ( order of 100 hz all - channel simultaneous capture rate ). to achieve this , the detector system uses photodiodes and a signal recovering technique involving electronic gain switching and phase sensitive detection ( lock - in amplification ) for each detector fiber ( in the following referred to as detection or detector channels ) to ensure a large dynamic range at the desired data acquisition rate . the phase sensitive signal recovery scheme not only suppresses electronic noise to a desired level but also eliminates disturbances given by background light and allows simultaneous use of more than one energy source . separation of signals from simultaneously operating sources can be achieved , as long as the different signals are encoded in sufficiently separated modulation frequencies . since noise reduction techniques are based on the reduction of detection bandwidth , the system is designed to maintain the desired rate of measurements . in order to achieve a timing scheme that allows simultaneous readout of the channels , a sample - and - hold circuit ( s / h ) is used for each detection channel output . the analog signals provided by the detector channels are sampled , digitized and stored using the data acquisition system 116 . one aspect is the flexibility and scalability of the detection instrument . not only are the detector channels organized in single , identical modules , but also the phase detection stages , each containing two lock - in amplifiers , are added as cards . in this way , an existing setup can easily be upgraded in either the number of detector channels and / or the number of wavelengths used ( up to four ) by cloning parts of the existing hardware . fig8 shows the block diagram of one implementation of a detector channel . in this implementation , two energy sources are used . after detecting the light at the optical input 801 by a photo detector 802 the signal is fed to a transimpedance amplifier 803 . the transimpedance value of 803 is externally settable by means of digital signals 813 ( pta = programmable transimpedance amplifier ). this allows the adaptation to various signal levels thereby increasing the dynamic range of the detector channel . the signal is subsequently amplified by a programmable gain amplifier ( pga } whose gain can be set externally by means of digital signals 814 . this allows for additional gain for the lowest signal levels ( e . g ., in one implementation pw - nw ) thereby increasing the dynamic range of the detector channel . in one embodiment , at least one energy source is used and the signal is sent to at least one of lock - in amplifiers ( lia ) 805 , 809 . each lock - in amplifier comprises an input 808 , 812 for the reference signal generated by phase shifter 204 from fig2 . after lock - in detection , the demodulated signal is appropriately boosted in gain by means of a programmable gain amplifier ( pga ) 806 , 810 in order to maximize noise immunity during further signal transmission and to improve digital resolution when being digitized . the gain of pga 806 , 810 is set by digital signals 815 . at each output , a sample - and - hold circuit ( s / h ) 807 , 811 is used for freezing the signal under digital timing by means of signal 816 for purposes described herein . in one embodiment , the signal 815 is sent to pga 806 , 810 in parallel . in one embodiment , the signal 816 is sent to 807 , 811 in parallel . as previously illustrated in fig1 the analog signal provided by each of the channel outputs is sampled by a data acquisition system 116 . in one embodiment , pc extension boards might be used for this purpose . pc extension boards also provide the digital outputs that control the timing of functions such as gain settings and sample - and - hold . as previously noted , timing is crucial in order to provide the desired image capture rate and to avoid false readings due to detector - to - detector time skew . fig9 shows one improvement of the invention over other timing schemes . with systems not comprising fast adaptable gain settings ( such as some ccd based systems ), a schedule according to 905 has to be implemented . the implementation in fig9 illustrates one use of a silicon photo - diode in process 904 , which can be replaced by various detectors previously mentioned . a time series of data is acquired for a fixed source position . after finishing this task , the source is moved 902 with respect to the target 901 and another series of data is collected . measurements are performed in this fashion for all source positions . every image 903 of the resulting time series of reconstructed images is reconstructed from data sets merged together from the data for each source position . this schedule does not allow real - time capture of all physiologic processes in the medium and therefore only applies to certain modes of investigation . although we are aware of the use of such schemes , e . g ., when monitoring responses on repeatable maneuvers , the timing scheme for the invention very much improves on this situation . because the invention allows for fast source switching and large dynamic range and high data acquisition rates , a schedule indicated by 904 is performed . here , the source position is switched fast compared to the dynamic features of interest and instantaneous multi - channel detection is performed at each source position . images 903 are then reconstructed from data sets , which represent an instant state of the dynamic properties of the medium . only one time series of full data sets ( i . e ., all source positions and all detector positions ) is being recorded . real time measurement of fast dynamics ( e . g ., faster than i hz ) of the medium is provided by the invention . fig1 shows one embodiment of a detailed schedule and sequence of the system tasks 1001 involved in collecting data at a source position and the proceeding of this process in time 1002 . task 1003 is the setting of the optical de - multiplexer to a destined source position and setting the detectors to the appropriate gain - settings . the source position is illuminated for a period of time 1004 , during which the lock - in amplifiers settle 1005 . after the time it takes the s / h to sample the signal 1006 , the signal is held for a period of time 1007 , during which all channels are read out by the data acquisition . it is worthwhile noticing that during reading out the s / h , other tasks , like moving the optical source , setting the detector gains for the new source position , and settling of the lock - in , are being scheduled . this increases greatly the achievable data acquisition rate of the instrument . this concept of a modular system is further illustrated in fig1 . up to thirty - two ( 32 ) detector modules 1100 ( each with 2 lock - in modules each for two modulation frequencies ) are arranged using an enclosure 1102 . the cabinet also can carry up to two phase shifting modules 1104 , 1106 , each containing two digital phase shifter under computer control . the ability to adjust the reference phase with respect to the signal becomes necessary since unavoidable phase shifts in the signal may lead to non - optimum lock - in detection or can even result in a vanishing output signal . organization of data , power supply and signal lines is provided by means of two back planes 1108 , 1110 depending on the implementation , the detector system design illustrated in fig8 allows one cabinet to operate at a capacity of 32 detectors with four different sources requiring 128 analog to digital circuit ( adc )- board input channels . the upper 1108 and the lower 1110 back plane are of identical layout and have to be linked in order to provide the appropriate distribution of supply -, control - and signal voltages . this is achieved using a 6u - module fitting both planes from the backside , that provides the necessary electric linking paths , and interfaces for control - and signal lines . fig1 shows the schematic of one implementation of a channel module . in this implementation , a silicon photodiode 1206 is used as the photo - detector . a programmable transimpedance amplifier ( pta ) 1201 is formed by an operational amplifier 1204 , resistors 1201 and 1202 and an electronic switch 1205 , the latter of which is realized using a miniature relay . other forms of electronic switches such as analog switches might be used . relay 1205 is used to connect or disconnect 1203 from the circuit thereby changing the transimpedance value of 1201 . a high - pass filter ( r2 , c5 ) is used to ac - couple the subsequent programmable gain instrumentation amplifier ic 2 ( burr brown pga202 ) in order to remove dc offset . the board - to - board connectors for the two lock - in - modules are labeled as “ slot a ” 1210 and “ slot b ” 1212 . the main connector to the backplane is a 96 - pole din plug 1220 . fig1 , illustrates the electric circuit of the lock in modules 1210 , 1212 . the signal is subdivided and passed to two identical lock - in - amplifiers , each of which gets one particular reference signal according to the sources used in the experiment . the signal is first buffered ic 1 , ic 7 ( ad lf 111 ) and then demodulated using an ad630 double - balanced mixer ic 2 , ic 8 . in order to remove undesired ac components , the demodulated signal passes through an active 4 - pole bessel - type filter ic 3 , ic 4 , ic 9 , ic 10 ( burr brown uaf42 ). a bessel - type filter has been chosen in order to provide fastest settling of the lock - in amplifier for a given bandwidth . since a bessel - filter shows only slow stopband - transition , a 4 - pole filter is being used to guarantee sufficient suppression of cross talk between signals generated by different sources ( i . e . of different modulation frequency ). the filter has its 3 db point at 140 hz , resulting in 6 ms settling time for a step response (& lt ; 1 % deviation of actual value ). the isolation of frequencies separated by 1 khz is 54 db . the filters are followed by a programmable gain amplifier ic 5 , ic 11 , whose general function has been described above . the last stage is formed by a sample - and - hold chip ( s / h ) ic 6 , ic 12 ( national lf398 ). in another implementation , the phase sensitive detection can be achieved with digital methods using digital signal processing ( dsp ) components and algorithms . the advantage of using dsp with the principles of the present invention is improved electronic performance and enhanced system flexibility . in another implementation , an analog - to - digital converter is used for each detector channel thereby improving noise immunity of the signals . although illustrative embodiments have been described herein in detail , those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention . moreover , unless otherwise specifically stated , the terms and expressions used herein are terms of description and not terms of limitation , and are not intended to exclude any equivalents of the system and methods set forth in the following claims .	6
a plurality of inner molds 40 as shown in fig3 being an inner mold stand substantially triangular in shape , having two sheet connecting terminals 411 , 412 disposed thereon , and the connecting terminal 411 , 412 at the end having a wire connecting section 421 , 422 , wherein the wire connecting section 421 , 422 being bent outward to form a bottom edge 431 , 432 , and the outer side of the bottom edge 431 , 432 being bent into an external sidewall 441 , 442 with a right angle , and the inner edge of the bottom edge 431 , 432 being bent downward to form an internal sidewall 451 , 452 , wherein the external sidewall 441 , 442 and the internal sidewall 451 , 452 being equal in length ; a cylindrical connecting terminal 413 and the rear end of the connecting terminal 413 being bent and folded to form a clamping end with an opening upward ; a terminal wire clamper 10 , as shown in fig2 , comprising a feeding groove 11 disposed on a motive force machine table , and the rear end of the feeding groove 11 having an feeder 12 driven by an oil - pressure cylinder or air - pressure cylinder , and the front end of the feeder 12 being coupled to a feeding push rod 121 and sliding within the feeding groove 11 ; a feeding sensing device 111 disposed on the internal sidewall of the feeding groove 11 for detecting if there is an inner mold terminal 40 in the feeding groove 11 ; further the feeding groove 11 at its front end having a terminal mold plate module 13 which comprises an upper mold plate 131 and a lower mold plate 132 of corresponding shapes ; wherein a pressurized motion device 14 disposed above the motive force machine table , and the upper mold plate 131 being secured to the bottom end of said pressurized motion device 14 , and the lower mold plate 132 being secured to the front end of the feeding groove 12 , and vertically corresponsive to the position directly under the upper mold plate 131 so that the pressurized motion device 14 producing a vertically down movement by the driving motive force , and brining the upper mold plate 131 to punch downward and engaging with the lower mold plate 132 ; an aligning conveyer 20 , having an aligning groove 21 , and the aligning groove 21 being a storage space for accommodating and storing the inner mold terminal 40 , and an opening at one end of the aligning groove 21 being coupled to an edge of the feeding groove 11 , and a vibratory conveying motor 22 being disposed under the aligning conveyer 20 ; by means of the vibration produced by the vibratory conveying motor , the terminal inner molds 40 in the aligning groove 21 being pushed forward into the feeding groove 11 ; wherein a motion detector 211 being disposed on the sidewall of the aligning groove 21 ; an auto aligning feeder 30 , having a vibratory disc 32 on a machine table 31 for placing a plurality of terminal inner molds 40 , and the vibratory disc 32 having an inwardly aslant spiral track 33 , and the spiral track have a clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 34 , an angle aligning area , 35 and an open positioning area 36 ; a fixed direction arc plate 341 being secured on the clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 34 on the spiral track 33 to define a clipping space 342 ; a stirring rod 361 in the same direction and a latch stirring rod 362 being disposed at the open positioning area 36 ; a latch flange 363 being disposed on and protruded from the spiral track 33 ; wherein the spiral track 33 being coupled to the opening at another end of the aligning groove 21 , and an opening disposed near the external edge of each aligning area for receiving the eliminated terminal inner molds 40 that falls into the lower layer of the spiral track 33 for sieving again ; users may pour large quantity of terminal inner molds into the vibratory disc 32 ; by the vibration of the vibratory disc 32 , the terminal inner molds 40 gradually spreading out and moving up along the spiral track 33 . please refer to fig4 a to 4 c . when the aligning conveyer 20 pushes and conveys the terminal inner molds 40 in the aligning groove 21 into the feeding groove 11 , the feeding sensor 111 will immediately start feeding device 12 . the feeding push rod 121 is used to push the terminal inner molds 40 in the feeding groove 11 to the lower mold plate 132 , and attach the wire connecting section 421 , 422 and the clamping end 423 of the inner mold terminal 40 closely to the lower mold plate 132 ( as shown in fig4 b ). then , the operator can put the end of an electric wire 50 directly in each wire connecting section 421 , 422 and the clamping end 423 or in the recession on the upper mold plate 131 . then , the pressurized motion device 14 is started to drive the upper mold plate 131 and the electric wire 50 to press down . when the upper mold plate 131 and the lower mold plate 132 are engaged and pressed tightly , the wire connecting section 421 , 422 , clamping end 423 , and electric wire 50 are pressed simultaneously for the connection ( as shown in fig4 c ). when the upper mold plate 131 returns to its original position , the finished goods ( as shown in fig5 ) can be taken out , and returns the feeding push rod 121 to the original position for repeating the previous motions ; further , when the terminal inner molds 40 in the aligning conveyer 20 is reduced to a certain level ( less than the predetermined safety storage ), the motion detector 211 will drive the auto aligning feeder 30 to start operating and sieve and convey the inner mold terminal 40 from the vibratory disc 32 into the aligning conveyer 20 . if the storage of the terminal inner molds 40 in the aligning conveyer is full , the power of the auto aligning feeder 30 will be disconnected automatically in order to control the quantity of terminal inner molds 40 for the manufacturing , and save the power consumption . please refer to fig6 . the theory for the auto aligning feeder 30 to adjust and align the terminal inner molds 40 is described in detail as follows : when the inner mold terminal 40 enters into the clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 34 , the fixed direction arc plate 341 in a clipping space 342 can fix the connecting terminal 411 , 412 and the ground terminal 413 of the inner mold terminal 40 in the positive direction ; on the contrary , since the direction is opposite or other disorderly compiled terminal inner molds 40 cannot be fixed in the clipping space 342 , the terminal inner molds 40 will fall down from the open groove 37 . further , as shown in fig7 a , when the inner mold terminal 40 enters into the angle aligning area 35 , the flange of the inner mold terminal 40 will latch to the edge of the spiral track 34 ; if there is a deviation to the angle of the inner mold terminal ( as shown in fig7 b ), the flange of the inner mold terminal 40 is unable to latch to the edge of the spiral track 34 . when the vibratory disc 33 vibrates , the deviated inner mold terminal 40 will slide down along the slope of the spiral track 34 into next layer of the spiral track 34 for another sieve . when the inner mold terminal 40 enters into the open positioning area 36 , the stirring rod 361 in the same direction can adjust the position of each inner mold terminal 40 such that the inner side of the inner mold terminal 40 aligned with the stirring rod 361 in the same direction . please refer to fig7 c . since the connecting terminal 411 , 412 of the inner mold terminal 40 is shorter than the ground terminal 413 , when the metallic insert pin of the connecting terminal 411 , 412 presses against the latch flange 363 , the ground terminal 413 protrudes from the top of the latch flange 363 so that the inner mold terminal 40 can exactly pass through the latch stirring rod 362 . if the inner mold terminal 40 rotates in an improper direction , the ground terminal 413 will press against the latch flange 363 and cause the inner mold terminal to protrude from the latch stirring rod 362 and fall into the open groove 37 . by means of the action of the foregoing aligning area in a clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 34 , angle aligning area 35 , and open positioning area 36 , the sieved inner mold terminal can be arranged neatly and sent into the feeding groove 11 of the terminal clamping device 10 in a fixed direction , so that the terminal clamping device 10 will automatically complete the clamping of the terminal . please refer to fig8 to 10 for the second preferred embodiment of the present invention , which can also be applied in the 2 - pin terminal without a grounding terminal . except the sieving method of the auto aligning feeder 30 is different and it requires to change to the terminal plate module 13 of the corresponding shape , the rest is the same as that described above , and thus will not be described here . in fig9 , a plurality of inner mold terminals 70 , each being an inner mold stand in the shape of rectangular blocks and having two plate connecting terminals 711 , 712 , and a wire connecting section 721 , 722 at the end of the inner mold terminal 70 . the outer sides of the wire connecting section 721 , 722 are bent and folded into a bottom edge 731 , 732 , and the outer end of such bottom edge 731 , 732 is bent upward into a right angle to form an outer sidewall 741 , 742 , and the inner edge of the bottom edge 731 , 732 is bent downward and then upward to form an inner sidewall 751 , 752 , wherein the outer sidewall 741 , 742 and the inner sidewall 751 , 752 are equal in height ; and the wire connecting section 721 , 722 is for passing and fixing one end of an electric wire 80 . in fig8 , the auto aligning feeder 60 has a vibratory disc 62 ; the vibratory disc 62 has a spiral track 63 ; the spiral track has a clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 64 and an open positioning aligning area 65 ; such clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 64 has a fixed direction arc plate 641 secured on the spiral track 63 to define a clipping space ; the fixed direction arc plate 641 has a fixed stirring rod 642 , and such fixed direction stirring rod 642 has a height slightly higher than that of the lying inner mold terminal 70 ; such open positioning aligning area 65 has a latch stirring rod 651 ; wherein the side of the vibratory disc 62 adjacent to each aligning area has an open groove 66 for eliminating some inner mold terminals 40 and allowing them to fall to the next layer of the spiral track 63 for sieving again . when the inner mold terminal 70 enters into the clockwise and counterclockwise aligning area 64 , the clipping space of the fixed direction arc plate 641 can fix the connecting terminal 711 , 712 of the inner mold terminal 70 in the positive direction . on the contrary , since the connecting terminal 711 , 712 of the inner mold terminal 70 in the reverse direction or disorderly piled cannot be fixed in the clipping space , and will fall off from the open groove 66 . further , in fig1 a , the fixed stirring rod 642 has a height slightly higher than that of the lying inner mold terminal 70 , therefore , the inner mold terminals 70 can pass through the fixed stirring rod 642 , but the vertical inner mold terminal 70 as shown in fig1 b has a height higher than that of the fixed stirring rod 642 , therefore the inner mold terminals 70 will be stirred out by the fixed stirring rod when they pass through the fixed stirring rod 642 . further , please refer to fig1 c . since the clipping end 712 of the inner mold terminal 70 is biased , and when the opening of the wire connecting section 721 , 722 faces upward , the height of the clipping end 712 can pass through the latch stirring rod 6651 . when the opening of the wire connecting section 721 , 722 faces downward and the inner mold terminal 70 tries to pass through the latch stirring rod 651 , the inner mold terminal will be stirred out by the latch stirring rod 651 . by the motion described above , the present invention not only can be applied to the inner mold terminal 40 with 3 pins , but also can be applied to the inner mold terminal 70 with two pins . further , the present invention can be applied to the inner mold stands of other different kinds of connectors by adjusting the aligning device . while the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment , it is understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation and equivalent arrangements .	8
referring to fig1 the open side of the elevator 10 is shown supported from bails 12 and 14 . the apparatus a is connected to bail 12 but could as easily be supported from the other bail 14 . as best seen in fig3 a frame 16 is secured to bail 12 by u - bolts 18 and 20 which extend , respectively , through clasps 22 and 24 and are secured , respectively by nuts 26 and 28 . clasps 22 and 24 are generally u - shaped and can have internal serrations where they contact the bail 12 for additional resistance to rotation of the frame 16 with respect to bail 12 . other techniques to rotationally lock the frame 16 to the bail 12 can also be employed , such as a splined connection or additional support for frame 16 from the other bail 14 . on new construction , as opposed to a retrofit , the frame 16 can be made integrally with one of the bails , such as 12 . referring to fig2 an inlet pipe 30 is connected to the rig pumping and storage system to allow for flow to and from the apparatus a when sealingly connected to a tubular 32 . referring to fig3 inlet pipe 30 has a u - bend 34 , which is in turn connected to the top of the fill - up and circulating tool 36 . inlet pipe 30 extends through sleeve 38 . sleeve 38 is clamped for pivotal movement about pin 40 by a clamp 42 . pin 40 extends into bracket 52 , which is supported by frame 16 . sleeve 38 has an elongated slot 44 , the upper portion 46 being inclined with respect to longitudinal portion 48 , which is oriented generally parallel to bail 12 . inlet pipe 30 has a pin 50 which rides in slot 44 . bracket 54 is supported by frame 16 for up and down slidable movement . link 56 is pivotally mounted at pin 58 as best seen in fig4 to bracket 54 . link 56 surrounds inlet pipe 30 in a manner that permits relative rotation between them . link 56 is mounted between flanges 60 and 62 on inlet pipe 30 . up and down movement of bracket 54 is preferably accomplished by hydraulic cylinder 64 which can selectively be used to extend or retract rod 66 . rod 66 is secured to bracket 54 by nut 68 . hydraulic cylinder 64 can be replaced by any other device which will raise and lower bracket 54 . connected to inlet pipe 30 is a yoke 70 to which is connected link 72 at pin 74 . pin 76 connects the other end of link 72 to bracket 54 . the components now having been described , the operation of the device will now be reviewed . the intended movement of the fill - up and circulating tool 36 is intended to be from a retracted position , shown in fig4 to a connected position shown in fig5 . clamp 42 allows rotation of sleeve 38 as installed and link 72 has an adjustable length to define the proper length , as installed , for smooth movement of the assembly and final positioning of the fill - up and circulating tool 36 in alignment with the tubular 32 . referring to fig3 the fill - up and circulating tool is in the out of the way position with rod 66 fully extended and pin 50 in the upper end 46 of slot 44 . when the hydraulic cylinder 64 is actuated to move rod 66 downwardly the inlet pipe 30 moves down . the pin 50 is forced against the inclined surface 76 of the upper end 46 of slot 44 . this contact induces opposed rotational motion between the inlet pipe 30 and the sleeve 38 as long as pin 50 exerts downward pressure on inclined surface 76 . sleeve 38 rotates about pin 40 , while at the same time link 56 rotates about pin 58 . as a result , the movement of the fill - up and circulating tool is along a near straight line into the position in fig5 . the inlet pipe rotates counter clockwise looking down , as seen by comparing fig4 to fig5 . links 42 and 56 rotate clock - wise looking down in the same figures . the rotational movement ceases when the pin 50 enters the lower end 48 of the slot 44 . this position , corresponds to an alignment of the fill - up and circulating tool with the tubular 32 . link 72 is a torque link that resists the torque created by the pin 50 moving on inclined surface 76 and , in turn creates the rotation of links 42 and 56 respectively about pins 40 and 58 . the design of the fill - up and circulating tool 36 is independent of the apparatus a , such that any kind of tool can be used and moved into position or out of the way as desired . the connection 78 is intended to be schematic , although it looks like a thread . the fill - up and circulating tool can seal using a cup seal or through engagement with the threads of the tubular in various embodiments described below or in other ways illustrated by other known designs . referring now to fig7 and 8 , the embodiment which allows the connection to be made up by simply pushing in the apparatus a into a tubular 252 is disclosed . as before , a frame 228 ′ has aligned openings 230 ′ and 232 ′ to engage the bails ( not shown ). a mud hose ( not shown ) is connected to connection 254 and may include a valve ( not shown ). the mud hose ( not shown ) is connected into a housing 256 . secured within housing 256 is locking member 258 , which is held to the housing 256 at thread 260 . a series of downwardly oriented parallel grooves 262 are present on the locking member 258 . a locking collet 264 has a series of projections 266 which are engageable in grooves 262 . a piston 268 is biased by a spring 270 off of housing 256 to push down the collet 264 . since the locking member 258 is fixed , pushing down the collet 264 ramps it radially outwardly along the grooves 262 of locking member 258 for engagement with a tubular 252 , as shown in the final position in fig8 . seals 272 and 274 seal around opening 276 . a groove 278 is accessible through opening 276 for release of the apparatus a by insertion of a tool into groove 278 and applying a force to drive the collet 264 upwardly with respect to locking member 258 , thus moving projections 266 withing grooves 262 and allowing the apparatus a to be retracted from the tubular 252 . a seal 280 lands against surface 282 in the tubular 252 for sealing therewith , as shown in fig8 . another seal 284 is on piston 268 to prevent loss of drilling mud under pressure which surrounds the spring 270 from escaping onto the rig floor . similarly , seal 286 serves the same purpose . those skilled in the art will appreciate that in this embodiment , the apparatus a is simply brought down , either with the help of a rig hand lowering the traveling block or by automatic actuation , such that the collet 264 , which has an external thread 288 , can engage the thread 290 in the tubular 252 . this occurs because as the apparatus a is brought toward the tubular 252 , the piston 268 is pushed back against spring 270 , which allows the collet 264 to have its projections 266 ride back in grooves 262 of the locking mechanism 258 . the spring 270 continually urges the seal 280 into sealing contact with the mating tubular surface . upon application of a pickup force to the housing 256 , the locking mechanism 258 along with its grooves 262 cam outwardly the projections 266 on the collet 264 , forcing the thread 288 into the thread 290 to secure the connection . at that time , the seal 280 is in contact with the internal surface 282 of the tubular 252 to seal the connection externally . those skilled in the art will appreciate that internal pressure in bore 292 will simply urge the locking member 258 in housing 256 away form the tubular 252 , which will further increase the locking force on the collets 264 , and that the internal pressure will also urge piston 268 into contact with the tubular member 252 , maintaining sealing engagement of seal 280 . as a safety feature of this apparatus , in order to release this connection , the pressure internally in bore 292 needs to be relieved and a tool inserted into slot 278 so that the collets 264 can be knocked upwardly , this pulling them radially away to release from the thread 290 on tubular 252 . sequential operations of a valve on the mudline ( not shown ) can be then employed for spill - free operations on the rig floor . essentially , once the connection s made as shown in fig8 the valve on the mudline is opened and the tubular 252 can be run into or out of the hole . the connection is then released as previously described by use of groove 278 . as in the other embodiments , the full bore is maintained . there may be difficulty in getting the connection shown for the apparatus a in fig7 and 8 to release through the use of a tool applied on groove 278 . accordingly , the next embodiment illustrated in fig9 - 14 can be employed to more fully automate the procedure . the principle of operation is similar , although there are several new features added . where the operation is identical to that in fig7 and 8 , it will not be repeated here . what is different in the embodiment of fig9 is that there is a tube 294 which is now biased by a spring 296 . at the lower end of tube 294 is a seal 298 which is preferably a chevron shape in cross - section , as shown in fig9 . an external shoulder 300 is used as a travel stop within the tubular 302 for proper positioning of the seal 298 , as shown in fig1 . thus , in this embodiment , the seal 298 engages surface 304 inside the tubular 302 for sealing therewith . pressure in bore 306 , in conjunction with the force from spring 296 , keeps the tube 294 pushed down against the tubular 302 . the other feature of this embodiment is that the locking and release is done automatically . extending from the housing 308 is a frame 310 with a pair of opposed openings 312 . connected to locking 258 ′ is a plate 314 . a motor 316 which can be of any type has shafts 318 and 320 extending from it which can be selectively extended or retracted . the shafts 318 and 320 are respectively connected to connections 322 and 324 . connection 324 extends out of or is a part of the collets 264 ′. a spring 326 forces apart plate 314 from the assembly which is collets 264 ′. those skilled in the art will appreciate that when it comes time to engage the apparatus a as shown in fig9 into a tubular 302 , the motor or motors 316 can be engaged to bring the plate 314 closed to the collet member 264 ′ to thus retract the collet member 264 ′ into the grooves 262 ′ of the locking member 258 ′. this position is shown in fig1 , where the spring 326 is stretched as plate 314 is moved away from the collet assembly 264 ′. the collets with the thread 288 ′ can now slip in and engage the thread 290 on the tubular 302 . as this is happening , the spring 296 biases the tube 294 to engage the seal 298 onto surface 304 . thereafter , the motor or motors 316 are engaged to bring together the plate 314 from the collets 264 ′, thus forcing the collets 264 ′ to be cammed radially outwardly as the locking member 258 is forced upwardly by the motor or motors 316 . the apparatus a is now fully connected , as shown in fig1 . the collet assembly 264 ′ has a set of opposed dogs 328 shown in fig1 . these dogs 328 extend into openings or slots 312 to prevent relative rotation of the collet assembly 264 ′ with respect to frame 310 . a guide 330 is conical in shape and assists in the initial alignment over a tubular 302 . the guide 330 is part of the frame 310 and the frame 310 lands on top of the tubular 302 , as shown in fig1 . a more detailed view of the collet assembly 264 ′, showing threads or grooves 288 ′ which engage the thread 290 in the tubular 302 , is shown in fig1 . fig1 is similar to fig9 - 11 , with the exception that the housing 308 is more readily removable from the frame 310 using lugs 332 which can be hammered onto make or release the joint between the housing 308 and the frame 310 . in all other ways , the operation of the embodiment of the apparatus a shown in fig1 is identical to that shown fig9 - 11 . those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are advantages to the embodiment shown in fig9 - 11 to that shown in fig7 - 8 . by using one or more motors which separate and bring together parallel plates , the collets 264 ′ can be placed in a position where they can be easily pushed into a tubular 302 . then by reverse actuating the motor and allowing the locking mechanism 258 to push the collet assembly 264 ′ outwardly , the apparatus a is locked to the tubular 302 and seal 298 , which can be any type of seal , seals around the tube 294 to accept returns or to provide mud , depending on the direction of movement of the tubular 302 . thus , by the use of the motor 316 , which brings together and separates the plates 314 , the outward bias on the collet assembly 264 ′ can be controlled by a power assist which greatly speeds up the connection and disconnection to each individual tubular 302 . as in previous embodiments , the full bore of the tubular is maintained . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention encompasses the ready positioning and removal from being in the way of a fill - up and circulating tool while avoiding the need to disassemble it from the hoisting system of the rig , as had been required in the past . the design can operate fully automatically and from a convenient remote location . other devices that can produce the movements required are contemplated within the scope of the invention . the advantage of being able to conduct drilling and tripping operations without dismantling the fill - up and circulating tool save time and space on the rig area . the compactness of the movements make the apparatus a readily useful in a variety of rigs , be they rotary or top drive . newly constructed equipment can incorporate the support of the apparatus a into the bail 12 or 14 . alternatively , the traveling block can be the support point to allow raising and lowering while another assembly can rotate the device into position between the bails and out of the way outside the bails . those skilled in the art will also appreciate that although a hydraulic cylinder , pin and torque link are illustrated , movements can be accomplished by other methods . for example should the cylinder become inoperable , a hoisting line can be connected to the inlet pipe to move the inlet pipe up and down . in addition by disabling the pin and torque link a person in the derrick can move the fill - up and circulating tool from side to side , up and down to position the fill - up and circulating tool for connection with the tubular or out of the way . the above description of the preferred embodiment is merely illustrative and those skilled in the art will appreciate that modification of the preferred design with regard to number , size , physical placement and movement of the parts can be undertaken without departing from the invention whose scope is fully determined by the claims below .	4
although the detailed description contains many specifics , these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but merely as illustrating different examples and aspects of the invention . it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention includes other embodiments not discussed in detail . various other modifications , changes and variations which will be apparent to those skilled in the art may be made in the arrangement , operation and details of the method and apparatus of the present invention disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described here . the present invention deals with methods systems and devices for preventing secretions from impeding the function of a pulmonary assessment catheter , hereinafter referred to simply as a catheter . the various catheter embodiments described herein may be used singularly or in combination . in one aspect , secretions can be prevented from impeding the function of the catheter by preventing the secretions from entering the catheter lumen . additionally or alternatively , secretions build - up in the airway could be prevented or inhibited . additionally or alternatively , secretions that collect within the airway could be removed . additionally or alternatively , the secretions could be repelled away from the distal tip of the catheter . fig1 a shows an exemplary embodiment providing an expandable element that attracts the secretions away from the distal opening of a catheter 100 and precludes secretion entry into the catheter 100 during transport to the assessment site . catheter 100 optionally comprises an expandable occluding member near its distal end , for example an inflatable balloon 101 . a mesh 110 capable of forming a basket - like configuration is attached at a point proximal to the distal tip of the catheter 100 , and distal to the balloon 101 . the mesh 110 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 110 may comprise a coating , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . in its initial configuration , the mesh 110 forms a cover for the distal opening of the catheter 100 . the cover remains closed , as shown in fig1 a , while the catheter 100 is being transported to the assessment site . secretions will thus be precluded from entering the lumen of the catheter 100 during such transportation . the proximal end of the mesh 110 is coupled to an elongate component 111 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 110 . prior to deployment of the mesh 110 , the elongate component 111 constrains the mesh 110 and prevents the mesh from expanding to its shape memory configuration . at the assessment site , the mesh 110 will be deployed by retracting the elongate component 111 and thereby releasing the mesh 110 from constraint to expand to its shape memory . upon deployment , the mesh 110 obtains the configuration shown in cross section in fig1 b . in this configuration , the secretions would be caught within the outer diameter of the mesh 110 , and would thus be diverted away from the distal tip of the lumen . further , due to the surface tension of the secretions , the secretions would tend to pool within the mesh 110 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen would be delayed or eliminated . simultaneously , the open configuration of the mesh 110 keeps the lumen of catheter 100 centered within the lung passageway , rather than leaning towards a wall within the lung passageway . alternatively or additionally , the mesh basket can be contained within the lumen of catheter 100 , as shown in fig1 c . in this embodiment , the catheter 100 comprises a mesh 120 in a collapsed configuration within the distal tip of the catheter 100 until the catheter 100 is moved to the assessment site . catheter 100 optionally also comprises a balloon 101 . the mesh 120 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 110 may comprise an air - impermeable coating , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . the proximal end of the mesh 120 is coupled to an elongate component 121 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 120 . the elongate component 121 maybe contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 ( as shown in fig1 c ), or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . prior to assessment , the mesh 120 is deployed . the mesh 120 forms a ball - like structure of sufficient porosity to allow for air flow through the mesh 120 . simultaneously , the secretions would tend to adhere to the outer diameter of the mesh 120 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 would be delayed or eliminated . alternatively , the mesh forms a funnel - like structure 130 that allows air to be directed into the catheter lumen as shown in fig1 d . in this embodiment , catheter 100 comprises a mesh 130 in a collapsed configuration within the distal tip of the catheter 100 until the catheter 100 is moved to the assessment site . the mesh 130 is composed of a biocompatible shape - memory material , for example nitinol . optionally , the mesh 130 may comprise an air - impermeable coating 132 , for example , silicone , at least on some portion thereof . the proximal end of the mesh 130 is coupled to an elongate component 131 , for example a wire or an obturator , configured to manipulate the mesh 130 . the elongate component 131 maybe contained within the lumen of catheter 100 ( as shown in fig1 c ), or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . prior to assessment , the mesh 130 is deployed to assume its shape memory of a funnel - like structure whose base is open to and engaged with the opening of catheter 100 . in this embodiment , the mesh 130 acts to simultaneously preclude secretion entry into the catheter lumen while directing air within the passageway into the lumen of catheter 100 . the secretions would tend to adhere to the outer diameter of the mesh 130 , and thus , secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 would be delayed or eliminated . simultaneously , when deployed , mesh 130 with coating 132 acts to seal the passageway and center the catheter 100 within the passageway such that the only outlet for air is through the funnel - like structure into the catheter lumen . thus , in this embodiment , the mesh 130 may replace the balloon 101 shown in previous embodiments . fig2 a shows an inflatable element 130 that could collect the secretions away from the opening of catheter 100 . in one embodiment , the inflatable element 130 is located distal to the balloon 101 on the catheter 100 . during transport , the distal tip of the inflatable element 130 is in an un - inflated state and covers the opening of the catheter 100 as shown in cross section in fig2 a . when inflated , the inflatable element 130 opens to reveal the catheter 100 lumen as shown in cross section in fig2 b . simultaneously , when the inflatable element 130 is inflated open , secretions that have thus far accumulated are pushed outwards and away from the lumen of catheter 100 . additionally , the inflatable element 130 keeps the distal tip of the catheter 100 centered within the lung passageway . additionally or alternatively , the inflatable element 130 sealingly engages the lung passageway walls to perform the function of the balloon 101 . fig3 shows an alternative embodiment to that shown in fig2 . this embodiment , shown in cross section , contemplates a collapsible rigid element 140 , that is manipulated through elongate components such as a wire 141 contained within or on the catheter 100 . the present figure shows the wire 141 contained within the wall of catheter 100 . the wire 141 can be pulled back and forth by the user to open and close the rigid element 140 . in this configuration , secretions will again pool along or behind the element 140 , rather than into the lumen of catheter 100 . fig4 a shows , in cross section , another exemplary embodiment providing an element that attracts the secretions away from the distal opening of the catheter 100 , and precluding secretion entry into the catheter 100 during transport to the assessment site . in this embodiment , the distal tip 200 comprises several strands 210 arranged to protrude radially from the distal tip 200 . the distal tip 200 thus looks similar to a brush with several bristles . the strands 210 are composed of any suitable biocompatible material . the configuration of the strands 210 allows for air to flow into the lumen of catheter 100 during the assessment . simultaneously , the secretions adhere to the strands 210 and away from the opening of the catheter 100 . optionally , the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 also comprises several small apertures 211 . the apertures 211 in the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 facilitate air flow into the catheter 100 . optionally , the distal tip 200 could be manipulated within the passageway , for example in a backwards and forwards motion , to clean the area of assessment . optionally , the strands 210 at the distal end may or may not be of a uniform length , and the strands 210 may form different cross sectional embodiments . additionally , the distal section of the catheter 100 maybe detachably coupled or permanently affixed to the distal tip 200 of the catheter 100 . additionally or alternatively , the strands 210 are connected to an elongate component contained within the catheter 100 , for example a wire or obturator 212 as shown in fig4 b . it is transported as such to the assessment site . at the assessment site , the component 212 with the strands is deployed out of the catheter lumen and into the lung passageway . in one aspect , the component 212 with the strands may be held stationary at a point distal to the end of the catheter 100 , to deflect the secretions . in another aspect , the component 212 with the strands may be moved along the lung passageway to clean the lung passageway and thereafter be held stationary at a point distal to the catheter 100 , or be retracted through the lumen of catheter 100 . additionally , the strands 210 at the distal end may or may not be of a uniform length , and they may form different cross sectional embodiments . fig5 a and 5 b show an alternative embodiment for attracting secretions to a point distal to the catheter opening . in this embodiment , tines 220 protrude longitudinally from the distal end of the catheter 100 . the tines 220 could be made of any biocompatible material including nitinol , ptfe or silicone . during transport of catheter 100 to the assessment site , the tines 220 are held closed , for example using a ring 221 connected to a wire 222 contained within or on the catheter 100 as shown in fig5 a . at the assessment site , the tines 220 are opened , for example , by pulling on the wire 222 to retract the ring 221 , as shown in fig5 b . the tines 220 keep secretions from entering the inner lumen of the catheter 100 , by repelling the secretions if hydrophobic , or by preferentially attracting the secretions if hydrophilic . in another embodiment of the present invention , a cover could be provided to prevent the secretions from entering the lumen of catheter 100 , as shown in fig6 a through 6 d . the catheter 100 comprises a cover over the distal opening . additionally , the catheter 100 comprises a wire 311 running the length of the lumen of catheter 100 , from the proximal end accessible by a user , to a cover at the distal end . the wire 311 maybe soft or rigid . it may be contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 , or it may be contained anywhere within or on the catheter 100 . the cover remains over the distal opening of the catheter 100 during the catheter &# 39 ; s movement to the assessment site . prior to or during assessment , the cover is opened or closed by manipulating the wire . for example , fig6 a shows a catheter 100 comprising a flap cover 310 , wherein one end of said cover is manipulatable by the wire 311 . in a closed position , the flap cover assumes the configuration as shown in position ( 1 ). when the wire 311 is pulled , the flap cover 310 is opened , as shown in position ( 2 ) to allow air to flow into the catheter 100 for assessment . another example is provided in fig6 b which shows a catheter 100 comprising a soft cover 320 that can be pushed forward or retracted by a wire 321 . the soft cover 320 can be made of any flexible material , such as a plastic film , that will provide little or no suction when it is withdrawn through the lumen of catheter 100 . during transport of the catheter 100 , the soft cover 320 covers the distal opening of the catheter 100 , thereby preventing or inhibiting secretion entry into the catheter 100 . prior to or contemporaneous with assessment , the soft cover 320 is manipulated via the wire 321 , and the distal opening of the catheter 100 is open to receive air flow for assessment . alternatively , the cover may encapsulate the distal opening of the catheter 100 , as shown in fig6 c . in this embodiment , the encapsulating cover 330 may encase the opening of the catheter 100 . the encapsulating cover 330 is attached to the wire 331 and can be pushed out into the lung passageway for the assessment procedure . in another embodiment , the cover may be a balloon 340 within the lumen of the catheter 100 as shown in fig6 d . the balloon 340 is attached to an elongate component , such as a wire 341 , of a small enough diameter to not act as a syringe when being pulled out . when inflated , the balloon 340 prevents secretion entry into the lumen of catheter 100 . during assessment , it may be deflated and pulled back with the wire 341 to leave an open catheter lumen . fig7 shows a cover for the distal tip of the catheter 100 that is incrementally removable . the distal tip of the catheter 100 comprises a layered cover 340 with removable layers 345 made of a biocompatible material . the distal tip of the catheter 100 may or may not be perforated . the layers 345 are incrementally removable through one or more attachments , such as a wire 341 contained within the layers that extends the length of the catheter 100 to the user . additionally , the biocompatible material may or may not be hydrophilic . in one embodiment , the distal tip of the catheter 100 may be transported to the assessment site , where the layers 345 are removed . in another embodiment , the layers 345 maybe removed incrementally during the assessment process . for example , in the embodiment with apertures in the catheter 100 , if secretions were to impede the air flow into the catheter 100 , several of the layers 345 could be removed to expose another set of apertures in the catheter 100 . fig8 contemplates methods for enhancing assessment even when the distal opening of the catheter 100 is not centered within the lung passageway , for example , through distension of the inflatable balloon 101 . in this embodiment , the catheter 100 comprises apertures 410 within the catheter wall at the distal end . the apertures 410 maybe of any size or shape and maybe organized in any pattern while maintaining catheter 100 integrity . for example , the apertures 410 are elongate to allow the catheter 100 to maintain structural rigidity . the apertures 410 are scattered throughout the circumference of the catheter 100 , so that even if some of the openings of the catheter 100 are plugged with secretions , other openings will remain clear . additionally , even if one portion of the catheter 100 leans against the lung passageway wall , the opposite portion will have some of the apertures 410 exposed to the gases contained within the lung passageway . thus , the assessment function of the catheter 100 will not be impaired . fig9 shows another embodiment to attract the secretions to a site distal from the catheter 100 tip . in this embodiment , an elongate coil 510 is deployed from the distal tip of the catheter 100 . the elongate coil 510 can be made of any biocompatible shape memory material , for example , nitinol . while transporting catheter 100 to the assessment site , the elongate coil 510 is contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 in a straight - line configuration , such as a wire 511 . the wire 511 is then pushed out of the distal opening and coils to assume the configuration of the elongate coil 510 within the lung passageway . alternatively , the elongate coil 510 could be contained in a compressed , but coiled state within the lumen wall of the catheter 100 while transporting to the assessment site . the elongate coil 510 could then be deployed into the lung passageway , where it would expand into the lumen wall . the secretions along the wall passageways would adhere to the points of the elongate coil 510 in contact with the lung passageway wall rather than to the catheter 100 . simultaneously , the inner diameter of the elongate coil 510 is open and allows enough air to flow into the assessment catheter 100 . in another embodiment , the elongate coil 510 would cover a portion of the distal end of the catheter 100 . fig1 shows another embodiment to attract the secretions to a site distal from the catheter 100 tip . in this embodiment , a flat coil 520 is deployed from the distal tip of the catheter 100 . the coil can be made of any biocompatible memory - shape material , for example , nitinol . during catheter transport to the assessment site , the coil is contained within the lumen wall of catheter 100 in a straight - line configuration such as a wire 521 . the wire 521 is then pushed out of the distal surface and assumes an elongate coil 510 within the lung passageway . alternatively , the flat coil 520 could be contained in a compressed , but coiled state within the lumen wall of the catheter 100 while transporting to the assessment site . the flat coil 520 is then deployed into the lung passageway , where it would expand to the diameter of the lung passageway . the secretions along the lung passageway walls would adhere to the points of the flat coil 520 in contact with the lung passageway wall . simultaneously , the inner diameter of the flat coil 520 would allow for enough air flow into the assessment catheter 100 , thereby allowing for enough air to flow into the assessment catheter 100 . fig1 shows an alternative method of preferentially attracting the secretions to a site away from the inner lumen of the catheter 100 . the distal tip of the catheter 100 comprises an addition , for example , a coating or a pad or a paper cone , of an absorbent material 610 . the absorbent material 610 can comprise any biocompatible , absorbent material , and may or may not be expandable . the coating of absorbent material 610 may end proximal to the distal end of the lumen during assessment . secretions at the assessment site will thus be absorbed by the absorbent material . as some secretions are absorbed by the absorbent material 610 , it cohesively attracts more secretions . thus , secretions that thereafter reach the assessment site will be attracted to the absorbent material , 610 rather than to the wall of catheter 100 . fig1 shows an alternative method of repelling the secretions by modifying the distal tip of the catheter 100 . traditionally , catheters are coated with pebax , which adheres to secretions . the present embodiment contemplates coating the distal tip with a hydrophobic substance 910 , for example ptfe , to divert secretions away from the lumen of catheter 100 . fig1 contemplates a method for cleaning the inner lumen of the catheter 100 once secretions have actually entered the catheter 100 . in this embodiment , the inner lumen of the catheter 100 comprises an elongate inner component , such as a wire 710 , extending from the proximal end to the distal end , terminating at the distal end in a radial element 711 . the radial element 711 , shown in cross section in fig1 , has an outer diameter that is substantially similar to or slightly less than the inner diameter of the catheter 100 . if secretions enters the inner lumen of the catheter 100 , the radial element 711 is moved in a distal direction and past an amount of secretions that is to be removed , and subsequently back in a proximal direction , thereby moving the secretions contained within the lumen in a proximal direction , and optionally removing the secretions from the proximal end of the catheter 100 . alternatively , the radial element 711 is moved in a distal direction to push secretions contained within the lumen in a distal direction . another embodiment of the present invention contemplates alternative obturators . in this embodiment , the obturator has a different shape to simultaneously keep enough secretions out while at the same time exerting little or no negative pressure at the distal end of the catheter , thereby allowing the obturator to retract without drawing secretions . for example , the cross section of the obturator could be flower shaped , star shaped or cross shaped . additionally or alternatively , the obturator could be hollow . a hollow obturator may additionally be used as an aspiration port to aspirate the lung passageway during transport , assessment , or any combination thereof . additionally or alternatively , the obturator is configured to act like an archimedes screw . whenever the distal opening of the catheter 100 encounters secretions , the screw - shaped obturator will channel the secretions through the catheter 100 and away from the site of the assessment . in another embodiment of the present invention , one or more elements could be stored within or on the distal tip of the catheter to dry or otherwise preclude secretion build - up within the catheter . for example , a heating element may be used to dry the airway . alternatively , medications that minimize mucus formation (. e . g ., a mucolytic drug ) may be coated on the catheter tip . the drug can diffuse slowly out of the coating into the surrounding tissue and provide extended release of a drug that can prevent or minimize mucus formation or breakdown the mucus that is secreted by the local tissue . in another embodiment of the present invention , at least one extra lumen and corresponding port may be provided to aspirate the passageways , flush the passageways , aerate the passageways , introduce a mucolytic drug into the passageways or any combination thereof . alternatively , aspiration could occur via the existing lumens and ports . this is facilitated via a modified proximal portion of the catheter that is configured to introduce a fluid , ( e . g ., air ) into the catheter . the introduced fluid would emerge from the distal end of the catheter with sufficient force to dry ( if air or another gas is used ) or push secretions that accumulate near or around the catheter mouth . an example of such a modified proximal portion is shown in fig1 . in this embodiment , the proximal portion of the device is configured to receive a fluid - propelling mechanism 800 . the fluid - propelling mechanism , such as a syringe , comprises a propellant portion 810 at the proximal end of the device , and a release valve 830 at the distal end of the device , and a pressurizer 820 therebetween . the propellant portion 810 further comprises an intake port 801 , a chamber 802 and a plunger 803 . a fluid is introduced into intake port 801 and is drawn into the chamber 802 in a syringe - like manner by pulling on plunger 803 . intake port 801 is configured to be one - way or closable to preclude fluid from exiting intake port 801 from chamber 802 . thereafter , the plunger 803 is pushed into chamber 802 to direct fluid into the pressurizer 820 . the fluid is precluded from exiting the distal end of mechanism 800 by release valve 830 , which remains in a closed position in a default state . simultaneously , the fluid is held under pressure in the pressurizer 820 . when secretions are to be removed , release valve 830 is opened . the fluid , which has been accumulated under pressure in the pressurizer 820 , will exit the mechanism 800 and enter the catheter 100 ( not shown ). the fluid will have sufficient force that upon exiting the distal end of catheter 100 ( not shown ), it will dry or move secretions accumulating around the catheter end . in another embodiment , a catheter 100 is configured to maintain structural rigidity during transport without the use of an obturator . in another embodiment , the tip of catheter 100 is configured to be angular to enhance air flow into the catheter lumen . in another embodiment , the balloon 101 is inflated with a fluid , such as saline , to provide added stability . this will aid the catheter 100 to be centrally maintained within the lung passageway . alternatively , the balloon 101 is manufactured to be structurally symmetrical when inflated . any or all of the above embodiments may be combined or replaced with medication prior to the assessment procedure . while the above is a complete description of the preferred embodiments of the invention , various alternatives , modifications , and equivalents may be used . therefore , the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims .	0
turning now to the drawings and initially to fig1 - 7 , a method of applying liquid nitrogen to a region using a spaced - hole sieve applying liquid nitrogen in droplets upon material needing cooling to condense , gel or solidify . the holes 11 are provided so that upon introduction of the liquid nitrogen into the pan 10 , the liquid nitrogen flows to fill the pan leaking out of the holes 11 under the force of gravity , thus generating an area of “ raining ” liquid nitrogen falling towards the surface below . the application of liquid nitrogen in this manner will generate a substantially gaseous application of nitrogen , thus resulting in a substantial volume of inert nitrogen gas forming a pure nitrogen cloud , and cooling the air and the surrounding surfaces . turning now to fig1 , an exemplary illustration liquid nitrogen use as a non - lethal weapon here in a human crisis as a hostage crisis or meth lab entry where the fixed liquid nitrogen dispenser 10 is filled with liquid nitrogen 1 from a dewar 16 and cryogenic hose 13 applied from outside the building . the liquid nitrogen 1 flows into the dispenser 10 through the spaced holes 11 dropping to the floor . as the liquid nitrogen drops through the warm air , it evaporates forming the gaseous nitrogen cloud 2 which progressively fills the space . as the application continues , the adjacent room where people 4 are located floods with nitrogen and the lack of oxygen in the air breathed triggers a lung based reflex that sets the person unconscious when the oxygen - carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs ceases . all parties in the nitrogen atmosphere will enter a coma phase as they breathe pure nitrogen gas . this makes it imperative that those applying the liquid nitrogen be prepared to enter the building and to administer oxygenated air to those in nitrogen coma within six minutes of being stricken . that is sufficient time to handcuff and otherwise restrain criminals as hostage takers or meth chemists and to cage aggressive animals restrained in this way . all afflicted must be provided the oxygenated air and a few strokes of artificial respiration to bring them around to consciousness . this nitrogen coma situation protects those caught in situations like explosive mixtures in the air preventing their further breathing in the flammable gases and in fires from breathing in the smoke toxins and even the burning gases in the air which will ruin the lungs to normal function , exacerbate asthma conditions and weaken pulmonary function . among industrial accidents , in the confined space category , nitrogen asphyxiation is a leading cause of deaths — around 61 % of the oxygen depleting deaths . where in methods in this patent application , we are using the condition to make capture safer and prevent lung damage in crises , in industrial accidents deaths happen when one person sees another down . the first assumption is “ heart attack ” and a co - worker hastens to their side only to be breathing the same nitrogen gas , deplete of oxygen , and later people find both normally healthy workers dead . if only osha and other safety groups would warn people to prepare for oxygen depletion and grab an oxygen mask for themselves and one for the victim , then these circumstances would not be a death threat in industrial situations . if the person was in nitrogen coma , they would be recovered with application of the mask and a few strokes of artificial respiration . if the person had a heart attack , then the cpr and other procedures can be applied to the person breathing well . the american heart association would not entertain industrial defibulator installations having a few oxygen masks in the emergency kit to prevent the oxygen depletion deaths in the workplace . that is most unfortunate . a few more items shown in fig1 include what might be used were the first responders bringing the liquid nitrogen dispensing unit to the scene . developing an opening in a window 31 or wall 37 , one uses a wind - indicator pole 30 with light - weight ribbons that droop with no wind 3 as for ribbon 39 , or blow away from the wind 38 when in the breeze . after the liquid nitrogen dispensing unit is inserted in the opening 31 , to prevent outside air from mixing with the nitrogen gas , a covering 32 is inserted to block airflow from outside the target area in the building . an inserted dispenser can be markedly smaller and more stealth than what is shown 10 , so as not to arouse curiosity . fig2 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein a facility 40 , here resembling a silo or storage chamber , where a flammable situation may develop , as with accumulating methane gas in a corn storage unit , has a built in liquid nitrogen dispenser 14 into which a dewar of liquid nitrogen 16 is emptied such that gaseous nitrogen 2 displaces other gases accumulating in the facility 40 , purging the explosive gases as it billows out from the pressure of the nitrogen gas dispensed into the chamber . the funnel , 10 , is built into the fixed nitrogen dispenser system 14 . the expanded views of the fixed system 14 include the spaced sieve holes 11 , and trough walls 18 inside for sliding adjustment and 19 outside to seal liquid nitrogen in the trough . had the falk corporation used a liquid nitrogen rather than a water sprinkler system in their aging facility in menomonee river valley industrial area in milwaukee in late fall , 2006 , the gas leak that occurred might have not exploded damaging vehicles and buildings over a mile from the site . they got everyone out . then they should have flooded the facility with nitrogen before the four member repair crew , who perished in the explosion , went in . it would have been safe because the nitrogen gas would pillow the leaking natural gas in bunches surrounding it with an oxygen depleted atmosphere which couldn &# 39 ; t support an explosion . it also won &# 39 ; t support electrical shorts which might ignite the gas . turning now to fig3 through 5 where sequences of application are shown designating the order of events using letters in alphabetical order . fig3 and 4 have two sequences to handle situations of toxin release and spill cleanup options . fig5 takes one through handling a broken pipe incident from stopping the flow , picking up the spill , and on refreezing the pipes , taking off the caps and inserting the repair segment of the pipe to put the system back in working order . looking at fig3 , fig3 a , an aerosol 5 is representing spewing toxin 50 in a situation like a subway tunnel . once discovered , the attendant should have a liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 and a ring unit 55 that tucks tightly to the ground or concrete keeping the nitrogen gas around the aerosol to hasten cooling when liquid nitrogen 1 is applied . as the nitrogen evaporates , the extremely cold , inert gas quickly cools the aerosol which stops the toxin release . once this stops , the attendant can try to close the aerosol can or can lift the aerosol with the tongs 53 and place the aerosol in a jar 64 and applying the tight fitting , leak - proof cover 65 . this act reduces the total toxin released by the amount that was frozen in the aerosol before it was sealed in the jar to safely transfer to authorities for testing and disposal . toolkit for toxin capture : liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 filled with liquid nitrogen 1 ; ring unit 55 ; tongs 53 ; jar 64 and cover 65 . fig3 b shows means to reduce the toxin content of the gas released by the aerosol 5 or by any other means . not shown is a water vaporizer which might aid the toxin capture if sprayed on the toxin cloud 51 . cooling the cloud by dispensing the liquid nitrogen just above it will cool the air such that the toxin might condense to liquid and , maybe , depending on what the toxin is , then crystallize and fall like snow or pellets 52 . the water vapor added may hasten the pellet formation of some toxins . once condensed , the toxin can be shoveled up . aspirating the pellets might release the toxins undoing the capture . flakes or pellets 52 are shoveled up into jars 64 and sealed with tight fitting caps 65 . again , the contained toxins should be turned over to authorities for identification and disposal . toolkit for toxin cloud capture : liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 with liquid nitrogen 1 , water vaporizer , shovel 54 , jar 64 and tight fitting cap 65 . fig4 contains two ways of picking up a spill 6 . the first in fig4 a shows a spill that can be scraped off the surface with a shovel 62 after the spill is gelled or solidified 60 . this method can work effectively in the event of mercury spills . the second in fig4 b shows a spill that has to be first lifted to the surface of water 61 , like most organics , using pliable base , open bottomed containment 66 which snugs to the surface preventing the water 61 or spill 6 from leaking out . once the water 61 is in the containment 66 , which is placed over the spill 6 , the spill rises to the top . then the liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 is used letting liquid nitrogen droplet streams drop over the spill cooling the spill with the evaporating nitrogen until it gels or solidifies 60 . a skimmer with holes or slots to release as much water as possible is used to skim the gel or solid from the water surface and to place it in jars 64 which can be tightly sealed with a cap 65 . toolkit to collect spills : liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 with liquid nitrogen 11 ; shovel 62 ; skimmer 63 ; pliable base , open bottom containment 66 , water 61 to fill the containment in a jug 67 ; and jars 64 and tight fitting caps 65 . fig5 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention , wherein the present invention is used to stop the flow from a broken pipe , seal it , then refreeze the contents and apply the fix so the pipe is again functioning in the system . steps a through e stop the flow from the pipe . then e 1 and e 2 show cleaning up the spill from the pipe . image f shows the pipe stopped so no further spill is experienced . images g through j show the sequence to uncap the pipe and insert the repair pipe segment . image k shows the repaired pipe back in service . pipe 7 experiences a break 70 which causes a spill 6 . the liquid nitrogen dispenser applies liquid nitrogen into a double pronged hammock like canvas material catch 72 which cradles the cold , inert nitrogen around the two segments of the broken pipe . this stops the flow from the pipe segments by freezing the pipe contents 71 . caps 73 are inserted on both ends of the broken pipe . the second stage of pipe repair starts with again cooling the pipe segments with the catch 72 using the liquid nitrogen 1 , removing the caps and inserting a pipe segment 74 , pushing it up the pipe a ways and then bringing it to the center covering the break 70 . it is soldered or adhesive sealed in place . once the frozen pipe contents 71 thaw , the repaired pipe 75 is back in service . toolkit required for pipe flow stop and repair includes the liquid nitrogen dispenser 15 with liquid nitrogen 1 ; the dual - pronged canvas catch 72 ; two caps 73 to fit the pipe ; the shovel , jar and cap to remove the spill ; and the repair pipe segment 74 to fit the pipe and the solder , torch , or adhesive to seal the repair part in place . referring now to fig6 another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated , wherein the present invention is used to control combustion engine vehicles 76 by creating a nitrogen gas cloud 2 by dispensing liquid nitrogen 1 from a unit 15 in such a manner that the nitrogen gas 2 enters the engine area and goes into the air intake 77 of the vehicle 76 engine . this will stop the engine . it would be a method of stopping the engine if one left one &# 39 ; s car keys in the vehicle and locked the door . once help to enter the vehicle is gotten and one enters the vehicle , the nitrogen gas is gone and the vehicle should start when turning the keys without any problem . fig7 shows a means for a cloud seeding aviation group to possibly change the character of a tornado situation by overflying the funnel producing sections 79 of a major storm with an aircraft 78 containing a liquid nitrogen dewar 16 of vast capacity with cryogenic piping from the dewar out the rear of the aircraft to two dispersing nozzles 11 which let the liquid nitrogen 1 stream out the back and evaporate filling the cloud system with nitrogen gas . theoretically , with 4 , 000 gallons of liquid nitrogen dispersed into a serious storm cloud , 1 , 000 , 000 gallon volume of nitrogen gas is added to the air in the cloud . the evaporation lowers the temperature changing the building structure of the funnels , it adds air to the mass increasing the air pressure from the super low pressure characteristic of tornado cloud situations to a higher pressure , and it reduces the water portion of the storm cloud with the added volume of dry nitrogen gas . this surprise set of changes might forestall the development of the funnels that cause the tornado damage . it is a risky flight . it may increase the size of hail dropped on the region . we have no way of knowing the degree of severity of any tornados that might form so there is no second guessing . however , when a storm system as passed over central florida in late january , 2007 , where tornados were forecast , it might have changed the quality of tornado or mixed the turbulence enough to nix the tornado formation . in the spirit of uses of liquid nitrogen of this patent , it fits . whether it will be useful for weather modification will only be determined by trying the method when severe tornados are a given in an exceedingly severe storm situation . if , with an approaching storm of this magnitude , people yell , “ do something !” this is something one can do . it takes a very secure aircraft , a highly skilled pilot with nerves of steel and one really huge tank of liquid nitrogen with the dispersing elements controllable from the pilot &# 39 ; s location or with a weather expert viewing the cloud changes having the dispersion controls . referring now to fig8 - 10 we use the brute force of freezing water or solidifying lava to mitigate the crises of hurricane or loose barge damage to levees and holding the soil in place where mudslides might originate in heavy rains shown in fig8 ; the freezing of a plug or high side cap on a dike breakage or dam rupture in fig9 ; and the structuring of the potential solidification of lava in a lava flow region in fig1 . nitrogen dispersal equipment here , following the funnel catching the dewar output , is mainly piping placed in advance in the levee and mudslide vulnerable areas ; put in place at the event of a dike breakage or dam rupture to match the size and convolution of the structure ; and designed and set in place as the lava flows toward it considering in its design the configuration of the lava bed after the flow is solidified in place . this last lava effort calls for real dynamic architecture . fig8 shows the advance installation pattern of pipes 8 placed in holes 80 in the levee . these holes are recommended to go into the ground somewhat deeper than the levee to insure it doesn &# 39 ; t slide downstream once the ice / gravel block is frozen . the pipes 8 penetrate the depth of the hole and extend above the surface clearing the water during construction . the system must be sealed , water tight , and be dry inside to prevent ice blockage . once the double row of pipes are installed the width of the levee or distance preferred , then the holes with the pipes in them are filled with gravel . and , with the holes filled , then the tops of the pipes are covered to six inches over the pipe cross sections 81 as shown in gravel addition 83 . the double funnel 10 is capped at one end of the levee where a liquid nitrogen truck can dump its load of liquid nitrogen as the crisis threatens . also , the exhaust ends 20 of the pipe are capped and clear the top . when the system is being filled , caps at both the funnel 10 and the exhaust end 20 of the system must be removed . a chimney cover to prevent water entering the exhaust end is needed and a mixing fan installed to mix the air at the exhaust end of the pipe system to disrupt any pure nitrogen clouds 2 that might cause nitrogen coma in any life in the vicinity of these pipes . a fan mixing the air at a speed over five miles per hour will blend the nitrogen in the air which , as you know contains 78 % nitrogen . the zigzag pattern run double with hole spacing twice the peripheral freezing range will , if the spacing between hole margins is eighteen inches and having parallel zigzag lines should allow a four foot thickness of the freeze zone 84 for the depth of the pipes plus six inches at the bottom and six inches at the top by the width these pipes are installed . if the gravel / ice block 84 is the full width of the levee , then when a crisis occurs where levee strength is critical , that size solid block of gravel and ice is formed by administering liquid nitrogen in advance of the situation and keeping the liquid nitrogen flowing through the duration of the crisis . the explanation of this method of increasing the strength of levees was proposed to fema asst . director michael brown jun . 7 , 2005 . aug . 18 , 2005 , fema turned down the request to test the method . katrina , a category # 5 hurricane , hit august 28 and august 29 new orleans levees failed . halliburton &# 39 ; s repair of the levees is up to but not beyond category # 3 . the us army corps of engineers has the request to test this method , but to date has not done so . california is reported levee problems currently with levees built before their recorded history . this method might strengthen these old levees in times of crisis . the cost of piping the levees might be less than replacing them and getting them to the strength needed to withstand the type storms anticipated in these present days . fig9 shows a make - shift piping arrangement built in place to match the size and contour of a dike or dam 86 which has ruptured 85 causing flooding below the dam from the reservoir of water retained by the dam or dike . looking at the structure 8 consisting of a network of pipes with spools 82 that allow liquid nitrogen 1 passage to other pipes extending from the spool , it is fed liquid nitrogen through the funnel 10 which passes through the pipes 8 which cool the water 61 in its vicinity to freezing . the resulting evaporant , gaseous nitrogen 2 , passes out of the pipe network at exhaust pipes 20 . depending on the flow speed of the water at the break 85 , the pipe network 8 can be cooled at the break thus freezing to the dike or dam where it sits closing the opening by its presence before , in the line of water flow , the break 85 , or , if the flow erodes the forming ice 84 forming , the pipe network 8 can be iced aside of the break in calmer waters and then with ropes attached be pulled into the flow stream going through the break 85 to cover the break and there ice itself to the high water side of the dam or dike . liquid nitrogen dewar 16 can arrive by barge or truck with pumps inside the dewar forcing liquid nitrogen in the cryogenic hose 13 feeding the liquid nitrogen 1 to the funnel 10 and into the pipe network 8 . if a space can be architected into the pipe network between the ice and the dam or dike structure , the break 85 can be repaired while the ice 61 is in place . during repairs , the liquid nitrogen flow into the pipe network must be maintained . once the repair to the break is completed and set , liquid nitrogen can be withheld so the ice melts and the pipe network 8 can be pulled from the water and dissembled and stored for another event when it is needed . during writing of the original liquid nitrogen enabler patent submitted may 14 , 2003 , a dike on a michigan upper peninsula river flowing into lake superior ruptured emptying a reservoir of water into a town on the shore flooding the community . the raging waters filled that area of the lake with silt . power generation feeding the region south to include green bay wis . was affected by the loss of water in the reservoir . this technique applied early in the situation might have reduced the damage the dike breakage cost . this us army corps of engineers structure was old and monitoring its condition had been lax . having this technique to recover from another breakage may make it safer for those downstream dikes and dams if and when they give way . it also will retain much of the water in the reservoir and prevent the flood damage downstream . fig1 presents a scaffolding to sculpture lava flow into solid lava rock . it too is a pipe network 8 for liquid nitrogen 1 which is put in place where lava is anticipated to flow after the eruption of a volcano . the pipe scaffolding 8 can be erected well ahead of the lava flow 87 . as the flow arrives , as shown in fig1 a , the hot flowing lava 87 encounters the super cold pipe network cooled by the flow of liquid nitrogen 1 from the dewar 16 via the cryogenic hoses 13 pouring it into the funnel ends 10 on the pipe network 8 with gaseous nitrogen 2 escaping the pipe network through the open vertical pipes 20 . the liquid nitrogen application to the pipe network should anticipate the lava flow arrival 87 by a few hours to insure a complete cooling of the pipe network . without that the pipes will melt with the super high temperature of the lava flow . as the lava 87 encounters the cryogenically cold pipe network , it solidifies around the pipes forming solid lava rock 88 . the rock is cooled with continuing liquid nitrogen flow through the system solidifying more and more lava rock . after considerable time the structure can appear as shown in fig1 b where only the funnels 10 which are a distant outside the lava flow and the vertical nitrogen gas exhaust pipes 20 show outside the lava rock . clever planning of the structure of the solidified lava 88 can create a lake 89 above the lavabed 88 where future lava flows can solidify before overrunning the structured lavabed . structures like this might protect villages down mountain from frequently erupting volcanos or can protect villages from the current lava flow by arresting the flow as shown . post eruption , these sites can be developed taking advantage of the pipe infrastructure of the lavabed for providing wiring and water supplies as needed . turning now to fig1 - 12 , a third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated wherein liquid nitrogen is used to flood the porous ground in the vicinity of long - burning coal mine fires and in capturing the water , carbon dioxide and soot from smoke stack emissions , both providing means to maintain cleaner air . once a coalmine fire is extinguished , the remaining coal can be mined . once the stack gas from industry burning coal is processed rather than let go free in the atmosphere , the air will clear proportional to the captured gas vs . other emissions in the area . fig1 shows two coalmine fire mitigation drillings with separation between them recommended at 25 feet and depth of the drilling starting where the temperature is at boil water temperature 212 ° f . as the application of liquid nitrogen through the paced dispersion of the dispenser 12 , the drilling bottom cools and further drilling takes the depth to again where water boils . this drilling cool when cooled is drilled further into the rock / soil layers over the coalmine until boiling water temperature is again reached . the drill routine continues until the holes penetrate to the mine below that is burning or to where the temperature does not reach boiling water . the coalmine fire liquid nitrogen dispenser 12 inverts the dewar 16 with a stop flow insert that trickles the liquid nitrogen 1 into the cup . when the cup is full , it drops by gravity emptying the liquid nitrogen 1 into the sieve unit 11 sending droplets of liquid nitrogen 1 down the drilling 92 where it evaporates into nitrogen gas 2 filling the drilling and working its way into the porous rock above the coalmine fire 90 . as long as the coalmine fire burns , coalmine fire emission 9 as a mix of water , carbon dioxide and partially burned hydrocarbons is leaked into the air . the excess liquid nitrogen in the delivery truck before it returns for refill over the weeks of application , should empty its contents into the mine shaft of the burning coalmine . the entrances or tunnels between the burning area and outside or areas of the mine that are not burning should have tarpaulins blocking air passage into the coalmine fire tunnels . this way the evaporating liquid nitrogen emptied into the mine can increase the nitrogen content of the air in the coalmine fire tunnel to the point that the oxygen is depleted . this should stop the burn augmenting the flooding of the porous rock cover of the mine with nitrogen gas as shown in fig1 again depleting the oxygen from the ground source above the mine . it is anticipated that several weeks of application working a large matrix of drillings 92 over the burning coal mine should mitigate the fire and eventually cause it to be extinguished . a bid to quell the monroeville pa . fire by drilling all the intersections of a 25 acre matrix over the mine with intersections occurring along lines at 25 foot sections was turned down in favor of surface mining the area until the entire burning coal volume was uncovered . this cost ten times the bid made using this method . their excavation method reportedly did quell that coal mine fire . pennsylvania still has eleven more coalmine fires that have burned for years . perhaps budget considerations might give this method favor in the future . colorado is reported to have about 250 actively burning coalmines and worldwide there are many more slowly emitting noxious substances and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere . fig1 shows means to control industrial smoke stack emissions into the atmosphere . the inventor grew up in green bay wis . where the paper mill smoke stacks belched noxious gases over the city aggravating her asthma condition throughout the year . emerging economies are now plagued with these stack gas emissions throughout the world . the theory behind the design of the stack gas scrubber is that the water in the air from the burning of coal or other heat processing burn carries the soot and other contaminants by adhesion . when water is crystallized into ice , its bonds release the soot as the ice forms on the condensing coils cooled to with liquid nitrogen to water freezing temperatures . carbon dioxide will stay in gaseous form until it reaches around − 109 . 3 ° f . so it can be released into controlled airflow conditions into a brightly lighted , plant filled environment where the carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen in photosynthesis making robust plant growth and reducing the carbon dioxide emissions from the smoke stack / scrubber system . viewing one configuration for the scrubber system in fig1 , we have in fig1 a the current practice factory 94 with smoke stack 93 with smoke emission 9 spewing from the stack causing smoke stack gas 91 to flood the air . installing the liquid nitrogen scrubber system as shown in fig1 b , we see the same factory 94 with an abbreviated smoke stack 93 covered with a roof from which three pipes emerge . the vertical pipe 99 drops soot into a barrel for reprocessing or use as soil . the diagonal pipe 97 disperses water into greenhouse 22 to irrigate the plants 24 . the near horizontal pipe 98 releases carbon dioxide into the greenhouse for consuming in photosynthesis by plants 24 during lighted conditions . the truck 23 is taking produce 25 , fruit and vegetables , from the greenhouse 22 to market . and the greenhouse gases emitted from the greenhouse have reduced levels of carbon dioxide and increased levels of oxygen and the nitrogen gas emitted in the cooling process . it is close to standard atmospheric content levels and does not induce smog conditions . fig1 c shows the inner workings of the scrubber system with the smoke stack 93 abbreviated and capped to release its gas into the condensing coils 21 where , when they are cold , ice 96 forms as the water in the stack gas condenses and freezes . this freezing releases the soot in the stack gas which falls on the tarp feeding it into the soot pipe 99 . the condensing coils 21 are cooled alternatingly by filling them from the dewars 16 when they are to cool down . the liquid nitrogen 1 flow stops so the stack gas can warm the coil allowing the ice 96 formed while the condensing coil 21 was cold will melt , drip down into the troughs feeding into the water pipe 97 . the carbon dioxide laden gas in the stack gas flows out of the scrubber structure in pipe 98 feeding that component into the greenhouse for photosynthesis to convert it to plant bulk and exchanging it for oxygen . the condenser coils have the dewar 16 input of liquid nitrogen 1 and the outgas tubes 20 releasing nitrogen gas 2 which exits either above the scrubber containment or inside mixing with carbon dioxide carrying it at a less concentrated level into the greenhouse . for safety of the workers in the greenhouse environment lower percentages of carbon dioxide is preferred since breathing high concentrations of carbon dioxide causes panting and really large lung capacity breathing that is not normal . mixing the nitrogen 2 and the carbon dioxide will still feed the plants the carbon dioxide , but its dilution will prevent the breathing frenzy in people and animals and any reaction plants might have to concentrated levels of carbon dioxide . greenhouse gas output will then be more in line with standard atmosphere air with oxygen produced in photosynthesis , some escaping carbon dioxide along with that given off in respiration , nitrogen , and water vapor given off by the plants and evaporated from irrigating the soil or growth medium . this can clean the air if applied consistently over all the smoke stacks and other polluting burning in a region elected to have its air quality improved . many changes and modifications could be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof . the scope of some of these changes can be appreciated by comparing the various embodiments as described above . the scope of the remaining changes will become apparent from the appended claims .	6
referring more specifically to the drawings , fig1 and 2 illustrate a magnetic bubble domain package in accordance with a preferred embodiment of this invention . fig2 is a cross - sectional view which shows the various subassemblies of the package and the structural relationships therebetween . the package is enclosed by an open - ended tubular housing , 10 , which has plates of permanent magnet material , 11 , secured to opposite inner faces thereof . the permanent magnet plates 11 have plates of soft magnetic material , 12 , secured thereto for improving the uniformity of the magnetic bias field produced by permanent magnet plates 11 . the assembly secured within housing 10 and centrally located between soft magnetic plates 12 is comprised of a pair of magnetic bubble domain chip subassemblies located in parallel spaced - apart relationship on opposite sides of the external drive field coil subassembly . the coil subassembly is located at the geometric center of the package and generally comprises a core of magnetic material formed by plates of soft magnetic material 13 and 14 , a first , or inner coil 15 wound around the magnetic core , and a second , or outer coil 16 wound around the inner coil in orthogonal relationship thereto . each magnetic bubble domain chip subassembly generally comprises a chip support plate 22 , a spacer frame 23 secured to the chip support plate , and a magnetic bubble domain chip 20 secured to the chip support plate within spacer frame 23 . the bonding areas of magnetic bubble domain chip 20 are electrically connected to a pattern of conductors disposed on an interconnect member 30 which facilitates electrical access to the magnetic bubble domain chip after encapsulation . a metal plate 50 is located in spaced parallel relationship to magnetic bubble domain chip 20 and is operably associated therewith in order to improve the uniformity of the magnetic field produced by the drive field coil subassembly . the structure located centrally within housing 10 is encapsulated therein by means of a body of insulative molding material , 19 , and electrical access to the magnetic bubble domain chips 20 is assured by means of signal leads 42 , which are bonded to the pattern of conductors disposed on interconnect member 30 before encapsulation . it is understood that , although two chip subassemblies are included in the structure of fig2 the package may be constructed as a single chip assembly within the spirit of the present invention . open - ended tubular housing 10 may be composed of a suitable shielding material , a 78 % nickel , 22 % iron composition being one example thereof . housing 10 has a substantially rectangular cross - section , the top and bottom sides of the housing forming the longer sides of the rectangle . housing 10 , although open at both ends , effectively shunts stray magnetic fields in the operating environment of the magnetic bubble domain device in order to maintain a predetermined magnetic environment within the package . secured to the top and bottom inner surfaces of housing 10 are plates 11 of permanent magnetic material . plates 11 are substantially rectangular , and one of the enlarged major surfaces of each plate is secured to the inner surface of housing 10 with epoxy or any other suitable adhesive so that plates 11 are parallel and in general registry with each other across the inner volume of housing 10 . plates 11 may be constructed of any suitable permanent magnet material , indox being one example thereof , and produce a magnetic field in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the major surfaces of the plates through the inner volume of housing 10 , the strength of this field depending on the magnetization of the permanent magnet plates 11 . a bias spreader plate 12 , composed of a soft magnetic material , is secured , using epoxy or any other suitable adhesive , to each plate of permanent magnet material 11 along the enlarged major surface of plate 11 opposite the enlarged major surface by which plate 11 is secured to the inner surface of housing 10 . spreader plates 12 are substantially rectangular and dimensionally larger than plates 11 , so that spreader plates 12 entirely cover the surfaces of plates 11 and are positioned parallel and in general registry with each other across the inner volume of housing 10 . spreader plates 12 may be of any suitable soft magnetic material , such as silicon steel or soft ferrite , for example , and serve to increase the uniformity of the perpendicular bias field produced by permanent magnet plates 11 , spreader plates 12 being magnetizable , thus spreading the flux lines of the permanent magnets over a greater surface area . this bias field structure thus produces an extremely uniform magnetic field perpendicular to the plane of the magnets 11 . this bias field structure may be constructed separately as a component and the inner structure of the package , which includes the magnetic bubble domain chip or chips , the interconnect member or members associated therewith , and the drive field coil subassembly , may then be inserted into the bias field structure in a separate manufacturing operation . the various components comprising this inner structure of the package will now be described in more detail . the drive field coil subassembly , which is located at the geometric center of the package and which is used to produce the rotary magnetic field necessary to manipulate the magnetic bubbles within the film of magnetizable material disposed on the surface of the magnetic bubble domain chip or chips , is shown in fig3 . the drive field coil subassembly generally comprises a pair of soft magnetic plates 13 and 14 forming a segmental core and a pair of orthogonally related coils wound thereabout . plates 13 and 14 , which may be of soft ferrite material , for example , are substantially rectangular and are secured to each other with epoxy or any other suitable adhesive , the enlarged major surfaces of the plates being disposed against each other in a contiguous parallel relationship . the pair of orthogonally related coils includes a first , or inner coil 15 composed of insulated magnet wire wound around plates 13 and 14 and a second , or outer coil 16 , also of insulated magnet wire , wound around and in orthogonal relationship to inner coil 15 . the free ends of coils 15 and 16 respectively form drive wires 17 and 18 by which the coils 15 and 16 may be energized . the signals for drive field coils 15 and 16 , which are supplied by drive wires 17 and 18 , respectively , are sinusoidal signals which are 90 ° out of phase with each other . this energization of the coils wound orthogonally on the segmented magnetic body or core defined by the plates 13 and 14 of soft magnetic material produces a rotary magnetic field in the general area surrounding the coil assembly . it is understood that , although the magnetic body of the drive field coil subassembly has been described as segmental , and although this segmental configuration may offer some advantages relating to the uniformity of the magnetic field produced by the subassembly , a single plate of soft magnetic material could be used to form the magnetic body for the drive field coil subassembly . referring to fig4 a magnetic bubble domain chip subassembly as used in the preferred embodiment of this invention is shown . the subassembly generally comprises a chip support plate 22 , a spacer frame 23 secured to chip support plate 22 , and a magnetic bubble domain chip 20 secured to chip support plate 22 within spacer frame 23 . magnetic bubble domain chip 20 comprises a thin film of bubble - supporting magnetic material disposed on a substrate of non - magnetic material and an overlay pattern of magnetizable material disposed on the bubble - supporting film . the magnetic film has magnetically easy directions essentially perpendicular to the plane of the film , so that a perpendicular magnetic bias field may form small localized regions of polarization aligned opposite to the general polarization direction . such localized regions are called magnetic bubble domains , and are of generally cylindrical configuration . the magnetic bubble domains may be manipulated along the overlay pattern with a magnetic drive field rotating in the plane of the bubble - supporting film of the chip . the bubble domains may thus be used to perform logical operations . these operations are controlled by circuitry external to the chip , the signals for these operations being supplied by conductors bonded to the overlay pattern on the chip via bonding areas 21 , which are also disposed on the bubble supporting magnetic film of the chip . the substrate of magnetic bubble domain chip 20 is secured , with epoxy or any other suitable adhesive , to a substantially rectangular chip support plate 22 , which is dimensionally larger than chip 20 , so that marginal end portions of plate 22 extend beyond the periphery of chip 20 . a spacer frame 23 is also secured to chip support plate 22 with epoxy or any other suitable adhesive . spacer frame 23 is substantially rectangular , dimensionally smaller than chip support plate 22 , and contains a rectangular window within which the magnetic bubble domain chip 20 is positioned . spacer frame 23 is secured to the marginal end portions of chip support plate 22 to form the chip subassembly of fig4 frame 23 being of approximately the same thickness as magnetic bubble domain chip 20 . both the chip support plate 22 and spacer frame 23 may be part of the chip substrate or may be components constructed of any suitable non - conducting material , ceramic aluminum oxide ( al 2 o 3 ) being one example thereof . as shown in fig2 the chip subassembly of fig4 is secured to the drive field coil subassembly of fig3 such that the magnetic bubble domain chip 20 is located in the vertical center of the drive field coils where the rotating magnetic drive field is most uniform , the bottom of chip support plate 22 being secured to outer coil 16 with epoxy or some other suitable adhesive . as mentioned in the discussion of fig2 the packaging assembly of fig1 and 2 may be constructed as a single chip package assembly within the scope of the present invention wherein only one of the chip subassemblies shown in fig4 is employed in conjunction with the drive field coil subassembly . convenient electrical access to magnetic bubble domain chip 20 is assured by means of an interconnect member 30 , an enlarged perspective view of one embodiment of which is shown in fig5 . an elongated rectangular plate of non - magnetic insulating material is formed to contain chip aperture 33 , the dimensions of aperture 33 substantially matching those of magnetic bubble domain chip 20 . disposed on this elongated rectangular plate is a pattern of conductors 31 , which are fabricated to include conducting lead connecting pads 32 along the narrower outer edges of interconnect member 30 . metal conductors 31 are disposed substantially parallel on the surface of interconnect member 30 from lead connecting pads 32 to chip aperture 33 and overhanging into the aperture . conductors 31 may be composed of any suitable conducting metal , copper being one example thereof . conductors 31 are plated , using a suitable electroplating technique , with a metal , the melting temperature of which is sufficiently low so as to permit its use as a solder in subsequent bonding operations . tin is a suitable metal for this purpose . the insulating material used for interconnect member 30 may be composed of the kapton polyimide plastic film , marketed by the e . i . dupont company of wilmington , del . used in the semiconductor device of u . s . pat . no . 3 , 859 , 718 . the top of interconnect member 30 is positioned over magnetic bubble domain chip 20 as shown in fig2 so that bonding areas 21 of the chip and overhanging terminals of conductors 31 contact each other and are electrically connected by means of a bonding tool inserted through aperture 33 . interconnect member 30 is attached , using epoxy or some other suitable adhesive , to spacer frame 23 to insure structural rigidity . the lead frame 40 , shown in fig6 is substantially similar to that used in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 859 , 718 . it is formed to contain inner lead ends 41 and external signal leads 42 . it consists of a metal alloy , copper being one example thereof , plated with a metal , the melting temperature of which is sufficiently low so as to permit its use as a solder in subsequent bonding operations . tin is a suitable metal for this purpose . inner lead ends 41 contact lead connecting pads 32 on the interconnect member 30 and are bonded thereto using a suitable bonding technique . tie bars 43 are trimmed from lead frame 40 after bonding operations are completed , and electrical access to the chip is then possible through external signal leads 42 . drive wires 17 and 18 are bonded to four of these leads so that coil excitation signals may be provided through the external signal leads after the package is encapsulated . metal plate 50 , shown in fig2 is secured to the bottom of insulating film interconnect member 30 using epoxy or some other suitable adhesive . metal plate 50 may be composed of any suitable metal conductor , copper being one example thereof , and is of substantially rectangular shape . metal plate 50 thus covers the chip aperture 33 in interconnect member 30 and is suspended away from the bubble - supporting surface of magnetic bubble domain chip 20 a distance equalling the thickness of interconnect member 30 . metal plate 50 enhances and shapes the magnetic field produced by the drive field coil subassembly , an image current being induced in plate 50 by the ac field of drive coils 15 and 16 through chip aperture 33 . because the magnetic bubble domain chip 20 is located external to the drive field coils in this invention , metal plate 50 is required to insure the uniformity of the drive field normally guaranteed by locating the chip inside the coil . the central structure of the package is permanently encapsulated within housing 10 by means of a suitable molding operation , wherein a body of molding material 19 is inserted into the open ends of housing 10 to insure the integrity and structural rigidity of the final package . molding material 19 may be any suitable insulating material , such as the advanced novalac epoxy used in the construction of the device of u . s . pat . no . 3 , 859 , 718 . as shown in fig1 signal leads 42 extend from the open ends of housing 10 through molding material 19 , so that signals to and from the magnetic bubble domain chips and excitation signals for the drive field coil subassembly are conveniently provided through the shielded , encapsulated final package . fig7 and 8 illustrate a magnetic bubble domain package in accordance with a second embodiment of this invention . it is seen that the embodiment of fig8 is substantially similar in construction to the preferred embodiment of fig2 . as in the preferred embodiment , the package is enclosed by an open - ended tubular housing 10 . a plate of permanent magnet material 11 and a plate of soft magnetic material 12 are secured to the bottom inner surface of housing 10 as in the first embodiment . a metal plate , 60 , is secured to the top inner surface of housing 10 in this embodiment , however , and the drive field coil subassembly is secured to metal plate 60 . as in the first embodiment , the magnetic bubble domain chip subassembly , which is located centrally within housing 10 , is encapsulated within the housing by means of an insulative molding material 70 , and signals for the magnetic bubble domain chip 20 and the drive field coil subassembly are provided by signal leads 42 , which extend from the open ends of the final encapsulated package . metal plate 60 is substantially rectangular and is secured , using epoxy or any other suitable adhesive , to one of the inner surfaces of tubular housing 10 along one of its enlarged major surfaces . as in the preferred embodiment , a rectangular plate of permanent magnet material 11 is secured to the opposite inner surface of housing 10 and a rectangular spreader plate 12 of soft magnetic material is secured to plate 11 . in the drive field coil subassembly for this embodiment , first and second plates 131 and 141 , are secured to each other , using epoxy or any other suitable adhesive along enlarged major surfaces thereof , so that the plates are disposed against each other in contiguous parallel relationship . plate 131 is constructed of any suitable permanent magnet material , indox for example , and plate 141 is constructed of any suitable soft magnetic material , such as soft ferrite . inner and outer coils 15 and 16 are wound around this magnetic core in orthogonal relationship with respect to each other as in the first embodiment , excitation signals for coils 15 and 16 being supplied by drive wires 17 and 18 as in the first embodiment . drive wires 17 and 18 are bonded to signal leads 42 as in the first embodiment before encapsulation of the device . this drive field coil subassembly is secured to the enlarged major surface of metal plate 60 with epoxy or any other suitable adhesive . metal plate 60 is included in order to reduce the coil loss which would otherwise result from the contact of the drive field coil subassembly with housing 10 . permanent magnet plate 131 cooperates with soft magnetic plate 141 to form the top half of the bias field structure , so that plates 131 and 141 perform substantially the same function as plates 11 and 12 in the embodiment of fig2 . this embodiment thus has the added advantage of utilizing the drive field coil subassembly as part of the bias field structure , which eliminates part of the magnetic structure , thus reducing the expense and weight of the final package . although the embodiments of fig2 and 8 indicate that the central structure of the package is located within housing 10 in an exact parallel relationship with respect to the plates of permanent magnet material 11 to facilitate the illustration of the invention , it will be understood that the central structure of the package may be encapsulated therein at a slight angle with respect to the permanent magnets in order to obtain a tilt field for more reliable stop / start operation of the device . as various changes in addition to those mentioned could be made to the structures described without departing from the scope of the invention , it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense .	6
summarizing briefly in advance , the improved hysteresis brake 10 of the present invention has its casing 11 locked in a rotationally adjusted position relative to its pole 12 so that it will produce a substantially predetermined torque at a predetermined substantially maximum current input for which it is intended to operate . as noted briefly above , even if the casing and pole of substantially identical hysteresis brakes are at the same angular orientation , they may produce different torques at the same current inputs . this is due to variations in manufacturing tolerances and variations in magnetic characteristics of the materials . this is graphically depicted in fig1 wherein curves a and a 1 show a plot of torque versus current input for two hysteresis brakes which are of the same size , made of nominally the same materials and adjusted so that each of their poles bear a specific angular orientation relative to their respective casings . the improved hysteresis brake 10 of the present invention is standardized so that it will provide a substantially predetermined torque output characteristic within a narrow range throughout its operable current range , and this torque output will not vary substantially from other like hysteresis brakes which have been similarly standardized . this is depicted in fig1 wherein the range of torques of a plurality of hysteresis brakes vary between lines b and b 1 when they have been calibrated at a current i to give torques substantially at t . this range is much closer than the range which is obtainable by orienting the pole and casing of each brake relative to each other in the same predetermined given angular orientation . structurally , the hysteresis brake 10 includes a casing 11 , a pole 12 , a winding 13 on pole 12 , a shaft 14 mounted within bearings 15 within pole 12 , and a rotor 17 secured to shaft 14 by collar 19 . collar 19 is fixed to shaft 14 at serrated portion 20 . the left bearing 15 bears against a shoulder 21 of pole 12 . the right bearing 15 bears against a shoulder 22 of pole 12 , and a c - clip 23 is located in shaft groove 24 and bears against the right bearing 15 to maintain the shaft and rotor assembly in position within pole 12 . all of the foregoing structure is conventional . in accordance with the present invention , the casing 11 and pole 12 of the hysteresis brake are adjusted relative to each other to provide a substantially predetermined torque at a predetermined substantially maximum input current for that type of hysteresis brake . in this respect , it is to be noted from fig7 that the minimum torque is obtained when the slots 25 of casing 11 are directly opposite to slots 27 of pole 12 and teeth 29 of casing 11 are directly opposite to teeth 30 of pole 12 . the maximum torque is obtained , as shown in fig8 when slots 25 of casing 11 are directly opposite teeth 30 of pole 12 and slots 27 of pole 12 are directly opposite teeth 29 of casing 11 . when the pole 12 and casing 11 of each of a plurality of identically constructed hysteresis brakes 10 are oriented for maximum torque , as in fig8 the torques which will be obtained will differ at identical current inputs which are applied thereto because of the above - discussed variations due to tolerances and variations in magnetic characteristics of the materials . even when the casing and pole of each nominally identical hysteresis brake are offset the same angular amount relative to each other as in fig9 the torque outputs at the same predetermined current inputs would still vary among a plurality of hysteresis brakes . in accordance with the present invention , a plurality of nominally identically constructed hysteresis brakes 10 can be standardized to compensate for variations due to manufacturing tolerances and variations in the magnetic characteristics of the materials . this standardization is obtained by calibrating each specific hysteresis brake 10 to produce a torque output which is substantially at t ( fig1 ) at a predetermined substantially maximum operating input current i by rotationally adjusting the casing 11 and pole 12 relative to each other to a position such as shown in fig9 which is between the minimum torque position of fig7 and the maximum torque position of fig8 . it will be understood that the relative rotational angular displacement between the casing 11 and pole 12 of each individual hysteresis brake 10 will not necessarily be the same although in certain instances it may be the same . the adjustment will be such as to produce the result such as shown in graph i of fig1 wherein each individual hysteresis brake 11 will produce a torque output substantially at t at a predetermined current input i , and a group of hysteresis brakes will provide torques which fall between curves b and b 1 , which are relatively close to each other . the structure for effecting rotational angular adjustment between the casing 11 and pole 12 of each individual hysteresis brake 10 and locking them in the adjusted position includes a plurality of set screws 31 which are received in tapped bores 32 spaced at 120 ° from each other in casing 11 . in their locking position they are received in annular groove 33 of pole 12 to retain pole 12 and casing 11 in relative circumferential positions somewhere between the maximum torque position shown in fig8 and the minimum torque position shown in fig7 such as shown in fig9 . during assembly of the casing 11 and pole 12 , the set screws 31 are backed off , and the pole is inserted into the casing from right to left in fig4 . the pole 12 may be rotationally adjusted relative to casing 11 for maximum torque as shown in fig8 and set screws are tightened by screwing them into groove 33 . however , the pole and casing need not be set at a position for maximum torque . thereafter , the rotor and shaft subassembly without the right bearing 15 thereon is inserted from left to right in fig4 and thereafter the right bearing 15 and snap ring 23 are installed to complete the assembly . the next step in the calibration is to secure pole 12 in a fixed position by fastening it to a suitable fixture ( not shown ). this is achieved by screws ( not shown ) connected to the fixture which are received in tapped bores 34 in pole 12 . thereafter , for a brake which is to operate in accordance with graph i of fig1 , a predetermined maximum electrical current i is supplied to coil 13 through leads 35 , and the screws 31 are loosened and the casing 11 is rotationally adjusted relative to pole 12 until the torque t at current i is at a desired value . the current i is at the high end of the current range at which the brakes are to operate . thereafter , set screws 31 are tightened down to the condition shown in fig4 to retain the casing 11 in its adjusted position relative to pole 12 . it has been found that when the foregoing calibration procedure is performed at current i with a plurality of like hysteresis brakes 10 , the torque outputs throughout the range of current inputs will vary only between curves b and b 1 of fig1 , which is much less than if the calibration was not effected in the above - described manner . the calibration can be effected to produce between about 30 % and 100 % of the torque which is obtainable at the substantially maximum current at which the hysteresis brake is to operate . this is shown in fig1 and 11 . in fig1 the torque is about 325 for curve a at the substantially maximum current of 275 amps , and the torque for curve a 1 is about 350 , and their torques below these maximums vary with the current as shown by the curves . both of the brakes which are represented by curves a and a 1 can have their poles and casings adjusted relative to each other so that they will each produce a torque of substantially 250 at a substantially maximum current of 275 amps , as shown by graph i in fig1 , and this will cause their individual hysteresis curves to fall between curves b and b 1 which is much closer than the differences between curves a and a 1 . if desired , the pole and casings of a plurality of brakes can each be adjusted to give a torque t 2 of substantially 150 at the same current of 275 ( graph ii ), or a plurality of brakes can be adjusted to give a torque of substantially 80 at the same current of 275 ( graph iii ). all like brakes adjusted to substantially the same torque at the same current will have their torques fall within a narrow range depicted by the dotted lines in each of graphs i , ii , iii and iv for each current at which the brake is to operate . thus , it can be seen that brakes can be adjusted to give torques of between about 30 % to 100 % of their maximum torque at their substantially maximum operating currents . it will be appreciated that it is difficult to calibrate each hysteresis brake to produce exactly the same torque at a given current . it is for this reason that the above decription refers to the torques being substantially at a given value . these values can vary up to a few percent from each other depending on the accuracy which is desired in the calibration . the brakes of graphs i , ii and iii were calibrated at the high end of the operable current range . however , under certain circumstances it may be desired to calibrate the brakes at a current which is far below the high end of the current range at which the brake can operate . in the foregoing respect , graph iv of fig1 depicts adjusting brakes to produce a torque t 1 , at a current i 1 , which is lower than the substantially maximum current i at which the brakes can operate . the reason for calibrating at a much lower current than the high end of the current range is so that the brakes will operate at lower temperatures during their normal operating range which is at currents below i 1 . in this case also , the torque of like brakes will be in a narrower range than if the calibration was not effected in the foregoing manner . as can be seen from fig4 a , the side 37 of v - shaped groove 33 is oriented so that as the conical tips of set screws 31 enter groove 33 they will cam the pole 12 to the left in fig4 relative to casing 11 to thereby cause rim portion 39 of pole 12 to engage end 40 of casing 11 . an alternate type of adjustment between a pole 12 &# 39 ; and a casing 11 &# 39 ; is shown in fig1 - 14 wherein the end portion 41 of casing 11 &# 39 ; is tapped at 42 to receive the shanks of screws 43 , the heads 44 of which bear on countersunk arcuate surface 45 of pole 12 &# 39 ; which surrounds arcuate slot 47 . as can be seen , there are three screws 43 oriented at 120 ° relative to each other . in the embodiment of fig1 - 14 , as in the previous embodiments , the casing 11 &# 39 ; and pole 12 &# 39 ; are initially adjusted relative to each other in the maximum torque position of fig8 while screws 43 are loose and thereafter they are rotationally adjusted relative to each other to provide the result of fig1 whereupon screws 43 are tightened to retain the casing and pole in the adjusted position which is desired . also the tightening of screws 43 draws the rim portion 49 of the pole into engagement with end surface 50 of the casing . it can thus be seen that the improved hysteresis brake 10 of the present invention contains structure which permits it to be adjusted to provide a torque output of a substantially predetermined value at a predetermined substantially maximum current input so that when a plurality of nominally like constructed hysteresis brakes are calibrated , their torque characteristics in the current range up to their substantially maximum current at which they were calibrated will not vary significantly from each other . also the calibration can be effected for a plurality of brakes at less than the substantially maximum current , that is , at any current up to the high end of the current range . the foregoing calibrating structure thus overcomes variations of nominally like hysteresis brakes due to various factors including manufacturing variations and variations in the magnetic characteristics of the materials . while preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed , it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims .	7
referring to fig1 the implant device 100 has a main body 101 . the main body 101 includes a spacer 102 , a first wing 104 , a tapered front end , lead - in guide or tissue expander 120 and an alignment track 106 . the main body 101 is inserted between adjacent spinous processes . preferably , the main body 101 remains safely and permanently in place without attachment to the bone or ligaments . all of the components of the implant device 100 are made of biologically acceptable material such as , but are not limited to , high strength titanium alloy or stainless steel . preferably the first wing 104 is laser welded to the main body 101 . the tip of the tissue expander 120 has the smallest diameter , allowing the tip to be inserted into a small initial dilated opening . the diameter and / or cross - sectional areas of the tissue expander 120 then gradually increases until it is substantially similar to the diameter of the main body 101 and spacer 102 . the tapered front end 120 makes it easier for a physician to urge the implant device 100 between adjacent spinous processes . when urging the main body 101 between adjacent spinous processes , the front end 120 distracts the adjacent spinous processes to the diameter of the spacer 102 . as shown in fig1 the tissue expander 120 is a pyramid shape . in another embodiment the tissue expander preferably has an angle of twenty - five degrees that allows it to clear the facet . this reduces the length of the front end 120 . one will appreciate that the shape of the tissue expander 120 can be other shapes such as , but not limited to , cone shaped , or any other shape with a small lead - in cross - section expanding into a larger cross - section . these types of shapes gradually distract the spinous processes to a sufficient distance so that the spacer 102 can conveniently fit between the spinous processes . the spacer 102 can be made of stainless steel , titanium , a super - elastic material or silicone or other biologically acceptable material . the material can be rigid or resilient as desired . as shown in fig1 the spacer 102 is an elliptically shaped cylinder . one will appreciate that the spacer can consist of other shapes such as , but not limited to , egg - shaped , round - shaped or saddle - shaped . for example , the spacer 102 can be saddle - shaped along the surface which engages the spinous processes so that the high edges and the lower central portions can more fully accommodate the shape of the spinous processes . preferably , the spacer 102 can swivel , allowing the spacer 102 to self - align relative to the uneven surface of the spinous process . this ensures that compressive loads are distributed equally on the surface of the bone . by way of example only , the spacer 102 can have diameters of six millimeters , eight millimeters , ten millimeters , twelve millimeters and fourteen millimeters . these diameters refer to the height by which the spacer distracts and maintains apart the spinous process . thus for an elliptical spacer the above selected height would represent the small diameter measurement from the center of the ellipse . the largest diameter would be transverse to the alignment , of the spinous process , one above the other . smaller and larger diameters are within the scope of the invention . the shape of the spacer 102 and for that matter the shape of the entire implant is such that for purposes of insertion between the spinous processes , the spinous processes do not need to be altered or cut away in any manner in order to accommodate the implant 100 . additionally , the associated ligaments do not need to be cut away and there would be very little or no damage to the other adjacent or surrounding tissues other than piercing through and separating , or dilating an opening in a ligament . the first wing 104 has a lower portion 116 and an upper portion 118 . the upper portion 118 is designed to preferably accommodate , in this particular embodiment , the anatomical form or contour of the l 4 ( for an l 4 - l 5 placement ) or l 5 ( for an l 5 - s 1 placement ) vertebra . it is to be understood that the same shape or variations of this shape can be used to accommodate other vertebra . the lower portion 116 is also rounded to accommodate , in a preferred embodiment , the vertebra . the lower portion 116 and upper portion 118 of the first wing 104 will act as a stop mechanism when the implant device 100 is inserted between adjacent spinous processes . the implant device 100 cannot be inserted beyond the surfaces of the first wing 104 . additionally , once the implant device 100 is inserted , the first wing 104 can prevent side - to - side , or posterior to anterior movement of the implant device 100 . the implant device 100 also has an adjustable wing 110 . the adjustable wing 110 has a lower portion 108 and an upper portion 114 . similar to the first wing 104 , the adjustable wing 110 is designed to accommodate the anatomical form or contour of the vertebra . the adjustable wing 110 is secured to the main body 101 with a fastener 122 provided through tapered cavity 130 . the adjustable wing 110 also has an alignment tab 112 . when the adjustable wing 110 is initially placed on the main body 101 , the alignment tab 112 engages the alignment track 106 . the alignment tab 112 slides within the alignment track 106 and helps to maintain the adjustable wing 110 substantially parallel with the first wing 104 in this preferred embodiment . when the main body 101 is inserted into the patient and the adjustable wing 110 has been attached , the adjustable wing 110 also can prevent side - to - side , or posterior to anterior movement . referring now to fig2 the adjustable wing 110 includes the above mentioned tapered cavity 130 . the tapered cavity 130 has a middle portion 132 , two end portions 134 and a tapered wall 131 . the diameter of the middle portion 132 is larger than the diameter of either end portion 134 . the tapered wall 131 has a larger diameter at the top surface of the adjustable wing 110 than at the bottom surface . accordingly a cone - like shape is formed . when the fastener 122 engages the main body 101 and is rotated , the fastener 122 travels into the main body 101 ( see fig1 ). as the fastener 122 travels into the main body 101 , the adjustable wing 110 will travel along the alignment track 106 towards the first wing 104 . the alignment tab 112 engages the alignment track 106 and functions as a guide , keeping the adjustable wing 110 and the first wing 104 substantially parallel to each other . the fastener 122 has a tapered head 123 , a middle section 136 and threaded bottom section 138 ( see fig3 ). the top end of the tapered head 123 was a diameter substantially similar to the diameter of the top surface of the tapered cavity 130 . the diameter of the tapered head 123 is reduced as the tapered head meets the middle section 136 . the slope of the tapered head 123 is similar to the slope of the tapered cavity 130 of the adjustable wing 110 . the middle section 136 has a diameter substantially similar to the end portions 134 of the adjustable wing 110 . the threaded bottom section 138 has a slightly larger diameter than the middle section 136 and is in one embodiment slightly smaller than the diameter of the middle portion 132 of the adjustable wing 110 . as the diameter of the end portions 134 are smaller than the diameter of the bottom section 138 , the fastener 122 cannot initially be placed through the end portions 134 of the adjustable wing 110 . accordingly , to fasten the adjustable wing 110 to the main body 101 , the threaded bottom section 138 of the fastener 122 is placed through the middle portion 132 of the adjustable wing 110 and into the main body 101 . with a turn of the fastener 122 , the threaded portion of the bottom section 138 will engage the main body 101 . in another preferred embodiment the diameter of threaded bottom section 138 is larger than the diameter of the middle portion of the adjustable wing 110 . for this embodiment , the fasteners 122 is inserted into the cavity 130 by slicing the cavity 130 ( fig2 ) through the thinnest portion of the wall , spreading the wall open , inserting the middle section 136 in the cavity with the threaded bottom section 138 projection below the cavity 130 , and laser welding the wall closed . the slicing step preferably includes using a carbide slicing device . when the adjustable wing 110 is in the position furthest from the position of the first wing 104 , the tapered head 123 of the fastener 122 is substantially out of , and not engaging , the tapered cavity 130 of the adjustable wing 110 ( see fig4 ). as the fastener 122 is rotated , the fastener 122 will continue to engage , and travel further into , the main body 101 . as the fastener 122 travels downwardly into the main body 101 , the tapered head 123 of the fastener 122 contacts the wall 131 of the tapered cavity 130 . the adjustable wing 110 can freely slide back and forth , limited by the end portions 134 of the tapered cavity 130 . when the tapered head 123 contacts the wall 131 of the tapered cavity 130 , the adjustable wing 110 moves towards the first wing 104 guided by the alignment tab 112 in the alignment track 106 . therefore , the adjustable wing 110 remains substantially parallel to the first wing 104 in this preferred embodiment as the adjustable wing 110 moves toward the first wing 104 ( see fig5 ). it is to be understood that the tab 112 and the track 106 can be eliminated in another embodiment of the invention . as shown in fig5 the tapered head of 123 of the fastener 122 is mated in the tapered wall 131 of the adjustable wing 110 . accordingly , with this ramp mechanism , the adjustable wing 110 is urged toward the spinous processes and the first wing 104 and is locked in position at its closest approach to the first wing 104 . this arrangement allows the surgeon to loosely assemble the implant in the patient and then urge the adjustable wing closer to the first wing , by rotating fastener 122 into body 110 making the implanting method more tolerant to the anatomy of the patient . the structure of the spine is of course unique for every patient . accordingly if the width of the spinous processes is excessive , the adjustable wing can be left in a position that is between that shown in fig4 and that shown in fig5 . the separation between the first wing 104 and the adjustable wing 110 can be incrementally adjusted by the number of turns of the fastener 122 . [ 0035 ] fig6 and 7 illustrate the position of the implant device 100 in a patient . as shown by fig6 the lower portion 116 and upper portion 118 of the first wing 104 function to prevent side - to - side movement , toward and away from the vertebral body ensuring that the implant device 100 remains in place . similarly , the adjustable wing 110 will also prevent excessive side - to - side movement . the wing also prevents motion in the direction of the main body into the space between the spinous processes . the foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description . it is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed . obviously , many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art . the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application , thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated . it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence .	0
next , preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described as referring to accompanying drawings . fig1 is a cross section of the fpc board 100 ; in particular , fig1 shows a coupling portion of the fpc board 100 with the circuit board 200 . the fpc board 100 provides a base board 101 , a copper foil 102 on a primary surface of the fpc board 100 , a nickel coating 103 on the primary surface , a gold coating 104 on the primary surface , a copper foil 105 on a secondary surface , a nickel coating 106 on the secondary surface , a gold coating 107 on the secondary surface , an adhesive layer 108 , a cover layer 109 , a via hole 110 , and a land region 111 . the fpc board 100 provides the land region 111 to be connected with the host board . in the explanation , a side of the fpc board 100 where the land region 111 is provided is defined as the primary surface , while the other side is defined as the secondary surface . moreover , a left side of the land region in fig1 is defined as an outer side , while , a right hand side in fig1 is defined as an inner side . the land region 111 stacks , on the base board 101 , the copper foil 102 , the nickel coating 103 , and the gold coating 104 . the land region 101 does not provide the cover layer 109 to electrically come in contact with the host board . the gold coating 104 with the nickel coating 103 protects the copper foil 102 from oxidizing . the nickel coating enhances the adhesiveness of the gold coating 104 with the copper foil 102 . other arrangements may be available to protect the copper foil 102 from oxidizing , for instance , a solder is provided on the copper foil 102 , which is called as a solder leveler , or some flux coats the surface of the copper foil 102 . the gold coating 104 may be superior form viewpoints of the stableness and the reliability . thickness of the gold coating 104 may be smaller than 0 . 1 μm , while , that of the nickel coating 103 may be between 3 . 0 to 8 . 0 μm . the copper foil 102 has a thickness of about 18 μm . the land region 111 provides a via hole 110 . on the secondary surface of the land region 111 is provided with another copper foil 105 immediately on the base board 101 . the copper foil 105 forms interconnections that is electrically connected with the gold coating 104 on the primary surface thorough the via hole 110 and finally connected with the host board 200 , which is described later . within the via hole 110 is filled with or coated with stacked metals of the copper , the nickel , and the gold similar to those on the primary and the secondary surface of the fpc board 100 . in an inner side of the gold coating 107 and the nickel coating 106 in the secondary surface is provided with the cover layer 109 to protect the copper foil 105 . this cover layer 109 is stacked with the copper foil 105 with the adhesive 108 . when an edge of the stacked metal of the copper foil 102 , the nickel coating 103 , and the gold coating 104 on the primary surface is denoted as q , and a virtual plane including the edge q and perpendicular to the base board 101 is denoted as q , the interconnections on the secondary surface crosses this virtual plane q . the cover layer 109 covers at least a portion of the land region 111 on the secondary surface , that is , the cover layer 109 extends the land region 111 on the secondary surface by crossing the virtual plane q . fig2 shows an arrangement of the fpc board 100 and the host board 200 to be connected with the fpc board 100 . the host board 200 provides an interconnection 202 made of copper foil on a base board 201 that is generally made of glass epoxy material . a resist film 205 covers the host board 200 except a land region 206 thereof , where a stacked metal of the nickel coating 203 and the gold coating 204 is exposed similar to the arrangement of the fpc board 100 . a size of the lad region 111 of the fpc board 100 is comparable to or smaller than the land region 206 of the host board 200 , and two land regions , 111 and 206 , are fixed and electrically connected to each other . fig3 shows an arrangement when the fpc board 100 is connected with the host board 200 in land regions , 111 and 206 , with a solder 20 . in this arrangement , the fpc board 100 is bent about right angle to be electrically connected with an optical subassembly . in the present embodiment , the fpc board 100 is bent at the virtual plane q . because this virtual plane q locates at the edge of the nickel coating 103 of the primary surface and the other nickel coating 106 of the secondary surface is outside the virtual plane q , both nickel coatings , 103 and 106 , may be prevented from bending . further , the copper foil 105 is covered with the cover layer 109 in the secondary surface ; accordingly , the copper foil 105 for the interconnection may be prevented from snapping . fig4 a and 4b are plan views of the fpc board 100 according to the present embodiment . fig4 a is a plan view of the secondary surface , while , fig4 b is a plan view of the primary surface viewed from the land region 111 . as shown in fig4 , the fpc board 100 provides a plurality of land regions 111 and each land region 111 configures the same stack that shown in figs . from 1 to 3 . on the primary surface of the fpc board 100 is formed with four interconnections 105 made of copper foil with the cover layer 109 on the top thereof . an end portion of each interconnection 105 is exposed from the cover layer 109 and forms a via hole 110 thereat . the via hole 110 is connected to the gold coating 104 of the land region 111 in the primary surface as shown in fig1 . on the via hole 110 in the secondary surface is exposed from the cover layer 109 . the other end portion of each interconnection 105 also forms another via hole 112 that is guided to the primary surface . the primary surface of the fpc board 100 provides a copper foil 113 in almost whole portion thereof except the land region 111 and portions corresponding to the other via holes 112 provided in the end portion of the interconnection 105 . the cover layer 114 covers the copper foil 113 . fig5 is a perspective view showing the fpc board of fig4 that connects the osa 10 to the host board 200 . the osa 10 includes a laser diode ( ld ) and a photodiode ( pd ) and has four lead pins 11 each connected to the cathode of the ld , the anode of the pd , the osa package , and commonly connected to the anode of the ld and the cathode of the pd . four via holes 112 formed in the end portion of the interconnection 105 receive these lead pins 11 . that is , the lead pin 11 passes through the via hole 112 . interconnections connected to the lead pins except for the ground pin have specific width and gaps to the neighbor interconnections , and the base board 101 of the fpc board also has a specific thickness to satisfy the impedance matching condition for the interconnection 105 with the copper foil 13 , as shown in fig4 . that is , by adjusting the width of the interconnection 105 and the gaps to the neighbor interconnection , the characteristic impedance of the interconnection 105 on the secondary surface may be controlled because the primary surface of the fpc board 100 has the copper foil covering the substantial whole area of the base board 101 , which forms a microstrip line . fig6 is a side view of the osa 10 connected to the host board 200 with the fpc board 100 . the fpc board 100 is bent at the virtual plane q extending form the edge of the land region when the osa 10 with the lead pins 11 and the fpc board 100 provides the via holes 112 into which the lead pin 11 is inserted . the virtual plane q , as shown in fig3 , crosses inner side of the nickel coating at the secondary surface , accordingly , the nickel coatings of the primary and secondary surfaces does not bend and may be prevented from snapping . moreover , the cover layer 109 of the secondary surface covers the interconnections 105 thereon ; accordingly , the interconnections 105 may be prevented from snapping . the arrangement of the fpc board 100 of the present embodiment may shorten the length thereof from the osa 10 to the host board 200 , which may not only match the characteristic impedance of the interconnection but also suppress the loss of the high frequency signal . thus , according to the present invention , the high frequency performance of the optical module and the optical module may be improved . fig7 shows a schematic drawing that explains an arrangement of an optical module installing the osa 10 , the host board 200 , and the fpc board 100 . the optical module 300 includes a housing 301 and an electronic circuit 302 on the host board 200 . the optical module 300 includes , as the osa 10 , a transmitter optical subassembly ( tosa ) and a receiver optical subassembly ( rosa ) to perform the full - duplex optical communication . the rosa includes a semiconductor light - receiving device such as avalanche photodiode ( apd ) and a pin - photodiode ( pin - pd ), and a pre - amplifier to amplify a faint electrical signal converted by such pd . the tosa includes a laser diode ( ld ) to emit signal light and a photodiode to monitor the amplitude of the signal light . the tosa occasionally installs a thermo - electric device such as peltier element to adjust a temperature of the ld , and sometimes provides a driver circuit to drive the ld when the operational speed of the ld reaches and exceeds 10 ghz . these osas are built with an optical receptacle into which an external optical connected is mated to optically couple optical fibers configured within the optical connector with the ld and the pd within the osas . the housing 301 covers the host board 200 on which the electronic circuit 302 is installed . the electronic circuit 302 includes a driver for driving the ld within the tosa and a signal processor that extracts a clock and regenerates a data from the signal output from the rosa . when the rosa installs the apd , the electronic circuit 302 may include a bias supplying circuit for the apd . when the thermo - electronic device is installed within the tosa to adjust the temperature of the ld , a driving circuit for the thermo - electric device may be also installed on the host board 302 . in addition , when a processor and a memory device to comprehensively control such circuits are also provided , additional circuit board may be installed within the housing , which mounts circuits not processing high frequency signals such as the bias supplying circuit for the apd and the driver for the thermo - electronic device . the rear end of the host board 200 forms an electronic plug that mates with an external electronic connector . the electronic connection between the circuit 302 on the host board 200 and the osa 10 may be performed with the fpc board 100 as shown in fig4 . thus , according to the present arrangement of the fpc board , even the fpc board is bent to receive the lead pin of the osa 10 in one end thereof and to solder with the host board 200 in the other end thereof , the interconnection on the fpc board may be prevented from snapping , which enhances the reliability of the interconnection . moreover , according to the present invention , the interconnection on the fpc board may be shortened , which secures the impedance matching condition and suppress the signal loss in the high frequency regions .	7
the present invention overcomes problems related to the brazing of pins to a chip carrying substrate or the brazing of the substrate to a flange used to support the substrate carrying the chips . in the prior art , problems have developed with respect to the joints in the above described areas of electronic packages due to the need for carrying out additional brazing operations on the electronic system at a later time which results in the application of temperatures high enough to adversely affect the braze used to join the pins to the substrate and the braze used to join the substrate to the flange . in accordance with the present invention , a braze is provided for electronic packaging of components which provides brazed joints which exhibit melting temperatures that are substantially higher than the temperatures at which subsequent manufacturing operations need occur . in this manner , the brazed joint of the present invention does not undergo even partial melting at temperatures of the order of 360 ° c ., which are often used in chip joining and reworking operations . for example , a gold - tin alloy containing 20 weight percent tin has been used in the brazing of nickel plated multilayered ceramic structures at 400 ° c . this alloy begins to melt at about 280 ° c ., which is lower than the temperature of 360 ° c . used in chip joining operations . this leads to a number of undesirable effects , included among which are : 2 . diffusion of tin from the brazed joint to the nickel plated surfaces to form nickel - tin intermetallics , thus depleting the surfaces of unreacted nickel which is essential for good adhesion . 3 . collapse and distortion of the gold - tin fillet due to out - diffusion of tin and due to run - out of the liquid phase of the braze alloy at 360 ° c ., with its attendant loss of strength and side support in the use of input / output pins . in accordance with the present invention , a ternary braze alloy of gold - indium - tin is utilized in the formation of joints within the electronic package where subsequent high temperature procedures are to be carried out . the ternary braze alloy of the present invention consists essentially of a major amount of gold ( at least 60 % by weight , preferably 70 % by weight ), a minor amount of tin ( from about 5 to 10 % by weight , preferably 10 % by weight ), with the remainder consisting essentially of indium . the gold can be present in an amount up to about 80 % by weight . the indium is present in an amount of about 15 to 30 % by weight . the following table sets forth the melting temperature parameters of a number of alloys of the present invention , in comparison with alloys of gold - indium , which have high melting points , but are extremely brittle . ______________________________________alloy temperature (° c . ) au in sn solidus liquidus______________________________________80 20 0 470 & lt ; 49275 25 0 447 & lt ; 45770 30 0 447 & lt ; 46380 15 5 370 46575 20 5 370 41570 25 5 370 46565 30 5 415 50270 20 10 370 44665 25 10 370 49960 30 10 417 505______________________________________ four of the above alloys were used to join nickel - gold plated kovar ® pins to a multi - layered ceramic substrate at 510 ° c . in a forming gas atmosphere of 10 % h 2 - 90 % n 2 . ten pins were joined to the substrate . five pins were pulled using a standard 20 ° offset pull test ( substrate is positioned at a 20 ° incline to horizontal and the pins are pulled in the direction normal to horizontal ). the pull strength , failure mode and solidus and liquidus temperatures are given in the table below : ______________________________________ temperaturealloy (° c .) pull failure modeau in sn solidus liquidus strength shank ceramic______________________________________70 20 10 370 446 21 . 0 ± 0 . 4 5 / 5 -- 75 20 5 370 415 13 . 6 ± 5 . 7 2 / 5 3 / 565 25 10 370 500 10 . 1 ± 7 . 3 1 / 5 4 / 575 20 5 * 370 410 5 . 1 ± 3 . 8 -- 3 / 3______________________________________ * brazed at 415 ° c . max . temperature all other conditions the same from the above example , it is seen that the alloy of 70 weight percent gold , 20 weight percent indium and 10 weight percent tin exhibited the best results under the test conditions . metallography was also performed on the joints from the 70au 20in 10sn alloy which showed that braze reaction with the nickel of the substrate was not excessive , that is most of the nickel plating on the substrate was unreacted . the alloys of the present invention can be prepared by placing the appropriate amounts of each of the elements of appropriate purity in a heating vessel , heating to a temperature at which all the material in the vessel is liquid , being certain that a homogeneous mixture of the liquid results , and then cooling to form the alloy . thereafter , the solid alloy can be comminuted into sizes suitable for working or the molten alloy can be molded into suitable shapes , such as small diameter rods and the like .	1
in the description below , an intercept event refers to an event where an agency issues a warrant requesting data interception for a targeted user . a targeted user is identified by a unique label , such as a username or account number , that corresponds to a user who is under intercept . a communication event , transaction , or intercept data is any message either sent or received by the targeted user . the intercept data can include synchronization messages , email data , calendars , contacts , tasks , notes , electronic documents , files or any other type of data passing through the communication management system . fig1 shows an example of a communication network 12 that may operate similarly to the networks described in u . s . patent application ser . no . 10 / 339 , 368 entitled : connection architecture for a mobile network , filed jan . 8 , 2003 , and u . s . patent application ser . no . 10 / 339 , 368 entitled : secure , transport for mobile communication network , filed jan . 8 , 2003 , which are both herein incorporated by reference . the communication system 12 in one implementation is used for intercepting data pursuant to legal search warrants . for example , a law enforcement agency may require the operator of communication system 12 to intercept all messages sent to and from a mobile device 21 . it should be understood that this is just one example of a communication system 12 and that the legal intercept system described in more detail below can operate with any communication network that is required to provide legal interception . the communication system 12 includes a mobile network 14 , an enterprise network 18 , and a communication management system 16 that manages communications between the mobile network 14 and the enterprise network 18 . the mobile network 14 includes mobile devices 21 that communicate with an ip infrastructure through a wireless or landline service provider . since mobile networks 14 are well known , they are not described in further detail . the enterprise network 18 can be any business network , individual user network , or local computer system that maintains local email or other data for one or more users . in the embodiment shown in fig1 , the enterprise network 18 includes an enterprise data source 34 that contains a user mailbox 44 accessible using a personal computer ( pc ) 38 . in one example , the enterprise data source 34 may be a microsoft ® exchange ® server and the pc 38 may access the mailbox 44 through a microsoft ® outlook ® software application . the mailbox 44 and data source 34 may contain emails , contact lists , calendars , tasks , notes , files , or any other type of data or electronic document . the pc 38 is connected to the server 34 over a local area network ( lan ) 35 . the pc 38 includes memory ( not shown ) for storing local files that may include personal email data as well as any other types of electronic documents . personal client software 40 is executed by a processor 37 in the pc 38 . the personal client 40 enables the mobile device 21 to access email , calendars , and contact information as well as local files in enterprise network 18 associated with pc 38 . the communication management system 16 includes one or more management servers 28 that each include a processor 33 . the processor 33 operates a transfer agent 31 that manages the transactions between the mobile device 21 and the enterprise network 18 . a user database 42 includes configuration information for different users of the mobile communication service . for example , the user database 42 may include login data for mobile device 21 . while referred to as a communication management system 16 and management server 28 , this can be any intermediary system that includes one or more intermediary servers that operate between the mobile network 14 and the enterprise or private network 18 . for example , a separate smart device server ( sds ) 30 may be used in management system 16 for handling communications with mobile devices in mobile network 14 . correspondingly , a seven connection server ( scs ) 32 may be used for handling communications with personal clients in enterprise networks 18 . a legal intercept ( li ) software module 50 is operated by the processor 33 and communicates with the transfer agent 31 in order to capture intercept data 49 associated with targeted user 51 b . an operator sets up a configuration file 51 that is then used by the legal intercept module to automatically intercept communications for a particular target user and then format the intercepted communications into self authenticating log files . an operator runs a toolkit utility 54 from a computer terminal 52 to configure the management server 28 for capturing intercept data 49 . the toolkit utility 54 is used for creating and loading the configuration file 51 into memory in management server 28 and can also display detected intercept data 49 . to initiate an intercept , an entry is loaded into the configuration file 51 . to stop capturing intercept data 49 , the system administrator deletes the entry or configuration file 51 from memory . changes to the configuration file 51 of management server 28 may be automatically replicated to other management servers that are part of the communication management system 16 . the toolkit utility 54 may have tightly controlled access that only allows operation by a user with an authorized login and password . the toolkit 54 allows the operator to view , add , modify , and delete a warrant sequence number 51 a , user identifier ( id ) 51 b , and encryption key 57 in the configuration file 51 . the warrant identifier may be the actual sequence number for a wiretap or search warrant issued by a court of law and presented to the operator of communication management system 16 by a federal , state , or municipal government agency . the user id 51 b for example may be an identifier used by communication management system 16 to uniquely identify different mobile clients 21 . the public encryption key 57 may be the public key component of a public / private key pair , such as a pretty good privacy ( pgp ) or gnu privacy guard ( gpg ) public key , for encrypting the intercept data 49 . in one embodiment , the legal intercept module 50 may not allow the management server 28 to start an interception process until a valid public key 57 is loaded into configuration file 51 . this ensures that the intercepted data 49 can be immediately encrypted while being formatted into a log file 56 . if this encryption fails for any reason , the legal intercept module 50 may shut down the intercept process ensuring that no intercept data 49 is stored in the clear . the configuration file 51 may also include one or more entries defining a transport protocol , destination , and associated configuration values for the transmission of intercepted data via a network . in one embodiment , this could include a destination email address associated with a simple mail transfer protocol ( smtp ) host and port number or other internet protocol ( ip ) destination address that is used by the legal intercept module 50 to automatically transmit the intercept data 49 to mail box 77 on a remote server 76 that is accessible by the agency issuing the warrant . after the configuration file 51 is enabled , the legal intercept module 51 starts intercepting data 49 associated with the targeted user identified by user id 51 b . as mentioned above , this can include any emails , calendar information , contacts , tasks , notes , electronic documents , files or any other type of control or content data associated with user id 51 b . the intercepted data can include any type of communications such as email sent or received , calendar items sent or received , and other data sent / received by and from the targeted smart device 21 . the captured intercept data 49 may then be encrypted using the encryption key 57 contained in the configuration file 51 . the encrypted copy of the captured intercept data 49 may then be formatted and written to log file 56 . the legal intercept module 50 running on each management server 28 may periodically poll the directory or location containing the encrypted intercept log files 56 for each user id under intercept for the presence of new files or data . the poll period in one example is approximately every minute . of course this is only one example and any user configurable time period can be used . new intercept data 49 which has been stored in one or more log files 56 and identified by the legal intercept module 50 during the polling process may be automatically reprocessed and / or transmitted according to the specification in configuration file 51 . as an alternative to storing encrypted intercept data 49 in log file 56 on a file system , intercept data may be stored in database 42 . also , as shown in fig4 , the log file 56 may be stored in an alternative file system 53 located within the management server 28 . the agency issuing the warrant can then access the data contained in log files 56 or database 42 in one of many different ways . in one implementation , an official from the agency physically sits at terminal 52 at the location of communication management system 16 . the agency official then reads the log files 56 in semi - real - time as the intercept events 49 are being detected in the management server 49 . the agency official then uses terminal 52 to store or copy the log files 56 onto a portable storage medium , such as a compact disc ( cd ), memory stick , etc . in this implementation , the legal intercept log files 56 may not reside in user database 42 at all , or may only reside in database 42 for some relatively brief period of time while being transferred onto the portable storage media . a copy of the log files may be stored onto the portable storage medium while the same log files remain in the communication management system 16 . the copy of the log files in the management system 16 could then be used , if necessary , for evidentiary purposes when admitting the copy under control of the agency official into evidence . in an alternative implementation , the legal intercept module 50 may automatically send the log files 56 for the intercepted events to an email mailbox 77 operated in a remote server 76 . the remote server 76 may be located in a wireless service provider network or may be located at the facilities of the enforcement agency issuing the warrant . in this implementation , a terminal 72 at the remote location 70 may include a toolkit utility 54 that has some of the same functionality as toolkit 54 . the utility 54 only allows authorized users to decrypt and access the log files 56 received from communication management system 16 . for example , the toolkit utility 54 may include public and private pgp or gpg encryption keys 57 and 55 , respectively , that are associated with the public encryption key 57 previously loaded into configuration file 51 . only personnel having authorized access to the toolkit 54 can decrypt and read the log files 56 previously generated and encrypted by legal intercept module 50 . this provides additional privacy of the intercept data 49 from technical personnel of the communication management system 16 that may not be authorized to view the intercept data 49 . the intercept module 50 may transfer each captured log file 56 to a smtp email server 76 via the simple mail transfer protocol ( smtp ). the smtp server 76 stores each log file 56 in an inbox of mailbox 77 . the name of the mailbox 77 may be the same as the warrant sequence number @ the agency &# 39 ; s domain name . for example , warrant123 @ lapd . com . the warrant sequence number may correspond with the warrant identifier 51 a in configuration file 51 and the domain name may correspond with the ip address 51 d in configuration file 51 . once transmitted and accepted by the smtp email server 76 , the log file 56 may be automatically deleted from user database 42 . the agency issuing the warrant can retrieve the captured log files 56 in remote server 76 for a particular user id under interception using for example the post office protocol ( popv3 ). the agency is given the name of email server 76 , pop and smtp port numbers , the mailbox id ( warrant sequence number 51 ) and a password to access the mailbox 77 . the agency then retrieves log files 56 in mailbox 77 using pop . once a file is downloaded from the mailbox 77 to an agency terminal 72 , the log file 56 may be automatically deleted from the mailbox 77 . referring to fig1 and 2 , the legal intercept software 50 generates log files 56 in a structured manner that provides more secure and reliable data authentication . in this example , an intercept directory 60 is loaded with log files 56 generated to account for every minute of a particular time period , such as an entire day . the legal intercept 50 may generate a name for directory 60 that identifies the contents as legal intercepts , for a particular user id and for a particular day . of course this is just one naming convention that can be used to more efficiently organize log files . the log files 56 stored in directory 60 may indicate the number of events intercepted for the targeted device during each minute . for example , a first log file 56 a is identified by the following log file name : fe0 - 2005 / 09 / 23 - 00 : 00 . asc , containing a single line that reads as follows : “ 0 events logged in the last minute ”. this indicates that a management server fe0 on sep . 23 , 2005 , at 12 : 00 midnight logged zero intercept events for a particular user id during the specified time period . a second log file 56 b is named to identify a next minute of the intercept period and indicates that between 12 : 00 a . m and 12 : 01 a . m , on the same day , no intercept events were logged . the first detected intercept events for this particular user id for this particular day were detected in log file 56 c identified by the log file name : fe0 - 2005 / 09 / 23 - 00 : 02 . asc , the first and / or last line of which reads “ 3 events logged in the last minute ”. log file 56 c indicates that 3 intercept events were detected on sep . 23 , 2005 , between 12 : 01 a . m . and 12 : 02 a . m . the legal intercept 50 generates this contiguous set of log files 56 that cover each minute or other configured interval of the intercept period . the legal intercept 50 may also load a first entry into the log file directory 60 that lists the warrant id 51 a , pgp key 57 , etc . the legal intercept 50 may also generate a log file 56 that indicates any management server status - change events . for example , if the management server 28 conducts a graceful shutdown , a log file 56 may be generated that indicates when the shut down occurred and possibly the cause of the shutdown . this highly structured log file format provides the agency official a quick indicator of when intercept events are detected for a particular target user . further , as shown above , the log files are created contiguously for predetermined time periods over a particular intercept period even when no intercept events are detected . this provides further verification that the legal intercept 50 was actually in operation and continuously monitoring for intercept events during the intercept period . as described above , the log files 56 may be stored into a portable storage media that can be transported by an agency official . alternatively , the log files 56 may be stored in the user database 42 in the communication management system 16 for later retrieval by the agency official via toolkit 54 . in another implementation , the log files 56 may be sent to the mailbox 77 in a server 76 in a mobile operator infrastructure which is accessible by the agency official . fig3 explains in further detail how the legal intercept module 50 might generate the log files . in operation 61 , communications are monitored for a particular targeted user for predetermined time periods over an intercept period . in one example as described above , the predetermined time period may be one minute . of course , time periods of less than one minute or more than one minute may also be used . the duration of these time periods may also be configurable by setting a parameter in configuration file 51 . if no intercept events are detected during the predetermined time period in operation 62 , an empty log file is generated for that time period in operation 63 . when intercept events are detected , all the intercepted data for that time period is formatted into a same log file 56 in operation 64 . the log file is encrypted in operation 65 using the encryption key 57 ( fig1 ) loaded by the toolkit 54 into configuration file 51 . all of the encrypted log files 56 associated with a particular targeted user for a particular intercept period are stored in a same intercept directory 60 ( fig2 ). for example , all log files generated for a particular user id for a same day are stored in the same intercept directory . if the current day of legal interception is not completed in operation 66 , further monitoring and interception is performed in operation 61 . when interception for a current interception period is completed , a cyclic redundancy check ( crc ) value , or some other type of digital certificate / signature , may be generated in operation 67 . the crc can be used to verify that the contents of intercept directory 60 have not been tampered with or deleted after their initial generation . the crc may be encrypted in operation 68 and then separately emailed to the agency or separately stored for later validation . as discussed above , the encrypted log files may then either be emailed to a mailbox or stored locally for later retrieval by the enforcement agency . thus , the individual log file encryption in operation 65 ensures the authenticity of intercepted events for a particular time period and the crc generated in operation 67 ensures that none of the individual log files have been removed or replaced . referring to fig4 , as described above , the log files 56 may be stored in database 42 or in a file system 53 within the management server 28 . a single or multi - tiered encryption scheme may be used in network 12 . for example , the personal client 40 may make an outbound connection 25 to the management server 28 . the personal client 40 registers the presence of a particular user to the management server 28 and negotiates a security association specifying a cryptographic ciphersuite ( including encryption cipher , key length , and digital signature algorithm ) and a unique , secret point - to - point encryption key 29 over connection 25 . in one example , the key 29 is an advanced encryption standard ( aes ) key . of course , encryption ciphers other than aes can also be used . the encryption key 29 enables secure communication between management server 28 and pc 38 over connection 25 . the mobile device 21 also negotiates a point - to - point security association , specifying a cryptographic ciphersuite and a unique encryption key 27 , with the management server 28 . in one example , the point - to - point encryption key 27 is also an aes encryption key . the negotiated security association that includes encryption key 27 enables secure point - to - point communication between the mobile device 21 and the management server 28 over connection 23 . each different mobile device 21 negotiates a different security association that includes a unique encryption key 27 with the management server 28 . the point - to - point encryption key 27 may be used for encrypting control data that needs to be transferred between the mobile device 21 and management server 28 . the point - to - point encryption key 29 may be used for encrypting control data that needs to be transferred between the management server 28 and personal client 40 . for example , the control data may include login information and transaction routing information . an end - to - end security association , specifying a cryptographic ciphersuite and a unique encryption key 46 , is negotiated between the mobile device 21 and the personal client 40 . in one example , the end - to - end encryption key 46 is also an aes encryption key . the end - to - end encryption key 46 in one example is used for encrypting transaction payloads transferred between personal client 40 and mobile device 21 . for example , the end - to - end encryption key 46 may be used for encrypting the content of emails , files , file path names , contacts , notes , calendars , electronic documents and any other type of data transferred between mobile device and the pc . the end - to - end encryption key 46 is only known by the mobile device 21 and the personal client 40 . data encrypted using the end - to - end key 46 cannot be decrypted by the management server 28 . referring to fig4 and 5 , the legal intercept module 50 can produce log files 56 from intercept data 49 that have any combination of unencrypted data 49 a sent in the clear , point - to - point encrypted data 49 b encrypted using the point - to - point encryption keys 27 or 29 , and end - to - end encrypted data 49 c encrypted using the end - to - end encryption key 46 . the communication management system 16 has access to the point - to - point encryption keys 27 and 29 used for encrypting the point - to - point encrypted information 49 b . therefore , the management system 16 can automatically decrypt the point - to - point encrypted information 49 b before it is reformatted into log file 56 . the end - to - end encryption keys 46 are only shared between the endpoints 21 and 38 and are unknown to the communication management system 16 . therefore , the agency issuing the warrant may be required to extract the end - to - end encryption keys 46 either at the mobile device 21 or at the enterprise server 34 or personal computer 38 . the end - to - end encrypted information 49 c may then be decrypted at a later time separately from the point - to - point encrypted information 49 b . for example , after receiving and decrypting the log file 56 , the enforcement agency may then independently conduct a seizure of the end - to - end encryption key 46 from either the enterprise network 18 or the mobile device 21 . the enforcement agency could then separately decrypt information 56 b in log file 56 with the seized end - to - end encryption key 46 . fig6 explains in more detail how the legal intercept module 50 handles the decryption and reformatting of intercept data into log files . in operation 80 , the management server 28 is configured to conduct a legal intercept for a particular user id as described above in fig1 . accordingly , the management server 28 begins intercepting data for the identified user id in operation 82 . in operation 84 , any point - to - point encrypted portion 49 b of the intercepted data 49 ( fig5 ) is decrypted . in operation 86 , the decrypted point - to - point data is combined with any information 49 a in the intercept data 49 received in the clear . the unencrypted data is then formatted into an unencrypted portion 56 a of the log file 56 in fig5 . any end - to - end encrypted data 49 c is then combined in the same log file 56 as section 56 b in operation 88 . the log file 56 is then possibly encrypted in operation 90 and then either stored in a local database or automatically sent to a remote server . fig7 and 8 explain in more detail how a particular data format used by the communication system 12 can be used to identify point - to - point and end - to - end encrypted intercept data . fig7 shows how encryption can be performed differently for different types of data or for data associated with different destinations . intercept data 102 includes content data 108 such as the contents of an email message , an electronic document , or any other type of information that should only be accessed by two endpoints . the content data 108 in this example is encrypted using an end - to - end encryption key . a second portion 106 of intercept data 102 may include control information that only needs to be processed by one particular server . in this case , control data 106 may be encrypted using a first point - to - point encryption key . a third portion 104 of intercept data 102 may have other control information , for example , error checking data , that needs to be processed by a different server . accordingly , the error checking data 104 is encrypted using a second point - to - point encryption key different than either of the other two encryption keys used for encrypting data 108 and 106 . fig8 shows in more detail an encryption schema 112 is used by the mobile device 21 , management server 28 , and personal client 40 when processing transactions between a source and a target device . in the example below , the mobile device 21 is operating as a source for sending a transaction 110 . the transaction 110 requests personal client 40 to send a document 114 located in a personal directory in local memory 116 of pc 38 . the personal client 40 operates as a target for the transaction 110 and the management server 28 operates as the transfer agent for transferring the transaction 110 from the mobile device 21 to the personal client 40 . it should be understood that this is only an example , and the devices shown in fig8 can process many different types of transactions . for example , the transaction 110 may request synchronization of emails in the pc 38 with emails in the mobile device 21 . further , any device can operate as a source or target for the transaction . for example , the personal client 40 operates as a source and the mobile device 21 operates as a target when a transaction 111 is sent as a reply to request 110 . the mobile device 21 , management server 28 , and the personal client 40 are all configured with an encryption schema 112 that identifies how specific items in the transaction 110 are to be encrypted . each device is also configured with different security associations as described above in fig4 . for example , the mobile device 21 has both point - to - point ( pp ) key 27 and end - to - end ( ee ) key 46 . management server 28 has pp key 27 and pp key 29 , and the pc 38 has pp key 29 and ee key 46 . the mobile device 21 forms the request transaction 110 . one example of a request is as follows . mobile device 21 attaches an auth_token to transactions sent to the management server 28 . for example , the mobile device 21 may be required to authenticate to the management server 28 by transmitting a username and password prior to being permitted to submit other transactions for processing . the management server 28 issues the mobile device 21 an auth_token after successfully validating the username and password against information in the user database 42 . the mobile device 21 then attaches the auth_token to subsequent transactions sent to the management server 28 . the management server 28 uses the auth_token to identify and authenticate the source of each transaction and to determine where to route the transaction . the device_id identifies the particular mobile device 21 sending the request 110 . the device_id may be necessary , for example , when a user has more than one mobile device . the personal client 40 can use different device_id values to track when synchronization information was last sent to each of multiple different mobile devices . the device_id can also be used by either the management server 28 or the personal client 40 to determine how to format data sent to particular types of mobile devices 21 . for example , data may need to be formatted differently for a cell phone as opposed to a personal computer . the device_id can also be used to correlate a known security association with a particular mobile device . the method_id item in the example identifies a particular function getdocument associated with request 110 . the method_id item also requires the inclusion of related argument items that identify the parameters for the getdocument function . for example , the argument items might include the expression path =“/ docs ” identifying the pathname where the requested documents are located . in order to prepare the request 110 for transmission , the mobile device 21 performs a pattern match of the request 110 using the encryption schema 112 . this pattern match separates the items in request 110 into different channels . one example of the different channels is shown below . in this example , the items in each channel are associated with predefined security associations : clear , pp , and ee . the channel contents are encoded ( via a process commonly known as serialization ) into arrays of bits or bytes referred to as data groups . these groupings of bits or bytes are referred to generally below as arrays , but can be any type of partition , group , etc . the contents of the clear channel are encoded into an array of bits referred to as data_group_ 1 , the contents of the pp channel are encoded into an array of bits referred to as data_group_ 2 , and the contents of the ee channel are encoded into an array of bits referred to as data_group_ 3 . the contents of each channel need to be encoded into bit arrays so that they can be encrypted . the contents of the channels after being encoded into bit arrays are represented as follows . the bit arrays are then encrypted according to the security association parameters for each channel . according to the encryption schema 112 , bits in the clear channel ( data_group_ 1 ) are not encrypted . the bits in the pp channel data_group_ 2 are encrypted using the point - to - point security association between mobile device 21 and management server 28 , using pp key 27 , and are referred to after encryption as pp_data_group_ 2 . the bits in the ee channel data_group_ 3 are encrypted using the end - to - end security association between mobile device 21 and personal client 40 , using ee key 46 , and are referred to after encryption as ee_data_group_ 3 . the data groups are represented as follows after encryption : the bits making up the encrypted and unencrypted channels are then encoded into one or more packets . for clarity , the description below will refer to a single packet , however , the data from the channels may be contained in multiple packets . some of the contents of the packet are shown below . information in the packet header may include the packet length , a version number , and other flags . the packet payload includes a count identifying 3 pairs of items . the three items include the non - encrypted contents in the clear channel , the pp encrypted contents of the pp channel , and the ee encrypted contents of the ee channel . the packet is then transported by mobile device 21 to the management server 28 . the transfer agent operating in server 28 receives the packet . the bits in the packet are separated into the different channels clear = data_group_ 1 , pp = pp_data_group_ 2 , and ee = ee_data_group_ 3 . the data in the clear channel does not need to be decrypted . the transfer agent decrypts the only bits in channels for which it has a known security association . the transfer agent , as a member of the point - to - point security association between mobile device 21 and management server 28 , possesses the pp key 27 and therefore decrypts the contents of the pp channel . the transfer agent is not a member of the end - to - end security association between mobile device 21 and personal client 40 , does not have the ee key 46 and therefore does not decrypt the data in the ee channel . decryption produces the following data groups : clear data_group_ 1 , pp = data_group_ 2 , and ee = ee_data_group_ 3 . the transfer agent decodes the contents of the clear and pp channels . the contents of the encrypted ee channel are not decoded , but instead are maintained in an unmodified state for eventual transport to the personal client 40 . decoding produces the following contents . decoded channels : { clear = { device_id = “ xyz ”} pp = { auth_token = “ abc ”, method_id = “ getdocument ”} ee = ee_data_group_3 } a partial request is formed by merging the items of the clear and pp channels . the partial request in this example could look similar to the following : partial request : { auth_token = “ abc ”, device_id = “ xyz ”, method_id = “ getdocument ”, args = { } encrypted = { ee = ee_data_group_3 } } the transfer agent 31 in the management server 28 processes the partial request . in this example , the transfer agent may verify the request is authorized by matching the value of auth_token (“ abc ”) with contents in the user database 42 ( fig8 ). the auth_token and the method_id (“ getdocument ”) indicate that the transaction 110 is a document request directed to the personal client 40 . the transfer agent may identify a user_id =“ joe ” associated with the auth_token =“ abc ” and generate the following new request . the legal intercept 50 in fig1 may come into play at this point , or earlier in the encryption schema 112 . for example , the legal intercept 50 checks the user_id in the request with the user id 51 b in the intercept configuration file 51 . in this example , if “ joe ” matches the user_id 51 b in configuration file 51 , then the contents in the request are formatted into a log file 56 as described above . as can be seen , at this point the new request has already decrypted the auth_token =“ abc ” and method_id =“ getdocument ”. further , the device_id =“ xyz ” was received in the clear . the legal intercept 50 simply has to format these different channels into a log file . the end - to - end encrypted data in group 3 remains encrypted and therefore may not provide all of the information desired for the enforcement agency . however , the decrypted information does provide enough information to adequately indicate that the intercepted data is associated with a particular user_id . the intercepted unencrypted data may also provide further evidence that the enforcement agency can then use to obtain another warrant to seize the ee encryption key from the targeted user . as described above in fig2 , the legal intercept 50 may then attach appropriate time / date stamp headers to this raw data frame to authenticate the time and date when the data was intercepted . as described above , the communication management system 16 may not have access to the end - to - end encryption keys 46 ( fig2 ). however , as shown in fig8 , the management server 28 is still capable of identifying data streams belonging to users targeted for interception , as this identifying information is required for routing the datagrams shown above . thus , the legal intercept module 50 can still intercept data that cannot be immediately decrypted . the intercept logs 56 can therefore contain data encrypted using encryption keys known only to the endpoints . for example , a mobile device 21 and a desktop connector running on personal computer 38 ( fig1 ). the toolkit 54 in fig1 can facilitate the recovery of the end - to - end keys 46 . in order to make use of this functionality , the enforcement agency seeking the information may need to obtain both an intercept warrant , and either a search - and - seizure warrant authorizing the extraction of the configuration data from the smart device client in the mobile device 21 or a search - and - seizure warrant authorizing the extraction of the end - to - end encryption key from the desktop connector in the pc 38 ( fig1 ). after the authorized agency has executed the necessary warrants , the toolkit 54 is used by the agency to facilitate the recovery of the end - to - end key 46 . the toolkit utility 54 then uses the end - to - end key 46 to decrypt the end - to - end encrypted information in the log files 56 . the system described above can use dedicated processor systems , micro controllers , programmable logic devices , or microprocessors that perform some or all of the operations . some of the operations described above may be implemented in software and other operations may be implemented in hardware . for the sake of convenience , the operations are described as various interconnected functional blocks or distinct software modules . this is not necessary , however , and there may be cases where these functional blocks or modules are equivalently aggregated into a single logic device , program or operation with unclear boundaries . in any event , the functional blocks and software modules or features of the flexible interface can be implemented by themselves , or in combination with other operations in either hardware or software . having described and illustrated the principles of the invention in a preferred embodiment thereof , it should be apparent that the invention may be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles . claim is made to all modifications and variation coming within the spirit and scope of the following claims .	7
fig1 to 3 were already discussed above . fig4 illustrates the constellation of the pol - qam 6 / 4 modulation scheme as an exemplary embodiment of the inventive modulation scheme . in addition to the 4 sops each having 4 phase constellation points in case of pdm - qpsk ( see fig3 ), in pol - qam 6 / 4 two additional polarizations states ( see sop 5 and sop 6 in fig4 ) are added which do not lie in the plane defined by sop 1 - sop 4 . thus , pol - qam 6 / 4 uses 6 sops each having 4 iq - constellation points . here , the linear 0 ° ( te ) and 90 ° ( tm ) states of polarization are used as additional states of polarization . however , the entirety of sop 1 - 6 may be rotated on the sphere such that the relative distance between the states of polarization remains the same . e . g . in case the two polarization components forming the pol - qam 6 / 4 signal exhibit a phase offset ψ between each other , sop 1 - 4 are rotated around the s 1 axis in fig2 ( with a rotation of 2 · ψ ). symbol = sop x ·( e j0 , e jπ / 2 , e jπ , e j3π / 2 ), with x = 1 , . . . , 4 . symbol = sop x ·( e j0 , e jπ / 2 , e jπ , e j3π / 2 ), with x = 1 , . . . , 6 . however , preferably , the phase states of sop 5 and sop 6 are rotated by 45 ° compared to the phase states in sop 1 - sop 4 ( see fig3 ), i . e . the phase states are not identical for sop 1 - sop 4 and sop 5 - sop 6 . it can be shown that this increases the euclidian distance between the different symbols . the additional sops 5 and 6 ( here corresponding to te and tm output waves ) extend the alphabet of symbols from 16 symbols ( 4 sops each having 4 iq constellation points ) to 24 symbols ( 6 sops each having 4 iq constellation points ). hence , the maximum information which can be carried by a symbol increases from log 2 16 = 4 bits / symbol to log 2 24 = 4 . 58 bits / symbol . it should be noted that the inventive modulation scheme is not limited to 4 initial phases ( as in case of qpsk ) per state of polarization and may use a higher number of phases , e . g . 8 phases in case of 8 psk or 12 phases in case of 16 - qam ( quadrature amplitude modulation ). in case of 8 phases , the inventive method provides 8 sops on the great circle 10 and the two additional sop 5 and sop 6 outside the great circle 10 . thus , also sops different to the 6 sops discussed so far , can form the signals for the symbol alphabet , e . g . 8 sops not lying on a common great circle or 4 sops forming a tripod on the ps . fig5 illustrates the inverse of the euclidian distance for all combinations of two symbols in case of pm - qpsk ( see left diagram ) and in case of pol - qam 6 / 4 ( see right diagram ). the symbol alphabet for pm - qpsk comprises 16 symbols , thus , the left diagram shows 16 · 16 bars , whereas the symbol alphabet of pol - qam 6 / 4 comprises 24 symbols resulting in 24 · 24 bars in the right diagram . the right diagram for pol - qam 6 / 4 shows no bars higher than the bars in the left diagram for pol - qam . the same maximum heights of the bars prove the same minimum euclidian distance in both cases . thus , the osnr penalty remains unchanged when moving from pm - qpsk to pol - qam 6 / 4 . thus , pol - qam 6 / 4 extends the number of possible symbols from 16 to 24 without degradation of the osnr sensitivity . there exist many alternatives to map a number of information bits on the optical wave states forming the symbol alphabet . in the following a simple mapping of 9 information bits on two consecutive symbols ( which form a super symbol ) is explained in exemplary manner . in this case the transmitted information rate is 9 bits / 2 symbols = 4 . 5 bits / symbol . this value is slightly below the maximum achievable value of 4 . 58 bits / symbol . a wave state of a super symbol comprising two consecutive symbols — symbol 1 and symbol 2 — is formed by the orthogonal te , tm polarization components x 1 , y 1 of symbol 1 and the orthogonal te , tm polarization components x 2 , y 2 of symbol 2 . both polarization components are combined in a polarization beam combiner of the transmitter ( see combiner 3 in fig1 ). the waves x 1 , y 1 , x 2 , and y 2 are modulated by iq - modulators ( see iq - modulator 2 a and 2 b in fig3 ). two bits b 1 and b 2 may determine the complex output wave of a polarization component by iq ( b 1 , b 2 )=( b 1 − 0 . 5 )+ j ( b 2 − 0 . 5 ). iq ( b 1 , b 2 ) describes a qpsk constellation point with the amplitude 1 . table 1 below shows the mapping of 9 bits b 0 - b 1 to an optical super symbol formed by two consecutive optical symbols . in the transmitter mapping table e . g . the term “ x 1 ” in iq x1 ( b 1 , b 2 ) indicates that for symbol 1 the te (= x ) polarization is modulated by a qpsk constellation point determined by the bits b 1 and b 2 . in case that one of the additional sops ( sop 5 and sop 6 ) is excited ( i . e . the transmitter output signal carries either only a te ( x ) or a tm ( y ) polarization component , y 1 / 2 = 0 or x 1 / 2 = 0 ), the amplitude of the associated iq - modulator is increased by the factor of √{ square root over ( 2 )} to keep the signal power at the same level (= 1 ) as for the pdm - qpsk modulation . as evident from tab . 1 , only one of the two symbols within a super symbol may be in sop 5 or sop 6 . with this mapping of two bits to an iq constellation the decision in the receiver becomes easy . at the receiver , the following decisions are performed : di 1 =\| x 1 \|−\| y 1 \| and di 2 =\| x 2 \|−\| y 2 \|, with di 1 , 2 denoting the difference between the signal amplitude ( magnitude ) of x 1 , 2 and y 1 , 2 . each difference result di 1 , 2 is in one of three states . thus , di 1 , 2 is 0 if sop 1 - 4 are transmitted ( fig3 ), and di 1 , 2 is + 1 or − 1 if sop 5 - 6 are transmitted . the decision process at the receiver is illustrated in tab . 2 . the decision in the receiver may be realized in a dsp . the decision process is based on determining and analyzing di 1 , 2 . in case both di 1 and di 2 are 0 , then b 0 = 0 and only sop 1 - 4 are used for both symbols of the super symbol . in this case e . g . the two bits b 1 , b 2 are determined by the decision dec ( x 1 ). the term “ dec ( x 1 )” denotes the two decisions required to extract the two bits b 1 and b 2 from the received constellation point transported by the component wave x 1 , i . e . b 1 = result of ( re ( x 1 )& gt ; 0 ) and b 2 = result of ( im ( x 1 )& gt ; 0 ). similarly , the other bits b 3 - b 8 are determined . in case of di 1 ≠ 0 or di 2 ≠ 0 , b 0 corresponds to 1 , i . e . one of sop 5 and 6 were used for one symbol of the current super symbol . further , one has to check whether di 1 ≠ 0 or alternatively di 2 ≠ 0 . in case di 1 ≠ 0 , b 1 corresponds to 0 . alternatively , b 1 corresponds to 1 . in dependency of the value of di 1 , 2 also b 2 is decided ( see third column in tab . 2 ). the remaining bits b 3 - b 8 are determined as indicated in the fourth to seventh columns . a first embodiment of a transmitter for generating an optical signal modulated between all 6 sops is illustrated in fig6 . the pol - qam 6 / 4 transmitter in fig6 is based on the pm - qpsk transmitter in fig1 and e . g . may be configured to transport 40 gb / s or 100 gb / s data rates . figurative elements in fig1 and 6 denoted by the same reference signs are basically the same . in addition to the elements in fig1 , the pol - qam 6 / 4 transmitter comprises an intensity modulator 20 which is configured to selectively dim one of the two optical waves fed to the optical polarization combiner 3 . in fig6 the intensity modulator 20 is realized as an mzi and intensity modulation is performed upstream of the iq - modulators 2 a and 2 b , i . e . at the inputs of iq - modulators 2 a and 2 b . however , intensity modulation may be also performed downstream of the iq - modulators 2 a and 2 b . the intensity modulator 20 in fig6 has two complementary outputs , i . e . the intensity at the upper output fed to the upper modulator 2 a is complementary to the intensity at the lower output fed to the lower modulator 2 b . here , a three - state intensity modulator 20 is used , i . e . the modulator 20 modulates the two optical waves between 3 intensity states . in the 0 . 5 / 0 . 5 intensity state both waves have essentially the same ( high ) intensity , in the 1 / 0 intensity state the upper wave ( fed to the upper modulator 2 a ) has high intensity and the lower wave ( fed to the upper modulator 2 b ) has very low or zero intensity , and in the 0 / 1 intensity state the upper wave has very low or zero intensity and the lower wave has high intensity . preferably , in the 1 / 0 and 0 / 1 states the intensity modulator operates in saturation . in the 0 . 5 / 0 . 5 intensity state , the conventional polarization constellation points are selected ( see e . g . sop 1 - 4 in fig3 in case of qpsk modulation ). in the 1 / 0 and 0 / 1 intensity states , the two additional states of polarization are selected . if e . g . the upper path is assigned to the te polarization with 0 ° polarization angle and the lower path is assigned to the tm polarization with 90 ° polarization angle , dimming the upper wave ( 0 / 1 state ) results in sop 6 ( tm polarization ), whereas dimming the lower wave ( 1 / 0 state ) results in sop 5 ( te polarization ). similar to fig1 , the modulation encoder 4 ′ generates two binary signals d 1 - d 2 for controlling the upper iq - modulator 2 a and two binary signals d 3 - d 4 for controlling the lower iq - modulator 2 b . each pair of binary signals select a phase state from the four phase states of the qpsk constellation . the modulator encoder 4 ′ further generates the modulation signal d 5 fed to the intensity modulator 2 . the modulator signal d 5 is a three - state signal for selecting each of the three states . a second embodiment of a transmitter generating an optical signal modulated between all 6 sops is illustrated in fig7 . the pol - qam 6 / 4 transmitter in fig7 is based on the pm - qpsk transmitter in fig1 . figurative elements in fig1 and 7 denoted by the same reference signs are basically the same . in fig7 an additional optical polarization modulator 30 is provided downstream of the polarization combiner 3 . here , the polarization modulator is realized as a polarization switch 30 which switches to one of the additional sops . the polarization switch 30 is realized by using a switchable quarter wave plate ( qwp ) which is capable of converting — when activated — circular polarized light to linear polarized light . this is caused by the fact that in a qwp a polarization component of the light polarized along a fast axis propagates faster than the orthogonal polarization component polarized along the orthogonal slow axis . in a qwp this difference in speed results in a quarter wavelength phase shift between both polarization components . thus , by activating the qwp in the polarization switch 30 ( e . g . by switching the qwp in the light path ), the 90 ° phase shift between two orthogonal polarization components of a circular polarized wave ( see sop 2 or sop 4 in fig3 ) directly at the input of the polarization switch 30 may be compensated , resulting in a linear polarized wave at the output of the polarization switch 30 . for switching from sop 2 and sop 4 to sop 5 and sop 6 when activating the qwp , the qwp has to be arranged in such a way at the output of the polarization combiner 3 that the axes of the qwp are tilted by 45 ° compared to the orthogonal polarization components of the optical signal ( i . e . 45 ° polarized light would be coupled only in one of the axis of the qwp ). in dependency of the data to be transmitted , a modulation encoder 4 ″ generates modulation signals d 1 - d 5 . preferably , the modulations signals d 1 - d 5 are binary signals . the modulation encoder 4 ″ feds modulation signals d 1 - d 4 to the iq - modulators 2 a and 2 b and modulation signal d 5 to the polarization modulator 30 . the binary signal d 5 activates or deactivates the qwp in the polarization switch 30 as discussed above . for modulation of the pol - qam signal it is also an option to compute the optical fields e x and e y in the electrical domain and to generate the transmitter field via a field modulator . it is well known that a mzi with a phase modulator in its interferometer arms provides an optical output field proportional in field amplitude to the applied drive voltage d ( for small values of d ), provided the mzi is biased at zero ( no transmission for d = 0 ). e is proportional to sin ( a · d ) if the magnitude of d is larger , “ a ” is a coefficient . this is further illustrated by the iq - modulator in fig8 . two mzis form two field modulators for the real ( i ) and imaginary ( q ) components of the field e = e i + j e q . the field amplitudes e i and e q are roughly proportional to the applied drive voltages di and dq , respectively . as shown in fig1 , 6 and 7 already discussed above , a combination of a second iq - modulator for the orthogonal polarization enables to modulate the orthogonal polarization , e . g . the first modulator provides e x = e x1 + j e xq for the x polarization and the second modulator provides e y = e y1 + j e yq for the orthogonal y polarization . the required drive voltages are d x1 , d xq , d y1 , and d yq respectively . the voltages d x1 , d xq , d y1 , and d yq can by computed in a digital ( dsp ) or analog electronic processor receiving the information bits . at the output of the processor time samples ( e . g . with symbol rate or with double symbol rate ) of all d x1 , d xq , d y1 , and d yq are provided . the voltages d x1 , d xq , d y1 , and d yq can be computed for example by using tab . 1 . iq x and iq y are already complex numbers which are proportional to the driving voltages d x1 , d xq , d y1 , and d yq and depend on two bits bi and bj : iq ( bi , bj )=( bi − 0 . 5 )+ j ( bj − 0 . 5 ). real and imaginary parts of iq x , y are proportional to d x , y1 and d x , yq , respectively . fig9 illustrates a third embodiment of a transmitter which is capable to modulate the output signal between all 6 sops and is based on the idea to compute the necessary optical fields e x and e y of both polarization components essentially in the electrical domain in the modulation encoder 4 ′″. the modulation signals d 1 ′- d 4 ′ as generated by the modulation encoder 4 ′″ are non - binary , analog signals . the iq - modulators 2 a and 2 b are operated in the analog domain . this corresponds to an ofdm transmitter which modulates an analog signal formed by the inverse fourier transform of the subchannel signals on the optical carrier . the inventive modulation scheme may be also used in connection with ofdm . accordingly , each subcarrier may be modulated using the additional states of polarizations sop 5 and sop 6 as indicated in fig3 . fig1 illustrates a conventional coherent pdm - ofdm transmission system comprising a pdm - ofdm transmitter and a pdm - ofdm receiver . data (“ x data ”) transmitted via the x polarization plane ( e . g . te ) and data (“ y data ”) transmitted via the y polarization plane are independently processed in separate transmitter paths associated to the two polarization planes . each transmitter path comprises a serial - to - parallel - converter 40 a / b , a coder 41 a / b , a i - fft - block 42 a / b for performing an inverse fast fourier transform , a parallel - to - serial - converter 43 a / b and two dacs 44 a - d ( digital - to - analog converter ) for the inphase ( denoted as “ i ”) and the quadrature ( denoted as “ q ”) components . the inphase and quadrature components of each polarization component x and y are modulated on an optical carrier by iq - modulators 45 a / b . the two orthogonal polarization components x and y are combined by a polarization combiner 46 . at the receiver , the polarization components x and y of the optical signal are completely separately processed . first , the polarization multiplexed signal is split into the orthogonal polarization components x and y by a polarization splitter 47 . thereafter , the polarization components x and y are split into the inphase and quadrature components by optical hybrids 48 a / b . the inphase ix and quadrature qx components of the polarization component x and the inphase iy and quadrature qy components of the polarization component y are converted to electrical signals by four photodiodes 49 a - d . downstream of the photodiodes 49 a - d are adcs 50 a - d ( analog - to - digital converters ), serial - to - parallel converters 51 a / b , two separate fft - blocks 52 a / b ( fast fourier transform ) for the x and y polarization components as well as separate decoders 53 a / b and parallel - to - serial converters 54 a / b . as indicated in the lower part of fig1 , for each subcarrier the x polarization and the y polarization are separately modulated according to a given phase constellation ( e . g . qpsk ). at the receiver , the x polarization component and the y polarization component are separately detected . since the polarization components x and y of the polarization splitter 47 are typically not aligned to the polarization components x and y at the transmitter , electronic polarization demultiplexing can be applied to recover the transmitted x signal and transmitted y signal . for this purpose , for each corresponding upper ( 52 a ) and lower ( 52 b ) subcarrier output of the fft a complex 2 · 2 matrix multiplication may be applied ( not shown ). this multiplication performs the polarization demultiplexing operation leading to an x subcarrier signal and a y subcarrier signal which are then fed to the respective decoders 53 a and 53 b where the x and y subcarrier signals are decided separately and independently . alternatively , optical polarization demultiplexing may be used ( not shown ) by aligning the polarization components x and y of the polarization splitter 47 to the polarization components x and y at the transmitter . fig1 illustrates an embodiment of a coherent ofdm transmission system with subcarrier modulation according to pol - qam . figurative elements in fig1 and 11 denoted by the same reference signs are basically the same . in fig1 the data to be transmitted is fed to a cascade of a serial - to - parallel - converter 40 ′ and a combined mapper / coder 41 ′. in the combined mapper / coder 41 ′ the necessary x and y polarization components are determined for generating an individual pol - qam signal per each subcarrier wavelength , preferably for generating a pol - qam 6 / 4 signal as discussed above . this is indicated in the lower part of fig1 by the polarization and phase constellation diagram of pol - qam 6 / 4 identical to the polarization and phase constellation diagram in fig4 . a pol - qam 6 / 4 subcarrier signal is formed by the combination of an x polarization component subcarrier and y polarization component subcarrier at the same frequency . the x and y components are transformed in the time domain by two i - fft - blocks 42 a / b . the remaining parts of the transmitter are identical to the transmitter in fig1 . at the receiver , the polarization components x and y of the optical signal are initially processed and demultiplexed as discussed in connection with fig1 . however , in contrast to the separate decoders 53 a / b in fig1 , the receiver in fig1 comprises a joint decoder 53 ′ for jointly deciding the x and y components forming a combined symbol per subcarrier . the joint decoder 53 ′ may be configured to jointly deciding two consecutive symbols per subcarrier , with the two consecutive symbols forming a super symbol as discussed above . the decoded subcarrier information is fed to a joint parallel - to - serial converter 54 ′ for recovering the original serial data stream . it should be noted that the embodiments of the invention as discussed above may be also configured for a higher number of phase states per symbol , e . g . 8 phases per symbol as in case of 8 psk . moreover , qam modulation instead of pure psk modulation may be used , in particular for the iq - modulators discussed above .	7
the preferred embodiment of the thermometer is energized by activation of a switch . a microprocessor initiates a &# 34 ; hold - on &# 34 ; action to power transistors that maintain the source of power to all circuits . a resistor capacitor clock generator circuit begins functioning and the microprocessor resets to cause a power transistor to remain in an on state until instructed to change to an off state . this entire sequence takes less than 18 milliseconds to occur . when the switch is pressed , the display circuits and all other logic circuits perform an initialization routine that resets all circuits to a predetermined starting point . the display circuits test and energize all segments of the liquid crystal display (&# 34 ; lcd &# 34 ;) and then reset the display to show on . when on is displayed , a beeper sounds once to indicate to the user that the thermometer is ready to use . upon activation , power is applied to the circuits , and all circuits are reset to zero and are ready to be incremented . further upon activation , all formula logic circuits are cleared and ready to accept input samples . the initialization allows all circuits to stabilize prior to determination of a temperature . when the thermometer is activated , a controlled amount of voltage or amperage is applied to the resistive temperature sensor . the resistance of the sensor varies with the temperature of the sensor . preferably the sensor is a resistance temperature device (&# 34 ; rtd &# 34 ;); platinum is the preferred metal through which resistance is measured because it changes resistance linearly in response to changes in temperature , within certain limits . alternatively , other metals such as copper , nickel and indium , and some alloys can be used . resistance of the rtd sensor will reduce the amount of amperage passing through the sensor to the amplification circuits in accordance with ohm &# 39 ; s law . with each degree of change in temperature , the resistance of a platinum rtd will change 0 . 385 ohms . the signal that comes from the rtd is very small , reducing heating of the sensor by the electricity that flows through it and increasing battery life . this small signal from the rtd is amplified to a level that is large enough to insure proper interpretation by the rest of the circuits . the amplified signal from the amplifier circuits is an analog signal . a digital converter ( a - d ) is used to generate digital signals representing the analog signals . these circuits convert the continuous analog into a series of &# 34 ; ones &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; zeroes &# 34 ;. this series of ones and zeros can be used by a projection formula to represent a single number that can be &# 34 ; plugged &# 34 ; into a formula to calculate a body temperature within three seconds . the digital processing and control circuit accepts the number that the a - d converter sends and uses it to solve the formula . this circuit then converts the solution to a serial signal and sends it to the lcd display control circuits . this portion of the circuit also controls timing of all functions , turning on and off power , sounding the buzzer , and performing any other functions that are required . all of the functions described above and all of the circuit portions are contained and designed into a single custom ic chip . the design and construction of the probe portion of the thermometer increases the rate at which the sensor temperature increases in response to contact with skin . the thermometer of the present invention thermally isolates the rtd sensor from other materials in the probe by mounting the rtd in a thermally insulating material . the material chosen for this task preferably types known commercially as santoprene ™ and plastizote ™. they are chemically inert ; normal sterilizing agents used in the medical profession will not affect them . the preferred material chosen for the thermally isolating material in the probe exhibits low thermal conductivity , specific heat and thermal capacitance properties . accordingly , the probe material has a longer thermal time constant than the rtd sensor . the rtd sensor is mounted upon a ceramic substrate such that the ceramic substrate is presented to and contacts the surface site or area whose temperature is to be measured . the rtd is implanted at the surface of the probe . preferably , the sensor is located at the surface of a deformation that expands the thermal horizon , and the material supporting the sensor in the probe does not conduct , absorb , or radiate thermal energy well ; preferably the thermal mass of the sensor is essentially the only material that draws heat energy from the patient &# 39 ; s skin or that has its temperature raised when contacting the skin of the patient . this mounting material must not allow thermal energy to radiate to or from it easily . the shape of the probe and its periphery carrying the sensor are designed to minimize the effect that the supporting material on the thermal interaction of the skin and the sensor . preferably , the rtd sensor is mounted on the very end or tip of a dome at the end of a cylindrical shaped probe . the sensor is level with or very slightly above the surrounding material , expanding the horizon of the sensor , reducing the thermal influence of the materials that support it and increasing the thermal influence of the contact surface . the ceramic substrate of the rtd sensor is mounted so that it comes into contact with the surface to be measured . the smooth side of the ceramic substrate is oriented toward the surface to be measured . by allowing the sensor to &# 34 ; float &# 34 ;, the percentage of contact with the surface to be measured can be increased . if normally 30 % of the total surface area of a sensor mounted in a rigid sensor mount is brought into contact with the surface to be measured , then a floating sensor mount should allow for 95 % of the sensor surface to contact the patient surface . increased surface - to - surface contact increases the rate of heat energy transfer from the patient to the rtd . the present invention allows for the calculation of core body temperature prior to reaching thermal equilibrium with either the core temperature or the surface of the body , registering the core body temperature within a few seconds . by knowing the shape of the representative temperature / resistance to time curve of the thermal system , the final temperature can be determined without waiting until thermal equilibrium occurs . the output of the sensor is sampled at several points in time on the sharply ascending portion of the response curve of the sensor to determine the equilibrium temperature of the contact surface . the rise of low voltage resistance changes to calculate temperature creates the potential for errors due to electrical noise or interference . 60 - cycle noise is reduced by reading four values equally spaced during one cycle . the final temperature is a result of information gathered from the sensor during several reading cycles . each cycle collects four readings from the analog to digital circuits , spaced at 16 millisecond intervals so as to eliminate 60 cycle &# 34 ; noise .&# 34 ; then the microprocessor waits for 100 milliseconds and begins another reading cycle . this continues until 3 . 2 seconds worth of valid data is collected . if 3 . 2 seconds of valid data can not be collected in 6 . 4 seconds of elapsed time , the microprocessor will terminate the current reading attempt and display an error message . the four values are averaged , resulting in the cancellation of noise induced at a 60 - cycle frequency , including most harmonics . moreover , the preferred embodiment uses only the previous reading and the current reading to uniquely identify a point on a time - temperature curve between a starting temperature and the final temperature given that the thermal constraints of the system are constant . advantageously , if unexpected readings are encountered , i . e ., readings that are significantly different from the previous reading , they are eliminated from the averaging and the number of readings taken is extended before the temperature is registered . the current readings are stored in a microprocessor as a / d numbers before being averaged and displayed , reducing the number of calculations required to convert from the a - d readings to degrees fahrenheit or centigrade . this also maximizes the accuracy of the readings since rounding errors in this conversion can enter the calculations only once rather than at each reading . also , the readings are taken continuously as long as power is applied rather than initiating a start and stop of readings . in addition , in the preferred embodiment , the readings are always &# 34 ; averaged &# 34 ; in groups that are factors of two ( 2 , 4 , 16 , etc .). this greatly simplifies the operations by allowing each reading to be shifted in a shift register and added to the final answer register . no actual division subroutine is ever needed . with specific reference to the drawings , fig1 shows the thermometer 34 , including a probe 36 , probe tip 37 and a base 39 . the housing 38 to which the probe 36 is attached includes an electronics assembly 40 , a temperature display 42 , and a switch 44 for energizing the electronics assembly 40 . a battery compartment 46 is provided in battery cover 48 . a resistance temperature device is mounted in the apex of the outer hemispherical end of probe tip 37 . the thermometer is designed to register core body temperatures based on the surface temperature of the patient . temperature readings can be taken at pulse points such as the wrist , under the arm , behind either knee , in the exterior ear , on the forehead , on the top of or under the tongue , or other sites that can be reached with the probe of the thermometer . in the preferred embodiment , the contact point is the concha of the exterior ear as illustrated in fig2 . commercial electronic thermometers have temperature sensors buried in rigid material to protect both the electronic components and the patient . this has the effect of increasing the thermal mass of the sensor increasing the time that it takes for the sensor to register the thermal energy . in the preferred embodiment of the present invention , however , the rtd sensor is mounted so that the ceramic substrate on which the resistance temperature device is formed is presented to the site to be measured . further , the rtd is mounted on the outer end of and slightly above the probe tip to reduce the thermal horizon . primarily the sensor , and not the probe , will respond to the thermal energy present at the target site during the short contact period . probe 36 is illustrated in a side view in fig3 . the sensor 50 is mounted in a relatively thermally and electrically nonconductive probe tip 37 that is integrally formed with the probe body 39 . preferably , the compliant probe tip 37 is made of a material that will minimize thermal radiation to or from it . the thermal conductivity rating of the material is no greater than about 0 . 60 btu inches per hour per square foot at mean of 50 degrees fahrenheit . preferably , the thermal conductivity rating of the material is no greater than about 0 . 33 btu inches per hour per square foot at mean of 50 degrees fahrenheit . the preferred material is thermoplastic rubber , such as santoprene ™, or polyethylene foam , such as plastizote ™. the tip is substantially cylindrical or tubular having a hemispherical outer surface 58 with the rtd sensor 50 mounted at the apex thereof such that the sensor is very slightly above the outer surface 58 of the hemisphere . this has the effect of expanding the horizon of the rtd sensor 50 . by expanding the horizon of the rtd sensor 50 , it is then less influenced by the material in the probe tip 37 that supports it and is more influenced by the thermal mass of the surface whose temperature is being measured . this acts to reduce the effect that the supporting material will have on the thermal system comprising both the skin and the rtd sensor 50 . as noted in fig3 the probe tip 37 is compliant and will move from the center to the right as shown by phantom lines 52 or to the left as shown by phantom lines 54 . it may also be compressed downwardly to the position shown by phantom lines 56 . the rtd sensor 50 including the ceramic substrate and the platinum trace deposited thereon is mounted on the end of the probe tip so that it comes into physical contact with the surface to be measured . by presenting the blank side of the ceramic substrate toward the surface to be measured , no material will be heated or cooled before the sensor except the thin ceramic substrate , which has a low thermal mass and is thermally conductive , thus reducing the response time of the device . further , by allowing the sensor to &# 34 ; float &# 34 ; as shown in fig3 where the various floating positions are illustrated in phantom lines , the percentage of contact of the sensor with the surface to be measured can be increased . thus if normally 30 % of the total surface area of the sensor is brought into contact with the surface to be measured when it is mounted in a rigid sensor mount , a floating sensor mount as shown will allow for a 95 % of the sensor surface to contact the patient . by increasing the amount of surface - to - surface contact , more thermal energy from the target surface can affect more of the platinum sensing element in a shorter period of time thus not relying on convection , radiation , or capillary action to convey the thermal energy to the sensing element . the compliant probe tip 37 is integrally formed with and a part of the probe body 39 which attaches to the thermometer body or housing 38 as shown in fig . i using integrally formed shoulder 66 shown in fig7 and as will be explained hereafter . a top or plan view of the probe 36 is shown in fig4 . the probe body 39 is substantially rectangular in shape while the compliant probe tip 37 is cylindrical or tubular in shape and is elongated . a cross - sectional view taken along lines 5 -- 5 in fig4 is shown in fig5 and a cross - sectional view taken along lines 6 -- 6 of fig4 is shown in fig6 . in both of these cross - sectional views , there can be seen an attaching area 60 where the compliant probe tip 37 and body 39 are attached to the thermometer housing 38 as will be shown in more detail in fig7 . further , in both fig5 and 6 , an orifice 62 can be seen extending from the probe sensor area 50 through the compliant probe tip 37 and probe body 39 so that electrical leads from the sensor 50 can be coupled to the appropriate circuitry within the thermometer body or housing 38 . the detail shown in fig7 illustrates the attaching device 60 , which includes a recess 64 and a shoulder 66 . the housing 38 of the thermometer can be of the type that splits in half with a corresponding lip ( not shown ) thereon that can be inserted in or mated with the groove or recess 64 and , when the two sides of the housing 38 are attached to each other , it attaches also to the probe tip 36 . the recess 64 and the shoulder 66 act as a &# 34 ; capture collar ,&# 34 ; joining the probe to the housing body . fig8 is a top view of the compliant tip 37 illustrating the outer hemispherical portion 68 with an area 70 for inserting the sensor and the orifice 62 through which the sensor leads are coupled to the circuits within the thermometer housing 38 . the orifice 62 may have a diameter of 0 . 040 of an inch while the recess 70 for the sensor may be a square with one side having a dimension of 0 . 07874 inch . it may be desirable for certain applications of the present invention for a sanitary probe cover ( not shown in the drawings ) to be used . replacement of such a cover between uses on different portions of a person &# 39 ; s body or between uses on different persons might reduce or prevent the possibility of transfer of bacteria or viruses . the design of a disposable probe cover for such applications is within the ability of an ordinarily skilled worker in the field . use of a thin cover made of a material having high thermal conductivity will not detract from the purposes and goals of the present invention as described herein . fig9 is a cross - sectional view taken along lines 9 -- 9 of fig8 . the outer portion 58 of the pliable probe tip 37 is substantially hemispherical in shape with a raised portion 68 at the apex thereof and having therein the recess 70 for receiving the rtd sensor of the present invention . the orifice 62 communicates with the recess 70 and may have therein the electrical leads 72 that connect the sensor 50 to the electrical circuits 40 in the housing 38 . they may be substantially s - shaped as shown so that metal fatigue caused by movement of the sensor tip 37 as illustrated in fig3 may be minimized . the detail of the rtd sensor is shown in fig1 . fig1 is a partial side view of the sensor 50 . in fig1 , the side view of the sensor 50 , it can be seen that a ceramic substrate 74 has deposited thereon in a well - known fashion platinum traces 76 . lead wires 80 are coupled to the platinum traces and , at the joint where the coupling takes place , a bead , made of glass , plastic or other suitable material , is placed over the joint or coupling for strain relief of the lead wire connections . the size of the rtd sensor 50 is approximately 2 mm × 2 . 3 mm × 0 . 43 mm . the ceramic substrate 74 has a high thermal conductivity and is about 0 . 25 millimeters in thickness , conducting heat to the platinum traces 76 on the other side thereof . thus it is the ceramic substrate 74 upon which the platinum sensor traces are deposited that comes into contact with the surface whose temperature is to be measured . the rtd 50 is an active type sensor . that means it is a sensor that requires an external power source to make the sensor operate . because of this characteristic , self - heating of the sensor is a concern . self - heating errors are caused by current flowing through the sensor . resistance to the flow of electricity will cause heat to be generated by the sensor and not the target being measured . in the preferred embodiment of the present invention , the thermal density of the rtd is about 4 grams / cubic cm and the thermal mass is about 2 cubic grams . further , the rtd sensor is isolated from the thermal mass of the surrounding probe tip and thus the speed at which the sensor responds is increased . in the preferred embodiment , a small current in the order of 0 . 001 amps , is supplied to the sensor . by measuring the change in resistance ( specifically , change of amperage as a result of change in resistance ), an accurate temperature can be obtained . this small current also minimizes the self - heating that will occur due to the resistance to the flow of electricity . in general , the measured signal is fed into an amplifier circuit that will bring it to a level that can be easily used by the other circuits . after amplification , the signal is sent to circuits that convert the amount of electricity from an analog signal to digital signals . the digital signals then fed into and used by the computer circuits . the computer utilizes the digital signals , which are samples , by introducing the samples as known values into a formula to determine the numbers that will be displayed for the user . once the number is determined , the information is sent to the display circuits . fig1 is a generalized circuit diagram of the electronics of the present invention . as can be seen , the sensor element 50 is coupled in series with a reference resistance 82 . the reference resistance 82 has a resistance value equal to that of the sensor 50 when the sensor 50 is at the minimum temperature to be measured by the unit . the voltage drop across the reference resistance 82 is coupled on line 88 to amplifier 90 where it is amplified by exactly 2 . 000 , thus producing a voltage on its output 91 that is equal to that found across sensor 50 at the minimum measured temperature . the voltage drop across the sensor 50 and the reference resistance 82 is coupled through filter 86 to amplifier 92 . filters 84 and 86 are both high and low - pass filters to filter noise out of the system . amplifier 92 amplifies the signal across the rtd sensor 50 and the reference resistance 82 to an amount sufficient to be utilized by the analog - to - digital converter 98 . again , filters 94 and 96 are coupled to the inputs to the a - d converter 98 to filter out any high and low frequency noises . a - d converter 98 has 12 data bits of resolution and converts the difference in the signals from the two amplifiers 90 and 92 into a digital signal . this signal is coupled on lines 102 to the digital processing and control unit 104 which , of course , may be a simple microprocessor . battery 106 is coupled to initializing switch 44 that produces an output on line 110 to initiate a temperature reading process . power control unit 108 generates output signals from lines 112 and 114 to power the digital processing and control network or microprocessor 104 . the output of the microprocessor 104 is coupled to the lcd drive 118 that drives out a four - digit lcd 42 to display the temperature digitally . fig1 discloses the details of the generalized circuit shown in fig1 . when push - button 44 is activated , the battery 106 energizes power control unit 108 that produces a very carefully controlled or regulated voltage on line 114 that is coupled to the sensor unit 50 . it causes a small continuous current to flow through the sensor during measurement . the current flowing through the sensor is controlled by resistor 51 connecting the regulated source to the top end of the sensor element 50 . this current is given by ohm &# 39 ; s law or i = v / r which equals 5 /( r51 , sensor 50 , and r82 ). the result is approximately 1 millimp . there is a trade off between higher currents giving more voltage drop across the sensor 50 , and therefore having to amplify the resulting signal less , or using lower current and having less of the self - heating effect present . a practical range is from 0 . 1 milliamp to 2 . 0 milliamp . in order to minimize noise in the sensor input area , capacitors 84 and 86 are connected from both ends of the sensor 50 to ground . further , capacitor unit 120 is connected across the sensor input terminals immediately where they enter the printed circuit board . unit 120 consists of a 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitor to filter very high - frequency interference and is paralleled with a 10 mfd tantalum electrolytic capacitor to filter low - frequency noise . electrolytic capacitors are available in values greater than 1 mfd and as such can be used to provide filtering to remove noise components of relatively low frequency . however , they exhibit an equivalent series resistance which increases for frequency , such that they are unable to effectively shunt to ground frequencies in the range above 10 mhz . monolithic ceramic construction capacitors , on the other hand , are not available in values large enough to provide effective low frequency filtering . available values are typically less than 1 mfd and range on down to 2 pfd . they do have a very low equivalent series resistance even at frequencies up to several hundreds of megahertz . thus the 0 . 1 mfd and 10 mfd capacitors in unit 120 are paralleled to provide the proper filtering . as stated in relation to fig1 , the off - set correction resistor 82 in series with the rtd element 50 has a value equal to that of the rtd sensor element 50 when it is at the minimum temperature to be measured by the unit . the voltage drop across resistor 82 is amplified by amplifier 92 by exactly 2 . 000 , thus producing a reference voltage output on line 91 that is equal to that found at the sensor 50 at the minimum measured temperature . the output of amplifiers 90 and 92 , the difference between the reference voltage and the actual sensor voltage , is then amplified by a factor sufficiently large for the analog - to - digital converter 98 to convert to digital data . an additional resistor is connected from the output of amplifier 92 at one pin to the non - inverting input of the amplifier 92 at another pin . this feeds a small portion of the amplified output back to the non - amplified input so as to increase the linearity of the signal from amplifier 92 , improving the quality of the amplified signal to the a / d converter . low - pass filter unit 94 is coupled to the output of amplifier 92 and comprises a 50 ohm series resistor and a 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitor . in addition , low - pass filter 96 is coupled to the output of amplifier 90 on line 91 and comprises a 50 ohm resistor and a 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitor . extensive additional filtering is provided . note capacitors 122 , 124 and 130 filter the 5 - volt regulated source on line 114 . capacitors 122 and 130 are 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitors , while capacitor 124 is a 22 mfd tantalum capacitor . in actual practice , capacitors 124 and 130 are coupled very close to the input pin of the ic chip forming the analog - to - digital converter 98 . in addition , the two capacitors in the low - pass filters 94 and 96 are also coupled very close to their respective input pins to the ic chip of the analog - to - digital converter 98 . capacitor unit 126 comprises a 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitor coupled from the output of amplifier 92 to ground while the other capacitor is a 10 mfd tantalum capacitor connected from the output line 91 of amplifier 90 to ground for both high frequency and low frequency filtering . capacitor unit 128 provides high frequency and low frequency filtering at the voltage reference input to the analog - to - digital converter 98 and is coupled very close to the respective pin of the ic chip forming the analog to digital converter 98 . again they comprise a 0 . 1 mfd ceramic capacitor and a 22 mfd tantalum capacitor in parallel to provide both high and low frequency filtering . thus , extensive filtering is utilized in the input circuits from the sensor 50 to the analog - to - digital converter 98 . the microprocessor 104 receives the digital output on lines 102 from the analog - to - digital converter . it samples the analog - to - digital converter output by reading four values equally spaced during one cycle to reduce 60 - cycle noise . the four values are then averaged resulting in the cancellation of noise induced at a 60 - cycle frequency as well as most of the harmonics . it is of no concern at what point in a 60 - cycle waveform that the reading is started . any positive offset would be corrected by an equal negative offset one - half cycle later . the 60 - cycle harmonics are eliminated in a similar manner . the thermal characteristics of the resistance temperature device sensor 50 and its support assembly are such that the temperature of the sensor unit 50 rises to its equilibrium temperature too slowly to be displayed directly . the microcomputer 104 uses the fact that the temperature will rise exponentially to anticipate the stabilized final temperature . the equation to describe the temperature change of a small body from one stable state to another is : the equation can be solved if it is broken down into fixed time increments . if the equation is rewritten for a single discrete time interval , t , it can be written : t is a constant . time increments can be arbitrarily defined to be 0 . 1 seconds so the equation resolves to : another feature the equation has is that nothing limits the t n0 since it can be measured at any time and the equation defines the t n1 that will be calculated at 0 . 1 seconds later . by measuring the temperature on a fixed interval of 100 milliseconds , t n0 , the first reading and t n1 , the second reading , are known and k , the heat transfer coefficient , can be determined experimentally . these two readings can then be utilized to determine the expected final stable temperature that would be obtained if the period of time were extended indefinitely . t n1 can be shifted to be t n0 for the next pair of readings and another reading taken . this pair can also be inserted into the equation to get another estimate of the final temperature . as long as the physical characteristics of the system do not change , the same result will be obtained no matter when the readings are taken so long as they are 100 milliseconds apart . further , on the same assumption , it makes no difference what the initial or final temperatures are . to anticipate or predict the temperature toward which the readings are arising , the final temperature , the circuitry uses only the previous reading and the current reading . these two readings uniquely identify a point on the response curve of the rtd sensor between a starting temperature and the final temperature given that the thermal constants of the combined system are constant . thus , two points taken a fixed time apart describe the final temperature no matter when the first of the two readings is taken as previously shown mathematically . while reading temperatures , if the microprocessor encounters an unexpected reading such as a significantly different reading from a previous reading , such unexpected reading is eliminated from the averaging by the computer program driving the microprocessor 104 and the number of readings taken is extended before the display is enabled . this increases the confidence level of the displayed value since it is composed of the average of many readings that were relatively constant . the use of the equation to predict an answer rather than waiting for a stable reading means that the display is more susceptible to noise . a noisy reading from the rtd sensor and circuits will predict an erratic answer . to avoid this potential problem , readings that are substantially different from the last reading are eliminated . if instead of averaging 20 readings , only 10 readings are used because of eliminating noise , the result might be significantly more unreliable . therefore , when readings are eliminated , the amount of time needed to get a final reading is extended ensuring that when a result is obtained it is composed of a minimum number of consistent readings . this same result could be obtained in a hardware circuit . in the microprocessor 104 , the digital readings are stored ( before being averaged and displayed ) as final analog - to - digital readings rather than temperatures . this reduces the number of calculations since it is required to convert from a - d readings ( 0 - 1024 ) to ° f . or ° c . only once rather than after each a - d reading is taken . this also maximizes the accuracy of the readings since rounding errors in this conversion can enter the calculations only once rather than at each reading . again , the operation of the microprocessor 104 is simplified by continuously reading the rtd output as long as power is applied rather than initiating a start and a stop at readings . when the switch 44 is activated to initiate a reading , it initiates a counter that determines when to display the average temperature seen during the past three seconds . the significance of this operation is the appearance of a device that gives a reading only when requested ( switch 44 has been depressed ) while in reality , the device is simplified by continuously taking readings and pressing the button only initiates the display of the answer . a piezoelectric element 116 is driven by the microprocessor to indicate that the unit is ready to take a temperature . it generates a sound such as a &# 34 ; beep &# 34 ; that is sounded by the same routine that is checking to see if 100 milliseconds has expired since the last rtd reading was taken . to sound the beeper , the computer simply sets a common flag from any point and this routine , seeing the flag set , will initiate the oscillation at the output pin that results in the sound . this routine also controls the resetting of the flag after the appropriate time needed to generate a pleasant sound . further , to simplify the operation of the computer , where division by a negative constant is required , first the deviser is negated . next the reciprocal of the constant is entered allowing the compiler to do the division rather than the target processor . the numbers can then be multiplied , which is computational much easier . thus , rather than thus the computer does the division 1 / b and the result is multiplied with - a . further , to do the averaging , the readings are always averaged in groups that are factors of two ( 2 , 4 , 8 , 16 , and so forth ). this greatly simplifies the software by allowing each reading to be shifted in a first register and added to the final answer register . no actual division subroutine is ever needed . this simplifies the software and reduces rounding errors . the output of the microprocessor is coupled to the lcd driver 118 . lcd driver 18 operates the display 42 by turning on each segment independently . this is a function of the hardware chosen . if wiring of the printed circuit board is such that there is no correlation between the segment wire to any particular output pin , the energization of each segment is determined by the format of digits in the processor . the normal method of solving this problem could be to decide whether each bit should be energized or de - energized one - at - a - time . the processor uses a look - up table of &# 34 ; fonts &# 34 ;. instead of going through the segments one - at - a - time and deciding whether they should be energized based on the number to display , the program takes the number to display and reads a table entry corresponding to that number . this table entry contains a set of eight segments and the status they need to display that number . thus , to display the number 98 . 6 , the outputs to the display buffer are generated by looking up the ninth entry plus the eighth entry followed by the sixth entry . in order words , the number is converted from binary to binary coded decimal and then each digit is displayed . a by - product of this method is that there are six additional &# 34 ; fonts &# 34 ; in each byte . by creating a bcd number with individual digits between 10 and 15 decimal , the words &# 34 ; on &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; c &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; hi &# 34 ;, &# 34 ; lo &# 34 ; and so forth can be displayed . fig1 is a flow - chart representing a portion of the circuitry routines incorporated into the circuitry . it is intended to provide a way of calibrating the device after production , but before receipt by the consumer . it will normally only be used once to calibrate the particular thermometer , taking into account variations introduced at the time of the manufacture . fig1 through 31 are flow chart representations of various routines and subroutines utilized in the manipulation of information in the circuitry of the preferred embodiment . they are intended to show , individually and as a group , the various steps of the circuitry used to display a core body temperature as a result of contact between the sensor and the skin or other portion of the patient . fig1 shows the general overview 200 of the main routines used in the preferred embodiment including the initialize routine 202 , shown in more detail in fig2 , the debug routine 204 , shown in more detail in fig2 , the debug mode determination routine , and the run routine , shown in more detail in fig3 . fig1 shows a routine 209 for saving a value associated with the resistance ( temperature ) of the sensor at the time the device is initially activated . this value is stored as an &# 34 ; ambient offset &# 34 ; later recalled and used in the routine appearing in fig2 . the method ( routine 232 ) used to average readings of the sensor is shown in fig1 . the resulting average value is stored as the &# 34 ; h temp &# 34 ; and &# 34 ; l tempt .&# 34 ; fig1 shows routine 212 for converting signals to font for display . fig1 sets out the routine 234 for actuating the sound producing circuitry when predetermined parameters are met during operation of the device . fig1 shows routine 220 for converting binary numbers that are received from the a / d converter circuits into binary coded decimals ( bcd ) numbers . fig2 sets forth the steps ( routine 236 ) used in the circuitry to determine whether the button is depressed or whether it has been released . fig2 shows the debug routine 204 and the relationship between the steps used therein . this routine displays raw a / d numbers from the a / d circuits . the displayed numbers do not have adjustments , offsets or any other conditioning done to them . the routine 212 shown to convert the values to font for display ( fig1 ) is executed just prior to the lcd display routine 214 ( fig2 ). later the 100 millisecond routine 216 ( fig3 ) and subsequent read a / d routine 218 ( fig2 ) are executed . still later in the debug routine 204 is the conversion of binary numbers routine 220 ( fig1 ) which leads again to the conversion to font routine 212 ( fig1 ). fig2 shows the steps used in the routine 222 for determining the value for an offset to be used in a routine 224 for displaying the final calculation of the core body value ( fig2 ). fig2 shows the routine 202 for initialization , resetting values to a known starting point . this routine is shown as a single step in fig1 . this initialization routine 202 includes a routine 226 ( fig2 ) within it to read the temperature . included within the routine 214 for actuating the lcd display ( fig2 ), is a second lcd display routine 228 shown in more detail in fig2 . the read a / d routine 218 includes within it a second read a / d routine 230 shown in more detail in fig2 . fig2 sets forth the routine 226 for reading the temperature . fig3 shows the execution or run sequence including many other routines , such as the average readings routine 232 shown in more detail in fig1 . fig3 shows the 100 millisecond wait routine 216 . it includes the sound actuation routine 236 ( fig1 ) and the button depress / release determination routine 236 ( fig2 ). it further has been discovered that the accuracy of the disclosed means and method of quickly registering core body temperature can be improved by taking into account the thermodynamics of the interaction of the sensor with the contact surface of the body . in the preferred embodiment , it is known that the sensor theoretically will reach 71 % of its final equilibrium temperature at about eight seconds of contact . the temperature rise is logarithmic however , and will not actually approach equilibrium until after a much longer period . the modeling incorporated into the circuitry takes advantage of the linearity of the temperature rise to the 71 % level to distinguish the calculated end temperatures . a single exponential equation will model the rise in sensor temperature induced by a heat sink that exhibits overwhelming thermodynamic mass relative to a resistance sensor . experimentation has shown that a single exponential equation when applied to the change in sensor temperature induced by a heat sink with low thermodynamic mass relative to the sensor , does not accurately model the resulting heat rise curve because the heat sink temperature fails after contact with the cooler sensor and probe material . the extent to which the target heat sink temperature falls is a function of the relative temperatures of the starting probe and target , and the amount of time that the probe is in contact with the target . the dynamic temperature lowering of the target while the target is transferring heat to the sensor results if the sensor thermodynamic mass , including the mass of material in which the sensor is mounted , is relatively close to ( or greater than ) the thermodynamic mass of the target heat sink . in the preferred embodiment of the present invention , the target temperature lowering phenomena is taken into consideration by using the following methods . first , the invention utilizes a relatively small sensor surface area . second , the invention utilizes relatively low thermodynamic mass mounting material . third , the invention mounts the sensor on low mass mounting material in such a manner to maximize sensor contact with the heat sink target and to minimize mounting material contact . fourth , the invention models the heat rise curve as a linear function of the temperature ( a / d reading ) at which the invention begins the temperature measuring process . fifth , the invention models the heat rise curve as a linear function of the amount of time which the user applies the sensor to the target skin area prior to initiating a read cycle . in addition , the measurement of the amount of time between read initiation and the accumulation of the correct number of &# 34 ; good reads ,&# 34 ; and the use of the relationship of this time to surface temperature , would contribute to the accuracy of the displayed temperature . the time between the probe first coming in contact with the target and the time when the read cycle is initiated is determined by observing a change in the resistance properties of the sensor . as soon as the sensor touches the target , the a / d readings immediately move rapidly upward . the end of a &# 34 ; pre read time &# 34 ; is marked by observing the depression of the read button . the slope and intercept of the three linear equations can be resolved by regressing starting a / d , ending a / d ( stated as variance from actual target temperature ), time between start and read initiation values and time between read initiation and completion of the read cycle . the exact slope and intercept values are a function of the thermodynamic heat sinking properties of the sensor heat sink and probe mounting materials chosen and the mounting configuration selected . a series of experiments will determine the appropriate time constant for the exponential equation and collect a statistically significant set of starting temperatures , ending temperatures and times between start and read initiation . the linear equation slope and intercept values are determined by collecting and statistically analyzing ( regressing ) starting a / d , ending a / d , time to initiate read and time between read initiation and read completion . the linear equation for each relationship may be stated as follows : by simultaneously solving these three linear equations , final slope and intercept values utilized in the invention &# 39 ; s linear adjustment circuitry may be calculated and applied to the equation : additionally , a &# 34 ; calculated end &# 34 ; temperature also varies as a function of first read ( after power up state ), second and subsequent rapid read cycles . for third and subsequent reads in the same power up cycle , the variance due to these factors is relatively minor as compared to the first two . the invention detects first , second , third and subsequent to third reads by counting read button depressions in a given power up cycle and applies a different set of m ( f ) and b ( f ) values for first , second and third ( and beyond ) read cycles . if greater precision is desired , m ( f ) and b ( f ) values can be determined for fourth , fifth , etc . read cycles . the different m ( f ) and b ( f ) values are determined in the same manner as described above except that the starting a / d value is defined as ( 1 ) at power up , ( 2 ) at 1st read button depression ( 3 ) at 2nd read button depression ( 3 ) at 2nd read button depression ( 3 ) at 3rd and subsequent read button depression . the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment , but the invention is greater than and not intended to be limited to the particular form set forth . the invention is intended to cover such alternatives , modifications , and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims .	6
for the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present invention , reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same . it will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the present invention is thereby intended . any alterations and further modifications in the illustrated embodiments , and any further applications of the principles of the present invention as illustrated herein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present invention relates . fig1 depicts a vehicle 10 comprising a vehicle chassis / body 11 defining an engine compartment 12 and an operator compartment 13 . while vehicle 10 can be any type of vehicle , preferably vehicle 10 is a light - duty truck . within compartment 12 , vehicle 10 comprises a diesel engine 20 ( hereinafter “ engine 20 ”), an intake manifold 30 , a throttle 40 , a fueling system 50 , and a transmission 60 . engine 20 is of the four stroke diesel - fueled type with compression ignition ( ci ) having intake manifold 30 is in fluid communication therewith . in other embodiments , engine 20 can be a different type of engine as would occur to one skilled in the art , e . g . a two stroke diesel - fueled types , a four stroke crude oil fueled internal combustion engine , etc . engine 20 includes a combustion chamber 21 , a combustion chamber 22 , a combustion chamber 23 , a combustion chamber 24 , a combustion chamber 25 , a combustion chamber 26 , and a crankshaft 27 . the present description of engine 20 is directed to the primary components of engine 20 interacting with an engine fueling management system of the present invention , with other standard components of engine 20 as would be known to one skilled in the art not being specifically described herein . it should be appreciated that engine 20 is being schematically represented and that more or fewer combustion chambers may be employed as would occur to one skilled in the art . an accelerator pedal 41 within compartment 13 be manipulated , physically or electrically , by an operator of vehicle 10 from a rotational position of 0 % at one extreme to a rotational position of 100 % at the other extreme . throttle 40 is operatively coupled to pedal 41 to thereby synchronously rotate with pedal 41 between the 0 % rotational position and 100 % rotational position . the 0 % rotational position represents an idle position for throttle 40 . fueling system 50 includes a fuel source ( not shown ), e . g . a fuel tank , to thereby supply fuel by a fuel pathway 51 to combustion chambers 21 - 26 in accordance with a firing order as established by the engine fueling management system of the present invention . fuel pathway 51 represents one or more fuel lines , signal paths , and / or other type of engine connections associated with conventional fueling systems . preferably , engine 20 is configured for chamber - injection fueling , and fueling system 50 includes electronically controlled fuel injectors . alternatively , other fueling arrangements may be utilized as would occur to one skilled in the art . transmission 60 includes a torque converter ( not shown ) operatively coupled to crankshaft 27 . transmission 60 is a combination mechanical and shift - by - wire type of automatic transmission . in other embodiments , transmission 60 can be a different type of transmission as would occur to one skilled in the art , e . g . a mechanical type of automatic transmission , a shift - by - wire type of transmission , a manual transmission , etc . a propeller shaft 70 is operatively coupled to transmission 60 . a drive axle 71 is operatively coupled to propeller shaft 70 . a pair of wheels 73 a and 73 b are operatively coupled to a drive axle 72 . a pair of wheels 73 c and 73 d are operatively coupled to drive axle 71 . engine 20 is the prime mover for vehicle 10 that provides mechanical power to transmission 60 whereby propeller shaft 70 , drive axle 71 , drive axle 72 , wheel 73 a , wheel 73 b , wheel 73 c , and wheel 73 d are rotated . within compartment 13 , vehicle 10 also comprises a brake pedal 80 . brake pedal 80 can be manipulated by an operator of vehicle 10 from a rotational position of 0 % at one extreme to a rotational position of 100 % at the other extreme . brake pedal can be any type of pedal . still referring to fig1 one embodiment of the engine fueling management system of the present invention includes a engine controller 90 , an vehicle controller 100 , a coolant temperature sensor 28 , an air temperature sensor 31 , a throttle position sensor 42 , a vehicle speed sensor 74 , and a brake position sensor 81 . engine controller 90 and vehicle controller 100 are preferably electronic subsystems , each being comprised of one or more components of a common engine control unit ( hereinafter “ the common ecu ”) ( not shown ) that is powered by a battery ( not shown ). engine controller 90 and vehicle controller 100 may include digital circuitry , analog circuitry , and / or hybrid circuitry . engine controller 90 and vehicle controller 100 can include multiple components that are physically positioned at different locations within vehicle 10 . in the illustrated embodiment , engine controller 90 includes a memory 91 and a central processing unit 92 ( hereinafter “ cpu 92 ”), and engine controller includes a memory 101 and a central processing unit 102 ( hereinafter “ cpu 102 ”). memory 91 and memory 101 are of the solid - state electronic variety , and may be embodied in one or more components . in other embodiments , memory 91 and memory 101 may alternatively or concurrently include magnetic or optical types of memory . memory 91 and memory 101 can be volatile , nonvolatile , or a combination of both volatile and nonvolatile types of memory . while it is preferred that memory 101 be integrally included in the common ecu and memory 91 be remotely distributed for access via a local area network 110 ( hereinafter “ lan 110 ”), in other embodiments , memory 91 is remotely distributed for access via lan 110 and / or memory 101 is integrally included in the common ecu . in still other embodiments , memory 91 and memory 101 are provided by a single integral memory . cpu 92 is configured to access memory 91 101 and is remotely distributed for access via lan . cpu 92 is a programmable , microprocessor - based device that executes instructions stored in memory 91 , and accesses memory 91 to read or write data in accordance with the instructions . cpu 102 is configured to access memory 110 and is mounted on the common ecu . cpu 102 is a programmable , microprocessor - based device that executes instructions stored in memory 101 , and accesses memory 101 to read or write data in accordance with the instructions . in other embodiments , cpu 92 is integrally included in the common ecu and / or cpu 102 is remotely distributed for access via lan 110 . in yet other embodiments , cpu 92 and / or cpu 102 can alternatively be implemented as a dedicated state machine , or a hybrid combination of programmable and dedicated hardware . in still other embodiments , engine controller 90 and vehicle controller 100 are provided by a single integral processing unit . engine controller 90 and vehicle controller 100 further include any interfaces , control clocks , signal conditioners , signal converters , filters , communication ports , or any other type of operators as would occur to one skilled in the art to implement the principles of the present invention . still referring to fig1 engine controller 90 is in electrical communication with fueling system 50 by a signal path 93 to thereby provide a fueling meter signal fm s that is indicative of a level of fuel to be supplied to a selected combustion chamber of combustion chambers 21 - 26 . specifically , an active fuel injector ( not shown ) of fueling system 50 conventionally expels fuel therefrom at a fixed rate . fueling meter signal fm s informs fueling system 50 of a fixed length of time to activate the fuel injector such that a desired level of fuel is supplied to the selected combustion chamber . vehicle controller 100 is in electrical communication with transmission 60 by a signal path 61 to exchange a plurality of transmission management signals tm s for managing the operation of transmission 60 , and a plurality of transmission condition signals tc s that are indicative of the operating state of transmission 60 . engine controller 90 receives a transmission operation signal to s from vehicle controller 100 via lan 110 wherein vehicle condition signal vo s is also indicative of an operating state of the various components of vehicle 10 other than engine 20 and associated components of vehicle 10 . coolant temperature sensor 28 is in electrical communication with engine controller 90 by a signal path 29 . coolant temperature sensor 28 is a conventional temperature sensor positioned within respect to a cooler passage ( not shown ) of engine 20 to thereby provide a coolant temperature signal ct s to engine controller 90 via signal path 29 . coolant temperature signal ct s is an indication of the internal temperature of the coolant with the cooler passage . air temperature sensor 31 is in electrical communication with engine controller 90 by a signal path 32 . air temperature sensor 31 is a conventional temperature sensor positioned within intake manifold 30 to thereby provide a air temperature signal at s to engine controller 90 via signal path 32 . air temperature signal at s is an indication of the internal temperature of intake air within intake manifold 30 . as will be further described herein , temperature signal at s is utilized as a representation of a temperature ambient engine 20 . throttle position sensor 42 is in electrical communication with engine controller 90 by a signal path 43 . throttle position sensor 42 is a conventional magnetic sensor positioned with respect to throttle 40 to thereby provide a throttle position signal tp s to engine controller 90 via signal path 43 . throttle position signal tp s is an indication of a rotational position of throttle 40 . alternatively or additionally , throttle position signal tp s can be derived from a detected rotational position of accelerator pedal 41 which can be manually operated or electronically operated by a cruise control system as taught by commonly owned u . s . pat . no . 5 , 738 , 606 , that is hereby incorporated by reference . engine speed sensor 62 is in electrical communication with engine controller 90 by a signal path 63 . engine speed sensor 62 is a conventional magnetic sensor positioned with respect to crankshaft 27 to thereby provide an engine speed signal es s to engine controller 90 via signal path 63 . engine speed signal es s is an indication of a rotational speed of crankshaft 27 . engine speed sensor 62 can alternatively be positioned with respect to propeller shaft 70 to thereby provide engine speed signal es s as would occur to one skilled in the art . vehicle speed sensor 74 is in electrical communication with vehicle controller 100 by a signal path 75 . vehicle speed sensor 74 is conventional magnetic sensor positioned relative to wheel 73 b to provide a vehicle speed signal vs s to vehicle controller 100 via signal path 75 . vehicle speed signal vs s is an indication of a rotational speed of wheels 73 a - 73 d . brake position sensor 81 is in electrical communication with vehicle controller 100 by a signal path 82 . brake position sensor 81 is a conventional magnetic sensor positioned with respect to brake pedal 80 to thereby provide a brake position signal bp s to vehicle controller 100 via signal path 82 . brake position signal bp s is an indication of a rotational position of brake pedal 80 . in other embodiments of the present invention , coolant temperature signal ct s , air temperature signal at s , throttle position signal tp s , engine speed signal es s , vehicle speed signal vs s and / or brake position signal bp s can be provided by other types of sensors . referring additionally to fig2 one embodiment of an engine fueling management procedure 120 for implementing the engine fueling management technique of the present invention is shown . procedure 120 is implemented by engine controller 90 upon receipt of a signal from vehicle controller 100 via lan 110 indicating that an ignition switch ( not shown ) of vehicle 10 is positioned in a start position or an on position . during stage s 122 of procedure 120 , coolant temperature signal ct s , throttle position signal tp s , vehicle speed signal vs s , brake position signal bp s and a gear position signal gp s are received by engine controller 90 as well as other signals known to one skilled in the art . gear position signal gp s is embedded within transmission condition signals tc s as received by vehicle controller 100 , and is indicative of a gear position of transmission 60 , e . g . 1 st gear , 2 nd gear , park , neutral , etc ., as would occur to one skilled in the art . coolant temperature signal ct s , throttle position signal tp s , vehicle speed signal vs s , brake position signal bp s and gear position signal gp s are continually received thereafter by engine controller 90 until the ignition switch is positioned in an off position . during stage s 124 of procedure 120 , engine controller 90 initially determines whether engine 20 is operating in a drive state or an idle state . for the embodiment of vehicle 10 illustrated herein , engine controller 90 makes this initial determination as a function of coolant temperature signal ct s , throttle position signal tp s , vehicle speed signal vs s , brake position signal bp s and gear position signal gp s . for the illustrated embodiment , engine 20 is operating in an idle state when coolant temperature signal ct s indicates a coolant temperature less than or equal to 140 ° f ., throttle position signal tp s indicates throttle valve 41 is at the 0 % position , vehicle speed signal vs s indicates a vehicle speed less than or equal to 2 mph , brake position signal bp s , brake position signal tp s indicates brake pedal 80 is at the 0 % position , and gear position signal gp s indicates transmission 60 is in park or neutral . engine 20 is operating in a drive state if any one of the above mentioned parameters for the signals is not initially indicated . engine 20 is operating in a drive state after an determined idle state if any of the above mentioned parameters for throttle position signal tp s , vehicle speed signal vs s , brake position signal bp s and transmission condition signal tc s are no longer being indicated or coolant temperature signal ct s indicates a coolant temperature greater than 175 ° f . in other embodiments , different parameters for coolant temperature signal ct s , throttle position signal tp s , vehicle speed signal vs s , brake position signal bp s and / or gear position signal gp s are utilized to determine if engine 20 is operating in an idle state . in still other embodiments , other signals as would occur to one skilled in the art can concurrently or alternatively be received during stage s 122 to determine if engine 20 is operating in an idle state . if engine controller 90 determines engine 20 is operating in a drive state during stage s 122 , engine controller 90 executes a conventional engine fueling routine 130 as would occur to one skilled in the art for supplying fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 in a specific firing order . if engine controller 90 determines engine 20 is operating in an idle state during stage s 122 , engine controller 90 executes a unique engine fueling routine 140 for supplying fuel to either combustion chambers 21 - 26 in a specific firing order , or combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 in a specific firing order . engine controller 90 continually determines the operating state of stage s 122 until the ignition switch is positioned in an off position . consequently , it is to be appreciated that routine 130 is being executed while routine 140 is not being executed , and vice - versa . referring additionally to fig3 one embodiment of an engine fueling routine 140 of the present invention is shown . during stage s 142 of routine 140 , air temperature signal at s and engine speed signal es s are received by engine controller 90 as well as other signals as known to one skilled in the art . air temperature signal at s and engine speed signal es s are continually received thereafter by engine controller 90 until routine 140 is terminated or the ignition switch is positioned in an off position . engine controller 90 determines if air temperature signal at s is less than or equal to 15 ° f . during stage s 144 of routine 140 . for this embodiment , air temperature signal at s being less than or equal to 15 ° f . is representative of a temperature ambient to engine 20 for facilitating the creation of distillates within combustion chambers 21 - 26 . for other embodiments , air temperature signal at s can be tested during stage s 144 against a different temperature that is considered representative of a temperature ambient to engine 20 for facilitating the creation of distillates within combustion chambers 21 - 26 . engine controller 90 proceeds to stage s 146 of routine 140 if engine controller 90 determines air temperature signal at s is less than or equal to 15 ° f . during stage s 146 , engine controller 90 provides fueling meter signal fm s to fueling system 50 via path 93 whereby fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 for a fixed period of time in response to fueling meter signal fm s . consequently , the firing order for stage s 146 includes all six ( 6 ) combustion chambers 21 - 26 . preferably , if air temperature signal at s is less than or equal to 0 ° f . fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 for twenty ( 20 ) seconds whereby crankshaft 27 is rotated at approximately 1 , 000 rpm as indicated by engine speed signal es s . it is also preferred that if air temperature signal at s is greater than 0 ° f . and less than or equal to 15 ° f ., fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 for one ( 1 ) minute whereby crankshaft 27 is rotated at approximately 800 rpm as indicated by engine speed signal es s . upon completion of stage s 146 , engine controller 90 proceeds to stage 148 of routine 140 . during stage s 148 , engine controller 90 provides fueling meter signal fm s to fueling system 50 via path 93 whereby fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 in response to fueling meter signal fm s . consequently , the firing order for stage s 146 includes only combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 . preferably , if air temperature signal at s is less than or equal to 0 ° f ., fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 whereby the rotation of crankshaft 27 is accelerated from approximately 1 , 000 rpm to approximately 1 , 200 rpm at a rate of 13 rpm / sec as indicated by engine speed signal es s . it is also preferred that if air temperature signal at s is greater than 0 ° f . and less than or equal to 15 ° f ., fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 whereby the rotation of crankshaft 27 is accelerated from approximately 800 rpm to approximately 1200 rpm at a rate of 13 rpm / sec as indicated by engine speed signal es s . it is to be appreciated that stage s 146 and stage s 148 are executed during an idle state of engine 20 whereby distillates of unburned fuel with combustion chambers 21 - 26 could be created therein as indicated by air temperature signal at s . it is to be further appreciated that substantial , if not complete , combustion of fuel within combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 occurs during stage s 148 due to the increased amount of power combustion chambers 21 , 23 , and 25 must provide to accelerate crankshaft 27 . thus , the creation of distillates within combustion chambers 21 - 26 is diminished , if not eliminated . in other embodiments of the present invention , any number less than all six ( 6 ) of combustion chambers 21 - 26 can receive fuel during stage s 148 whereby substantial , if not complete , combustion is occurring within the combustion chambers receiving fuel . engine controller 90 proceeds to stage s 150 of routine 140 if vehicle controller 100 determines air temperature signal at s is greater than 15 ° f . during stage s 150 , vehicle controller 100 provides fueling meter signal fm s to fueling system 50 via path 93 whereby fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 in response to fueling meter signal fm s . consequently , the firing order for stage s 150 includes all six ( 6 ) combustion chambers 21 - 26 . preferably , if air temperature signal at s is greater than 15 ° f . and less than or equal to 32 ° f ., fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 for one ( 1 ) minute whereby crankshaft 27 is rotated at approximately 800 rpm as indicated by engine speed signal es s , and thereafter accelerates crankshaft 27 from approximately 800 rpm to approximately 1 , 200 rpm at a rate of 13 rpm / sec . it is also preferred that if air temperature signal at s is greater than 32 ° f ., fueling system 50 supplies fuel to combustion chambers 21 - 26 whereby crankshaft 27 is rotated at approximately 800 rpm as indicated by engine speed signal es s . it is to be appreciated that stage s 150 is executed during an idle state of engine 20 when there is a no risk as indicated by air temperature signal at s of distillates being created within combustion chambers 21 - 26 due to unburned fuel therein . it is to be further appreciated that engine controller 90 is continually monitoring air temperature signal at s . consequently , engine controller 90 can be shifting back and forth between stage s 146 and stage s 148 , collectively , and stage s 150 whenever air temperature signal at s is fluctuating around 15 ° f . or whatever the temperature parameter may be . while the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description , the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character , it being understood that only the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected .	5
we first describe the working of a router . an important part of the router process of forwarding a message is the problem of destination address lookup in a forwarding table of address prefixes . we then describe our invention , which shows how to provide faster address lookups , in two parts . we show how to expand the original set of prefixes ( potentially of arbitrary length ) into prefixes whose lengths are multiples of a specified stride length . once this process ( called controlled expansion ) is done , we can use any existing method of building and looking up prefixes that will produce faster lookups because of the reduced number of prefix lengths . we will describe the specific algorithm for our preferred embodiment using tries ; the reduced prefix length will dramatically reduce the worst - case path of trie lookup , and hence dramatically improve the lookup speed . we also briefly describe how this could be applied to a second embodiment that relies on sequential ( or parallel ) exact matching of all possible prefixes of a destination address . although our invention can be used in other contexts for doing fast best matching prefix , we describe our invention in the context of a communication network that is used to forward messages ( e . g ., the internet ) or calls ( e . g ., telephone network ). fig1 shows an example data communication network . it consists of devices called routers ( 10 ) connected by communications links ( 12 ). communication links include links such as fiber optic links , ethernet links ( which can connect more than one router ), satellite links , etc . that allow a message to be sent directly between two routers . in case of a telephone network , the situation is similar except that messages are replaced by telephone calls and routers are often referred to as telephone switches . for the rest of this description , we will use the data communication network terminology . the main function of a communication network is to route messages ( sometimes called packets in data communications ) sent by any source to any specified destination . fig1 shows the format of a message sent by the source to a destination . the front of the message contains a link level header ( 14 ), followed by a routing header ( 16 ) that is examined by routers . the routing header ( 16 ) contains the destination address of the intended recipient , typically encoded as a binary number . the routing header ( 16 ) also contains other fields such as a visit count and other fields that vary in different routing protocols . routers forward messages by looking up the message destination address in a forwarding table to determine the output link , and then forwarding the message to the corresponding output link . in order to reduce the size of forwarding tables , the forwarding table may consist of prefixes . a prefix represents a group of destinations whose addresses all being with that prefix . for example , in fig1 , routers 2 , 3 and 4 and the destinations they serve are described by prefix 1 . prefixes may be nested within other prefixes . in fig1 , routers 3 and 4 can reach the prefix 100 , which is contained in the group covered by prefix 1 . the router forwarding table will store the corresponding output link to reach every prefix that it knows about ( this information is obtained using various routing update protocols ). for example , router 1 will contain an entry which says that prefix 1 is reachable through link 2 , and prefix 100 * is reachable through link 6 ( see fig1 ). to forward a message ( with destination address say 100100 ), the router must lookup its forwarding table for any prefixes that match the destination address in the message . if more than one prefix match , the router picks the prefix that has the longest match . for example , in forwarding a message to 100100 , this address matches both 100 * and 1 ; however , 100 is the more specific match , and so the message must be sent to link 6 . note that fig1 is only an extremely simple example of a routing network or internetwork ; our invention clearly applies to other networks built along similar principles that use longest matching prefix forwarding . we can now describe the workings of a router ( e . g ., router 1 in fig1 ). a router ( fig1 ) consists of input links 1 through m , and corresponding output links 1 through n ( in most cases , a router has the same number of input and output links but not always ). corresponding to each input link there is a link interface ( l1 through lm ) and corresponding to each output link there is a link interface ( 01 through 0n ). each link interface contains the circuitry to send and receive messages on a particular link , and ( possibly ) buffers to store messages temporarily before they are forwarded . the two other main components of a router are a message switch subsystem 18 and a processing subsystem 20 ( see fig1 ). the processing subsystem 20 could be a single processor , group of processors , a processor per link , or various hardware state machines . the message switch subsystem 18 is responsible for switching a message from an input link interface to an output link interface under command from the processing subsystem . typical message switch subsystems contain one or more computer busses , a crossbar switch , or more sophisticated switching systems . in some routers the switching subsystem function is performed by one of the processors ; in some cases , it is done by independent hardware . the typical algorithm for forwarding a message is as follows . when a message arrives at say input link i , it is stored in the corresponding link interface . some time later , a processor in the processing subsystem reads the destination address ( 1 in fig1 ), then does an address lookup ( 2 ). the result of the address lookup specifies the output link corresponding to the longest prefix match . some fields in the message are then ( 3 ) updated ( e . g ., often a visit count is incremented and the link headers are sometimes updated ). finally the message is switched ( 4 ) to the specified output link . this is done by the cpu specifying the details of the message , input and output links to the switching subsystem ( shown by dotted arrow labeled 4 ). the switching subsystem then actually transfers the message ( shown by solid arrows labeled 4 ). for example , a message sent to destination address 100100 in fig1 is matched to prefix 100 * and is switched to output link 6 . returning to fig1 , it will be appreciated that a message from the source to the destination , is sent by having each router in the path do a similar algorithm . finally , in fig1 , we have one more function performed by a router . periodically , when the router gets new routing updates from other routers , the router may rebuild its forwarding table to add or delete some prefixes ( 5 ). our invention relates to a novel method of preprocessing prefixes in ( 5 ) in order to make the lookup ( 2 ) an order of magnitude faster . we now describe this . fig1 shows the organization of the controlled expansion approach to providing faster longest matching prefix lookups . this includes both the step of table building ( 5 in fig1 ) and the step of address lookup ( 2 fig1 ). we start with a set of prefixes that the router receives from routing updates . any standard textbook on routing ( e . g ., interconnections , bridges and routers by radia perlman , addison - wesley , 1992 ) describes how routers receive information about prefixes from each other . next , we ( 1 in fig1 ) apply the controlled expansion technique described , supra . this results in a set of prefixes with fewer distinct lengths . next , in the generic embodiment , we can use any longest matching technique that benefits from the lower number of prefix lengths . the generic method must first build a table ( done by the router when new updates are received ) and then actually do lookups when messages are received . our preferred embodiment ( 2 , 3 ) is to build a trie ( 2 ) and to do a fast trie search with pointer hoisting ( 3 ). we describe these two aspects in more detail after describing controlled expansion . we also can apply our technique to other embodiments such as hashing , as is well known and require no changes beyond what is known in the prior art ( once controlled expansion of the present invention is applied ). we now describe the steps in the invention in more detail , starting with controlled expansion and then describing the trie build and lookup algorithms . we first describe how to expand a set of prefixes of arbitrary lengths into prefixes that are multiples of a specified stride length x . in general , as we will see later , we can expand an arbitrary prefix to a set of prefixes whose lengths belong to a preselected set of lengths . however , for simplicity , the initial description will describe expansion for the special case when the preselected lengths are multiples of a fixed stride length . we first choose the preselected lengths to minimize time and storage . for example , the smaller the number of preselected lengths the smaller the search time . thus we might preselect prefix lengths that are multiples of 8 ( 8 , 16 , 24 , 32 ) which can reduce the number of memory reads to 4 . we could also choose multiples of 16 ( e . g ., 16 , 32 ) to reduce the number of reads to 2 but that can increase the storage requirements by greatly increasing the number of expanded prefixes . a compromise is to use larger stride lengths initially and then smaller stride lengths . for example using the prespecified stride lengths 16 , 24 , 32 allows only 3 reads to memory and has reasonable storage needs . we assume in what follows that a router chooses the preselected stride lengths based on balancing storage and time requirements . the choice can be made either once by the software or periodically based on changing router needs . once the preselected prefix lengths are chosen , controlled expansion of prefixes is done using the data structure called table shown in fig1 . the algorithm starts with a list of ( prefix , link ) pairs ( see for example the database shown in fig5 and a stride length of x and outputs a list of equivalents ( prefix , link ) pairs except that all prefix lengths are multiples of the stride length x . the flow chart for this algorithm is shown in fig1 . it starts ( 1 ) by placing all the original ( prefix , link ) pairs in the table according to the length of a prefix . if prefix has length l , then the ( prefix , link ) pair is placed in a list that is pointed to by position l of the table . essentially , we have sorted the prefixes by length . the main loop of the algorithm scans the positions in the table starting with length 0 and working up to the maximum prefix length ( i . e ., we scan the array in fig1 from left to right ). the 0 length prefix corresponds to a default route that is sometimes used . each array position that is a multiple of x can be left untouched . any array position that is not a multiple of x must be expanded . instead of doing the complete expansion , we simply expand all l length prefixes to two prefixes of length l + 1 . if these expanded prefixes already exist ( capture ), then we do nothing ; otherwise , we place them in the list corresponding to l + 1 . we do this for each element of the list until the list is exhausted . finally , we move on to the next position in the table . in fig1 , the main loop begins ( 2 ) with setting currentlength equal to 0 , where currentlength represents the current position in the scan through table . next , ( 3 ) we check whether currentlength is a multiple of the stridelength . if so , we go to ( 10 ) where we increment currentlength and then check whether the main loop should continue ( 11 ). if currentlength is not a multiple of the stridelength , we process the elements in the list currentlength . if the list in position currentlength is empty ( 4 ), we can go directly to ( 10 ). if not , we go to ( 5 ), where we begin the controlled expansion of the head of the list , say ( p , l ). in ( 6 ), we expand p into two prefixes p0 and p1 . in ( 7 ), we check whether p0 is already captured in the next higher position list ; if not , we add it to the next higher position list . in ( 8 ), we do the same controlled expansion for p1 . finally , in ( 9 ), we delete ( p , l ) from the currentlength list and then return to process any more possible members of the same list in ( 4 ). finally , we terminate the main loop ( 11 ) where currentlength reaches the maximum prefix length ( e . g ., 32 for ipv4 ). at this point , the only prefixes left in the table are multiples of the stride length , and can be read off from table by scanning through the positions and reading the ( prefix , link ) pairs from any non - empty lists . this algorithm can easily be adapted to arbitrary stride positions ( instead of just multiples of x ) by changing ( 3 ) to check whether currentlength is equal to one of the specified stride lengths . thus we can easily adapt the algorithm to handle a variable size stride ( e . g ., 16 , 24 , 32 is a useful set of stride positions for ipv4 that allows exactly 3 memory accesses ). incremental expansion : if a single new prefix is added or deleted , then a less expensive algorithm can be used to incrementally compute the changes to the controlled expansion . suppose a prefix p is added or deleted and p has length l and l is greater than ix and less than or equal to ( i + 1 ) x , for some multiple i of the stride length x . then only prefixes in the original set of prefixes that have lengths that also lie between ix and ( i + 1 ) x are affected by this change . ( some of these original prefixes could , for example , be captured earlier by the addition of a new prefix .) in a nutshell the incremental algorithm basically expands again all original prefixes that lie in this range . this results in a new set of prefixes of length ( i + 1 )· x . we now compare this with the old set of prefixes of length ( i + 1 )· x that existed before p was added ( or deleted ). then when we go to step 2 in fig1 , only these changed prefixes need to be incorporated into the new table . these flow charts may be readily used by one of ordinary programming skill to program any processor of any router in any suitable language . we have described how controlled expansion ( either of the full table or the incremental version ) can result in a new set of prefixes to be added or deleted to whatever data structure we choose to do address lookups . we now describe how table building and address lookup are done for our preferred embodiment using tries . adding ( or deleting ) a new prefix p from a trie is a standard operation that is well documented in the prior art ( see knuth , the art of computer programming , for example ). the basic idea for insertion is to do a search in the trie for the new prefix ( fig1 ) p and find the first node x at which this search fails . we then add a path of trie nodes ( dotted lines in fig1 ) that lead to the new prefix . deletion is conceptually the reverse task , where we find the last branching node x and then delete the dotted portion . we omit details because this is available in the prior art . the only difference between our trie and a standard trie is that our trie ( see fig1 ) has all prefixes hoisted to be stored along with the pointer that leads to the node corresponding to the prefix . we also have two fields associated with each position of every trie node , the pointer and bestprefix fields ( fig1 ). insertion into our modified trie can easily be done by first doing the standard algorithm for insertion resulting in some final node n corresponding to p . suppose field pointer [ j ] in some node m points to node n . we then hoist the prefix p upwards to be stored in bestprefix [ j ] of node m . we can then delete node n and set pointer [ j ] to nil . it should be clear that an actual implementation would not create note n only to delete it immediately : we describe it this way for brevity . fig1 shows the database in fig1 after the addition of the new prefix p7 = 101010 with corresponding output link l3 . notice first that p7 is already a multiple of the stride length ( we assume in this example that the stride length is 3 ) and so there is no need for controlled expansion . we search from the root of the trie for the new prefix p7 = 101010 and fail in the second trie node . we then update the bestprefix field corresponding to entry 010 of the second node and we are done . this is shown in fig1 . once we expand all prefixes to the stride length , we can use any best matching prefix algorithm that can benefit from the higher stride length . we have described two such algorithms , the hashing scheme and the trie scheme . we now describe the trie scheme . fig1 describes the trie data structure . as discussed earlier each trie node is a table with 2 x positions corresponding to all combinations of x bits . each trie node has a path that leads from the root of the trie node to it . position j of the trie node has two fields : the first is called pointer [ j ] and points to trie nodes that are children of this node . the bestprefix [ j ] field stores the value of any prefix that would have been stored at the node ( if any ) pointed to by pointer [ j ]. the algorithm for best matching prefix code is shown in fig2 . we start ( 1 ) by reading the address and ( 2 ) stride length . next , we initialize ( 3 ) a variable currentnode ( which keeps track of the current node in the trie that we have reached in the search ) to the root of the trie . we also initialized ( 3 ) a variable called bestprefixseen to nil . this variable keeps track of the best matching prefix we have seen so far in our search . in ( 4 ), we start the main loop by extracting the next x bits of the address ( whose value is say j ). we then ( 5 ) use this to index into position j of currentnode ( see fig1 ). if this position has a bestprefix field that is not equal to nil , we update bestprefixseen to this value ( 6 , 7 ). finally , if pointer [ j ] is not equal to nil , we continue the main loop by returning to ( 4 ). otherwise , we terminate and return bestprefixseen as the best matching prefix of the address we input . the benefits of controlled expansion to reduce prefix lengths can easily be seen from this algorithm . if we expand ipv4 addresses to be lengths that are 16 , 24 , and 32 , we only have 3 reads to memory for doing trie search to an arbitrary length routing database . even if we have a million entries , we only take 3 reads to memory . with memory speeds in the order of 60 nsec , this implies a search time of 180 nsec , an order of magnitude faster than current implementation that take over 1 μsec for much smaller table sizes . the memory needs of our invention are also reasonable . aside from a root node with 64k positions , all other trie nodes use only 256 positions . the memory needs are extremely feasible given the cheapness of modern memory . our preferred embodiment is a trie . there are a number of variants of the basic trie scheme described hereto which this invention applies . for example , the berkeley unix implementation keith sklower . a tree - based routing table for berkeley unix . technical report , university of california , berkeley applies a simple optimization to remove any path of trie nodes that have exactly one pointer each . it does so by using a skip count . this optimization reduces storage needs for the trie . our controlled expansion algorithm remains exactly the same but our lookup and trie building algorithms would change slightly to incorporate this new idea . an alternative to skip counts ( which results in faster search times ) is to replace any path of trie nodes that have exactly one pointer each with a text string corresponding to the path . this idea is called path compression and is described in an earlier patent application h . wilkinson , g . varghese and n . poole , compressed prefix matching database searching , u . s . patent application ser . no . 07 / 378 , 718 december 89 . issued in australia as patent 620994 . once again , our controlled expansion scheme remains unchanged but the lookup and trie building algorithms need to be modified very slightly . finally , we note that our scheme can also be used to improve the performance of schemes that rely on multiple exact matches , either done in sequence or done in parallel ( e . g ., anthony j . bloomfeld n . j . mcauley , paul f . lake hopatcong n . j . tsuchiya , and daniel v . rockaway township morris county n . j . wilson . fast multilevel hierarchical routing table using content - addressable memory . u . s . patent ser . no . 034444 . assignee bell communications research inc . livingston n . j ., january , 1995 ]). in the sequential case , our scheme improves search time by reducing the number of distinct prefix lengths and hence reducing the number of sequential searches . in the parallel case ( e . g ., anthony j . bloomfeld n . j . mcauley , paul f . lake hopatcong n . j . tsuchiya , and daniel v . rockaway township morris county n . j . wilson . fast multilevel hierarchical routing table using content - addressable memory . u . s . patent ser . no . 034444 . assignee bell communications research inc . livingston n . j ., january , 1995 ]), we reduce the number of content addressable memories . the present invention has been described in terms of a method and apparatus for implementing the controlled expansion of arbitrary length prefixes into defined length prefixes which may be matched by searching through lookup tables with multiple digits of address data defined as a stride to reduce the lookup time for prefix routing information . these methods are readily implemented in software by ordinary programming techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art using the present disclosure including the flow chart and explanatory text as a guide . alternatively , the logic may be &# 34 ; hard wired &# 34 ;, constructed into a custom chip set , or used in a mixed hardware / software environment such as in programmable chip sets . the present invention in its elegant simplicity may be readily adapted to virtually many routing environment as would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art . while the present invention has been described by reference to a specific embodiment , it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims .	7
the apparatus described by way of example comprises a support 1 , comprising of two side panels 2 , 3 , which are generally vertical , connected together by two small vertical end plates 4 , 5 . the assembly thus defines a vertical passage , of rectangular general shape . a horizontal rotor shaft 6 , mounted in rotation on bearings 7 , 8 , which are carried by the end plates 4 , 5 , extends inside this passage . one of the end plates 5 also carries a motor 9 for driving the rotor . one of the side panels 3 has a vertical surface facing the rotor , while the other panel 2 includes an inclined upper part 10 , which gives a hopper shape to the internal passage of the support . a pivot 12 , parallel to the axis of the rotor 6 , is mounted in holes provided in the end plates 4 , 5 . only one of these holes , 12a , is shown in fig1 . the pivot 12 can slide through these holes , with a view to removal . it is situated toward the lower part of the side panel 2 , below the inclined part 10 , without projecting into the internal passage of the support . provision may be made for the pivot 12 to be blocked in rotation on its axis , or to be able to pivot on itself . the rotor 6 carries a series of knives 13 , which are made as a thick plate , cut into a general s - shape , with two active faces whose concavity is turned toward the front in the direction of rotation symbolically represented by the arrow 14 . the end of each active face constitutes a tooth pointing forward . fig4 shows a variant in which the active face of the rotor 13 has a plurality of teeth 13a . the knives are mounted on the rotor , which passes through them in their central part , without possible rotation relative to the rotor . for this purpose , as represented in fig2 the rotor has a hexagonal cross section , as does the central bore of the knife . this allows the use of identical knives , offset with respect to one another by one sixth of a turn . clearly , a shape , for example splined , may be given to the rotor , and a corresponding shape to the bore of the knives . the backing knives 15 are interposed between the knives 13 . each backing knife 15 comprises mainly of a plate of triangular general shape . it will be observed that , in the example described , the knives and the backing knives comprise plates with edges parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the rotor . this arrangement , which makes them easier to obtain , is not essential , and it is contemplated , for example , for the knives to decrease in thickness when moving away from the axis of the rotor , or vice versa , and for the backing knives to have a cross section designed to keep the axial gap between a knife and the adjacent backing knife constant . the active face 16 of the backing knife has a concavity which is turned upward and toward the axis of the rotor . it includes teeth 17 , the shape of which is not given precisely , because it depends closely on the nature of the objects to be processed . it will , however , be observed that these teeth advantageously have a side turned away from the direction of rotation 14 of the rotor , and which makes , with the direction of the objects which will strike it , an angle close to 90 °, while the opposite side of each tooth is , conversely , close to a parallel to the path of the objects moved by the knives 13 . a second side 18 of each triangular plate constituting a backing knife 15 carries a sleeve 19 pointing parallel to the axis of the rotor , and which is passed through by the fixed pivot 12 , while allowing pivoting of the backing knife about this shaft . the linkage between the sleeve 19 and the backing knife 15 is provided by two braced plates 20 , parallel to the plate 15 , solidly attached thereto and offset with respect thereto in the axial direction . at rest , the backing knife extends from the vicinity of the lower edge of the inclined part 10 of the side panel 2 to the vicinity of the rotor 6 . it moves slightly away from the latter under the thrust of an object to be broken . the thickness of the plates 20 , and / or the length of the sleeves 19 are calculated to ensure the desired separation between two adjacent backing knives . this separation is equal to the thickness of a knife 13 plus twice the intended axial clearance between a knife and the adjacent backing knife . it will be noted that bracing sleeves 19a are provided , in a similar manner , between the knives 13 , in order to establish between them a spacing equal to the thickness of a backing knife plus twice the value of the intended axial clearance . the thickness of the knives and the backing knives , as well as the axial clearances , and therefore the separation between the successive knives and backing knives can be adapted as a function of the nature of the material of the objects to be ground , as well as the shape , the dimensions and the particle size , both of these objects and of the products which it is desired to obtain . the plates 20 also carry an arm 21 , which extends upward parallel to the side 18 , the extension of which passes substantially through the axis of the pivot 12 . the arm 21 carries a stop 22 , perpendicular to the arm 21 , and the axis of which is in the plane of the backing knife 15 . this stop 22 penetrates into a closed - bottomed collar 23 , which is fixed onto the inclined part 10 of the side panel 2 . an elastomer mass 24 is interposed between the stop 22 and a bearing plate 25 situated in the vicinity of the bottom of the collar 23 . a set screw 26 makes it possible to separate the bearing plate 25 from the bottom of the collar to a greater or lesser extent . in a variant , the set screw 26 is mounted in the arm 21 , to act on the stop 22 . this arrangement allows easier access to the screw 21 . furthermore , the bearing plate 25 may then be eliminated , the elastomer mass 22 then bearing against the bottom of the collar 23 . it is seen that a force exerted on the backing knife and resulting from the thrust of an object moved in the direction of the arrow 14 by a knife 13 tends to pivot the backing knife about the pivot 12 , and consequently to crush the elastomer mass 24 . the latter then develops a return torque , and the successive impacts of the objects to be processed on the backing knife set the latter in a state of vibrational oscillations which is then damped . by actuating the set screw 26 , it is possible to vary the amplitude of the oscillations . the frequency thereof can be modified , at equal amplitude , by changing the elastomer mass 24 . a stop 27 limits the amplitude of the pivoting in the opposite direction of the backing knife , it prevents the latter from coming into contact with the rotor and defines its normal position . it will be noted that it is possible to replace the elastomer mass 24 by one or more springs , for example a stack of belleville washers . according to a variant illustrated in fig3 the arm 21 carries a projection 30 , forming a piston , which penetrates into a cylinder 31 , connected to a vibrational source 32 of pressurized fluid , such as oil , and to a gas pressure accumulator 33 . the fluid keeps the backing knife in the state of forced oscillations , while , when an object to be broken pivots the backing knife on the pivot 12 , the presence of the accumulator 33 makes the cylinder 31 act as an elastic return member . an individual accumulator is provided for each backing knife , so that each of them is subjected to an individual oscillatory regime . it will be observed , on this subject , that u . s . pat . no . 4 , 917 , 310 provides no specific accumulator for each backing knife . in the arrangement represented , the return means 20 to 26 , 30 , 31 are in front of the pivot 12 , in the direction of rotation of the rotor 13 , indicated by the arrow 14 . a person skilled in the art will understand that other arrangements are possible . it is sufficient for the return means to be arranged so as to oppose pivoting of the backing knife resulting from the passage of an object to be ground . 1 the center of gravity g of the knife holder 15 is at the smallest possible distance from the pivot 12 , considering the fact that this pivot must be outside the volume swept by the knives 13 of the rotor . the plane containing the axes of the pivot 12 and of the rotor 6 , which is symbolically represented by the line a -- a in fig2 passes approximately through the middle of the active surface 16 of the backing knife . these two features combine to produce a very solid assembly , of equal weight , with a smaller inertia in the case of forced oscillation being imposed , and by virtue of which the moments of the torques created by friction and impacts caused by the objects to be broken are best balanced . if it is desired to replace a backing knife with another one , it is sufficient to slide the pivot 12 through the hole 12a of the plate 4 , for example by introducing a temporary holding rod into the corresponding hole in the plate 5 . when the end of the pivot 12 has just passed the backing knife which it is desired to replace , it is sufficient to move the temporary holding rod back by a length corresponding to the length of the sleeve 19 or to the distance between the outer faces of the plates 20 . the backing knife is then freed and can be replaced . clearly , it is also possible to slide the pivot 12 through the hole in the plate 5 . it has been observed that , with the apparatus which has just been described , when an object cannot be broken , if the rotor is turned in the opposite direction approximately through only a quarter turn , before resuming the normal rotation , correct breaking is very frequently obtained . this is attributed to the fact that , because of the vibration of the backing knives , the object which is difficult to grind comes , after this maneuver , into contact with a backing knife in a different arrangement , which is sufficient to obtain good cutting . this thus avoids rejection of the unground object by a larger rotation in the opposite direction , as is done in the prior art . this therefore simultaneously avoids loss of time and rejection of unusable unground products . experience has shown that , compared with a conventional crusher of the type described in french 2 , 254 , 371 , the hourly throughput , with an apparatus of the type described here , is multiplied by 2 to 3 . in addition , the particle sizes obtained are much more homogeneous , which facilitates the recycling , or indeed makes it possible in the case where an excessively high dispersion of the sizes might make it economically unacceptable with the apparatuses of the prior art .	1
fig1 illustrates one embodiment of the window system 100 . preferably , the window system 100 comprises at least a window frame 200 , an upper sash 300 , a lower sash 400 , and a tilt pivot assembly 500 ( shown in fig2 ). the upper sash 300 and the lower sash 400 are generally contained within the window frame 200 . window frame 200 may be attached to a wall of a building or other structure by means that are well known in the art . with reference to fig2 which is an enlarged view of section a from fig1 the tilt pivot assembly 500 is preferably operatively associated with the upper sash 300 . the weatherstripping assembly 220 operatively engages with the tilt pivot assembly 500 . in a preferred embodiment , the weatherstripping assembly forms an upper sash track 222 which restrains the tilt pivot assembly 500 to moving in a vertical direction upon removal of retaining screw 523 , as described in more detail below . the tilt pivot assembly 500 may comprise a tilt pivot pin assembly 520 , and a tilt pivot shoe assembly 510 , as described in more detail below . fig3 is an exploded view of section a from fig1 . window jamb 210 preferably includes an inside tilt stop 212 and a blind stop 214 . stops 212 and 214 preferably have retaining fins 213 and 215 , respectively , for securing the weatherstripping assembly 220 to the window frame 200 . in use , weatherstripping assembly 220 may form a weather - tight seal between the upper sash 300 and the window frame 200 . weatherstripping assembly 220 may optionally house the tilt pivot shoe bracket 511 and the upper spring 236 . the upper spring 236 is preferably attached to the pivot shoe bracket 511 , which in turn operatively engages the tilt pivot pin assembly 520 . because the tilt pivot pin assembly 520 is operatively attached to the upper sash 300 in a preferred embodiment , the upper spring 236 and pivot shoe bracket 511 may serve as a balance assembly for the upper sash 300 , as is well known in the art . as best seen in fig9 in conjunction with fig3 the tilt pivot pin assembly 520 may include a pivot pin base plate 527 which attaches to a side of a lower rail 303 of the top sash 300 . assembly 520 also includes a pivot pin support fin 525 formed integrally with the pivot pin base plate 527 . support fin 525 is adapted to extend along the bottom of the lower rail 303 of the top sash 300 . additionally , the tilt pivot pin assembly 520 may include a cylindrical engaging element 524 extending from an opposite side of the pivot pin base plate 527 with respect to the pivot pin support fin 525 . engaging element 524 preferably has an engaging element hole 526 , and a retaining screw 523 ( fig3 ) which is removably inserted through the engaging element hole 526 . in use , the retaining screw 523 is preferably secured through the weatherstripping assembly 220 , and into the window jamb 210 . fig1 and 11 illustrate a preferred form of the tilt pivot shoe assembly 510 . the tilt pivot shoe assembly 510 may include a pivot shoe bracket 511 , a first and second bracket strut 514 and 515 , and a first and second engaging element retaining fin 512 and 513 , respectively . the tilt pivot shoe assembly 510 preferably has a generally u - shaped configuration . the first retaining fin 512 may additionally have a spring notch 517 , a spring notch support flange 518 , and a spring notch base plate 519 for connecting the tilt pivot shoe bracket 511 to the upper sash spring 236 ( fig3 ). referring again to fig3 in use the cylindrical engaging element 524 operatively engages the pivot shoe bracket 511 . retaining screw 523 may be secured through the engaging element hole 526 ( fig9 ) and secured to the window jamb 210 through the weatherstripping assembly 220 . a series of retaining screw retaining holes ( not shown ) can also be used to allow the position of a sash to be indexed to any desired location . the retaining screw retaining hole can be reinforced to withstand repeated insertions and extractions of the retaining screw 523 . instead of using a retaining screw 523 , any suitable method of operatively engaging the cylindrical engaging element 524 to the window frame 200 can be used . for example , the engaging element could be provided with extendible guide pins or any other retractable pins . although the preferred embodiment is shown as having cylindrical engaging elements 523 with retaining screws 524 only on the upper sash , the invention is not limited to this configuration , as the tilt pivot assembly 500 could be applied to both the upper and lower sashes . additionally , this invention could utilize removable guide pins instead of retaining screws 523 . such a configuration would enable , for example , use of readily removable guide pins in conjunction with modified retaining screws . the modified retaining screws could have non - standard exposed faces , requiring a key tool such as an allen wrench to insert or extract them . for example , if the objective is to provide an open sash for ventilation while maintaining a secure environment , a designer could select modified retaining screws for the externally exposed engaging elements and utilize readily adjustable extendible guide pins on an engaging element that is not accessible from outside the premises . such a configuration would allow for ventilation and security , and could be configured to satisfy various egress building code requirements . when the retaining screw 523 is not utilized , the tilt pivot shoe assembly 510 may be used as a balance in conjunction with upper sash spring 236 , as is well known in the art . the weatherstripping 220 preferably serves as a balance housing for the upper sash 300 and the lower sash 400 . the weatherstripping 220 may have two main structural elements , an upper sash weatherstripping assembly 221 and a lower sash weatherstripping assembly 225 . the upper and lower sash weatherstripping assemblies 221 and 225 generally have three sides , forming a substantially box u - shape . at the terminal points of the upper sash weatherstripping assembly 221 are the exterior and interior upper pivot shoe bracket retaining fins 223 and 224 , respectively ( fig3 ). the pivot shoe bracket retaining fins 223 , 224 retain the pivot shoe bracket 511 within the confines of the weatherstripping assembly 220 . with reference to fig4 the weatherstripping assembly 220 preferably has at least four different cross sections / regions on the upper sash track 222 . each of these different cross sections is depicted in fig5 - 8 . the upper sash 300 preferably can be translated vertically between a first and second position . the first position is the uppermost position of the upper sash 300 in the window frame 200 , defined by contact between the top rail of the upper sash 302 ( fig1 ) and the window frame 200 . the second position is the lowermost position of the upper sash 300 , defined by contact between the cylindrical engaging element 524 fixedly attached to the upper sash 300 and a stopping extrusion 233 ( fig8 ) integrally formed on the weatherstripping assembly 220 , as discussed in more detail below . a preferred embodiment of the first region , or the “ retaining ” region , is depicted in fig5 . this region preferably includes a retaining extrusion 231 . retaining extrusion 231 can operatively engage with the upper sash 300 to prevent pivoting of the upper sash 300 while any portion of the upper sash 300 is contiguous with , or , in other words , above the lowest portion of the retaining extrusion 231 . for example , the retaining extrusion 231 could fit within a channel along the side of the upper sash 300 . although the upper retaining mechanism is depicted as an extrusion in one embodiment , the use of any mechanism that will operatively retain the upper sash 300 in the weatherstripping assembly 220 in the upper portion of a window frame 200 is contemplated . for example , it is possible to use an extrusion attached to the upper sash 300 that can fit within a channel of the weatherstripping assembly 220 . a preferred embodiment of the second region , or the “ resistance ” region , is depicted in fig6 . at least in the resistance region , it is preferable to have a extrusion that prevents the upper sash 300 from rotating to the exterior of the building when a predetermined force is applied to the upper sash top rail 302 . in a preferred embodiment , the exterior sash retaining rail 234 extends along the entire vertical length of each side of the weatherstripping assembly 220 . the resistance region can have a resistance extrusion 232 which creates a frictional force opposing motion when force is applied to the upper sash top rail 302 in an inward direction . although a predetermined force will be sufficient to overcome the friction force of the resistance extrusion 232 , the upper sash 300 preferably will not rotate out of the window frame 200 without the application of a predetermined force . a preferred embodiment of the third region , or “ free ” region , is depicted in fig7 . the free region preferably has an upper sash track 222 free of extrusions . the cylindrical engaging element 524 of tilt pivot pin assembly 520 may be inserted into the gap between the interior and exterior pivot shoe bracket retaining fins 223 and 224 . a pivot shoe bracket 511 is preferably inserted into the upper sash track 222 and retained by the interior and exterior pivot shoe bracket retaining fins 223 and 224 . an upper sash spring 236 may be operatively connected between the pivot shoe bracket 511 and the top of weatherstripping assembly 220 . additionally , the cylindrical engaging element 524 may be operatively interconnected with the pivot shoe bracket 511 in order to provide a balance to the upper sash 300 , as is well known in the art . a preferred embodiment of the fourth region , or “ stopping ” region , is depicted in fig8 . the stopping region preferably has a stopping extrusion 233 that prevents the cylindrical engaging element 524 from translating below the top of the stopping extrusion 233 . the preferred embodiment enables removal of the upper sash 300 without the use of retaining pins on the upper rail 302 of the upper sash 300 . in the preferred embodiment , the lower sash 400 must be removed in order for the upper sash 300 to be removed . as stated previously , the exterior sash retaining rail 234 preferably prevents the upper sash 300 from rotating to the outside of the premises . while the upper sash 300 is in the first position , or upper position , the upper sash 300 is operatively engaged by the retaining extrusion 231 to prevent rotation of the upper sash 300 into a first rotation position . while the upper sash 300 is in the second position , or lower position , the lower sash top rail 402 preferably contacts the side rails of the upper sash to prevent rotation of the upper sash 300 into the first position . because the upper sash 300 preferably cannot rotate , the upper sash 300 cannot be removed while lower sash 400 is operatively engaged by the weatherstripping assembly 220 . referring now to fig1 and 4 , a preferred process of removing the upper sash 300 and the lower sash 400 from the window frame will be disclosed . first , the lower window sash 400 is removed . this process may involve the withdrawal of retaining pins also known as tilt latches ( not shown ) from the lower sash track 226 . the lower sash 400 can then be rotated inward while the lower engaging elements ( not shown ) are still operatively engaged by the weatherstripping assembly 220 . the lower sash 400 is preferably rotated approximately 90 degrees to a first rotation position . once in a first rotation position , the lower sash 400 can be rotated about a second axis of rotation . this second axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation , and it lies on the same plane as the lower sash 400 while the lower sash 400 is in the first rotation position . rotation about this second axis of rotation releases the lower sash 400 engaging elements ( not shown ) from the lower pivot shoe bracket 530 ( fig4 ). upon removal of the lower sash 400 , the upper sash 300 is preferably translated into the second or lowermost position , described previously . once in the second position , the upper portion of the upper sash 300 operatively engages the resistance extrusion 232 of the weatherstripping assembly 220 . then , upon application of a predetermined force at the upper portion of the upper sash 300 in an inward direction , the upper sash 300 may rotate about a first axis to a first rotation position . the first axis is defined by a line connecting the cylindrical engaging elements 524 on the left and right side of the bottom rail 303 of the upper sash 300 . the upper sash 300 is preferably rotated approximately 90 degrees to a first rotation position . once in a first rotation position , the upper sash 300 can be rotated about a second axis of rotation . this second axis of rotation is perpendicular to the first axis of rotation , and lies on the same plane as the upper sash 300 while the upper sash is in a first rotation position . rotation about the second axis of rotation preferably releases the cylindrical engaging elements 524 of the upper sash 300 from the pivot shoe brackets 511 . although the present invention has been described in relation to a preferred embodiment , it is understood that the disclosure is illustrative . the descriptions provided in the disclosure should not be construed to limit any aspect of the present invention . those skilled in the art will recognize additional embodiments and applications of the present invention . accordingly , the present invention is limited only to the extent of the following claims .	4
with reference to fig1 the in - line skate 1 represented herein includes a boot 2 associated to a frame 3 equipped with a plurality of wheels 30 arranged in an aligned configuration . a braking system 4 can be optionally associated to the skate . the boot 2 , which is the main object of the invention , includes of a shell base 5 whose function is to bring together the essential elements of the frame of the boot that ensure the reinforcement and the retention of the foot and the ankle . as for flexibility and comfort , these arc guaranteed by a liner or inner shoe 6 placed in the shell base 5 . fig2 shows the main parts of the liner 6 according to the invention . it includes the actual liner part and a pocket portion 60 attached thereto . the liner has a sole portion 61 connected to a flexible upper portion 62 extending from the toe 63 of the foot to the heel 64 , and rising laterally and towards the rear in the direction of the lower part of the leg . the upper is formed of a flexible outer envelope , made from a fabric or flexible synthetic material , and of an inner padding 68 . the pocket portion is connected to the flexible upper along a part of its periphery 65 via an appropriate connecting means , such as a stitching 66 . a remaining part of the pocket portion is left free and thus includes an opening 67 . one of the advantages of such a construction is the fact that the flexible parts ensuring the enveloping and the comfort are assembled on the liner and are therefore dissociated from the frame part , which is made separately and then easily assembled with the liner . with reference to fig3 through 5 , the boot of the invention is formed by a simple assembly of the shell base 5 and the liner 6 after such parts have been manufactured independently . the shell base has a collar portion 7 that ensures the lateral retention of the ankle and the lower part of the leg approximately from tie region of the malleoli . preferably , the collar portion extends the heel reinforcement portion 54 of the shell base in an integral manner . the term “ integral ” as used herein denotes that the shell base and the collar portion together from one piece , and are preferably obtained by the molding of a plastic material all in one piece , i . e ., a unitary piece of material . however , in some instances , provision can be made for the shell base to be constituted of several elements made separately and attached via connecting members that do not allow the a degree of freedom of movement , such as rivets or screws , for example ; this assembly is also considered , at least in terms of its results , as being “ integral ”. the shell base 5 includes a sole portion 50 , a toe reinforcement portion 51 , and lateral portions 52 for foot retention . all of these demarcate a longitudinal opening 53 having sufficient width for the passage of the liner 6 and an inner cavity to house the liner . the shell base must be low enough in the instep area and also perhaps be punched so as to promote the flexibility provided by the liner in the front / rear direction and the entry of air for good ventilation around the foot . however , the shell base must not be too low to form a cavity with sufficient volume necessary to retain and protect a substantial part of the liner . the shell base includes section reducing means 8 connecting the heel reinforcement portion 54 to the collar portion 7 so as to allow the collar to bend in at least one direction with respect to the heel reinforcement . preferably , these section reducing means are positioned such that they promote any bending of the collar in a substantially longitudinal or front / rear direction while the collar opposes a resistance to bending for a lateral retention of the ankle . as shown , these section reducing means are , for example , notches 80 or 81 arranged in the region of the achilles tendon , on the side between the collar portion and the shell base . however , in some circumstances , the favored bending direction can be substantially inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the boot . the collar portion 7 is substantially u - shaped along a horizontal plane , and its opening is oriented towards the front in the direction of the toe of the shell base . this configuration promotes a good rear and lateral enveloping of the ankle . it also provides a certain elastic resistance when the leg bends towards the rear which is required to inform the skater about his reference position and balance . on the other hand , it allows greater flexibility when the leg bends towards the front so as to promote a certain freedom of movement while skating . fig5 illustrates the assembly operation of the liner in the shell base . the collar portion 7 passes through the pocket portion 60 of the liner that has the opening 67 provided to this end . the positioning is all the easier because the collar portion is integral with the rest of the shell base ; this gives it a certain retention and stiffness during the enveloping process . preferably , the pocket portion is long enough to cover and hide the section reducing means . one of the advantages is that the collar portion associated lo the section reducing means can have different geometrical configurations without altering the external appearance of the boot . the pocket portion that covers the collar portion also makes the boot look like a flexible boot . the pocket connection also solves the connection problem between the collar and the flexible part of the boot , as can be the case in prior art documents . the pocket portion also forms a partial outer covering for the frame part , without a part of such covering being sandwiched between the mobile parts of the frame . therefore , there is no risk of altering the covering part by wear and tear , as was the case in known prior art documents . a sliding contact surface is retained between the covered collar portion and the inside of the pocket , without requiring any additional connection , such as sewing , gluing or other connections . another advantage lies in the possibility of making the liner detachable with respect to the shell base . thus , the liner can be replaced , if necessary , or it can simply be provisionally separated for repair or drying . the liner can be connected to the shell base by additional connecting members , such as screws , rivets , or other equivalent elements . in a preferred embodiment , the boot is attached to the frame by the same affixing members as those used to affix the sole 61 of the liner in the shell base . the pocket portion can be made of a flexible , traction - resistant and possibly stretchable material . this can be a fabric , leather , or a sheet of synthetic material . the pocket portion is substantially u - shaped and open towards the front . it extends transversely , in a continuous manner , from one lateral side to the other and to the rear of the liner . the pocket portion is basically formed of a pliable and flexible main portion 600 , and of an edge portion 601 that is more rigid and extends at least partially along the opening 67 . the advantage of such a construction is that it helps keep the pocket portion pressed against the collar portion and prevents the edges of the pocket portion from turning over . is also helps the assembly because it conserves the opening 67 and helps the sliding of the collar portion inside of the pocket portion . in the embodiment described , the pocket portion 60 extends from the top of the collar portion or upper part 70 to a zone 71 located above the sole 50 of the shell base in the heel reinforcement region . for reasons of durability , it is preferable to leave the reinforcement portion without any covering of the flexible part because its surface is more resistant to the abrasions , frictions , and impacts than the pocket portion which is made of a more flexible material and is therefore more sensitive to such assaults . the pocket portion has attachment elements 69 on the shell base . preferably , an adequate number of such elements are distributed along the rigid edge 601 . for example , these can be two in number , each located on one side of the shell base . preferably , they are selected from among detachable elements so as to promote the detachability of die flexible part , the liner with respect to the rigid part , the shell base . these elements could be , for example , clips , screws , staples , buckles , and / or hook and loop fasteners , such as velcro ™. it is not necessary to provide a connecting element along the entire periphery of the edge 601 , since the connection produced by the pocket is adequate in itself . the role of the connecting element is more of reducing the risk of the edge of the pocket portion from turning over and of keeping the edge pressed against the shell base . the shell base can have an edge portion 710 forming an abutment for the correct positioning of the pocket portion 60 and for promoting die continuity of the surfaces between the flexible parts and the rigid parts of tie boot for reasons of appearance , finishing quality , and durability . the lateral parts 52 of the shell base are extended , advantageously , via substantially rigid flaps 55 that border at least a portion of the longitudinal opening 53 . the flaps are equipped with tightening elements 85 that work to contract the opening and limit the volume of the cavity around the liner . the relatively rigid flaps also help to retain the front of the liner , near the instep , in the shell base cavity . their length and width can be variable depending on the requirements . preferably , they are integral with the rest of the shell base and , preferably , molded all in one piece , i . e ., unitarily , therewith . fig6 shows a constructional detail of the boot according to the invention . in particular , a flexible and pliable protective strip 56 forms , at least partially , the edges of the opening 53 and is attached along at least a portion of the shell base 5 . the strip 56 is relatively more flexible an the flaps 55 . preferably , the protective strip 56 can be used to line the inside of the flaps 55 . the protective strip 56 is extended longitudinally beyond the flaps and also bears the tightening elements 86 . 87 . its function is therefore to protect the liner from the direct supports of the rigid parts of the shell base , in particular the flaps 55 , during tightening . its role also includes providing comfort by avoiding hard spots on the liner . the strip 56 can be connected to the shell base via any appropriate connecting means , such as sewing , gluing , riveting , or any combination of such means . preferably , a flange 57 of the shell base is provided which borders the protective strip . the flange is thick enough in order for such flange to be flush with or slightly exceed the protective strip . the flange is used to protect the strip from abrasion . preferably , the protective strip is obtained from a traction resistant flexible material , such as a fabric , a flexible plastic sheet , leather , etc . the liner can also be equipped with tightening elements 88 in its top upper portion which act by tightening the upper part of the liner . this has the advantage of leaving the front of the top of the upper in a flexible and breathable material for better bending flexibility and good ventilation . all the tightening elements 85 , 86 , 87 , and 88 are used to fully tighten the boot about the foot and the lower part of the leg . the tightening of the instep is mainly done via the tightening elements borne by the shell base , whereas the tightening of the lower part of the leg , above the ankle , is done via the elements borne by the liner . such tightening elements can be return keepers , such as those represented , notched or self - gripping straps , hooks , buckles , etc . a tightening strap could also be added around the collar to ensure a better tightening of the ankle ( not represented ). fig7 illustrates a possible variation of the boot 2 of the invention , in which the proportion of the shell base 5 is reduced with respect to the proportion of the flexible liner 6 . the shell base has a sole 50 from which a heel reinforcement 54 extends . this assembly includes a cavity , open towards the front and acting as a receiving cradle for a flexible liner part . a collar 7 , shown in broken lines , extends the heel reinforcement , preferably all in one piece , as was the case previously . the collar is covered by a pocket portion 60 of the liner it is advantageous for the heel reinforcement to not be covered by the pocket portion of the liner so as to retain greater flexibility and better resistance to abrasion in the lower part of the boot . the pocket portion is attached on each side of the shell base via a respective attachment element 69 that keeps the outer flexible lining pressed against the collar . the shell base also has a toe reinforcement 51 that is affixed to the liner before assembly and that therefore constitutes an element separate from the rest of the shell base before assembly . the liner has a flexible upper portion 62 made of a pliable , breathable and relatively resistant material , having a substantial part , preferably front and lateral , is left free so as to promote the lightness and breathability of the boot . the liner is tightened on the foot via tightening elements 89 that are assembled on the side of the liner . a tightening buckle 91 for the lower part of the leg can be mounted usefully on the collar to ensure its closure . the assembly of the liner on the shell base is done via an inner sole , called the “ insole ” 90 ( represented in broken lines ). assembling the liner 6 on the insole 90 via assembly elements by forming a sub - assembly ; assembling such liner / sole sub - assembly on the shell base 5 via other assembly elements . the assembly elements can be selected from the group consisting of screws , glue , rivets , staples , and nails , for example . even though this may not be the best embodiment of the invention , one is obliged to envision , if necessary , a journal between the collar portion and the heel reinforcement portion . in such a case , the pocket portion will cover the journal from the outside so as to prevent any wear and tear problems and so as to hide this element , basically for a better retention of the liner with the shell base and also for reasons of appearance . the invention can be envisioned for some applications in other types of sport boots having rising uppers , for example , for hiking boots , snowboarding boots , or ski boots when a type of light , economical and relatively flexible boot construction is desired along while ensuring retention for the foot and the lower part of the leg . the invention is not restricted to the embodiment described hereinabove , but it encompasses numerous potential variations falling within the scope of the following claims . the instant application is based upon the french priority patent application no . 98 04343 , filed on apr . 3 , 1998 , the disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety , and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 usc 119 .	0
conventional prior art circuits provided to control the current through inductive loads use only two switches , the first one of which may take the form of a conventionally configured high or low side driver and the second one of which may take the form of a conventionally configured anti - parallel or free - wheeling diode coupled across the inductive load . the driver is controlled conductive to couple a source voltage across the inductive load and non - conductive to de - couple the source voltage from across the inductive load . conventional pulse width modulation of the driver may be employed to control the current through the inductive load to a commanded level and profile . these types of circuits produce a relatively slow decrease in load current , as shown in the fig3 illustration representative of load current 301 developed through an inductive load in response to a substantially sinusoidal current command 302 between zero and 20 ampere peaks of predetermined frequency . the current command is conventionally translated into a pulse width modulated signal applied to the first switch to pulse width modulate the application of the source voltage across the inductive load . for rising output currents , relatively good correspondence between commanded and actual load current may be achieved and the curves 301 and 302 essentially conform as illustrated . however , it is noted that decreasing load currents may exhibit significant divergence from the commanded currents due to the effects of the decay time constants of the inductive load . for faster decreasing load current response , a zener diode or an external resistor have been added in series with the second switch ( free - wheeling diode ). however , this disadvantageously creates dissipative losses when inductive currents free - wheel therethrough during periods when the inductive response characteristics are not a limiting factor in meeting the commanded current levels . referring now to the drawings in detail , numeral 10 generally indicates a control circuit for controlling the current through a single ended inductive load 12 . the control circuit 10 generates three voltage level signals across the load 12 to achieve fast and efficient control of the load current . the control circuit 10 is intended to be used with inductive loads that have one end tied to an input power source and a unipolar load current . while it is preferred that the negative ends of the source and load be directly coupled , similar concepts can be used when the positive ends of the source and load are directly coupled . referring to fig1 the control circuit 10 includes first , second and third electronic switches 14 , 16 , 18 , a subcircuit , a power source ( v batt ) 22 , drive circuitry 24 for controlling the switches 14 , 16 , 18 , and an inductive load 12 . the subcircuit includes a zener diode 20 and the second and third switches 16 , 18 . fig2 illustrates a control circuit 25 similar to that of fig1 but the zener diode 20 has been replaced by an external resistor ( r ext ) 26 . in both circuits , the first , second and third switches 14 , 16 , 18 can be metal - oxide semiconductor field - effect transistors ( mosfet ), insulated gate bipolar transistors ( igbt ), bipolar junction transistors ( bjt ) or any controllable switch with fast switching capability . the first , second and third switches 14 , 16 , 18 are connected in sequential series between positive and negative terminals of the power supply 22 . the second and third switches 16 , 18 are connected in series between positive and negative terminals of the inductive load 12 . the switch 14 is connected to provide positive voltage blocking capability when in the open or non - conductive state , while the third switch 18 is connected to provide negative voltage blocking capability in the open or non - conductive state . the second switch 16 may be passive as with a diode configured in the circuit with the cathode coupled to the negative side of the first switch 14 and the anode connected to the positive side of third switch 18 . alternatively , switch 16 may be a controlled switch with controllable conductive and non - conductive states . with either passive or controlled configurations , the switch 16 is connected to provide positive voltage blocking capability and negative voltage conductivity . the switches 14 , 18 are turned on and off in accordance with a command signal v cmd via the control and drive means 24 . various combinations of conduction states of the switches 14 , 16 , 18 allows three different voltage levels -- to wit positive , zero , and negative -- to be produced across the inductive load 12 . when the first switch 14 is conductive and the second switch 16 is non - conductive , the third switch 18 may be commanded conductive or non - conductive , and the output voltage v out across the inductive load 12 equals the power source voltage and the output current i out increases at an initial rate given by ( v batt - i out r )/ l . when the voltage drop across the load resistance ( r ) is negligible compared with v batt , the rate of increase of output current i out is v batt / l . in order to achieve a zero output voltage , the first switch 14 is controlled non - conductive , the third switch is controlled conductive , and the second switch 16 is passively or controlled conductive . this provides a recirculatory current path for the current flowing through the inductive element . with zero volts across the load 12 , the current will decrease exponentially with a time constant of l / r . however , when the first switch 14 is controlled non - conductive , the second switch 16 is conductive and the third switch 18 is controlled non - conductive , the load current will circulate through the zener diode 20 of fig1 or the external resistor 26 of fig2 . because the load current flows through the zener diode 20 or the resistor 26 , a negative voltage equal to the voltage drop across the zener diode ( v z ) or across the resistor ( v r ) is developed across the inductive load 12 . if the load resistance is negligibly small , the initial decrease rate of the load current is the zener diode voltage over the inductance ( v z / l ) for the circuit in fig1 . the time constant for the circuit in fig2 is the load inductance l over the sum of the load resistance r and the external resistance r ext , or ( l /( r + r ext )). thus , a faster decay of the load current is possible at a rate programmable by the inclusion of the zener diode 20 or by the external resistor 26 across the inductive load 12 . the command signal v cmd dictates the control of the switches and consequently the one of the three voltage levels across the inductive load . the control and drive means 24 provides appropriate signals to control the conductive states of the switches , including switch s2 in configurations wherein switch s2 is not a passive device . v cmd may represent an analog control signal or a digital control signal . similarly , control and drive means 24 may provide signals to control the switches by way of analog , digital , microcomputer , or alternative control . some general relationships among the various switch states are as follows . when switch s1 is conductive , switch s2 is non - conductive and vice - versa . when switch s2 is conductive , switch s3 may be conductive or non - conductive in accordance with the desired load voltage of zero or negative , respectively . the addition of a third switch in the configurations of the present invention allow the output voltage to be controlled to one of the power source voltage and zero for increasing or maintained currents , and to one of a negative voltage ( e . g . the reverse biased voltage across the zener diode (- v z ) or the voltage across the external resistor (- v r ) and zero for decreasing currents . output current controlled in accord with the present invention will more closely resemble the trace illustrated in fig4 in response to the same current command as previously described with respect to fig3 . by using three voltage levels to control the current through the inductive load as described , control of the load current is responsive , accurate , and highly efficient , as will become more apparent in connection with the descriptions which follow . fig5 shows a control circuit 32 illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention . the control circuit 32 includes three switches 14 , 16 , 18 configured as previously described . the first and third switches 14 , 18 are mosfet switches . the second switch 16 is a schottky diode . the positive side of a 12 volt battery 34 is connected to the drain 36 of the first switch 14 . the source 38 of the first switch 14 is connected to cathode side of the diode 16 . the anode side of the diode 16 is connected to source 42 of the third switch 18 . the drain 40 of the third switch 18 is connected to a common ground . a zener diode 20 is connected in parallel with the third switch 18 ; anode to source , cathode to drain . the breakdown voltage for the zener diode is chosen to be substantially 10 volts . for the specific implementation , the load resistor r equals 0 . 25 ohms , the inductor l equals 3 . 6 mh and the load current equals 20 amperes . the voltage across the inductive load 12 is controlled in accordance with a command signal v cmd . the command signal v cmd and a predetermined positive voltage reference signal v ref + are applied to a first comparator 44 via signal lines 46 , 48 , respectively . an output signal v s1 of the first comparator 44 is applied to a gate drive circuit 50 . the output signal of the gate drive circuit 50 is applied to the gate 52 of the first switch 14 . the gate drive circuit 50 isolates and steps up the voltage from the first comparator 44 in order to drive the first switch 14 between on / off states . the output signal v s1 of the first comparator 44 will be logically high when the command signal v cmd is higher than the reference signal v ref + . the command signal v cmd and a predetermined negative voltage reference signal v ref - are applied to a second comparator 54 via signal lines 56 , 58 , respectively . an output signal v s3 of the second comparator 54 is applied to a gate drive circuit 60 which is connected to the gate 62 of the third switch 18 to drive the switch 18 between on / off states . the gate drive circuit 60 isolates and steps up the voltage from the second comparator 54 in order to drive the third switch 18 . the output signal v s3 of the second comparator 54 will be logically low when the command signal v cmd is less than the reference signal v ref - . when command signal v cmd is greater than the reference signal v vef + , the output signal v s1 of the first comparator 44 is logically high and the output signal v s3 of the second comparator 54 is logically high . in this instance , the first switch 14 is conductive , and the third switch is commanded conductive . however , diode 16 is reverse biased thereby preventing any current flow therethrough . hence , a positive voltage is across the inductive load 12 the current flows therethrough . when the command signal v cmd is in between the reference signal v ref + and the reference signal v ref - , the output signal v s1 of the first comparator 44 is logically low and the output signal v s3 of the second comparator 54 is logically high . in this instance , the first switch 14 is non - conductive and the third switch 18 is commanded conductive . diode 16 is forward biased and the inductive load current circulates through the third and second switches and , therefore , the voltage across the inductive load 12 is substantially zero . when the command signal v cmd is less than the reference signal v ref - , the first switch 14 is non - conductive and the third switch 18 is non - conductive . in this instance , the load current will circulate through the zener diode 20 ( when the breakdown voltage threshold is reached ) and the second switch 16 , resulting in the voltage across the load 12 being substantially equal to the voltage across the zener diode 20 , thereby causing accelerated decay of the load current until the command signal v cmd is changed or the load current reaches zero . thus , the current through the inductive load 12 is effectively controlled in accordance with the conductive states of the three switches 14 , 16 , 18 and the zener diode 20 which in various controlled combinations provide three voltage levels across the load in response to specific command signals . a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by a control circuit 64 in fig6 . the control circuit 64 has three electronic switches similarly connected as the switches of the preferred embodiment illustrated in fig5 . the first and the third electronic switches 14 , 18 are mosfet transistors . the second switch 16 is a schottky diode . the first and third switches 14 , 18 are driven by first and second drive circuits 66 , 68 , respectively . drive circuits 66 , 68 provide gate control signals to first and third switches 14 , 18 in a manner similar to gate drive circuits 50 , 60 in accordance with a command signal ( not separately illustrated ) as described with respect to the embodiment of fig5 . in the description of the embodiments illustrated with respect to fig6 and 7 , commanding the third switch ( mosfet ) conductive is understood to mean driving the mosfet into a saturated , substantially zero source - to - drain voltage , condition ( i . e . shorted across drain and source ); and , commanding the third switch ( mosfet ) non - conductive is understood to mean providing a drive signal from the drive circuit which does not have the effect of driving the mosfet into a saturated , substantially zero source - to - drain voltage . as will become apparent from the following description , additional circuit elements may effectuate a biasing of the mosfet into a controlled conductive state , however , not into a saturated conductive state . resistors 70 and 72 isolate the drive circuit 68 from the gate 62 of the third switch 18 when it is commanded non - conductive . the zener diode 20 is connected at its anode to the gate 62 of the third switch 18 and at its cathode to the cathode 74 of the diode 76 . the anode 78 of the diode 76 is connected to the drain 40 of the third switch 18 . this configuration allows the third switch 18 to conduct with a negative source - to - drain voltage substantially equal to -( v z + v th + v d ); where v th is the source - to - gate threshold voltage , v d is the voltage drop across forward biased diode 76 , and v z is the breakdown voltage of zener diode 20 . the inductive current is decreased by directing the current through subcircuit 77 which includes the second switch 16 , third switch 18 , the diode 76 and the zener diode 20 . when the third switch 18 is commanded non - conductive it functions as a programmable zener diode with a breakdown voltage -- the drain - to - source voltage -- substantially equal to v z + v th + v d . the mosfet carries a vast majority of the inductive current at the drain - to - source voltage ; thus , zener diode 20 can be a low power device because it does not carry significant current . a third embodiment is illustrated by a control circuit 80 in fig7 . all three electronic switches 14 , 16 , 18 are mosfet transistors . using a mosfet transistor in place of a schottky diode for the second switch can significantly improve efficiency because the voltage drop across a mosfet transistor in the conductive state is much smaller than that across a forward biased diode . the first switch 14 is driven by the first drive circuit 66 and the second and third switches 16 &# 39 ;, 18 are driven by the second drive circuit 68 . resistors 70 and 72 isolate the drive circuit 68 from the gate 62 of the third switch 18 when it is commanded non - conductive . the anode 82 of the zener diode 20 is coupled to the gate 84 of the second switch 16 and to the gate 62 of the third switch 18 . the cathode 86 of the zener diode 20 is connected to the cathode 70 of the diode 76 , and the anode 78 of the diode 76 is connected to the drain 40 of the third switch 18 . this configuration allows the third switch 18 to conduct with a negative source - to - drain voltage substantially equal to -( v z + v th + v d ). the inductive current is decreased by directing the inductive current through a subcircuit 81 which includes the second and third switches 16 &# 39 ;, 18 , the zener diode 20 , and the forward biased diode 76 . when the third switch is commanded non - conductive it acts as a programmable zener diode with a breakdown voltage substantially equal to v z + v th + v d . the mosfet carries a vast majority of the inductive current at the drain - to - source voltage ; thus , zener diode 20 can be a low power device because it does not carry significant current . fig8 a through 8d illustrate alternative general arrangements for circuit elements in accord with the present invention . in all of the fig8 a through 8d , the switches labeled s1 through s3 correspond in function to the similarly labeled switches illustrated in the previous figures and previously described . similarly , the inductive element labeled 12 in the present fig8 a through 8d corresponds to such element as previously disclosed herein . the circuit element labeled 90 represents a circuit element , such as for example a zener diode or resistor , as previously described to effectuate a negative voltage across the inductive load terminals . fig9 illustrates an additional embodiment of the invention wherein a field effect transistor 91 is coupled across the terminals of the inductive element 12 . a variable gate voltage , v g , is used to control the drain to source resistance of the field effect transistor from a substantially open condition through a substantially closed condition . control of the effective resistance of a field effect transistor in such a manner is generally well known . such an arrangement advantageously displaces the need for a plurality of switches and voltage drop producing elements such as break down diodes or resistors and is almost infinitely variable in the effective resistance which may be controlled by application of the variable gate voltage . while the invention has been described by reference to certain illustrative embodiments , it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concepts described . accordingly it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments , but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims .	7
referring initially to fig1 there is shown an exploded view of a tag generally indicated at 19 . the tag 19 is shown to include a sheet 20t having pressure sensitive adhesive 21 and 22 on opposite faces thereof . a mask 23 in a spiral pattern covers a portion of the adhesive 21 and a release sheet 24t is releasably adhered to the adhesive 22 . the mask 23 renders the adhesive 21 which it covers non - tacky or substantially so . a conductor spiral indicated generally at 25 includes a spiral conductor 26 having a number of turns . the conductor 26 is of substantially the same width throughout its length except for a connector bar 27 at the outer end portion of the conductor spiral 26 . there is a sheet of dielectric 28t over and adhered to the conductor spiral 25 and the underlying sheet 20t by means of adhesive 29 . a conductor spiral generally indicated at 30 includes a spiral conductor 31 having a number of turns . the conductor 31 is adhered to adhesive 29 on the dielectric 28t . the conductor 31 is substantially the same width throughout its length except for a connector bar 32 at the outer end portion of the conductor spiral 30 . the conductor spirals 25 and 30 are generally aligned in face - to - face relationship except for portions 33 which are not face - to - face with the conductor 26 and except for portions 35 which are not face - to - face with the conductor 31 . a sheet 37t has a coating of a pressure sensitive adhesive 38 masked off in a spiral pattern 39 . the exposed adhesive 38 &# 39 ; is aligned with the conductor spiral 30 . adhesive is shown in fig1 by heavy stippling and the masking is shown in fig1 by light stippling with cross - hatching . the connector bars 27 and 32 are electrically connected , as for example by staking 90 . it should be noted that the staking 90 occurs where connector bars 27 and 32 are separated only by adhesive 29 . there is no paper , film or the like between tee connector bars 27 and 32 . accordingly , the staking disclosed in the present application is reliable . with reference to fig3 there is shown diagrammatically a method for making the tag 19 shown in fig1 and 2 . a roll 40 is shown to be comprised of a composite web 41 having a web 20 with a full - gum or continuous coatings of pressure sensitive adhesive 21 and 22 on opposite faces thereof . the web 20 is &# 34 ; double - faced &# 34 ; with adhesive . a release liner or web 42 is releasably adhered to the upper side of the web 20 by the pressure sensitive adhesive 21 , and the underside of the web 20 has a release liner or web 24 releasably adhered to the pressure sensitive adhesive 22 . as shown , the release liner 42 is delaminated from the web 20 to expose the adhesive 21 . the adhesive coated web 20 together with the release liner 24 pass partially about a sandpaper roll 43 and between a pattern roll 44 and a back - up roll 45 were mask patterns 23 are applied onto the adhesive 21 to provide longitudinally recurring adhesive patterns 21 &# 39 ;. masking material from a fountain 46 is applied to the pattern roll 44 . with reference to fig4 the portion marked a represents the portion of the web 20 immediately upstream of the pattern roll 44 . the portion marked b shows the mask patterns 23 printed by the roll 44 . the patterns 23 are represented by cross - hatching in fig4 . with reference to fig3 the web 20 now passes through a dryer 47 where the mask patterns 23 are dried or cured . the adhesive 21 is rendered non - tacky at the mask patterns 23 . a web 49 of planar , electrically conductive material such as copper or aluminum from a roll 48 is laminated onto th coated web 20 as they pass between laminating rolls 50 and 50 &# 39 ;. reference character c in fig4 denotes the line where lamination of the webs 20 and 49 occurs . with reference to fig3 the laminated webs 20 and 49 now pass between a cutting roll 51 having cutting blades 52 and a back - up roll 53 . the blades 52 cut completely through the conductive material web 49 but preferably do not cut into the web 20 . the lades 52 cut the web 49 into a plurality of series of patterns 25 and 30 best shown in the portion marked d in fig5 . with reference again to fig3 there is shown a roll 54 comprised of a composite web 55 having a web 37 with a full - gum or continuous coating of pressure sensitive adhesive 38 and a release liner 56 releasably adhered to the adhesive 38 on the web 37 . the release liner 56 is separated from the web 37 and the web 37 passes about a sandpaper roll 57 . from there the web 37 passes between a pattern roll 58 and a back - up roll 59 where mask patterns 39 are applied onto the adhesive 38 to render the adhesive 38 non - tacky at the mask patterns 39 to provide longitudinally recurring adhesive patterns 38 &# 39 ; ( fig1 ). masking material from a fountain 60 is applied to the pattern roll 58 . the masking material of which the patterns 23 and 39 are comprised is a commercially available printable adhesive deadener such as sold under the name &# 34 ; aqua super adhesive deadener by environmental inks &# 34 ; and coating corp , morganton n . c . from there the web 37 passes partially about a roll 61 and through a dryer 62 where the mask patterns 39 are dried or cured . the adhesive 38 is rendered non - tacky at the mask patterns 39 . from there the webs 20 , 49 and 37 pass between laminating rolls 63 and 64 . fig5 shows that lamination occurs along line e where the web 37 meets the web 49 . when thus laminated , each adhesive pattern 21 &# 39 ; registers only with an overlying conductor spiral 25 and each adhesive pattern 38 &# 39 ; registers only with an underlying conductor spiral 30 . the webs 20 , 37 and 49 pass successively partially about rolls 65 and 66 and from there the web 37 delaminates from the web 20 and passes partially about a roll 67 . at the place of delamination , the web 49 separates into two webs of conductor spirals 25 and 30 . as shown in fig6 delamination occurs along the line marked f . when delamination occurs , the conductor spirals 30 adhere to the adhesive patterns 38 &# 39 ; on the web 37 , and the conductor spirals 25 adhere to the adhesive patterns 21 &# 39 ; on the web 20 . thus , the conductor spirals 30 extend in one web and the spirals 25 extend in another web . the web 20 passes partially about rolls 68 , 69 and 70 and from there pass between an adhesive coating roll 71 and a back - up roll 72 . adhesive 29 from a fountain 73 is applied to the roll 71 which in turn applies a uniform or continuous coating of adhesive 29 to the web 20 and over conductive spirals 25 . the portion marked g in fig6 shows the portion of the web 20 and conductor spirals 25 between the spaced rolls 66 and 72 . the portion marked h shows the portion of the web 20 between the spaced rolls 72 and 74 . with reference to fig3 the web 20 passes through a dryer 75 where the adhesive 29 is dried . a plurality , specifically two laterally spaced dialectric webs 28a and 28b wound in rolls 76 and 77 are laminated to the web 20 as the webs 20 , 28a and 28b pass between the rolls 74 and 74 &# 39 ;. this laminating occurs along reference line i indicated in fig6 . with reference to fig3 the web 20 with the conductor spirals 25 and the dialectric webs 28a and 28b pass about rolls 78 an 79 and pass between an adhesive applicator roll 80 and a back - up roll 81 . the roll 80 applies adhesive 29 &# 39 ; received from a fountain 83 to the webs 28a and 28b and to the portions of the web 20 not covered thereby . from there , the webs 20 , 28a and 28b pass through a dryer 84 and partially about a roll 85 . the web 37 which had been separated from the web 20 is laminated at the nip of laminating rolls 86 and 87 along a line marked j in fig7 to provide a composite tag web generally indicated at 88 . the webs 20 , 28a , 28b and 37 are laminated between rolls 86 and 87 after the conductor spirals 30 have been shifted longitudinally with respect to the conductor spirals 25 so that each conductor spiral 30 is aligned or registered with an underlying conductor spiral 25 . the shifting can be equal to the pitch of one conductor spiral pattern as indicated at p ( fig9 ) plus the width w of one conductor , or by odd multiples of the pitch p plus the width w of one conductor . thus , each pair of conductor spirals 25 and 30 is capable of making a resonant circuit detectable by an appropriate article surveillance circuit . fig8 shows the web 20 and the web 37 rotated apart by 180 °. fig9 shows the web 20 and the web 37 rotated apart by 180 ° and as having been shifted with respect to each other so that the conductor spirals 25 and 30 are aligned . as best shown in fig1 , the dialectric 28a terminates short of stakes 90 resulting from the staking operation . by this arrangement the stakes 90 do not pass through the dielectric 28a ( or 28 ). fig1 shows the conductor spirals 25 and 30 substantially entirely overlapped or aligned with each other , except as indicated at 35 for the conductor spiral 25 and as indicated at 33 for the conductor spiral 30 . each circuit is completed by staking the conductor bars 27 and 32 to each other as indicated at 90 or by other suitable means . the staking 90 is performed by four spiked wheels 89 which make four stake lines 90 in the composite web 88 . the spiked wheels 89 pierce through the conductor bars 27 and 32 and thus bring the conductor bars 27 and 32 into electrically coupled relationship . the web composite 88 is slit into a plurality of narrow webs 91 and 92 by slitter knife 93 and excess material 94 is trimmed by slitter knives 95 . the webs 91 and 92 are next cut through up to but not into the release liner 24 by knives on a cutter roll 96 , unless it is desired to cut the tags t into separated tags in which event the web 88 is completely severed transversely . as shown , the webs 91 and 92 continue on and pass about respective rolls 97 and 98 and are wound into rolls 99 and 100 . as shown in fig7 the staking 90 takes place along a line marked k and the slitting takes place along a line marked l . the sheet 37t , the dialectric 28t , the sheet 20t and the sheet 24t are respectively provided by cutting the web 37 , the web 28a ( or 28b ), the web 20 and the web 24 . fig1 is essentially a duplicate of a portion of fig3 but a pair of coating and drying stations generally indicated at 111 and 112 where respective coatings 113 and 114 in the form of continuous stripes are printed and dried . the coating 113 is conductive and is applied directly onto the pressure sensitive adhesive 38 on the web 37 . the coatings 114 are wider than the respective coatings 113 which they cover to assure electrical isolation , as best shown in fig1 and 13 . the coatings 114 are composed of a normally non - conductive activatable material . the remainder of the process is the same as the process taught in connection with fig1 through 10 . with reference to fig1 and 15 , there is shown a fragment of the finished tag 37t &# 39 ; with the coatings 113 and 114 having been severed as the tag 37t &# 39 ; is severed from the tag web as indicated at 113t and 114t respectively . as shown the coating 113t is of constant width and thickness throughout its length and the coating 114t is of constant width and thickness but is wider than the coating 113t . the coating 113t which is conductive is thus electrically isolated from the conductor spiral 30 . the coatings 113t and 114t comprise an activatable connection ac which can be activated by subjecting the tag to a high level of energy above that for causing the resonant circuit to be detected at an interrogation zone . fig1 is essentially a duplicate of a portion of fig3 but a pair of webs 118 and 119 are adhered to the adhesive 38 on the web 37 . the webs 118 and 119 are wound onto spaced reels 120 and 121 . the webs 118 and 119 pass from the reels 120 and 121 partially about a roll 122 . the webs 118 and 119 are spaced apart from each other and from the side edges of the web 37 . the webs 118 and 119 are identical in construction , and each includes a thin layer of conductive material 123 such as copper or aluminum on a layer of paper 123 &# 39 ;, a high temperature , normally non - conductive , activatable , conductor - containing layer 124 , and a low temperature , normally non - conductive , activatable , conductor - containing layer 125 . the layers 124 and 125 contain conductors such as metal particles or encapsulated carbon . the layer 125 bonds readily when heated , so a drum heater 115 is positioned downstream of the roll 67 ( fig3 and 16 ) and upstream of the rolls 86 and 87 ( fig3 ). the heated circuits 30 , heat the layer 125 and a bond is formed between the circuits 30 and the layer 125 . rolls 116 and 117 ( fig1 ) guide the web 37 about the drum heater 115 . the heating of the layer 125 has some tendency to break down the normally non - conductive nature of the layer 125 , but this is not serious because the layer 124 is not broken down or activated by heat from the drum heater 115 . with reference to fig1 and 20 , there is shown a fragment of a finished tag 37t &# 34 ; with the webs 118 and 119 having been severed so as to be coextensive with the tag 37t &# 34 ; and is indicated at 118t . the web strip or stripe 118t includes the paper layer 123 &# 39 ;, the conductive layer or conductor 123 and the normally non - conductive layers 124 and 125 . the layers 123 , 124 and 125 are shown to be of the same width and comprise an activatable connection ac . both coatings 124 and 125 electrically isolate the conductor 123 form the conductor spiral 30 . in other respects the tag 37t &# 34 ; is identical to the tag 37t and is made by the same process as depicted for example in fig3 . the embodiment of fig2 is identical to the embodiment of fig1 through 20 except that instead of the webs 118 and 119 there are a pair of webs comprised of flat bands , one of which is shown in fig2 and is depicted at 118 &# 39 ;. the band 118 &# 39 ; is comprise of a web or band conductor 126 of a conductive material such as copper enclosed in a thin coating of a non - conductive material 127 . the band 118 &# 39 ; comprises an activatable connection ac . as seen in fig2 , the upper surface of the coating 127 electrically isolates the conductor 126 from the conductor spiral 30 . the band 118 &# 39 ; is processed according to one specific embodiment , by starting with coated motor winding wire , specification no . 8046 obtained from the belden company , geneva , ill . 60134 u . s . a . and having a diameter of about 0 . 004 inch with an insulating coating of about 0 . 0055 , flattening the wire between a pair of rolls into a thin band having a thickness of 0 . 0006 inch . thus processed , the insulating coating is weakened to a degree which breaks down when the resulting tag is subjected to a sufficiently high energy level signal . the coating 118 &# 39 ; is thus termed a &# 34 ; breakdown coating &# 34 ; because it acts as an insulator when the tag is subjected to an interrogation signal at a first energy level but no longer acts as an electrical insulator when subjected to a sufficiently higher energy level signal . the conductor 126 accordingly acts to short out the inductor 30 at the higher energy level signal . the embodiments depicted in fig1 through 20 and described in connection therewith enable the tag 37t &# 39 ; or 37t &# 34 ; to be detected in an interrogation zone when subjected to a radio frequency signal at or near the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit . by sufficiently increasing the energy level of the signal , the normally non - conductive coating 114 ( or 114t ), or 124 and 125 becomes conductive to alter the response of the resonant circuit . this is accomplished in a specific embodiment by using a normally non - conductive coating to provide an open short - circuit between different portions of the conductor spiral 30 . when the tag is subjected to a high level of energy , in the embodiments of fig1 through 15 , and 16 through 20 the normally non - conductive coating becomes conductive and shorts out the inductor . thus , the resonant circuit is no longer able to resonate at tee proper frequency and is unable to be detected by the receiver in the interrogation zone . while the illustrated embodiments disclose the activatable connection ac provided by an additional conductor as extending across all the turns of the conductor spiral 30 and by a normally non - conductive material or breakdown insulation electrically isolating the conductor from the conductor spiral 30 and also extending across all of the turns of the conductor spiral 30 , the invention is not to be considered limited thereby . by way of example , not limitation , examples of the various coatings are stated below : ______________________________________example 1 parts by weight______________________________________cellulose acetate ( c . a . ) powder ( e - 398 - 3 ) 60acetone 300mixing procedure : solvate c . a . powder inacetone with stirring . c . a / copper dispersion 15above c . a . solution ( 16 % t . s . ) copper 8620 powder 2 . 5mixing procedure : add copper powder toc . a . solution with adequate stirring toeffect a smooth metallic dispersion . example 2acrylvid b - 48n 30 ( 45 % in toluene ) acetone 20isopropanol 3above solution ( 25 % t . s .) 10copper 8620 powder 5mixing procedure : disperse copper powderinto b - 48n solution ( percent copper powderis 60 - 70 % on dry weight basis . ) ______________________________________ ______________________________________example 1 parts by weight______________________________________acryloid b - 67 acrylic 25 ( 45 % in naptha ) naptha 16silflake # 237 metal powder 42mixing procedure : add metal powder tosolvent and wet out . add solvated acrylicand stir well to disperse . mix or shakewell prior to use . ( 75 % to 85 % conductivemetal on dry weight basis . ) example 2acryloid nad - 10 10 ( 40 % in naptha ) silflake # 237 metal powder 20mixing procedure : add metal powder toacrylic dispersion with stirring . example 3s & amp ; v aqueous foil ink 5ofg 11525 ( 37 % t . s . ) silflake # 237 metal powder 8mixing procedure : add metal powder toaqueous dispersion slowly with adequateagitation to effect a smooth metallicdispersion . ______________________________________ ______________________________________example 1 parts by weight______________________________________acryloid nad - 10 dispersion 10 ( 30 % t . solids ) naptha 2copper 8620 copper powder 5mixing procedure : wet copper powder withnaptha and disperse completely . add nad - 10dispersion slowly with stirring . mix wellor shake before use . example 2polyester resin 28 ( k - 1979 ) ethanol 10isopropanol 10ethyl acetate 20above polyester solution 10copper 8620 powder 2 . 5mixing procedure : add copper powder topolyester solution while stirring to effecta smooth metallic dispersion . ( 48 % copper powder on dry basis ) ______________________________________ ______________________________________example 1cellulose acetate butyrate 40 ( c . a . b . )( 551 - 0 . 2 ) toluene 115ethyl alcohol 21above c . a . b . solution 10 ( 22 . 7 %) toluene 2copper 8620 copper powder 5mixing procedure : wet copper powder withsolvent and add c . a . b . solution withstirring . example 2acryloid b - 48n 30 ( 45 % in toluene ) acetone 20isopropanol 3above solution ( 25 % t . s .) 10copper 8620 copper powder 5 ( dry weight basis - copperis 60 - 70 % ) mixing procedure : add copper powder toabove solution with proper agitation toeffect a smooth metallic dispersion . ______________________________________ the materials used in the above examples are obtainable from the following suppliers : cellulose acetate e - 398 - 3 ) and cellulose acetate butyrate ( 551 - 0 . 2 ), eastman chemical products , inc ., kingsport , tenn . ; aqueous foil ink ofg 11525 , sinclair & amp ; valentine , st . paul , minn . fig2 through 25 depict an improved method over embodiment of fig1 through 15 , over the embodiment of fig1 through 20 , and over the embodiment of fig2 . the method of the embodiment of fig2 through 25 relates to the formation of longitudinally spaced deactivatable resonant circuits arranged in a web . the longitudinal spacing of the resonant circuits assures that electrostatic charge that can prematurely deactivate one resonant circuit in the web cannot arc longitudinally to the other resonant circuits in the web to cause their premature deactivation . where possible , the same reference character will be used in the embodiment of fig2 through 25 as in the embodiment of fig1 through 20 to designate components having the same general construction and function , but increased by 200 . it will be appreciated that reference is also made to fig3 and 6 . with reference initially to fig2 , web 249 of planar , electrically conductive material is cut in patterns of conductor spirals 400 and 401 . the cut patterns include lateral or transverse lines of complete severing 402 . the conductor spirals 400 and 401 are generally similar to the conductor spirals 25 and 30 , however , inspection of fig5 will indicate that all conductor spirals 25 and 30 are in very close proximity to each other in the longitudinal direction , being spaced only by knife cuts themselves . in addition , spirals 25 are connected to each other and spirals 30 are connected to each other . in contrast , in the embodiment of fig2 through 25 , only the conductor spirals 400 and 401 between adjacent lines of complete severing 402 are connected to each other . in the method of fig2 through 25 , reference may be had to fig3 which shows that the conductor spiral webs 20 and 37 are separated as they pass partly about roll 66 , thereafter dielectric material webs 28a and 28b are applied , the webs 20 and 37 are shifted longitudinally by the pitch of one conductor spiral 400 ( or 401 ) plus the width of one conductor , and thereafter the webs 20 and 37 ar re - laminated as they pass between rolls 86 and 87 . as is evident from fig2 , once the we of resonant circuits 401 is stripped away , the resultant web 220 has pairs of resonant circuits 401 that are longitudinally spaced apart . in like manner , the pairs of resonant circuits 400 in the stripped away web ( corresponding to the web 37 in fig3 ), are also spaced apart longitudinally . the method of the embodiment of fig2 through 25 , relates to production of deactivatable tags . the illustrated arrangement for deactivating the tags utilizes the arrangement taught in the embodiment of fig1 through 20 with the exception that the deactivator webs 318 and 319 ( corresponding to the deactivator webs 118 and 119 in fig1 for example ), are separated into longitudinally spaced deactivator strips or stripes 318 &# 39 ; and 319 &# 39 ;. the separation is accomplished in accordance with the specific embodiment shown in fig2 by punching out portions or holes 407 of the web 238 and the deactivator webs 318 and 319 . for this purpose , a diagrammatically illustrated rotary punch 403 and a rotary die 404 are used . the rotary punch 403 has punches 405 and the rotary die 404 has cooperating die holes 406 . the resultant holes 407 are wider than the spacing between the resonant circuits . the holes 407 are thus registered with the margins of the longitudinally spaced resonant circuits are shown in fig2 . thus , static electricity cannot arc between resonant circuits in a longitudinal direction and static electricity cannot arc between deactivator strips 318 &# 39 ; ( or 319 &# 39 ;). the invention of the embodiments of fig2 through 28 , and 29 and 30 has applicability in general to tags with resonant circuits with generally spaced but connected conductors . for example , the invention is useful in the embodiments of fig1 through 10 , 11 through 13 , 14 through 20 , 21 and 22 through 25 . the invention is not limited to applications involving a par of spiral conductors . it is useful for example in resonant circuits where at least one of the conducts is not a spiral . this type f a circuit is shown for example in u . s . pat . no . 3 , 913 , 219 . the invention is , however , illustrated with the structure according to the most preferred embodiment of fig2 through 25 . with reference initially to fig2 , there are illustrated several of the steps in the improved process . it is to be understood that other steps in the process are illustrated in other figures , for example fig3 and 16 . it is seen in fig3 that the roll 71 applies a coating of adhesive 29 fully across the web 24 and that the roll 80 applies a coating of adhesive 29 &# 39 ; fully across the dielectric webs 28a and 28b , but also fully across the exposed portions of the web 24 . this means that when the staking occurs as illustrated at 90 , the spiked wheels 89 are required to pass through adhesive and also that the spiral conductors are spaced by that adhesive except where the staking occurs . by a construction not shown , and with respect to the embodiments of fig2 through 28 , and 29 and 30 , the roll 29 is patterned so it will not apply adhesive to the web 24 except in the path of the dielectric webs 28a and 28b . roll 80 &# 39 ; is identical to the roll 80 except it is patterned to apply adhesive 29 &# 39 ; only to the upper sides of the dielectric webs 28a and 28b so that portions 24 ( 1 ), 24 ( 2 ) and 24 ( 3 ) of the web 24 are free of adhesive . from there the web 24 and associated webs 28a and 28b pass through a drier 84 and partly around a roll 85 . a fountain 500 has a roll 501 cooperating with a back - up roll 502 to deposit or print a welding material 503 onto the connector portions 400c of spiral conductors 400 in a predetermined repetitive pattern . it is preferred that two spaced spots of the welding material 503 be applied to each connector portion 400c . as shown , once the welding material 503 has been applied , the web 24 is laminated to the web 37 as they pass between rolls 504 and 505 . from there the combined webs 24 and 37 pass partially around and in contact with a drum heater 506 and from there partially about rolls 507 and 508 to slitters 93 and 95 . from there the tag web 89 can be acted upon by transverse cutter 96 and the resulting narrow webs rolled into portions 400 c and 401c to be welded to each other to make good electrical connection . the expression &# 34 ; welding &# 34 ; as used herein includes what is sometimes referred to as &# 34 ; soldering &# 34 ;. the heater 506 heats the welding material to the temperature where it fuses to the connector portions 400 and 401 to each other but below the temperature where the resonant circuit is degraded or where the activatable connection ac causes deactivation of th resonant circuit . by way of example , not limitation , the welding material fuses at 96 ° c . and the breakdown coating 114 for example breaks down at 103 ° c . the welding material is comprised of 80 % by weight of metal alloy and of 20 % by weight of flux and is designated bi 52 prmaa4 and sold by multicore solders inc ., cantiague rock road , westbury n . y . 11590 . the metal alloy contains 15 % tin , 33 % lead and 52 % bismuth . the 20 % by weight of flux comprises 10 . 3 % resin , 8 . 4 % glycol , 0 . 3 % activators and 1 . 0 % gelling agent . in an alternative embodiment , the tags can be made as illustrated for example in fig3 and 16 except instead of applying the welding material 503 , the connector portions 400c and 401c are connected by welding using localized heat to bring the temperature of the connector portions 400 and 401 to the melting point . the resulting weld is shown at 509 . this can be accomplished for example by a laser beam . laser guns 510 illustrated in fig2 are operated to effect the welds 509 . with reference to the embodiment of fig3 and 32 , fig3 shows a modification of fig3 in which a pair of spaced webs 600 and 601 of conductive material such as copper or aluminum are applied to the underside of the web 24 . the webs 600 and 601 serve a useful purpose in connection with deactivatable tags in helping prevent their premature deactivation . the webs 600 and 601 can have adhesive thereon . as the webs 600 and 601 pass between roll 43 and a back - up roll 602 the adhesive on the webs 600 and 601 adheres the webs 600 and 601 to the underside of the liner or web 24 . the web 24 is continuous and supports the webs 600 and 601 and is thus considered a support or supporting web for the webs 600 and 601 . the webs 600 and 601 can be delaminated from a release liner or carrier web 603 as the webs 600 and 601 are drawn from supply roll 604 . the webs 600 and 601 pass together with web 24 through the entire process and fig3 shows the underside of the completed tag web or composite tag web 88 &# 39 ;. as at least some of the guide rolls used in the process are metal and are electrically grounded , the webs 600 and 601 will prevent the deactivation of the circuits of the embodiments starting with fig1 . in addition , each of the narrow webs 91 and 92 resulting from slitting along centerline 605 will have either web 600 or web 601 adhered thereto so when the tags are printed upon in a properly grounded printer , the web 600 ( or 601 ) will drain off an electrostatic charge and will prevent the deactivator or activatable connection ac from deactivating the associated resonant circuit . the conductive webs 600 and 601 are effective to prevent a destructive electrostatic charge from simultaneously deactivating a multitude of resonant circuits which can result in the electrostatic charge is not dissipated . the embodiment of fig3 accomplishes the same purpose as the embodiment of fig3 and 32 except that conductive stripes or coatings 606 and 607 are applied to the underside of the web 24 by a roll 608 &# 39 ; which receives coating material form a fountain 608 . examples of conductive coatings are given above in i . b ., examples 1 , 2 and 3 and in ii . b ., examples 1 and 2 . dryers can be used to dry the coatings 606 and 607 if desired . in the embodiment of fig3 , a coating roll 609 , receiving coating material 610 from a suitable fountain , applies the coating 610 to the underside of the web 24 preferably across its entire width and a coating roll 611 , receiving coating material 612 from a suitable fountain , applies the coating material 612 to the web 27 preferably across its entire width . the coating material 610 and 612 can be identical anti - static materials , by way of example , not limitation , a suitable transparent coating material is known as staticide 3000 concentrate diluted in at least ten parts water for each part of concentrate , by volume . this coating material is sold by acl , inc ., elk grove village , ill . 60007 u . s . a . the concentrate is composed of 40 % isopropyl alcohol , 59 % long chain fatty quaternary ammonium , and 1 % floral compounds . it has a boiling point of approximately 80 ° f ., a vapor pressure @ 68 ° f . of 35 mmhg ., a vapor density of 2 . 1 compared with air being equal to 1 , and a specific gravity of 0 . 97 compared with water being equal to 1 . the diluted concentrate has a boiling point of between 180 ° f . and 212 ° f ., a vapor pressure of approximately 18 mmhg ., a vapor density of approximately 2 compared with air being equal to 1 , and a specific gravity of 1 compared with water being equal to 1 . it is possible that trace amount of anti - static material have been added to paper and film webs by others in the past , however one embodiment of the present invention is limited to tag webs , having resonant circuits and deactivators , to which anti - static material has been added in sufficient amount and concentration to prevent premature deactivation by interaction between any deactivator and a respective resonant circuit . it is most preferred to apply both coatings 610 and 612 . the tags t are typically completely severed by knives on a cutter roll 96 so if only the coating 612 is applied , electrostatic charge drainage may be insufficient . it is therefore , preferred that at least the supporting web 24 , which is continuous , have the coating 610 . in that the coating 612 is invisible and does not interfere with printing , the tags t can be printed upon . other embodiments and modifications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art , and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims .	7
the invention relates to a polymer thick transparent conductive composition for use in thermoforming electrical circuits and , in particular , capacitive switch circuits . a layer of conductor is printed and dried on a substrate so as to produce a functioning circuit and then the entire circuit is subjected to pressure and heat that deforms the circuit to its desired three dimensional characteristics , i . e ., thermoforming . the substrates commonly used in polymer thick film thermoformed circuits are polycarbonate ( pc ), pvc and others . pc is generally preferred since it can be thermoformed at higher temperatures . however , pc is very sensitive to the solvents used in the layers deposited on it . the polymer thick film ( ptf ) conductive composition is comprised of ( i ) a conductive oxide powder selected from the group consisting of indium tin oxide ( ito ) powder , antimony tin oxide ( ato ) powder and mixtures thereof , ( ii ) a first organic medium comprising a first polymer resin dissolved in a first organic solvent , ( iii ) a second organic medium containing a second polymer resin dissolved in a second organic solvent and ( iv ) a third organic medium comprising one or more electroactive polymers in a third organic solvent . in an embodiment that results in no crazing or deformation of the underlying substrate onto which the ptf transparent conductive composition is printed , the ptf conductive composition further comprises a fourth solvent , diacetone alcohol . additionally , powders and printing aids may be added to improve the composition . the use of the term transparent is a relative one . herein , transparent is meant to mean at least 30 % light transmission through the printed / dried conductor . each constituent of the electrically conductive composition of the present invention is discussed in detail below . the conductors in the present thick film composition are ito powder , ato powder , or mixtures thereof . various particle diameters and shapes of the powder particles are contemplated . in an embodiment , the conductive powder particles may include any shape , including spherical particles , flakes , rods , cones , plates , and mixtures thereof . in one embodiment , the ito is in the form of flakes . in an embodiment , the particle size distribution of the ito and ato powders is 0 . 3 to 50 microns ; in a further embodiment , 0 . 5 - 15 microns . in an embodiment , the surface area / weight ratio of the conductive oxide powder particles is in the range of 1 . 0 - 100 m 2 / g . ito is tin - doped indium oxide , sn : in 2 o 3 , i . e ., a solid solution of in 2 o 3 and sno 2 with typically 90 wt % in 2 o 3 and 10 wt % sno 2 . ato is antimony - doped tin oxide , sb : sn 0 2 , i . e ., a solid solution of sb 2 o 3 and sno 2 with typically 10 wt % sb 2 o 3 and 90 wt % sno 2 . furthermore , it is known that small amounts of other metals may be added to transparent conductor compositions to improve the electrical properties of the conductor . some examples of such metals include : gold , silver , copper , nickel , aluminum , platinum , palladium , molybdenum , tungsten , tantalum , tin , indium , lanthanum , gadolinium , boron , ruthenium , cobalt , titanium , yttrium , europium , gallium , sulfur , zinc , silicon , magnesium , barium , cerium , strontium , lead , antimony , conductive carbon , and combinations thereof and others common in the art of thick film compositions . the additional metal ( s ) may comprise up to about 1 . 0 percent by weight of the total composition . however , the degree of transparency may suffer as these metals are added . in one embodiment , the conductive oxide powder is present at 20 to 70 wt %, based on the total weight of the ptf conductive composition . in another embodiment , it is present at 30 to 60 wt % and in still another embodiment , it is present at 35 to 55 wt %, again based on the total weight of the ptf conductive composition . the first organic medium is comprised of a thermoplastic urethane resin dissolved in a first organic solvent . the urethane resin must achieve good adhesion to the underlying substrate . it must be compatible with and not adversely affect the performance of the circuit after thermoforming . in one embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 10 - 50 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium . in another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 15 - 45 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium and in still another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 15 - 25 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium . in one embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is a urethane homopolymer . in another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is a polyester - based copolymer . the second organic medium is comprised of a thermoplastic polyhydroxyether resin dissolved in a second organic solvent . it should be noted that the same solvent that is used in the first organic medium can be used in the second organic medium or a different solvent could be used . the solvent must be compatible with and not adversely affect the performance of the circuit after thermoforming . in one embodiment the thermoplastic polyhydroxyether resin is 10 - 50 wt % of the total weight of the second organic medium . in another embodiment the thermoplastic polyhydroxyether resin is 15 - 45 wt % of the total weight of the second organic medium and in still another embodiment the thermoplastic resin is 20 - 30 wt % of the total weight of the second organic medium . the third organic medium contains at least one electroactive polymer ( eap ) which provides the haptic response for the circuit . the type of eap may be either dielectric or ionic . examples of both are available in the literature . the third organic solvent must be compatible with the eap . in one embodiment the eap is 10 - 50 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium . in another embodiment the eap is 15 - 45 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium and in still another embodiment the eap is 15 - 25 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium . the polymer resin is typically added to the organic solvent by mechanical mixing to form the medium . solvents suitable for use in the organic media of the polymer thick film conductive composition are recognized by one of skill in the art and include acetates and terpenes such as carbitol acetate and alpha - or beta - terpineol or mixtures thereof with other solvents such as kerosene , dibutylphthalate , butyl carbitol , butyl carbitol acetate , hexylene glycol and high boiling alcohols and alcohol esters . in addition , volatile liquids for promoting rapid hardening after application on the substrate may be included . in many embodiments of the present invention , solvents such as glycol ethers , ketones , esters and other solvents of like boiling points ( in the range of 180 ° c . to 250 ° c . ), and mixtures thereof may be used . various combinations of these and other solvents are formulated to obtain the viscosity and volatility requirements desired . the solvents used must solubilize the resin . the first organic medium is comprised of a thermoplastic urethane resin dissolved in a first organic solvent . the urethane resin must achieve good adhesion to the underlying substrate . it must be compatible with and not adversely affect the performance of the circuit after thermoforming . in one embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 10 - 50 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium . in another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 15 - 45 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium and in still another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is 15 - 25 wt % of the total weight of the first organic medium . in one embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is a urethane homopolymer . in another embodiment the thermoplastic urethane resin is a polyester - based copolymer . the second organic medium contains at least one electroactive polymer ( eap ) which provides the haptic response for the circuit . the type of eap may be either dielectric or ionic . examples of both are available in the literature . the second organic solvent must be compatible with the eap . in one embodiment the eap is 10 - 50 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium . in another embodiment the eap is 15 - 45 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium and in still another embodiment the eap is 15 - 25 wt % of the total weight of the third organic medium . the polymer resin is typically added to the organic solvent by mechanical mixing to form the medium . solvents suitable for use in the organic media of the polymer thick film conductive composition are recognized by one of skill in the art and include acetates and terpenes such as carbitol acetate and alpha - or beta - terpineol or mixtures thereof with other solvents such as kerosene , dibutylphthalate , butyl carbitol , butyl carbitol acetate , hexylene glycol and high boiling alcohols and alcohol esters . in addition , volatile liquids for promoting rapid hardening after application on the substrate may be included . in many embodiments of the present invention , solvents such as glycol ethers , ketones , esters and other solvents of like boiling points ( in the range of 180 ° c . to 250 ° c . ), and mixtures thereof may be used . various combinations of these and other solvents are formulated to obtain the viscosity and volatility requirements desired . the solvents used must solubilize the resin . in other embodiments , the first and second polymer thick film transparent conductive compositions further comprise another organic solvent , diacetone alcohol . in an embodiment the diacetone alcohol is 1 - 20 wt % of the total weight of the ptf conductive composition . in another embodiment the diacetone alcohol is 3 - 12 wt % of the total weight of the ptf conductive composition and in still another embodiment the diacetone alcohol is 4 - 6 wt % of the total weight of the ptf conductive composition . various powders may be added to the ptf conductor composition to improve adhesion , modify the rheology and increase the low shear viscosity thereby improving the printability . the ptf conductor , also referred to as a “ paste ”, is typically deposited on a substrate , such as polycarbonate , that is impermeable to gases and moisture . the substrate can also be a sheet of a composite material made up of a combination of plastic sheet with optional metallic or dielectric layers deposited thereupon . the transparent conductor may also be deposited on top of a thermoformable ag conductor such as dupont 5042 or 5043 ( du pont co ., wilmington , del . ), or a thermoformable dielectric layer . alternatively , a thermoformable ag conductor may be formed on top of the transparent conductor . the deposition of the ptf conductor composition is performed typically by screen printing , but other deposition techniques such as stencil printing , syringe dispensing or coating techniques can be utilized . in the case of screen - printing , the screen mesh size controls the thickness of the deposited thick film . generally , a thick film composition comprises a functional phase that imparts appropriate electrically functional properties to the composition . the functional phase comprises electrically functional powders dispersed in an organic medium that acts as a carrier for the functional phase . generally , the composition is fired to burn out both the polymer and the solvent of the organic medium and to impart the electrically functional properties . however , in the case of a polymer thick film , the polymer portion of the organic medium remains as an integral part of the composition after drying and , therefore , is an integral part of the resultant conductor . the ptf conductor composition is processed for a time and at a temperature necessary to remove all solvent . for example , the deposited thick film is dried by exposure to heat at 130 ° c . for typically 10 - 15 min . for a capacitive switch circuit the base substrate used is typically 10 mil thick polycarbonate . the conductor composition is printed and dried as per the conditions described above . several layers can be printed and dried . subsequent steps may include thermoforming ( 190 ° c ., 750 psi ) of the entire unit as is typical in the production of 3d capacitive switch circuits . in one embodiment an encapsulant layer is deposited over the dried ptf conductive composition , i . e ., the transparent conductor , and then dried . in an embodiment when the first ptf transparent conductive composition with haptic response capability is used to form a transparent conductor , the encapsulant is comprised of the same organic mediums as contained in the ptf conductive composition , i . e ., the same polymers in the same ratios as present in the first and second organic mediums of the ptf conductive composition . in another such embodiment , the encapsulant is comprised of the same organic mediums as contained in the ptf conductive composition , i . e ., the same polymers , but in different ratios than present in the first and second organic mediums of the ptf conductive composition . in an embodiment when the second ptf transparent conductive composition with haptic response capability is used , the encapsulant is comprised of the same organic medium as contained in the ptf conductive composition , i . e ., the same polymer as present in the first organic medium of the ptf conductive composition . in another embodiment , an encapsulant layer is deposited over the dried ptf conductive composition and then uv - cured . in this embodiment the encapsulant is comprised of one or more uv - curable polymers , e . g ., acrylate - based polymers . one ptf uv - curable composition suitable for forming an encapsulant layer is comprised of a high elongation urethane oligomer , an acrylate monomer , an acrylated amine and an inorganic powder . it has been found that use of an encapsulant improves the yield , i . e ., decreases the failure rate of thermoformed circuits . in the course of producing a 3 - dimensional capacitive circuit , after the thermoforming step , the final step will often be a molding step in which the finished circuit is formed by injection molding using a resin such as polycarbonate . this process is referred to as in - molding and involves higher temperatures . depending on the resin chosen , these temperatures can typically exceed 250 ° c . for 10 - 30 sec . thus the choice of the resins used in the ptf composition is critical . the combination of the resins used in the instant ptf composition has been shown to survive the in - mold process and produce fully functional circuitry whereas most resins typically used in ptf compositions will not .	8
[ 0044 ] fig4 shows a unit stage for a charge pump circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . the unit stage comprises a pair of pmos transistors ( mpt and mpb ) and two capacitors ( cp and cb ). mpt is operated as a pass transistor for charge transfer and mpb is operated as a pre - charge transistor for cb . cp is a pumping capacitor , and cb is a capacitor for boosting the gate voltage of the pass transistor to negative direction . the wells of the pmosfets are electrically floated , and two floated wells can be connected together as shown in fig4 ( a ), or can be separated from each other , as shown in fig4 ( b ). the charge pump has two basic phases of operation , one being pre - charging the capacitors and the other , transferring the charge of the pumping capacitor to the next stage through the pass transistor . when pi is low in state , p 2 is in high state , and mpt is turned off but mpb is in conducting condition . then cp is pre - charged from the input node ( vin ) to a level of vcp . at this time , the level of cb is the same as the output node ( vout ). in the next phase , when p 1 becomes high and p 2 is low , the charge stored in cp is transferred to the next stage . during the charge transfer , the gate voltage of mpt decreases from the level before p 2 went to low stage ; the amount of voltage decreasing is about − αvpulse , where vpulse is the amplitude of the input pulses . the drain voltage of mpt increases to a level higher than the pre - charged level , and is approximated by : where α is the coupling coefficient of cb and the parasitic capacitance at the gate node of mpt , and β is the coupling coefficient of cp and the parasitic capacitance at the drain node of mpt . these are obtained by : here , cpara1 and cpara2 are a summation of all parasitic capacitance of gate and drain of mpt , respectively . the voltage difference between the source and drain of mpt is about (− α * vpulse ). hence , there is no threshold voltage drop by the pass transistor , mpt , during transfer . the voltage gain of the unit stage is β * vdd . the voltage gain of the unit stage is independent of the threshold voltage of the pmos transistors until vdd is higher than the threshold voltage of the pmosfets . the operational range of the pump is vdd & gt ;\| vth 0 \|, where vth 0 is the threshold voltage of the pmosfet . by cascading the unit stage of the pump , the required high voltage can be generated . fig5 is a diagram depicting a circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . a plurality of the unit stages depicted in fig4 is serially connected . note that the wells of pmosfets in the unit stages can be connected or separated from each other , as shown in fig4 ( a ) or fig4 ( b ). in the drawings of fig5 fig7 fig8 and fig9 the schematic symbols of the connected wells are only to indicate that the wells are electrically floated , but are not intended to indicate that the wells are necessarily connected to each other . [ 0053 ] fig6 is a diagram depicting the input pulse for the charge pump circuit in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention . in fig6 the amplitude of the pulses is vpulse . t 12 r is a timing margin that clk 2 should go high before clk 1 becomes low . similarly , t 34 r is a timing margin for clk 4 which should go high before clk 3 becomes low . t 12 f is a margin for clk 2 that should remain in high state after clk 1 is transited from low to high state . t 34 f is a margin for clk 4 that should remain in high state after clk 1 transited from low to high state . tnov is an inhibiting timing margin so that clk 1 and clk 3 are not overlapped in high phase . tp is a time for the charge transfer . as explained in the operation of the unit stage of the pump in fig4 the plurality of unit stages operates by using two complementary non - overlapped input clock pulses clk 1 and clk 3 , to the pumping capacitors ( cp 1 ˜ cp 4 ). the condition for turning on the pass transistor of a stage is that the input of the boosting capacitor should be low , while the input of the pumping capacitor is high . so , the input clock to the gate boosting capacitor ( cb 1 ˜ cb 4 ), clk 2 and clk 4 , has the same phase to clk 3 and clk 1 except for the margin at rising and falling edges , as shown in fig6 . the duration of tp 2 or tp 4 in the fig6 represents this condition . the operation of the pump is described below in the steady state because all parts of operation of the pump are implicit from their behavior in the steady state . in the steady state , the potential of a pumping capacitor at input node changes from the pre - charged level ( vcp ) to a high level ( vcp + βvpulse ), in accordance with the phase changes of the input pulse from low to high state . if it is assumed that the coupling coefficient of all stages has the same value , and that there is no voltage loss by the pass transistor during charge transfer , the potential of a capacitor at the output node which is complement to the input , changes from pre - charged level ( vcp + βvpulse ) to high level ( vcp + βvpulse + βvpulse ) according to the input clock . when the input node is low and the input pulse of gate boosting capacitor is high , the gate voltage of the pass transistor is in a high level of output node ( vcp + βvpulse + βvpulse ). the next time , the clock in the output node goes low and the stage is operating in tnov , then the gate voltage of the pass transistor is discharged to vcp + βvpulse during tnov . then it will be going to ( vcp + βvpulse − αvpulse ) after the input clock at the gate boosting capacitor becomes low . the voltage difference of the gate and source of the pass transistor is about (− αvpulse ). so , if the magnitude of αvpulse is larger than the absolute value of the threshold voltage of the pass transistor , there is no voltage loss during transfer . hence , the previous assumption is shown to be reasonable . in order to prevent charge flow in reverse direction , the clock of the gate boosting capacitors must go to high before the clock of the pumping capacitor at input node is high . therefore , timing margins t 12 r and t 34 r are needed . however , clk 2 can go to low before clk 1 goes to high , because it is not a condition for reverse charge flow . clk 4 can also go to low before clk 3 goes to high for the same reason . therefore , the timing margins of t 12 f and t 34 f prevent reverse charge flow which is not necessary if clk 1 and clk 3 are non - overlapped clocks as shown in fig6 ( b ). the above - described exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages : 1 ) there is no gain voltage loss due to the threshold voltage drop of pass transistors . the unit stage gain is βvpulse , if αvpulse is larger than \| vth 0 \|. generally , vpulse is the same as the supply voltage ( vdd ), then unit stage gain is βvdd . the value of β is very close to 1 if the capacitance of the pumping capacitor is larger than the parasitic capacitance . one advantage of this invention is that if vdd is 1 . 0 volts and vth 0 is − 0 . 5 volts , approximately ten stages are needed to produce 10 volts . in the conventional pump circuit using floating well pmos , twenty pumping stages are needed . 2 ) there are no body effects induced by threshold voltage increment nor gain voltage loss . the potential of floating wells follow the source potential of the pmos , because source junction and n - type well form a junction diode . the well is slightly forwardly biased during the pumping operation . however , the well is electrically floated , the parasitic bipolar transistor is in off state ; hence , there is no conduction dc current to the substrate . 3 ) if clk 1 and clk 3 are non - overlapped clocks to each other , then the timing margin of t 12 f and t 34 f is not necessary . the falling edge of clk 2 still has a margin of tnov . tnov is the non - overlapping time between clk 1 and clk 3 . this pump circuit can operate with higher frequency than the conventional nmos circuit shown in fig2 . the value of both margins of t 12 f and t 34 f can be zero . 4 ) no additional termination circuitry at the end of the chain of stages is required , which would cause a big voltage loss , since the body effects of nmosfet are most severe in the last stage . 5 ) the maximum voltage across the gate dielectric is less than in the conventional circuit . the pump circuits with nmoss need to overdrive the gate voltage on the top of its pre - charge level of the input node . the maximum voltage across the gate dielectric is about vcp + αvdd in the conventional circuit shown in fig2 . but , in the pump circuit , in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with pmoss on floating wells , the gate voltage is lowered from the pre - charge level to turn on the transistors . the potential of the well is about 0 . 7 volts lower than the highest voltage among the source or drain electrodes of pmosfets because the p - type drain and source form diode - junctions with floating wells . the maximum voltage across the gate oxide is about 2βvpulse in the present invention . therefore , the maximum voltage on the gate and bulk is smaller than nmos switches . since the dielectric thickness of the advanced mos devices is very thin , the high voltage on the gate during operation may cause hot carrier - induced reliability problems such as breakdown , degradation of conductance , and gate leakage current . to prevent threshold voltage loss of transistors between the supply voltage ( vdd ) and the first stage of pump , a gate boosted nmos switch can be generated instead of the pmosfet switch as shown in fig7 . the gate boosted nmos switch was disclosed in the u . s . pat . no . 3 , 942 , 047 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety . the charge pump circuit of this embodiment operates by using the same input clocks shown in fig6 . when the pulse of clk 3 or clk 1 is in high phase , the gate voltage of np 0 t or np 0 b become about vdd + γvpulse . where γ is the coupling coefficient between the pumping capacitor and the summation of all parasitic capacitance of the gate node . since vdd + γvpluse is higher than the threshold voltage of nmosfet , the pumping capacitor of the first stage can be charged to vdd during the pre - charge phase . in addition to the advantages of the embodiment described above , this circuit has no voltage loss in the initial circuitry of the pump . to program multiple cells , or to erase more than several kilobits of memory cells for multiple sectors erasing in flash memories , high current capability is required from a high voltage generator . therefore , it is necessary for the high voltage generator to generate both high voltage supply with current driving capability . the positive high voltage generator using the charge pump circuit shown in fig8 has a dual path of charge pumping stage . the current supply of the charge pump is twice as large as the single path charge pump consisting of the same size devices . the combination of two charge pump circuits operating in the opposite phase of input pulse forms a dual charge pump having dual paths . in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention described above , the same clock inputs can be used for operating this circuit . the above - described exemplary embodiment of the present invention has the following advantages : 1 ) the current driving capability of the charge pump circuit is double compared to the single path pump having the same size devices . 2 ) the advantage of the initially - described exemplary embodiment without any voltage loss in the initial circuitry of the pump . 3 ) by using this charge pump circuit , the dc voltage doubler can be implemented which doubles the supply voltage . the dual - path charge pump circuit with single gain stage becomes a voltage doubler as shown in fig9 . in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention , fig1 shows a circuit for generating an input pulse for the charge pump . the feedback circuit combined with nor gate , time delay element and buffer delay reshapes the input pulse , oscx , to two non - overlapping pulses , clk 1 and clk 3 . the oscx can be an arbitrary input pulse having a 50 % duty ratio . the margin for non - overlapping between the two pulses , clk 1 and clk 3 , is approximately equal to the total amount of delay time caused by delay element , buffer and nor gate . a nand gate is needed to generate an input pulse for gate boosting capacitors , clk 2 and clk 4 . by nand gating oscx and clk 1 , clk 2 can be generated , and similarly , clk 4 can be generated from oscy and clk 3 . usually , the amplitude of the operating pulse is the same as vdd level . but , by boosting the amplitude of the input clocks , the efficiency of gain can be improved . since the voltage difference of the gate and source ( vgs ) of a pass transistor is about − αvpulse during transferring phase , conductance of the pass transistor is greatly improved if the gate clock is boosted from vdd level to a higher voltage . on the other hand , boosting input pulses of pumping capacitors improves both conductance and voltage gain of the pump . note that the gain of a unit stage is calculated as βvpulse . since a circuitry for boosting the clocks may consume some power , it would be a better choice to boost only the input clock pulse of pumping capacitors , instead of boosting all inputs , if the power efficiency of the pump is considered . fig1 shows an input pulse having different amplitude between the gate boosting capacitor input and the pumping capacitor input . fig1 shows a boosted clock generator , which doubles the input clock amplitude . the cross coupling of the boosting stage consists of m 1 and m 3 generator pulses having the amplitude of 2vdd . the control inputs , clk 1 , clk 3 , clk 3 b and clk 1 b can be the pulses from the circuit shown in fig1 . since the maximum voltage across the gate dielectric is less than in the conventional circuit , the invented circuit has the benefit of reliability when the charge pump circuit operates by using the boosted clock input . the exemplary circuit embodiment depicted in fig1 and fig1 is an example of a clock reshape circuit , which one of ordinary skill in the art would readily understand that the circuit for this purpose could be easily modified . therefore , the present invention is not restricted by the scope of the exemplary circuit embodiment depicted in fig1 or fig1 . one aspect of the invented pmos boosting circuit is that the scheduling of the four clocks needed for steering the operation of said circuit has less interclock constraints when compared to scheduling , which is necessary for prior art nmos boosting circuits . first , an analysis of interclock constraints for said prior art nmos boosting circuit is presented . within multi - stage circuits one can identify the relations previous , current and next between stages . the clocks used for steering the operation of such circuits can also be classified as either clocks for controlling a boosting capacitor , abbreviated for this discussion , as control clock , or clocks for leveraging ( increase voltage ) of nodes in between stages , abbreviated for this discussion as node clock . typically , the control clocks have a so - called duty cycle of less than 50 %, meaning that for the nmos type circuit , on average , the control clocks are on less time than they are off . a first constraint between node clocks and control clocks exists because , before leveraging a node ( related clock going from off to on ) between a previous and a current stage , the previous stage must be turned off . by way of example and with references to fig2 the previous stage is defined by transistors np 2 , and nb 2 and the current stage are defined by transistors np 3 , and then nb 3 , the leveraging node between the stages , is controlled by clock cl 1 and the previous stage is controlled by clock cl 4 . hence , the first constraint specifies that clock cl 4 must go down ‘ before ’ clock cl 1 rises . the same relationship applies for clock cl 2 and clock cl 3 . these constraints are indicated as t 14 f and t 23 f , respectively , in fig3 . a second constraint , a complement of the first constraint , is again between control and node clocks . before turning on a current stage , the node between said current stage and the next stage must be lowered . referring again to fig2 the current stage is defined by transistors np 2 , nb 2 and the next stage defined by transistors np 3 , nb 3 the leveraging node in between is controlled by clock cl 1 and the current stage is controlled by clock cl 4 . hence , the second constraint specifies that clock cl 1 must go down ‘ before ’ clock cl 4 rises . the same relationship applies for clock cl 2 and clock cl 3 . these constraints are indicated as t 14 r and t 23 r , respectively , in fig3 . note that said first and second constraints can be considered as safety margins because precise clocking is difficult to obtain . a third constraint exists between node clocks because , before leveraging the node between a previous and a current stage , the pre - charging capacitor of the current stage must be pre - charged . with reference to fig2 the previous stage is defined by transistors np 1 and nb 1 and the current stage is defined by transistors np 2 and nb 2 , then the leveraging node between the stages is controlled by clock cl 3 and the pre - charging capacitor of the current stage is controlled by the node between the current and next stage and connected to clock cl 1 . hence , the third constraint specifies that clock cl 1 must remain high ‘ before ’ clock cl 3 rises . also , the reverse clock cl 3 must remain high ‘ before ’ clock cl 1 rises must be fulfilled . these constraints are indicated as t 31 and t 13 , respectively , in fig3 . one advantage of the invented pmos boosting circuit is that less interclock constraints are needed . the duty cycle requirement for the invented pmos type circuit implies that the control clocks are , on average , on less time than off . similar constraints such as the first and second constraint described earlier for the nmos circuit presented remain . a first constraint exists between node clocks and control clocks because , before turning on the next stage , the node between the current and next stage must be leveraged . in the exemplary circuit shown in fig5 the current stage is defined by transistors pt 2 and mpb 2 , and the next stage is defined by transistors pt 3 and mpb 3 , then the leveraging node between the stages is controlled by clock cl 3 and the next stage is controlled by clock cl 4 . hence , the first constraint specifies that clock cl 3 must go up before clock cl 4 goes down ( note , opposite than for nmos ). the same relationship applies for clock cl 2 and clock cl 1 . this is indicated by t 34 f and t 12 f , respectively , in fig6 . the second constraint , a complement of the first constraint , is again between the control and node clocks . before lowering the node between a previous and current stage , said current stage must be turned off . in the exemplary circuit depicted in fig5 the previous stage is defined by transistors pt 2 and mpb 2 , and the current stage is defined by transistors pt 3 and mpb 3 , then the leveraging node between the stages is controlled by clock cl 3 and the current stage is controlled by clock cl 4 . hence , the second constraint specifies that clock cl 4 must go up ( note opposite than for nmos ) ‘ before ’ clock cl 3 goes down . the same relationship applies for clock cl 2 and clock cl 1 which is indicated by t 34 r and t 12 r , respectively , in fig6 . due to the layout difference , the third constraint on pre - charging does not result in a constraint between node clocks cl 1 and cl 3 as the pre - charging of the pre - charging capacitor is done now by the leveraging node itself . therefore , clock cl 1 does not need to remain high ‘ before ’ clock cl 3 rises and similarly , clock cl 3 does not need to remain high ‘ before ’ clock cl 1 rises . thus , clock cl 3 goes down slightly before clock cl 1 goes up and the other way around , which is advantageous for operating the device . the node clocks ( cl 1 , cl 3 ) can thus be more off than on in the case of fig5 and 6 , while the opposite condition is true in fig2 . 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 exemplary embodiments 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 . the exemplary embodiments were 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
r a denotes a hydrogen atom or a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , r b denotes a phenyl , benzyl , or 1 - phenylethyl group wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted in each case by the groups r 1 to r 3 , wherein r 1 and r 2 , which may be identical or different , each denote a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , bromine , or iodine atom , a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , hydroxy , c 1 - 4 - alkoxy , c 3 - 6 - cycloalkyl , c 4 - 6 - cycloalkoxy , c 2 - 5 - alkenyl , or c 2 - 5 - alkynyl group , a c 3 - 5 - alkenyloxy or c 3 - 5 - alkynyloxy group , wherein the unsaturated moiety may not be linked to the oxygen atom , a c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfenyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfinyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonyloxy , trifluoromethylsulfenyl , trifluoromethylsulfinyl , or trifluoromethylsulfonyl group , a methyl or methoxy group substituted by 1 to 3 fluorine atoms , an ethyl or ethoxy group substituted by 1 to 5 fluorine atoms , a cyano or nitro group or an amino group optionally substituted by one or two c 1 - 4 - alkyl groups , wherein the substituents may be identical or different , or r 1 together with r 2 , if they are bound to adjacent carbon atoms , denote a — ch ═ ch — ch ═ ch , — ch ═ ch — nh , or — ch ═ n — nh group , and r 3 denotes a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , trifluoromethyl , or c 1 - 4 - alkoxy group , x and y together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b )— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b )= n —, — n ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ n bridge , wherein the left - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 5 and the right - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 6 of the pyrimidine ring , a denotes an — o — c 1 - 8 - alkylene , — o — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene , — o — c 1 - 3 - alkylene - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene , — o — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or — o — c 1 - 3 - alkylene - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein the oxygen atom of the abovementioned group in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , an — nr 4 — c 1 - 8 - alkylene , — nr 4 — c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene , — nr 4 - c 1 - 3 - alkylene - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene , — nr 4 - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or — nr 4 — c 1 - 3 - alkylene - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and r 4 denotes a hydrogen atom or a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , an oxygen atom which is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - nh — so 2 — c 1 - 4 - alkylene or — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - n ( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- so 2 — c 1 - 4 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , an — nr 4 group , where the latter is linked to a carbon atom of the group b and r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , an azetidinylene , pyrrolidinylene , piperidinylene , or hexahydroazepinylene group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , an azetidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , pyrrolidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , piperidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or hexahydroazepinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene or 1 , 4 - homopiperazinylene group , these groups each being linked to a carbon atom of the group b , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene or 1 , 4 - homopiperazinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , an — nr 4 - azetidinylene , — nr 4 - pyrrolidinylene , — nr 4 - piperidinylene , or — nr 4 - hexahydroazepinylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups is linked in each case to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - azetidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , — nr 4 - pyrrolidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , — nr 4 - piperidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or — nr 4 - hexahydroazepinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein in each case the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is in each case linked to the alkylene moiety , an — nr 4 — c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylenecarbonyl group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the carbonyl group is linked to a nitrogen atom of the group b , an — nr 4 — c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylenecarbonylamino group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety , which may additionally be substituted by a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - c 3 - 7 - cycloalkylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety may additionally be substituted by a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , an azetidinylenecarbonyl , pyrrolidinylenecarbonyl , piperidinylenecarbonyl , or hexahydroazepinylenecarbonyl group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the carbonyl group in each case is linked to a nitrogen atom of the group b , an azetidinylenecarbonylamino , pyrrolidinylenecarbonylamino , piperidinylenecarbonylamino , or hexahydroazepinylenecarbonylamino group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety , which may additionally be substituted by a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an azetidinylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , pyrrolidinylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , piperidinylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or hexahydroazepinylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety may additionally be substituted by a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , and b denotes an r 6 o — co - alkylene - nr 5 , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- alkylene - nr 5 , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )- alkylene - nr 5 group wherein in each case the alkylene moiety , which is straight - chained and contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms , may additionally be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , wherein a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , which may be substituted by a hydroxy , c 1 - 4 - alkoxy , carboxy , r 6 o — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 ), ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ), amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- amino group , or by a 4 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino group , wherein in the abovementioned 6 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino groups in each case a methylene group in the 4 position may be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom , by a sulfinyl , sulfonyl , imino , or n —( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- imino group , r 6 , r 7 , and r 8 , which may be identical or different , in each case denote a hydrogen atom , a c 1 - 8 - alkyl group which may be substituted by a hydroxy , c 1 - 4 - alkoxy , amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- amino group , or by a 4 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino group , wherein in the abovementioned 6 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino groups in each case a methylene group in the 4 position may be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom , by a sulfinyl , sulfonyl , imino , or n —( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- imino group , a c 4 - 7 - cycloalkyl group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , a c 3 - 5 - alkenyl or c 3 - 5 - alkynyl group , wherein the unsaturated moiety may not be linked to the oxygen atom , a c 3 - 7 - cycloalkyl - c 1 - 4 - alkyl , aryl , aryl - c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or r e co — o —( r c cr d ) group , wherein r c and r d , which may be identical or different , in each case denote a hydrogen atom or a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , and r e denotes a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , c 3 - 7 - cycloalkyl , c 1 - 4 - alkoxy , or c 5 - 7 - cycloalkoxy group , and r 9 denotes a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , aryl , or aryl - c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , a 4 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino group which is substituted by an r 6 o — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 ), ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ), r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by the group r 10 and additionally at a cyclic carbon atom by an r 6 o — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 ), ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ), r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , and r 10 denotes a hydrogen atom , a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , formyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylcarbonyl , or c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonyl group , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in each case in the 4 position by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by the group r 10 , wherein the abovementioned 5 - to 7 - membered rings are each additionally substituted at a carbon atom by an r 6 o — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 9 ), ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ), r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 10 are as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , a 2 - oxomorpholinyl group which is substituted in the 4 position by a hydrogen atom , by a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined and the abovementioned 2 - oxomorpholinyl groups are in each case linked to a carbon atom of the group a , a c 5 - 7 - cycloalkyl group which is substituted by an amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- amino group and by an r 6 o — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a c 5 - 7 - cycloalkyl group wherein a methylene group is replaced by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , [ bis ( r 6 — co )- c 1 - 4 - alkylene ] imino , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino group and in each case two hydrogen atoms in the cycloalkyl moiety are replaced by a straight - chained alkylene bridge , this bridge containing 2 to 6 carbon atoms , if the two hydrogen atoms are located at the same carbon atom , or contains 1 to 5 carbon atoms if the two hydrogen atoms are located at adjacent carbon atoms , or contains 2 to 4 carbon atoms , if the two hydrogen atoms are located at carbon atoms which are separated by one atom , wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , or a together with b denotes a 1 - azetidinyl group wherein the two hydrogen atoms of a methylene group are replaced by a straight - chained c 4 - 6 - alkylene bridge , wherein in each case a methylene group in the c 4 - 6 - alkylene bridge is replaced by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , [ bis ( r 6 — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkylene ] imino , ( r 7 o — po — or 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a 1 - pyrrolidinyl , 1 - piperidinyl , or 1 - azacyclohept - 1 - yl group wherein the two hydrogen atoms of a methylene group are replaced by a straight - chained c 3 - 6 - alkylene bridge , wherein in each case a methylene group in the c 3 - 6 - alkylene bridge is replaced by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , [ bis ( r 6 — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkylene ] imino , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidino , piperidino , or hexahydroazepino group which are substituted in each case by an amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- amino group and by an r 6 — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by the group r 10 and additionally at a cyclic carbon atom by an r 6 — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 ), ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ), r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 — co )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 10 are as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in each case in the 4 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , or a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , wherein by the aryl moieties mentioned in the definition of the abovementioned groups is meant a phenyl group which may in each case be monosubstituted by r 11 , mono -, di -, or trisubstituted by r 12 or monosubstituted by r 11 and additionally mono - or disubstituted by r 12 , wherein the substituents may be identical or different , and r 11 may denote a cyano , carboxy , c 1 - 4 - alkoxycarbonyl , aminocarbonyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylaminocarbonyl , di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- aminocarbonyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfenyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfinyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonyl , hydroxy , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonyloxy , trifluoromethyloxy , nitro , amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylamino , di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- amino , c 1 - 4 - alkylcarbonylamino , n -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- c 1 - 4 - alkylcarbonylamino , c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonylamino , n —( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- c 1 - 4 - alkylsulfonylamino , aminosulfonyl , c 1 - 4 - alkylaminosulfonyl , or di -( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- aminosulfonyl group or a carbonyl group which is substituted by a 5 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino group , wherein in the abovementioned 6 - to 7 - membered alkyleneimino groups in each case a methylene group in the 4 position may be replaced by an oxygen or sulfur atom , by a sulfinyl , sulfonyl , imino , or n —( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- imino group , and r 12 denotes a fluorine , chlorine , bromine , or iodine atom , a c 1 - 4 - alkyl , trifluoromethyl , or c 1 - 4 - alkoxy group or two r 12 groups , if they are bound to adjacent carbon atoms , together denote a c 3 - 5 - alkylene , methylenedioxy , or 1 , 3 - butadien - 1 , 4 - ylene group . preferred compounds of the above general formula i are those wherein r a , r b , x , and y are as hereinbefore defined , with the proviso that a does not denote an — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - nh — so 2 - c 1 - 4 - alkylene or — nr 4 - c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - n ( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )- so 2 — c 1 - 4 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , and does not denote an azetidinylene , pyrrolidinylene , piperidinylene , or hexahydroazepinylene group substituted by one or two methyl groups , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , r b denotes a phenyl , benzyl , or 1 - phenylethyl group wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted in each case by the groups r 1 to r 3 , wherein r 1 and r 2 , which may be identical or different , each denote a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , a phenyl , phenoxy , benzyl , or benzyloxy group or r 1 together with r 2 , if they are bound to adjacent carbon atoms , denote a — ch ═ ch — nh or — ch ═ n — nh group , and r 3 denotes a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , x and y together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b )— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b )═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ n — bridge , wherein the left - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 5 and the right - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 6 of the pyrimidine ring , a denotes an — nr 4 — c 1 - 4 - alkylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene - nh — so 2 — c 1 - 3 - alkylene , — nr 4 - c 1 - 3 - alkylene - cyclohexylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene , or — nr 4 - c 1 - 3 - alkylene - cyclohexylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and an — nr 4 group , the latter being linked to a carbon atom of the group b and r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinylene or piperidinylene group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a piperidinylene - c 1 - 3 - alkylene group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene or 1 , 4 - homopiperazinylene group , these groups each being linked to a carbon atom of the group b , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene - c 1 - 2 - alkylene or 1 , 4 - homopiperazinylene - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , an — nr 4 - piperidinylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - piperidinylene - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the alkylene moiety , an — nr 4 - cyclohexylenecarbonyl group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the carbonyl group is linked to a nitrogen atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - cyclohexylenecarbonylamino group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - cyclohexylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 - moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a piperidinylenecarbonyl group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the carbonyl group is linked to a nitrogen atom of the group b , a piperidinylenecarbonylamino group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , a piperidinylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and b denotes an r 6 — co - alkylene - nr 5 , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- alkylene - nr 5 , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )- alkylene - nr 5 group wherein in each case the alkylene moiety , which is straight - chained and contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms , may additionally be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , wherein r 5 denotes a hydrogen atom or a c 1 - 4 - alkyl group which may be substituted by an r 6 — co group , r 6 , r 7 , and r 8 , which may be identical or different , in each case denote a hydrogen atom , a phenyl group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , a 5 - indanyl group or a benzyl group optionally substituted in the phenyl moiety by one or two methyl groups , and a pyrrolidino or piperidino group which is substituted in each case by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in each case in the 4 position by the group r 10 and is additionally substituted at a cyclic carbon atom by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , and r 10 denotes a hydrogen atom or a methyl or ethyl group , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in each case in the 4 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 — co )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po - r 9 )- c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinyl or piperidinyl group substituted in the 1 position by the group r 10 , which is additionally substituted in each case at a carbon atom by an r 6 o — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by an rro — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , a 2 - oxomorpholinyl group which is substituted in the 4 position by a hydrogen atom , by a methyl , ethyl , or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined and the abovementioned 2 - oxomorpholinyl groups in each case are linked to a carbon atom of the group a , a c 5 - 6 - cycloalkyl group which is substituted by an amino , c 1 - 2 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 2 - alkyl )- amino group and by an r 6 o — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , or a and b together denote a 1 - pyrrolidinyl or 1 - piperidinyl group wherein the two hydrogen atoms of a methylene group are replaced by a straight - chained c 4 - 5 - alkylene bridge , wherein in each case a methylene group in the c 4 - 5 - alkylene bridge is replaced by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyleneimino group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidino or piperidino group which is substituted in each case by an amino , c 1 - 2 - alkylamino , or di -( c 1 - 2 - alkyl )- amino group and by an r 6 o — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by the group r 10 and additionally at a cyclic carbon atom by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 and rio are as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group which is substituted in each case in the 4 position by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , or a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , r b denotes a phenyl , benzyl , or 1 - phenylethyl group wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted in each case by the groups r 1 to r 3 , wherein r 1 and r 2 , which may be identical or different , each denote a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , or r 1 together with r 2 , if they are bound to adjacent carbon atoms , denote a — ch ═ ch — nh group , and r 3 denotes a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , x and y together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b )— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b )═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b )═ n — bridge , wherein the left - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 5 and the right - hand end of these bridges is linked to position 6 of the pyrimidine ring , a denotes an — nr 4 — c 1 - 4 - alkylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene - nh — so 2 — c 1 - 3 - alkylene , — nr 4 - methylene - cyclohexylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene - methylene , or — nr 4 - methylene - cyclohexylene - methylene group , wherein the — nr 4 - moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and an — nr 4 group , the latter being linked to a carbon atom of the group b and r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , a pyrrolidinylene or piperidinylene group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a piperidinylene - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene group , this group being linked in each case to a carbon atom of the group b , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group being linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , an — nr 4 - piperidinylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned group is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned group is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - cyclohexylenecarbonylamino group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound and the nitrogen atom of the carbonylamino moiety is linked to a carbon atom of the group b , an — nr 4 - cyclohexylenecarbonylamino - c 1 - 2 - alkylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and b denotes an r 6 — co - alkylene - nr 5 , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- alkylene - nr 5 , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )- alkylene - nr 5 group wherein in each case the alkylene moiety is straight - chained and contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms , wherein a c 1 - 2 - alkyl group which may be substituted by an r 6 — co group , r 6 , r 7 , and r 8 , which may be identical or different , in each case denote a hydrogen atom , a phenyl group optionally substituted by one or two methyl groups , a 5 - indanyl group or a benzyl group optionally substituted in the phenyl moiety by one or two methyl groups , and a pyrrolidino or piperidino group which is substituted in each case by an r 6 — co or rro — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 3 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 13 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 13 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , with the proviso that r 8 and r 9 in each case denote a methyl or ethyl group , and a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined , a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , or a and b together denote a 1 - pyrrolidinyl or 1 - piperidinyl group wherein the two hydrogen atoms of a methylene group are replaced by a straight - chained c 4 - 5 - alkylene bridge , wherein in each case a methylene group in the c 4 - 5 - alkylene bridge is replaced by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyleneimino group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperidino group which is substituted by an amino group and by an r 6 — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , or a 2 - oxomorpholino group , which may be substituted by one or two methyl groups , most particularly preferred compounds of the abovementioned general formula i are those wherein x and y together denote an — n ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch — bridge , r b denotes a phenyl , benzyl , or 1 - phenylethyl group wherein the phenyl nucleus is substituted in each case by the groups r 1 to r 3 , wherein r 1 and r 2 , which may be identical or different , each denote a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , or r 1 together with r 2 , if they are bound to adjacent carbon atoms , denote an — ch ═ ch — nh group , and r 3 denotes a hydrogen , fluorine , chlorine , or bromine atom , x and y together denote an — n ═ c (— a — b )— n ═ ch — bridge , wherein the left - hand end of this bridge is linked to position 5 and the right - hand end of this bridge is linked to position 6 of the pyrimidine ring , a denotes an — nr 4 — c 1 - 3 - alkylene , — nr 4 - cyclohexylene , or — nr 4 - cyclohexylene - nh — so 2 - ethylene group , wherein the — nr 4 — moiety of the abovementioned groups in each case is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , and an — nr 4 group , the latter being linked to a carbon atom of the group b and r 4 being as hereinbefore defined , an optionally methyl - substituted pyrrolidinylene or piperidinylene group , wherein in each case the cyclic nitrogen atom of the abovementioned groups is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a piperidinylenemethylene group , wherein the cyclic nitrogen atom is linked to the bicyclic heteroaromatic compound , a 1 , 4 - piperazinylene group , this group being linked to a carbon atom of the group b , and b denotes an r 6 o — co - alkylene - nr 5 group wherein the alkylene moiety is straight - chained and contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms , wherein a c 1 - 2 - alkyl group which may be substituted by an r 6 — co group , a pyrrolidino or piperidino group which is substituted in each case by an r 6 — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 o — co - methyl or ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- methyl group wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , and r 7 and r 8 in each case denotes a methyl or ethyl group , a piperidinyl group substituted in the 1 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl , bis ( r 6 — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )- methyl , or ( r 7 o — po - r 9 )- methyl group wherein , to r are as hereinbefore defined , and or a and b together denote a piperidino group which is substituted by an amino group and by an r 6 o — co group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino group which is substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , wherein r 6 is as hereinbefore defined , the following particularly preferred compounds of general formula i are mentioned by way of example : the compounds of general formula i may be prepared , for example , by the following methods : x ′ and y ′ together denote a — n ═ cz 1 — ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — cz 1 ═ ch —, — ch ═ cz 1 — n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — cz 1 ═ n —, — n ═ cz 1 — n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — cz 1 ═ n — bridge wherein z 1 denotes an exchangeable group such as a halogen atom or a substituted sulfinyl or sulfonyl group , e . g ., a chlorine or bromine atom , a methylsulfinyl , propylsulfinyl , phenylsulfinyl , benzylsulfinyl , methylsulfonyl , propylsulfonyl , phenylsulfonyl , or benzylsulfonyl group , with a compound of general formula the reaction is optionally carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as methylene chloride , dimethylformamide , dimethylsulfoxide , sulfolane , benzene , toluene , chlorobenzene , tetrahydrofuran , benzene / tetrahydrofuran , or dioxane conveniently in the presence of a tertiary organic base such as triethylamine , pyridine , or 2 - dimethylaminopyridine , in the presence of n - ethyl - diisopropylamine ( hünig &# 39 ; s base ), wherein these organic bases may simultaneously serve as solvents , or in the presence of an inorganic base such as sodium carbonate , potassium carbonate , or sodium hydroxide solution conveniently at temperatures between − 20 ° c . and 200 ° c ., preferably at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 150 ° c . b ) in order to prepare a compound of general formula i wherein at least one of the groups r 6 to r 8 denote a hydrogen atom : x ″ and y ″ together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b ′)— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ′)═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b ′)— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b ′)═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b ′)— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ′)═ n — bridge b ′ has the meanings given for b hereinbefore with the proviso that b ′ contains an r 6 o — co , ( r 7 o — po — or 8 ), or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 ) group , wherein r 9 is as hereinbefore defined and at least one of the groups r 6 to r 8 does not represent a hydrogen atom , by hydrolysis , treating with acids , thermolysis , or hydrogenolysis into a compound of general formula i , wherein at least one of the groups r 6 to r 8 denotes a hydrogen atom . for example , functional derivatives of the carboxyl group such as the unsubstituted or substituted amides , esters , thioesters , trimethylsilylesters , orthoesters , iminoesters , amidines , or anhydrides , or the nitrile group may be converted by hydrolysis into a carboxyl group , ester with tertiary alcohols , e . g ., the tert - butylester , may be converted by treatment with an acid or thermolysis into a carboxyl group , and esters with aralkanols , e . g ., the benzylesters , may be converted by hydrogenolysis into a carboxyl group . the hydrolysis is conveniently carried out either in the presence of an acid such as hydrochloric acid , sulfuric acid , phosphoric acid , acetic acid , trichloroacetic acid , trifluoroacetic acid , or mixtures thereof , or in the presence of a base such as lithium hydroxide , sodium hydroxide , or potassium hydroxide in a suitable solvent such as water , water / methanol , water / ethanol , water / isopropanol , methanol , ethanol , water / tetraihydrofaran , or water / dioxane at temperatures between − 10 ° c . and 120 ° c ., e . g ., at temperatures between ambient temperature and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture . under the reaction conditions mentioned above , any n - acylamino or n - acylimino groups present , such as an n - trifluoroacetylimino group , may be converted into the corresponding amino or imino groups . moreover , any alcoholic hydroxy groups present may be converted , during the treatment with an organic acid such as trichloroacetic acid or trifluoroacetic acid , into a corresponding acyloxy group such as the trifluoroacetoxy group . if b ′ in a compound of formula iv contains a cyano or aminocarbonyl group , these groups may also be converted into the carboxyl group with a nitrite , e . g ., sodium nitrite , in the presence of an acid such as sulfuric acid , which is conveniently used as the solvent at the same time , at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 50 ° c . if b ′ in a compound of formula iv denotes the tert - butyloxycarbonyl group , for example , the tert - butyl group may also be cleaved by treating with an acid such as trifluoroacetic acid , formic acid , p - toluenesulfonic acid , sulfuric acid , hydrochloric acid , phosphoric acid , or polyphosphoric acid optionally in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride , chloroform , benzene , toluene , diethylether , tetrahydrofuran , or dioxane preferably at temperatures between − 10 ° c . and 120 ° c ., e . g ., at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 60 ° c ., or optionally thermally in an inert solvent such as methylene chloride , chloroform , benzene , toluene , tetrahydrofuran , or dioxane and preferably in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acid such as p - toluenesulfonic acid , sulfuric acid , phosphoric acid , or polyphosphoric acid preferably at the boiling temperature of the solvent used , e . g ., at temperatures between 40 ° c . and 120 ° c . under the reaction conditions mentioned , any n - tert - butyloxycarbonylamino or n - tert - butyloxycarbonylimino groups present may be converted into the corresponding amino or imino groups . if b ′ in a compound of formula iv contains the benzyloxycarbonyl group , for example , the benzyl group may also be hydrogenolytically cleaved in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst such as palladium / charcoal in a suitable solvent such as methanol , ethanol , ethanol / water , glacial acetic acid , ethyl acetate , dioxane , or dimethylformamide preferably at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 50 ° c ., e . g ., ambient temperature , and at a hydrogen pressure of 1 to 5 bar . during the hydrogenolysis other groups may be converted at the same time , e . g ., a nitro group into an amino group , a benzyloxy group into a hydroxy group and a n - benzylamino , n - benzylimino , n - benzyloxycarbonylamino , or n - benzyloxycarbonylimino group into a corresponding amino or imino group . c ) in order to prepare a compound of general formula i wherein a denotes an — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - nh — so 2 — ch 2 ch 2 or — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - n ( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )— so 2 — ch 2 ch 2 group and b denotes an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 6 - alkylene - nr 5 group , wherein r 4 to r 6 are as hereinbefore defined : x ′″ and y ′″ together denote a — n ═ c (— a ′— h )— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a ′— h )═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a ′— h )— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a ′— h )═ n —, — n ═ c (— a ′— h )— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a ′— h )═ n — bridge a ′ denotes an — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - nh — so 2 — ch ═ ch 2 , or — nr 4 — c 4 - 7 - cycloalkylene - n ( c 1 - 4 - alkyl )— so 2 — ch ═ ch 2 group , wherein r 4 is as hereinbefore defined , with a compound of general formula the reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent such as methanol , ethanol , or isopropanol in the presence of a base such as n - ethyl - diisopropylamine at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 100 ° c ., but preferably at the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture . d ) in order to prepare a compound of general formula i wherein b denotes an r 6 o — co - alkylene - nr 5 group wherein the alkylene moiety , which is straight - chained and contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms , may additionally be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , a piperazino or homopiperazino group substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl or bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , or a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by an r 6 o — co — c 1 - 4 - alkyl or bis ( r 6 o — co )— c 1 - 4 - alkyl group , wherein in each case r 5 and r 6 are as hereinbefore defined : x ″″ and y ″″ together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b ″)═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ n — bridge , b ″ denotes an r 5 nh group wherein r 5 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group unsubstituted in the 4 position , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group unsubstituted in the 1 position , with a compound of general formula the alkylene moiety , which is straight - chained and contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms , may additionally be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 o — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , wherein r 6 in each case is as hereinbefore defined , and z 2 denotes an exchangeable group such as a halogen atom or a substituted sulfonyloxy group , e . g ., a chlorine or bromine atom , a methylsulfonyloxy , propylsulfonyloxy , phenylsulfonyloxy , or benzylsulfonyloxy group . the reaction is optionally carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as methylene chloride , dimethylformamide , dimethylsulfoxide , sulfolane , benzene , toluene , chlorobenzene , tetrahydrofuran , benzene / tetrahydrofuran , or dioxane conveniently in the presence of a tertiary organic base such as triethylamine or n - ethyl - diisopropylamine ( hünig &# 39 ; s base ), wherein these organic bases may simultaneously serve as solvents , or in the presence of an inorganic base such as sodium carbonate , potassium carbonate , or sodium hydroxide solution conveniently at temperatures between − 20 ° c . and 200 ° c ., preferably at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 150 ° c . e ) in order to prepare a compound of general formula i wherein b denotes an ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— ch 2 — nr 5 or ( r 7 o — po - r 9 )— ch 2 — nr 5 group , a piperazino or homopiperazino group substituted in the 4 position by an ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— ch 2 or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— ch 2 group , or a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the 1 position by a ( r 7 o — po — or 8 )— ch 2 or ( r 7 o — po — r 9 )— ch 2 group , wherein in each case r 5 and r 7 to r 9 are as hereinbefore defined : x ″″ and y ″″ together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b ″)═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ n — bridge b ″ denotes an r 5 nh group wherein r 5 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group unsubstituted in the 4 position , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group unsubstituted in the 1 position , with formaldehyde or one of the derivatives thereof and a compound of general formula the reaction is conveniently carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dioxane , tetrahydrofuran , benzene , or toluene at temperatures between 50 ° c . and 150 ° c ., preferably at the boiling temperature of the solvent used . f ) in order to prepare a compound of general formula i wherein b denotes an r 6 o — co — ch 2 ch 2 — nrs group wherein the — ch 2 ch 2 — moiety may be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 o — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , a piperazino or homopiperazino group substituted in the 4 position by an r 6 o — co — ch 2 ch 2 group wherein the — ch 2 ch 2 - moiety may in each case additionally be substituted by an r 6 o — co or r 6 o — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group , or a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group substituted in the i position by an r 6 o — co — ch 2 ch 2 group wherein the — ch 2 ch 2 — moiety may in each case additionally be substituted by an r 6 o — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group and r 5 and r 6 in each case are as hereinbefore defined : x ″″ and y ″″ together denote a — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— ch ═ ch —, — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ ch —, — ch ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, — ch ═ ch — c (— a — b ″)═ n —, — n ═ c (— a — b ″)— n ═ ch —, or — ch ═ n — c (— a — b ″)═ n — bridge b ″ denotes an r 5 nh group wherein r 5 is as hereinbefore defined , a piperazino or homopiperazino group unsubstituted in the 4 position , a pyrrolidinyl , piperidinyl , or hexahydroazepinyl group unsubstituted in the 1 position , with an acrylate of general formula wherein the vinyl moiety may be substituted by one or two c 1 - 2 - alkyl groups or by an r 6 o — co or r 6 — co — c 1 - 2 - alkyl group and r 6 in each case is as hereinbefore defined . the reaction is preferably carried out in a solvent such as methanol , ethanol , or isopropanol at temperatures between 50 ° c . and 100 ° c ., but preferably at the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture . if according to the invention a compound of general formula i is obtained which contains a carboxy or hydroxyphosphoryl group , this may be converted by esterification into a corresponding ester of general formula i or if a compound of general formula i is obtained wherein b denotes an optionally substituted n -( 2 - hydroxyethyl )- glycine or n -( 2 - hydroxyethyl )- glycine ester group , this group may be converted by cyclization into a corresponding 2 - oxomorpholino compound . the subsequent esterification is optionally carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as methylene chloride , dimethylformamide , benzene , toluene , chlorobenzene , tetrahydrofuran , benzene / tetrahydrofuran , or dioxane , or particularly advantageously in a corresponding alcohol , optionally in the presence an acid such as hydrochloric acid or in the presence of a dehydrating agent , e . g ., in the presence of isobutyl chloroformate , thionyl chloride , trimethylchlorosilane , sulfuric acid , methanesulfonic acid , p - toluenesulfonic acid , phosphorus trichloride , phosphorus pentoxide , n , n ′- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide , n , n ′- dicyclohexylcarbodiimide / n - hydroxysuccinimide , or 1 - hydroxybenzotriazole and optionally additionally in the presence of 4 - dimethylamino - pyridine , n , n - carbonyldiimidazole , or triphenylphosphine / carbon tetrachloride , conveniently at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 150 ° c ., preferably at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 80 ° c . the subsequent ester formation may also be carried out by reacting a compound which contains a carboxy or hydroxyphosphoryl group with a corresponding alkyl halide . the subsequent intramolecular cyclization is optionally carried out in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as acetonitrile , methylene chloride , tetrahydrofuran , dioxane , or toluene in the presence an acid such as hydrochloric acid or p - toluenesulfonic acid at temperatures between − 10 ° c . and 120 ° c . in the reactions described hereinbefore , any reactive groups present such as hydroxy , carboxy , phosphono , o - alkylphosphono , amino , alkylamino , or imino groups may be protected during the reaction by conventional protecting groups which are cleaved again after the reaction . for example , a protecting group for a hydroxy group may be a trimethylsilyl , acetyl , benzoyl , methyl , ethyl , tert - butyl , trityl , benzyl , or tetrahydropyranyl group , protecting groups for a carboxy group may be a trimethylsilyl , methyl , ethyl , tert - butyl , benzyl , or tetrahydropyranyl group , protecting groups for a phosphono group may be an alkyl group such as the methyl , ethyl , isopropyl , or n - butyl group , the phenyl or benzyl group , and protecting groups for an amino , alkylamino , or imino group may be a formyl , acetyl , trifluoroacetyl , ethoxycarbonyl , tert - butoxycarbonyl , benzyloxycarbonyl , benzyl , methoxybenzyl , or 2 , 4 - dimethoxybenzyl group and additionally , for the amino group , a phthalyl group . any protecting group used is optionally subsequently cleaved for example by hydrolysis in an aqueous solvent , e . g ., in water , isopropanol / water , acetic acid / water , tetrahydrofuran / water , or dioxane / water , in the presence of an acid such as trifluoroacetic acid , hydrochloric acid , or sulfuric acid or in the presence of an alkali metal base such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide or aprotically , e . g ., in the presence of iodotrimethylsilane , at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 120 ° c ., preferably at temperatures between 10 ° c . and 100 ° c . however , a benzyl , methoxybenzyl , or benzyloxycarbonyl group is cleaved , for example , hydrogenolytically , e . g ., with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst such as palladium / charcoal in a suitable solvent such as methanol , ethanol , ethyl acetate , or glacial acetic acid , optionally with the addition of an acid such as hydrochloric acid at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 100 ° c ., but preferably at temperatures between 20 ° c . and 60 ° c ., and at a hydrogen pressure of 1 to 7 bar , but preferably 3 to 5 bar . a 2 , 4 - dimethoxybenzyl group , however , is preferably cleaved in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of anisole . a tert - butyl or tert - butyloxycarbonyl group is preferably cleaved by treating with an acid such as trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid or by treating with iodotrimethylsilane optionally using a solvent such as methylene chloride , dioxane , methanol , or diethylether . a trifluoroacetyl group is preferably cleaved by treating with an acid such as hydrochloric acid , optionally in the presence of a solvent such as acetic acid at temperatures between 50 ° c . and 120 ° c . or by treating with sodium hydroxide solution optionally in the presence of a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at temperatures between 0 ° c . and 50 ° c . a phthalyl group is preferably cleaved in the presence of hydrazine or a primary amine such as methylamine , ethylamine , or n - butylamine in a solvent such as methanol , ethanol , isopropanol , toluene / water , or dioxane at temperatures between 20 ° c . and 50 ° c . a single alkyl group may be cleaved from an o , o ′- dialkylphosphono group with sodium iodide , for example , in a solvent such as acetone , methyl ethyl ketone , acetonitrile , or dimethylformamide at temperatures between 40 ° c . and 150 ° c ., but preferably at temperatures between 60 ° c . and 100 ° c . both alkyl groups may be cleaved from an o , o ′- dialkylphosphono group with iodotrimethylsilane , bromotrimethylsilane , or chlorotrimethylsilane / sodium iodide , for example , in a solvent such as methylene chloride , chloroform , or acetonitrile at temperatures between 0 ° c . and the boiling temperature of the reaction mixture , but preferably at temperatures between 20 ° c . and 60 ° c . moreover , the compounds of general formula i obtained may be resolved into their enantiomers and / or diastereomers , as mentioned hereinbefore . thus , for example , cis / trans mixtures may be resolved into their cis and trans isomers , and compounds with at least one optically active carbon atom may be separated into their enantiomers . thus , for example , the cis / trans mixtures may be resolved by chromatography into the cis and trans isomers thereof , the compounds of general formula i obtained which occur as racemates may be separated by methods known per se ( cf n . l . allinger and e . l . eliel in “ topics in stereochemistry ”, vol . 6 , wiley interscience , 1971 ) into their optical antipodes and compounds of general formula i with at least 2 asymmetric carbon atoms may be resolved into their diastereomers on the basis of their physical - chemical differences using methods known per se , e . g ., by chromatography and / or fractional crystallization , and , if these compounds are obtained in racemic form , they may subsequently be resolved into the enantiomers as mentioned above . the enantiomers are preferably separated by column separation on chiral phases or by recrystallization from an optically active solvent or by reacting with an optically active substance which forms salts or derivatives such as , e . g ., esters or amides with the racemic compound , particularly acids and the activated derivatives or alcohols thereof , and separating the diastereomeric mixture of salts or derivatives thus obtained , e . g ., on the basis of their differences in solubility , wherein the free antipodes may be released from the pure diastereomeric salts or derivatives by the action of suitable agents . optically active acids in common use are , e . g ., the d - and l - forms of tartaric acid or dibenzoyltartaric acid , di - o - tolyltartaric acid , malic acid , mandelic acid , camphorsulfonic acid , glutamic acid , aspartic acid , or quinic acid . an optically active alcohol may be , for example , (+) or (−)- menthol and an optically active acyl group in amides , for example , may be a (+)- or (−)- menthyloxycarbonyl . furthermore , the compounds of formula i may be converted into the salts thereof , particularly for pharmaceutical use into the physiologically acceptable salts with inorganic or organic acids . acids which may be used for this purpose include for example hydrochloric acid , hydrobromic acid , sulfuric acid , phosphoric acid , fumaric acid , succinic acid , lactic acid , citric acid , tartaric acid or maleic acid . moreover , if the new compounds of formula i thus obtained contain a carboxy , hydroxyphosphoryl , sulfo , or 5 - tetrazolyl group , they may subsequently , if desired , be converted into the salts thereof with inorganic or organic bases , particularly for pharmaceutical use into the physiologically acceptable salts thereof . suitable bases for this purpose include for example sodium hydroxide , potassium hydroxide , arginine , cyclohexylamine , ethanolamine , diethanolamine and triethanolamine . the compounds of general formulae ii to xi used as starting materials are known from the literature in some cases or may be obtained by methods known from the literature ( cf . examples i to xix ). for example , a starting compound of general formulae ii , iv , v , and vii is obtained by successively replacing exchangeable groups in a corresponding compound which is in turn obtained by known methods , e . g ., by introducing halogen into a corresponding hydroxy compound . a compound of general formula iii is obtained by methods known from the literature , for example by reductive alkylation of a corresponding ketone , by alkylation of a corresponding amine , or by adding an amine to a corresponding alkenyl compound and optionally subsequently cleaving any protecting groups used . as already mentioned hereinbefore , the compounds of general formula i according to the invention and their physiologically acceptable salts have valuable pharmacological properties , particularly an inhibiting effect on signal transduction mediated by the epidermal growth factor receptor ( egf - r ), wherein this may be achieved for example by inhibiting ligand bonding , receptor dimerization , or tyrosine kinase itself . it is also possible to block the transmission of signals to components located further down . the biological properties of the new compounds were investigated as follows : the inhibition of the egf - r - mediated signal transmission can be demonstrated , e . g ., with cells which express human egf - r and whose survival and proliferation depend on stimulation by egf or tgf - alpha . a cell line of murine origin dependent on interleukin - 3 -( il - 3 ) which was genetically modified to express functional human egf - r was used here . the proliferation of these cells known as f / l - herc can therefore be stimulated either by murine il - 3 or by egf ( cf t . von ruiden et al ., embo j . 7 , 2749 - 2756 ( 1988 ) and j . h . pierce et al ., science 239 , 628 - 631 ( 1988 )). the starting material used for the f / l - herc cells was the cell line fdc - p 1 , the production of which has been described by t . m . dexter et al ., j . exp . med . 152 . 1036 - 1047 ( 1980 ). alternatively , however , other growth - factor - dependent cells may also be used ( cf ., e . g ., j . h . pierce et al ., science 239 , 628 - 631 ( 1988 ); h . shibuya et al ., cell 70 , 57 - 67 ( 1992 ); and w . s . alexander et al ., embo j . 10 , 3683 - 3691 ( 1991 )). for expressing the human egf - r cdna ( cf a . ullrich et al ., nature 309 , 418 - 425 ( 1984 )) recombinant retroviruses were used as described by t . von ruiden et al ., embo j . 7 , 2749 - 2756 ( 1988 ), except that the retroviral vector lxsn ( cf a . d . miller et al ., biotechniques 7 , 980 - 990 ( 1989 )) was used for the expression of the egf - r cdna and the line gp + e86 ( cf d . markowitz et al ., j . virol . 62 , 1120 - 1124 ( 1988 )) was used as the packaging cell . f / l - herc cells were cultivated in rpmi / 1640 medium ( biowhittaker ), supplemented with 10 % fetal calf serum ( fcs , boehringer mannheim ), 2 mm glutamine ( biowhittaker ), standard antibiotics and 20 ng / ml of human egf ( promega ), at 37 ° c . and 5 % co 2 . in order to investigate the inhibitory activity of the compounds according to the invention , 1 . 5 × 10 4 cells per well were cultivated in triplicate in 96 - well plates in the above medium ( 200 μl ), the cell proliferation being stimulated with either egf ( 20 ng / ml ) or murine il - 3 . the il - 3 used was obtained from culture supernatants of the cell line x63 / 0 mil - 3 ( cf h . karasuyama et al ., eur . j . immunol . 18 , 97 - 104 ( 1988 )). the compounds according to the invention were dissolved in 100 % dimethylsulfoxide ( dmso ) and added to the cultures in various dilutions , the maximum dmso concentration being 1 %. the cultures were incubated for 48 hours at 37 ° c . in order to determine the inhibitory activity of the compounds according to the invention the relative cell number was measured in o . d . units using the cell titer 96 ™ aqueous non - radioactive cell proliferation assay ( promega ). the relative cell number was calculated as a percentage of the control ( f / lherc cells without inhibitor ) and the concentration of active substance which inhibits the proliferation of the cells by 50 % ( ic 50 ) was derived therefrom . compound inhibition of egf - dependent proliferation ( example no .) ic 50 [ nm ] 1 840 1 ( 3 ) 320 16 2300 1 ( 8 ) 1450 1 ( 9 ) 820 1 ( 10 ) 2510 1 ( 11 ) 2320 2 ( 1 ) 15 2 ( 7 ) 60 2 ( 10 ) 2040 2 ( 12 ) 810 2 ( 13 ) 1030 2 ( 14 ) 1150 2 ( 15 ) 1760 2 ( 17 ) 30 2 ( 19 ) 129 2 ( 23 ) 25 2 ( 24 ) 73 2 ( 26 ) 21 2 ( 27 ) 77 2 ( 28 ) 26 3 ( 4 ) 58 3 ( 5 ) 20 3 ( 10 ) 16 3 ( 12 ) 103 3 ( 16 ) 20 3 ( 17 ) 17 3 ( 18 ) 40 4 ( 1 ) 40 4 ( 2 ) 40 7 122 the compounds of general formula i according to the invention thus inhibit the signal transduction by tyrosine kinases , as demonstrated by the example of the human egf receptor , and are therefore useful for treating pathophysiological processes caused by hyperfunction of tyrosine kinases . these are , e . g ., benign or malignant tumors , particularly tumors of epithelial and neuroepithelial origin , metastasization and the abnormal proliferation of vascular endothelial cells ( neoangiogenesis ). the compounds according to the invention are also useful for preventing and treating diseases of the airways and lungs which are accompanied by increased or altered production of mucus caused by stimulation by tyrosine kinases , e . g ., in inflammatory diseases of the airways such as chronic bronchitis , chronic obstructive bronchitis , asthma , bronchiectasias , allergic , or non - allergic rhinitis or sinusitis , cystic fibrosis , α1 - antitrypsin deficiency , or coughs , pulmonary emphysema , pulmonary fibrosis , and hyperreactive airways . the compounds are also suitable for treating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and bile duct and gall bladder which are associated with disrupted activity of the tyrosine kinases , such as may be found , e . g ., in chronic inflammatory changes such as cholecystitis , crohn &# 39 ; s disease , ulcerative colitis , and ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract or such as may occur in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract which are associated with increased secretions , such as menetrier &# 39 ; s disease , secreting adenomas and protein loss syndrome , and also for treating nasal polyps and polyps of the gastrointestinal tract of various origins such as , e . g ., villous or adenomatous polyps of the large bowel , but also polyps in familial polyposis coli , intestinal polyps in gardner &# 39 ; s syndrome , polyps throughout the entire gastrointestinal tract in peutz - jeghers syndrome , in inflammatory pseudopolyps , juvenile polyps , colitis cystica profunda , and pneumatosis cystoides intestinales . moreover , the compounds of general formula i and the physiologically acceptable salts thereof may be used to treat kidney diseases , particularly in cystic changes such as cystic kidneys , for treating renal cysts which may be idiopathic in origin or occur in syndromes such as , e . g ., tuberculous sclerosis , in von - hippel - lindau syndrome , in nephronophthisis and spongy kidney and other diseases caused by aberrant function of tyrosine kinases , such as , e . g ., epidermal hyperproliferation ( psoriasis ), inflammatory processes , diseases of the immune system , hyperproliferation of hematopoietic cells , etc . by reason of their biological properties the compounds according to the invention may be used on their own or in conjunction with other pharmacologically active compounds , for example in tumour therapy , in monotherapy or in conjunction with other anti - tumour therapeutic agents , for example in combination with topoisomerase inhibitors ( e . g ., etoposide ), mitosis inhibitors ( e . g ., vinblastine ), compounds which interact with nucleic acids ( e . g ., cisplatin , cyclophosphamide , adriamycin ), hormone antagonists ( e . g ., tamoxifen ), inhibitors of metabolic processes ( e . g ., 5 - fu etc . ), cytokines ( e . g ., interferons ), antibodies , etc . for treating respiratory tract diseases , these compounds may be used on their own or in conjunction with other therapeutic agents for the airways , such as substances with a secretolytic , broncholytic and / or antiinflammatory activity . for treating diseases in the region of the gastrointestinal tract , these compounds may also be administered on their own or in conjunction with substances having an effect on motility or secretion or antiinflammatory substances . these combinations may be administered either simultaneously or sequentially . these compounds may be administered either on their own or in conjunction with other active substances by intravenous , subcutaneous , intramuscular , intrarectal , intraperitoneal or intranasal route , by inhalation or transdermally or orally , wherein aerosol formulations are particularly suitable for inhalation . for pharmaceutical use the compounds according to the invention are generally used for warm - blooded vertebrates , particularly humans , in doses of 0 . 01 - 100 mg / kg of body weight , preferably 0 . 1 - 15 mg / kg . for administration they are formulated with one or more conventional inert carriers and / or diluents , e . g ., with corn starch , lactose , glucose , microcrystalline cellulose , magnesium stearate , polyvinylpyrrolidone , citric acid , tartaric acid , water , water / ethanol , water / glycerol , water / sorbitol , water / polyethyleneglycol , propyleneglycol , stearyl alcohol , carboxymethylcellulose , or fatty substances such as hard fat or suitable mixtures thereof in conventional galenic preparations such as plain or coated tablets , capsules , powders , suspensions , solutions , sprays , or suppositories . the following examples are intended to illustrate the present invention without restricting it . hydrogen chloride gas is passed through a solution of 2 . 36 g of 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 1 -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] piperidine in ethanol for about 10 minutes . the solution heats up significantly and after a short time a thick precipitate is formed . the suspension is refluxed for a further half hour , during which time the precipitate goes back into solution . the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , taken up with toluene , and again concentrated by evaporation . the residue is stirred with acetone , suction filtered , and washed with acetone and diethylether . the almost colorless , crystalline product is dried in the desiccator . yield : 2 . 15 g of ( 100 % of theory ); melting point : 156 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 187 [ m + h ] + . carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . 1 h - nmr ( 200 mhz , dmso - d 6 ): *= 1 . 7 - 2 . 0 ( m , 2h ), 2 . 0 - 2 . 2 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 0 - 3 . 4 ( m , 3h ), 3 . 45 - 3 . 65 ( m , 2h ), 3 . 75 ( s , 3h ), 4 . 2 ( s , 2h ), 8 . 25 ( br s , 3h ). elemental analysis : calc : c 29 . 94 h 3 . 05 n 4 . 16 found : c 31 . 09 h 3 . 65 n 4 . 14 melting point : 148 ° c .- 154 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 201 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 159 ° c .- 168 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 201 [ m + h ] + . carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . melting point : 133 ° c .- 138 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 241 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 213 ° c .- 215 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 187 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 170 ° c .- 172 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 200 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 15 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated , aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 201 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 16 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated , aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 215 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 170 ° c .- 190 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z 229 [ m + h ] + . carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . melting point : 183 ° c .- 186 ° c . ( decomposition ). elemental analysis : calc : c 39 . 29 h 4 . 95 n 6 . 87 found : c 39 . 01 h 4 . 97 n 7 . 03 carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . r f value : 0 . 30 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ). carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . r f value : 0 . 13 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ). carried out with trifluoroacetic acid in methylene chloride . r f value : 0 . 18 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ). 1 . 0 g of 1 -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ]- 4 -( cyanomethyl ) piperidine hydrochloride is dissolved in 15 ml ethanol and 1 . 0 ml of ethanolic hydrochloric acid and hydrogenated in the presence of 0 . 15 g of palladium ( 10 % on activated charcoal ) as catalyst at 50 ° c . at a hydrogen pressure of 50 psi in a parr apparatus until the calculated amount of hydrogen is taken up . the catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate is concentrated by evaporation . the residue is taken up in acetone and ethanolic hydrochloric acid is added dropwise until the dihydrochloride is precipitated . the precipitate is suction filtered , washed with acetone and diethylether , and dried in the desiccator . yield : 760 mg ( 66 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 22 ( silica gel , toluene / dioxane / methanol / concentrated , aqueous ammonia solution = 20 : 50 : 20 : 2 ) 5 . 3 g of 4 -[ 2 -( methoxycarbonyl ) ethyljpiperidine and 2 . 07 g of sodium acetate are added to a solution of 4 . 4 g of n - benzyl - 3 - pyrrolidinone in 45 ml methanol . then 1 . 61 g of sodium cyanoborohydride is added and the reaction mixture is stirred for three days at ambient temperature . for working up , the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation and the residue is stirred with saturated sodium hydrogen carbonate solution . the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate , the combined extracts are washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution , dried over sodium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the crude product is purified by chromatography over a silica gel column with methylene chloride / methanol ( 9 : 1 ). yield : 5 . 60 g ( 67 % of theory ) of n - benzyl - 3 -{ 4 -[ 2 -( methoxy - carbonyl ) ethyl ] piperdin - 1 - yl }- pyrrolidine as a yellowish oil ; r f value : 0 . 54 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 9 : 1 ). in order to cleave the benzyl protecting group 5 . 4 g of the product obtained are dissolved in 100 ml methanol , acidified with in hydrochloric acid and hydrogenated in the presence of 1 . 5 g of palladium ( 10 % on activated charcoal ) at ambient temperature at a hydrogen pressure of 50 psi in a parr apparatus . the catalyst is filtered off , the filtrate is concentrated by evaporation and the brownish crystalline product is dried in the desiccator . yield : 5 . 10 g ( 100 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 56 ( reversed phase ready - made thin layer plate rp - 8 ( e . merck ), methanol / 5 % aqueous sodium chloride solution = 6 : 4 ). 1 . 36 ml of ethyl bromoacetate and 2 . 77 ml of triethylamine are added to 2 . 00 g of 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ] piperidine in 15 ml acetonitrile at ambient temperature . the reaction mixture is stirred at 65 ° c . for about two hours , during which time a clear solution is formed . the solvent is distilled off using a rotary evaporator , the residue is stirred with ice - cold water and made alkaline with a little potassium carbonate solution . the precipitate thus formed is suction filtered and the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined extracts are washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the residue is combined with the precipitate filtered off , washed with water , and dried in the desiccator . yield : 2 . 40 g ( 84 % of theory ); melting point : 76 - 79 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 309 [ m + na ] + . melting point : 96 ° c .- 98 ° c . ; r f value : 0 . 21 ( silica gel , cyclohexane / ethyl acetate = 1 : 1 ) melting point : 97 ° c .- 99 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 323 [ m + na ] + . melting point : 94 ° c .- 96 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 323 [ m + na ] + . melting point : 102 ° c .- 104 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 363 [ m + na ] + . r f value : 0 . 75 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): 301 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 65 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): 301 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 50 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): 329 [ m + h ] + . ( 8 ) 1 -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ]- 4 -( cyanomethyl ) piperidine hydrochloride ( after reacting the crude product obtained to form the hydrochloride ) melting point : 131 ° c .- 136 ° c . ; r f value : 0 . 67 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 95 : 5 : 1 ). 6 . 45 g of methyl acrylate is added to 5 . 00 g of 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ] piperidine in 20 ml methanol . the reaction mixture is stirred for 7 . 5 hours at 70 ° c . after the reaction has ended , the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , leaving a white solid . yield : 7 . 09 g ( 99 % of theory ); melting point : 91 - 93 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 287 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 55 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): 315 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 29 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 95 : 5 : 1 ) a suspension of 26 . 30 g of trans - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 1 -[ n -( trifluoromethylcarbonyl )- n - methylamino ] cyclohexane in 250 ml methanol is heated to 50 ° c . with stirring for a few minutes , until a clear solution is formed . then 50 ml of 2n sodium hydroxide solution is added with stirring . a slightly cloudy solution is formed which is stirred for a further 2 . 5 hours at ambient temperature . the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , the residue is taken up in 2n citric acid solution and extracted with methylene chloride / methanol ( 9 : 1 ). then it is made alkaline with 2n sodium hydroxide solution and extracted again with methylene chloride / methanol ( 9 : 1 ). the combined extracts are dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation . yield : 16 . 00 g ( 86 % of theory ); melting point : 120 ° c .- 122 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): 229 [ m + h ] + . 4 . 54 g of sodium hydride at ambient temperature is added in batches with stirring to a suspension of 27 . 10 g of trans - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 1 -[( trifluoromethylcarbonyl ) amino ] cyclohexane in 220 ml of dimethylformamide . the slightly cloudy reaction solution is stirred for approximately a further 20 minutes at ambient temperature , then 6 . 47 ml of methyl iodide is added dropwise while cooling with an ice bath , whereupon a colorless precipitate slowly settles out . the reaction mixture is stirred overnight at ambient temperature and then poured onto 750 ml of ice - cold water for working up and neutralized with citric acid . the precipitate formed is filtered off , washed with water and dried in the desiccator . yield : 26 . 40 g ( 93 % of theory ); melting point : 158 ° c .- 166 ° c . ; r f value : 0 . 75 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 95 : 5 ). trans - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 1 -[( trifluoromethylcarbonyl ) amino ] cyclohexane 10 . 56 ml of methyl trifluoroacetate are quickly added dropwise to 22 . 10 g of 1 - amino - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ] cyclohexane in 110 ml methanol while cooling with an ice bath , whereupon a white precipitate is formed . then the ice bath is removed and the reaction mixture is stirred for a further 3 . 5 hours at ambient temperature . the precipitate formed is filtered off , washed with 50 ml ice - cold methanol and a little diethylether , and dried in the desiccator . yield : 27 . 26 g ( 85 % of theory ); melting point : 245 ° c .- 246 ° c . ( decomposition ); r f value : 0 . 4 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 95 : 5 ). n -( 3 - aminopropyl )- sarcosine ethyl ester hydrochloride 20 ml trifluoroacetic acid is added dropwise to a solution of 6 . 10 g of n -[ 3 -( tert - butyloxycarbonylamino )- propyl ]- sarcosine ethylester in 40 ml methylene chloride while cooling with an ice bath . the reaction mixture is then stirred for about another three hours at 0 ° c . until the development of gas has ceased . for working up , the solvent is substantially distilled off in vacuo using the rotary evaporator . the residue is taken up in ethereal hydrochloric acid solution and again concentrated to dryness by evaporation . yield : 4 . 72 g ( 86 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 80 ( silica gel , acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid = 50 : 50 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 174 [ m ] + . a solution of 17 . 90 g of 3 -( tert - butyloxycarbonylamino ) propyl bromide in 50 ml acetonitrile is added dropwise , within 30 minutes , to a mixture of 11 . 55 g of sarcosine ethyl ester hydrochloride and 28 . 8 ml of huinig &# 39 ; s base in 200 ml acetonitrile while cooling with an ice bath . the reaction mixture is allowed to come back up to ambient temperature overnight in the ice bath . then the solvent is distilled off using a rotary evaporator , the residue is taken up in tert - butyl methyl ether , and washed with ice - cold water . the organic phase is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation . the crude product is chromatographed on a silica gel column with methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution ( 100 : 2 : 0 . 1 ). yield : 20 . 62 g ( 30 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 50 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 20 : 1 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 275 [ m + h ] + . 1 . 03 g of 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 4 -( methoxycarbonyl ) piperidine is added to 676 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 - methylsulfinylpyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine and 0 . 42 ml triethylamine in 10 ml dioxane and the reaction mixture is refluxed for one hour . the reaction solution is concentrated by evaporation and the residue taken up in methylene chloride . the solution is washed with dilute potassium carbonate solution and water , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the crude product is purified by chromatography over a silica gel column with methylene chloride / methanol ( 98 : 2 ). yield : 750 mg ( 71 % of theory ); melting point : 186 ° c .- 189 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 532 , 534 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 202 . 5 ° c .- 204 . 5 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 502 , 504 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 30 ( silica gel , toluene / dioxane / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 20 : 50 : 20 : 10 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 416 , 418 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 205 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 500 , 502 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 218 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 499 , 501 [ m ] + . 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 4 -( methoxycarbonyl ) piperidine 2 . 44 g of 1 - benzyl - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 4 -( methoxycarbonyl ) piperidine in 20 ml methanol are hydrogenated in the presence of 300 mg palladium ( 10 % on activated charcoal ) as catalyst at ambient temperature at a hydrogen pressure of 50 psi for about 22 hours until the calculated amount of hydrogen is taken up . the catalyst is filtered off and the filtrate concentrated by evaporation . yield : 1 . 72 g ( 95 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 15 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 259 [ m + h ] + . 3 . 97 g of di - tert - butyl pyrocarbonate is added to a suspension of 5 . 05 g of 4 - amino - 1 - benzyl - 4 -( methoxycarbonyl ) piperidine in 80 ml methylene chloride . then 16 ml of 2n sodium hydroxide solution is added dropwise , with stirring , at ambient temperature , whereupon a precipitate is formed which is in the aqueous phase . after one hour the organic phase is separated off , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . since the crude product mixture obtained still contains starting material , it is dissolved in 30 ml tetrahydrofuran , mixed with 1 . 50 g of di - tert - butyl pyrocarbonate and a spatula tip of 4 - dimethylaminopyridine , and refluxed for three hours . the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , leaving a brown resin which is reacted without any further purification . yield : 2 . 64 g ( 48 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 65 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanollconcentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 348 [ m ] + . first , 11 . 0 g of sarcosine methyl ester hydrochloride are converted into the free base by treating with 10 - 15 % potassium carbonate solution . this is then heated to 110 ° c . together with 2 . 0 g of ( 1 - tert - butyloxycarbonyl )- 4 -[( methylsulfonyloxy ) methyl ] piperidine in a pressurised vessel for six hours at a pressure of 2 bar . then the reaction mixture is rinsed out of the pressurised vessel with methanol and concentrated by evaporation . a brown oil is left which is stirred with a little water . the aqueous phase is separated off and the organic phase is diluted with methylene chloride , dried over sodium sulfate , and freed from solvent using a rotary evaporator . the crude product obtained is reacted without any further purification . yield : 2 . 49 g of brownish oil . r f value : 0 . 86 ( silica gel , petroleum ether / ethyl acetate / methanol = 10 : 10 : 1 ) mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 341 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 74 ( silica gel , petroleum ether / ethyl acetate / methanol = 10 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 327 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 69 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 9 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 370 [ m + h ] + . 0 . 23 ml of 2 - bromoethanol and 0 . 61 ml of diisopropylethylamine is added to 1 . 16 g of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -[( trans - 4 - aminocyclohex - 1 - yl ) amino ] pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 8 ml acetonitrile at ambient temperature . the resulting mixture is refluxed . after about 5 hours , another 0 . 05 ml of 2 - bromoethanol is added and the mixture is heated for another eight hours to complete the reaction . the suspension is concentrated by evaporation , the residue is mixed with ice - cold water , made slightly alkaline with sodium hydroxide solution , and suction filtered . the still moist filter residue is taken up in methylene chloride / methanol . the cloudy solution is washed with water , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the yellow crude product is stirred with about 30 ml methanol , briefly heated to boiling , cooled slightly , suction filtered , and washed with cold methanol . yield : 990 mg ( 76 % of theory ); melting point : 165 ° c .- 172 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 432 , 434 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 50 ( silica gel , toluene / dioxane / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 20 : 50 : 20 : 3 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 432 , 434 [ m + h ] + . 3 . 0 ml trifluoroacetic acid is added dropwise to 2 . 10 g of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -( n -{ trans - 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ] cyclohex - 1 - yl }- n - methylamino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 30 ml methylene chloride . the reaction mixture is stirred for 1 . 5 hours at ambient temperature , left to stand overnight , and concentrated by evaporation the next morning . the residue is taken up in methylene chloride / methanol ( 5 : 1 ), washed with 2n sodium hydroxide solution and water , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the yellow crude product is triturated with diethyl ether , suction filtered , and dried in vacuo . yield : 1 . 60 g ( 95 % of theory ); melting point : 203 ° c .- 205 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 402 , 404 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 215 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 400 , 402 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 178 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 400 , 402 [ m + h ] + . 0 . 38 ml of diisopropylethylamine is added to 388 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -[( trans - 4 - aminocyclohex - 1 - yl ) amino ] pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 25 ml of tetrahydrofuran . the mixture is cooled to − 55 ° c . under a nitrogen atmosphere in a bath of acetone and dry ice . then a solution of 0 . 13 ml chloroethane sulfonic acid chloride in 5 ml of tetrahydrofuran is added dropwise and stirred for a further 1 . 5 hours at − 55 ° c . the reaction mixture is quenched with a mixture of 10 ml of in hydrochloric acid and 10 ml of saturated sodium chloride solution and mixed with some ethyl acetate . the organic phase is filtered through 8 . 5 g of extrelut ® ( e . merck , darmstadt ) and eluted with 100 ml of methylene chloride / methanol ( 9 : 1 ). the filtrate is concentrated by evaporation , leaving a yellow solid . yield : 216 mg ( 45 % of theory ); melting point : 226 - 230 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 477 , 479 [ m ] + . 28 . 80 g of 3 - chloroperbenzoic acid ( content : 70 %) is added batchwise , with stirring , to 17 . 40 g of ( r )- 4 -[( 1 - phenylethyl ) amino ]- 6 - methylthiopyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 180 ml methylene chloride at ambient temperature . then the reaction mixture is stirred for about an hour at ambient temperature . the white precipitate formed is filtered off and the filtrate is washed with sodium hydrogen carbonate solution , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the oily orange residue is a mixture of sulfone and sulfoxide ( about 85 : 15 according to 1 h - nmr ). r f value : 0 . 47 ( silica gel , cyclohexane / ethyl acetate / methanol 5 : 4 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 352 [ m + na ] + ( sulfone ), 336 [ m + na ]+( sulfoxide ). 10 . 7 ml of diisopropylethylamine and 9 . 4 ml of d (+)- 1 - phenylethylamine are added to 13 . 00 g of 4 - chloro - 6 - methylthiopyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 100 ml of dimethylformamide . the mixture is stirred for four hours at ambient temperature . for working up , the reaction mixture is poured onto 200 ml of water . the aqueous phase is extracted with methylene chloride , and the combined organic phases are dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation . the dark brown oily residue is taken up in ethyl acetate and extracted with 10 % citric acid . the organic phase is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation , leaving a reddish - brown oil . yield : 17 . 40 g ( 96 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 63 ( silica gel , cyclohexane / ethyl acetate / methanol = 5 : 4 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 298 [ m + h ] + . 2 . 0 ml of in sodium hydroxide solution is added to a suspension of 400 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ 1 -[( methoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] piperidin - 4 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 5 . 0 ml tetrahydrofuran . the clear solution formed is stirred for approximately a further three hours at ambient temperature . then the reaction solution is neutralized with 1n hydrochloric acid and concentrated by evaporation using a rotary evaporator until the product starts to crystallize out . the yellow precipitate is filtered off , washed with water and diethylether , and dried in vacuo at 60 ° c . yield : 365 mg ( 96 % of theory ); melting point : 155 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 431 , 433 [ m ] + . melting point : 217 ° c .- 225 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 445 , 447 [ m ] + . melting point : 145 ° c .- 165 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ] + . melting point : 220 ° c .- 228 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 460 , 462 [ m + h ] + . ( 4 ) 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ trans - 4 -[ n -( 2 - carboxyethyl )- n - methylamino ] cyclohex - 1 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine melting point : 202 ° c .- 205 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 474 , 476 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 217 ° c .- 221 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 488 , 490 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 240 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 417 , 419 [ m ] + . melting point : 111 ° c .- 145 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 431 , 433 [ m ] + . melting point : 213 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 514 , 516 [ m ] + . melting point : 246 ° c .- 249 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ] + . melting point : 190 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 445 , 447 [ m ] + . melting point : 139 ° c .- 165 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ]+. r f value : 0 . 63 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / triethylamine 2 : 1 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum , ( ei ): m / z = 499 , 501 [ m ] + . melting point : 240 ° c .- 242 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum : ( esf − ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 277 ° c .- 282 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 417 , 419 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 05 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 444 , 446 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 209 ° c .- 214 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 458 , 460 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 226 ° c .- 235 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 444 , 446 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 245 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 502 , 504 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 160 ° c .- 169 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 530 , 532 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 79 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 530 , 532 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 85 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 502 , 504 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 33 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), methanol / 5 % aqueous sodium chloride solution = 8 : 2 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 516 , 518 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 30 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), methanol / 5 % aqueous sodium chloride solution = 8 : 2 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 558 , 560 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 173 ° c .- 179 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 558 , 560 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 82 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 502 , 504 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 82 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 444 , 446 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 201 ° c .- 205 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 444 , 446 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 200 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 472 , 474 [ m - h ] − . carried out with potassium tert - butoxide as base . melting point : 225 - 237 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 498 , 500 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 157 - 160 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 458 , 460 [ m - h ] − . r f value : 0 . 60 ( reversed phase ready - made tlc plate ( e . merck ), acetonitrile / water / trifluoroacetic acid = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 513 , 515 [ m - h ] − . melting point : 160 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 444 , 446 [ m - h ] − . ( 33 ) 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -{ 4 -[( 2 - carboxy - pyrrolidin - 1 - yl ) methyl ] piperidin - 1 - yl } pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine carried out with potassium tert - butoxide as base . melting point : 140 - 162 ° c . ( decomposition ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 484 , 486 [ m - h ] − . [ 0486 ] 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ 1 -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] piperidin - 4 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine 778 mg of 4 - amino - 1 -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] piperidine dihydrochloride is added to 676 mg of a mixture of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 - methylsulfinylpyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine and 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 - methylsulfonylpyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 14 ml dioxane and 2 ml ethanol . then 0 . 55 ml of triethylamine and 829 mg of potassium carbonate are added and the reaction mixture is refluxed for about seven hours . then the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation and the residue is stirred with ice - cold water , suction filtered , washed with water , and dried . the brownish - yellow crude product is purified by chromatography on a silica gel column with methylene chloride / ethanol ( 95 : 5 ). yield : 526 mg ( 57 % of theory ); melting point : 136 - 138 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ] + . melting point : 162 ° c .- 164 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 445 , 447 [ m ] + . melting point : 135 ° c .- 137 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . melting point : 175 ° c .- 177 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . melting point : 184 ° c .- 186 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 513 , 515 [ m ] + . melting point : 136 ° c .- 137 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 460 , 462 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 135 ° c .- 137 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . melting point : 131 ° c .- 134 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . melting point : 126 ° c .- 128 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 487 , 489 [ m ] + . melting point : 99 ° c .- 102 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 502 , 504 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 179 ° c .- 182 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 445 , 447 [ m ] + . melting point : 140 ° c .- 142 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 445 , 447 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 51 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 9 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 542 , 544 [ m ] + . melting point : 128 ° c .- 130 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 487 , 489 [ m ] + . melting point : 137 ° c .- 139 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 15 ( silica gel , petroleum ether / ethyl acetate / methanol = 5 : 5 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . melting point : 166 ° c .- 168 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 513 , 515 [ m ] + . melting point : 144 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 472 , 474 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 35 ( silica gel , cyclohexane / ethyl acetate / methanol = 5 : 4 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 474 , 476 [ m + h ]+. r f value : 0 . 88 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 73 ( silica gel , petroleum ether / ethyl acetate / methanol = 10 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 514 , 516 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 151 ° c .- 154 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi ): m / z = 500 , 502 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 145 ° c .- 149 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 543 , 545 [ m + h ] + . melting point : 129 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 427 , 429 [ m ] + . melting point : 164 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 407 [ m ] + . ( 25 ) ( r )- 4 -[( 1 - phenylethyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ 1 -[( methoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] piperidin - 4 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine r f value : 0 . 39 ( silica gel , ethyl acetate / methanol = 95 : 5 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 421 [ m ] + . melting point : 218 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 476 , 478 , 480 [ m ] + . melting point : 167 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 564 , 566 , 568 [ m ] + . melting point : 167 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 432 [ m ] + . 2 . 08 ml of triethylamine and 0 . 61 ml of ethyl bromoacetate are added to 2 . 01 g of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -[ 2 -( piperazin - 1 - yl ) ethylamino ] pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 50 ml pyridine . the reaction mixture is stirred for two hours at ambient temperature . then the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , water is added , and the mixture is extracted with methylene chloride . the combined organic phases are dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation . the yellow crude product is purified by chromatography on an aluminium oxide column ( activity iii ) with methylene chloride / ethanol ( 99 : 1 ). yield : 1 . 97 g ( 81 % of theory ); melting point : 128 ° c .- 129 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 489 [ m + h ] + . ( 1 ) 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -( 4 -{ n -[( ethoxycarbonyl ) methyl ]- n - methylamino } piperidin - 1 - yl ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine r f value : 0 . 63 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . the reaction is carried out with methyl 3 - bromopropionate . r f value : 0 . 57 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . r f value : 0 . 66 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 155 ° c .- 157 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 559 , 561 [ m ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 181 ° c .- 184 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 532 , 534 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 75 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 473 , 475 [ m ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 65 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 95 : 5 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 560 , 562 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 81 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 532 , 534 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 83 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi ): m / z = 532 , 534 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 141 ° c .- 143 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 459 , 461 [ m ] + . p 0 ( 11 ) 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -[ n -( trans - 4 -{[( methoxycarbonyl ) methyl ] amino } cyclohex - 1 - yl )- n - methylamino ] pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 169 . 5 ° c .- 171 . 5 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 474 , 476 [ m + h ] + . for method see example 3 ( 11 ). melting point : 162 - 164 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 546 , 548 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 76 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 460 , 462 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 137 ° c .- 139 . 5 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 488 , 490 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . r f value : 0 . 59 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 460 , 462 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out with dimethyl bromomalonate in acetonitrile in the presence of diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 158 - 160 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 530 , 532 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile with diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 113 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 472 , 474 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out with dimethyl bromomalonate in acetonitrile in the presence of diisopropyl - ethylamine as the auxiliary base . melting point : 192 ° c .- 193 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 504 , 506 [ m + h ] + . a suspension of 500 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -[ 2 -( piperazin - 1 - yl ) ethylamino ] pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 15 ml dioxane is heated to 95 ° c .- 100 ° c . with stirring until the solid is substantially dissolved . then , initially 100 μl of 37 % formaldehyde solution and 190 μl of diethylphosphite are added with heating . the reaction mixture is stirred for about 4 hours at 100 ° c . for working up , the reaction mixture is concentrated by evaporation , the residue is stirred with a little ice - cold water and extracted with methylene chloride . the combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated by evaporation . the brownish - yellow crude product is purified by chromatography on an aluminium oxide column ( activity iii ) with methylene chloride / methanol ( 98 . 5 : 1 . 5 ). yield : 250 mg ( 36 % of theory ); r f value : 0 . 70 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 9 : 1 : 0 . 01 ); mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 551 , 553 [ m - h ] −- r f value : 0 . 36 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 5 ); mass spectrum ( ej ): m / z = 549 , 551 [ m ] + . reaction with diethoxymethylphosphine in tetrahydrofuran . r f value : 0 . 25 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 1 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 519 , 521 [ m ] + . a suspension of 720 mg 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -{ 4 -[( tert - butyloxycarbonyl ) amino ]- 4 -( methoxycarbonyl ) piperidin - 1 - yl } pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 10 ml methylene chloride is mixed with 2 ml trifluoroacetic acid with stirring . the solution formed with the release of gas is left to stand overnight and then evaporated to dryness . the residue is taken up in methylene chloride , washed with dilute potassium carbonate solution and water , and dried over magnesium sulfate . the solvent is distilled off and the yellow resin remaining is stirred with a little methanol . the yellow precipitate is suction filtered , washed with a little cold methanol , and dried in the desiccator . yield : 565 mg ( 97 % of theory ); melting point : 182 - 184 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 432 , 434 [ m + h ] + . 0 . 73 ml methyl acrylate is added to 1 . 00 g of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -( 4 - aminomethylpiperidin - 1 - yl ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 25 ml methanol . the reaction mixture is refluxed for four hours , then another 0 . 35 ml of methyl acrylate is added . after another five hours under reflux , the reaction is almost complete and the mixture is concentrated by evaporation . the orange - yellow crude product is purified by chromatography on a silica gel column with petroleum ether / ethyl acetate / methanol ( 1 : 1 : 0 . 1 ) as eluant . yield : 1 . 02 g ( 71 % of theory ); melting point : 113 ° c .- 118 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 560 , 562 [ m + h ] + . r f value : 0 . 90 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 560 , 562 [ m + h ] + . only 1 . 5 equivalents of methyl acrylate are used . r f value : 0 . 60 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol / concentrated aqueous ammonia solution = 90 : 10 : 0 . 1 ); mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 474 , 476 [ m + h ] + . only 1 . 4 equivalents of methyl acrylate are used ). melting point : 134 - 135 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 474 , 476 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out with dimethyl maleate in dioxane . melting point : 193 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi − ): m / z = 542 , 544 [ m - h ] − . the reaction is carried out with diethyl glutaconate in dioxane . melting point : 132 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 586 , 588 [ m + h ] + . 0 . 61 ml of diisopropylethylamine and 0 . 39 ml of ethyl bromoacetate is added to 970 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ trans - 4 -[( 2 - hydroxyethyl ) amino ] cyclohex - 1 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 5 ml dimethylformamide at ambient temperature . the suspension is briefly heated to 50 ° c . in a water bath until a clear solution is formed . then the reaction mixture is stirred for a further three hours at ambient temperature . for working up , the mixture is combined with ice - cold water . the phases are separated and the aqueous phase is extracted with ethyl acetate . the combined organic phases are washed with water and saturated sodium chloride solution , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the crude product is purified by chromatography on a silica gel column with methylene chloride / methanol ( 98 . 5 : 1 . 5 to 97 : 3 ) as eluant . product is obtained exclusively as a yellow crystalline solid . yield : 466 mg ( 44 % of theory ); melting point : 213 - 223 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 472 , 474 [ m + h ] + . the reaction is carried out in acetonitrile as solvent , producing predominantly non - cyclized product which is cyclized to form the lactone by heating with a little p - toluenesulfonic acid in toluene . melting point : 202 - 204 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 472 , 474 [ m + h ] + . 0 . 21 ml diisopropylethylamine and 176 mg of sarcosine methyl ester hydrochloride are added to 195 mg of 4 -[( 3 - chloro - 4 - fluorophenyl ) amino ]- 6 -({ trans - 4 -[( vinylsulfonyl ) amino ] cyclohex - 1 - yl } amino ) pyrimido [ 5 , 4 - d ] pyrimidine in 10 ml methanol at ambient temperature . the reaction mixture is refluxed for about 25 hours . after the reaction has ended the mixture is concentrated by evaporation . since the product is obviously partly in the form of the free acid the residue is again dissolved in methanol , cooled under a nitrogen atmosphere in a bath of acetone / dry ice , and combined with 0 . 2 ml of thionyl chloride . after heating to ambient temperature the solvent is distilled off in vacuo , the residue is dissolved in methylene chloride / methanol , washed with dilute sodium carbonate solution , dried over magnesium sulfate , and concentrated by evaporation . the brownish crude product is purified by chromatography on a silica gel column with methylene chloride / methanol ( 98 : 2 ). yield : 51 mg ( 22 % of theory ); melting point : 171 - 174 ° c . ; mass spectrum ( esi + ): m / z = 581 , 583 [ m + h ] + . by reaction with ethyl ( 2 - hydroxyethylamino ) acetate hydrochloride in ethanol with no subsequent re - esterification as described in example 8 . r f value : 0 . 39 ( silica gel , methylene chloride / methanol = 95 : 5 ); mass spectrum ( ei ): m / z = 578 , 580 [ m ] + . the following compounds may also be obtained analogously to the preceding examples and other methods known from the literature : example 9 : coated tablets containing 75 mg of active substance component amount per tablet core ( mg ) active substance 75 calcium phosphate 93 . 0 corn starch 35 . 5 polyvinylpyrrolidone 10 . 0 hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 15 . 0 magnesium stearate 1 . 5 total 230 . 0 the active substance is mixed with calcium phosphate , corn starch , polyvinylpyrrolidone , hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and half the specified amount of magnesium stearate . blanks 13 mm in diameter are produced in a tablet - making machine and these are then rubbed through a screen with a mesh size of 1 . 5 mm using a suitable machine and mixed with the rest of the magnesium stearate . this granulate is compressed in a tablet - making machine to form tablets of the desired shape . weight of core : 230 mg ; die : 9 mm , convex . the tablet cores thus produced are coated with a film consisting essentially of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose . the finished film - coated tablets are polished with beeswax . weight of coated tablet : 245 mg . example 10 : tablets containing 100 mg of active substance component amount per tablet ( mg ) active substance 100 . 0 lactose 80 . 0 corn starch 34 . 0 polyvinylpyrrolidone 4 . 0 magnesium stearate 2 . 0 total 220 . 0 the active substance , lactose , and starch are mixed together and uniformly moistened with an aqueous solution of the polyvinylpyrrolidone . after the moist composition has been screened ( 2 . 0 mm mesh size ) and dried in a rack - type drier at 50 ° c ., it is screened again ( 1 . 5 mm mesh size ) and the lubricant is added . the finished mixture is compressed to form tablets . weight of tablet : 220 mg ; diameter : 10 mm , biplanar , facetted on both sides and notched on one side . example 11 : tablets containing 150 mg of active substance component amount per tablet ( mg ) active substance 150 . 0 powdered lactose 89 . 0 corn starch 40 . 0 colloidal silica 10 . 0 polyvinylpyrrolidone 10 . 0 magnesium stearate 1 . 0 total 300 . 0 the active substance mixed with lactose , corn starch , and silica is moistened with a 20 % aqueous polyvinylpyrrolidone solution and passed through a screen with a mesh size of 1 . 5 mm . the granules , dried at 45 ° c ., are passed through the same screen again and mixed with the specified amount of magnesium stearate . tablets are pressed from the mixture . weight of tablet : 300 mg ; die : 10 mm , flat . example 12 : hard gelatine capsules containing 150 mg of active substance component amount per capsule ( mg ) active substance 150 . 0 corn starch ( dried ) approx . 80 . 0 lactose ( powdered ) approx . 87 . 0 magnesium stearate 3 . 0 total 320 . 0 the active substance is mixed with the excipients , passed through a screen with a mesh size of 0 . 75 mm and homogeneously mixed using a suitable apparatus . the finished mixture is packed into size 1 hard gelatine capsules . capsule filling : approx . 320 mg ; capsule shell : size 1 hard gelatine capsule . example 13 : suppositories containing 150 mg of active substance component amount per suppository ( mg ) active substance 150 . 0 polyethyleneglycol 1500 550 . 0 polyethyleneglycol 6000 460 . 0 polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate 840 . 0 total 2000 . 0 after the suppository mass has been melted the active substance is homogeneously distributed therein and the melt is poured into chilled molds . example 14 : suspension containing 50 mg of active substance / 5 ml component amount / 100 ml suspension active substance 1 . 0 g carboxymethylcellulose - na - salt 0 . 10 g methyl p - hydroxybenzoate 0 . 05 g propyl p - hydroxybenzoate 0 . 01 g glucose 10 . 00 g glycerol 5 . 00 g 70 % sorbitol solution 20 . 00 g flavoring 0 . 30 g distilled water ad 100 ml the distilled water is heated to 70 ° c . the methyl and propyl p - hydroxybenzoates together with the glycerol and sodium salt of carboxymethylcellulose are dissolved therein with stirring . the solution is cooled to ambient temperature and the active substance is added and homogeneously dispersed therein with stirring . after the sugar , the sorbitol solution and the flavoring have been added and dissolved , the suspension is evacuated with stirring to eliminate air . 5 ml of suspension contains 50 mg of active substance . example 15 : ampoules containing 10 mg of active substance component amount active substance 10 . 0 mg 0 . 01n hydrochloric acid q . s . double - distilled water ad 2 . 0 ml the active substance is dissolved in the necessary amount of 0 . 01 n hcl , made isotonic with common salt , filtered sterile , and transferred into 2 ml ampoules . example 16 : ampoules containing 50 mg of active substance component amount active substance 50 . 0 mg 0 . 01n hydrochloric acid q . s . double - distilled water ad 10 . 0 ml the active substance is dissolved in the necessary amount of 0 . 01 n hcl , made isotonic with common salt , filtered sterile , and transferred into 10 ml ampoules . example 17 : capsules for powder inhalation containing 5 mg of active substance component amount per capsule ( mg ) active substance 5 . 0 lactose for inhalation 15 . 0 total 20 . 0 the active substance is mixed with lactose for inhalation . the mixture is packed into capsules in a capsule - making machine ( weight of the empty capsule approx . 50 mg ). weight of capsule : 70 . 0 mg ; size of capsule : 3 . example 18 solution for inhalation for hand - held nebulisers containing 2 . 5 mg of active substance component amount per spray active substance 2 . 500 mg benzalkonium chloride 0 . 001 mg 1n hydrochloric acid q . s . ethanol / water ( 50 / 50 ) ad 15 . 000 mg the active substance and benzalkonium chloride are dissolved in ethanol / water ( 50 / 50 ). the ph of the solution is adjusted with in hydrochloric acid . the resulting solution is filtered and transferred into suitable containers for use in hand - held nebulizers ( cartridges ). contents of the container : 4 . 5 g .	2
the discussion that follows , without limiting the scope of the invention , will refer to the invention as depicted in the drawing . a temporary corridor 1 of easily transportable elements erectable on a selected site for sheltering individuals against adverse weather conditions comprising at least one generally horizontal member 2 . each of the at least one generally horizontal member being substantially rectangular in plan with a first end edge 3 and an oppositely disposed second end edge 5 , and a first side flange 34 and an oppositely disposed second side flange 35 . the first side flange and the second side flange each being disposed along a length , measured between the first end edge 3 and the second end edge 5 . the temporary corridor further comprises a plurality of vertical members 4 . each of the vertical members having a generally flat rectangular shape 22 with a peripheral flange comprising a top section 16 , a bottom section 12 , a right side section 10 and a left side section 14 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , each of the vertical members 4 has a width , measured along the top section 16 , that is less by a predetermined amount than the length of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 . the temporary corridor further comprises means for connecting a portion 7 of the first side flange 34 of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 to at least a segment 9 of the top section 16 of at least one of the vertical members 4 that has been placed in alignment with the first side flange 34 and for connecting a portion 7 of the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member to at least a segment 9 of the top section 16 of at least one other of the vertical members 4 that has been placed in alignment with the second side flange 35 . thus forming at least one extended corridor unit 11 of fig1 , with the horizontal member 2 on top and at least one of the vertical members 4 extending downwardly from the first side flange 34 and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member with the bottom section 12 of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site . in one preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in fig1 , the portion 7 of the first side flange 34 along which each of the at least one of the vertical members downwardly extends is registered opposite a portion 7 of the second side flange 35 along which at least one other of the vertical members downwardly extends . in another preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in fig1 , at least one of the portions 7 of the first side flange 34 along which each of the at least one of the vertical members 4 downwardly extends is registered opposite a portion 7a of the second side flange 35 free of one of the vertical members , creating a lateral entrance 74 . as shown in fig1 - 15 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention for the temporary corridor further comprises means for joining the right side section 10 of one of the vertical members 4 to the left side section 14 of the vertical member 4 aligned with the right side section 10 of one of the vertical members adjacent the left side section of the vertical member creating a series of the vertical members 4 joined together to form an extended side wall 13 , as shown in fig1 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , as shown in fig7 the right side section 10 has a predetermined number of side holes 48 therethrough and the left side section 14 has a plurality of side holes 48 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the side holes of the right side section 10 and the means for joining comprises a plurality of removable locking pegs 38 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the side holes 48 of the right side section and the left side section of the vertical members 4 . each of the removable locking pegs 38 is suitably sized to enter and interlock the side holes 48 of right side section 10 of one of the vertical members to the side holes 48 of the left side section 14 of one of the other vertical members aligned therewith . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the removable locking pins 24 are substantially identical and interchangeable with the removable locking pegs 38 . as best shown in fig7 of the drawing , the present invention provides a temporary corridor comprising at least one generally horizontal member 2 , substantially rectangular in plan , having a first end edge 3 and an oppositely disposed second end edge 5 , and having a first side flange 34 and an oppositely disposed second side flange 35 . the first side flange and the second side flange each have a predetermined number of holes 46 therethrough . the temporary corridor further comprises a plurality of vertical members 4 equal in number to twice the number of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 , each of the vertical members having a generally flat rectangular shape 22 with a peripheral flange comprising a top section 16 , a bottom section 12 , a right side section 10 and a left side section 14 . the top section has a plurality of boreholes 58 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the holes 46 of either the first side flange 34 or the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member 2 . means for connecting the first side flange 34 of each of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 to the top section 16 of one of the vertical members 4 and for connecting the second side flange 35 of each of the horizontal members to which one of the vertical members is connected to the top section 16 of another one of the vertical members is also provided . this forms at least one corridor unit 99 with the horizontal member on top and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the first side flange and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange of the horizontal member with the bottom section of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site . the means for connecting comprising a plurality of removable locking pins 24 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the holes 46 of the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member 4 . each of the removable locking pins 24 is suitably sized to enter and interlock the holes 46 of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 to the boreholes 58 of the top section 16 of the respective vertical members 4 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the top section 16 is outwardly disposed and transverse to the plane of the generally flat rectangular shape 22 of the vertical member 4 . furthermore , means for connecting the first side flange 34 of one of the at least one generally horizontal member to the top section 16 of one of the vertical members and for connecting the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member to the top section of another one of the vertical members is supplied to form a corridor unit 99 with the horizontal member on top and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the first side flange and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange of the horizontal member with the bottom section of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site . as shown in detail in fig3 a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 each having c - shaped cross section 32 with an elongated opening 36 which is best shown in fig7 . the top section 16 is transverse to the plane of the generally flat rectangular shape 22 of the vertical member 4 and is suitably sized to engage the elongated opening 36 of one of the c - shaped cross sections 32 of the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the means for engaging the first end edge 3 , being the border , of one of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 to the second end edge 5 of another one of the at least one generally horizontal member , to reduce introduction of weather elements between the horizontal members . the horizontal members 2 are placed in an end to end relationship , to form an extended roof structure , as shown in fig1 - 12 , 14 and 15 . whereby , each of the at least one horizontal members may be aligned end to end engaging an adjacent horizontal member . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in fig6 of the drawing , the means for engaging comprises an elevated border 40 disposed on the first end edge of the at least one generally horizontal member , at least two of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 are aligned adjacent to each other with the first end edge of each of the horizontal members being disposed in the same direction and with the elevated border 40 of one of the at least one generally horizontal member suitably sized to overlap the adjacent second end edge 5 of the other of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 . as shown in fig5 the means for engaging of the instant invention may comprise an elongated seal 42 . additionally , the means for engaging may comprise an elongated connector having an i - shaped cross section 44 with two identical sides , each side being suitably sized to receive an end edge of one of the aligned adjacent at least one generally horizontal member . additionally , a preferred embodiment of the present invention , may further provide that the means for joining the right side section of one of the vertical members of one of the corridor units to an adjacent left side section of the vertical member of another corridor unit placed side by side with the right side section of one of the vertical members of one of the corridor units adjacent to the left side section of the vertical member of another corridor unit , whereby a series of the corridor units may be joined together to form an extended the passageway . as best shown in fig1 of the drawing , the temporary corridor of the present invention , wherein the corridor unit 9 disposed on an end of the temporary corridor has a proximate end 68 that is connected to another corridor unit 99 and a distal end 66 that is free of engagement to another corridor unit . the distal end of the corridor unit has an end opening 70 , and the temporary corridor has an end panel 72 suitably sized to cover the end opening 70 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the bottom section 12 of each of the vertical members 4 is disposed transverse to the generally flat shape 22 of the vertical member and has a predetermined number of apertures 50 , as shown in fig7 disposed in the bottom section 12 , and the means for anchoring the bottom section of the vertical members to the site 64 comprises a stake 52 having a head 54 disposed on one end with a minimum transverse dimension that is substantially greater than the maximum dimension of the aperture 50 . moreover , in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the peripheral flange ( comprising a top section 16 , a bottom section 12 , a right side section 10 and a left side section 14 ) of each vertical member 4 is perpendicular to the generally flat shape 22 of the vertical member 4 . as best shown in fig3 and 8 of the drawing , a preferred embodiment of the present invention may include the removable locking pins 24 ( and pegs 38 ) having a shank 31 and a generally cylindrical head 30 disposed concentrically on an end of the shank and two flexible legs 26 on the other end of the shank . each of the flexible legs 26 has a nub 28 extending outward radially . the flexible legs are movable between a first static position with the nubs extending outward radially a minimum radial dimension that is substantially greater than the minimum dimension of the holes 46 of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 and the boreholes 58 of the top section 16 of the respective vertical members , and a second position in which the flexible legs 26 are compressed together with the nubs 28 extending outward radially a maximum radial dimension that is substantially less than the minimum dimension of the holes 46 of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 and the boreholes 58 of the top section 16 of the respective vertical members 4 . in this way , the flexible legs 26 of the each of the removable locking pins 24 may be pressed together from the first position to the second position as the removable locking pin enters the aligned holes of the at least one generally horizontal member and the boreholes of the top section of the respective vertical members and to interlock the aligned holes of the at least one generally horizontal member and the boreholes of the top section of the respective vertical members when the flexible legs move to the second position to the first position and whereby each of the removable locking pins may be easily removed by manually pressing together the flexible legs thereof from the first position to the second position as the removable locking pin is urged axially out of the aligned holes . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , as best shown in fig7 a central section 20 disposed between the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 of each of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 arches upwardly forming a portion of a cylinder . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , as best shown in fig1 and 15 , a central section disposed between the first side flange and the second side flange of each of the at least one generally horizontal member arches upwardly forming a portion of frustum of a cone 23 . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , as best shown in fig1 and 11 of the drawing , a preferred embodiment of the present invention provides that each of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 has a dimension measured along one of the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 between the first end 3 and the second end 5 that does not substantially exceed a width of each of the vertical members 4 , measured along the top section 16 . as shown in fig1 the temporary corridor may have at least one of the vertical members 4 with a window 6 disposed in the generally flat rectangular shape 22 thereof . and at least one of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 and the vertical members 4 may have a reinforcing rib 8 for added strength . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , a temporary corridor of easily transportable elements erectable on a selected site for sheltering individuals against adverse weather conditions comprises at least one generally horizontal member 2 . each of the at least one generally horizontal member is substantially rectangular in plan and has a first end edge 3 and an oppositely disposed second end edge 5 , and has a first side flange 34 and an oppositely disposed second side flange 35 . the first side flange and the second side flange each having a c - shaped cross section 32 with an elongated opening 36 and a predetermined number of holes 46 therethrough . this temporary corridor further comprises a plurality of vertical members 4 equal in number to twice the number of the at least one generally horizontal member 2 . each of the vertical members 4 has a generally flat rectangular shape 22 with a peripheral flange comprising a top section 16 , a bottom section 12 , a right side section 10 and a left side section 14 . the top section is transverse to the plane of the generally flat rectangular shape 22 of the vertical member 4 and is suitably sized to engage the elongated opening 36 of one of the c - shaped openings of the first side flange 34 and the second side flange 35 and has a plurality of boreholes 58 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the holes 46 of either the first side flange 34 or the second side flange 35 of the horizontal member . this temporary corridor further comprises means for connecting the first side flange of each of the at least one generally horizontal member to the top section of one of the vertical members and for connecting the second side flange of each of the horizontal members to which one of the vertical members is connected to the top section of another one of the vertical members , to form at least one corridor unit 99 with the horizontal member on top and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the first side flange and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange of the horizontal member with the bottom section of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site . the means for connecting comprising a plurality of removable locking pins 24 corresponding in number and pattern of distribution with the holes 46 of the first side flange and the second side flange of the horizontal member . each of the removable locking pins being suitably sized to enter and interlock the holes 46 of the at least one generally horizontal member to the boreholes 58 of the top section of the respective vertical members . this temporary corridor further comprises means for engaging the first end edge of one of the at least one generally horizontal member to the second end edge of another one of the at least one generally horizontal member , to reduce introduction of weather elements between the horizontal members . the horizontal members is placed in an end to end relationship , to form an extended roof structure . whereby , each of the at least one horizontal members may be aligned end to end engaging an adjacent horizontal member . this temporary corridor further comprises means for joining the right side section 10 of one of the vertical members of one of the corridor units 99 to an adjacent left side section 14 of the vertical member of another corridor unit placed side by side with the right side section of one of the vertical members of one of the corridor units adjacent to the left side section of the vertical member of another corridor unit . whereby a series of the corridor units may be joined together to form an extended the passageway . in a preferred embodiment of the present invention , the means for engaging comprises an elongated means for sealing . in the temporary corridor of the present invention , means for anchoring the bottom section of the vertical members to the site may be provided . a preferred method for the construction of a temporary corridor by the simple and fast assembly , on a selected site , of a set of easily transportable modular elements of the present invention comprises the steps of : a . aligning a portion of a first side flange of at least one generally horizontal member to at least a segment of a top section of at least one vertical member , each of the vertical members having a generally flat rectangular shape with a peripheral flange comprising a top section , a bottom section , a right side section and a left side section ; b . connecting the portion of the first side flange of the at least one generally horizontal member to the aligned segment of the top section of the at least one vertical member ; c . aligning a portion of a second side flange of the at least one generally horizontal member to at least a segment of a top section of at least one other vertical member ; d . connecting the portion of the second side flange of the at least one generally horizontal member to the aligned segment of the top section of the at least one other vertical member ; and e . anchoring the bottom section of each of the vertical members to the site . in another preferred method for the construction of a temporary corridor by the simple and fast assembly , on a selected site , of a set of easily transportable modular elements comprising the steps of : a . aligning a first side flange of one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the top section of at least one vertical member , each of the at least one vertical member having a generally flat rectangular shape with a peripheral flange comprising a top section , a bottom section , a right side section and a left side section ; b . connecting the first side flange of the one of a plurality generally horizontal members to the aligned top section of the at least one vertical member ; c . aligning a second side flange of the one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the top section of one other at least vertical member ; d . connecting the second side flange of the one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the aligned top section of the one other at least one vertical member , to form a corridor unit . the foregoing method for the construction of a temporary corridor may include the additional step of anchoring the bottom section of each of the vertical members to the site . in another preferred method for the construction of a temporary corridor by the simple and fast assembly , on a selected site , of a set of easily transportable modular elements of the present invention comprises the steps of : a . aligning a first side flange of one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the top section of at least one vertical member , each of the at least one vertical member having a generally flat rectangular shape with a peripheral flange comprising a top section , a bottom section , a right side section and a left side section ; b . connecting the first side flange of the one of a plurality generally horizontal members to the aligned top section of the at least one vertical member ; c . aligning a second side flange of the one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the top section of one other at least vertical member ; d . connecting the second side flange of the one of a plurality of generally horizontal members to the aligned top section of the one other at least one vertical member , to form a corridor unit ; e . repeating steps a . through d . to form a plurality of corridor units ; f . registering a first one of the plurality of corridor units in a straight line with a second one of the plurality of corridor units with the right side section of one of the at least one vertical member of the first one of the corridor units abutting the left side section of one of the at least one vertical member of the second one of the corridor units and with the left side section of the other at least one vertical member of the first one of the corridor units abutting the right side section of the other of the at least one vertical member of the second one of the corridor units ; g . joining the right side section of the first one of the corridor units to the abutting left side section of one of the at least one vertical member of the second one of the corridor units and joining the left side section of the other at least one vertical member of the first one of the corridor units to the abutting right side section of the other of the at least one vertical member of the second one of the corridor units , to form at least one extended corridor unit with the horizontal member on top and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the first side flange and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange of the horizontal member with the bottom section of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site ; and h . repeating steps f . through g . ( n - 2 ) times where n equals in number the number of the plurality of generally horizontal members , to form an extended corridor unit with each of the plurality of horizontal members on top and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the first side flange and at least one of the vertical members extending downwardly from the second side flange of each of the plurality of horizontal members with the bottom section of each of the respective vertical members disposed toward the site . furthermore , another preferred method for the construction of a temporary corridor may include the additional step of anchoring the bottom section of each of the vertical members to the site . the invention resides not in any one of these features per se , but rather in the particular combination of all of them herein disclosed and claimed and it is distinguished from the prior art in this particular combination of all of its structures for the function specified . there has thus been outline , rather broadly , the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood , and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated . there are , of course , additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto . those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is base , may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures , methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention . it is important , therefore , that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scop of the present invention . further , the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the u . s . patent and trademark office and the public generally , and especially the scientist , engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms of phraseology , to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application . the abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application , which is measured by the claims , nor is tit intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way . these together with other objects of the invention , along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure . for a better understanding of the invention , its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses , reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention .	4
in fig1 , feed gas , such as hydrogen , nitrogen , argon and methane is fed at 10 to a purification or separation process 11 . the feed gas typically has an h / n ratio of about 2 . separated hydrogen is fed at 12 ( in a stream with a h / n ratio of about 3 ) from the process 11 , and delivered for example as synthesis gas to a conversion process producing ammonia . separated “ waste ” gas is fed at 13 from the process 11 , and contains nitrogen , methane , and about 60 % if the incoming argon at 10 , usable as a low grade fuel for combustion and heating , for example to the primary reformer or to a boiler . the typical heating value of the waste gas 13 is approximately 160 btu / scf ( lhv ). see in this regard u . s . pat . no . 3 , 442 , 613 to grotz . in a preferred and improved prior purifier process as represented in fig2 and in more detail in fig3 feed gas is delivered at 110 to a cryogenic separation process indicated generally at 111 . synthesis gas is withdrawn from the process at 112 . nitrogen rich gas and methane rich gas are separated in the process and delivered as streams 113 and 114 respectively . the methane rich gas 114 is typically used as a ( high grade ) fuel for instance in the primary reformer upstream of 111 . referring in detail to process 111 in fig3 coldbox 115 a and columns 130 and 140 are additions to an existing coldbox 115 with an existing column 116 . the streams 110 , 112 c and 131 flow through the existing coldbox or refrigerated heat exchanger 115 for heat exchange as shown via coils 110 a , 110 b , 112 a and 126 a . as in the purifier process expander c 4 provides refrigeration between coils 110 a and 110 b . an existing separation column 116 receives the refrigerated feed via line 117 and synthesis gas is taken from the top of this column and passed through the existing top mounted refluxed condenser 119 . synthesis gas is taken overhead via line 121 and passed to coil 112 a in the existing box 115 for delivery at line 112 c . waste gas is taken from the bottom of the existing column 116 and is passed via line 122 to the existing joule thompson valve 123 . a typical pressure drop through the jt valve is 300 to 350 psi . cooled waste gas then passes via line 125 to provide refrigeration for the existing condenser 119 . it passes through line 126 and coil 126 a in the existing coldbox 115 for delivery via line 131 to coil 114 a in an additional coldbox 115 a and exits via line 131 b as feed to an additional second column 130 . column 130 is provided with a top mounted refluxed condenser 135 . methane rich gas leaves the bottom of column 130 via line 133 to flow to coil 145 a in the additional coldbox 115 a to deliver at line 134 . if needed , the pressure of the methane rich gas is boosted in a single stage blower c 1 and methane rich gas is delivered at 114 . overhead gas is taken via line 132 to a third additional column 140 . the separation in column 130 is such that all of the incoming hydrogen via line 131 b but none of the incoming methane via line 131 b goes overhead via line 132 . the additional third column 140 is provided with a top mounted refluxed condenser 145 . nitrogen rich gas leaves the bottom of column 140 via line 143 to flow to coil 113 a in the additional coldbox 115 a , and to deliver at line 113 . nitrogen rich gas ( typically 97 + % nitrogen , with the remainder being argon ) may be rejected to the atmosphere . overhead gas from the additional column 140 is taken via line 142 to coil 140 a in the additional coldbox 115 a to deliver at line 146 . the separation in column 140 is such that all of the incoming hydrogen via line 132 goes overhead at column 140 . hydrogen / nitrogen delivered at line 146 is recompressed in compressor c 2 and combined with the synthesis gas at line 112 c , and is delivered at line 112 . refrigeration for the refluxed condensers 135 and 145 is provided by a refrigeration compressor c 3 . the discharge of compressor c 3 delivers via line 151 to coil 150 a in the additional cold box 115 a . the cold refrigerant leaves via line 152 and is expanded via valve 153 to line 154 . refrigerant to refluxed condenser 135 is delivered via line 155 ; refrigerant to refluxed condenser 145 is delivered via line 156 . refrigerant returns from the refluxed condenser 135 via line 157 and from refluxed condenser 145 via line 158 . the combined refrigerant returns via line 159 into coil 150 b in the additional coldbox 115 a , and leaves via line 160 to the suction of the refrigerant compressor c 3 . for a completely new ( grass roots ) design the coldboxes 115 and 115 a of fig3 can advantageously be combined into one coldbox 180 , and the expander c 4 can be eliminated , as shown in fig4 . referring in detail to process 211 in fig4 the streams 110 , 112 c , 113 and 134 flows through a coldbox or refrigerated heat exchanger 116 for heat exchange as shown via coils 110 a , 112 a , 113 a and 114 a . a first separation column 116 receives the refrigerated feed via line 117 and synthesis gas taken from the top of this column and passed through a top mounted refluxed condenser 119 . synthesis gas is taken overhead via line 121 and passes to coil 112 a in box 180 for delivery at line 112 c . waste gas is taken from the bottom of the column 116 and is passed via line 122 to the joule thompson valve 123 . a typical pressure drop through the jt valve is 300 to 350 psi . cooled waste gas then passes via line 125 to provide refrigeration for the condenser 119 . it passes through line 126 and coil 126 a in the coldbox 180 for delivery via line 131 as feed to a second column 130 . column 130 is provided with a top mounted refluxed condenser 135 . methane rich gas leaves the bottom of column 130 via line 133 to flow to coil 114 a in coldbox 180 to deliver at line 134 . if needed , the pressure of the methane rich gas is boosted in a single stage blower c 1 and methane rich gas is delivered at 114 . overhead gas is taken via line 132 to a third column 140 . the separation in column 130 is such that all of the incoming hydrogen via line 131 but none of the incoming methane via line 131 goes overhead via line 132 . third column 140 is provided with a top mounted refluxed condenser 145 . nitrogen rich gas leaves the bottom of column 140 via line 143 to flow to coil 113 a in coldbox 180 , and to delivery at line 113 . nitrogen rich gas ( typically 97 % nitrogen , with the remainder being argon ) may be rejected to the atmosphere . overhead gas from column 140 is taken via line 142 to coil 140 a in coldbox 115 to deliver at line 146 . the separation in column 1450 is such that all of the incoming hydrogen via line 132 goes overhead at column 140 . hydrogen / nitrogen delivered at line 146 is recompressed in compressor c 2 and combined with the synthesis gas at line 112 c , and is delivered at line 112 . refrigeration for the refluxed condensers 135 and 145 is provided by a refrigeration compressor c 3 . the discharge of compressor c 3 delivers via line 151 to coil 150 a in coldbox 180 . the cold refrigerant leaves via line 152 and is expanded via valve 153 to line 154 . refrigerant to refluxed condenser 135 is delivered via line 155 ; refrigerant to refluxed condenser 145 is delivered via line 156 . refrigerant returns from the refluxed condenser 135 via line 157 and from refluxed condenser 145 via line 158 . the combined refrigerant returns via line 159 into coil 150 b in coldbox 180 , and leaves via line 160 to the suction of the refrigerant compressor c 3 . the presentation of the coldboxes 115 , 115 a and 180 in fig3 and fig4 is schematic and each coldbox is characterized by the following : 1 ) heat is exchanged between the flowing process streams , and the temperatures change accordingly as indicated . the heat exchange between the warm and the cold streams is in balance . 2 ) the heat exchangers and columns are embedded in one common box , providing cold insulation to prevent ingression of heat to the equipment . the insulation side of the cold box interior has one common identical stagnant temperature , for the whole box interior . 3 ) the presentation in fig3 and fig4 indicates that heat exchange occurs directly between the warm and cold streams , inside the heat exchange device . 4 ) accordingly , the cold box interior maintains , throughout the entirety of the gas purification process , the same temperature at which the indicated streams are passed through the cold box interior , after the cryogenic separation . the parameters , upstream of the coldbox as presented , are to be adjusted as to maintain the feed gas to the coldbox per fig3 and fig4 line 110 .	5
u . s . pat . no . 3 , 868 , 416 discloses and claims certain 4 -( monoalkylamino ) benzoic acids , esters , pharmaceutically acceptable salts , pharmaceutical compositions thereof and a method of lowering serum lipid levels in mammals therewith . no prior art is known which discloses the 4 -( monoalkylamino )- phenyl carbinols ( primary , secondary and tertiary alcohols ) and derivatives and salts thereof of this invention and no hypolipidemic activity has been reported in the literature for these compounds and they are different in structure from other hypolipidemic agents . the compounds of this invention lower serum - lipid concentrations and also minimize atheroma formation in the aorta . these 4 -( monoalkylamino ) phenyl carbinols provide the oral administration required of hypolipidemic agents , which patients usually take for many years . the anti - atherogenic activity of the alkylaminobenzoic acids mentioned above has been announced ; abstract no . 27 , american oil chemists society , 67th meeting , new orleans , april 21 - 24 , 1876 ; federation proceedings 36 , abstract no . 4706 ( 1977 ). we have now found that the members of this class of compounds can safely and effectively lower serum lipids in warm - blooded animals . for some time it has been considered desirable to lower serum lipid levels and to correct lipoprotein imbalance in mammals as a preventive measure against atherosclerosis . the compounds of the present invention do not act by blocking late stages of cholesterol biosynthesis and thus do not produce accumulation of intermediates such as desmosterol , as equally undesirable as cholesterol itself . compounds with the combination of therapeutically favorable characteristics possessed by those of the present invention can be safely administered to warm blooded mammals for the treatment of hyperlipidemic and atherosclerotic states found in patients with or prone to heart attacks , to peripheral or cerebral vascular disease , and to stroke . the 4 -( monoalkylamino ) phenyl carbinols ( primary , secondary and tertiary alcohols ) of the present invention are , in general , white crystalline solids having characteristic melting points and spectral characteristics . they are soluble in organic solvents such as lower alkanols , chloroform , benzene , dimethylformamide , and the like , but are generally insoluble in water . the novel compounds of the present invention form non - toxic acid - addition salts with a variety of pharmacologically acceptable organic and inorganic salt - forming reagents . thus , acid - addition salts , formed by admixture of the organic free base with one or more equivalents of an acid , suitably in a neutral solvent , are formed with such acids as sulfuric , phosphoric , hydrochloric , hydrobromic , and the like . the acid - addition salts of the organic bases of the present invention are , in general , crystalline solids . in addition , those compounds wherein r 2 and / or r 3 contain acidic groups form pharmaceutically acceptable cationic salts with bases such as the alkali metal hydroxides , alkaline earth metal hydroxides , and the like . the free alcohols of this invention may be prepared from 4 - aminophenylcarbinols , 0 - alkanoyl esters thereof , 4 - alkylaminobenzoic acids , esters thereof , and from 4 - alkylaminobenzaldehydes or adducts thereof . the benzyl alcohols ( primary carbinols ) are generally prepared by metal hydride reduction of the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzoic acids or esters thereof in a suitable solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether at 10 °- 50 ° c . over a period of time consisting of 1 - 12 hours . generally ambient temperature is preferred . after destruction of the excess hydride the product is isolated directly or indirectly by extraction . the product is purified by recrystallization from organic solvents such as the hexanes , cyclohexane and the like . the metal hydrides consist of lithium aluminum hydride and lithium borohydride . the reduction of the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzoic acid or esters thereof may also be carried out with diborane ( b 2 h 6 ). the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzoic acid esters may also be reduced to the corresponding benzyl alcohols by a chemical method employing sodium in ethanol ( the bouveault - blanc reaction ) or by a catalytic hydrogenation method using copper chromite catalyst at an elevated temperature and high pressure . the primary and secondary α - substituted -( alkyl and aryl ) benzyl alcohols are prepared from the corresponding aldehydes or ketones by reaction with alkyl lithium or aryl lithium in a suitable solvent such as dimethoxyethane at 10 °- 50 ° c . for 10 minutes up to 2 hours , quenching the reaction therefrom , and extracting the product with a chlorinated hydrocarbon such as dichloromethane . the product is purified by recrystallization from an organic solvent such as the hexanes , methyl cyclohexanes , and the like . the secondary and tertiary alcohols of this invention may also be prepared by the classical grignard reaction with reagents such as alkyl - mg - halogen , aryl - mg - halogen on the corresponding aldehydes and ketones in suitable solvents such as diethylether and tetrahydrofuran . the reaction mixtures are generally treated with a reagent such as aqueous ammonium chloride , and the product therefrom is isolated and purified by extraction and recrystallization . the 4 - alkylaminophenylcarbinols of this invention are also prepared from the 4 - aminophenyl primary , secondary or tertiary carbinols by alkylations employing alkyl halides , sulfates , tosylates , or mesylates with or without solvent at 50 °- 150 ° c . using an excess of the aminophenylcarbinol as base or an equivalent of an organic or inorganic base . the 0 - alkanoyl derivatives of the aminophenylcarbinols may be alkylated similarly . alternative methods of preparation are ( a ) by reductive alkylation of the various types of 4 - aminophenylcarbinols with suitable carbonylalkanes , and ( b ) by diborane reduction of 4 - alkanoylaminophenylcarbinols . the reductive alkylation may also be carried out on 4 - aminobenzaldehyde and derivatives or on 4 - aminoacetophenone and other phenones in which case the carbonyl group of these substrates is simultaneously reduced . similarly , 4 - alkanoylaminobenzaldehydes and derivatives or 4 - alkanoylaminoacetophenones and other phenones are subjected to simultaneous or stepwise reduction of the anilide and the phenone carbonyl groups . the secondary alcohols of this invention may also be prepared by chemical and catalytic reduction of the corresponding aminoalkylaminoacetophenones and monoalkylaminobenzophenones . the chemical methods employ e . g . sodium and alcohol , sodium borohydride , and the like . the catalytic methods employed e . g . nickel catalysts in ethanol , and the like . the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzyl alcohol n , o - diacylates can be prepared by acylation of the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzyl alcohols with acyl halides or anhydrides such as acetyl chloride , acetic anhydride , benzoyl chloride , benzoic anhydride , succinic anhydride , etc . in the presence of a suitable base as pyridine , triethylamine and the like with or without an organic solvent . the n - alkanoyl - 4 - monoalkylaminobenzyl alcohols can be prepared by treatment of the n , o - dialkanoates with a base such as potassium hydroxide in an alcoholic solvent such as methanol , ethanol and the like . the reaction is carried out at ambient temperature up to the temperature of reflux of the alcohol employed . the reaction time is from 30 minutes up to 6 hours . the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzyl alcohol o - acylates can be prepared generally as follows . acetyl bromide is added to a solution of the free benzyl alcohol in an acidic solvent such as trifluoroacetic acid , and the mixture is stirred for a short time ( 15 min . to 2 hours ). water is added , and the solution is evaporated in vacuo . the residue is treated with diethylether to provide the o - acylates in the form of their hydrobromide salt . treatment of the latter with alkali organic salts such as sodium acetate generates the 4 - monoalkylaminobenzyl alcohol o - acylates . certain derivatives ## str4 ## of the aminobenzoyl nitrogen atom are useful for providing greater solubility , more uniform and reliable intestinal absorption , and for a certain degree of modification of the pharmacology of the compounds of the present invention . some of these derivatives can be converted to the corresponding n - h forms by the acidity of the stomach or the alkalinity of the small intestine . others are converted by metabolic processes . the methyl and carboxymethyl derivatives and the like are prepared by the alkylation , reductive alkylation , and acylamino reduction methods above . derivatives such as the acetyl and succinyl compounds may be prepared using acetyl chloride , acetic anhydride , succinic anhydride , etc . in the presence of pyridine , triethylamine or the like at temperatures moderate enough to avoid acylation of the amide moiety . the 1 -( sodium sulfo )- alkyl derivatives are obtained by reaction of the 4 -( monoalkylamino ) benzamides , or suitable intermediates in certain cases , with sodium bisulfite and an aliphatic aldehyde , a polyhydroxyaldehyde such as glyceraldehyde or glucose , or cinnamaldehyde in a mixed organic - aqueous medium . in the case of cinnamaldehyde , the di - sulfonate salts result from addition of the bisulfite to the carbon - nitrogen double bond of the anil intermediate as well as to the carbon - carbon double bond of cinnamaldehyde itself . the novel compounds of the present invention are not only hypolipidemic agents but also prevent or diminish the formation or enlargement of arterial plaques in mammals when administered in amounts ranging from about one milligram to about 250 mg . per kilogram of body weight per day . a preferred dosage regimen for optimum results would be from about 5 mg . to about 100 mg . per kilogram of body weight per day , and such dosage units are employed that a total of from about 0 . 35 grams to about 7 . 0 grams of the active compound for a subject of about 70 kg . of body weight are administered in a 24 - hour period . this dosage regimen may be adjusted to provide the optimum therapeutic response . for example , several divided doses may be administered daily or the dose may be proportionally reduced as indicated by the exigencies of the therapeutic situation . a decided practical advantage of this invention is that the active compound may be administered conveniently by the oral route . it is not known how these novel compounds operate in the blood serum and no theory of why these compounds so operate is advanced . it is not intended that the present invention should be limited to any particular mechanism of action of lowering serum lipids or of meliorating atherosclerosis , or be limited to compounds acting by only one mechanism . the compounds of the present invention may be orally administered , for example , with an inert diluent or with an assimilable edible carrier , or they may be enclosed in hard or soft shell gelatin capsules , or they may be compressed into tablets , or they may be incorporated directly with the food of the diet . for oral therapeutic administration , the compounds may be incorporated with excipients and used in the form of ingestible tablets , buccal tablets , troches , capsules , elixirs , suspensions , syrups , wafers , and the like . such compositions and preparations should contain at least 0 . 1 % of active compound . the percentage of the compositions and preparations may , of course , be varied and may conveniently be between about 2 to about 60 % of the weight of the unit . the amount of active ingredient in such therapeutically useful compositions is such that a suitable dosage will be obtained . preferred compositions or preparations according to the present invention are prepared so that an oral dosage unit form contains between about 50 and 250 milligrams of active compound . the tablets , troches , pills , capsules and the like may also contain the following : a binder such as gum tragacanth , acacia , corn starch or gelatin ; excipients such as dicalcium phosphate , a disintegrating agent such as corn starch , potato starch , alginic acid and the like ; a lubricant such as magnesium stearate ; and a sweetening agent such as sucrose , lactose or saccharin may be added or a flavoring agent such as peppermint , oil of wintergreen , or cherry flavoring . when the dosage unit form is a capsule , it may contain , in addition to materials of the above type , a liquid carrier . various other materials may be present as coatings or to otherwise modify the physical form of the dosage unit . for instance , tablets , pills , or capsules may be coated with shellac , sugar or both . a syrup or elixir may contain the active compound , sucrose as a sweetening agent , methyl and propylparabens as preservatives , a dye and flavoring such as cherry or orange flavor . of course , any material used in preparing any dosage unit form should be pharmaceutically pure and substantially non - toxic in the amounts employed . in addition , the active ingredients may be incorporated into sustained - release preparations and formulations . the invention will be described in greater detail in conjunction with the following specific examples . methyl p - hexadecylaminobenzoate ( 1 g .) is partially dissolved at room temperature in tetrahydrofuran ( 10 ml .). to this is added portionwise an excess of lithium aluminum hydride ( 0 . 5 g . ), and the reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for a total of 2 hours . the mixture is treated with excess 10 % aqueous ammonium chloride , and then filtered through diatomaceous earth . evaporation in vacuo of the filtrate gives a solid residue , wt . 0 . 68 g . recrystallization from hexanes gives the product of the example as white crystals , m . p . 74 °- 75 ° c . p - hexadecylaminobenzoic acid ( 2 . 0 g .) is dissolved in 20 ml . of dry tetrahydrofuran , and to this is added portionwise at room - temperature 0 . 5 g . of lithium aluminum hydride . the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours , and then is quenched with 10 % aqueous ammonium chloride solution . the mixture is filtered , and the filtrate is evaporated in vacuo to provide a yellow solid . the residue is extracted several times with methylene chloride and the extracts are evaporated in vacuo to give a white solid . recrystallization from hexane gave the product of the example , m . p . 74 °- 75 ° c . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzoic acid with p - octylaminobenzoic acid , p - nonylaminobenzoic acid , p - decylaminobenzoic acid , p - undecylaminobenzoic acid , p - dodecylaminobenzoic acid , p - tridecylaminobenzoic acid , p -( 14 - methylpentadecyl ) aminobenzoic acid , p - pentadecylaminobenzoic acid , p - heptadecylaminobenzoic acid , p - octadecylaminobenzoic acid , and nondecylaminobenzoic acid provide respectively , p - octylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - nonylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - decylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - undecylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - dodecylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - tridecylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - pentadecylaminobenzyl alcohol , p -( 14 - methylpentadecyl ) aminobenzyl alcohol , p - heptadecylaminobenzyl alcohol , p - octadecylaminobenzyl alcohol and p - nonadecylaminobenzyl alcohol . hydrogen chloride is bubbled with stirring into a solution of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol ( 1 . 0 g .) in anhydrous diethyl ether ( 50 ml .). immediately a white precipitate forms , and after 3 minutes the mixture is filtered and washed several times with anhydrous diethyl ether to provide the product of the example as a white solid ( 1 . 0 g . ), m . p . shrinkage at 70 ° c ., and gradual decomposition up to about 160 ° c . following the procedure of example 2 , employing 0 . 5 ml . of 48 % hydrobromic acid provides the salt . p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol ( 150 mg .) in pyridine ( 1 ml .) is treated with acetic anhydride ( 0 . 5 ml .) and the mixture is allowed to stand at room temperature for 3 hours . it is then poured into cold - water providing a gum which rapidly changes into a white solid . this is collected by filtration , washed with water and dried . this provides 170 mg . of the product of the example m . p . 54 °- 56 ° c . infrared spectral analysis confirms the acetylation of both the oxygen and nitrogen sites . n - hexadecyl - α - hydroxy - p - acetotolidide acetate ( 2 . 0 g .) in methanol ( 25 ml .) is refluxed with 3 ml . of 2 n potassium hydroxide in methanol for 2 hours . solvent is removed in vacuo , water added , and the white residue is collected by filtration . the solid is dissolved in methylene chloride , the resulting solution dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate , filtered , and evaporated . the product of the example is thus obtained as a white solid , m . p . 73 °- 75 ° c . acetyl bromide ( 0 . 33 ml .) is added to a solution of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol ( 1 . 0 g .) in trifluoroacetic acid ( 5 ml . ), and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 0 . 5 hours . two drops of water are added , and the solution is stirred at room temperature for 0 . 5 hours . two drops of water are added , and the solution is evaporated in vacuo . the residue is dissolved in hexanes , and re - evaporated . the residue is treated with anhydrous diethyl ether , and the white solid is collected by filtration , washed with anhydrous diethyl ether , and dried to give 1 . 01 g . of the product of the example , m . p . 80 °- 82 ° c . one - half ml . of 30 % aqueous sodium acetate is added to a solution of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol acetate hydrobromide ( 100 mg .) in methylene chloride ( 2 ml .). after thorough mixing , the organic layer is separated , dried over anhydrous sodium sulfate , and evaporated at ambient temperature to provide the product ( 50 mg .) of the example , m . p . 43 °- 45 ° c . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol in example 6 with p - heptadecylaminobenzyl alcohol gives the product of the example . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol in example 4 with p - tetradecylaminobenzyl alcohol gives the product of the example . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol in example 6 with p - tetradecylaminobenzyl alcohol gives the product of the example . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzyl alcohol acetate hydrobromide in example 7 with p - tetradecylaminobenzyl alcohol acetate hydrobromide gives the product of the example . replacement of p - hexadecylaminobenzoic acid and its methyl ester in example 1 with p -( 1 - methylundecylamino )- benzoic acid gives the product of the example . p - aminobenzonitrile ( 11 . 8 g ., 0 . 1 mole ) and 1 - bromohexadecane ( 15 . 25 g ., 0 . 05 mole ) are dissolved in hexamethylphosphoramide ( 200 ml .) and heated under nitrogen in an oil bath maintained at 120 ° c . for 22 hours . the reaction mixture is cooled to room - temperature , and water ( 50 ml .) is added gradually . the mixtue is then chilled in an ice - bath . the precipitate separated is filtered , washed thoroughly with water and dried . it is then washed repeatedly with hexane and dried , providing 14 . 2 g . of a pale brownish yellow granular solid as a homogeneous product . recrystallization from ether - hexane affords p - hexadecylaminobenzonitrile as pale yellow prisms , m . p . 63 °- 64 ° c . di - isobutylaluminum hydride ( 54 ml ., 25 % solution in toluene ) is added with stirring to a solution of p - hexadecylaminobenzonitrile ( 11 . 4 g .) under a nitrogen atmosphere . the temperature rises to 40 ° c . during the addition which takes 30 minutes , and the reaction is then stirred for 1 hour . a solution of methanol in toluene ( 50 ml ., 1 : 1 ) is added over 30 minutes , and the mixture is poured into vigorously stirred ice - cold aqueous sulfuric acid ( 500 ml ., 5 %). after 10 minutes diatomaceous earth ( 30 g .) is added , the mixture filtered and the organic layer separated . the aqueous solution is extracted twice with toluene ( 100 ml .) and the combined organic layers are washed with aqueous sodium bicarbonate , dried over magnesium sulfate , decolorized with charcoal , filtered and evaporated in vacuo to give a light yellow crystalline solid . the crude product is dissolved in dichloromethane and filtered through magnesium silicate ( 80 g .) to give a white crystalline material on removal of the solvent . the solid is recrystallized from dichloromethane - hexanes giving p - hexadecylamino benzaldehyde as colorless fine needles ( 6 . 0 g . ), m . p . 84 °- 85 ° c . p - hexadecylaminobenzaldehyde ( 5 . 0 g .) is dissolved in dimethoxyethane ( 100 ml .) under nitrogen . methyl lithium ( 1 . 5 m solution in ether , 30 ml .) is then added with stirring over 10 minutes . after an additional 15 minutes , water ( 30 ml .) is added to quench the reaction . the solution is then diluted with dichloromethane ( 250 ml .) and washed three times with water . the organic layer is dried over magnesium sulfate , filtered through hydrated magnesium silicate and the solvents removed in vacuo to give a yellow solid . recrystallization from hexanes gives the product of the example , m . p . 55 °- 56 ° c . the product of the example is also prepared by use of methyl magnesium bromide in place of methyl lithium . the reaction is carried out in diethyl ether or tetrahydrofuran with subsequent quenching of the reaction with ammonium chloride . following the procedure of example 13 employing phenyl lithium or phenyl magnesium bromide provides the product of the example . p - aminoacetophenone ( 87 . 6 g .) is heated with hexadecylbromide ( 198 g .) in dry hexamethylphosphoramide ( 300 ml .) containing anhydrous potassium carbonate ( 90 g .) for 16 hours at 100 ° c . the solution is cooled to room temperature , filtered to remove solids , and the filtrate is diluted with cold water ( 20 ml .). the amber solid so obtained is collected and washed with water . recrystallization from ethanol followed by dichloromethane provides p - hexadecylaminoacetophenone . following the procedures of example 13 employing p - hexadecylaminoacetophenone provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 13 reaction of p - hexadecylaminoacetophenone with phenyl lithium , or phenyl magnesium bromide provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 13 reaction of p - hexadecylaminobenzophenone with phenyl lithium or phenyl magnesium bromide provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 2 employing p - hexadecylamino - α - methylbenzyl alcohol provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 6 employing p - hexadecylamino - α - methylbenzyl alcohol provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 7 employing p - hexadecylamino - α - methylbenzyl alcohol acetate hydrobromide provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 4 employing p - hexadecylamino - α - methylbenzyl alcohol provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 5 employing n - hexadecyl - 4 &# 39 ;-( 1 - hydroxyethyl ) acetanilide acetate provides the product of the example . following the procedure of example 4 employing p - hexadecylamino - α , α - dimethylbenzyl alcohol provides the product of the example . ______________________________________preparation of 50 mg . tabletsper tablet per 10 , 000 tablets______________________________________0 . 050 gm . active ingredient 500 gm . 0 . 080 gm . lactose 800 gm . 0 . 010 gm . corn starch ( for mix ) 100 gm . 0 . 008 gm . corn starch ( for paste ) 75 gm . 0 . 148 gm . 1475 gm . 0 . 002 gm . 15 gm . 0 . 150 gm . 1490 gm . ______________________________________ the active ingredient , lactose and corn starch ( for mix ) are blended together . the corn starch ( for paste ) is suspended in 600 ml . of water and heated with stirring to form a paste . this paste is then used to granulate the mixed powders . additional water is used if necessary . the wet granules are passed through a no . 8 hand screen and dried at 120 ° f . the dry granules are then passed through a no . 16 screen . the mixture is lubricated with 1 % magnesium stearate and compressed into tablets in a suitable tableting machine . ______________________________________preparation of oral suspensioningredient amount______________________________________active ingredient 500 mg . sorbitol solution ( 70 % n . f .) 40 ml . sodium benzoate 150 mg . saccharin 10 mg . red dye 10 mg . cherry flavor 50 mg . distilled water qs ad 100 ml . ______________________________________ the sorbitol solution is added to 40 ml . of distilled water and the active ingredient is suspended therein . the saccharin , sodium benzoate , flavor and dye are added and dissolved . the volume is adjusted to 100 ml . with distilled water . each ml . of syrup contains 5 mg of active ingredient .	2
as required , detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein ; however , it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms . the figures are not necessarily to scale ; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components . therefore , specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting , but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention . in order to better coordinate arrival of guests with a host &# 39 ; s ( or person the driver is meeting , etc .) presence , it may be useful to have a means of tracking , in real time , the present location of a traveling vehicle . if a host can see where a vehicle is along a route , the host can then have a better idea of when the vehicle will actually arrive at the destination . although a host is used as an example , the vehicle could also be traveling to a meeting place , such as a business or restaurant , and the party already present may want to know , for example , an estimated arrival time so that they can delay a meeting , place a request for a table , etc . since it might be inconvenient and even possibly dangerous to repeatedly call the traveling party for updates , and since the traveling party may be unfamiliar with the area through which they are traveling , and thus unable to provide accurate location information , by using the vehicle &# 39 ; s gps coordinates as a reference against a known map , the location , distance , and estimated arrival time of the vehicle may be known . in a first illustrative embodiment , shown in fig2 , a vehicle tracking system ( such as , but not limited to , a server remote from the vehicle ) receives a vehicle tracking request . additionally or alternatively , the querying party could , for example , send the request directly from a smart phone to a vehicle ( if , for example , the smart phone had mapping capability ). other means of receiving and transmitting the request and requested data are also possible , these examples are merely provided as several exemplary scenarios . in this illustrative embodiment , a remote server receives the request 201 , and contacts the vehicle 203 . the contact could be over a connection established through a wireless device in communication with a vehicle , it could be to a device permanently in communication with a vehicle , it could be over a wireless networking connection , etc . once the vehicle has been contacted , the remote server sends a request to the vehicle for authentication purposes 204 . for privacy reasons , most , if not all , drivers may not want to simply be able to be tracked by any party , so in this illustrative embodiment , the vehicle authenticates the request . in one illustrative embodiment , the authentication is a one - time process per trip per querying party . so , for example , in this system , once a party has been authenticated a first time during a trip , that party no longer needs to be authenticated to track the vehicle for the rest of the journey . the authentication could be stored on a server , or the authentication could be stored vehicle - side , and each subsequent request could be automatically approved for the duration of the journey . in another illustrative embodiment , a vehicle owner provides a tracking party with a vehicle identification code . this could be a permanent code , or it could be a code that changes each trip . as long as the code is transmitted along with the request , in this embodiment , the vehicle will confirm the validity of the tracking request . it may be desirable to have the code be user - definable , at least , since an unchangeable code could be used by someone who was given the code previously , but now , for whatever reason , the driver does not wish to have that person use the code . the code could simply be a password , for example , or it could be a numeric , alphabetical , alphanumeric , etc . code generated by a vehicle computing system or a user . in yet a further illustrative embodiment , querying parties may be identified as “ always approved .” for example , if a parent wanted to track the vehicle of a child , the parent could set up a system such that a parent &# 39 ; s requests could not be denied by the vehicle occupant . these are but a few illustrative examples of how authentication can be processed , although other means for identification that are known and applicable are also contemplated as being usable with the illustrative embodiments and within the scope of the invention . approval is discussed further with respect to the example shown in fig3 . after the remote server requests authentication , the system checks to see if authentication was approved 205 . if the request was denied , the process exits 206 . otherwise , the process may then receive gps coordinates of the vehicle 207 . although gps coordinates are used in this example , that is just one example of a common positioning system , and any suitable means of determining the vehicle &# 39 ; s location may be implemented . in addition to the gps coordinates , in this illustrative embodiment , route data is also received 209 . in this embodiment , the vehicle is equipped with a navigation system , and route data to a destination programmed into the navigation system is received . in other words , the data for the currently programmed destination is received . this destination , however , may not correspond to the location of the querying party . for example , without limitation , if a driver was an hour into a four hour trip , but had reprogrammed the navigation system to find a local gas station , the querying party would receive information pertaining to the estimated arrival time of the driver at the local gas station . since it is unlikely that this is the arrival time that is being sought , it may also be possible to provide a destination to accompany the query , such that the remote server ( querying phone , etc . ), once receiving the current gps location of the car , can then calculate an estimated arrival time to the entered destination . it may also be the case , for example , that the querying party is inputting the query from a device equipped with a gps system of its own ( such as , but not limited to , a smart phone ). in this instance , the phone itself may actually transmit the “ end location ” as that of the querying device , thus eliminating the need for inclusion of a final destination in the query . once the proper destination is known , through any of the exemplary methods presented herein , or through other suitable methods , the querying server ( phone , etc .) can then calculate an estimated arrival time and display , for example , the current position of the traveling vehicle 211 . although not shown , the calculated arrival time may take into account factors such as , but not limited to , weather conditions , traffic conditions , known detours , vehicle average speed over the journey so far , etc . by including factors such as these , a fairly accurate ( barring any other stops ) estimation of arrival time can be obtained . fig3 shows one example of an approval process . in this illustrative embodiment , the vehicle computing system ( or , for example , a smart phone or other device paired with the vehicle computing system , containing an application designed to perform one or more of the illustrative embodiments ), receives a request for tracking the vehicle 301 . in this embodiment , the driver is capable of pre - approving requests and / or the system “ remembers ” parties that have been previously approved for tracking over the present journey . if the request is not pre - approved 303 , the vehicle computing system , in this embodiment , notifies the occupant that a request is pending approval 305 . this could be a verbal , visual or other suitable notification . similarly , the occupant can respond to the notification with a verbal input ( such as , but not limited to , “ approved ” or “ denied ”) or a physical input including , but not limited to , a button press designating approval or denial , a touch screen press , etc . if the request is not approved 307 , the system rejects the request and returns a rejection 309 . if the request is approved 307 ( or if the request was pre - approved 303 ), the system then checks to see if monitoring is to be enabled 311 . monitoring the vehicle is discussed in more detail with respect to fig4 and 5 . if monitoring is enabled 311 , the receiving system sets a monitoring status 313 and then returns a request approval and the current vehicle data 315 . if there is no need to set the monitoring status , then the receiving system may simply return approval and the current vehicle data 315 . fig4 shows an illustrative embodiment relating to monitoring the status of the vehicle . in this illustrative embodiment , a querying party has requested vehicle information , and the request has been approved , resulting in the setting of a monitoring status of the vehicle . monitoring the vehicle may be useful , for example , if the party sends an initial query to determine an estimated arrival time , but then does not wish to check back with the vehicle unless there is an event that may increase that estimated arrival time . additionally or alternatively , the querying party may wish to receive periodic updates over intervals of distance or time , thus allowing tracking of the vehicle without having to repeatedly send requests for information . in this illustrative embodiment , the system receiving the request has set the monitoring status of the vehicle to “ enabled ” and then begins to track the status of the vehicle for various delay events and / or time / distance intervals traveled . if , for example , an off - road event occurs 403 ( where the vehicle &# 39 ; s gps coordinates no longer correspond to a known road ), the system may prepare to transfer location data 405 in the event that a vehicle computing or navigation system becomes disabled ( due to an accident or a power - down event , for example ). if no off road event has occurred , or once the transfer has been prepared in the event the vehicle is powered down , the system then checks to see if the vehicle prndl is in a park state 407 . if the prndl is not in a park state , then the vehicle may have simply briefly left a known road as a detour ( such as cutting through a parking lot ) or the vehicle may simply be traveling on an unknown road and thus no “ event ” update may be needed , as travel time is unlikely to be significantly affected . if the prndl is in a park state 407 , then the system may send a current location update and / or a snapshot from one or more of the vehicle &# 39 ; s external cameras 409 . since the vehicle was placed in park , it is possible that the trip may be delayed for , for example , 5 - 10 minutes if gas is being obtained , 20 - 40 minutes if a food stop is being made , etc . predicting the duration of a delay is discussed more with respect to fig6 , but in this illustrative embodiment , even if there is no predictive algorithm to project a delay , the querying party may be able to guess at a likely delay based on the photograph ( s ) from the vehicle camera ( s ) ( presumably showing the current location of the vehicle ). in this illustrative embodiment , a flag is also set once the data is sent , so that the data is not sent again at a later point in the process with respect to the same stop , if another condition is met . the flag may be cleared at a suitable time such as , but not limited to , when the vehicle prndl is no longer in park , or when the vehicle moves , etc . thus , if the system detects that the vehicle is in park but a flag is set 415 , it will “ know ” that the relevant data has already been sent for this stop , and can continue on with processing . if the flag is not set 415 , then the system can send the relevant data 409 , set the flag 411 , and proceed with processing . if the vehicle is not in park , the system then , in this illustrative embodiment , checks to see if the vehicle power is on 413 . if the sending / monitoring system is a vehicle computing system , it is possible that it will lose power in the event of vehicle power loss , so in that instance the process may naturally terminate . it is possible , however , that the system maintains limited power on a reserve supply to handle processes of an emergency nature ( such as that which is likely occurring if a vehicle is not in park but the power is off ) or handle wrap - up processes before all power is lost to the system . in another example , the monitoring system may be provided on a wireless device ( in the form of an application , for example ) and thus may still be powered even if the vehicle is not . if the vehicle power is off 413 , the system first checks to see if a transfer has been prepped 417 . the transfer , in this example , would have been prepped in response to the detection of an off - road event at step 403 . if a transfer has been prepped , the system sends the location data / snapshots / any other relevant data . the snapshots can be taken at the time the data is sent , or they may be taken as soon as an off - road condition is detected ( or at any point in between or beforehand , as is suitable for a particular implementation ). once the data is sent ( or not sent ), the system checks to see if the trip has ended 419 ( e . g ., the vehicle has reached a destination ). if the trip is ended 419 , monitoring ceases 421 , since the vehicle has presumably arrived at the location of the querying party . it may be the case that a vehicle navigation system has a destination programmed therein that is different from the location of the querying party , so in an instance such as this , the trip “ end ” point may be dictated by the querying party as opposed to the present destination in the vehicle navigation computer . if the trip has not ended , in this illustrative embodiment , the monitoring system checks to see if a time / distance interval has elapsed 423 . this could be a pre - defined interval , or the interval could be defined by the querying party ( e . g ., without limitation , every fifteen minutes , every ten miles , etc .). if an interval has elapsed , then relevant vehicle data ( location , snapshots , etc ) is sent to the querying party 425 , and then the system returns to monitoring for event data . fig5 shows an illustrative example of a system for handling an emergency condition . if the monitoring system is outfitted with the capability to detect an emergency event , then prior to checking for any other conditions , the system may check to see if an emergency has occurred 501 . the monitoring process may default to this process in the event that an emergency occurs at any time , as well . in this illustrative embodiment , the monitoring system , upon detecting an emergency 501 , first performs any procedures in accordance with existing emergency procedures 503 ( such as , but not limited to , notifying emergency responders , ice contacts , etc .). once these procedures are complete , the system will send an emergency update to the querying party 505 . in rare instances , the querying party may be the only person who can locate the traveling party . for example , if the querying party lives off of known roads , and there is an accident in a location that cannot be conveyed to an emergency responder ( since road names are not known ), sending this update to the querying party may allow that party to then contact the emergency responders and notify them of an estimated location of the vehicle . it is also possible , if pictures are taken using one or more vehicle cameras and transferred , that there is a local landmark that the querying party can use to precisely identify the location of the vehicle and provide assistance to emergency responders in finding the vehicle to aid the occupant ( s ). fig6 shows an illustrative embodiment of a process for predicting the delay associated with a vehicle stop along a route . in this illustrative embodiment , a system which sent a query to a vehicle for location information receives back the information and / or one or more snapshots from vehicle camera ( s ) 601 ( video is also possible ). one the data has been received , the querying system displays the snapshot ( if , for example , the querying system was a smart phone or other display enabled device ) 603 , or relays the snapshot to a querying party for display 603 . based on gps data correlated with known business locations , the system then attempts to determine if a location type is known 605 . for example , if a vehicle stops at a location that corresponds to a gas station , then the system may assume that the driver is getting fuel ( fuel status of the vehicle can also be used to aid in this determination , as it is unlikely a driver on a full tank would stop for fuel ). or , if the location status corresponds to a restaurant , then it is likely the driver is stopping for food ( again , however , previous data , such a , for example , a restaurant stop just minutes before , may be used to “ determine ” the purpose of the stop ). if the location type is unknown , or if , for example , a location has dual purposes ( such as a gas station / eatery ), the system may ask the querying party for information pertaining to the likely cause of the stop 607 . for example , if the location is completely unknown , the querying party may be able to identify the location type using the one or more snapshots or video that was sent from a vehicle camera or cameras . or , based on which part of the parking lot a vehicle is parked in ( known from the camera shots ), the user may be able to determine whether a vehicle is stopped for gas or food . if the user cannot identify the nature of the stop 607 , a default delay may be used to adjust arrival time 609 ( such as , but not limited to , ten minutes ). if the user can identify the location type 611 , then a delay corresponding to that location type may be used 612 . alternatively or additionally , the querying user may simply input an estimated delay time 613 that can then be used to adjust estimated arrival time . if no input is received , a default delay again can be used 615 . once a delay is determined , either because the system has a delay associated with a known stop location type 606 or because the querying user has assisted in estimating the delay , the process can adjust the estimated arrival time accordingly 617 and display a new estimated arrival time 619 . as long as the trip has not been resumed 621 , the system checks to see if the estimated delay time has been exceeded 623 . if the estimated delay time is exceeded , and the trip has not been resumed , the system may adjust the estimated delay time 624 and adjust the estimated arrival time 617 . in this illustrative embodiment , as one non - limiting example , the a prolonged delay is adjusted based on the type of location ( or original duration of delay ). for example , without limitation , the system may add five minutes each time if the stop was for food , but only one minute each time if the stop was for fuel . similarly , if the original stop was for thirty minutes , time may be increased in five minute intervals , whereas if the original stop was projected to take ten minutes , time may be increased in only one minute intervals . once the trip has been resumed , the actual delay for the stop is known , and a true adjusted estimated arrival time can be known 625 and displayed 627 ( or relayed for display ). this predictive system may not change a host &# 39 ; s behavior for short delays such as fuel stops , but if it is known that a traveler is stopping for , for example , a meal , then the host may determine that they have an extra half hour or so before the guest arrives , so they can run a quick errand or otherwise be unavailable until the projected time . if the traveler resumes a journey sooner than expected , an updated arrival time can be sent to a host and they can again adjust their behavior accordingly . while exemplary embodiments are described above , it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the invention . rather , the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation , and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention . additionally , the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention .	6

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